Medical consultation to identify somatic disorders and abnormal paraclinical findings in hospitalized psychiatric patients is feasible and worthwhile.

Abstract

Purpose: While psychiatric treatment mostly focuses on mental health, comorbid somatic conditions are frequent and often undertreated. This study aimed to bridge the gap by assessing the feasibility of medical consultations for psychiatric inpatients and to identify somatic and lifestyle-related conditions, as well as abnormal paraclinical findings. Secondly, we aimed to identify psychiatric treatments and diagnoses associated with metabolic outcomes.

Materials and methods: Patients admitted to Department of Psychiatry Vejle, Denmark, between October 2022 and December 2023 were invited to participate in a medical consultation. The consultations gathered data on comorbidities and lifestyle, including smoking habits, alcohol and drug use, and body metrics. Additionally, information on medical treatment and biochemical markers was collected.

Results: A total of 238 patients were enrolled [mean age 48.2 ± 18.6 years; 50.8% were men]. Health assessment revealed that 111 (46.6%) were active smokers and 129 (54.2%) had a body mass index (BMI) of ≥ 25 kg/m². Biochemical analysis showed that 78 (32.8%) had vitamin D levels below 50 nmol/L and 89 (38%) had a low-density lipoprotein level >3 mmol/L. Patients treated with two or more antipsychotic drugs had a significantly higher BMI (4.6 kg/m², 95% CI: 0.8-8.3) compared with individuals not taking antipsychotic medication.

Conclusion: The study demonstrates that medical consultations for hospitalized psychiatric patients are feasible and important, revealing abnormal biochemical markers and significant somatic comorbidities and lifestyle-related conditions. These findings suggest that routine medical assessments could enhance patient treatment and care and guide targeted interventions for metabolic and somatic health issues in psychiatric settings.