Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors of Psychiatric Comorbidities Among the Hospitalized Patients in Bangladesh: A Cross‐Sectional Study
M. M. A. Shalahuddin Qusar, Nahid Mahjabin Morshed, Md. Mohsin Ali Shah, Sultana Algin, Md. Hafizur Rahman Chowdhury, Shelina Fatema Binte Shaheed, Sifat E. Syed, S. M. Atikur Rahman, Fatima Zohra, Md. Mahbubul Hasan, Munaim Reza, Soubarno Roy Badhan, Mrittunjoy Kumar Sarder, A. H. M. Mostofa Kamal, Md. Moshiur Rahman, A. S. M. Roknuzzaman, Md. Rabiul IslamABSTRACT
Background
Patients with chronic illnesses frequently experience social isolation and physical disability, which may adversely affect their mental health. Studies investigating the prevalence and associated risk factors are limited. Therefore, we aimed to measure the prevalence and associated risk factors of psychiatric comorbidities among hospitalized patients in Bangladesh.
Methods
This was a face‐to‐face interview and medical record review study conducted at a tertiary care teaching hospital. A qualified psychiatrist evaluated 342 admitted patients according to DSM‐5 criteria. Several statistical methods were applied to determine the prevalence of psychiatric comorbidities and their associated factors among hospitalized patients.
Results
About half of the patients were diagnosed with at least one psychiatric disorder. The highest prevalence was observed in oncology, followed by medicine, surgery, and neurology. In multivariable analysis, a history of mental illness and hospitalized department were significantly associated with psychiatric comorbidity, with the strongest association observed among oncology patients compared with surgery patients. Depressive and anxiety disorders were the most frequent psychiatric comorbidities.
Conclusions
This study highlights the high prevalence of psychiatric comorbidities among hospitalized patients. Mental health screening, interventions, and psychosocial support may facilitate early identification and management of psychiatric comorbidities. Our findings support strengthening mental health screening and psychiatric assessment among hospitalized patients. Where feasible, consultation‐liaison psychiatry services may help improve mental health care in hospital settings.