Abstract

JARAMILLO, Luis Eduardo; SANCHEZ, Ricardo  and  HERAZO, María Isabel. Factors Related to the Number of Readmissions in Psychiatric Patients. rev.colomb.psiquiatr. [online]. 2011, vol.40, n.3, pp.409-419. ISSN 0034-7450.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the effect on readmissions of a group of clinical, therapeutic, and demographic variables. Methods: A 12-month follow-up study of a cohort of 218 patients was performed. The main outcome was the number of hospitalizations during the follow-up. Binomial negative regression was used to assess the effect that a group of variables had on the number of hospitalizations. Results: The percentage of readmissions was at the upper limit of the range reported in other studies. The use of psychoactive substances was strongly associated with the number of readmissions. Length of stay and number of previous episodes were also associated with readmissions. Voluntary discharge and comorbidity with medical diseases were protective factors. Conclusion: The rate of readmissions was strikingly high, having significant impact on patients, families, and the health system. This highlights the need of intervening on risk factors, especially the use of psychoactive substances.

Keywords : Substance-related disorders; epidemiology; rehabilitation; hospitalization; patient admission; prospective studies.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )