Socio-Demographic and Clinical Characteristics of Adults With Psychotic Symptomatology Under Involuntary Admission and Readmission for Compulsory Treatment in a Referral Psychiatric Hospital in Cyprus

Bibliographic Data

ID15524737
AuthorsKaterina Kaikoushi (0000-0002-4927-3072, Ministry of Health), Nicos Middleton (0000-0001-6358-8591, Cyprus University of Technology), Andreas Chatzittofis (0000-0002-6635-9564, University of Cyprus), Andeas Chatzittofis, Evanthia Bella (Limassol General Hospital), Giorgos Alevizopoulos (Hospital Agioi Anargyroi), Maria Karanikola (0000-0003-2708-1851, Cyprus University of Technology, corresponding author)
Year2021
Volume12
Pages602274-602274
Publication date2021-02-17
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueFrontiers in Psychiatry (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1664-0640 • E-ISSN: 1664-0640
PublisherFrontiers Media (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3389/fpsyt.2021.602274
PMID33679473
OpenAlexW3131700529
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited49

Socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of adults under compulsory psychiatric treatment, have not been reported adequately in Southern European countries. We investigated the socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of adults with psychotic symptomatology who were involuntarily treated in the acute Mental Health Services in Cyprus. A descriptive cross-sectional study was applied. Data collection (December 2016 to February 2018) achieved via a structured questionnaire including demographic and clinical variables. Census sampling was applied in Cyprus referral center for compulsory psychiatric treatment. The sample included 406 individuals (262 males, 144 females). Approximately 86.2% were single, 77.6% were unemployed, and 24.9% held a bachelor's degree. The most frequent clinical diagnosis was schizophrenia or a relevant psychotic disorder (86.4%). The most frequent admission cause was non-adherence to pharmacotherapy along with disorganized behavior (agitation and/or self-care deficit, and/or aggressive behavior, and/or suicidal behavior) (53.6%). Moreover, 70.7% of the sample reported a positive personal history of mental health problems, while 42.1% reported a positive family history of mental health disorders. Half of the participants (52%) were previously involuntarily admitted for compulsory treatment. Adjusted associations of readmission status were reported with Cypriot ethnicity (OR: 4.40, 95%CI: 2.58-7.50), primary education only (OR: 3.70, 95%CI: 1.64-8.37), readmission due to disorganized behavior along with non-adherence to pharmacotherapy (OR: 10.84, 95%CI: 2.69-43.72), as well as along with substance use (OR: 6.39, 95%CI: 1.52-26.82). Readmission was almost five times more likely to occur due to suicidal behavior (OR: 5.01, 95%CI: 1.09-22.99) compared to disorganized behavior not otherwise specified. Additionally, those with a diagnosis of schizophrenia were more than 12 times more frequently readmitted for compulsory treatment compared to other diagnoses (OR 12.15, 95%CI: 1.04-142). Moreover, the participants with higher secondary education had 54.6% less odds to be involuntarily re-admitted compared to Bachelor degree holders (OR 0.442, 95%CI: 0.24-0.79). A high percentage of involuntary treatment was noted due to non-adherence to pharmacotherapy and substance use. Re-evaluation of the effectiveness of relevant community interventions is suggested, as well as implementation of structured educational programs on therapy adherence during psychiatric hospitalization

Cross-sectional study · Family medicine · Mental health · Pharmacotherapy · Psychiatry · Referral · Schizophrenia (object-oriented programming · Healthcare Decision-Making and Restraints · Medicine · Mental Health and Psychiatry · Schizophrenia research and treatment

Tools

Open DOIOpen Access