Physical Comorbidity and Psychiatric Diagnosis in a Neuropsychiatric Clinic in Sindhuli District, Rural Nepal

Abstract

Background: Presence of physical illness with mental health problems is very common occurrence. Contraindication of certain psychotropics with certain physical problem and some beneficial effects of other drugs in comorbid conditions is one of important aspect of studying comorbidity. Comorbidity identification and intervention helps to cure and contain mental problems in most effective way.

Materials and methods: Descriptive study with convenient sampling in all the patients who consented and attended monthly neuropsychiatric satellite health camp in Sindhuli district of Nepal from the month of Shrawan to Poush 2069 (6 months) organized by Tranquility Hospital and Research Centre, Khumaltar, Kathamndu.

Results: Out of the 172 subjects studied, the most common age group was 20-39 years (47.7 %) followed by 40-59 years (27.9 %).

The most common neuropsychiatric diagnosis was mood spectrum disorder followed by neurotic (neurotic, stress-related and somatoform) disorders. Psychosis spectrum (schizophrenia, schizotypal and delusional disorders) was the least common.

The most common physical comorbid diagnosis was migraine followed by hypertension and diabetes mellitus.

Conclusions: Migraine, hypertension and diabetes mellitus are the most common comorbid physical problems in psychiatric population found in our study.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jpan.v2i1.8571

J Psychiatrists’ Association of Nepal Vol .2, No.1, 2013 26-29