FREQUENCY OF PSYCHIATRIC MORBIDITY AMONGST PATIENTS WITH DIABETES MELLITUS IN A MEDICAL OUTPATIENT

Abstract

diabetes mellitus patients in medical outpatient department. This represents an observational study based on the patients reporting to a hospital OPD. This study lasted for over one month at Combined Military Hospital Nowshera.

Patients attending diabetic clinic (n=50) were screened with the General Health Questionnaire. Present State Examination was applied to the positive cases for the consistency of the psychiatric diagnosis. A control group (n = 50) was selected amongst the attendants of the patients and the same instruments were applied. The frequency of psychiatric morbidity was found out along with individual psychiatric diagnoses.

54 % of diabetics had significant psychiatric morbidity. Only 24 % of the control group had psychological problems (p = 0.0038). The common disorders among the diabetics were adjustment disorder, depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder.

It is concluded that the increased frequency of psychiatric morbidity among the diabetics raises the need for early diagnosis and prompt treatment.