Seasonal Variation in Psychiatric Disorders Among Patients Admitted at Armed Forces Institute of Mental Health Rawalpindi

Abstract

Objective: To determine the seasonal variation in psychiatric disorders among patients admitted to the Armed Forces Institute of Mental Health.

Study Design: Retrospective longitudinal study.

Place and Duration of the Study: Armed Forces Institute of Mental Health Rawalpindi from Jun 2014 to May 2019.

Methodology: A total of 3120 cases diagnosed according to ICD-10 criteria were included after evaluating a 5-year indoor hospital record. Around 30 psychiatric disorders among males and females aged 12-
65 were included. Cases of adjustment disorder in the military and those without any diagnosis were excluded. Disorders were allocated to 4 seasonal groups according to the months of admission, and Seasonal variation among them was evaluated.

Results: The 5-year disease burden showed predominance for bipolar affective and depressive disorder with 887 (28.4%) and 728 (23.3%) frequency, respectively. The higher number of admissions 825 (26.4%) took place in autumn, followed by 809 (25.9%) in winter. Admissions for the depressive disorder were highest during autumn 212 (29.1%). Peak admissions in winter included bipolar affective disorder 233 (29.53%), acute mania 23 (36.5%), and mania with psychosis 12 (34.28%). Psychotic disorders like schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder were found prevalent in 2 seasons, 76 (26.0%) during the autumn and winter seasons each and 14 (29.0%) during the autumn and spring season each, respectively. Delusional disorder 4 (50.0%), paranoid psychosis 10 (45.0%) and acute and transient psychosis 17 (34.6%), and disorders with physical symptoms like dissociative 23 (36.0%) and conversion disorder 5 (33.0%), were especially widespread during spring.

Conclusion: Significant seasonal...........