PAST MENTAL-HEALTH OR SUBSTANCE USE TREATMENT HISTORY AND PSYCHIATRICDIFFERENTIAL-DIAGNOSIS IN CONSULTATION-LIAISON PATIENTS

The purpose of this study was to determine whether frequencies of any current primary or secondary (organic) psychiatric diagnoses in consul tation-liaison (C-L) patients are associated with patient report of pa st history of mental health or substance use disorder treatment. Clini cal information recorded in 134 C-L patients was retrospectively analy zed with the chi-square test, two-tailed, or Fisher's Exact Test when the sample sizes were less than or equal to 5. The results revealed th at the overall likelihood of the existence of a secondary psychiatric disorder diagnosis is elevated when there is no treatment history (P = 0.009). A primary psychiatric disorder is more likely to be diagnosed when there is treatment history (P = 0.009). Specific psychiatric dia gnoses more likely to be present when there is no treatment history ar e organic mood disorder, depressed (P = 0.020) and adjustment disorder (P = 0.010). Specific diagnoses more likely to be present when there is treatment history are psychoactive substance-withdrawal syndrome (P = 0.014) and alcohol abuse or dependence (P = 0.028). The authors con clude that psychiatric treatment history can help C-L psychiatrists wi th differential diagnostic considerations.