Variables associated with the hospitalization of psychiatric emergencies evaluated in the community

We investigated hospitalization factors in acutely ill patients visited by psychiatrists at home. A series of 100 consecutive calls for psychiatric em ergencies of a community mental health centre were investigated with a stru ctured evaluation of psychiatric symptoms and aggressiveness (IEF, GAS, and VSAS). First order interactions were tested, and selected variables were t ested with logistic regression analysis. Admission was significantly associ ated with GAS scores (low scores were found in 92.6% of admitted patients v s. 43.8% of patients not admitted), paranoid delusions (66.7 vs. 39.7%), an d lack of social support (70.4 vs. 30.1%). Multivariate analysis confirmed a significant independent effect only for low GAS score and lack of social support. The study replicated some findings from research on hospitalizatio n in emergency wards, while other factors, such as 'diagnosis' and 'suicide risk', were not significant. (C) 1999 Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.