Predictors for readmission risk of new patients: the Nordic Comparative Study on Sectorized Psychiatry

Objective: Predictors for readmission risk were investigated in this study, which forms part of the Nordic Comparative Study on Sectorized Psychiatry. Method: Included were a total of 837 consecutive 'new' patients (not in con tact with the psychiatric services for at least 18 months) admitted to in-p atient stay during a period of 1 year to seven psychiatric hospitals in fou r Nordic countries. Results: Multivariate survival analyses showed that younger age predicted i ncreased readmission risk. Stratifying on gender, diagnostic group and sect or revealed a general pattern concerning age which was the only consistent main effect. Living alone and unemployed increased readmission risk in the non-psychosis group, while receipt of aftercare decreased readmission risk in the psychosis group. A curvilinear relationship was found between availa bility of psychiatric resources and readmission risk: an intermediate amoun t of resources was associated with increased risk. Conclusion: Our findings support a hyphothesis that readmission risk is mul tifactorially determined and that interactions have to be considered.