Psychosocial problems secondary to cancer: an Italian multicentre survey of consultation-liaison psychiatry in oncology

Data relative to consultation-liaison psychiatry (C-L) in oncology are lack ing. In order to examine this area, a multicentre investigation was conduct ed in 17 general hospitals in Italy. All psychiatric consultation requests for cancer patients referred to C-L during a 1-year period were evaluated. Only 5% (n=217 referred patients: 114 men and 103 women) of all C-L activit y were for cancer patients. Most were 'routine' consultations (72%) for cur rent psychiatric symptoms (69%) or coping/compliance problems (12%). Previo us psychological or psychiatric disorders were shown in 32% of cases. Appro ximately 40% of patients were not informed of their referral to C-L. The mo st frequent ICD-10 psychiatric diagnoses were adjustment disorders (27%) an d major affective disorders (23%). Transfer to psychiatric units was low (1 %). These findings indicate the need for improvement of referral criteria t o C-L and closer attention to continuity of psychosocial care of cancer pat ients during hospitalisation and post-discharge. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.