Uncommon Medical Diagnostic Profiles in Psychiatric Settings Across South-South Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Some medical disorders occurring in psychiatric settings cause diagnostic delays and missed diagnoses which may lead to poor prognosis
and outcomes.
Aim/Objective: The aim was to determine the uncommon medical diagnosis and their profiles among psychiatric settings in South-South, Nigeria.
Materials and Methods: The study was done in centers across three states in a cross-sectional descriptive study that examined diagnostic profiles of a sample of 134 psychiatric patients that received medical care over one year (July 2021-July 2022) using questionnaires generated by the clinical team. Data analysis: was done using SPSS version 27. Chi-squared tests were conducted and a probability value of p<0.05 was considered significant.
Results: The results show a preponderance of females with a frequency of 66.4% when compared to 33.6% for males. The most predominant age range was 10-19 years with 57 (42.5%) patients and 78.6% below 30 years. Most of the patients (49.25%) were married, and 41.79% were single. A statistically significant relationship existed between marital status, age, education, and medical diagnosis (X2 =5.0, p=0.02, X 2 =11.2, p=0.00, X2 =5.33, p=0.02, respectively). Neurological medical conditions were the most predominant medical conditions found in the psychiatric settings used for the assessment with a value of 61.17 %. while surgical co-morbidities were the least rare presenting diagnosis in psychiatric settings, with a value of 2.98%.
Conclusion: Clinicians including the psychiatrist, in the multi-disciplinary team, must be aware of the risk of medical diagnosis encountered in neuropsychiatric settings, to reduce diagnostic errors, mitigate morbidity and ultimately improve the outcome of the organic conditions.