Abstract
The study investigated the behavioral health of a consecutive sample of 5,641 adult emergency department (ED) patients aged
19 through 60 presenting for medical care in a large, inner-city hospital ED. Twenty-three percent met the criteria for major
depression; average mental health functioning, as measured by the mental health component of the SF-12, was half of a standard
deviation lower than in the general population; 15% met the criteria for alcohol or drug abuse/dependence in the past year.
Comorbidity was high. These behavioral health disorders may complicate treatment and diagnosis of the chief presenting complaint.
These findings, coupled with the high rates of these disorders, suggest the importance of screening and either beginning appropriate
treatment or offering appropriate referral for such disorders in ED settings.
19 through 60 presenting for medical care in a large, inner-city hospital ED. Twenty-three percent met the criteria for major
depression; average mental health functioning, as measured by the mental health component of the SF-12, was half of a standard
deviation lower than in the general population; 15% met the criteria for alcohol or drug abuse/dependence in the past year.
Comorbidity was high. These behavioral health disorders may complicate treatment and diagnosis of the chief presenting complaint.
These findings, coupled with the high rates of these disorders, suggest the importance of screening and either beginning appropriate
treatment or offering appropriate referral for such disorders in ED settings.
- Content Type Journal Article
- DOI 10.1007/s11414-010-9227-6
- Authors
- Brenda M. Booth, Division of Health Services Research, Department of Psychiatry, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 W. Markham, Slot 755, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA
- Maureen A. Walton, University of Michigan Department of Psychiatry, Rachel Upjohn Building, 4250 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Kristin L. Barry, University of Michigan Department of Psychiatry Addiction Research Center and National Serious Mental Illness Treatment Research and Evaluation Center (SMITREC), Ann Arbor VA Healthcare System, Department of Veterans Affairs, Rachel Upjohn Building, 4250 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Rebecca M. Cunningham, University of Michigan Department of Emergency Medicine, Injury Research Center, 300 NIB, Room 2C31G, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0437, USA
- Stephen T. Chermack, University of Michigan Department of Psychiatry, and Substance Abuse Clinic, Ann Arbor VA Healthcare System, Psychiatry Service (116C), 2215 Fuller Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA
- Frederic C. Blow, National Serious Mental Illness Treatment Research and Evaluation Center (SMITREC), Ann Arbor VA Healthcare System, Department of Veterans Affairs, and Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, PO Box 130170, Ann Arbor, MI 48113-0170, USA
- Journal The Journal of Behavioral Health Services and Research
- Online ISSN 1556-3308
- Print ISSN 1094-3412