Psychiatric Morbidities in Patients with Non-communicable Diseases among Inpatients of Medicine Department in a Tertiary Care Hospital: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: Psychiatric morbidities are common among patients with chronic non-communicable diseases. These diseases have high morbidity, mortality, and higher health costs. However, psychiatric conditions are often underdiagnosed and undertreated in our country. This study aimed to find out the psychiatric morbidities among patients with non-communicable diseases admitted in inpatients units of the medicine department. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in the inpatients of the medicine department of a tertiary care hospital among 926 patients with chronic non-communicable diseases. Ethical approval was obtained from the Chitwan Medical College Institutional Review Committee (Ref. No. CMC-IRC: 2074/75: 38). A convenient sampling technique was used. Patients were interviewed using the Patients Health Questionnaire. Data analysis was performed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 16. Results: Among 926 non-communicable disease patients, psychiatric morbidities observed were somatization 612 (66.1%) anxiety 319 (34.4%), and depression 379 (40.9%). Patients with multiple non-communicable diseases had higher psychiatric morbidities compared to patients with a single disease. Conclusions: Psychiatric morbidities are common among admitted patients suffering from non-communicable diseases in Nepal. Hence, regular screening services are needed in all levels of health care centers to identify and treat the risk groups on time.