Unrecognized psychiatric disorders among adult patients admitted into a general hospital in Maiduguri, Northeastern Nigeria

INTRODUCTION: Patients with unrecognized psychiatric disorders in general hospitals, suffer economic and psycho-social difficulties. This study aimed to determine (i) prevalence and pattern of psychiatric disorders, and (ii) prevalence of unrecognized psychiatric disorders among adult in-patients of a general hospital. METHODS: In this two-stage, cross-sectional study, we used (i) General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) and Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) to assess the prevalence of psychiatric disorders, and (ii) Patient Encounter Form to determine unrecognized psychiatric disorders, among patients admitted into a general hospital. RESULTS: Of the 283 respondents, 174 (61.5%) had GHQ scores of ≤ 4. Eighty seven respondents (31%) had psychiatric disorders of which 85 (98%) were not recognized. The frequency of Depression and Anxiety disorders were 61.5% and 26.2% respectively. Unmarried (2.3, 1.2-4.3; p < 0.00), females (2.1, 1.1-4.05; p = 0.01) and patients with “unexplained symptoms” (≤ = 8.4, p< 0.00, df = 1) were more likely to have diagnosis of depression and anxiety disorder. CONCLUSION: We conclude that one-third of the patients in the general hospital, had co-morbid psychiatric diagnoses, mostly unrecognized by their physicians. Unmarried, females and respondents with unexplained symptoms were associated with depression and anxiety disorders. We recommend the posting of psychiatric trainees to general hospitals, and training of general practitioners on the use of simple depression and anxiety screening instruments.