Prévalences psychiatriques de patients internés dans les hôpitaux psychiatriques belges francophones

in Acta Psychiatrica Belgica (2012), 112(3), 20-30

The study describes the psychiatric disorder frequencies of an important cohort of forensic patients inside the Social Defense System (n = 409) and of other psychiatric patients (n = 521) in the same ... [more ▼]

The study describes the psychiatric disorder frequencies of an important cohort of forensic patients inside the Social Defense System (n = 409) and of other psychiatric patients (n = 521) in the same hospitals. Data from the “Résumé Psychiatrique Minimum” from fives French speaking psychiatric hospitals were gathered. We hence described DSM-IV axes characteristic of both group of patients. Only the principal diagnosis was retained. Compared to non forensic patients, the forensic patients have a lower education level, have less often an occupation, more often an axe 2 diagnosis, have more sexual disorders, have less disorders related to substances, more problems with justice and a longer hospitalization duration. These results suggest early adaptation problems leading to a long institutionalization among forensic patients. The interest and limits of the study are discussed. [less ▲]