This is a study of 190 patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). [1] The authors investigated the effect that medical comorbidity (chronic physical illness – CPI) had on psychiatric admissions. More than two CPIs in patients diagnosed with recurrent MDD were associated with higher rates of psychiatric admission, independent of psychiatric comorbidities and other clinical and sociodemographic factors.
The authors conclude that to improve treatment outcomes of MDD and to reduce recurrence, it is crucial to enhance early recognition and treatment of physical comorbidity.
1 Šimunović Filipčić I, Filipčić I, Glamuzina L, et al. The effect of chronic physical illnesses on psychiatric hospital admission in patients with recurrent major depression. Psychiatry Res 2019;272:602–8. doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2018.12.178
