Psychiatric disorders in a palliative care unit

Abstract

Objective:

To evaluated the frequency of psychiatric disorders in 50 subjects from Inpatients the Palliative Care Unit (HC-IV) of the National Cancer Institute (INCA).

Method:

Psychiatric diagnoses were assessed with the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) Version 4.4.

Results:

Thirty-eight cancer patients (46.0%) reported at the current psychiatric disorder. The frequency of major depressive disorder was 32.0%, manic episode 2.0%, panic disorder 6.0%, agoraphobia 6.0%, obsessive compulsive disorders 2.0%, generalized anxiety 14%; alcohol abuse 4%; bulimia 4%; suicidal ideation 4%; somatization 2%; psychotic syndromes 2%; 14% of patients fulfill more than one diagnosis.

Conclusion:

Comorbid psychiatric disorders are clinically significant in advanced cancer patients and may alter symptom control strategies. Clinical staff should be prepared for psychiatric diagnosis in their daily practice, given that such comorbidity may significantly alter the patient's quality of life.