Psychiatric Disorder and Background Characteristics of Oncology Patients Referred to Psychiatric Consultation Service in Koera : Preliminary Study

Background : Clinical concerns of psychiatric problems in cancer patients are being increased. But, no specific data in Korea are available. So, we examine the nature of psychiatric disorder and background characteristics in Korean cancer patients. Method : We examined inpatients’ medical records of psychiatric consultation referred from oncology department from November 2009 to April 2010. Control group is selected by matching age and sex in oncology patients who admitted during research period. Results : A total of 251 patients were referred to the consultation, which was 13.9% of all admitted patients in oncology department during the period. The mean age was 60 years old and the male were 145 (57.8%). Comparing with the control group, referred patients received less active treatment and experienced less recurrences and metastases. The most frequent psychiatric diagnostic impression was delirium, but for women was adjustment disorder. Conclusion : The psychiatric consultation rate was similar than past study. Still few cancer patients with psychiatric problems are referred. For comprehensive patients care, psychiatric consultation-liaison services offer more collaboration and communication. It is also necessary to turn our attention to initial psychological trauma of patients about diagnosis and palliative care at end-stage and gender differences in psychiatric problems of the cancer patients. (J of Kor Soc for Dep and Bip Disorders 2011;9:121-125)prohibitio