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Co-morbid physical and mental illness raises attendance rates fourfold

Patients who have both a physical and mental health condition attend the emergency department (ED) and GP about four times more often than other patients, according to a study published in the British Journal of General Practice.

The study used data from the National Institute of Health Research Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care North West Coast Household Health Survey, covering 24 neighbourhoods of 5000-10,000 people, in the north-west coast of England.

Participants who had both a physical and mental health condition reported attending the ED (rate ratio [RR], 4.63; 95% CI, 2.86-7.51) and general practice (RR, 3.82; 95% CI, 3.16-4.62) more frequently than all other groups.

Having a higher number of mental health condition symptoms was associated with higher general practice and ED service use.

Depression was the only mental health condition symptom that was significantly associated with ED attendance (RR, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.05-1.90), and anxiety was the only symptom significantly associated with GP attendance (RR, 1.19; 95% CI, 1.03-1.38).

The authors say further research is needed into the social attributes that contribute to reduced ED and general practice attendance rates.


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