On the basis of semistructured evaluations of all new patients
presenting for care during a 1-year period at a comprehensive psychiatric
facility, the authors systematically assessed the relationship between
various aspects of the patients' symptoms and hospitalization decisions.
The individual symptoms correlating the highest with hospitalization were
self-neglect, disorganized thought process, and impulsivity. Even greater
correlations, in increasing order, were obtained for the total number of
symptoms present, for delusional psychosis (one of the broad factors
underlying the patient's symptoms), and for a linear combination composed
of self-neglect, impulsivity, suspiciousness, and suicidal indicators.Abstract Teaser