Am J Psychiatry 1980; 137:207-210
Copyright © 1980 by American Psychiatric Association
Diagnosis of mental disorder in adults and increased use of health services in four outpatient settings
EW Hoeper, GR Nycz, DA Regier, ID Goldberg, A Jacobson and J Hankin
The differential use of medical services by patients with and those without
a diagnosis of mental disorder was examined in four adult populations by
age, sex, diagnosis, and medical department used. The four settings offered
comprehensive services to patients who varied greatly in socioeconomic
status. In all four settings patients with a diagnosis of mental disorder
used all services and general health services more than patients without
such a diagnosis. Results document increased medical morbidity and a
greater likelihood of a diagnosis of an ill-defined condition in patients
with mental disorder than that found in patients without a diagnosis of
mental disorder.
