Prevalence of Mental Disorders in Thai and Foreign Patients and Characteristics of Psychiatric Patients in Out Patient Clinic at Samutsakhon Hospital

Abstract

          Objective: This was to investigate the prevalence of mental disorders among Thai and foreign patients in the outpatient clinic of Samutsakhon Hospital and to compare the characteristics of psychiatric patients across different diagnostic groups.

          Methods: This study is a retrospective descriptive analysis that collected data from medical records of patients who visited the psychiatry department at Samutsakhon Hospital from 1 January to 31 December 2023. A total of 5,705 patients were included, with data on gender, age, nationality, diagnosis, and marital status.

          Results: Among the 5,705 patients studied, 2,652 were male and 3,053 were female. Marital status: 51.4% were single, followed by 46.1% married. The majority, 5,446 patients, were Thai nationals, while 259 were foreigners. Most patients aged 25–64 years. The most common diagnostic group was mood disorders (F30–39), accounting for 22.9%, followed by somatoform and stress-related disorders (F40–49) at 17.8%, and schizophrenia (F20–29) at 15.9%. In females, the highest prevalence was for mood disorders (F30–39) at 7.78 per 1,000, followed by somatoform and stress-related disorders (F40–49) at 5.18 per 1,000, and behavioral syndromes associated with physiological disturbances (F50–59) at 4.33 per 1,000. In males, the most prevalent disorders were mental and behavioral disorders due to psychoactive substance use (F10–19) at 6.31 per 1,000, followed by schizophrenia and delusional disorders (F20–29) at 4.79 per 1,000, and mood disorders (F30–39) at 2.75 per 1,000. In the foreign group, the highest prevalence was found in mental and behavioral disorders due to psychoactive substance use (F10–19), with a rate of 0.46 per 1,000. This was followed by F40–49 (prevalence of 0.299 per 1,000) and F20–29 (prevalence of 0.24 per 1,000), respectively.

          Conclusion: The study indicates that in Samut Sakhon Province, the most critical psychiatric condition requiring surveillance in males is mental and behavioral disorders due to psychoactive substance use. In females, mood disorders are the most prevalent. However, among foreigners, mood disorders are found the least, ranking sixth, while substance abuse ranks first. Therefore, services should be provided to monitor substance use among foreigners. Consequently, mental health services in Mueang District, Samut Sakhon Province, should focus on prevention and promotion, ensuring that these patient groups are effectively guided into appropriate treatment processes. These findings provide a foundation for optimizing the management and delivery of psychiatric services.