Organic mental disorders: a study among admitted patients of psychiatry department at teaching hospital

Background: Organic mental disorders (OMD) were referred to as the ‘quiet epidemic’ but ironically, OMD had been ignored by clinicians and researchers alike. Delirium is often unrecognised by medical professionals and understudied in paediatric patients. In the fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV), the term OMD is no longer used. The International Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems in its tenth edition (ICD-10) retains the term OMD. Material and methods: Data of all patients admitted from June 2004 to May 2010 at Department of Psychiatry of Silchar Medical College Hospital, Silchar were collected by retrograde evaluation from the records and analysed using descriptive statistical methods. Results: A total of 160 patients had OMD. Mean age was 34.2 years, majority were males and Hindu. Maximum number of patients was in the age group of 21-30 years. Maximum number of cases was of seizure disorder. Mean duration of stay was 6.3 days. Majority of the patients were discharged on advice. There was significant number of patients who were discharged on request. Conclusion: Awareness of the prevalence of delirium should promote diligence of clinicians in recognising this disorder. Before diagnosing a mental or cognitive disorder, delirium should be ruled out.