Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, and
Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, and.
Hosp Pediatr. 2021 Mar;11(3):199-206. doi: 10.1542/hpeds.2020-000653. Epub 2021 Feb 1.
Increasingly, youth with mental health disorders and suicidality are presenting to emergency departments (EDs) and requiring hospitalization. For youth with suicidality, studies reveal seasonal variations in frequency of presentations but do not identify associated diagnoses or whether other primary mental health complaints also reveal seasonal variations.
Data were collected between January 2015 and December 2019 by a child and adolescent psychiatry consultation-liaison service in a pediatric ED and hospital. Descriptive analysis and multiple linear regression were performed to assess volume over time, seasonal trends, and associated diagnoses.
A total of 2367 patients were included, with an average age of 13.9 years and female predominance (62.3%). During the study period, annual ED consultations increased 87.5% and hospital consultations increased 27.5%. Consultations revealed seasonal trends, with highest volumes during January, April, May, October, and November ( < .001; adjusted = 0.59). The most frequent diagnostic categories were depressive disorders and trauma- or stressor-related disorders. Thirty-six percent of patients presented after a suicide attempt, with the highest rates in spring ( = .03; adjusted = 0.19). Boarding rates revealed significant seasonality, with higher instances in February, March, April, May, and October ( = .009; adjusted = 0.32).
Mental health presentations to a pediatric ED and hospital reveal seasonal trends, with the highest volumes in fall and spring and the most common diagnoses being depressive and trauma-related disorders. Suicide attempts are highest in late spring. Knowledge of these trends should inform hospitals, mental health services, and school systems regarding staffing, safety, surveillance, and prevention.
越来越多患有精神健康障碍和自杀意念的年轻人到急诊部（ED）就诊并需要住院治疗。对于有自杀意念的年轻人，研究表明就诊频率存在季节性变化，但并未确定相关诊断，也不确定其他主要心理健康问题是否也存在季节性变化。
本研究数据由儿童和青少年精神病学联络会诊服务于 2015 年 1 月至 2019 年 12 月在儿科 ED 和医院收集。采用描述性分析和多元线性回归评估随时间的就诊量、季节性趋势和相关诊断。
共纳入 2367 例患者，平均年龄为 13.9 岁，女性居多（62.3%）。在研究期间，ED 年就诊量增加了 87.5%，医院就诊量增加了 27.5%。就诊存在季节性趋势，就诊量最高的月份为 1 月、4 月、5 月、10 月和 11 月（ <.001；调整后 = 0.59）。最常见的诊断类别为抑郁障碍和创伤或应激相关障碍。36%的患者在自杀未遂后就诊，春季就诊率最高（ =.03；调整后 = 0.19）。住院率存在显著的季节性，2 月、3 月、4 月、5 月和 10 月较高（ =.009；调整后 = 0.32）。
儿科 ED 和医院的心理健康就诊呈现季节性趋势，就诊量最高的月份为秋季和春季，最常见的诊断为抑郁和创伤相关障碍。自杀未遂在晚春最高。了解这些趋势应使医院、心理健康服务机构和学校系统了解人员配备、安全、监测和预防问题。
