[Compulsory procedures in the treatment of somatic diseases in mentally ill patients].

The Danish law concerning commitment and compulsory procedures in psychiatry was reformed in October 1989, and for the first time laid down regulations for compulsory treatment of somatic disease in psychotic patients. The aim of the study was to evaluate whether the law is useful in clinical practice. The course of 28 psychotic patients who were committed and/or compulsorily treated due to severe somatic disease is described. We conclude that the law is a useful tool in the acute treatment of life-endangering somatic disease in psychotic patients.