Clinical and demographical characteristics of patients diagnosed with conversion disorder in an emergency department

Abstract

Objectives: Conversion reactions are the one of the common disorders in emergency departments (ED) in Turkey. Patients were diagnosed with conversion disorder according to their history and their physical and neurological examination by clinicians.

Materials and Methods: Data was obtained by retrospective inspection of a state and university hospitals emergency records for one year. The age, sex, clinical and demographical characteristics and arrival time in the ED were investigated.

Results: Total of 469 patients were diagnosed as conversion reaction at the two hospital's ED in a year period. Sixty-one cases were male (13.0%) and 408 of the cases were female (87.0%). Mean age of the cases was 29.2 +/- 10.8. The number of conversion reactions was lower in spring (p=0.0001) and there was statistically significant increase in Sundays (p=0.0001). Religious holidays also had low rates of admission (0.4%, n=2). The figures peaked at 22: 00-24:00.

Conclusion: Emergency setting is where the clinician first encounter patients with conversion disorder. Patterns of presentations generally fluctuate depending on hours of the day and social events. Psychological side of these patients is often neglected and suggesting the patients to obtain psychiatric help will prevent further emergency admissions.