Abstract
Objective:
This naturalistic prospective study explored the predictors of laboratory test ordering in a psychiatric emergency department.
Methods:
We used a standardized questionnaire to collect clinical and nonclinical features in 527 consecutive patients.
Results:
Test ordering was independently predicted by age, spoken language, referral by relatives, eating disorders, and somatic complaints. Having been referred by a general practitioner predicted test ordering only in the absence of a clinical report. Alcohol- and substance-related symptoms predicted test ordering only in patients older than 35 years. Age did not predict test ordering in patients consulting for anxiety or suicidal ideation.
Conclusion:
Clinicians should be aware of possible biases when assessing the need of laboratory tests in patients presenting with psychiatric complaints.
MeSH terms
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Adult
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Age Factors
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Alcoholism / diagnosis
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Alcoholism / epidemiology
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Alcoholism / psychology
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Anxiety Disorders / diagnosis
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Diagnostic Tests, Routine / statistics & numerical data*
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Emergency Service, Hospital / statistics & numerical data*
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Emergency Services, Psychiatric / methods*
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Family Practice / statistics & numerical data
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Feeding and Eating Disorders / diagnosis
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Feeding and Eating Disorders / epidemiology
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Female
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France
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Hospitals, General / methods*
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Humans
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Male
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Mental Disorders / diagnosis*
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Mental Disorders / epidemiology
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Mental Disorders / psychology
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Probability
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Prospective Studies
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Psychiatric Department, Hospital / statistics & numerical data
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Psychometrics
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Referral and Consultation / statistics & numerical data
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Sex Distribution
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Substance-Related Disorders / diagnosis
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Substance-Related Disorders / epidemiology
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Substance-Related Disorders / psychology
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Suicide, Attempted / psychology
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Suicide, Attempted / statistics & numerical data