Screening for mental comorbidities in dermatology: Successful implementation of a screening for mental comorbidities in the field of inpatient dermatological treatment

Abstract

Background: Anxiety and depression are common in the field of inpatient somatic treatment. Especially in dermatology in which the treatment of chronic diseases is very common and the risk of stigmatization by society is particularly high, mental disorders appear in every third patient. Dermatological diseases and mental disorders often negatively interact with each other leading to increased morbidity. Dermatological guidelines recommend early detection, but this is often not adequately done in practice. Materials and methods: We present the implementation of an easy screening for mental comorbidities in the field of inpatient dermatological treatment by using a short questionnaire. This so-called Patient Health Questionnaire‑4 (PHQ-4) consists of four questions regarding anxiety disorders and depression. Upon reaching a certain number of points, a psychosomatic consult is automatically requested. As a result the patient’s stress is relieved and the necessary holistic treatment becomes possible. Results: In 2019, 83% of inpatients in our clinic were screened using the PHQ‑4; 98 psychosomatic consults were performed. Conclusion: Our findings so far have shown the benefit of the screening with a minimal investment of time. We recommend its comprehensive use in the field of inpatient dermatological treatment.