Clinical characteristics of homeless patients hospitalised with alcohol-related mental disorders

Abstract Purpose: Alcohol dependency syndrome (ADS) as one of the most common psychiatric disorders among homeless people has severe consequences such as alcohol withdrawal state (AWS) and alcohol withdrawal state with delirium (delirium tremens [DT]). Therefore, the aim of the present study was to reveal the demographic and clinical characteristics, and risk factors underlying the development of AWS and DT among homeless patients hospitalised with alcohol-related mental disorders.Methods: This retrospective study was conducted between 2008 and 2015 in Hungary. Medical records of 1591 patients diagnosed with alcohol-related mental disorders were listed in 2900 hospital appearances. Two groups were formed based on the presence of home address. Demographic (sex, age, seasonality) and clinical characteristics (presence of AWS, DT, laboratory parameters, psychiatric and somatic co-morbidities) were examined. Statistical analyses were performed by using chi-square tests, independent sample t-test, Mann-Whitney U test and binary logistic regressions. Results: The ratio of homeless appearances was 6.28%. The ratio of male attendances in the homeless group was significantly higher. Significantly elevated GOT/GPT ratio, potassium levels, somatic co-morbidity and lower psychiatric co-morbidity were revealed in the homeless group. There was no significant difference in the ratio of AWS and DT between homeless and non-homeless appearances. Explanatory role of GOT/GPT ratio and potassium level was detected in the development of DT among homeless patients.Conclusion: Our results provide data for the first time about homeless patients diagnosed with ADS. Furthermore, our findings indicate that homelessness bears a critical importance regarding their specific clinical characteristics among patients with ADS.