Abstract

Aim: Patients with mental disorders have common psychical comorbidities, however there is limited studies about this issue in Turkey. This cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted to evaluate the physical health of outpatients being followed up in the psychiatric clinic of a university hospital.

Methods: Data from a total of 137 patients were collected using a detailed information form. Physical health was assessed by questioning patients about substance use, health-promoting behaviors, exercise, diet, sleep, self-care, oral hygiene, elimination, and sex life and measuring their height, weight, and vital findings.

Results: It was determined that 21.9% of the participants had a physical disease. The patients slept an average of 8.24±2.24 hours per night and 59.9% did not feel rested when they woke up; 55.5% of the patients had bowel movements once a day; 55.5% were not satisfied with their sex life and 80.3% did not use any contraceptive methods. In addition, 33.6% of the patients reported experiencing pain, with headaches being the most common (13.9%). The mean body mass index of the participants was 25.26±4.94.

Conclusion: In this study, the results was similar with literature that patients with mental disorders physical health status should be improved. In order to improve the physical health of people with mental disorders, their lifestyle habits should be evaluated, and psychosocial interventions used to effect behavioral changes.