Prevalence estimates and outcomes of mental health conditions in those hospitalized owing to dental conditions.

OBJECTIVE: Identify characteristics of individuals with mental health conditions who use hospital resources to manage dental conditions. STUDY DESIGN: Data from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample for the years 2007 to 2010 were used. All hospitalizations with a primary diagnosis of dental conditions were selected. Hospitalizations with secondary diagnoses of mental health conditions were identified. RESULTS: During the study period, 67,517 hospitalizations were primarily attributed to dental conditions. Of these, 12 080 also involved a mental health condition. The most frequently prevalent mental health conditions were mood disorders (9.9% of dental hospitalizations) and anxiety disorders (3.9%). The mean age of those with a mental health condition was 47.7 years (37.7 years for those without mental health conditions). A greater proportion of those with a mental health condition had Medicare coverage compared with those without a mental health condition (39.4% vs 17%). Those with mental health conditions also had a higher comorbid burden. CONCLUSIONS: When individuals with mental health conditions are hospitalized for a dental condition, they are more likely to be older and sicker and to use more hospital resources. Better preventive care may benefit patients and health care budgets.

Duke Scholars

Author Veerajalandhar Allareddy Pediatrics, Critical Care Medicine