Effects of a Multi-Faceted Psychiatric Intervention Targeted at the Complex Medically Ill: a Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: somatic patients with psychiatric co-morbidities are a major challenge for the health care system. This study evaluated a psychiatric intervention targeted at the complex medically ill identified by means of the INTERMED, an instrument to assess case complexity. Methods: of 885 rheumatology inpatients and diabetes outpatients who were assessed for eligibility, 247 were identified as complex (INTERMED score \> 20) and randomized to the intervention (N=125, 84 rheumatology and 41 diabetes patients) or care as usual (N=122, 78 rheumatology and 44 diabetes patients). Intervention consisted of counseling by a psychiatric nurse, referral to a liaison psychiatrist, or a multidisciplinary case conference. Baseline and follow up at months 3, 6, 9 and 12 measured prevalence of major depression (MINI), depressive symptoms (CES-D), physical and mental health (SF-36), quality of life (EuroQol), hospitalizations (rheumatology patients) and HbA1c levels (diabetic patients).