Purpose: The health problems experienced after the 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquakes had not only physical but also psychological effects. In particular, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression are significant health issues for earthquake victims. In this study, the effectiveness of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry (CLP) practice after the disaster was evaluated by examining the consultations of patients referred to our institution. Methods: The medical records of patients aged 18 and over who were referred from earthquake-affected areas to XXX University XXX Faculty of Medicine between April and May 2023 and evaluated by the CLP department were retrospectively reviewed through the electronic system. Data on patients' sociodemographic characteristics, treatment processes, and medical-psychiatric histories were analyzed. Results: Of the 67 patients referred to our institution, 20 received psychiatric consultation. Eleven patients were female and nine were male; the mean age was 48. The median time of consultation was 13.5 days. Depression, anxiety, sleep problems, and PTSD, which were detected in most patients, were found to be related to the earthquake. Most common diagnoses were Acute Stress Disorder, PTSD, and depression. Being trapped under rubble was associated with Trauma-Related Disorders, and these patients received more psychotherapeutic support. Conclusion: We found that psychiatric disorders such as PTSD and depression were common in patients who underwent psychiatric evaluation after the 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquakes. Being trapped under rubble is an important factor in the development of psychiatric problems. Our results emphasize the significance of addressing post-disaster psychiatric disorders in the early stages, from a CLP perspective.
Polat et al. (Wed,) studied this question.