Somatic Comorbidities in Hospitalized Psychiatric Patients at Meknes Psychiatric Service: A Qualitative Study of 130 Cases

Psychiatric patients often present with somatic comorbidities, complicating their treatment by influencing the course of the mental illness and response to therapies. This study, conducted at the psychiatric department of Meknes Hospital, analyzed a sample of 130 patients hospitalized between January and December 2023. Data were collected from medical records and semi-structured interviews, including psychiatric and somatic diagnoses as well as treatments received. The analysis revealed that 75% of the patients had at least one somatic comorbidity, the most common being hypertension (40%), type 2 diabetes (30%), and cardiovascular diseases (25%). The results show that the simultaneous management of psychiatric and somatic disorders is complex, often due to medication interactions and insufficient coordination between mental health services and other medical specialties. Healthcare professionals identified an urgent need for additional training and improved coordination of care to better address these challenges. In conclusion, the study highlights the importance of an integrated care approach for psychiatric patients with somatic comorbidities, recommending continuous training programs for caregivers and better coordination between medical services to improve care quality and reduce complications related to comorbidities.