OBJECTIVE: The study sought to identify aspects of borderline
personality disorder and comorbid axis I conditions associated with
multiple hospitalizations in a sample of patients with borderline
personality disorder. METHODS: Data were collected as part of a larger
study of treatment course of inpatients with this disorder. Predictors of
multiple hospitalization from three domains were considered: demographic
characteristics, criteria of borderline personality disorder, and comorbid
axis I pathology. A sequential model-building strategy was used, with each
domain considered separately and result combined into an overall regression
model of factors related to multiple hospitalization. RESULTS: Three
factors were related to frequency of hospitalization: anorexia, psychotic
symptoms, and suicidality. Other variables that are often assumed to be
related to hospitalization, such as depression, did not emerge as
significant predictors. CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians should intervene early to
address the emergence of certain axis I conditions among patients with
borderline personality disorder. Increased expenditure of outpatient
resources may prevent hospitalization when these conditions are
present.
Abstract Teaser