{
  "abstract": "Background Healthcare resource utilisation in Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) has received increased attention recently. We reviewed this in a district general hospital.Methods Referrals to Neurology (Queen Elizabeth Hospital, London) were reviewed 08/2023–08/2024. Demographic data, mental health history, investigations and FND subtype were recorded. Mann-Whitney tests were used (alpha of 0.05).Results We identified 21 patients with confirmed FND, 14 being female (66.7%). Fifteen patients had functional/dissociative seizures, 8 functional weakness, 3 functional sensory symptoms and 1 functional speech disturbance. Three (14.3%) had more than one subtype. Co-morbid mental health diagnosis was present in 81% of patients. The percentage of patients reviewed by Psychiatry was 52%, spread similarly across FND subtypes. Overall median (IQR) duration of stay was 15.6 days (8.63-40.4). Duration of stay was longer in those with more than one subtype, 14.5 (8.43-28.3) vs 61.8 (40.9-92.7) days, U=45, p=0.047. First diagnosis of FND was made in 42.9%. Frequency of neurology reviews was greater in those with multiple subtypes 3.5 (1.25-5) vs 7 (6-7.5), U=39, p=0.074. Overall median (IQR) admissions in the previous year was 5 (2–8). FND leads to numerous and lengthy admissions.Conclusion Despite a high rate of psychiatric comorbidities half of our patients were not evaluated by Psychiatry.andrew0whitfield@gmail.com",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Queen Elizabeth Hospital, London"
      ],
      "name": "Whitfield Andrew"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Queen Elizabeth Hospital, London"
      ],
      "name": "Hire Stella"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Queen Elizabeth Hospital, London",
        "King’s College Hospital, London"
      ],
      "name": "Moreno-Ajona David"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Queen Elizabeth Hospital, London",
        "King’s College Hospital, London"
      ],
      "name": "Silber Eli"
    }
  ],
  "title": "15 Healthcare utilisation of patients with functional neurological disorders in a district general hospital",
  "uid": "2700ac3b-dbbe-516d-a6f0-6c0df8e9e13b"
}