The Role of Consultation- Liaison Psychiatry in the Early Aftermath of the 2023 Kahramanmaraş Earthquakes

Irmak Polat; Mesut Keskin; Sevde Nur Karabulut; Nesiba Kalyoncu; Arzu Aydoğdu; Meryem Merve Ören Çelik; Selcan Hun Gökçe; Mine Özkan

doi:10.31067/acusaglik.1767915

EN

The Role of Consultation- Liaison Psychiatry in the Early Aftermath of the 2023 Kahramanmaraş Earthquakes

Abstract

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.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Psychiatry

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Irmak Polat ^*
0000-0003-3631-6018
Türkiye

Mesut Keskin
0000-0002-1277-3794
Türkiye

Sevde Nur Karabulut
0009-0007-7794-5204
Türkiye

Nesiba Kalyoncu
0000-0002-0643-3283
Türkiye

Arzu Aydoğdu
0000-0003-4484-9981
Türkiye

Meryem Merve Ören Çelik
0000-0002-3383-7830
Türkiye

Selcan Hun Gökçe
0009-0000-8913-5371
Türkiye

Mine Özkan
0000-0002-2981-9541
Türkiye

Publication Date

October 1, 2025

Submission Date

August 18, 2025

Acceptance Date

September 19, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 16 Number: 4

DOI

https://doi.org/10.31067/acusaglik.1767915

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA45FZ55FF

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

EndNote

Polat I, Keskin M, Karabulut SN, Kalyoncu N, Aydoğdu A, Ören Çelik MM, Hun Gökçe S, Özkan M (October 1, 2025) The Role of Consultation- Liaison Psychiatry in the Early Aftermath of the 2023 Kahramanmaraş Earthquakes. Acıbadem Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi 16 4 551–559.