To investigate seroprevalence rates of hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) virus in an acute psychiatric ward in , Greece.

289 (168 male and 121 female) consecutively admitted psychiatric patients were recruited during a two-year period. Their mean age was 42,5 years (SD:13.8). The most common diagnoses at discharge were schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder (60%) and mood disorders (24%). Data from patient's charts with respect to HBV and HCV status, liver functions, demographic characteristics, psychiatric history and hospitalization were collected.

59 patients (20.4%) were positive for HBV. 23 patients (8%) had a history of hepatitis C infection. 10 patients (3.5%) were positive for both HBV and HCV. Patients positive for HBV were older (p=0.022) than those without such a diagnosis, but did not differ in terms of the duration of their psychiatric illness. The seroprevalence of HBV was lower in Greek compared with immigrant patients (p=0.02). Substance abuse was associated with testing positive for HCV (p<0.001) but not for HBV. There was no difference in the duration of hospitalization between psychiatric patients testing positive or negative for HBV and HCV.

More than one in four psychiatric patients hospitalized in an acute psychiatric ward were positive for HBV or HCV. The implications of this finding for the psychiatric care of patients with mental disorders in acute psychiatric settings need to be taken into account.