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Severe mental illness and airports — the scope of the problem

The Walton Centre for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Lower Lane, Fazakerley, Liverpool L9 7LJ

M. Anjoyeb and B. B. Lucas, MRCPsych

The Hillingdon Hospital, Mental Health Unit, Pield Heath Road, Uxbridge, Middlesex UB5 3NN

AIMS AND METHOD

Mental illness may cause specific problems in the environment of an international airport. The aim of our study was to assess frequency, presentation and safety implications of mental disorders requiring formal admission at an international airport. We performed a retrospective study over 4 years including patients who were detained by the police and admitted.

RESULTS

The frequency of admissions was one per million passengers, the frequency of incidents raising safety concerns was four per 10 million passengers. An in-flight disturbance occurred in 1.4 per 10 million arriving passengers. Most common were schizophrenia or schizotypal disorder (46.8%) and mania (22.6%). Twenty per cent of patients presented with wandering.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

Emergency admissions and incidents causing safety concerns were rare. Airport wandering was a frequent presenting sign that should be recognised.

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