According to literature, about 30–40% of individuals admitted in general hospitals suffer from psychiatric comorbidity. Consultation-liaison services (CLS) cover internationally 1–10% of admissions and are able to improve care quality, treatment adherence and to reduce length of stay.

To assess possible clinical and care differences between individuals with and without psychiatric comorbidity as well as differences among principal diagnostic groups.

To find out, whether individuals suffering from specific psychiatric diagnoses show a higher degree of care needs held by a CLS.

Retrospective, ethical approved full-survey assessment (n = 2940) over three years (2012–2014). ICD-10 diagnoses, clinical factors and care variables were considered. Group differences were calculated by means of chi-square and ANOVA as well as Scheffé post-hoc estimation. Associations were conducted by means of multivariate regression as well as logistic regression models.

Individuals suffering from psychiatric comorbidity (48% of sample) were seldom primarily oncologic patients (30%), they showed more distress (DT = 6.5), more performance limitations (ECOG = 1.38), and less functionality (GAF = 59.6). They received more contacts by CLS (1.95), more cumulative treatment time (89.7 min), and more psychopharmacological interventions (30.6%). People suffering from recurrent depressive and somatoform disorders received much more contacts and treatment time than other diagnostic groups. Age was negatively associated with care intensity.

CLS services are able to offer differentiated psychiatric care depending on diagnoses. Individuals suffering from classical psychiatric disorders received rather treatment as usual, oncologic patients more psychotherapeutic interventions. Depressive as well as somatoform patients seem to need more time and personal resources.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.