Abstract
Background/Objectives: Mental health disorders represent a growing challenge for healthcare systems worldwide. The day hospital model has established itself as an effective strategy for outpatient treatment. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the Mental Health Day Hospital at University Hospital of Burgos, as well as to analyze the influence of sociodemographic factors on the clinical evolution of patients. Methods: This was a retrospective, single-center study with repeated cross-sectional assessments with pre- and post-tests, analyzing data from 1629 patients over the age of 18 treated between 1996 and 2022 at the Mental Health Day Hospital of the University Hospital of Burgos, in Spain, of whom 653 completed the pre-test and post-test. Results: Differences in prevalence were observed by sex and age, with a higher frequency of eating disorders in women (92.5%) and substance use disorders in men (67.9%). The average age varied according to diagnosis, being highest in mood disorders (43.00) and lowest in eating disorders (23.00). Significant correlations were observed between most variables (p < 0.05), especially between anxiety, impulsiveness, and self-esteem symptoms. The overall reduction in symptoms validates the program's effectiveness, although less improvement was identified in self-esteem and assertiveness, especially in psychotic disorders. Furthermore, patients with anxiety disorders showed a lower response in trait anxiety. Conclusions: The study highlights the importance of tailoring interventions according to each patient's sex, age, and diagnosis. Optimizing treatments based on these variables will improve care and therapeutic outcomes, especially for those with more complex disorders.