A retrospective study of sociodemographic profile and psychiatric morbidity in geriatric patients attending psychiatric department in a tertiary care hospital in a sub urban population.

Dr Ananthakrishnan V.S; Dr. Dulla Nageswara Rao; Dr.Prashant Jain; Dr.Ashweeja N; Dr.Shailaja Bandla

Volume : VIII, Issue : II, February - 2019

A retrospective study of sociodemographic profile and psychiatric morbidity in geriatric patients attending psychiatric department in a tertiary care hospital in a sub urban population.

Dr Ananthakrishnan V. S, Dr. Dulla Nageswara Rao, Dr. Prashant Jain, Dr. Ashweeja N, Dr. Shailaja Bandla

Abstract :

Background:Globally there is an increase in elderly population. Psychiatric morbidity is also increasing in elderly owing to increased longevity and changing social circumstances. Aims:A retrospective study of sociodemographic profile and psychiatric morbidity in geriatric patients attending psychiatric department in a tertiary care hospital in a sub urban population Materials and Methods:Mini Mental Status Examination was used to screen for dementia. Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression was used to quantify depression. SPSS 24was used for statistical analysis. Results:Psychiatric disorders were more prevalent in individuals aged > 80 years(72%). Predominant psychiatric diagnosiswere depression, dementia, somatic complaints, alcohol dependence, panic attacks and GAD.Presence of dementia was associated with increased age.Depression was associated with Low education status, female sex, involuntary admission in old age home, presence of physical illness and visual impairment. Individuals in old age home had lesser prevalence of psychiatric disorders than those in community. Conclusion:The overall prevalence of psychiatric morbidity was 59.2%. Psychiatric morbidity was less in old age home population owing to better availability of care, less number of social stressors etc. The study highlights the importance of delivery of structured care facilities in elderly population.