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Psychiatric morbidity and acute hospitalization in elderly people

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 March 2006

Tze Pin Ng ,
Liang Feng ,
Peak Chiang Chiam  and
Ee Heok Kua
Tze Pin Ng
Affiliation:
Gerontological Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore Department of Psychological Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
Liang Feng
Affiliation:
Gerontological Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore Department of Psychological Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
Peak Chiang Chiam
Affiliation:
Institute of Mental Health, Ministry of Health, Singapore
Ee Heok Kua
Affiliation:
Gerontological Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore Department of Psychological Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
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Abstract

Background: Few studies have investigated the association of psychiatric morbidity with acute hospitalization risk in elderly people.

Method: We examined this association using population-based data for 1092 older adults aged ≥60 years in Singapore, including subjects who reported at least one acute hospitalization from any medical condition(s) in the 12 months prior to interview (N = 136). Psychiatric morbid/comorbid disorders were diagnosed using the Geriatric Mental State examination.

Results: In a multivariate analysis, comorbid psychiatric disorders were inde-pendently associated with hospitalization [adjusted odds ratio 2.76, 95% confidence interval 1.20–6.33], after controlling for age, ethnicity, employment status, number of medical comorbidities, number of activities of daily living limitations, hearing and visual impairment, SF-12 Physical and Mental Component Summary scores, social, productive, fitness and health activities, and regular visits to health-care providers. Neither dementia diagnosis nor cognitive impairment measured by the Mini-mental State Examination was associated with increased hospitalization risk.

Conclusion: Psychiatric morbidity in old age was significantly associated with increased hospitalization risk. This finding underlines the importance of treating psychiatric illness to reduce the risk of acute hospitalization in elderly patients.

Keywords

psychiatric morbiditydisorderhospital usemedical comorbidity
Type
Research Article
Information
International Psychogeriatrics , Volume 18 , Issue 4 , December 2006 , pp. 701 - 711
Copyright
International Psychogeriatric Association 2006

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