Screening for somatic disease in elderly psychiatric patients.
An inventory of the indications for laboratory tests, electrocardiography (EKG), and chest x-ray films was compiled in 194 elderly patients admitted to a general psychiatric hospital. Indications were obtained from data on medical history, physical complaints, chronically used medication, and findings of physical examination. The therapeutic benefit of tests was also evaluated. When the therapeutic value of nonindicated tests was assessed, only routine testing for glucose, folic acid, vitamin B12, and testing for urinary tract infection in women seemed useful. Furthermore, routine determination of full blood counts, certain liver enzymes, creatinine or urea, electrolytes, and thyroid-stimulating hormone seemed useful because of the frequency of indications. There were no arguments for performing the other evaluated laboratory tests, EKG, and x-ray films of the chest on a routine basis in these patients.
Mookhoek
E J
EJ
Delta Psychiatrisch Ziekenhuis, Poortugaal, The Netherlands.
Sterrenburg-vdNieuwegiessen
I M
IM
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003955:Diagnostic Tests, Routine / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D005852:Geriatric Psychiatry / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011567:Psychiatric Department, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment