Psychiatric morbidity and acute hospitalization in elderly people.
BACKGROUND
Few studies have investigated the association of psychiatric morbidity with acute hospitalization risk in elderly people.


METHODS
We examined this association using population-based data for 1092 older adults aged > or =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 independently 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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Gerontological Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
Tze Pin
TP
Ng
Liang
L
Feng
Peak Chiang
PC
Chiam
Ee Heok
EH
Kua
D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000145:classification; D000208:Acute Disease; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D015897:Comorbidity; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005260:Female; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008609:Mental Status Schedule; D008875:Middle Aged; D010343:Patient Admission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010552:Personality Assessment; D012306:Risk; D012846:Singapore