Factors predicting discharge of Huntington's disease patients from a neuropsychiatry unit.
BACKGROUND
We explored phenotypic parameters of people with Huntington's disease who had been admitted to a psychiatric unit and then discharged, with a view to determining prognostic factors for discharge to higher levels of care.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study was carried out on 19 patients admitted to a psychiatric unit with Huntington's disease. Data on the Unified Huntington's Disease Rating Scale (UHDRS) of behavior and function, global assessment of presence of depression and dementia as well as discharge outcomes were collated. Appropriate parametric and non-parametric statistical tests were applied.


RESULTS
Fourteen patients were discharged to accommodation with the same level of care versus five who were discharged to a higher level of care. Having poor functioning in terms of activities of daily living predicted discharge to an increased level of care. Being depressed or having dementia did not forecast poor outcome. The total duration of admission was not related to UHDRS parameters.


CONCLUSIONS
Poor functioning on admission independently predicts the need for higher levels of care for patients who are admitted to a neuropsychiatric ward.
Vasudev
Akshya
A
Institute for Ageing and Health, Newcastle University, Wolfson Research Centre, Campus for Ageing and Vitality, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK. akshya.vasudev@ncl.ac.uk
Palmer
Tracy
T
Thomas
Alan
A
Burn
David
D
Barker
William
W
D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology*; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006757:Hospital Units; D006801:Humans; D006816:Huntington Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010351:Patient Discharge / Q000592:standards*; D011379:Prognosis; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011570:Psychiatry; D012307:Risk Factors