title: [Feeding disability in elder psychiatric patients].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Feeding disability is a known problem in old people, particularly in those with dementia. This study was aimed to acquire information about feeding problems and factors associated with them in old psychiatric patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study was part of the Gerontopsychiatry study Berlin (Gepsy-B), an investigation of the data of all older inpatients (≥ 65 years) admitted to a psychiatric hospital within 3 years.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 1266 admissions 284 cases (22.4 %) were identified as having disability of feeding or drinking. Persons living in institutionalized care were frequently referred because of feeding problems. The patients with disability to feed oneself were older than the rest of 80.7 ± 8.2 vs. 77.2 ± 7.7 years, U-test, z = - 6.33; p < 0.001). 84.5 % showed cognitive disorders (dementia or/and delirium), 22.4 % mood disorders and 8.5 % delusions or schizophrenia. 50 % needed parenteral nutrition temporarily. The outcome of patients with feeding problems was worse.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Old psychiatric patients with disability of feeding oneself mostly suffered from cognitive disorders.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Psychiatrie, Psychotherapie und Psychosomatik, Vivantes Klinikum Hellersdorf, Berlin.
authors.forename: Tilman
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wetterling
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003681:Dehydration / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D003693:Delirium / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D003702:Delusions / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D016330:Frail Elderly; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D010343:Patient Admission; D011502:Protein-Energy Malnutrition / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy