Journal of AdvancedMedical and Dental Sciences Research

Aim: To determine the Psychiatric Morbidity in Geriatric in patients with Medical Disorders Material and methods: The sample for the research comprised of 100 consecutive geriatric inpatients admitted to medical wards above the age of 65. MINI Plus was used to test the patients for mental illnesses. In individuals who tested positive for MINI Plus, the Comprehensive Psychopathology Rating Scale (CPRS) was employed to measure the degree of psychopathology. Results: The mean age in group was 70.55 ±3.58 years and 66.25± 2.69 years in group 2. The geriatric inpatient group had more patients with hypertension (44%) compared to 11% in non-geriatric controls. Similarly, respiratory conditions were seen in 44% and 18% in group 1 and 2 respectively, cardiovascular conditions in 31 % and 6 % in group 1 & 2 respectively. In group1, 16% had neoplasm compared to only 2 % in group 2. Infections were diagnosed significantly more in group 2 (62 %) compared to 32% in group 1. No significant differences seen with respect to other medical diagnoses were seen between the groups. Among the patients in group 1, 25% had a DCR-10 psychiatric diagnosis obtained using MINI Plus. In group 2, 28 (28%) had a psychiatric diagnosis. No statistical difference seen. Group 1 included five patients with Alzheimer's disease, one with multi-infarct dementia, and one with organic delusional illness. These diagnoses were not found in any of the patients in Group 2. Alcohol dependency syndrome was found in 12% of patients in Group 2 and 2% of patients in Group 1. Mild depressive episodes and dysthymia were identified equally in both groups. Anxiety disorder was identified in 3% and 2% of the people in groups 1 and 2, respectively. There was no significant difference in mental morbidity between the two groups. Conclusion: The present study concludes that elderly individuals with medical diseases had significantly higher rates of psychopathology, cognitive impairment, and functional decline compared to adults with medical disorders and the general population.