Psychiatric Morbidity in Elderly Patients Attending OPD of Lumbini Medical College and Teaching Hospital

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Geriatric psychiatry patients are increasing but enough work has not been done in this area of Nepal. We conducted this study to find out the prevalence of different psychiatric morbidities in elderly population and to find out if there are any age and gender specific differences. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Medical records of psychiatric patients above 65 years of age visiting outpatient department of Lumbini Medical College and Teaching Hospitalfrom April 1, 2018 to March 31, 2019 were reviewed. Risks of having different psychiatric disorders was estimated using odds ratio. RESULTS: A total of 300 cases were enrolled in the study. Mean age of the study group was 71.49(SD=6.99). There were more females. Depressive disorderwas the most common diagnosis followed by somatoform disorder, anxiety disorder, dementia and others. Depressive disorder was higher in females and in younger subgroup of the elderly patient.The risk of having dementia was higher in older group. CONCLUSION: Depressive disorder was the most common psychiatric disorderfollowed by somatoform disorder in elderly patients above 65 years of age. Male patients were more likely to suffer psychiatric disorder as compared to females in this age.