Medical consultations of acute psychiatric inpatients: differences due to age

Abstract

IntroductionPatients suffering serious mental diseases have more medical comorbidity and a higher mortality than the general population, something that has important clinical an economical impact. Age is an influential variable in a patient’s clinical course.ObjectivesDescriptive retrospective study from September 2007 to May 2010. Centralized database explotation. Center: San Carlos Clinic Hospital, Madrid. Variables: number of patients, mean age, median stay, number of visits, % resolved in first visit, mortality and delay.Three groups of comparison are established depending on the age: 18–44, 45–75 and > 75 years of age. A p≤0,05 has statistical significance.Results606 patients are included. Table 1 shows all variables for the three groups.ConclusionsStatistical significance exists for all variables analyzed and for every comparison established apart from mortality. Mortality is very low (just one death in group age >75). Group age 45–75 years presents major number of consultations to internal medical liaison Unit. Age is a decisive variable in the clinical course of patients with medical problems.