Multiple Screening for Somatic Diseases among Long‐Term Psychogeriatric Patients

Abstract

Forty long-term psychogeriatric patients at Littlemore Hospital. Oxford, were subjected to multiple screening consisting of haematological examination, SMA, urine examination and a fat absorption test measuring the serum lipids after a fatty meal, which was found very suitable for geriatric patients. Some of the results were compared with those obtained by multiphasic screening for somatic diseases among elderly long-term psychiatric patients at Asgard Psychiatric Hospital, Norway. The normal values in the elderly are discussed. The authors are in doubt about the diagnostic and therapeutic value of regular screening in elderly patients, except for research purposes. They prefer individual examination, as and when required by the patient, to regular mass biochemical screening. They are also in favour of Polycythamia rubra vera Chronic respiratory diseases Dehydration with poor cerebral perfusion Chronic leukaemias (incl. thrombocytosis) Infection Metabolic/drug dyscrasias General Areas Covered Renal diseases (sec. hyperparathyroidism). Bone diseases Diabetes.