Prevalence and influence of psychiatric comorbidity on rehabilitation outcome for older hospital inpatients

Abstract

A high prevalence of psychological symptoms was identified upon admission, with a significant decrease by the time of discharge. These factors did not significantly predict the selected measures of rehabilitation outcome. Opportunities for future longitudinal research on the prevalence and impact of psychiatric comorbidities on patient outcomes are considered.

Psychological Distress in the Hospital Setting: A Comparison between Native Dutch and Immigrant Patients

“…Psychological distress (i.e. depressive- and anxiety symptoms) is a well-known risk factor for an adverse course of medical illness and is associated with impairment of quality of life, increased risk of mortality and significantly higher health care costs [ 1 – 3 ]. Prevalence estimates for depressive and anxiety symptoms in the medically ill are high compared to the general population and range from 14%-51% and 18%-32% respectively [ 1 – 4 ].…”

Understanding temporal relationships between depression, falls, and physical activity in a cohort of post-hospitalized older adults – a breakthrough or a conundrum?

“…One group of older adults who may serve as a relevant population to investigate these relationships consists of those who are admitted to hospital, especially if they have an extended period of hospitalization (Gluyas et al, 2011). These people have been shown to experience poor health outcomes following their discharge to the community.…”

Erratum to “Depressive symptoms and adverse outcomes from hospitalization in older adults: Secondary outcomes of a trial of falls prevention education” [Arch. Gerontol. Geriatr. 60 (2015) 96–102]

“…(Biderman, Cwikel, Fried, & Galinsky, 2002) It was interesting that this relationship was partially mediated by worry about falling in the future indicating that addressing fear of falling may be a potential consideration for managing depressive symptoms in older hospital patients. This therapeutic recommendation may be further justified by previous findings that depressive symptoms in the older population were not associated with an individual's physical and functional ability (Gluyas et al, 2011) despite physical and functional ability being closely associated with falls. (Shumway-Cook et al, 2009) Lower levels of education have been previously identified within the literature as a risk for depression in older people(Chang-Quan, Zheng-Rong, Yong-Hong, Yi-Zhou, & Qing-Xiu, 2010) corroborating the findings of this research.…”

“…(Givens, Jones, & Inouye, 2009) Recent research has found that over two thirds of older people undertaking inpatient rehabilitation had some form of clinically significant psychiatric comorbidity upon admission and over one third displayed significant symptoms of depression at discharge. (Gluyas, Lum, Chong, Borg, & Haines, 2011) Clinicians currently have little guidance to identify patients at high risk of developing depressive symptoms or having worsening symptoms during their hospital admission. This is important as early identification may permit delivery of services to prevent development or worsening of depressive symptoms.…”