Geropsychiatric consultation in a university hospital: a report on 67 referrals

The author describes the evaluation and treatment of 67 patients 60 years old or older who were referred to a consultation-liaison service in a university hospital. Age, sex, referring service, reasons for referral, psychiatric diagnosis, and interventions or recommendations were determined. Primary psychiatric diagnoses included depression (24%), dementia (19%), delirium (18%), schizophrenia (16%), and personality disorders (12%). Recommendations or interventions included advice in the use of psychotropic medications (61%), assistance with competency issues (25%), recommendation for further medical evaluation or treatment (36%), individual psychotherapy (28%), family therapy (25%), disposition planning (24%), and transfer to a geropsychiatry unit (12%). Hospitalized elderly patients with emotional problems represent a unique diagnostic and therapeutic challenge.