[Psychiatric disorders in elderly hospitalized patients: prevalence and recognition]

Patients of 65 years and older on a medical ward of the University Hospital of Leiden were screened for psychiatric morbidity. The recognition of the psychiatric pathology by the attending staff was recorded. Of the 87 patients studied, 11 had an organic brain syndrome and 14 a depressive disorder. In 10 of the 25 cases, these were recognized on the ward. Women with a depressive disorder ran the highest risk of not being recognized.