Physical morbidity in a group of patients referred to a psychogeriatric unit; A 6-month prospective study

In a 6‐month prospective study of all admissions (N = 72) to an old age psychiatric unit, 34% (N = 24) were found to have significant physical illnesses at the time of admission. Sixty‐two per cent of the conditions were detected by a combination of clinical methods and simple tests alone. There was no significant difference in terms of age, sex, marital status or a past history of psychiatric treatment between those who were initially diagnosed as physically ill and those who were physically well at the time of admission. Higher levels of morbidity were found in those with an organic psychiatric diagnosis compared to those with a functional psychiatric diagnosis, although this did not reach a statistically significant level. It is suggested that simple tests can be carried out in the community by family doctors.