Elderly patients with adaptive disorder diagnosis in psychogeriatry interconsultation: clinical profile and therapeutic approach

Abstract

Introduction. Adaptive disorder is a frequent diagnosis but poorly studied in the elderly population hospitalized. Despite it is considerate benign and non-subsidiary entity of improvement through pharmacological treatment. It can evolve in a difficult way and the pharmacological treatment is widespread. The use of drugs could be harmful the elderly population with pluripathology and polypharmacy.

Methods. A retrospective descriptive study, total of 123 patients diagnosed with adaptive disorder and attended by the Psychogeriatric Liaison in a third-level hospital between 2016 and 2017. Medical history, management at diagnosis and follow-up until one year after discharge were collected on.

Results. At the diagnosis of adaptative disorder the 75.9% of all patients received pharmacological treatment, while only 22.8% were referred to psychology. Only 50% of patients were referred to mental health upon discharge. The 13.8% of patients died before discharge from hospital. During the follow-up year, the 72.6% required a new hospital admission. And of this group, the 16.6% required increasing the dose of drugs.

Conclusions. This study provides data on the clinical management of this complicated and frequent profile of patients. In addition, this work is a starting point for future lines of research that can shed light on an aspect very poorly reflected in the current medical literature despite the aging of the population.