A 12-month follow-up study of people with dementia referred to general hospital liaison psychiatry services.

BACKGROUND

new services for patients with dementia in general hospitals are being widely developed. Little is known of outcomes after hospital for such patients.

OBJECTIVE

to establish outcomes for patients with dementia referred to general hospital psychiatric services.

DESIGN

prospective cohort study.

SETTING

two UK general hospitals.

SUBJECTS

referrals with dementia to liaison psychiatric services.

METHOD

eligible referrals (n = 112), and their carers, were assessed during admission, and at 6 and 12 months, using battery of health measurements.

RESULTS

mortality at 6 months was 31% and at 12 months 40%. At baseline, 13% lived in a care home, rising to 84% by 6 months. Quality of life scores remained stable over 12 months, while carer stress fell significantly. Baseline clinical and demographic variables did not predict quality of life or carer stress at 6 and 12 months.

CONCLUSIONS

dementia liaison services in general hospitals currently focus on poor outcome cases.