Farragher B, Wrigley M, Veluri R
Department of Psychiatry of Old Age, James Connolly Memorial hospital, Blanchardstown, Dublin.
Ir Med J. 1994 Nov-Dec;87(6):172-3.
Alcohol related problems in elderly people are often difficult to diagnose because of denial and non specific presentation in this age group. This study examines the factors related to alcohol abuse in elderly people referred to a psychiatry of old age service over a six month period. Patients were specifically screened for alcohol related psychiatric, physical and social problems. Of the 150 patients referred, 23 (15%) had alcohol related problems, with 12 (52%) denying any history of alcohol abuse/dependence. The majority were female (15/23, 65%), of which 10 were late-onset drinkers. Loneliness was found to be a contributory factor in 10 (43%) patients. A large proportion of patients had physical, psychiatric and social problems related to alcohol. Twenty one patients (91%) required psychiatric follow-up. In conclusion, this study confirms elderly peoples vulnerability to the destructive effects of alcohol.
由于老年人存在否认问题以及该年龄组症状不具特异性，与酒精相关的问题往往难以诊断。本研究调查了在六个月期间转介至老年精神科服务的老年人中与酒精滥用相关的因素。对患者专门筛查了与酒精相关的精神、身体和社会问题。在转介的150名患者中，23名（15%）存在与酒精相关的问题，其中12名（52%）否认有任何酒精滥用/依赖史。大多数为女性（15/23，65%），其中10名是晚发性饮酒者。发现孤独是10名（43%）患者的一个促成因素。很大一部分患者存在与酒精相关的身体、精神和社会问题。21名患者（91%）需要精神科随访。总之，本研究证实了老年人易受酒精破坏影响。
