Depression in the community dwelling elderly: Do clinical and sociodemographic factors influence referral to psychiatry?

Background Little is known about the reasons why depressed elderly patients are referred to the old age psychiatric services. Reasons for referral of depressed younger patients have been clarified however they may not be gene ralisable to an older population. Objectives The purpose of this study is to examine which clinical and socio demographic factors influence referral of patients with late life depressio n from primary care. Methods Twenty-eight people were identified with depression in a day hospit al referred by their general practitioner. These were compared with fifty-t wo people with depression in the community who had not been referred to the psychiatric services. Results Having a more severe depression (p = 0.0016) and having co-morbid a nxiety (p = 0.0017) meant you were more likely to be referred to the day ho spital. Gender did not appear to influence referral from general practition ers. Conclusions It appears that severity of depression and having higher levels of anxiety make it more likely that you will be referred by your general p ractitioner to the old age psychiatry services. Copyright (C) 2001 John Wil ey & Sons, Ltd.