It is well known that geriatric patients are at increased risk of developing comorbid medical and psychiatric conditions, and a large proportion of them are admitted to psychiatric liaison units (LPUs). The aim of this study is to determine which clinical differences between age groups (65- 74 years and ≥75 years) are statistically significant to potentially warrant special attention when referring to an LPU.

This is an observational, cross-sectional and comparative multicentre study. We collected data from 165 patients (≥65 years) admitted to 7 Spanish general hospitals and referred to each LPU from different departments. Data were collected over a period of one and a half months. Psychiatric examinations were performed during the patients' stay in the wards. The sample was divided into two age groups of patients and a comparative analysis was done.

We obtained a sample of 165 patients with a mean age of 76.03 years (42.10% < 75 years, 57.83% ≥ 75 years). We analysed several variables between two age groups: the youngest (65- 74 years) and the oldest (≥75 years). In the younger group (mean age 69.87 years), the mean Barthel index before admission was 93.23 (52.1% with independent ambulation) and at the time of our first assessment was 54.62, before 82.71 of the older group (mean age 80.63). The mean Lawton index was 4.44 (6.35 for the older group) and the Charlson index was 6.38 (5.6 for the older group). 21.11% reported falls in the last 6 months, compared to 27.6% in the older group. The most common reason for referral was anxiety/depression symptoms in both groups (52.12% and 56.53%) and agitation (24.46% in the older group). After the LPU visit, the main diagnoses were adjustment disorder in both groups (25.3% and 25.53%) and delirium in the older group (23.4%). Antidepressants and benzodiazepines were the most common psychotropic drugs prescribed before the LPU visit, and benzodiazepines were the most common drugs discontinued after the LPU visit in both groups.

Clinical differences were found between two age groups (65-74 years and ≥75 years) at LPU, which could allow professionals to improve their attention and interventions.