Clinical characteristics of patients with non-affective, non-organic, late onset psychosis.

OBJECTIVE: Schizophrenia and related psychotic disorders are predominantly studied in young population. However some individuals do develop psychotic disorder for the first time during their old age. The aim of this study is to look at the clinical characteristics of non-affective, non-organic, late onset psychosis.

PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: Retrospective chart review study, medical records of all patients registered between 1st of January 2006 and 31st May 2011 at geriatric clinic in NIMHANS, Bangalore was screened, 83 files with a diagnosis of late onset psychosis and meeting the study criteria were systematically analyzed.

RESULTS: The mean age at onset of illness was 67±10years; 98.8% were married, females formed 67.5% of the sample, commonest phenomenon was delusions followed by hallucinations, 80.5% of the subjects had delusion of persecution, 38.5% had referential delusion, 51.8% had accusative and derogatory auditory hallucinations, negative symptoms was seen only in 2.4% of subjects, none had formal thought disorder. 3.6% had co-morbid Axis II diagnosis.

CONCLUSION: Despite its rarity non affective, non organic, late onset psychosis forms a distinct group with unique manifestation. Further systematic research is needed for better understanding of this condition.