European Psychiatry - Volume 33 - March 2016

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24th European Congress of Psychiatry / European Psychiatry 33S (2016) S116–S348 S219
Disclosure of interest The authors have not supplied their decla-
ration of competing interest.
EW302
Burden of informal carers in
northwest Ireland: A pilot study of
factors that influence burden
G. McCarthy ∗ resswell Adamis
1 Sligo Medical Academy NUI Galway, Psychiatry, Sligo, Ireland
2 NUI Galway, Psychiatry, Galway, Ireland
3 Sligo Mental Health Services, Psychiatry, Sligo, Ireland
∗ Corresponding author.
Introduction Research has shown that approximately 67% of car-
ers experience extrememental tiredness, a decrease in their quality
of life and a deterioration in their physical health since taking on a
care-giving role.
Aims and objectives This study aims to identify factors that influ-
ence carer burden and in doing so, identify the sub-populations of
carers who are most susceptible to burden.
Methods In northwest Ireland, 53 informal carers referred to the
Carers Association, Sligo were contacted and met for a face-to-
face interview. Measurements used included demographic data,
the Neuropsychiatric Inventory, Zarit Burden Interview, Social Net-
work Index and Brown’s Locus of Control Scale.
Results Of the 53 carers, 43 were females and 10 males (age
range: 32–81 years, mean age of 64.5 years). Of the correspond-
ing 53 patients, 21 were females and 32 males (age range: 17–92
years, mean age of 72.1 years). Multiple linear regression anal-
ysis showed that sex of carer, marital status and the patient’s
behavioural problems were statistically significant independent
factors, which influenced carer burden (p < 0.01). Female sex and
greater patient behavioural problems increased susceptibility to
burden and being married increased resilience towards burden.
Conclusions The ability to predict which carers are more suscep-
tible to burden allows physicians to more quickly identify “higher
risk” carers, facilitating routine check-ups by physicians and carer
support services. Further research should explore why female and
unmarried carers are more susceptible to burden and whether it is
possible to tailor support services to their individual needs.
Disclosure of interest The authors have not supplied their decla-
ration of competing interest.
EW303
Attachment representations in a
population of elderly subjects
M. Moalla ∗, I. Feki , A. Ktata , R. Sellami , D. Triqui , I. Baati ,
I. Abida , J. Masmoudi
1 CHU Hédi Chaker S department of psychiatry “A”, Sfax, Tunisia
2 Manzel Bouzayen Hospital, consultation, Sidi Bouzid, Tunisia
∗ Corresponding author.
Introduction According to attachment theory, attachment rela-
tionships have a lasting impact on the functioning of the individual.
If this impact has been much studied in children, few studies have
been conducted in the elderly.
Objectives Explore the representations of attachment in a popu-
lation of elderly subjects.
Methods The sample consists of 90 consultants over the age of
65. Each participant filled out demographic questionnaire, Rela-
tionship ScaleQuestionnaire (RSQ): questionnaire of 13 items, each
item rated from 1 to 5, a lower score attests a more secure attach-
ment and Adult Attachment Questionnaire: a categorical scale of 3
statements. Statement 1 corresponds to secure attachment style, 2
to avoidant attachment style and 3 to anxious-ambivalent attach-
ment style.
Results The age of participants ranged from 65 to 95 years with
an average of 68.14. The sex ratioM:Fwas 0.8. The RSQ Score ranged
from 16 to 56 with an average of 37.27. Of the participants, 72.2%
have secure attachment style, 24.4% have an avoidant attachment
style and 3.3% have an anxious-ambivalent attachment style. The
study of correlations showed strong correlation between the two
scales (P = 0.00) and the RSQ score was significantly associated with
poor satisfaction of married life (P = 0.025), presence of psycholog-
ical trauma in childhood (P = 0.016) and a separation experience
(P = 0.029).
Conclusion Our study highlights the importance of early child-
hood experiences that may impact late adult life. These finding are
in accordance with attachment theory.
Disclosure of interest The authors have not supplied their decla-
ration of competing interest.
EW304
A proactive geriatric liaison service to
assess and manage medical problems
on old age psychiatry wards
U. Narayana ∗, O.J. Corrado , S. Kaur
1 Health Education Yorkshire and Humber, ST5 Old Age Psychiatry
and Leadership fellow, Hull and East Yorkshire NHS Trust, United
Kingdom
2 Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Consultant Geriatrician, Leeds,
United Kingdom
3 Bradford District Care Trust, Audit Officer, Bradford, United
Kingdom
∗ Corresponding author.
Introduction Older people with mental ill health are more likely
to receive lower quality of healthcare, inappropriate prescrip-
tions and reduced access to services, leading to increased rates
of mortality 1,2,3. The NHS mandate 2015 to 2016 emphasises the
need to deliver care, which is joined up and seamless for users of
services4.
Aims and objectives To identify the common medical comorbidi-
ties on the Old Age PsychiatryWards and to assess themanagement
outcomes.
Methods We audited all patients referred to the Liaison Geriatri-
cian from 2008 to October 2015 from the Mount Hospital Leeds,
which consists of 4 Old Age Psychiatry Wards. Data was collected
in October 2015 and included referral date, patients’ age and sex,
number of referrals, reason for referral and the outcome.
Results We assessed 339 (142 F, 197M) patients with a mean age
of 77 (range: 56–94). Cardiovascular problems were the biggest
group of referrals (in particular oedema, hypotension and rhythm
disturbances) (34%) followed by central nervous system problems
(11%), respiratory (8%), gastrointestinal (8%) and infection (8%).
Some unusual problems were diagnosed including a spontaneous
pneumothorax, primary biliary cirrhosis. The most common inter-
ventionwas advice on treatment or investigation, very fewpatients
needed acute admission and some unnecessary admissions were
aborted as a result of the physician’s intervention.
Conclusions This audit emphasises the need for a joint coordi-
nated approach between psychiatry and medicine in managing
health problems in older people. A dedicated Geriatric Liaison
service can improve care, avoid unnecessary acute admissions
and is more convenient for patients who would otherwise attend
repeated outpatient appointments.
References are not available for this abstract.
Disclosure of interest The authors have not supplied their decla-
ration of competing interest.