Alcohol misuse among elderly psychiatric patients: a pilot study.

The aim of this pilot study was to ascertain the frequency of alcohol misuse among the elderly (> 65) psychiatric referrals. Consecutive referrals to a suburban elderly psychiatric team were screened for alcohol misuse by using the CAGE questionnaire as a part of psychiatric assessment. Gamma-glutanyl transpeptidase (GGT) was measured in those showing evidence of alcohol misuse. Frequency of alcohol misuse in the elderly was found to be low. Alcohol misuse was associated with raised GGT, depression, being divorced/ widowed and living alone.