[An epidemiologic study of neurosis among 3809 aged people with special reference to factors influencing its outcome].

An epidemiological survey was conducted to assess the prevalence as well as clinical features of neurosis among 3,809 aged people in an urban residential area of Beijing with 50,639 population. It was found, contrary to expectation, that the prevalence was 2.96% and preponderant symptoms seemed to be worrisome, tense, irritable and depressive. Neurasthenia and anxious--depressive neurosis were most frequently diagnosed before or after the age of 60, respectively. Factors were analysed in relation to the causation of illness, indicating that family status, family structure, personal attitude toward life and physical disability were important ones. 91 of total 113 cases manifested either exacerbation or fluctuation of symptomatology and 77 cases (86.6%) encountered stressful life event, such as bereavement, family conflict or solitude. No case was found to have impairment of social function when tested by SDSS. It was finally concluded that neurosis of aged people seems to be one of those urgent mental health issues to be tackled over.