Dropout rates and factors associated with dropout from treatment among elderly patients attending the outpatient services of a tertiary care hospital

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the dropout rates from treatment and associated factors among elderly patients attending a tertiary care psychiatry outpatient facility. Materials and Methods: Data of 1422 patients aged ≥60 years, attending the walk-in clinic were evaluated. Results: Out of 1422 patients, 406 (28.55%) belonged to the dropout group. In the dropout group, the age of patients was significantly higher than the followed-up group, and a higher proportion of patients were >70 years old. Significantly lower proportion of patients with diagnosis of depressive disorders belonged to the dropout group and significantly higher proportion of patients with other diagnoses belonged to the dropped out group. In patients with depressive disorders, a higher proportion of the patients in the dropout group were Hindu by religion (68.7% vs. 58.7%; χ² = 4.26; P = 0.03). In patients with bipolar disorder, patients in the dropout group had significantly higher income (Rs. 13,323 [standard deviation [SD] = 16,769] vs. 5681 [SD = 9422]; t-test value: 2–25; P = 0.028) and lesser proportion of patients were of the male gender (63.15 vs. 86.95%; Mann–Whitney U value = 257.5; P = 0.039). In the group of other diagnoses, a higher proportion of patients in the dropout group were currently single (32.3% vs. 18.7%; χ² = 4.12; P = 0.042), from rural locality (63.1% vs. 46.72%; χ² = 4.33; P = 0.037) and were not prescribed medications (40% vs. 22.4%; χ² = 6.05; P = 0.04). Conclusion: Dropout from treatment among elderly patients is associated with higher age, not being prescribed medications, and diagnosis other than the affective disorders, psychotic disorders, and the cognitive disorders.