Geriatrics & gerontology international
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Geriatr Gerontol Int · Apr 2013
Comparative StudyLaparoscopic versus open inguinal hernia repair in octogenarians: a follow-up study.
The elderly population is the fastest growing demographic in developed countries. It is thus imperative to assess common medical procedures in this age group. Inguinal hernia repair is a commonly carried out operation in the USA with two methods of repair existing - laparoscopic and open. Although the advantages of laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair in the general population have been shown, its role in the elderly has yet to be elucidated. ⋯ In octogenarians, laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair confers a significantly shorter duration of pain and recovery time as compared with open inguinal hernia repair, with no increase in complications. For elderly patients, laparoscopy is a viable alternative to open repair.
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Geriatr Gerontol Int · Apr 2013
Comparative StudyHigh prevalence of sarcopenia and reduced leg muscle mass in Japanese patients immediately after a hip fracture.
Sarcopenia-related falls and fractures are becoming an emerging problem as a result of rapid aging worldwide. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of sarcopenia by estimating the muscle mass of the arms and legs of patients with and without hip fracture. ⋯ This study showed a higher prevalence of sarcopenia and more reduced leg muscle mass in patients after a hip fracture than in the outclinic patients who did not have hip fractures. The results imply sarcopenia can be a risk factor for a hip fracture.
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Geriatr Gerontol Int · Apr 2013
Comparative StudyThe Frailty Instrument for primary care of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe predicts mortality similarly to a frailty index based on comprehensive geriatric assessment.
Frailty is an emerging concept in primary care, which potentially can provide healthcare commissioners with a clinical focus for targeting resources at an aging population. However, primary care practitioners need valid instruments that are easy to use. With that purpose in mind, we created a Frailty Instrument (FIt) for primary care based on the Survey of Health, Aging and Retirement in Europe (SHARE). The aim of the present study was to compare the mortality prediction of the five-item SHARE-FIt with that of a 40-item Frailty Index (FIx) based on comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA). ⋯ SHARE-FIt is simpler and more usable, and predicts mortality similarly to a more complex FIx based on CGA.
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Geriatr Gerontol Int · Apr 2013
Use of a laboratory only score system to define trajectories and outcomes of older people admitted to the acute hospital as medical emergencies.
Increasing numbers of older people are admitted to hospital as medical emergencies. They are a heterogeneous population with uncertain trajectories and outcomes. Our aim was to retrospectively characterize subgroups of older inpatients based on their acuity trajectories. ⋯ In older acute medical inpatients, the outcome seemed more driven by specific diagnoses (such as sepsis and renal failure) and comorbidity, than by age. Using the MARS score to retrospectively categorize older inpatients might help to understand their heterogeneity and promote the design of appropriate care pathways.