Geriatrics & gerontology international
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Geriatr Gerontol Int · Jan 2020
ReviewAssociation between sarcopenia and pneumonia in older people.
Pneumonia is a major cause of death in older people, and the number of such deaths is increasing. Present guidelines for pneumonia management are based on a pathogen-oriented strategy that relies on the optimal application of antibiotics. Older pneumonia inpatients show the high incidence of aspiration pneumonia. ⋯ Associations between respiratory muscle strength and pneumonia are currently under investigation. Evaluation and management of sarcopenia could potentially become a new strategy to prevent and treat pneumonia in older patients, and research has only recently been launched. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2020; 20: 7-13.
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Geriatr Gerontol Int · Sep 2016
ReviewAlgorithm of medication review in frail older people: Focus on minimizing the use of high-risk medications.
Frail older people typically suffer several chronic diseases, receive multiple medications and are more likely to be institutionalized in residential aged care facilities. In such patients, optimizing prescribing and avoiding use of high-risk medications might prevent adverse events. The present study aimed to develop a pragmatic, easily applied algorithm for medication review to help clinicians identify and discontinue potentially inappropriate high-risk medications. ⋯ The algorithm captures a range of different clinical scenarios in relation to potentially inappropriate medications, and offers an evidence-based approach to identifying and, if appropriate, discontinuing such medications. Studies are required to evaluate algorithm effects on prescribing decisions and patient outcomes. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2016; 16: 1002-1013.
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Geriatr Gerontol Int · Sep 2015
ReviewEfficacy of emergency department-based interventions designed to reduce repeat visits and other adverse outcomes for older patients after discharge: A systematic review.
There is an urgent need for effective geriatric interventions to meet the health service demands of the growing older population. In this paper, we systematically review and update existing literature on interventions within emergency departments (ED) targeted towards reducing ED re-visits, hospitalizations, nursing home admissions and deaths in older patients after initial ED discharge. ⋯ Of the few studies that met the inclusion criteria, there was a lack of consistency and clarity in study designs and evaluative outcomes. Despite this, more intensive interventions that followed patients beyond a referral and the use of a clinical risk prediction tool appeared to be associated with improved outcomes. The dearth of rigorous evaluations with standardized methodologies precludes further recommendations.
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Geriatr Gerontol Int · Jan 2015
Review Meta AnalysisEpidemiological characteristics and outcome in elderly patients sustaining non-simultaneous bilateral hip fracture: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
The present study aimed to quantitatively and comprehensively conclude the epidemiological characteristics and outcome in elderly patients with non-simultaneous bilateral hip fractures. ⋯ Non-simultaneous bilateral hip fracture accounts for a high proportion of hip fractures, and most of the second hip fractures occurred in the first 3 years. Patients of female sex, having initial trochanteric fractures, of more advanced age and having osteoporosis are more likely to sustain a second contralateral hip fracture, and risk-reduction strategies should be implemented.
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Geriatr Gerontol Int · Jan 2015
Review Meta AnalysisEpidemiological characteristics and outcome in elderly patients sustaining non-simultaneous bilateral hip fracture: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
The present study aimed to quantitatively and comprehensively conclude the epidemiological characteristics and outcome in elderly patients with non-simultaneous bilateral hip fractures. ⋯ Non-simultaneous bilateral hip fracture accounts for a high proportion of hip fractures, and most of the second hip fractures occurred in the first 3 years. Patients of female sex, having initial trochanteric fractures, of more advanced age and having osteoporosis are more likely to sustain a second contralateral hip fracture, and risk-reduction strategies should be implemented.