Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
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Comparative Study
Hypokalemia and potassium excretion in stroke patients.
To determine (1) the prevalence of hypokalemia (plasma potassium < or = 3.4 mmol/L) in a group of stroke patients in comparison with age- and sex-matched groups of patients having sustained a myocardial infarction or having mild hypertension and (2) the association between plasma potassium concentration and stroke outcome. ⋯ Hypokalemia post stroke is common and may be associated with a poor outcome.
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To describe family perceptions of care at the end of life. ⋯ Bereaved family members are generally satisfied with life-sustaining treatment decisions. Their primary concerns are failures in communication and pain control. Discussions that focus on specific treatment decisions may not satisfy the real needs of dying patients and their families.
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To investigate the prevalence of beta-blocker use in older persons with prior myocardial infarction (MI) or coronary artery disease (CAD) without contraindications to beta-blockers in an academic hospital-based geriatrics practice. ⋯ There is marked underutilization of beta-blockers in treating older patients with prior MI or CAD in an academic, hospital-based geriatrics practice.
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Clinical Trial Controlled Clinical Trial
Validation of multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis in detecting changes in fluid balance of geriatric patients.
Multi-Frequency Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (MFBIA) is a quick, simple, and inexpensive method to assess body fluid compartments. This study aimed at determining the validity of MFBIA in detecting clinically relevant changes of fluid balance in geriatric patients. ⋯ The sensitivity of a single impedance measurement in detecting dehydration and overhydration was low. However, responsiveness of serial measurements to intra-individual changes in fluid balance was good. Therefore, this noninvasive technique may be used in clinical practice to improve monitoring fluid balance in geriatric patients, especially when daily weighing is difficult.
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To investigate the frequency and longitudinal course of symptoms of depression, agitation, and psychosis in a longitudinally studied sample of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). ⋯ Mild behavioral disturbances are common, whereas moderate to severe behavioral symptoms are less frequent in this population of AD patients. Disturbances in mood and manifestations of agitation and psychotic symptoms are not closely related to one another and show little progressive worsening over time. Rather, they tend to be episodic such that increasing severity at one time is usually followed by improvement later. Concentration problems are a manifestation of cognitive dysfunction rather than behavioral disturbance in AD. Implications of these results for treatment of noncognitive disturbances in AD are discussed.