Revista española de geriatría y gerontología
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Rev Esp Geriatr Gerontol · May 2009
Case Reports[Strongyloides stercoralis infestation in an immunocompetent 82-year-old woman].
A laboratory finding of eosinophilia in patients with gastrointestinal symptoms should prompt the differential diagnosis of a parasitosis. The diagnosis is based on identification of larvae in three different stool samples. We report the case of an 82-year-old woman who was independent for instrumental and advanced activities of daily living and showed no risk factors for strongyloidiasis who was admitted to our service with diarrhoea and abdominal pain. ⋯ Stool sample revealed Strongyloides stercoralis. In the patient's case history, we found similar clinical features with fluctuating eosinophilia over the previous 8 years. The patient was treated with albendazole, resulting in clinical improvement and elimination of eosinophilia.
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Rev Esp Geriatr Gerontol · Mar 2009
[Alternative to surgery in basal cell carcinoma in the elderly population: imiquimod 5% cream].
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common non-melanoma skin cancer. The incidence of this entity increases with age, peaking at the age of 70 years. This study included 97 patients aged more than 65 years old, with a diagnosis of BCC. ⋯ Clinical remission was 67% after 10 weeks and was 49.5% after 1 year. Imiquimod is a highly interesting therapeutic modality in the elderly, in whom surgery is often contraindicated. This regimen eradicates a high percentage of tumors and reduces local adverse effects, which are poorly tolerated by aged skin.
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Rev Esp Geriatr Gerontol · Jul 2008
[Age as predictive factor of mortality in an intensive and intermediate care unit].
Age by itself is not a criterion of biological prognosis. Scores for physiological variables on admission and multiorgan failure are better predictors of mortality. ⋯ Higher SOFA and APACHE II scores predicted higher IICU mortality, regardless of age. LTE was more frequent in patients with a greater degree of dependence.
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Rev Esp Geriatr Gerontol · Jul 2008
[Efficacy of a psychological intervention program at home for the caregivers of dependent elderly people].
The caregivers of dependent elderly people have a greater probability of experiencing burden, anxiety and depression than the general population. ⋯ The program was effective in reducing psychological distress among family caregivers.
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Rev Esp Geriatr Gerontol · May 2008
Comparative Study[Functional decline during hospitalization in elderly patients. Benefits of admission to the geriatrics service].
In some elderly individuals, hospital admission for acute illness represents a possible loss of autonomy not always related to the reason for hospitalization. The importance of this problem and the possible existence of differences among services are not sufficiently well known. ⋯ Functional decline during hospitalization for acute diseases is frequent among frail patients. Many modifiable clinical practices are associated with this complication. In patients at risk of delirium, admission to geriatric wards may be associated with less functional deterioration than admission to internal medicine wards.