Age and ageing
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To study how many elderly inpatients with previously diagnosed atrial fibrillation were not receiving anticoagulant prophylaxis, and the prevalence of additional risk factors in these patients. ⋯ Most elderly inpatients with established atrial fibrillation were not taking warfarin. All had additional risk factors for stroke, which increase the absolute benefit of anticoagulation.
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To evaluate outcome and risk factors, particularly the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II scoring system, for in-hospital mortality in very elderly patients after admission to an intensive care unit (ICU). ⋯ ICU and in-hospital mortality are higher in very elderly patients, particularly in those with an APACHE II score > or =25. The most important predictors of mortality are the use of inotropes and the severity of the acute illness.
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the potential impact on morbidity, mortality and health care economics makes it important to identify patients at risk of fracture, in particular fractured neck of femur (FNOF). Older patients with carotid sinus hypersensitivity (CSH) are more likely to have unexplained falls and to experience fractures, particularly FNOF. Our objective was to determine the prevalence of CSH in patients with FNOF. ⋯ older patients with an acute neck of femur fracture who do not give a clear history of an accidental fall or who have had previously unexplained falls are likely to have CSH. CSH may be a modifiable risk factor for older patients at risk of hip fracture.
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to examine the relative frequency and outcome of clinical subtypes of delirium in older hospital patients. ⋯ outcomes of hospitalization differ in different clinical subtypes of delirium.
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to identify risk factors for admission for patients aged 75 years and older after discharge from the emergency department (DEED: discharge of elderly from emergency department). ⋯ older patients are at increased risk of readmission within 4 weeks of being sent home from the emergency department. It is possible to identify high-risk patients by a questionnaire. This allows targeting of these patients for more intensive follow-up in an attempt to ameliorate further deteriorations in their health.