Nihon Ronen Igakkai zasshi. Japanese journal of geriatrics
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Nihon Ronen Igakkai Zasshi · Jan 2013
[Palliative care in patients without cancer: Impact of the end-of-life care team].
Palliative care improves the quality of life of patients and their families facing problems associated with life-threatening illnesses by promoting the prevention and relief of suffering. Palliative care in Japan has been developed mainly for cancer patients. At the National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, an end-of-life care team (EOLCT) has been developed to promote palliative care for patients without cancer. ⋯ The team is actively engaged in the activities of the Japanese Geriatric Society and contributes to the development of decision-making guidelines for end-of-life by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. The EOLCT can be helpful in promoting palliative care for patients with diseases other than cancer. The team offers support during times of difficulty and decision-making.
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Nihon Ronen Igakkai Zasshi · Jan 2013
Case Reports[A combination of ramelteon and Yi-gan san successfully improved post-surgical delirium in a patient with subarachnoid hemorrhage].
A 68-year-old woman presented with a sudden severe headache, vomiting, and disturbed consciousness. She was admitted to the emergency room. Computed tomography (CT) revealed a hemorrhage in the right temporal lobe. ⋯ Ramelteon, unlike other hypnotic drugs, does not cause oversedation, rebound insomnia, withdrawal symptoms or dependence. In addition, we have noted no adverse effects, including oversedation or clinically significant changes in laboratory data, during combination therapy. A combination of ramelteon and Yi-gan san may therefore be beneficial in elderly patients with delirium, especially when there is a risk of oversedation.
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Nihon Ronen Igakkai Zasshi · Jan 2013
[Are gait parameters related to knee pain, urinary incontinence and a history of falls in community-dwelling elderly women?].
To examine the association between gait parameters and knee pain, urinary incontinence, and a history of falls. ⋯ The data suggest that combining assessments of walking speed and other gait parameters may be an effective screening method for the early detection of geriatric syndromes.
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Nihon Ronen Igakkai Zasshi · Jan 2012
Comparative Study[Effect of intermittent rehydration therapy as an oral and enteral rehydration solution, alone or in combination with intravenous administration on intravascular dehydration].
The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the effectiveness of intermittent fluid infusion (intermittent rehydration therapy) to dehydrated elderly patients and the efficacy of Heisei Solution Water (HSW), an oral and enteral rehydration solution developed by our group. ⋯ Intermittent rehydration therapy is a highly effective way to manage dehydration. The intermittent oral and enteral administration of HSW demonstrated the same effectiveness as other forms of administration.
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Nihon Ronen Igakkai Zasshi · Jan 2012
[Clinicians' opinions on receiving the advance directives of terminal-stage patients vary according to the age of respondents].
We distributed 282 questionnaires to doctors to ascertain their opinions on obtaining the advance directives regarding the end-of-life treatment of patients at the terminal stage. We received 136 (48%) responses. ⋯ These results suggest that doctors under 40 years of age should focus on how to correctly interpret the wishes of the patients expressed in the directives, while doctors over 61 should concentrate on the importance of the clinical application of advance directives, and how to balance the need to make qualified medical decisions on treatment in compliance with the wishes of end-stage terminal patients.