Articles: aged.
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Annals of family medicine · May 2019
Meta AnalysisPotentially Inappropriate Prescribing Among Older Persons: A Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies.
Potentially inappropriate prescribing (PIP) is a common yet preventable medical error among older persons in primary care. It is uncertain whether PIP produces adverse outcomes in this population, however. We conducted a systematic review with meta-analysis to pool the adverse outcomes of PIP specific to primary care. ⋯ This meta-analysis provides consolidated evidence on the wide-ranging impact of PIP among older persons in primary care. It highlights the need to identify PIP in primary care, calls for further research on PIP interventions in primary care, and points to the need to consider potential implications when deciding on the operational criteria of PIP.
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Depressive symptoms are common in later life and increase both the risk of functional and cognitive decline and the use of healthcare services. Despite older people expressing preferences for talking therapies, they are less likely to be referred than younger adults, particularly when aged ≥80 years. ⋯ Mental ill health needs to be a more-prominent concern in the care of older adults, with greater provision of psychological services tailored to later life. This may facilitate future identification and management of depression.
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Meta Analysis
Sarcopenia and hospital-related outcomes in the old people: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
This systematic review was conducted to explore the associations between sarcopenia, hospitalization and length of stay in the old people. ⋯ This systematic review demonstrates that sarcopenia is a significant predictor of readmission in old inpatients, but not associated with hospitalization or length of stay in community-dwelling old adults.
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Cancer is a major cause of morbidity and mortality for older individuals. Palliative care is essential to improve the outcome of cancer treatment in terms of quality of life and treatment satisfaction. This review examines the influence of spirituality on aging in general and on the management of older cancer patients. ⋯ Gerotranscendence, the more urgent search for meaning by older than younger individuals, confirms the importance of spirituality in this phase of life. Spirituality has also improved the quality of life and reduced the risk of disease and death for the patient's caregiver. Addressing patient and caregiver spirituality may render the palliative care of cancer more effective and may also aid in detection and management of spiritual pain, which may prevent healing at the end of life.
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Subclinical hypothyroidism, defined as an increase of thyroid stimulating hormone levels with normal levels of thyroid hormones, could have a multiorgan impact. There seem to be differences in the elderly (over 65 years of age) which indicate that there should be a different approach in terms of diagnosis and the treatment. ⋯ The general impact of subclinical hypothyroidism is different in elderly people, meaning that an individualized therapeutic approach and long-term monitoring is the appropriate strategy.