[Review in geriatric medicine]

Rev Med Suisse. 2009 Jan 7;5(185):19-24.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Several studies published in 2008 underline the potential danger of polymedication in older patients and propose indicators to identify those at higher risk for adverse events. A study from Oregon highlighted the difficulties to diagnose depression in patients, especially older ones, who made a request for assisted suicide. The HYVET study demonstrated that treatment of hypertension is beneficial even in some very old persons. A meta-analysis confirmed the benefits from community-based geriatric interventional programs, in particular when targeting older individuals recently discharged from the hospital. Finally, mixed results were observed in the field of dementia.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Alzheimer Disease / diagnosis
  • Alzheimer Disease / drug therapy
  • Geriatrics / trends*
  • Humans
  • Hypertension / drug therapy
  • Hypertension / mortality
  • Suicide, Assisted