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Acute drug reactions among the elderly
Journal of Gerontology
|September 1, 1975
Summary
Elderly patients experienced acute drug reactions more often in 1972, particularly white females, with many cases involving multiple substances or suicide attempts. Most reactions involved legal medications.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Geriatric Medicine
- Public Health
Background:
- Social gerontology research has overlooked drug use and abuse among the elderly.
- Acute drug reactions pose a significant health concern for older adults.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the characteristics of acute drug reactions in elderly patients.
- To compare these reactions with those in other age groups.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of patient records from Jackson Memorial Hospital, Miami, Florida, for 1972.
- Focus on a sample of 60 elderly patients treated for acute drug reactions.
Main Results:
- Acute drug reactions were more prevalent in white females.
- A significant proportion of reactions involved the ingestion of multiple substances.
- Approximately one-third of admissions were linked to suicide attempts.
- Most acute drug reactions in the elderly involved legally manufactured drugs.
Conclusions:
- Acute drug reactions in the elderly in 1972 were associated with specific demographic factors and substance ingestion patterns.
- The findings highlight the need for greater attention to medication safety and misuse among older populations.
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