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[Appropriate drug prescribing in the elderly].
1Service de réadaptation gérontologique hôpital Notre-Dame-du-Bon-Secours, rue des Plantes, 75014 Paris, France. ferchichi@ndbs.org
La Revue De Medecine Interne
|July 28, 2004
Summary
Elderly patients face increased risks from medications due to chronic illnesses and aging. Tailoring drug prescriptions to their overall health and prioritizing treatment goals is crucial for safe and effective care.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Clinical Pharmacology
- Internal Medicine
Context:
- Aging populations experience a rise in chronic illnesses and medication use.
- Elderly individuals are more susceptible to adverse drug reactions and polypharmacy complications.
- Identifying frail elderly patients is essential due to factors like polymedication and age-related physiological changes.
Purpose:
- To highlight the increased vulnerability of elderly patients to medication side effects.
- To emphasize how age can alter treatment objectives and administration methods.
- To underscore the importance of individualized drug prescribing for older adults.
Summary:
- The frequency of chronic illness and medication expenditure escalates with age.
- Polymedication, age-related pharmacological changes, uncoordinated prescribing, and patient deficiencies contribute to iatrogenic pathology in the elderly.
- A holistic approach, prioritizing treatment goals within the patient's overall condition, is necessary.
Impact:
- Promotes safer and more effective pharmacotherapy in geriatric populations.
- Encourages a shift from treating individual conditions to managing the patient's global health status.
- Advocates for updated medical recommendations and increased elderly participation in clinical trials for better drug development and prescribing practices.