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Pitfalls in the diagnosis and therapy of infections in elderly patients--a mini-review

Rosa Bellmann-Weiler1, Günter Weiss

  • 1Department of Internal Medicine I, Clinical Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria. guenter.weiss@i-med.ac.at

Gerontology
|January 17, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Elderly patients face severe infections due to immunosenescence and delayed diagnosis. This review highlights factors increasing mortality risk in older adults with infections.

Area of Science:

  • Gerontology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Aging populations experience increased severe infections with higher mortality rates.
  • Infections in the elderly present unique challenges including atypical symptoms and delayed diagnosis.
  • Factors like immunosenescence, comorbidities, and altered drug pharmacokinetics contribute to poor outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the multifaceted challenges of severe infections in patients over 65 years.
  • To discuss factors contributing to increased infection severity and mortality in the elderly.
  • To emphasize the need for specialized diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.

Main Methods:

  • This is a review article, synthesizing existing literature on infections in the elderly.
  • The review discusses factors influencing infection outcomes in older adults.
  • Key areas examined include immunosenescence, diagnostics, treatment, and prevention.

Main Results:

  • Immunosenescence and atypical symptom presentation lead to delayed diagnosis and treatment.
  • Comorbidities, polypharmacy, and a rise in multidrug-resistant organisms complicate infections.
  • Altered pharmacokinetics of antimicrobial drugs in the elderly impact treatment efficacy.

Conclusions:

  • Infections in the elderly require specialized diagnostic and treatment strategies.
  • Preventive measures, including vaccination and hygiene, are crucial to reduce mortality.
  • Addressing the unique physiological and clinical aspects of aging is vital for managing severe infections.

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