Growing research in geriatric medicine
Miles D Witham1,2,3, Helen C Roberts4,5, John Gladman6,7,8
1AGE Research Group, Institute of Neuroscience, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
Age and Ageing
|January 23, 2019
Summary
Academic geriatric medicine needs more research-active clinicians. Proposed solutions include better support for early-career researchers and collaboration to improve care for the aging population.
Area of Science:
- Geriatric Medicine
- Medical Research
Background:
- Clinical geriatric medicine activity significantly outpaces academic research in the specialty.
- A notable gap exists between clinical practice and research output in geriatric medicine.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify the causes behind the lag in academic geriatric medicine.
- To propose actionable solutions for enhancing research activity and output in the field.
Main Methods:
- Convened a meeting of UK academic geriatricians in March 2018.
- Discussed perceived barriers and potential strategies for growth.
Main Results:
- Identified key issues: lack of research-active clinicians, perception of research as non-central, and poor translation of discovery science.
- Proposed solutions: enhanced support for early-career researchers, incentives for non-university clinicians, interdisciplinary collaboration, and co-production of research.
Conclusions:
- Addressing the deficit in academic geriatric medicine is crucial for advancing the care of the aging population.
- Implementing proposed strategies is essential for the growth and vitality of academic geriatric medicine.
Related Concept Videos
01:15Drug Dosing: Geriatric Patients
269
Elderly individuals encompass a diverse population with varying degrees of age-related physiological changes. Defining the elderly presents challenges, as the geriatric population is often arbitrarily categorized as individuals older than 65. However, many individuals in this group lead active and healthy lives, with an increasing number surpassing 85 years and falling into the older elderly category. Physiological changes associated with aging impact performance capacity and homeostatic...
269
01:27Pharmacodynamics in Geriatric Patients: Effects of Age
235
Age-related pharmacokinetic changes are extensively documented, but understanding age-related pharmacodynamic alterations is relatively limited. This knowledge gap can be partly attributed to the complexity of developing appropriate measures of drug responses compared to bioanalytical methods for determining drug concentrations.Most information regarding age-related differences in human pharmacodynamics originates from cross-sectional studies. However, these studies assume that observed mean...
235
01:29Microorganisms in Medicine and Therapeutics
1.1K
Microorganisms play a fundamental role in vaccine development, gene therapy, and therapeutic production. Their biological properties are harnessed to advance medicine and public health. Beyond immunization, microorganisms contribute to gut health, antibiotic synthesis, and genetic disease treatment.Live Attenuated and Inactivated VaccinesLive attenuated vaccines, such as the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, utilize weakened forms of pathogens to closely resemble natural infections.
1.1K
01:00Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Distribution
259
Drug distribution in the human body is influenced by several factors, including plasma protein concentration, body composition, blood flow, tissue-protein concentration, and tissue fluid pH. Among these, changes in plasma protein concentration and body composition due to aging significantly affect how drugs are distributed within the body. Specifically, aging is associated with a decrease in albumin levels by about 10% and an increase in α1-acid glycoprotein levels. These alterations are...
259
01:18Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Metabolism
215
Geriatric patients show significant variation in how their bodies process medications, which can change how effective and safe treatments are. The liver is the primary organ where drug metabolism occurs, involving two main types of chemical reactions: phase I and II. Phase I metabolism is driven by the cytochrome P450 enzyme system, which includes key types such as CYP3A, CYP2D6, and CYP2C9. Research indicates that while aging doesn't notably alter the levels or activity of these enzymes, it...
215
01:18Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Excretion
253
In geriatric patients, renal physiology undergoes significant changes, including diminished renal blood flow and a lower glomerular filtration rate (GFR), leading to alterations in medication clearance. Drugs such as aminoglycoside antibiotics, lithium, and digoxin, which rely on glomerular filtration for removal from the body, particularly impact pharmacokinetics. These drugs tend to have slower clearance rates in older adults, necessitating careful dosage considerations.Evaluation of renal...
253