Infections in the older population: what do we know?
Didier Schoevaerdts1, François-Xavier Sibille2, Gaetan Gavazzi2,3
1Geriatric Department, CHU UCL Namur, Site Godinne, Avenue Dr. Gaston Thérasse, 1, B-5530, Yvoir, Belgium. Didier.schoevaerdts@uclouvain.be.
Aging Clinical and Experimental Research
|October 28, 2019
Summary
Infections in older adults are more common due to factors like immunosenescence and comorbidities, not just age. Recognizing these differences is key for better diagnosis and outcomes in geriatric infections.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Infections are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in aging populations.
- Increased infection risk in older adults is multifactorial, including immunosenescence, comorbidities, geriatric syndromes, and environmental factors.
- The concept of frailty offers a comprehensive approach to understanding vulnerability to infection in the elderly.
Purpose of the Study:
- To delineate the distinct characteristics of infections in older adults compared to younger individuals.
- To highlight the unique challenges in diagnosing and managing infections in the geriatric population.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of infection hallmarks in older versus younger individuals.
- Review of literature on age-related factors influencing infection susceptibility and presentation.
Main Results:
- Older adults exhibit a higher prevalence of infections and associated risk factors.
- Increased risk of multidrug-resistant organisms and diagnostic challenges (atypical presentations, tool limitations) are noted.
- Geriatric infections are associated with a worse prognosis, higher complication rates, and a greater risk of diagnostic errors (under- and over-diagnosis).
Conclusions:
- Infections in older adults present differently and carry higher risks than in younger populations.
- Addressing atypical presentations, diagnostic barriers, and promoting inter-sectoral communication are crucial for improving geriatric infection care.
- The concept of frailty provides a valuable framework for assessing and managing infection risk in the elderly.
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