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Genitourinary Emergencies in Older Adults.
1Emergency Medicine, US Acute Care Solutions, Mercy Health West Hospital, Cincinnati, OH, USA; Geriatric Division, Department of Family & Community Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA. Electronic address: https://twitter.com/npsi86.
Emergency Medicine Clinics of North America
|April 17, 2021
Summary
Emergency physicians must manage diverse genitourinary emergencies in older adults, including kidney injury, infections, and retention. Understanding age-related differences is crucial for effective geriatric emergency care.
Area of Science:
- Emergency Medicine
- Geriatrics
- Urology
Background:
- Older adults frequently present to emergency departments with genitourinary (GU) issues.
- Effective management requires awareness of age-specific presentations and complications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline the emergent management of common GU complaints in older adults.
- To highlight differences in managing these conditions compared to younger patients.
Main Methods:
- Review of common GU emergencies in geriatric populations.
- Emphasis on age-related physiological changes impacting presentation and management.
- Discussion of differential diagnoses and treatment strategies.
Main Results:
- Key GU emergencies include acute kidney injury, hematuria, urinary tract infections, acute urinary retention, and incontinence.
- Management strategies must account for comorbidities and altered physiology in older adults.
- Prompt recognition and intervention are vital for preventing adverse outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Emergency physicians need specialized knowledge to manage GU emergencies in older adults.
- Tailored approaches considering geriatric-specific factors improve patient outcomes.
- Appropriate referrals are essential for comprehensive care.
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