[Too old for diagnosis or treatment?]

In three patients, two men aged 84 and 80, and a women aged 88, physicians had advised against further diagnostic examination or treatment, mainly because of the advanced age. One of the patients was not satisfied with his deterioration and asked for further examination, the other two were brought to the hospital by relatives in order to be further examined. In all three cases, additional investigation revealed treatable disorders (Crohn's disease, depressive disorder and complications of Parkinson's disease). It is argued that very old age as such is not a sufficient reason to refrain from further diagnostic investigation or treatment. Sufficient reasons are (a) certainty with respect to the diagnosis, (b) knowledge of technical aspects of diagnosis and treatment, notably regarding potential yield and stress for the patient, and (c) approval by the patient, his representative or family members.