Iatrogenic disease in the elderly: risk factors, consequences, and prevention

Abstract

The epidemiology of iatrogenic disease in the elderly has not been extensively reported. Risk factors of iatrogenic disease in the elderly are drug-induced iatrogenic disease, multiple chronic diseases, multiple physicians, hospitalization, and medical or surgical procedures. Iatrogenic disease can have a great psychomotor impact and important social consequences. To identify patients at high risk is the first step in prevention as most of the iatrogenic diseases are preventable. Interventions that can prevent iatrogenic complications include specific interventions, the use of a geriatric interdisciplinary team, pharmacist consultation and acute care for the elderly units.

Relationship of behavioral risk factors for chronic diseases and preventive health services utilization among adults, aged 50+, from eleven European countries

“…Nevertheless, validated questionnaires were used and example show cards were utilised to help participants understand the questions, thus decreasing the risk of any systematic errors (Borsch-Supan et al 2005;Linardakis et al 2014;Linardakis et al 2013). Also, the various components of the PHSUs, as used in the present study, did not constitute equivalent parameters of prevention evaluation, but involved different levels of health prevention (primary, secondary, or tertiary prevention) (Permpongkosol 2011). For example, having a GP assess body weight and provide guidance (e.g.…”

“…These habits, namely behavioral risk factors (BRFs), individually or cumulatively increase the risk of development of NCDs, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, arthritis and/or some types of cancer (Fine et al 2004;KleinGeltink et al 2006;Linardakis et al 2013;World Health Organization 2010, 2011. High body weight, as a direct consequence of unhealthy dietary choices and physical inactivity, is globally responsible for 2.8 million deaths annually, while it is estimated that in 2030, mortality attributed to smoking will be doubled (from 3.4 to 6.8 million deaths) (World Health Organization 2010, 2011.…”

“…High body weight, as a direct consequence of unhealthy dietary choices and physical inactivity, is globally responsible for 2.8 million deaths annually, while it is estimated that in 2030, mortality attributed to smoking will be doubled (from 3.4 to 6.8 million deaths) (World Health Organization 2010, 2011.…”

Comparação De Estratégias Para Detecção De Condições Adquiridas Em Hospital Público Segundo O Sistema De Grupos Diagnósticos Relacionados (DRG)

“…Reações adversas ou adquiridas (RAs) ou ainda condições adversas ou adquiridas (CAs) no ambiente hospitalar incluem complicações induzidas pela intervenção de profissionais da saúde, mediante procedimentos ou cirurgias ou pela introdução de fármacos (Permpongkosol, 2011). CAs são causa de morbimortalidade hospitalar, sobretudo quando o paciente está em situação de fragilidade (Bastos et al, 2011).…”

Vital Signs Measurement: An Indicator of Safe Care Delivered to Elderly Patients

“…[16][17][18] Studies show that elderly individuals are more susceptible to incidents, 17,[19][20][21] and also report the occurrence of events after incomplete recording of vitals signs, [22][23] especially respiratory frequency, which is usually the least frequently documented vital sign. [24][25] One ongoing study addressing records of 260 hospitalizations of elderly individuals in a surgical clinic identified 5,321 incidents, 71% of which involved incomplete recording of vitals, while the non-recording of respiratory frequency (39.4%) also stood out.…”