Healthy Aging Health Center
This article is from the WebMD News Archive
Common Geriatric Conditions Overlooked
Aug. 6, 2007 -- Half of U.S. adults over age 65 suffer from at least one common age-related condition, according to a new study. But researchers say these highly treatable geriatric health problems are often overlooked by health care providers.
Researchers surveyed more than 11,000 adults aged 65 or older -- from both nursing homes and the community at large -- and found 50% had one or more geriatric health conditions, such as loss of mental sharpness, falls, incontinence, dizziness, and vision or hearing problems.
Some of these conditions were as prevalent as common chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes. But researchers say geriatric health issues may often be overlooked in the care of older adults.
"Geriatric conditions fall outside models that now govern much of health care," write researcher Christine T. Cigolle, MD, MPH, of the University of Michigan, and colleagues. "The disease management model is directed toward individuals with a single disease that dominates their health care utilization; this model is less able to address older adults whose health care use is related to multiple diseases, conditions, and disabilities that affect one another."
The study also showed that common geriatric conditions were strongly associated with disability and difficulty in performing normal activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, eating, and going to the bathroom, even after adjusting for other chronic diseases. People with at least one geriatric condition were twice as likely to require assistance performing daily activities and those with three or more geriatric conditions were more than six times as likely to be dependent on assistance for activities of daily living.
Researchers say most older adults with common geriatric health conditions live in the community rather than in nursing homes and are not under the care of a geriatrician.
"An approach to their care that included the identification and management of geriatric conditions is needed," write the authors.
del.icio.us
VIVELLE-DOT (estradiol transdermal system) IS AVAILABLE BY PRESCRIPTION ONLY.
INDICATION
Vivelle-Dot is used after menopause to: reduce moderate to severe hot flashes; treat moderate to severe dryness, itching and burning in or around the vagina; help reduce your chances of getting osteoporosis (thin weak bones); and treat certain conditions in which a young woman's ovaries do not produce enough estrogens naturally. Vivelle-Dot 0.025 mg/day is only used to prevent osteoporosis from menopause. If you use Vivelle-Dot only to treat your dryness, itching, and burning in and around your vagina or if you use Vivelle-Dot only to prevent osteoporosis from menopause, talk with your healthcare professional about whether a different treatment or medicine without estrogens might be better for you.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Estrogens increase the chances of getting cancer of the uterus (womb). Report any unusual vaginal bleeding right away while you are taking estrogens. Vaginal bleeding after menopause may be a warning sign of cancer of the uterus (womb).
Do not use estrogens with or without progestins to prevent heart disease, heart attacks, or strokes. Using estrogens with or without progestins may increase your chances of getting heart attacks, strokes, breast cancer, and blood clots. Using estrogens with progestins may increase your risk of dementia (decline in memory and thinking skills).
Vivelle-Dot should not be used if you have unusual vaginal bleeding; currently have or have had certain cancers, including cancer of the breast or uterus; had a stroke or heart attack in the recent past (for example, in the past year); currently have or have had blood clots; currently have or have had liver problems; or think you may be, or know that you are, pregnant.
The most common side effects that may occur with Vivelle-Dot are headache, breast tenderness, and back pain.
You and your healthcare professional should talk regularly about whether you still need treatment with Vivelle-Dot.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Please see Full Prescribing Information for Vivelle-Dot.
