Browsing by Subject "elderly patients"

Now showing 1 - 4 of 4
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    Autoimmune Hepatitis in the Elderly: Diagnosis and Pharmacologic Management
    (Springer, 2018-07) Rizvi, Syed; Gawrieh, Samer; Medicine, School of Medicine
    Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) may present as acute or chronic hepatitis in the elderly. Advanced hepatic fibrosis and cirrhosis are common on first presentation in this population. In this review, we discuss the presentation, approach to diagnosis and management of AIH in the elderly. As polypharmacy is common in the elderly, careful medication use history is essential for detecting drug-induced AIH-like hepatitis. Steroid-sparing or minimizing therapeutic regimens are preferred to treat AIH in the elderly. For the purpose of induction, budesonide or lower dose prednisone in combination with azathioprine (AZA) regimens are preferred over high-dose prednisone monotherapy due to the higher risk of side effects of the later in the elderly. The goal of maintenance therapy should be to achieve full biochemical and histologic remission. Bone density monitoring and interventions to prevent steroid-related bone disease should be implemented throughout the course of the disease. Liver transplantation should be considered in the elderly patient with liver failure or early hepatocellular carcinoma if there are no significant comorbidities or compromise in functional status.
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    A Case of Fatal Stanford Type A Aortic Dissection Caused by a Traffic Accident with Low Energy Impact
    (Dove Press, 2020-10-14) Mori, Shusuke; Ai, Tomohiko; Morishita, Koji; Otomo, Yasuhiro; Medicine, School of Medicine
    A seemingly healthy 84-year-old female pedestrian was mildly bumped by a car, and she hit her left shoulder, flank, and lower legs when she fell down on a street. She was conscious and stable when transferred to an emergency room. She had no sign of any major injuries except minor lacerations on her legs. Repeated evaluations including chest X-ray, ECG, and focused assessment with sonography for trauma did not reveal any abnormal findings. While waiting for discharge, she started having mild chest discomfort. Unexpectedly, the third echocardiogram showed mild pericardial effusion, and a CT with contrast showed aortic dissection in the ascending aorta and infra-left subclavian aortic dissection. She was immediately transferred by a helicopter to a tertiary trauma center for emergent repair surgery. Considering the site of dissections, progression of existing intrinsic intimal tear triggered by energy impact was suspected. However, traumatic causes could not be excluded. Extra caution and diligence should be exercised when examining elderly patients in blunt trauma.
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    Impact of Recipient Age in Combined Liver-Kidney Transplantation: Caution Is Needed for Patients ≥70 Years
    (Wolters Kluwer, 2020-06) Ekser, Burcin; Goggins, William C.; Fridell, Jonathan A.; Mihaylov, Plamen; Mangus, Richard S.; Lutz, Andrew J.; Soma, Daiki; Ghabril, Marwan S.; Lacerda, Marco A.; Powelson, John A.; Kubal, Chandrashekhar A.; Surgery, School of Medicine
    Background. Elderly recipients (≥70 y) account for 2.6% of all liver transplants (LTs) in the United States and have similar outcomes as younger recipients. Although the rate of elderly recipients in combined liver-kidney transplant (CLKT) is similar, limited data are available on how elderly recipients perform after CLKT. Methods. We have previously shown excellent outcomes in CLKT using delayed kidney transplant (Indiana) Approach (mean kidney cold ischemia time = 53 ± 14 h). Between 2007 and 2018, 98 CLKTs were performed using the Indiana Approach at Indiana University (IU) and the data were retrospectively analyzed. Recipients were subgrouped based on their age: 18–45 (n = 16), 46–59 (n = 34), 60–69 (n = 40), and ≥70 years (n = 8). Results. Overall, more elderly patients received LT at IU (5.2%) when compared nationally (2.6%). The rate of elderly recipients in CLKT at IU was 8.2% (versus 2% Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipient). Recipient and donor characteristics were comparable between all age groups except recipient age and duration of dialysis. Patient survival at 1 and 3 years was similar among younger age groups, whereas patient survival was significantly lower in elderly recipients at 1 (60%) and 3 years (40%) (P = 0.0077). Control analyses (replicating Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipient’s survival stratification: 18–45, 46–64, ≥65 y) showed similar patient survival in all age groups. Conclusions. Although LT can be safely performed in elderly recipients, extreme caution is needed in CLKT due to the magnitude of operation.
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    Naturalistic Decision Making in Everyday Self-care Among Older Adults With Heart Failure
    (Wolters Kluwer, 2020-12-23) Daley, Carly N.; Cornet, Victor P.; Toscos, Tammy R.; Bolchini, Davide P.; Mirro, Michael J.; Holden, Richard J.; Regenstrief Institute, School of Medicine
    BACKGROUND: Every day, older adults living with heart failure make decisions regarding their health that may ultimately affect their disease trajectory. Experts describe these decisions as instances of naturalistic decision making influenced by the surrounding social and physical environment and involving shifting goals, high stakes, and the involvement of others. OBJECTIVE: This study applied a naturalistic decision-making approach to better understand everyday decision making by older adults with heart failure. METHODS: We present a cross-sectional qualitative field research study using a naturalistic decision-making conceptual model and critical incident technique to study health-related decision making. The study recruited 24 older adults with heart failure and 14 of their accompanying support persons from an ambulatory cardiology center. Critical incident interviews were performed and qualitatively analyzed to understand in depth how individuals made everyday health-related decisions. RESULTS: White, male (66.7%), older adults' decision making accorded with a preliminary conceptual model of naturalistic decision making occurring in phases of monitoring, interpreting, and acting, both independently and in sequence, for various decisions. Analyses also uncovered that there are barriers and strategies affecting the performance of these phases, other actors can play important roles, and health decisions are made in the context of personal priorities, values, and emotions. CONCLUSIONS: Study findings lead to an expanded conceptual model of naturalistic decision making by older adults with heart failure. In turn, the model bears implications for future research and the design of interventions grounded in the realities of everyday decision making.