European postgraduate curriculum in geriatric medicine developed using an international modified Delphi technique.

Background: the European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS-GMS) recommendations for training in Geriatric Medicine were published in 1993. The practice of Geriatric Medicine has developed considerably since then and it has therefore become necessary to update these recommendations.

Methods: under the auspices of the UEMS-GMS, the European Geriatric Medicine Society (EuGMS) and the European Academy of Medicine of Ageing (EAMA), a group of experts, representing all member states of the respective bodies developed a new framework for education and training of specialists in Geriatric Medicine using a modified Delphi technique.

Factors influencing the use of potentially inappropriate medication in older patients in Slovakia.

Background: Although increasing attention has been given to the evaluation of use of potentially inappropriate medication in the older European Union (EU) member countries, information on this topic from Central and Eastern Europe is scarce.

Objectives: The aims of the present study were: to identify risk factors enhancing the probability of use of potentially inappropriate medication in hospitalized older patients under the conditions of the Slovak healthcare system and to compare our results with previously published European studies.

Methods: The evaluation was performed in 600 patients aged > or =65 years, hospitalized in a general hospital between 1 December 2003 and 31 March 2005.

[Comparison of the activities of the elderly in homes of seniors in 1989 and 2000].

Background: One of important factors affecting the life of the residents in seniors' homes (SHs) is their activity in leisure time. The objective of our work was to describe these activities and their development in a period of eleven years.

Methods And Results: We have examined two sets of inhabitants of SHs with our own standardized interview: all 48 residents of one SH (average age 69.

"Tu" or "Vous?" A European qualitative study of dignity and communication with older people in health and social care settings.

Objective: To examine the experiences of communication between older people and health and social care providers in six European countries.

Methods: Focus groups were carried out with groups of older people (91 focus groups, 391 participants), and health and social care professionals (85 focus groups, 424 participants), in order to gain insights into concepts of good communications. Data collection and analysis continued concurrently according to the method of constant comparison.

[Non-steroidal antiinflamatory drugs in the elderly].

Significance of non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs treatment becomes more pronounced due to population ageing because these drugs are used by the elderly very frequently. The causes of the increased adverse effects of non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs in old age (e.g decreased production and effectivness of prostaglandins, decreased nitrogen oxide production and decreased pain sensation) are analysed.

[What are the possibilities of preventing dementia?].

Population ageing makes issue of dementia prevention very important. Measures used in prevention of other diseases are also effective in prevention of dementia. Incidence of vascular dementia is decreased by effective treatment of hypertension, diabetes and anticoagulatory treatment in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Bacteremia due to methicillin-resistant staphylococci occurs more frequently in neutropenic patients who received antimicrobial prophylaxis and is associated with higher mortality in comparison to methicillin-sensitive bacteriemia.

Bacteriemia due to coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) resistant to methicillin and sensitive only to glycopeptides in 220 cancer patients was prospectively analyzed for risk factors and outcome. A group of 33 cases of bacteriemia with CNS-sensitive only to glycopeptides was compared with a group of 187 cases with CNS sensitive to methicillin. All cases appeared in two affiliated major cancer institutes in Bratislava with the same antibiotic policy.

[Treatment with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents in the aged].

Some 13--33,7% old people use non-steroid antiphlogistics. The authors mention undesirable effects, their incidence being higher in advanced age, as well as differences between effects of different non-steroid antiphlogistics.

[Cardiotonic therapy in advanced age].

Cardiotonic drugs are taken by as many as 13.1% of old people living at home. Their effect in old age is markedly influenced by changes of old age, polymorbidity and the administration of other drugs.

[Diuretic therapy in the aged].

Diuretics are among the most frequently used drugs in old age. Some 12.8% old people living at home use them.