Characteristics of polymedicated (≥ 4) elderly: a survey in a community-dwelling population aged 60 years and over.

Background: Polypharmacy is an important concern for patient safety and has been associated with increased adverse drug reactions, hospitalization and mortality in the elderly.

Objective: In light of the above, the present study aimed to assess the major characteristics associated with polypharmacy (≥ 4 drugs) in a larger population of apparently healthy older subjects over 60 years.

Study-design: Cross-sectional study.

Glomerular filtration rate estimated by Cockcroft-Gault formula better predicts anti-Xa levels than modification of the diet in renal disease equation in older patients with prophylactic enoxaparin.

Objectives: Older people have an increased risk of low molecular weight heparin accumulation leading to an increased bleeding risk. The objective of this study was to assess whether reduced glomerular filtration rate (GFR), estimated by the Cockcroft-Gault or modification of the diet in renal disease (MDRD) equations, indicates drug accumulation by increased anti-Xa levels in older subjects receiving prophylactic enoxaparin treatment.

Design: Cohort study.

Study of Mini-Mental State Exam evolution in community-dwelling subjects aged over 60 years without dementia.

Objective: In recent years, the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) has been widely used and has been proposed for cognitive decline screening in the framework of a systematic geriatric evaluation in health centers. The aim of the present longitudinal study was to identify the potential determinants of MMSE score and its evolution over a 4-year period in a population aged over sixty years with good general health without dementia and consulting for a health check-up.

Design: Longitudinal study.

Factors affecting distribution and mobility of trace elements (Cu, Pb, Zn) in a perennial grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) in the Champagne region of France.

Soil and Vitis vinifera L. (coarse and fine roots, leaves, berries) concentration and geochemical partitioning of Cu, Pb and Zn were determined in a contaminated calcareous Champagne plot to assess their mobility and transfer. Accumulation ratios in roots remained low (0.