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.

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.

A simple clinical scale to stratify risk of recurrent falls in community-dwelling adults aged 65 years and older.

Background: Correct identification of people at risk for recurrent falls facilitates the establishment of preventive and rehabilitative strategies in older adults.

Objective: The purposes of this study were: (1) to develop and validate a simple clinical scale to stratify risk for recurrent falls in community-dwelling elderly people based on easily obtained social and clinical items and (2) to evaluate the added value of 3 clinical balance tests in predicting this risk.

Design: This was a prospective measurement study.

[Blood pressure control by antihypertensive agents in people older than 60].

Purpose: The prevalence or hypertension increases with aging, reaching more than 50% in people aged 60 years and older. The increase of systolic blood pressure is a major risk of cardiovascular event.

Methods: With the aim of assessing risk factors in old people "in apparent good health", we analysed blood pressure and treatments in people aged 60 years and older who had a periodic check-up that was adapted to older people.