Prolonged stays in hospital acute geriatric care units: identification and analysis of causes.

In France, the population of very old frail patients, who require appropriate high-quality care, is increasing. Given the current economic climate, the mean duration of hospitalization (MDH) needs to be optimized. This prospective study analyzed the causes of prolonged hospitalization in an acute geriatric care unit.

[Digoxin-related leukocytoclastic vasculitis in a very elderly woman: A case report].

Even though digoxin causes many side effects, few cases of skin involvement are recorded in the French Pharmacovigilance Database. We report a case of leukocytoclastic vasculitis (LV) very probably due to digoxin. A 91-year-old woman, hospitalized following a fall, presented cardiac decompensation in a context of rapid atrial fibrillation requiring treatment with digoxin.

Gastric Dilation due to a Neuroleptic Agent in an Elderly Patient: A Case Report.

Neuroleptics may cause side effects, some of which are little known. We describe here a case of gastric dilation related to treatment with a neuroleptic in an elderly man. To our knowledge, such a case has never been reported in the literature.

A case of meningitis due to Achromobacter xylosoxidans denitrificans 60 years after a cranial trauma.

Background: Achromobacter xylosoxidans (AX) is a non-fermentative aerobic gram-negative bacillus. It is an opportunistic pathogen and the causative agent of various infections. We report an original case of late posttraumatic meningitis due to AX denitrificans.

Prognostic factors in stage D heart failure in the very elderly.

Background: The clinical characteristics of frail older patients with advanced heart failure have scarcely been studied.

Objective: To describe this population and to identify some prognostic factors of mortality.

Methods: 104 patients aged 75 years and older hospitalized with refractory heart failure were enrolled in a prospective multicentric study.

Factors affecting the management of outcome in elderly patients with acute myocardial infarction particularly with regard to reperfusion. Data from the French regional RICO survey.

Background: Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in elderly patients is often unrecognized and associated with poor prognosis.

Objectives: To investigate management and efficacy of reperfusion therapy to the elderly patients with AMI.

Methods: From the January 1, 2001 to October 31, 2002, 964 patients with AMI were included in the French regional RICO survey.

[The palliative care in geriatrics: a retrospective study of 40 cases].

Introduction: Owing to the very great age and the polypathology of the patients in geriatrics, we are often confronted to the palliative care decision.

Purpose: The purposes of this retrospective study were both to define the criteria leading to palliative care and to analyse the evolution of patients.

Method: We analysed 40 files of patients hospitalised in Geriatric internal medicine or Geriatric rehabilitation departments over 11 months.

Intravascular malignant lymphomatosis diagnosed on a muscular biopsy: a case report.

Intravascular malignant lymphomatosis (IML) is characterized by proliferation of malignant lymphoid B cells within the lumens of small vessels. Common symptoms include general weakness and central neurological and cutaneous signs. Only histopathological analysis can confirm the diagnosis.

[Ogilvie syndrome in the elderly: retrospective study of 40 cases].

Objective: To assess, in a population of elderly patients, the circumstances clinical and progressive characteristics and form of management of an acute colonic pseudo-obstruction (ACPO).

Method: Retrospective study of the files of 40 patients aged 70 and more having presented an acute colonic pseudo-obstruction and hospitalised in the university hospital in Dijon from January 1995 to June 2000.

Results: The population was composed of 24 men (60%) and 16 women (40%) with a mean age of 80.