Frailty indicators and functional status in older patients after colorectal cancer surgery.

Objectives: The number of older survivors from colorectal cancer is increasing, but little is known regarding long-term consequences of cancer treatment in this patient group. Physical function is an important outcome for older patients, affecting both autonomy and quality of life. We aimed to investigate physical function in older patients with colorectal cancer before and after surgery, and to examine the role of individual frailty indicators as predictors of functional decline.

[Discontinuation of prophylactic drugs to the elderly].

Polypharmacy is common among the elderly and consequences may be adverse drug reactions, interactions and toxicity. At the same time it is well documented that elderly patients are suboptimally treated for conditions such as atrial fibrillation and osteoporosis. When assessing medical treatment one must take into account the remaining life expectancy, time to effect, complication risk related to not treating, risks related to adverse drug effects and interactions, patient preferences and treatment goals.

Comprehensive geriatric assessment can predict complications in elderly patients after elective surgery for colorectal cancer: a prospective observational cohort study.

Objective: To examine the association between the outcomes of a pre-operative comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) and the risk of severe post-operative complications in elderly patients electively operated for colorectal cancer.

Methods: One hundred seventy-eight consecutive patients ≥ 70 years electively operated for all stages of colorectal cancer were prospectively examined. A pre-operative CGA was performed, and patients were categorized as fit, intermediate, or frail.

Surgical risk and post-operative complications in older unfit cancer patients.

Surgeons have always dealt with elderly cancer patients, but understanding frailty and tailoring treatment is a new achievement endeavour. Mounting evidence is resulting in the introduction of geriatric assessment into clinical practice. Particularly, undernourishment should be assessed and corrected in order to avoid emergency situations whenever possible.

Renal, endocrine, and cardiovascular responses to bed rest in male subjects on a constant diet.

Background: Exposure to actual and simulated microgravity induces cardiovascular deconditioning through a variety of factors. Although the mechanisms involved remain uncertain, one involves alterations in volume-regulating systems--the hypothesis being tested in this study. To maximize our ability to detect subtle changes in the volume-regulating systems, subjects were studied on a high-average salt intake to maximally suppress these systems basally.