Role of the community pharmacist in detecting frailty and spatio-temporal disorientation among community-dwelling older people in France.

Background: Many older community-dwelling subjects may be frail and/or disoriented, putting them at risk of adverse outcomes. We investigated the prevalence of frailty and spatiotemporal disorientation among patients aged > 65 years collecting regular medication at a community pharmacy.

Methods: Prospective, cross-sectional study of geriatric evaluation in 218 community pharmacies in France.

Occupational exposure to mineral turpentine and heavy fuels: a possible risk factor for Alzheimer's disease.

Background: The association between solvents and Alzheimer's disease (AD) has been the subject of several studies. Yet, only few studies have examined the various solvents separately, and the controls have rarely been monitored long enough. For these reasons and others, we believe that further studies are required.

Cholinesterase inhibitors and the risk of pulmonary disorders in hospitalized dementia patients.

Objective: To evaluate whether Cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEI) are associated with an increased risk of pulmonary disorders (PD) in hospitalized dementia patients.

Methods: We conducted an observational cross-sectional study by examining the medical records of all the dementia patients hospitalized in the acute geriatric ward at the Bertinot Juel Hospital between January 1, 2005 and June 30, 2009. First, we examined whether there were any differences between the patients receiving ChEIs and those who were not.

Should we continue to use the Cockcroft-Gault formula?

Background/aims: Although the National Kidney Disease Education Program recommends use of the modification of diet in renal disease (MDRD) formula to estimate the glomerular filtration rate (GFR), most drug-dosing recommendations and clinical practices employ the Cockcroft-Gault (CG) formula. The quality score of the original MDRD study was better than that of the original CG study, although the imprecision sources were very similar between the formulas. To address whether CG should be abandoned in favour of MDRD in chronic kidney disease (CKD) management, we performed a literature review on the topic.

Medication use and increased risk of falls in hospitalized elderly patients: a retrospective, case-control study.

Background: Falls in the elderly are common and often serious. Several drugs have been associated with increased fall risk. Older adults often take numerous medications for multiple chronic conditions, so are at increased risk for drugs that potentially cause falls.