Geriatrics

This overview covers several topics related to the management of frequent problems in elderly persons. Several studies have shown that treatment of neuropsychiatric symptoms of dementia with psychotropic medication is modestly effective and could increase the risk of adverse events, including death. Influenza vaccination in long term care residents was shown to be effective in a systematic review, while post-exposure prophylaxis with oseltamivir, a neuraminidase inhibitor, seems cost-effective in vaccinated residents during an epidemics in a nursing home. Conflicting results were observed in studies of fracture prevention with vitamine D. Finally, one study showed the potential pifalls of guidelines developed for specific chronic medical conditions when applied simultaneously to older patients with complex comorbidities.