B GERIATRICS TO DO Flashcards
DEMENTIA
What is dementia?
- Syndrome of acquired, chronic, global impairment of higher brain function in an alert patient, which interferes with ability to cope with daily living
DEMENTIA
How does subcortical dementia present?
Give some examples
- Psychomotor slowing, impaired memory retrieval, depression/apathy, executive dysfunction, personality change, language preserved
- PD, Huntington’s, alcohol-related + AIDS
DEMENTIA
What might a MMSE score indicate in dementia?
MMSE (/30) –
- 21–26 = mild, 14–20 = mod, 10–14 mod-severe, <10 = severe cognitive impairment
ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE
What is the clinical presentation of Alzheimer’s
4As of Alzheimer’s –
- Amnesia (recent memories poor, disorientation about time)
- Apraxia (unable to button clothes, use cutlery)
- Agnosia (unable to recognise body parts, objects, people)
- Aphasia (later feature, mixed receptive/expressive)
Insidious + progressive course of short-term memory loss Sx in early disease
FALLS
How may rhabdomyolysis present?
- Urine may be dark (‘Coca-Cola urine) + urinalysis +ve to Hb but without RBCs
MALNUTRITION
What are the components of MUST?
- BMI = 18.5-20 (1), <18.5 (2)
- Hx of weight loss = 5-10% (1) ≥10% (2)
- Acutely unwell or likely to have no intake >5d (2)
OSTEOPOROSIS
What are 2 important factors in osteoporosis development/primary causes?
- Increasing age
- Post-menopause as oestrogen is protective
OSTEOPOROSIS
What are the secondary causes/risk factors for osteoporosis?
SHATTERED
- Steroids
- Hyper/hypothyroid
- Alcohol/smoking
- Thin (low BMI)
- Testosterone low (F)
- Early menopause
- Renal/liver failure
- Relatives (FHx)
- Erosive bone disease (RA)
- Dietary Ca2+ low
OSTEOPOROSIS
What factors are assessed in the FRAX score?
- Personal = age, sex, weight, height
- PMH = RA, previous #, secondary osteoporosis (renal/liver disease, coeliac, thyroid issues)
- DH = glucocorticoids, lithium
- FHx = parental hip #
- Social = smoking, alcohol (≥3 drinks/day)
- Other = femoral neck BMD
OSTEOPOROSIS
What is an alternative to HRT?
- Selective oestrogen-receptor modulators (SERMs) like raloxifene
- Less breast cancer risk as stimulates oestrogen receptors just on bone
OSTEOPOROSIS
How do bisphosphonates, denosumab, HRT + SERMs compare to teriparatide?
- First lot are anti-resorptive meds which inhibits osteoclast activity + bone turnover
- Teriparatide is anabolic which increases osteoblast activity + bone formation
OSTEOPOROSIS
What are some adverse effects of bisphosphonates?
- Reflux + oesophagitis
- Osteonecrosis of jaw
- Atypical stress # (proximal femoral shaft)
PHARMACOLOGY
What is the mechanism of action of N-methyl D receptor antagonists (NMDA)?
- Protects brain cells from excess glutamate (excitatory neurotransmitter) released from cells affected by Alzheimer’s to prevent further damage, good for agitation + BPSD
URINARY RETENTION
What are some causes of urinary retention?
- BPH (#1 cause in men)
- Urethral strictures
- Anticholinergics
- Alcohol
- Constipation
- Infection
- Cancer
MILD COG IMPAIRMENT
How does it present?
- Reduced fluency + some short-term memory difficulties
FALLS
What markers are elevated in rhabdomyolysis?
Is that an issue?
- K+, phosphate, myoglobin + creatinine kinase
- Myoglobin is nephrotoxic as causes acute tubular necrosis
POSTURAL HYPOTENSION
What are some endocrine causes of postural hypotension?
DM, hypoadrenalism, hypothyroidism