Geriatric/Pediatric Flashcards
Notable growth in ____ y/o population and shrinking in __ ___ y/o population
- 65+
- 14
Gerontology
Study of aging
Geriatrics
Subspecialty of clinical medicine focusing on caring for the aged
How does CRP change with age?
Increases
How does albumin change with age?
Decreases
How do muscle mass and total creatinine production change with age?
- Both decrease
- Rate and extent of muscle mass loss have strong genetic component
How does total bone density change with age?
Decreases
Much more dramatic for women post-menopause
How do serum calcitonin and PTH change with age (bone metabolism)?
Both increase
Which GIT issues increase with age?
- Atrophic gastritis
- Low gastric production
- Increased malnutrition
Which vitamin/mineral/protein deficiencies worsen with age?
- Vit B12 deficiency
- Decreased calcium
- Decreased iron absorption
- Decreased albumin
How do the following change with aging?
Number of functional glomeruli
GFR/renal blood flow
Kidney concentrating ability
Acid/base, water, electrolyte levels
All decrease!!
Which urinary system hormones increase with age?
EPO, ANP (atrial natriuretic peptide), and BNP (b-type natriuretic peptide)
Which urinary system hormones decrease with age?
Renin and responsiveness to ANP
What happens to the thymus with age?
Shrinks
What immune substance increases with age?
ANAs (anti-nuclear antibodies)
What immune substances decrease with age?
- Thymosin
- T-cell and B-cell function
- Hematopoietic stem cells
Which endocrine system hormones usually remain stable with age?
- ACTH
- Epinephrine
- TSH (but may slightly increase)
Which endocrine system hormones usually increase with age?
- Norepinephrine secretion
- ANP
- PTH
- ADH/AVP
Which endocrine system hormones usually decrease with age?
- GH
- Peak melatonin
- Aldosterone
- DHEA
- IGF-1
How does glucose metabolism change with age?
- Insulin secretion does not change BUT insulin sensitivity decreases
- People with genetic predisposition to Type 2 diabetes more likely to manifest illness (increasing age, BMI, lack of exercise)
What are some factors that impact interpretation of lab results for elderly population?
- Exercise type/duration
- Meds
- Mobility
- Nutritional status
- Personal habits
- Presence of chronic/subclinical disorders
What factor correlate with muscle mass and renal function?
Creatinine levels
Osteoporosis due to
lack of sex hormones and hypogonadism
Inadequate calcium absorption leads to ____________________________
low serum calcium and increased PTH, which then increases calcium loss from bones -> increases ALP
Which GIT substances increase with age?
CRP, GGT, and fibrinogen
Which GIT substances decrease with age?
Ferritin, transferrin, albumin, and total protein
Enlargement of prostate leads to
Increase in prostate specific antigen (PSA), which can cause urinary obstruction
How doe sex hormones (testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone) change with age?
All decrease