Geriatric Syndromes Flashcards
What are the tools used to identify frailty?
FRAIL Scale
Clinical Frailty Scale
Components of FRAIL scale?
Fatigue
Resistance
Ambulation
Illness
Loss of weight
Goals of therapy for frailty
- What matter most to the patient
- Establish goals prior to deciding interventions
Intervention of frailty (1)
Physical/occupational exercises
Intervention of frailty (2)
Nutritional intake with oral nutritional supplement
Intervention of frailty (3)
Medication review
a. DRPs affecting 1st and 2nd intervention
b. Vitamin D supplementation
Fall risk identification
Fall history
Mobility
Sensory function
Activities of daily living
Cognitive function
Autonomic function
Disease history
Medication history
Nutrition history
Environment hazard
Stratification based on future fall risk
Fall past 12 months?
Gait and balance impaired?
FRIDs mechanism of harm
- Sedation
- Orthostatic hypotension
- Anticholinergics
- Hypoglycaemia
STOPPPFall consensus round 1
BZD
Antipsychotic
BZD-related drugs
Opioids
Antidepressants
Anticholinergics
Antiepileptics
Diuretics
Alpha blocker as anti-HTN
STOPPPFall consensus round 2
Alpha blocker for prostate hyperplasia
Centrally-acting antihypertensives
Antihistamines
Vasodilators used in cardiac diseases
STOPPPFall consensus round 3
Overactive bladder and urge incontinence medications
What are the 4 types of dizziness?
Vertigo
Pre-syncopal dizziness
Dysequilibrium
Unspecified dizziness
Evaluation of dizziness
TiTraTE
- Timing
- Triggers
- Targetted examination
7 types of dizziness that we can aim to treat underlying cause
BPPV
Orthostatic hypotension
Meniere’s Disease
Vestibular Migraine
Psychogenic dizziness
Drug-induced dizziness
Vestibular neuronitis
Pharmacotherapy for vestibular symptoms (only for prolonged >30mins)
- Antihistamines – diphenhydramine, dimenhydrinate, meclizine
- Phenothiazines – prochlorperazine, promethazine
- Anticholinergics – hyoscine hydrobromide
- BZDs – lorazepam, diazepam, clonazepam
- Antidopaminergic – metoclopramide
- calcium channel antagonist – cinnarizine
- Histamine analogues – betahistine
Side effects of anticholinergics
Dry mouth
Urinary retention
Tachycardia
Risk of increasing BP
Phenothiazines
Additional antidopaminergic effects
Contraindicated in Parkinsonism (as it may worsen movement disorders)
BZDs
More sedating
Increases fall risk
Only for short term use for a few days
Cognitive impairment, depression
Calcium channel antagonist
Sedating
Weight gain
Has antihistaminergic effect
Caution in Parkinsonism
Histamine analogues
Use with caution in asthma
Contraindicated if active/history of PUD
Delirium subtypes
Hyperactive
Hypoactive
Risk factors for delirium
65 years or older
Cognitive impairment and/or dementia
Current hip fracture
Severe illness
Detection of delirium
Confusion assessment method (CAM)
4AT
Components of 4AT
Level of alertness
- State name and address
Abbreviated mental test 4 (AMT4)
- Age, date of birth, place, current year
Attention
- List months in reverse order
Acuity
- Significant mental change or fluctuation the last 2 weeks and persisting in last 24 hours
Diagnosis of delirium
Physical examination
- Vital signs, hydration status, skin conditions, potential infection foci
History
Labs/imaging studies
Causes of delirium
I WATCH DEATH
I WATCH DEATH
Infectious
Withdrawal
Acute metabolic disorder
Trauma
CNS pathology
Hypoxia
Deficiencies
Endocrinopathies
Acute vascular
Toxins, substance use, medication
Heavy metals
Drugs believed to increase risk of delirium (4)
Strong anticholinergic
BZD – not to cease chronic BZD abruptly especially if used for seizure, REM, sleep behaviour disorders, anxiety
Z-drugs
Opioids – especially Pethidine
H2RA – if delirious use PPI, if not possible, use famotidine at really adjusted dose
Drugs believed to cause/prolonged delirium (14)
Analgesics – opioids especially pethidine
Antimicrobials – fluroquinolone, cefepime
Anticholinergics
Corticosteroids
Dopamine agonists
GI agents
Herbs – atropa belladonna extract
Hypoglycaemics
Hypnotics/sedatives
Anticonvulsants
Antidepressants
CV drugs – digoxin
Muscle relaxants
Other psychoactive agents – lithium
Prevention of delirium (a)
Sensory function optimisation
– hearing/visual aids
Prevention of delirium (b)
Hydration/nutrition