LO Flashcards
What is the molecular theory of aging?
- Age-related programmed regulation of gene expression at different stages of life
- Epigenetic Modification - not born with these nor do they alter the primary sequence of the DNA, however they can be inherited (Examples: DNA Methylation (this makes gene expression more active but in a non-regulated manner - may be related to increase change of cancer in older age, Histone Acetylation)
A) Autosomal Recessive Chances?
B) Autosomal Dominant.
C) x-linked dominant
A)
- 50% CARRIER
- 25% CHANCE AFFECTED
- 75% UNAFFECTED
B) 50% the child will have it
50% will not have it
C)
If father affected = boys not affected, girls are definitly affected but less severly
If mother has it = 50% a boy wil have it, 50% not. some boys will die in utero. girls are not as severely affected
What is the cellular theory behind ageing?
Telomere shortening every time a cell replicates - progressive loss of chromosome
- Free radical oxidative stress
- Apoptosis - programmed cell death of terminally differentiated cell
Environmental and Evolutionary Theory
▪ ‘Wear and tear’ - inability to regenerate damaged tissue
▪ Cumulative DNA damage by UV AND ionizing energy
▪ ‘Disposable soma’ - there is no evolutionary advantage in survival beyond reproduction and rearing children
The record times for a 100m sprint declines massively once you reach the ages of 30,40,50’s. However, the record times for 10km doesn’t not decline as drastically until you reach the ages in 60’s. Why is this?
Decline in maximal energy output
Decline in Kidney Function with age
relatively stationary up to the age of 50 then there is progressive decline which is purely age related and not due to disease
Decline in Cardiac Output
there is progressive decline from around 10 years old, again not related to any disease but simply age-related
What is the consequence of decline in organ function?
- The decline int he function of organs is not functioning-limiting themselves, however there is less reserves in the event of acute or chronic illness
- So the person becomes frail
- at one point a minor illess begins to make the person dependent due to functional effects whihch previously would not have had an effect
A) Describe pharmacokinetics in elderly.
B) What about Pharmacodynamics.
- Reduced Renal Clearance
- Reduced liver size
- Reduced enzyme activity in the liver
- Increased sensitivity to certain medicine (e.g GO effects from opioids seen more, drug absorption may be more in some cases like levadopa)
What are extrapyramidal SE’s?
Extrapyramidal side effects: Physical symptoms, including tremor, slurred speech, akathesia, dystonia (abnormal muscle contractions), anxiety, distress, paranoia, and bradyphrenia, that are primarily associated with improper dosing of or unusual reactions to neuroleptic (antipsychotic) medications.
tardive dyskinesia (irregular, jerky movements).
List Drugs not tolerated well by the elderly.
- Antipsychotics due to extra pyramidal effect
- Digoxine - anything over >250mcg can cause renal impairment
- Benzos - prone to falls
- Opiates/with analgesics = hypotensive effects -> increase risk in falls
- Anticholinergics
- NSAID’s (Bleed)
What is a problem with the elderly prescribing that is common ?
- Concordance!
- Make the regimen simple, and clearly explain
- Start small dose, and slow, and review regularly
How do you carry out information reconciliation?
- Emergency Care Summary
- Key Information Summary
- SCIDC (Special data base for diabetes)
- MAR Chart (medication administration records for care homes)
What patients should be targeted first for med reviews?
- High degree of frailty
- On high-risk medications based on side-effect profile
- Prescribed 10 or more
- Palliative care
- Acute admissions
Give examples of high risk meds/
- Immunosuppresants = methotrexate and tacrolimus
- Lithium
- Opioids
What is anticholinergics Toxidrome?
- Hot as as a desert (hyperthermia)
- Blind as a bat - cant see
- Dry as a bone - dry mouth and urinary retention
- red as a beet - flushed skin
- mad as a hatter - confused
+ tachy cardia and absent bowel sounds
What are the High risk scenarios of NSAIDs clinically
- Dehydration
- +ACEi/ARB + diuretic
- ckd
- AGE >75 with no PPI
Risk high risk clinical scenarios with medications in the elderly.
- Metformin with dehydration
- Diuretics + dehydration
- Warfarin + macrolide/quinolin
When does muscle mass peak?
around 25 uears and can be maintained during mid life
What is sarcopenia?
Progressive and generalised skeletal muscle disorder
increased likelihood of adverse outcomes including falls, fractures, physical disability and mortality
it leads to frailty