Browse Geriatrics/Aging Articles by Topic

Estrogen Replacement: Is Long Duration of Therapy Good for the Brain?

Longer lifetime exposure to endogenous estrogen and menopausal estrogen replacement were associated with better cognitive status in older adult women.

Osteoporosis Review

Osteoporosis is a skeletal disorder in which bone density and quality are reduced. Patients experience loss of bone mass, deterioration of bone tissue, and a decline in bone quality, which leads to increased bone fragility and a higher risk of fractures. It is imperative that primary care providers address this challenge by implementing practices to screen patients for onset of osteoporosis to prevent and/or treat the disorder.

Exercise and the Aging Immune System

The authors of this literature review detailed changes in immune system function that occur with age, as well as the immunological effects of acute and chronic exercise.

The Effect of Vitamin D Supplementation on Fractures, Falls, and Bone Mineral Density

The authors of this systemic review, random-effect meta-analysis, and trial sequence analysis suggested that vitamin D supplementation does not have clinically significant effects on bone mineral density or the prevention of fractures or falls.

Dementia Updates for Primary Care Providers

The diagnostic criteria for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) have changed in recent years, with a growing focus on pathologic and genetic biomarkers. The diagnosis itself now is divided into three distinct stages: the preclinical stage, mild cognitive impairment, and clinical AD. Dementia is a common and growing problem that is associated with significant caregiver burden and immense cost. A growing focus on disease prevention and management of risk factors in mid-life is vital to attempt to mitigate the daunting impact of this illness on patients, caregivers, and the healthcare system as a whole.

Alzheimer’s Disease: What the Primary Care Physician Needs to Know

This article explores current medical approaches to Alzheimer’s dementia, the most common subtype of the known dementias or neurocognitive disorders. Preventive treatment is at the forefront of efforts to defeat this progressively impairing disorder; but to be effective, intervention must start well before symptoms begin. The role of the primary care provider in initiating vigorous and early preventive measures and applying appropriate pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions at each stage of disease progression is reviewed and discussed.

Acupuncture and Alzheimer’s Disease: A Review of a Meta-Analysis

According to Zhou’s recent research, acupuncture is a safe option that may be effective at improving cognitive function in patients with Alzheimer’s disease when used in conjunction with certain pharmaceutical treatments.

Statin Use and Cognitive Effects: Not a Brain Drain

Despite earlier concerns by the FDA about adverse effects of statins on cognitive functioning, a meta-analysis of data from more than 28,000 patients enrolled in 18 randomized, placebo-controlled trials of statin therapy failed to show a causal relationship between treatment and adverse neurocognitive effects for patients with and without cognitive impairment.

CMS finalizes 2012 Medicare home health payment changes

Payments to home health agencies (HHAs) are estimated to decrease by approximately 2.31% or $430 million in calendar year (CY) 2012, the net effect of a 1.4% payment update, the wage index update, and the case-mix coding adjustment, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' (CMS).

Patients/surrogates vastly overrate likelihood of survival

Most (83%) patients/surrogates stated they preferred full code status but only 4% could identify the components of CPR; 16% stated preferences that differed with the medical record.