Musculoskeletal System
Musculoskeletal System Osteoarthritis Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common joint disorder in older patients causing massive burden of morbidity and dependency. It is not inevitable with ageing. A disorder of…
Incontinence
Incontinence Urinary incontinence: causes ▶Incontinence has a major adverse impact on quality of life and has significant associated morbidity (it may be the last straw leading to institutionalization). Even longstanding…
Endocrinology
Endocrinology The ageing endocrine system Ageing and thyroid function Normal thyroid function is preserved in healthy older people. Median TSH levels drift upwards very slowly with age, but remain within…
Pressure Injuries
Pressure Injuries Pressure sores Areas of skin necrosis due to pressure-induced ischaemia found on sacrum, heels, over greater trochanters, shoulders, etc. Also known as decubitus ulcers or bedsores. Incidence higher…
Psychiatry
Psychiatry Cognitive ageing Cognitive, or thinking, ability is the product of: ‘Fixed intelligence’, the result of previous thinking, which often increases with age, ie ‘wisdom’ ‘Fluid intelligence’, ie real-time information…
Renal medicine
Renal medicine The ageing kidney Kidney function tends to decline with age, but unless there is additional disease, function is usually sufficient to remove waste and to regulate volume and…
Haematology
Haematology The ageing haematopoietic system There are very few changes as the bone marrow ages. Be very reluctant to ascribe changes seen on testing to age alone—pathology is much more…
Chest Medicine
Chest Medicine The ageing lung Most of the functional impairment of the lungs that is seen in older people is due to disease, often smoking-related. Intrinsic ageing leads only to…
Cardiovascular
Cardiovascular The ageing cardiovascular system Advanced age is the most potent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. This vulnerability stems from: Cumulative exposure to risk factors (extrinsic ageing) This was looked…
Homeostasis
Homeostasis Volume depletion and dehydration An important, common, easily missed clinical condition, especially in older people. Highly prevalent among acutely unwell older people admitted to hospital due to a combination…
