Approaches to therapy and prevention of frailty in the light of contemporary medicine
Journal Title: Family Medicine & Primary Care Review - Year 2017, Vol 19, Issue 3
Abstract
Over the last several decades, the growing number of patients with geriatric problems has become a serious challenge for primary care physicians. Frailty is an often encountered condition in older age. This is a state of increased vulnerability and loss of total physiological reserves, needed to maintain physiological and psychosocial homeostasis. Definition of physical frailty is based on the following criteria: unintentional weight loss, self-reported exhaustion, weakness, slow walking speed, and low physical activity, where 3 out of 5 these criteria confirms frailty. It is a dynamic, transitional process which constantly progresses, although it is potentially reversible. Frailty often co-exists with other severe diseases, affecting general well-being of the patient. Therefore, it is important for the family doctor to understand diagnosis and treatment to protect from an invasive procedure or potentially harmful medication, and prevent decline of functional independence. The aim of this review is to present current available treatment options and their effectiveness for frailty. Data from many observational studies were collected. The most beneficial seems to be combined multidisciplinary treatment including physical exercises, nutritional supplementation and cognitive training. Additionally, the further positive results of physical activity training on mobility, balance, coordination, muscle strength and reducing falls in frail elderly were also confirmed by many scientific reports. Pharmacological, nutritional, psychological and other interventions solely can also be helpful but the evidence is low. Preventive actions at many stages in the process leading to frailty can be applied
Authors and Affiliations
Maria Bujnowska-Fedak, Joanna Waligóra, Barbara D'avanzo, Carol Holland, Donata Kurpas
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP344131
- DOI -
- Views 46
- Downloads 0
Cell adhesion molecules and their possible role in the pathology of the peripheral nerves – a review of the literature
Cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) are glycoproteins uniformly present on the cell surface. They are responsible for cell-to-cell and cell-to-extracellular environment interactions such as adhesion, growth, migration. They a...
Metformina – nowe spojrzenie na stary lek
Metformina jest przedstawicielem biguanidów, leków o działaniu hipoglikemizującym. Podstawowym wskazaniem do jej stosowania jest cukrzyca typu 2, szczególnie u osób otyłych, u których leczenie niefarmakologiczne jest nie...
Weekend courses on ultrasonography as a form of teaching knowledge and the skills necessary to perform ultrasounds in the family physician’s practice
Background. Growth in ultrasound use by non-radiologists has outpaced radiologist-performed ultrasound in the last decade. Poland has a well-organized system of teaching ultrasonography. Objectives. To establish whether...
Pitfalls in the diagnosis of carcinoid syndrome
Background. Carcinoid syndrome (CS ) is a rare syndrome, most commonly associated with neuroendocrine neoplasms (NEN s) of the small intestine. Carcinoid syndrome consists of diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, cutaneous...
Samoocena przestrzegania zaleceń lekarskich a gospodarka węglowodanowa u chorych na cukrzycę typu 2
Wstęp. Kluczowym elementem w uzyskaniu pozytywnego efektu terapeutycznego u chorych na cukrzycę jest systematyczne stosowanie się do zaleceń lekarskich. Cel pracy. Analiza związku samooceny przestrzegania zaleceń terape...