Geriatric Syndromes: Clinical, Research, and Policy Implications of a Core Geriatric Concept

Geriatricians have embraced the term “geriatric syndrome,” using it extensively to highlight the unique features of common health conditions in older people. Geriatric syndromes, such as delirium, falls, incontinence, and frailty, are highly prevalent, multifactorial, and associated with substantial...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of the American Geriatrics Society (JAGS) Vol. 55; no. 5; pp. 780 - 791
Main Authors: Inouye, Sharon K., Studenski, Stephanie, Tinetti, Mary E., Kuchel, George A.
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: Malden, USA Blackwell Publishing Inc 01.05.2007
Subjects:
Accidental Falls
Activities of Daily Living
Aged
Aging
Biomedical Research
Cognition Disorders - complications
Delirium - etiology
Frail Elderly
geriatric syndromes
Geriatrics
gerontology
Health Policy
Humans
Mobility Limitation
Morbidity
multifactorial
policy
Pressure Ulcer - etiology
Risk Factors
Syndrome
United States
Urinary Incontinence - etiology
United States
ISSN:0002-8614, 1532-5415
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Geriatricians have embraced the term “geriatric syndrome,” using it extensively to highlight the unique features of common health conditions in older people. Geriatric syndromes, such as delirium, falls, incontinence, and frailty, are highly prevalent, multifactorial, and associated with substantial morbidity and poor outcomes. Nevertheless, this central geriatric concept has remained poorly defined. This article reviews criteria for defining geriatric syndromes and proposes a balanced approach of developing preliminary criteria based on peer‐reviewed evidence. Based on a review of the literature, four shared risk factors—older age, baseline cognitive impairment, baseline functional impairment, and impaired mobility—were identified across five common geriatric syndromes (pressure ulcers, incontinence, falls, functional decline, and delirium). Understanding basic mechanisms involved in geriatric syndromes will be critical to advancing research and developing targeted therapeutic options, although given the complexity of these multifactorial conditions, attempts to define relevant mechanisms will need to incorporate more‐complex models, including a focus on synergistic interactions between different risk factors. Finally, major barriers have been identified in translating research advances, such as preventive strategies of proven effectiveness for delirium and falls, into clinical practice and policy initiatives. National strategic initiatives are required to overcome barriers and to achieve clinical, research, and policy advances that will improve quality of life for older persons.
Bibliography:istex:230EE38533170623361749A8322F5622D3ECAF59
ArticleID:JGS1156
ark:/67375/WNG-NM3MHB4V-L
ObjectType-Article-1
SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1
ObjectType-Feature-2
ObjectType-Review-3
content type line 23
Dr. Mary Tinetti: Study concept and design; preparation and review of manuscript.
Dr. George Kuchel: Study concept and design, analysis and interpretation of data, preparation and review of manuscript.
Dr. Sharon Inouye: Study concept and design, acquisition of data, analysis and interpretation of data, preparation and review of manuscript.
Alternate corresponding author: George A. Kuchel, M.D., UConn Center on Aging, University of Connecticut Health Center, MC-5215, 263 Farmington Avenue, Farmington, CT 06030-5215 Email: kuchel@uchc.edu
Dr. Stephanie Studenski: Study concept and design; preparation and review of manuscript.
Author Contributions
ISSN:0002-8614
1532-5415
DOI:10.1111/j.1532-5415.2007.01156.x