Ageing and Frailty

Question 1

What factors contribute to the ageing population?

Answer 1

• Increased resources availability
• Better economic conditions
• Improved screening programs with earlier diagnosis and treatment
• Better outcomes following major events (stroke, MI, surgery)

Question 2

What are the main consequences of the ageing population?

Answer 2

More people survive a major event

More people are living with several comorbid conditions.

Question 3

What is the difference between primary and secondary ageing?

Answer 3

Primary ageing- physiological changes occurring due to maturation
Secondary ageing- an increasing frailty due to the presence of multiple comorbidities

Question 4

How are features of ageing characterised?

Answer 4

Beneficial (increased experiential learning)
Neutral (grey hair)
Detrimental (hypertension, decreased reaction time)

Question 5

What are the two main theories of ageing?

Answer 5

Stochastic

Programmed

Question 6

What is the stochastic theory of ageing?

Answer 6

Stochastic ageing refers to the idea of increasing frailty due to cumulative micro trauma

Question 7

What is the programmed theory of ageing?

Answer 7

Programmed ageing involves the idea that ageing is predetermined and occurs due to changes in gene expression at different stages of life

Question 8

How do the affects of ageing vary between people?

Answer 8

Ageing affects every person differently, with a marked inter-individual variability in both the development and magnitude of changes. Inter-individual variability increases with age.

Question 9

What is frailty?

Answer 9

Frailty is the core concept of geriatric medicine and refers to a state of susceptibility that leads to a person being more likely to lose function following an environmental challenge

Question 10

What are the main frailty syndromes?

Answer 10

• Falls
• Delirium
• Incontinence
• Immobility

Question 11

What is social dyshomeostasis?

Answer 11

Social dyshomeostasis refers to the idea that frailty can be caused by environmental challenges as well as medical

Question 12

Describe the evidence gap in geriatric medicine

Answer 12

There is an evidence gap in geriatric medicine as many conditions are more common in the elderly population but there are very few research trials conducted upon older people