Pathological Conditions Associated with the Elderly Flashcards
Osteoporosis
Disease process that results in reduction of bone mass - failure of bone formation to keep pace with bone reabsorption and destruction
Diagnostic criteria for OP
Bone mineral density at hip or spine that is greater than or equal to 2.5 SD below the young, normal mean
Osteopenia is diagnosed and defined as what
bone mineral density 1.0 and 2.5 SD below the young, normal mean
Fractures
High risk of fx in the elderly due to low bone density and multiple risk factors
Vertebral compression fractures
Usually occur in lower thoracic, lumbar regions (T8-L3)
Stress fractures
Common in elderly in the pelvis, proximal tibia, distal fibular, metatarsal shafts, foot
OA
A noninflammatory progressive disorder of the joints; typically impacts the hips, knees, fingers, and spine
Prevalence of OA
higher in males up to 45 and then by age 65 is 5x mroe likely in women
Cachexia
A mutlifactorial degenerative illness characterized by extreme weight loss and malnutrition, mm atrophy, fatigue, and weakness
Cachexia is associated with what
Chronic disease like cancer, HIV/AIDS, COPD, CHF, kidney failure…
Neuro pathology
Stroke
Parkinsons
Delirium
Fluctuating attention state causing temporary confusion and loss of mental function
Acute disorder that has potential to be reversible
Dementia
An acquired disorder of cog and bx impairment causing dysfunction in daily living
Characteristics of dementia
Deterioration of intellectual function Disturbances in higher cortical functions Memory impairment Personality changes Alertness is abnormal Sleep fragmented
Alzheimers type dementia
irreversible, accounts for 60-80%
most common cause of dementia
Diagnosis of AD
Biomarkers tests - lumbar puncture will show elevated tau and phosphorylated tau, low amyloid levels
MRI scan
Stages of AD - Preclinical
individuals have measurable changes in brain CSF and blood biomarkers without noticeable sx
Stages of AD - mild
Characterized by mild but measureable changes in cog abilities noticeable to person affected and family members
able to carry out normal ADL
Stages of AD - mdoerate
characterized by noticeable memroy, thinking, and bx symptoms that impair a persons ability to function in daily life
Stages of AD - Severe
Characterized by loss in ability to communicate, recognize others, and complete dependence
Vascular dementia
10% of dementia
large and small vessel infarcts in both gray and white matter of brain
Chronic traumatic encephalopathy
Acquired, progressive degenerative brain disease resulting from repetitive head trauma
Chronic traumatic encephalopathy - pathophys changes
Tau positive neurofibrillary tangles
Neurophil threads and neocortical diffuse amyloid plaques with ot without neuritis plaques
Chronic traumatic encephalopathy s/s
Recurrent HA, dizzy Agression, dep, anx, suicide Impaired judge and impulsive Memory loss and confusion Progressive demetia Movement disorder
