Frailty and Polypharmacy in Older Patients with Otolaryngologic Diseases

• Autores: David Eibling
• Localización: Clinics in geriatric medicine, ISSN 0749-0690, Vol. 34, Nº. 2, 2018, págs. 289-298
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • Within the specialty of otolaryngology, frailty is primarily manifested in older adults through increased risk for falls, dysfunctional swallowing, and impairment of pulmonary function delaying recovery after surgery.

    Multiple measures of frailty exist, some of which are tailored to assist in surgical decision making.

    Although knowledge of frailty and its implications is gradually increasing among otolaryngologists, dramatic knowledge gaps exist that impair care for older patients.

    Polypharmacy leads to considerable morbidity among older patients with otolaryngologic diseases, particularly those with balance disorders, xerostomia, and dysphagia.