Author/Authors :
Şahin, S Ege Üniversitesi - Tıp Fakültesi - Tip Iç Hastaliklari Anabilim Dali, Geriatri Bilim Dali, Turkey , Cankurtaran, M Hacettepe Üniversitesi - Tıp Fakültesi - İç Hastalıkları Anabilim Dalı, Geriatri Ünitesi, Turkey
Abstract :
The geriatric patient population which utilizes health care is rapidly increasing with increasing life expectancy.Geriatrics syndrome is a term that is used very frequently in geriatrics and internal medicine, clinical practice and literature. It is important that health providers who encounter elderly patients have knowledge about geriatrics to take preventative precautions, and for treatment management. Geriatrics syndrome is used for clinical situations or symptoms that are not able to be explained as a disease, and is characterised by atypical symptoms in the elderly.Geriatric syndrome shows unique symptoms that are caused by different etiology and different patogenesis.However, there is debate in the literature as to whether this term is appropriate for describing existent pathology. The common geriatrics syndromes are immobility, incontinence, depression, delirium, dementia, falls, pressure ulcers, osteoporosis and fraility. Geriatric syndrome is important because it carries a high risk of hospitalisation, mortality and morbidity. Therefore, early diagnosis with comprehensive geriatric assessment is crucial in elderly people with geriatric syndrome.
