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Difficulties assessing the elderly

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

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Some of the more common difficulties in assessing the elderly include:

  • non-specific symptoms - confusion, falls or deteriorating functional ability - may be the only clue
  • symptoms such as pain may be reduced or absent despite major disease
  • physical signs may be much harder to elicit
  • lab tests may be unreliable, especially white cell counts and ESR - use C-reactive protein
  • multiple aetiology of symptoms such as breathlessness
  • drug toxicity and interactions especially as renal and hepatic function deteriorate
  • polypharmacy especially digoxin and analgesics

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