Impact of Tuberculosis in Elderly Population

Author(s):  
Gagan Chooramani ◽  
Pooja Singh

The World Health Organization has declared that the spread of tuberculosis is a global emergency. Despite the implementation of strong tuberculosis-control initiatives by WHO, this highly infectious disease continues to affect all vulnerable populations, including the elderly population. Adverse social factors and poor living conditions also affect the elderly much more than the young. The clinical characteristics of tuberculosis in older adults can be unusual and may be confused with age-related illnesses. Various factors related to old age can also cause complications in the diagnosis, treatment, and disease outcomes for tuberculosis patients. The contributory factors may be poor memory, deafness, mental confusion, or impairment of speech. In addition, therapy for tuberculosis in elderly individuals is challenging because of the increased incidence of adverse drug reactions. Hence, understanding the impact of these substantial aspects will help to overcome the problem of tuberculosis in the elderly population.

2021 ◽  
Vol 33 (S1) ◽  
pp. 96-97
Author(s):  
Sofia Ramos Ferreira ◽  
Daniela Pereira ◽  
Horácio Firmino

Background:Since the disease caused by the SARS-Cov-2 virus was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization, countries around the globe adopted measures of social distancing to limit the spread of the virus. Although social distancingmeasures are essential preventive mechanisms, they can promote feelings of loneliness and influence the onset or exacerbation of psychiatric disorders. Current knowledge about the impact of COVID-19 on mental health - and in particular on mental health of the geriatric population - is still scarce.Research Objective:The present review aimed to analyze the COVID-19 pandemic impact on the elderly´s mental health and to suggest measures that can mitigate this impact.Method:A non-systematic review of the literature, through bibliographic research in Pubmed and Embase databases - using the keywords “COVID-19", “SARS-CoV-2", “Coronavirus”, “Aging”, “Older adults”, “Elderly”, “Quarantine” and “Mental health” -was performed.Preliminary results of the ongoing study:The available literature points towards a likely increase in mental disorders as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. This phenomena may be particularly relevant in the elderly population. Several measures – pharmacological and non-pharmacological – can help to maintain the physical and mental health of the elderly.Conclusion:The COVID-19 pandemic had an important impact in elderly’s mental health. This subject should be addressed by profissionals/caregivers and measures tominimize negative consequences are in order.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 245
Author(s):  
Stephanie Elizabeth Gunawan ◽  
Anak Agung Ayu Putri Laksmidewi

Background: According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an elderly person is someone who has entered the age of 60 years and above whose percentage tends to increase along with decreasing morbidity of the elderly. Geriatric Neurology itself is the study of a group of neurological diseases in the elderly. Based on 2012 data, the proportion of elderly population in Indonesia is 7.59%. This is accompanied by an increase in the dependency ratio of the productive age population to the non-productive age population. The results of the 2013 Basic Health Research showed an increase in the prevalence of neurological disease in the elderly which was the main cause of death in 15 regencies in 2011. It is to find out the 5 most neurological diseases in the elderly, clinical characteristics and outcomes of geriatric neurology patients treated at the Central Hospital of Sanglah.Methods: It is a retrospective study using no control by looking at medical records in geriatric neurology patients aged 60 years and over who visited the Central Hospital of Sanglah in the March to May 2019 period.Results: A total of 200 patients consisted of 111 men (55.5%) and 89 women (44.5%) who were divided into 5 most geriatric neurology diseases which included 1. ischemic stroke, 2. bleeding stroke, 3. brain tumor, 4. injury head, and 5. epilepsy. The number of deaths was 16, of which 7 cases were caused by sepsis and pneumonia.Conclusions: Stroke, tumors, head injuries and epilepsy are the dominant neurological diseases found. The focus of care and supervision of elderly neurology patients is expected to be further enhanced to prevent side effects that will extend the patient’s treatment period in the hospital which will automatically increase the burden on the hospital itself.


2014 ◽  
Vol 27 (8) ◽  
pp. 1243-1246 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lia Fernandes ◽  
Raimundo Mateos ◽  
Knut Engedal ◽  
Armin von Gunten ◽  
Max L. Stek ◽  
...  

With the increase in aging all over the world, and the elderly population nearly tripling from 524 million (8% of the world's population) in 2010 to 1.5 billion (16% of the world's population) in 2050, we will face new challenges and opportunities in providing healthcare. In 2050, it is estimated that Europe will see an increase of 70% in elderly population aged over 65 years, and 170% in those aged over 80 years (World Health Organization (WHO), 2011). It is vital to respond to the needs of this emerging population and the consequent rise in chronic diseases, especially dementia and mental health disorders, which will overload the healthcare system, as well as raise health and social costs, and demand new policies from national governments (World Health Organization, 2012). We urgently need to know how to organize healthcare for elderly people in the years to come.


2021 ◽  
Vol 81 (01) ◽  
pp. 46-60
Author(s):  
Marcelo Borges Cavalcante ◽  
Candice Torres de Melo Bezerra Cavalcante ◽  
Ana Catherine Sampaio Braga ◽  
Dennyse Araújo Andrade ◽  
Mariana Albuquerque Montenegro ◽  
...  

AbstractIn December 2019, a new viral respiratory infection known as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was first diagnosed in the city of Wuhan, China. COVID-19 quickly spread across the world, leading the World Health Organization to declare it a pandemic on March 11, 2020. The disease is caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), a similar virus to those involved in other epidemics such as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV). Epidemiological studies have shown that COVID-19 frequently affects young adults of reproductive age and that the elderly and patients with chronic disease have high mortality rates. Little is known about the impact of COVID-19 on pregnancy and breastfeeding. Most COVID-19 cases present with mild flu-like symptoms and only require treatment with symptomatic relief medications, whereas other cases with COVID-19 require treatment in an intensive care unit. There is currently no specific effective treatment for COVID-19. A large number of drugs are being used to fight infection by SARS-CoV-2. Experience with this therapeutic arsenal has been gained over the years in the treatment of other viral, autoimmune, parasitic, and bacterial diseases. Importantly, the search for an effective treatment for COVID-19 cannot expose pregnant women infected with SARS-CoV-2 to the potential teratogenic risks of these drugs. Therefore, it is necessary to determine and understand the safety of anti-COVID-19 therapies prior to conception and during pregnancy and breastfeeding.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shiva Raj Acharya ◽  
B. K. Suman ◽  
Sandip Pahari ◽  
Yong Chul Shin ◽  
Deog Hwan Moon

Abstract Background Elder abuse is recognized as a serious public health concern and top priority aging issues. World Health Organization reported that around 1 out of 6 old people in the world experienced some form of abuse. This study was carried out to find out the prevalence of different forms of abuse among elderly Nepalese people. Methods The cross-sectional, quantitative analytical study was carried out among 373 elders of the Syangja district of Nepal. The study population was selected through simple, proportionate, and systematic sampling methods. Data was collected through face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire. Results The majority of participants were female (54.5%). The prevalence of elderly abuse was found to be 54.5%. The most common form of abuse among the elderly population was neglect (23.1%), psychological abuse (20.6%), physical abuse (6.5%), financial abuse (2.4%), and sexual abuse (1.9%). Elderly females were significantly more likely to experience physical and psychological abuse. Conclusion More than half of the elderly experienced at least one form of abuse. Neglect was found to be the most common form of abuse. The abuse was prevalent among elderly who were ill and with the habit of tobacco and alcohol consumption.


2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  

By 2020 it is predicted that chronic diseases will account for almost three quarters of all deaths. According to the World Health Organization the elderly population is expected to become 1.2 billion in 2025. This aging problem contributes greatly to chronic diseases like Alzheimer’s; Elderly are suffering from Alzheimer’s. The major implications of Alzheimer’s are patient safety and care. The aim of this paper is to develop a Telehealth system, based on IoT technology, for monitoring elderly individuals suffering from Alzheimer’s. We describe a working prototype that is able to capture the vital signs and deliver the desired data remotely for elderly individuals staying at home, using a wearable ECG wireless sensor. In addition, an Active wearable RFID wristband, with IR room locators are used to monitor the whereabouts of the elderly at room level. This prototype was successfully tested on a number of patients at KFUPM Medical Centre in Saudi Arabia.


2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 295-298
Author(s):  
Patricia de Oliveira Lopes ◽  
Simone Rezende da Silva ◽  
Tathianni Cristini da Silva ◽  
Yara Dadalti Fragoso ◽  
Angelina Zanesco

ABSTRACT The world population is aging fast and not all cities are prepared to cope with the needs of the elderly people. Cities need to develop strategies for senior citizens including the aspects of health, nutrition, consumer protection, housing, transportation, environment, social welfare, income, employment, safety, and education. The World Health Organization (WHO) created a program dedicated to older adults called the age-friendly city. This program is about creating the environment and opportunities that enable older people to be and do what they value throughout their lives. Most of the elderly population lives in urban spaces, and aging represents a challenge as well as opportunities to the cities all over the world. Recently, only 16 Brazilian cities have received the seal of international certification by meeting the requirements stipulated by the WHO. In the State of Sao Paulo, only two cities have been qualified for this seal. Therefore, the aims of this article are (a) to provide a brief history of this important initiative taken by the WHO and (b) to urge the decision-makers of Brazilian municipalities to develop effective initiatives for their cities to be prepared for this demographic modification.


10.2196/19934 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (6) ◽  
pp. e19934 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alireza Hamidian Jahromi ◽  
Anahid Hamidianjahromi

Since the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak a pandemic, significant changes have occurred in the United States as the infection spread reached and passed its exponential phase. A stringent analysis of COVID-19 epidemiologic data requires time and would generally be expected to happen with significant delay after the exponential phase of the disease is over and when the focus of the health care system is diverted away from crisis management. Although much has been said about high-risk groups and the vulnerability of the elderly and patients with underlying comorbidities, the impact of race on the susceptibility of ethnic minorities living in indigent communities has not been discussed in detail worldwide and specifically in the United States. There are currently some data on disparities between African American and Caucasian populations for COVID-19 infection and mortality. While health care authorities are reorganizing resources and infrastructure to provide care for symptomatic COVID-19 patients, they should not shy away from protecting the general public as a whole and specifically the most vulnerable members of society, such as the elderly, ethnic minorities, and people with underlying comorbidities.


Author(s):  
Dalal A. Alfawaz ◽  
Mohammed Alfawaz ◽  
Ali M. Almutawa

Coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) has severely affected global health and caused a significant health burden worldwide, particularly in patients with cardiovascular insult. Worldwide, the COVID-19 confirmed cases number reached 81,658,440 cases with 1,802,206 deaths stated to the world health organization by January 1, 2021. Many risk factors, such as the elderly, diabetes, chronic kidney disease (CKD), and cardiovascular illness, like coronary disease, cardiomyopathy, and hypertension; put people at high vulnerability with COVID-19 infection. Many cardiovascular insults directly occur because of COVID-19 infection as myocarditis, pericarditis, heart failure, myocardial infarction, thromboembolic events, or arrhythmias. This review aims to shed light on different management modalities for COVID-19 and discuss the impact of COVID-19 on underlying cardiovascular comorbidities.  Our hope lies in the COVID-19 vaccine as the best promising plan against the pandemic with the antiviral medications. Till the availability of antiviral agents and effective vaccines, repurposing drugs therapy would continue to be the mainstream. Cardiovascular diseases may be caused by or precedent conditions in COVID-19 patients. The physicians and the medical staff should be up-to-date regarding probable complications with COVID-19.


2021 ◽  
Vol 34 (11) ◽  
pp. 761
Author(s):  
Filipa Novais ◽  
Catarina Cordeiro ◽  
Pedro Câmara Pestana ◽  
Beatriz Côrte-Real ◽  
Teresa Reynolds Sousa ◽  
...  

Introduction: In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 as a pandemic, and Portugal reported its initial cases. In this study, we aimed to determine the impact of COVID-19 on Portuguese individuals aged over 60 years old.Material and Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study using data from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE 8: COVID-19 Survey). We selected a sample of 1080 noninstitutional Portuguese individuals aged ≥ 60 years.Results: The study sample consisted of 605 (56%) women and 475 (44%) men, with a mean age of 70 ± 9.1 years. In total, 80% of the participants experienced higher levels of anxiety, 73% felt more depressed and 30% experienced additional sleep problems comparedto the period before the pandemic. Interestingly, there were no statistically significant differences between the sexes or the two selected age groups (60 - 74 and over 75 years old) regarding the incidence of these changes. Only 23%, of those that were interviewed maintained their walking routines. In addition, only 8% of the participants continued visiting family members as frequently as before. While 8% of the participants were refused some form of medical treatment, 56% claimed that they experienced healthcare delays. However,only 15% of the participants reported that their health status worsened during the pandemic.Discussion: The pandemic has had a significant impact on Portuguese individuals aged ≥ 60 years; which is in agreement with the findings of previous international studies. It changed the participants’ routines and increased their anxiety and depression levels. Despite the deterioration of healthcare services, most participants did not experience worsening of their health status.Conclusion: In conclusion, a COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the elderly population, particularly regarding their mental health.


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