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HERO ID
2283540
Reference Type
Journal Article
Subtype
Review
Title
Medications Affecting Functional Status in Older Persons
Author(s)
Corsonello, A; Onder, G; Maggio, M; Corica, F; Lattanzio, F
Year
2014
Is Peer Reviewed?
Yes
Journal
Current Pharmaceutical Design
ISSN:
1381-6128
EISSN:
1873-4286
Volume
20
Issue
19
Page Numbers
3256-3263
Language
English
PMID
24050161
DOI
10.2174/13816128113196660695
Web of Science Id
WOS:000337104200014
Abstract
Current evidence suggests that functional status is an important outcome of pharmacologic treatments in older people. At the moment, studies have shown diverse effects of medications on functional status. For example, some have shown potentially detrimental effects, while others have found improvements on physical function in elders. Overall, suboptimal prescribing and the occurrence of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) may negatively affect functional status. The use of selected drugs acting on central nervous system (CNS), e.g. benzodiazepines and antipsychotics, is generally associated with an increased risk of functional decline. The greater sensitivity of older people to these drugs, together with age-related changes in pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, account for the observed detrimental effect and suggests a cautious approach to older and frail patients when prescribing CNS agents. On the other hand, selected drugs may slow or delay functional decline in older people. In particular, drugs aimed at targeting sarcopenia (loss in muscle mass and strength), such as testosterone in androgen deficiency, ACE-inhibitors, vitamin D and β-hydroxy β-methyl butyrate (HMB), as well as the recently developed selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs) may hold extreme importance. This review will provide available evidence of the diverse impacts of drug medications on functional status in older persons.
Tags
IRIS
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n-Butanol
Database searches
Pubmed
Database Searches - March 2014 (private)
Pubmed - 3/2014
Excluded (not pertinent)
Not chemical specific
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