Homeopathic treatment of elderly patients--a prospective observational study with follow-up over a two year period.

BACKGROUND: Very little is known about the range of diagnoses, course of treatment and long-term outcome in elderly patients who choose to receive homeopathic medical treatment. We investigated homeopathic practice in an industrialised country under everyday conditions.The aim of the study was to determine the spectrum of diagnoses and treatments, as well as to describe the course of illness over time among older patients who chose to receive homeopathic treatment. METHODS: In this subgroup analysis of a prospective, multicentre cohort study totally including 3981 patients treated by homeopathic physicians in primary care practices in Germany and Switzerland, data was analysed from all patients > 70 years consulting the physician for the first time. The main outcome measures were: assessment by patient of the severity of complaints (numeric rating scales) and quality of life (SF-36) and by the physician of the severity of diagnoses (numeric rating scales) at baseline, and after 3, 12, and 24 months. RESULTS: A total of 83 patients were included in the subgroup analysis (41% men, mean age 73.2 +/- (SD) 3.1 years; 59% women, 74.3 +/- 3.8 years).98.6 percent of all diagnoses were chronic with an average duration of 11.5 +/- 11.5 years. 82 percent of the patients were taking medication at baseline.The most frequent diagnoses were hypertension (20.5%, 11.1 +/- 7.5 years) and sleep disturbances (15.7%, 22.1 +/- 25.8 years).The severity of complaints decreased significantly between baseline and 24 months in both patients (from 6.3 (95%CI: 5.7-6.8) to 4.6 (4.0-5.1), p < 0.001) and physicians' assessments (from 6.6 (6.0-7.1) to 3.7 (3.2-4.3), p < 0.001); quality of life (SF 36) and the number of medicines taken did not significantly change. CONCLUSION: The severity of disease showed marked and sustained improvements under homeopathic treatment, but this did not lead to an improvement of quality of life. Our findings might indicate that homeopathic medical therapy may play a beneficial role in the long-term care of older adults with chronic diseases and studies on comparative effectiveness are needed to evaluate this hypothesis.

Suicide of the elderly in Singapore.

This is a study based on data from all Coroners' case-files (Years 1969-1976) and a 'psychological post-mortem' study of all suicides for the year 1974--57 cases comprising of 39 males and 18 females. The trend of aged suicide in Singapore, the demographic data of the aged suicide population, the methods used by the aged suicide and the causative factors associated with suicide in aged are recorded, analysed and discussed. Reactions of the surviving relatives are also described. The unique features particular to the aged suicide in Singapore are noted and explained. Suicide of the aged in Singapore is mainly a study of the aged Chinese suicide.

Medicamentos para adultos mayores: percepciones y adquisición en farmacias privadas de Morelos, México / Medications for senior citizen: perceptions and acquisition in private pharmacies in Morelos

Objetivo: Analizar las características de adquisición de medicamentos para adultos mayores con y sin receta médica, así como sus percepciones. Material y método: Estudio con diseño cuantitativo/cualitativo, realizado de octubre a noviembre de 2006, mediante muestra probabilística/aleatoria/ estratificada se seleccionaron 52 farmacias privadas del estado de Morelos, México en donde se levantaron datos para un total de 324 adultos mayores que compraron medicamentos para su consumo. Resultados: Del total de la población, el 65 por ciento adquirió los medicamentos sin receta, tres cuartas partes compró polifármacos, los medicamentos más adquiridos fueron analgésicos y antibióticos. El gasto fue 2.4 veces mayor cuando fueron recetados por médicos. Además de los medicamentos adquiridos los ancianos consumen remedios caseros, pero no identifican que pudieran presentar efectos secundarios, confían en los dependientes de farmacia para ser medicados. Conclusiones: Debido al elevado costo de los medicamentos cuando son recetados, que puede orillar a que gran parte de los ancianos prefiera adquirirlos sin receta, aunado al consumo de remedios y al desconocimiento de efectos adversos, los ancianos se vuelven altamente proclives a daños a su salud. Es factible que la automedicación y sus consecuencias puedan evitarse con una eficiente promoción de la salud y una oferta de servicios médicos de calidad, acorde a las necesidades de salud de la población.

Objective: Analyze characteristics medication acquisition in senior citizens, with or without prescriptions, as well as their perceptions. Materials and methods: Qualitative and quantitative study design, carried out in October through November of 2006, through a random, probabilistic, stratified sample. 52 private pharmacies were selected in the state of Morelos, Mexico, for a sample of 324 senior citizens the purchase medications. Results: Of the whole population, 65 percent acquired the medications without a prescription. Three fourths bought homeopathic medications. The medications most commonly bought were analgesics and antibiotics. Prices were 2.4 times higher when they were prescribed by doctors. Apart from medications, they also used folk remedies, but do not express understanding of possible side effects, rather, they trust in pharmacy employees. Conclusions: Due to the high cost of prescribed medications, many senior citizens prefer to acquire them without a prescription. That, along with the use of folk remedies and the lack of knowledge of their possible side effects, makes them vulnerable to adverse health effects. It is possible that self medication and its consequences could be avoided with efficient health promotion and quality health care services that fulfill the needs of the population.

Les vieillards dits terribles / The aged called terribles

La societe contemporaine est fertile en paradoxes. Il y a un siecle ou deux on etait vieux a 40 ans. Actuellement, on est encore en pleine activite a 65-70 ans ou plus. Mais, et c'est la le drame de notre epoque, les... (AU)

La depression du sujet age / The depression of aged people

Apres quelques considerations generales sur la depression du sujet agenous etudieronsplusieurs formes cliniques en detaillant les principaux remedes homeopathiques.(AU)

Práticas terapêuticas näo convencionais usadas por idosos: estudos realizados em uma instituiçäo estatal de saúde da cidade de Säo Paulo / Unconventional therapeutics practices useds by ageds: study realized in a health institution of state in São Paulo city, Brazil

Objetiva caracterizar, do ponto de vista sócio-econômico-cultural, os idosos matriculados no ambulatório de uma Instituiçäo de Saúde do Estado de Säo Paulo e também conhecer os tipos de práticas terapêuticas näo-convencionais usadas pelos mesmos, porque as usavam, quem as havia indicado e em quem confiavam para tratar de sua saúde. Foi adotada a linha qualitativa de pesquisa por sua afinidade com o referencial teórico. Os dados encontrados mostraram o uso das plantas medicinais, das práticas espirituais e mentais, da Homeopatia, Acupuntura e dos Florais de Bach. Com este estudo, concluiu-se a importância, para os profissionais de saúde, em näo negar a realidade da dinâmica cultural dos pacientes; a necessidade de reconhecer e refletir a possibilidade do estabelecimento de um diálogo construtivo entre a tradiçäo e a medicina moderna, resultando em uma melhor qualidade de vida para os pacientes em geral