Chronic oedema and the older person

Abstract

Learning Points - Chronic oedema is a long term condition that can manifest as result of ageing and existing co-morbidities.  The impact of chronic oedema upon quality of life is a factor in achieving the goal of patient self-management within the older population.  The ageing process can affect the existing systems (vascular) that maintain homeostasis, and can create challenges in the treatment/management options.  Patient outcomes can be improved through careful consideration of the impact the ageing process in the devising of care plans. AbstractChronic and Lymphoedema (CO) are long term conditions (LO) that can become more complicated due to the ageing process, or have a relationship in the development of CO/LO. The ageing process can lead to alterations in the structures that support the normal function of the lymphatic system, or put it at greater risk of damage. The main three components (skin care, exercise and compression therapy) within the management of CO/LO can become more challenging. This is due to reduced healing rates, decreased cardio vascular capacity or deterioration in vascular/arterial structures as examples of ageing. The impact of ageing and how this can affect patient/treatment outcomes requires careful consideration.

Association between gabapentinoids and oedema treated with loop diuretics: A pooled sequence symmetry analysis from the USA and Denmark

“…We conducted stratified analyses based on age, because older age is associated with increased likelihood of developing oedema 19 ; sex, because women have a higher risk of developing oedema than men 20 ; and type of gabapentinoid, because previous studies have shown a higher incidence of peripheral oedema among patients treated with pregabalin than gabapentin 21 . We stratified patients by Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) because many chronic diseases are likely to cause oedema 22 .…”