Prevention of cardiovascular events in elderly people.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Cardiovascular disease has been identified as the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in developed countries. Given the increase in life expectancy and the development of cardiovascular preventive measures, it has become increasingly important to detect and prevent cardiovascular diseases in the elderly. We reviewed the scientific literature concerning cardiovascular prevention to assess the importance of cardiovascular preventive measures in old (> or =65 years of age) individuals. METHODS: We undertook a systematic search for references relating to prevention of cardiovascular disease in the elderly, mainly ischaemic stroke, coronary artery disease and heart failure, on the MEDLINE database 1962-2005. For cardiovascular prevention by drugs or surgery, emphasis was placed on randomised controlled trials, review articles and meta-analyses. For cardiovascular prevention by lifestyle modification, major cohort studies were also considered. RESULTS: Stroke, coronary heart disease and heart failure were found to be the main targets for cardiovascular prevention in published studies. Antihypertensive treatment has proven its efficacy in primary prevention of fatal or nonfatal stroke in hypertensive and high-risk patients >60 years of age, particularly through treatment of systolic hypertension. Systolic blood pressure reduction is equally important in the secondary prevention of stroke. Similarly, in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation, an adjusted dose of warfarin with a target International Normalized Ratio (INR) of between 2 to 3 prevents ischaemic stroke in elderly patients with an acceptable haemorrhagic risk but is still under prescribed. Antiplatelet agents are indicated in elderly patients with nonembolic strokes. Few large-scale studies have investigated the effect of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) on stroke prevention in old individuals. To date, the largest trials suggest a beneficial effect for stroke prevention with use of statins in high-risk elderly subjects < or =82 years of age. Carotid endarterectomy is indicated in carotid artery stenosis >70% and outcomes are even better in elderly than in younger patients. However, medical treatment is still the first-line treatment in asymptomatic elderly patients with <70% stenosis. In ischaemic heart disease, different trials in elderly individuals have shown that use of statins, antithrombotic agents, beta-adrenoceptor antagonists and ACE inhibitors plays an important role either in primary or in secondary cardiovascular prevention. Hormone replacement therapy has been used to treat climacteric symptoms and postmenopausal osteoporosis and was thought to confer a cardiovascular protection. However, controlled trials in elderly individuals changed this false belief when it was found that there was no benefit and even a harmful cardiovascular effect during the first year of treatment. Smoking cessation, regular physical activity and healthy diet are, as in younger individuals, appropriate and effective measures for preventing cardiovascular events in the elderly. Finally, antihypertensive treatment and influenza vaccination are useful for heart failure prevention in elderly individuals. CONCLUSIONS: Cardiovascular prevention should be more widely implemented in the elderly, including individuals aged > or =75 years, and this might contribute to improved healthy status and quality of life in this growing population.

Randomized controlled drug trials on very elderly subjects: descriptive and methodological analysis of trials published between 1990 and 2002 and comparison with trials on adults.

BACKGROUND: Very elderly subjects (VES; aged 80 years or older) constitute a special population as they frequently present multiple diseases (polypathology). Results from trials on general adult populations therefore cannot be extrapolated to VES. We performed a census of randomized controlled trials (RCT) on VES published between 1990 and 2002, and carried out a descriptive and methodological analysis of these RCT/VES, comparing them with matched RCT on general adult populations (control RCT, RCT/C). METHODS: We searched for RCT/VES in two international databases (EMBASE and MEDLINE) and then manually. RCT/C were matched to RCT/VES for disease area and year of publication. The methodological quality of each RCT was assessed with Chalmers' scale. RESULTS: We identified 84 RCT/VES, 63 of which were conclusive and 21, inconclusive. Subjects were institutionalized in 48 RCT, and community dwelling in 11 RCT (unspecified in 25 RCT). Efficacy was the main criterion in 75 RCT; tolerance in 9 RCT. Twenty-six RCT were published by geriatrics journals, and 58 by general medical journals. The RCT/VES covered most of the disease areas of geriatrics. The 84 RCT/VES had a mean methodological quality score of 0.578 +/- 0.157. The matched 84 RCT/C had a mean methodological quality score of 0.592 +/- 0.116 (p = .466). The methodological quality score of RCT/VES increased with the number of included subjects (p = .004) and the year of publication (p = .001). CONCLUSIONS: The methodological quality of RCT/VES is equivalent to that of RCT in general adult populations. Nevertheless, RCT/VES remain very scarce, and neglect certain diseases. RCT/VES and the inclusion of very elderly subjects in RCT on adults should be strongly encouraged.

[Anatomo-physiological aspects of the lower urinary tract in men and modifications related to ageing]. / Aspects anatomo-physiologiques de l'appareil vésico-sphinctérien chez l'homme et modifications liées au vieillissement.

MICTURITION AND INCONTINENCE: The lower urinary tract, composed of several organs necessary for micturition, is controlled by the encephalic and peripheral centres, which have a synergic effect and coordinate the lower urinary tract. Continence is ensured by the effect of the adrenergic sympathetic nerve that increases urethral sphincter tonus and maintains low pressure in the bladder during filling. Micturition appeals to the cholinergic system mediated by the muscarinic receptors situated in the bladder. AGEING OF THE PROSTATE: Under the influence of dihydrotestosterone and growth factors, ageing of the prostate is characterized by histological modifications leading to hypertrophy, obstructing the flow of urine. AGEING OF THE BLADDER: Electronic microscopy studies have shown the presence of degenerative lesions and, on urodynamic level, are characterised by over or under-activity. Ageing of the peripheral and central nervous centres is morphological and metabolic with the production of vascular and free radicals, involving the systems that control micturition and continence. The ageing kidney has a tendency to produce more urine at night because of the functional changes that intervene in the salt and water balance regulation systems.

[Clinical manifestations of urinary disorders and their treatment in ageing men]. / Manifestations cliniques des troubles urinaires chez l'homme vieillissant et leur traitement.

PROBLEMS OF THE PROSTATE: Benign hypertrophy of the prostate (BHP), when it occurs, is manifested by an obstruction or irritation related to overactivity of the bladder. The obstructive syndrome is defined by urodynamic tests. Urge incontinence and study of the pressure-flow ratio are the tests of choice. The functional handicap and impact on quality of life are assessed using the International Prostatism Symptoms Score (I-PSS). Efficient and fairly well tolerated medical treatment has reduced the indications for surgery. It relies on alpha-blockers, 5a-reductase inhibitors and phytotherapy. When indicated, the surgical treatment of choice is endoscopic resection of the prostate. Among the non-prostatic micturition disorders, urge micturition with, in extreme cases, incontinence are due to detrusor instability. This is of multifactor origin; enhanced by the local irritation or environmental factors, it usually occurs within a context of acute or chronic pathologies. Treatment is recommended with anticholinergic agents. New molecules have recently been launched, better tolerated than oxybutinine. Electrostimulation can be a good alternative in mentally normal patients. Micturition due to excess urine may be due to overactivity of the bladder, the major risk of which is acute urine retention. It can also be observed during neurological affections such as Parkinson's disease or during administration of certain drugs. Nocturnal polyuria is a frequent problem. However, simple hygiene and dietary measures and the control of certain concomitant diseases can usually relieve the symptoms. Medical treatment relies on desmopressine.