Alexandra M Kuhn-Thiel
Germany
Case Report
Morbus Diureticus in the Elderly (MDE)-Inappropriate Application of Diuretics Four Case Reports
Author(s): Alexandra M Kuhn-Thiel, Heinrich Burkhardt and Martin WehlingAlexandra M Kuhn-Thiel, Heinrich Burkhardt and Martin Wehling
Background: Diuretics still enjoy continued popularity for elderly patients, both in terms of effectiveness in reliably lowering blood pressure and cost considerations. Due to the frequency not only of the indications prompting prescription of diuretics, but also the high rate of drug prescription itself in this context, attempts have been made to quantify their overall toxicity and their contribution to adverse drug events and cases of hospitalization in elderly patients, particularly those with multiple illnesses and polypharmacy. Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) commonly observed and recorded which may specifically be attributed to diuretics during visits to the emergency ward and during hospital stays include: dehydration, dizziness, falls, electrolyte disturbances potentially culminating in delirium, and thrombosis. Case presentation: Four cases of diuretic toxicity in the elderly a.. View More»
DOI:
10.4172/2329-8847.1000124