Skip Navigation

This Article
Right arrow Full Text Freely available
Right arrow FREE Full Text (PDF) Freely available
Right arrow E-letters: Submit a response
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me when E-letters are posted
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in ISI Web of Science
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Add to My Personal Archive
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow Search for citing articles in:
ISI Web of Science (5)
Right arrowRequest Permissions
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Eekhof, J.
Right arrow Articles by Springer, M.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Eekhof, J.
Right arrow Articles by Springer, M.
Social Bookmarking
Add to CiteULike   Add to Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us  
What's this?

Family Practice Vol. 17, No. 4, 329-333
© Oxford University Press 2000

Effects of screening for disorders among the elderly: an intervention study in general practice

JAH Eekhofa, GH De Bocka,b, K Schaapveldc and MP Springera

a Department of General Practice,
b Department of Medical Decision Making and
c Department of Metamedica, Leiden University Medical Centre, PO Box 2088, 2301 CB Leiden, The Netherlands.

Just Eekhof.

Background. Preventive assessment of prevalent disorders may be considered as an instrument to maintain independence in the elderly. However, the outcomes of studies on these types of screening differ considerably regarding their effects.

Objectives. The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of GPs' screening of the elderly on four highly prevalent disorders with possibilities for treatment: hearing and visual disorders, urinary incontinence and mobility disorders.

Methods. In an intervention study in 12 general practices, 1121 subjects aged 75 years and over were screened. Randomization was done by practice into an intervention group (576) and a control group (545). In the intervention group, all elderly patients were screened for the four disorders during the first year of the study. When the GP and patient agreed on intervention, usual care was provided by the GP. The patients in the control group were not screened in the first year. In the second year, all patients in both groups were screened for the four disorders.

Results. For none of the four disorders was a measurable effect of the screening at the population level found. In the first year, 1013 new disorders were found involving 479 of 576 people. The GPs considered information to be new in 293 cases. In 245 cases (out of 293), the GP discussed the new information with the patient. Of the 89 cases in which the patient agreed with an intervention, improvement was reported in 17 cases.

Conclusions. Implementing a standardized screening programme for four highly prevalent disorders for elderly people is not recommended. Preventive assessment of the elderly should be applied in ways other than by screening. Preventive care should pay attention to the individual needs of the elderly, should be started before the age of 75 years and should be offered in a flexible way.

Keywords. Elderly, general practice, screening.


Add to CiteULike CiteULike   Add to Connotea Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us Del.icio.us    What's this?


This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 ANN INTERN MEDHome page
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force
Screening for Impaired Visual Acuity in Older Adults: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement
Ann Intern Med, July 7, 2009; 151(1): 37 - 43.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 ANN INTERN MEDHome page
R. Chou, T. Dana, and C. Bougatsos
Screening Older Adults for Impaired Visual Acuity: A Review of the Evidence for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force
Ann Intern Med, July 7, 2009; 151(1): 44 - 58.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical SciencesHome page
R. J. F. Melis, M. I. J. van Eijken, S. Teerenstra, T. van Achterberg, S. G. Parker, G. F. Borm, E. H. van de Lisdonk, M. Wensing, and M. G. M. O. Rikkert
Multidimensional Geriatric Assessment: Back to the Future A Randomized Study of a Multidisciplinary Program to Intervene on Geriatric Syndromes in Vulnerable Older People Who Live at Home (Dutch EASYcare Study)
J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci., March 1, 2008; 63(3): 283 - 290.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Fam PractHome page
C. A Wiens and K. B Farris
Screening highly prevalent disorders among the elderly
Fam. Pract., June 1, 2001; 18(3): 343 - 343.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Disclaimer: Please note that abstracts for content published before 1996 were created through digital scanning and may therefore not exactly replicate the text of the original print issues. All efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, but the Publisher will not be held responsible for any remaining inaccuracies. If you require any further clarification, please contact our Customer Services Department.