1 The metabolism of fifteen elderly hospital in-patients and fifteen young people was studied, using a gas chromatography mass spectrometer method. 2 The results suggest that there is no significant change in hepatic oxidation of acetanilide with age. 3 The concentrations of metabolites were however, significantly elevated in the older group. 4 These results illustrate the importance of the decline in renal function with age in the disposition of drugs.

Acetanilides↗

PubMed1977

Plasma paroxonase activity in old age.

Genetic factors are known to be of importance in determining the rate of biotransformation of foreign compounds in the liver. Adverse reactions to drugs are increased and pharmacokinetic parameters altered with age. In the present study, the effect of age on plasma paroxonase activity is studied. Paroxonase is a hepatically synthesized enzyme whose activity is almost entirely determined by genetic factors. It therefore serves as a model to determine whether changes in the frequency or expression of genes could explain the altered responses to drugs observed with age. The frequency distribution for paroxonase activity for 186 elderly people is closely similar to that obtained from 190 blood transfusion volunteers and 189 family members. Paroxonase activity, as with all other previously investigated pharmacogenetic polymorphisms, is unchanged with age. The hypothesis is put forward that genetic determinants of drug metabolism remain unchanged with age.

Aged↗

PubMed1977

[Drug therapy in aged patients].

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Age Factors↗

PubMed1976

Enzyme activity in fucosidosis.

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Carbohydrate Metabolism, Inborn Errors↗

PubMed1976

Genetic polymorphism and interethnic variability of plasma paroxonase activity.

A method for determining plasma paroxonase activity using an auto-analyser is described. Frequency distributions for British and Indian subjects show bimodality. A study of 40 British families confirms the presence of a genetic polymorphism with regard to plasma paroxonase activity. Two phenotypes can be defined, controlled by two alleles at one autosomal locus. The frequency of the low activity phenotype is less in the Indian population than in the British population. Malay, Chinese, and African subjects fail to show obvious bimodality.

Asian People↗

PubMedDate not supplied

What factors influence patient preferences regarding cardiopulmonary resuscitation?

The aims of this study were to investigate the impact of medical and non-medical factors on the cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) preferences of patients, to determine which of them are the most important to patients when considering CPR, and to compare the views of older (> or = 70 years) and younger (< 70 years) patients. We interviewed 180 patients, 86 of whom were aged 70 years or older. 'I do not want to be a burden on my family' was the most important factor for older patients, and they were more ready to leave the decision to the doctor than were the younger patients. 'I want to retain my capacity to think clearly' was most important to younger patients. In general, younger patients gave higher ratings in favour of CPR than older patients. Increased age, drug abuse, dementia, pain, poor functional status and a low likelihood of success were associated with a lower preference rating for CPR in both age groups.

Age Factors↗

PubMedDate not supplied

A case of intrahepatic cholestasis due to amyloidosis.

Amyloidosis commonly involves the liver but clinical features of liver disease are rare. We report a case of cholestasis and hepatic failure in an 85-year-old man due to primary amyloidosis. This has not been reported previously in anyone of this advanced age. We discuss the clinical features of hepatic amyloidosis and the importance of making a diagnosis.

Aged↗