title: [Introduction. General aspects of medical problems of the aging patient].
abstract: It is a common mistake to bring older people together in one group of the population. This age group is, however, remarkably heterogeneous; it covers a wide range of ages and the changes of senescence, appearing during this period of life are quite divergent. In some aged patients diseases may present in a different way, the so-called "geriatric profile". The main characteristics of this profile are: the coexistence of multiple chronic illnesses threatening the independence of these aged persons, the change in presentation of their diseases, the under-reporting of their medical problems and the interdependence of the social, psychological and physical domains. It requires a special medical competence to deal with these "frail" geriatric patients.
authors.affiliation: Diensthoofd Geriatrie U.Z.-K.U.Leuven, Louvain.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Pelemans
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000208:Acute Disease; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology; D001290:Attitude; D002423:Cause of Death; D002908:Chronic Disease; D015897:Comorbidity; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D005260:Female; D016330:Frail Elderly; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019338:Polypharmacy; D011602:Psychophysiologic Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D012931:Social Environment
vernacular_title: Avant-propos. Aspects généraux des problèmes médicaux chez le patient vieillissant.