title: [Update of pneumonia in the elderly].
abstract: The incidence of pneumonia increases with age and contributes to morbidity and mortality in the elderly. In our setting, pneumonia is the sixth leading cause of death and the fourth most common diagnosis at discharge from acute hospitals. This article reviews current concepts in management of pneumonia in the elderly: healthcare-associated pneumonia, aspiration and oropharyngeal dysphagia, risk stratification, and indications of radiological, microbiological and biological markers. We present current evidence on antibiotic treatment (when to start, empirical coverage, duration, new drugs and combinations) and adjuvant treatment (steroids, early mobilization, oral hygiene, prevention and treatment of aspiration and cardiac complications). We emphasize preventive aspects and considerations regarding palliative treatment.
authors: Unidad de Geriatría, Departamento de Medicina, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain. otorres@santpau.cat
authors: Olga H
authors: OH
authors: Torres
authors: Eva
authors: E
authors: Gil
authors: Cristina
authors: C
authors: Pacho
authors: Domingo
authors: D
authors: Ruiz
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D018410:Pneumonia, Bacterial / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents