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Trials in Elderly Patients – What Are We Missing On?

Journal Name:

  • Indian Journal of Basic & Applied Medical Research

Publication Year:

  • 2013

Key Words:

Author Name
Abstract (2. Language): 
A clinical trial is a research study of human subjects that is designed to answer specific questions about biomedical or behavioral interventions. Clinical trials generate safety and efficacy as well as pharmacokinetic data for health interventions. The geriatric age group may be under-represented in clinical trials for a number of reasons. There are many factors that affect participation of older adults in clinical trials. The most important factors are - health literacy, communication, and social service needs. A general criticism of pharmacokinetic studies is that the subjects employed do not represent the population of patients to be treated. Advances in modern medicine have led to increase in average age of the population resulting in a greater proportion of the population being comprised of geriatric age. The need for information on the clinical pharmacology of drugs in the elderly can hence no longer be ignored. Studies should specially be designed to answer the research question pertinent to ailments and include only elderly population with the relevant disease in order to avoid heterogeneity. This would render a better understanding of drug kinetics and dynamics in the elderly and will lead to improved care and quality of life of the elderly patient.
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Indian Journal of Basic & Applied Medical Research; June 2013: Issue-7, Vol.-2, P. 629-634
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www.ijbamr.com P ISSN: 2250-284X E ISSN: 2250-2858
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