Citation

Leipzig RM, Whitlock EP, Wolff TA, Barton MB, Michael YL, Harris R, Petitti D, Wilt T, Siu A. Ann. Intern Med. 2010; 153(12): 809-814.

Affiliation

Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York; Oregon Evidence-based Practice Center, Center for Health Research, Kaiser Permanente Northwest, Portland, Oregon; Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, Maryland; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Arizona State University, Phoenix, Arizona; and Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Medical Center and University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, American College of Physicians)

DOI

10.1059/0003-4819-153-12-201012210-00007

PMID

21173415

Abstract

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) bases its recommendations on an evidence-based model of clinical prevention that focuses on specific diseases, well-defined preventive interventions, and evidence of improved health outcomes. Applying this model to prevention for very old patients has been problematic for several reasons: Many geriatric disorders have multiple risk factors, interventions, and expected outcomes; older adults are not often represented in clinical trials; and important outcomes may not be measured and reported in ways that are conducive to evidence synthesis and interpretation. In 2005, the USPSTF convened a geriatrics workgroup to refine USPSTF methodology and processes to better address the preventive needs of older adults. The USPSTF has begun to apply these new approaches to the review and recommendation on interventions to prevent falls in older adults.

Language: en