COVID-19 and the elderly: insights into pathogenesis and clinical decision-making.
Fabio PerrottaGraziamaria CorbiGrazia MazzeoMatilde BocciaLuigi AronneVito D'AgnanoKlara KomiciGennaro MazzarellaRoberto ParrellaAndrea BiancoPublished in: Aging clinical and experimental research (2020)
The elderly may represent a specific cluster of high-risk patients for developing COVID-19 with rapidly progressive clinical deterioration. Indeed, in older individuals, immunosenescence and comorbid disorders are more likely to promote viral-induced cytokine storm resulting in life-threatening respiratory failure and multisystemic involvement. Early diagnosis and individualized therapeutic management should be developed for elderly subjects based on personal medical history and polypharmacotherapy. Our review examines the pathogenesis and clinical implications of ageing in COVID-19 patients; finally, we discuss the evidence and controversies in the management in the long-stay residential care homes and aspects of end-of-life care for elderly patients with COVID-19.
Keyphrases
- middle aged
- sars cov
- community dwelling
- coronavirus disease
- respiratory failure
- healthcare
- decision making
- ejection fraction
- newly diagnosed
- extracorporeal membrane oxygenation
- palliative care
- multiple sclerosis
- mechanical ventilation
- prognostic factors
- high glucose
- intensive care unit
- diabetic rats
- patient reported outcomes
- long term care