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Neuropsychiatric complications of corticosteroids in older people

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 June 2014

Aideen Freyne
Aideen Freyne*
Affiliation:
St Vincent's University Hospital, Elm Park, Dublin 4, Ireland
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Abstract

The neuropsychiatric effects of corticosteroids are well described in the literature but relatively little is known specifically about their effects among older people. As the population ages, and increasing numbers of older people receive assertive medical treatment for physical conditions, more patients are likely to present to psychiatric services suffering from adverse neuropsychiatric effects associated with corticosteroid use. A review of the effects of corticosteroids among older people was carried out through Medline and PubMed searches and a review of article references. Very little has been specifically written about steroid use and the effects on older people. This paper briefly outlines the current level of knowledge of neuropsychiatric effects of steroids, and relates this to general treatment considerations for older subjects. Recommendations for further research and early identification of complications are made.

Keywords

NeuropsychiatricCorticosteroidsElderly
Type
Review
Information
Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine , Volume 22 , Issue 1 , March 2005 , pp. 22 - 25
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2005

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