3 Medical Routines That Older People May Not Need
The New York Times • • general
Key Points:
- An 85-year-old patient was considered for a repeat colonoscopy, but recent research suggests limited benefits for such screenings after age 75, especially given potential risks like bleeding and complications from discontinuing blood thinners.
- Dr. Steven Itzkowitz noted that while he might have previously recommended the procedure without hesitation, he now questions its value in older patients due to the balance of risks and benefits.
- There is growing medical reconsideration of various common screenings, procedures, and medications in older adults, as some may no longer be necessary or beneficial at advanced ages.
- Examples include the treatment of actinic keratoses—common skin lesions from sun exposure—that may not require removal, and the potential safe discontinuation of certain thyroid medications in elderly patients.
- This shift reflects ongoing research aimed at optimizing healthcare by avoiding unnecessary interventions that offer minimal benefit and may pose risks in older populations.
