The effect of age on the hydroxylation of amylobarbitone sodium in man

1 Following a single oral dose of amylobarbitone sodium it has been shown that a group of young subjects convert a higher proportion of the dose to 3'-hydroxyamylobarbitone than a group of elderly subjects. 2 Twenty-four hours after the administration of the drug, the mean plasma level of amylobarbitone in the elderly group is significantly higher than in the group of young subjects. 3 It is concluded that the rate of hydroxylation of amylobarbitone sodium decreases with age.

Is the Amerlex free-thyroxine assay a useful screening test in the elderly?

The results of screening 1140 acutely-ill elderly patients with the Amersham Amerlex FT4 assay are presented. Nonthyroidal illness was the commonest cause of abnormal results and we stress the importance of performing confirmatory tests in this group of patients.

Rehabilitation in geriatric orthopaedics

The paper reviews the advantages to be gained from a joint approach to fractured neck of femur by departments of orthopaedic surgery and geriatric medicine.