[ XXXX risk assessment in the older outpatients: Usefulness of the "T  tanos Quick Stick(  ")?]

@entity1 @entity116
INTRODUCTION: @entity116 is a serious disease, which could be potentially lethal. All cases are observed in @entity1 inadequately immunized. The immunochromatographic tests (including Tetanos quick Stick(  ) [TQS]) have demonstrated their efficiency in emergency setting. The aim of our study was to assess the usefulness of these tests in elderly outpatients seen in ambulatory settings. MATERIALS: This prospective study included @entity1 aged 65 years and over who presented to the outpatients' clinic of the Gerontologic Departmental Center (Marseille). A TQS and a self-administered questionnaire to assess risk factors for @entity116 were performed. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty-two @entity1 were studied. The prevalence of positive TQS was 66%. @entity1 have an average of 2.5 risk factors for @entity116 . Negative TQS was observed in 35% of @entity1 who had seen their general practitioner for a wound during the previous year. CONCLUSION: Elderly @entity1 accumulate several risk factors regardless of age and lifestyle. While physicians are familiar with the vaccine recommendations, they are often faced with the difficulty of assessing @entity1 's status based only on the @entity1 's interview, which is frequently not reliable. The implementation of immunochromatographic tests in general practice could help physicians in the management of @entity1 at risk for @entity116 .
