Geriatric Medicine

Our Research

The Department of Geriatric Medicine is engaged in research that examines the major clinical syndromes experienced by older persons in the community: falls, mobility disorders, delirium, dementia, continence, polypharmacy and frailty.

Our research into falls prevention includes multicentre randomised controlled trials of exercise therapy in Parkinson's disease, dementia and mild cognitive impairment.

Our work on incontinence has led to multinational collaborations and an update of the Chapter on Incontinence in the Frail Elderly (6TH International Consultation on Incontinence) and participation in an International Consortium for Health Outcomes Measurement (ICHOM) for Overactive Bladder (OAB).

The safe use of medications in older persons is the focus of many of our ongoing studies.

Key Achievements

We have ongoing research collaborations with Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Pharmacy and the University of Sydney.

Research Staff

• Dr George Szonyi, International Consultation of Incontinence and ICHOM for OAB
• Associate Professor Mark Latt, Falls, Parkinson's disease , Dementia and Polypharmacy
• Ms Annie Hepworth, Falls, Delirium and Dementia
• Dr Scott Murray, Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation
• Dr Cristina Cristoloveanu, Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation

Publications and Presentations

Publication Details:

1. Latt MD, Lewis S, Zekry O, Fung VSC. Factors to Consider in the Selection of Dopamine Agonists for Older Persons with Parkinson's Disease. Drugs & Aging. 2019 Mar;36(3):189-202.
2. Kahlaee R, Latt M, Schneider CR. Comment on: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses of the Association Between Anti-hypertensive Classes and the Risk of Falls Among Older Adults. Drugs & Aging 2018;36(3). 
3. Pelicioni PHS, Brodie MA, Latt MD, Menant JC, Menz HB, Fung VSC, Lord SR. Head and trunk stability during gait before and after levodopa intake in Parkinson's disease subtypes. Experimental Gerontology 2018; 111: 78-85.
4. Koren D, Laidsaar-Powell R, Tilden W, Latt M, Butow P. Health care providers' perceptions of family caregivers' involvement in consultations within a geriatric hospital setting. Geriatr Nurs 2018; 39(4): 419-427.
5. Kahlaee R, Latt MD, Schneider CR. Association between chronic or acute use of antihypertensive class of medications and falls in older adults. A systematic review and meta-analysis. American Journal of Hypertension 2018; 31(4): 467-479.

Presentations:

1. Digital Health Research with Interdisciplinary Collaboration. Organiser and Chairperson. World Universities Network. Lecture Theatre 4002, Sydney Nanoscience Hub, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 10 December, 2018. 
2. A Multidisciplinary Approach to Dizziness in Older People Workshop. 8th Biennial Australian and New Zealand Falls Prevention Conference, Hobart, Tasmania 17 November, 2018. 
3. Pharmacological management of pain in older persons. Pharmacology in Chronic Pain Management. Pre-Conference Workshop. 8 April 2018. 38th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Australian Pain Society and New Zealand Pain Society, Sydney, New South Wales 8-11 April, 2018.   
4. Pharmacology and Geriatric Syndromes. Topical Concurrent Session 3F: Management of pain in older people. 10 April 2018. 38th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Australian Pain Society and New Zealand Pain Society, Sydney, New South Wales 8-11 April, 2018.

Research Grants

 

Granting Body	Awardees	Project Title	Grant total	Years
Worldwide Universities Network/WUN Research Development Fund	Poon S, Latt M, Tsoi K, Lee A, Duan Z, Zand M, Morris M, Johnson O, Tiropanis T, Wyatt J	The Role of Big Data in Addressing the Determinants of Non-communicable Diseases in the Ageing Era	£27,723	2017-2019
The Michael J. Fox Foundation and Shake It Up Australia Foundation	Brodie M, Delbaere K, Vigano D, Canning C, Lovell N, Lord S, Close S, Lung T, Fung V, Reeves J-A, Henderson E, Schreier S, Latt M and Carroll V.	Standing Tall-PD		2018-2020

Contact details for department

Head of Department: Dr George Szonyi

Department/Unit: Geriatric Medicine
Address:
RPA Hospital
Missenden Road
Camperdown NSW 2050
Telephone: (02) 9515 9800
Facsimile: (02) 9515 9801
Web: www.slhd.nsw.gov.au/research
Email: George.Szonyi@health.nsw.gov.au