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The importance of good history taking: a case report.
J Med Case Rep. 2015;9:97
Authors: Ghosh D, Karunaratne P
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Early comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) with good history-taking is essential in assessing the older adult.
CASE PRESENTATION: Our patient, a 75-year-old Caucasian woman, was originally admitted to hospital for investigation of iron deficiency anemia. During admission, she developed pneumonia and new intermittent atrial fibrillation in association with a right-sided weakness, which was felt to be new at the time. Following this episode, she was treated for a further chest infection and, despite clinical improvement, her inflammatory markers failed to settle satisfactorily. She was transferred to her local hospital for a period of rehabilitation where further neurological findings made the diagnosis of solely stroke questionable; these findings prompted further history-taking, investigations and input from other disciplines, thereby helping to arrive at a working diagnosis of vasculitic neuropathy.
CONCLUSIONS: The case aims to highlight the importance of taking a good history and performing an early comprehensive assessment in the older adult.
PMID: 25924859 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]