SPECIAL ARTICLE Geriatric Syndromes: Clinical, Research, and Policy Implications of a Core Geriatric Concept

Geriatricians have embraced the term ‘‘geriatric syndrome,’’ using it extensively to highlight the unique features of com-mon health conditions in older people. Geriatric syn-dromes, such as delirium, falls, incontinence, and frailty, are highly prevalent, multifactorial, and associated with substantial morbidity and poor outcomes. Nevertheless, this central geriatric concept has remained poorly defined. This article reviews criteria for defining geriatric syndromes and proposes a balanced approach of developing prelimi-nary criteria based on peer-reviewed evidence. Based on a review of the literature, four shared risk factorsFolder age, baseline cognitive impairment, baseline functional impair-ment, and impaired mobilityFwere identified across five common geriatric syndromes (pressure ulcers, incontin-ence, falls, functional decline, and delirium). Understandin