The enigma of quaternary prevention in Primary Care. When and when not to do it (presentation of two cases)

• Published in: Semergen, medicina de familia Vol. 39; no. 6; pp. 313 - 315
• Main Authors: Cucalón, J M, Guiu, M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English; Spanish
• Published: Spain 01-09-2013
• Subjects: Aged, 80 and over; Androgen Antagonists - adverse effects; Anilides - adverse effects; Bone Density Conservation Agents - adverse effects; Cyproterone - adverse effects; Female; Humans; Inappropriate Prescribing - prevention & control; Indoles - adverse effects; Male; Nitriles - adverse effects; Osteoporosis - drug therapy; Primary Health Care; Prostatic Neoplasms - drug therapy; Tosyl Compounds - adverse effects; Atención Primaria; Casos clínicos; Primary Care; Prevención cuaternaria; Quaternary prevention; Clinical cases
• ISSN: 1578-8865
• DOI: 10.1016/j.semerg.2012.06.011

Quaternary prevention has been commonly defined with the "primum non nocere" of classical texts by many authors. The daily life of our primary care consultations are full of patients in which we wondered if we try to obtain the benefit of our intervention will exceed the damage we cause him to intervene. Patients with multiple comorbidities, polypharmacy and complex are common in our consultations and it is becoming more difficult to move the balance of our actions, diagnostic or therapeutic benefit to the side. Through 2 cases often move to the reflection of this problem. Quaternary prevention must also be present in our daily activities.