Best Wishes for a Healthy New Year
As we enter the last month of 2011, it is time to thank those who have helped make this year such a success for Clinical Geriatrics (CG). While I greatly appreciate our wonderful editorial staff and editorial board members, I would especially like to thank you, our readers, for making our mission of providing a first-rate and clinically useful journal possible. We have been pleased to see an increase in our monthly readership, number of article submissions, and sponsor support. I have enjoyed reading many of your letters and comments about articles we have published and look forward to continued communication as we strive to make CG one of your “must-read” journals each month. As always, we welcome your suggestions for topics and look forward to providing you with interesting and valuable information to help you in your daily practice of caring for the older adult.
This issue of CG features several articles that cover disorders that have a tremendous impact on society, affecting millions of Americans. As such, these articles will have broad interest, which I believe is a fitting way to end the calendar year.
In the United States, neuropathic pain affects more than 60% of diabetic persons. It is a major cause of diminished quality of life, but the more we know about its prevention and management, the better we can serve those affected. I hope you will find reading “Pharmacotherapy for Neuropathic Pain in the Elderly: Focus on Painful Diabetic Peripheral Neutropathy” useful. We will publish the second part of this article, which focuses on postherpetic neuralgia, in January.
Osteoporosis is a major cause of disability and increased hospitalization, morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III dataset reported that 13% to 18% of women 50 years and older have osteoporosis, with as many as 37% to 50% affected by osteopenia. As the baby boom population continues to age, an increasing number of persons will present with osteoporosis due to factors that might have been modifiable earlier in life. The already high and increasing prevalence of osteoporosis necessitates that we focus on preventing and treating this disorder. While many factors contribute to the development of osteoporosis, proper calcium and vitamin D levels are crucial for maintaining bone health. We are pleased to include “Vitamin D and Calcium: Implications for Healthy Aging” in this issue of CG. In addition to discussing the role of these nutrients in bone health, the article also examines their role in maintaining cardiometabolic health and cognition, and discusses their potential in cancer prevention. This article is the first in our new Nutrition in the Elderly series. The other articles in this series will examine vitamin B12, popular diets, and nutritional assessments in geriatric patients.
We conclude our Cardiovascular Issues in the Older Adult series with “Heart Failure in the Elderly." Although heart failure is not as prevalent as osteoporosis or neuropathies, it still affects millions of Americans and is a major cause of disability and mortality. We hope that this article provides you with useful information on managing this debilitating condition.
Finally, this issue of CG includes “Auricular Pseudocyst in an Older Man," a case report outlining the management of an auricular pseudocyst in a 74-year-old man. These lesions most commonly present in the third decade of life, making this case unusual. The authors discuss methods that have been used to treat this benign condition and describe their success using a watchful waiting approach over a 6-month period in their patient.
Unfortunately, along with the holidays comes flu season. Geriatric patients are especially prone to infection and tend to have longer recovery periods because of their comorbidities and diminished physiologic reserves. Educating these patients on the importance of being vaccinated is imperative, and the AGS patient tip sheet on page 53 can be used for this purpose.
On behalf of the entire CG staff, may you and your family have much joy and fulfillment this holiday season and best wishes for a happy and healthy New Year!
Dr. Gambert is Professor of Medicine and Associate Chair for Clinical Program Development, Co-Director, Division of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine; Director, Geriatric Medicine, University of Maryland Medical Center and R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center; and Professor of Medicine, Division of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD.
Send your comments and questions for Dr. Gambert to: amusante@hmpcommunications.com