Clinical Geriatrics

Older adults’ health and well-being are a major focus for governments, communities, and for all who are involved in the care of this rapidly growing population. All indicators point to the significance of lifestyle interventions in successful aging, in both quality and quantity of life, as well as the potential cost-effectiveness of these strategies.

Introduction
Hip fracture is a common, debilitating condition and is increasing in incidence as the population ages. In 1990, there were an estimated 1.7 million hip fractures worldwide, and 90% of these injuries occurred in patients over the age of 50 years. This number is expected to grow to as many as 6.3 million globally by 2050.¹

This case report describes the inherent complexity of providing a safe, continuous spinal anesthetic to a septuagenarian who presented with a host of comorbidities, including acute myocardial infarction (MI) and renal dysfunction, and underwent a surgical repair for hip fracture. Unfortunately, this patient died postoperatively of a cardiac catheterization contrast-induced acute renal insufficiency and respiratory failure. This article reviews literature relevant to perioperative management and anesthesia techniques for this patient population with hip fracture and comorbidities.

Case Presentation

This article is the third in a continuing series on diabetes in the elderly. The second article in the series, “Quality Improvement in the Diagnosis and Management of Diabetes Mellitus in Older Adults,” was published in the May issue of the Journal. The remaining articles in the series will discuss such topics as insulin in the management of elderly patients with diabetes, the role of exercise and dietary supplements in the management of diabetes, and microvascular and macrovascular complications of diabetes.

Introduction

Proper lighting is necessary for vision and to carry out one’s daily activities. This aspect of light-light for vision - is well known by the general public and health professionals. What is less well appreciated is the large and growing body of scientific literature on light as a therapeutic agent. Indeed, although much has been documented over the past decades about its therapeutic uses, light is rarely prescribed by physicians and other healthcare providers. In part, this is because much is yet to be understood

MEETING REPORT
Stockholm, Sweden
September 15-19, 2007

The European Respiratory Society’s Annual Congress is the largest international gathering of health professionals and researchers involved in respiratory medicine in the world. This year, over 15,000 persons attended the meeting held in Stockholm, Sweden. This forum has increasingly become the preferred venue for the presentation of important new research findings and landmark clinical trials in the field of respiratory medicine. Some highlights from the