Issue

INTRODUCTION
Influenza is a very common respiratory illness. It usually occurs in 15-25% of the world’s human population each year.1-3 This illness typically has a low death rate, with average overall mortality rates of 0.1% or less. However, influenza carries much higher rates of morbidity and mortality in the elderly and other vulnerable populations,2-5 and thus it is of special interest to geriatricians and public health physicians.

Influenza epidemics have been well documented since Buonissequi described the “grande influenza” in 1357.6 At least 31 influenza pandemics have occu

CASE PRESENTATION
Mrs. G is a 76-year-old widowed woman admitted to the hospital due to abdominal pain and distension. She has lost 30 lbs over the past 6 months. Mrs. G had been the main caregiver for her husband, who died 3 months earlier after suffering from lymphoma for more than 5 years. She has two daughters who live in distant states, whom she last saw at their father’s funeral. Mrs. G has been living alone since the death of her husband. A neighbor has been visiting her and became concerned when she did not answer the door all day. The neighbor called the police to check on Mrs. G,

For years, many of the elderly have been suffering from back pain secondary to osteoporotic vertebral fractures. The National Osteoporosis Foundation reported that 10 million people have osteoporosis, with an estimated 700,000 osteoporosis-related vertebral body compression fractures occurring each year.1 Osteoporotic fractures accounted for 2.5 million physician visits in 1995, with 435,000 hospital admissions, 180,000 nursing home admissions, and $13.5 billion in direct medical expenses.2

Physicians have been using traditional methods of treatment for vertebral body fractures, including

FULL DISCLOSURE POLICY AFFECTING CME ACTIVITIES As a provider accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), it is the policy of Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine to require the disclosure of the existence of any significant financial interest or any other relationship a faculty member or provider has with the manufacturer(s) of any commercial product(s) discussed in an educational presentation. Dr. Aronow has indicated that he has not received financial support for consultation, research or evaluation nor has a financial interest relevant to this a

February 2006

This continuing medical education activity is presented by the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland. The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine takes responsibility for the content, quality, and scientific integrity of this CME activity.

These examination questions are based on the article “Valvular Aortic Stenosis in the Elderly,” which appears on pages 37-46 in this issue of Clinical Geriatrics.

ACCREDITATION
The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Educat

A great deal has happened since the start of the Medicare Part D programs, resulting in a whole host of new issues and questions that we will address and answer on an ongoing basis. We also encourage you to submit questions so that we can address concerns and issues in the pages of the Journal for everyone’s benefit.

On January 1, the Medicare prescription drug plan began. Soon after, difficulties were exposed with the program in two major areas: enrollment and accessing medications. People seemed surprised that these difficulties grew rather than lessened over the first few weeks. Of co

As we age, the burden of chronic disease becomes increasingly prevalent, not only for the affected individual but also for society. While diseases of the heart, cancer, and stroke are the three most common causes of death in the United States, the three top causes of disability remain arthritis, back or spine problems, and heart disease. Of course, prevention is always the best option, but for many, unfortunately, we are faced with recognizing and treating what has already become a long-standing problem. Our goal is to maintain function and independence as best as possible and to prevent furth