Description

This edition begins with an erudite trans-atlantic analysis of the place of pulmonary critical care in elderly patients by Chris Nielson (Idaho) and Martin Connolly (Manchester). This review draws on an extensive volume of literature to provide us with rational and non-ageist guidance for this increasingly frequent clinical dilemma. Indeed, lack of clarity in this and other aspects of the management of respiratory disease in old age support the view that extant standards need to be developed as part of the next revision of the National Service Framework for Older People in the UK.

There is much anecdotal, and some hard, evidence that shoulder problems are not managed optimally in older subjects. For that reason I commissioned the excellent overview of the topic by Greg Summers which appears in this edition along with a superb set of illustrations. It is my intention to continue to obtain pieces on rheumatological conditions to cover the range of common joint, bone and muscle conditions encountered in geriatric practise. The paper on oral anticoagulation to prevent strokes in patients with atrial fibrillation by Drs Abdelhafiz and Wheeldon is comprehensive. This topic has been reviewed by other authors, and most readers will be familiar with the core facts and recommendations. However, I decided to publish this review in full to enable readers to avail themselves of the wide background body of evidence in this field, carefully summarised by the authors.

Feedback from the publishers indicates that the readership of the Geriatric Medicine CME Journal, as judged by subscriptions, is steadily rising, which is encouraging for me and other members of the editorial board. Nevertheless, I ask you to continue providing me with suggestions for commissioned work and papers to be considered for publication.

Stephen Allen
Editor