September

CASE: 14-month-old Janine (not her real name) was referred for assessment of her “bowed legs.” X-rays showed cupping and fraying of the metaphysis and osteopenia. Further history revealed that Janine had been exclusively breastfed until 6 months of age but had not received vitamin D supplementation. Janine has vitamin D deficient rickets.

References

BC physicians are playing an active role in rethinking antibiotic use. No doubt, our motivation increases as we see the problem of antibiotic resistance, once largely confined to hospitals, affect our patients in community practice. Skin and soft tissue infections from MRSA and drug-resistant urinary tract infections are seen commonly throughout the province.

References

In the early 1900s “geriatrics” was a new word. Today geriatric psychiatry is a recognized subspecialty informed by substantial knowledge of human physiology. Medical science, particularly preventive medicine, has contributed dramatically to the great swell of elderly populations—and programs aimed at preventing heart disease, diabetes, alcoholism, and other diseases have proven that health promotion is effective.

Findings from the Canadian Addictions Survey (2004) indicate that 16% of adults age 55 and older report heavy drinking, de­fined as more than 14 drinks a week for men and 9 drinks for women, and almost half of these heavy drinkers report consuming more than 5 drinks on one occasion at least once a month.[1] 

Depression is the most common mental health problem in the elderly[1] and is associated with a significant burden of illness that affects patients, their families, and communities and takes an economic toll as well. Prevalence studies suggest that 14% to 20% of the elderly living in the community experience depressive symptoms,[2] with higher rates among the elderly in hospital (12% to 45%)[3] and even higher rates in long-term care facilities (an estimated 40%).[4]