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This is the
first issue this year that has a number of paper from
Region varying from Metabolic syndrome to elderly care
special interest group, social and demographic issues.
Helvaci M.R et al studied consecutive
patients between the ages of 15 and 70 years to be able
to see possible consequences of under- and excess weight
on mental health and to avoid debility induced weight
loss in elder individuals. Patients with devastating
illnesses and a history of eating disorders were excluded
to avoid their possible effects on weight. The study
included 971 cases (554 females), totally. Prevalence
of underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obesity
were detected as 3.7%, 34.9%, 36.1%, and 25.2%, respectively.
There were not significant differences between the four
groups according to history of depression or current
need for a psychiatric consultation for any cause or
both (p>0.05 for all). The authors concluded that
Metabolic syndrome is a chronic low-grade inflammatory
process on vascular endothelium all over the body, terminating
with an accelerated atherosclerosis, early aging, end-organ
failures, and premature death. Although excess weight
is the main determiner factor of the metabolic syndrome,
neither under- nor excess weight has any adverse effect
on mental health. So mental health may not have a chronic
low-grade inflammatory background on vascular endothelium
in general.
A paper from Turkey looked at
the Elderly Care Special Interest Group of WONCA. Group
members consisted of 16 Family Medicine consultants
who worked in different health institutions. In the
newly initiated group, developing the concept of follow-up
of elderly patients in family medicine (%93.8) and preventive
measures for elderly needs (%87.5) were suggested mostly
for study areas. Developing an approach to elderly care
was seen as an opportunity but funding resources for
the projects and delays in coordination of the group
were mentioned as possible threats. The author conclude
that similar elderly care special interest group will
certainly emphasize the necessary issues relevant to
elderly care.
A paper from Iran looked at
Aging and Exposition to Social Problems in Asia with
a Focus on Iran. The paper explores how change in demographic
structure in Asia since 2000 has enhanced population
aging a phenomenon contributing to a variety of social
problems in different Asian societies. Increasing median
age has created a better chance of higher life expectancy
leading to population aging in general. In this way,
various social problems including caring, nursing, pensions,
homeliness, medication and so on, are left with such
aging population. As human beings, we are exposed to
increasing problems. We need to devise many policies
and practices to take into account to predictably occur
in later years such as retirement pensions, medical
interventions, social security etc. to help the aging
population in various occasions. While the phenomenon
is well subtle, it is not easily observed.
A paper from Lebanon looked
at demographic Changes in the GCC Countries. The overwhelming
demographic and social changes that have changed the
six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region (Bahrain,
Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab
Emirates) will continue in the coming decade. The GCC
population, total 45 mn people in 2011, less than 1%
of the global population. It has one of the fastest-growing
populations in the world. By 2020 this population is
forecast to increase by one-third, to 53m people. The
vast majority 54% will be under 25 years of age. This
is estimated to change to about 36 by 2050. The swift
growth and the relative youth of the population present
serious challenges as well as major opportunities (1).
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