Editorial
Editor: Abdulrazak Abyad
Middle East Journal of Age and Aging
was launched in the Summer of 2004.
It is clear that elderly Care in the Middle East is still lagging
behind. However a lot of interest has been seen recently. We are
planning to have two more issues this year and to increase the
frequency of the journal starting in the year 2007. In addition
we are announcing the official launch of the Middle East Network
on Ageing Research MENAR.
There is a substantial research need
in the ageing field in the Middle-East. Research is an essential
prerequisite in developing the speciality further in the area,
and in developing evidence-based practice. Therefore we are
in the process of establishing the Middle East Network on Ageing
Research (MENAR) which will be linked to a number of international
organizations dealing with elderly issues including InterRAI
international.
The aim of the MENAR is to develop Geriatrics
and Gerontology Research in the area, in particular to do the
following:
- To build the aging research network
to fulfil unmet research needs.
- To do collaborative research within
the area, and with other networks.
- To lobby for financial support for
research in the Aging field from different organisations.
- To help in the development of research
training programmes, and the professional development of family
physicians/researchers.
- To organise conferences that deal
with research in Ageing.
- To establish a number of experts
from a multidisciplinary background to act as advisors and
mentors.
- To help in publication of research
studies from the region.
- To foster collaboration between individual
physicians, centres and countries within the Region.
- To help in the exchange of ideas
and methodologies in the area.
Membership in the MENAR is being developed
rapidly, and now includes representatives from different countries
in Eastern Mediterranean region. Membership from individuals
as well as from networks is being solicited at this time. Membership
is free, however any potential contribution will be helpful
in strengthening the network. In order to become a member you
need to fill the form available in the mini website.
Currently there are representatives
from ten countries as members of MENAR, in addition to two national
networks. We will commence our first research project soon.
This issue of the journal has a variable
mix of papers from the area , and internationally. A study from
Jordan compared the effects of sub-Tenon's and different doses
of intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide injection on visual
acuity and intraocular pressure in management of diffuse macular
oedema. The study was a prospective study that included 80 patients
(eyes) with diffuse diabetic macular oedema. There was no significant
difference in the final visual acuity in patients with diffuse
diabetic macular oedema receiving either sub-Tenon's injection
or intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide (2 mg or 20 mg). Sub-Tenon's
triamcinolone had the advantage of less intraocular pressure
elevation.
A common problem in the elderly was
discussed in a paper on Vertigo, Tinnitus, and Hearing Loss
in the Geriatric Patients. The authors assessed 40 patients
over the age of 65 years for vestibular function in two groups
of elderly patients based on their complaints of vertigo, tinnitus
and hearing disorders. . They concluded that Vertigo, tinnitus
and hearing loss largely affect elderly subjects, especially
the ones that do not have an active life, as opposed to those
that perform different activities in elderly groups. vestibular
disorders, detected by vectoelectronystagmography were similar
in both studied groups.
A study from Iran report on Serum Lipid
Levels in Tehranian people . A total of 2000 participants' aged
more than 60 years who were living in Tehran, were selected
by random sampling process. The mean Serum Triglycerides (TG)
Concentration of older people above 60 years was 181 mg / dl;
whereas the mean Serum Total Cholesterol (TC) Concentration
of older people above 60 years was 218 mg / dl., the mean Serum
HDL - c Concentration of older people above 60 years was 47
mg / dl , HDL whereas the mean Serum LDL - c Concentration of
older people above 60 years was 138 mg / dl. The authors concluded
that since CVD events are increased by elevated Total Cholesterol
and LDL Cholesterol, and high prevalence of Lipoproteinemia
in older people in Tehran, design and execution of Comprehensive
Geriatric assessment is needed to reduce patients at high risk
of Cardiac events.
A paper from the United Kingdom reviewed
Malnutrition in an Ageing Population. In this paper the authors
reviewed the literature on malnutrition in an Ageing Population.
They concluded that a number of physical, mental, social and
environmental changes which take place with ageing may affect
the nutritional status of elderly people. They stressed the
high prevalence of malnutrition risk in this population and
the potential of appropriate screening processes to remove this
risk. Nutritional screening should be given a high priority.
They concluded that Nutritional "screening tools",
using combinations of markers of malnutrition have been demonstrated
to be simple, rapid, acceptable, reliable and valid methods
of nutritional screening.
Dr Al Kurashi NS et al reviewed the
concept of Home Health Care Team. The authors stressed the importance
of such a team and that Home Health Care (HHC) is that component
of a continuum of comprehensive health care whereby health services
are provided to individuals and families in their places of
residence for the purpose of promoting, maintaining or restoring
health, or maximizing the level of independence, while minimizing
the effects of disability and illness, including terminal illness.
Dr Ellis M discussed the different perspectives
and models of the quality of life. He stressed that more and
more quality of life is judged in terms of wealth rather than
in terms of such immeasurable faculties such as happiness, creativity,
well being, generosity of spirit and a sense of compassion and
connectedness.
Fariba Teymoori F reviewed the SOCIAL
WELFARE AND HEALTH (MENTAL, SOCIAL, PHYSICAL) STATUS OF AGED
PEOPLE IN IRAN.
The authors reviewed Iran census for aged people in details.
They discussed the social welfare, and health status of aged
people in Iran. In social welfare status they focused on issues
like social security, welfare, shelter, education, family pattern,
and income. In health status, they focused on different categories:
mental health, physical health, and social health. Since old
age is associated with more dependency and is concomitant with
other related diseases, in order to confront these problems
different kinds of health, medical, and economical facilities
should be considered.
A well rounded review from Australia
on Pre-operative evaluation of the elderly. The authors discussed
issues concerning elderly surgical admissions, and these include:
general health, language issues, informed consent, family support,
pain management and follow up. They stressed the importance
of providing discharge summaries to the patient's family and
referring doctor as many elderly patients are on multiple medication
and have concomitant illness.
