Editor's Note, Volume 11 Issue 3

D’Arcy Little, MD, CCFP, FCFP, FRCPC Medical Director, JCCC and HealthPlexus.NET

I am pleased to introduce the next edition of the Journal of Current Clinical Care.
Dr. Pradeep Shenoy offers the first of a three part CME series on ENT Emergencies. The first presentation is on Otologic Disorders. Physicians who complete this program should be able to recognize that most ENT emergencies can be managed in the ER or by family doctors with knowledge of ENT. They should be able to review that it is important to manage patients promptly and effectively with basic ENT training and comprehend when to refer the patients to the ENT surgeon. In addition, be able to recognize that a few basic investigations will prevent delay to see the patients by an ENT specialist and explain the most appropriate investigation to handle ENT treatment.

In their article, Drs. Mosaab Alsuwaihel, and Sean Christie describe Surgical Management of Spondyloarthropathies in the Age of Disease Altering Drugs. Inflammatory spondyloarthropathies produce synovitis of the spinal joints in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), or enthesitis, in ankylosing spondylitis (AS). In RA, progressive disease leads to synovial destruction, ligamentous laxity, pannus formation and deformity. In AS progressive enthesitis results in ascending ossification, kyphotic deformity and rigidity which increase the risk of fracture. Although the need for surgery has decreased with the advent of new disease altering drugs, there remains a number of indications when surgical consultation remains important.

Dr. Marina Abdel Malak, offers 'Preventing Aging'—What Strategies can Physicians Advise? The Canadian population continues to age, and therefore, promoting healthy aging is essential. Physicians play an important role in counselling patients on how they can optimize their health. Despite the range of societal myths and fads, the 4 pillars of health are the strategies that have been shown by evidence to promote healthy aging.

I hope you enjoy this latest edition. Please consider commenting or submitting an article of your own.