Hatim Al Lawati, MD, FRCPC, Cardiology Resident, Division of Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON.
Fatemeh Akbarian, MD, Dermatologist, Research Fellow, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON.
Mohammad Ali Shafiee, MD, FRCPC, General Internist, Nephrologist, Department of Medicine, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network; Clinician Teacher, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is by the far the most common cardiac rhythm disturbance encountered in clinical practice. It is associated with significant morbidity and mortality and has potentially lifelong implications in terms of therapy and complications. This disease is more commonly seen now given the increased life expectancy and the remarkable advances made in health care. The already at-risk older adult population is particularly vulnerable to complications from AF, especially embolic cerebrovascular events. This article reviews the evidence-based management of AF with a particular focus on the older adult population.
Key words: atrial fibrillation, older adults, stroke, rate control, rhythm control, stroke prophylaxis, anticoagulation.

Erin Dahlke, MD, Dermatology Resident, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON.
Christian A. Murray, MD, FRCPC, Assistant Professor of Medicine and Dermatology, University of Toronto; Co-director of Dermatologic Surgery, Women’s College Hospital, Toronto, ON.

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is a common, slow-growing malignant skin tumour that only very rarely metastasizes. The main subtypes of BCC are nodular, superficial, and sclerosing. The most important risk factors for the development of BCC include fair skin, extensive sun exposure as a child, past personal history of skin cancer, and advanced age. Basal cell carcinoma is the most common human malignancy, and its incidence is increasing worldwide. There are a number of different treatm ent modalities for BCC including topical therapies, cryotherapy, electrodesiccation and curettage, surgical excision, radiotherapy, and Mohs’ micrographic surgery. Treatment should be tailored to the individual situation, and advanced age does not typically alter the management choice or reduce the expectation of an excellent outcome, including cure.
Key words: basal cell carcinoma, nonmelanoma skin cancer, risk factors, epidemiology, treatment.

Madappa N. Kundranda, MD, PhD, Department of Hematology/Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ, USA.
Joseph Mikhael, MD, Department of Hematology/Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ, USA.

Multiple myeloma (MM) is an uncommon malignant plasma cell disorder that often presents in older adults. An accurate diagnosis is critical as a spectrum of plasma cell disorders have been defined, including monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance, smouldering/asymptomatic multiple myeloma, multiple myeloma, and plasma cell leukemia. Although multiple myeloma is incurable disease, survival over 7 years is possible, during which patients can enjoy a good quality of life. Many therapeutic options now exist for individuals with MM who are ineligible for autologous stem cell transplantation; these include adding thalidomide, bortezomib, and lenalidomide to the current standard of melphalan and prednisone.
Key words: multiple myeloma, MGUS, older adults, plasma cell leukemia, supportive care.

Amitabh Gupta, MD, Clinical Fellow, Movement Disorders Centre, Toronto Western Hospital, University of Toronto, ON.
Susan Fox, MD, Assistant Professor, Movement Disorders Centre, Toronto Western Hospital, University of Toronto, ON.

Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is a rare, fatal neurodegenerative disease with limited treatment options that is characterized by gait and postural instability and a classical vertical supranuclear gaze palsy. Initially often misdiagnosed as idiopathic Parkinson’s disease (IPD), proper patient care in PSP may be delayed until late into the disease course, after dopaminergic medication fails to improve symptoms. Here, we review the diagnostic criteria that help to separate PSP from IPD and rarer forms of parkinsonian diseases to help clinicians with earlier recognition. We discuss current treatment concepts as well as ongoing experimental approaches that are derived from an emerging pathological understanding.
Key words: progressive supranuclear palsy, clinical diagnosis, imaging, differential diagnosis, management.

Jackie Gardner-Nix, MB BS, PhD, MRCP(UK), Assistant Professor, University of Toronto; Chronic Pain Consultant, Department of Anesthesia, St Michael’s Hospital; and Pain Management Programme, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON.

The management of neuropathic pain at any age is aimed at the relief of suffering rather than focusing on decreasing pain scores, and it should involve even simple measures that affect pain and coping. Addressing physical stressors—poor diet, hydration, and sleep quality and quantity—is particularly relevant in older adults. Medications relieving neuropathic pain may be adjunctive to initial interventions and need to be carefully assessed for efficacy and side effects to ensure they relieve, rather than add to, suffering.
Key words: neuropathic pain, analgesics, older adults, mindfulness, psychological interventions.

Eric Widera, MD, Division of Geriatrics, University of California at San Francisco; San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center, San Francisco, CA, USA.
Alex Smith, MD, Division of Geriatrics, University of California at San Francisco; San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center, San Francisco, CA, USA.

This article highlights the complex challenges seen when managing pain in patients with moderate or advanced dementia. Recent evidence demonstrates that pain is often poorly recognized and treated in patients with cognitive impairment. The progressive decline in cognitive function often leads to difficulties in expressing and recalling painful experiences. Making pain assessments routine and combining patient reports, caregiver reports, and direct observation may help alleviate this poor recognition of pain. Once pain is confirmed, a comprehensive history and physical examination are central in determining the underlying cause of pain and in choosing the best modality to treat the pain.
Key words: dementia, cognitive impairment, pain, opioids, assessment.

M. Faisal Jhandir, MD, RVT, Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine, Co-Chair Vascular Risk Reduction Program, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB.
Robert J. Herman, MD, FRCPC, Professor of Medicine, Head, Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB.
Norm R.C. Campbell, MD, FRCPC, Professor of Medicine, Physiology and Pharmacology and Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary and Libin Cardiovascular Institute, Calgary, AB.

The World Health Organization has named hypertension the leading risk for death globally in adults. Antihypertensive therapy reduces the risks of major cardiovascular complications. As blood pressure increases with increasing age, frequent screening for hypertension is advisable in older adults. The risk of developing hypertension is about 90% even in normotensive 65 year olds. Until recently, data supporting antihypertensive therapy in the very old had been inconclusive. However, the HYVET trial published in 2008 shows a clear reduction in cardiovascular events and mortality. Based on this study the Canadian Hypertension Education Program recommends treating hypertension regardless of age. Attention should also be given to reducing overall cardiovascular risk.
Key words: hypertension, high blood pressure, older adults, recommendations, HYVET study.

Carrie Lynde, MD, Dermatology PGY-1, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON.
John Kraft, MD, Dermatology PGY-4, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON.
Charles Lynde, MD, FRCPC, Assistant Professor, Division of Dermatology, University of Toronto; Dermatology consultant for Metropolitan Homes for the Aged, Toronto; Markham Stouffville Hospital; Scarborough Grace Hospital, Toronto, ON.

Psoriasis is a chronic relapsing skin disease. Age of onset is bimodal with a peak in second to third decades and the sixth decade. Individuals affected by psoriasis usually complain of lower self-esteem. Choice of therapy depends on many factors, including areas affected, extent of disease, patient’s lifestyle, other health problems, and medications. Many effective therapies exist, including topicals, phototherapy, systemics, and biologicals.
Key words: psoriasis, comorbidities, topical steroids, phototherapy, biologics.

William Lear, MD, FRCPC, FAAD, Dermatologist, Silver Falls Dermatology PC, Salem, OR, USA.
Jennifer Akeroyd, RN, PhD student, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA.

In this article, we discuss skin findings affecting older adults, with a focus on pruritus, flushing, dermatitis, and ulcers, and consider related internal diseases. Our goal is to make this information readily transferable to the clinical setting for the non-dermatologist.
Key words: dermatology, skin manifestations, older adults, pruritus, flushing, dermatitis, ulcers.

Elizabeth Pham, MD, Resident Physician, Department of Medicine, University of California, Irvine Medical Center, Orange, CA, USA.
Solomon Liao, MD, Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Medicine, University of California, Irvine Medical Center, Orange, CA, USA.

As the population ages, elder mistreatment is a growing concern in North America, and it includes physical and financial abuse and neglect. Careful documentation of the history, physical examination, and diagnostic data help achieve a clinical assessment that may be crucial to the outcome of a legal case and the protection of a patient. Good medical documentation ultimately saves clinicians time and demonstrates competency. This article discusses the items clinicians need to document in suspected cases of elder mistreatment. The emphasis is on issues that are above or beyond those performed in a routine clinical encounter.
Key words: elder mistreatment, elder neglect, elder abuse, financial exploitation, forensic documentation.