Supporting Research and Public Education in Digestive Disorders

Gary A. Levy, MD, FRCP, President, Canadian Digestive Health Foundation; Director, Multi Organ Transplant Program, Toronto General Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON.

The Burden of Digestive Disorders in Canada
Many are aware of the devastating impact that diseases such as cancer and heart disease have on Canadians. However, few might realize that digestive diseases constitute an even greater health and economic burden, and seriously impair quality of life.

Despite the staggering statistics (see sidebar), funding for education and research from provincial and federal agencies lags far behind the prevalence and burden of disease. As an example, from 1988-1998, successful government gastroenterology grants decreased from 76 to 53. The total dollar value for digestive disease research also decreased from $6 million to $4.4 million over the same period.

Introducing the Canadian Digestive Health Foundation
In 1991, the Canadian Digestive Health Foundation (CDHF; then the Canadian Digestive Disease Foundation) was formed by a small group of Canadian gastroenterologists interested in enhancing the profile of gastroenterology in Canada and generating a stable source of funds for research and education. In 1994, the Foundation became a charitable organization. Between 1995 and 2000, one to two grants in gastrointestinal research were awarded annually, funding seven young investigators who have since become key members of the Canadian GI research community. However, it was only in the last few years that the organization began to grow towards its full potential.

In 2001, renewed support allowed the Foundation to establish a National Office. The Canadian Association of Gastroenterology (CAG), a professional society of physicians, other health care professionals and basic scientists, fully endorsed the Foundation as its fundraising foundation. Strong ties with the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) offered new research funding opportunities. With this revitalization, the organization became the Canadian Digestive Health Foundation and redefined its mandate.

In 2001/2002, the Foundation made great strides in the arenas of research and public education. A detailed listing of all CDHF-sponsored research can be found on the CDHF website.

Public Education and the CDHF
Last year the CDHF launched its website (www.cdhf.ca) as the primary means of providing education for patients and the public regarding digestive diseases. Among other resources, the site contains a growing library of information on various gastrointestinal problems, prepared by key Canadian medical experts specializing in the area. While contacts from patients have confirmed the usefulness of this information, patients clearly desire a forum to interact with medical specialists regarding their particular situation. To meet this need, the CDHF is pleased to introduce a new program coming in January 2003 called Ask a Specialist.

This program allows you and your patients to ask a Canadian gastrointestinal specialist a question about a particular digestive disorder or health issue, via e-mail, and receive an answer within seven days. Please join us for the first installment in the series, Ask a Specialist About Dyspepsia, beginning January 1, 2003 at www.cdhf.ca.

Jeff Silverman, MD, FRCPC, Fellow in Adult Hematology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON.
William Geerts, MD, FRCPC, Consultant in Clinical Thromboembolism, Sunnybrook and Women's College Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON.

Introduction
Thrombocytopenia, defined as a platelet count of less than 150 x 10⁹/L, is an important clinical problem most commonly encountered in hospitalized patients. Although the differential diagnosis is extensive (Table 1), it is essential to always consider heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) in patients with thrombocytopenia who are hospitalized or who have recently been in a hospital.^1,2

HIT is an adverse drug reaction induced by exposure to heparin that is followed by thrombocytopenia, platelet activation and a dramatic increase in thrombosis risk. Although it is one of the most common and serious drug reactions in hospitalized patients, HIT is frequently not recognized until a major thromboembolic complication has resulted. However, if diagnosed and treated promptly, the outcome is generally favourable. With the widespread use of heparin in the elderly, geriatric patients constitute the largest population at risk of developing HIT. Therefore, clinicians providing care for the elderly must be able to recognize and manage HIT effectively and efficiently.

K. Farcnik, MD, FRCP(C), Psychiatrist, Division of Geriatric Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON.
M. Persyko, PsyD, CPsych, Division of Geriatric Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON.

Significant work has been done in the treatment of Alzheimer disease (AD) since cholinesterase inhibitors (CI) were approved in Canada five years ago. This has led to a better understanding of these drugs in terms of their different properties, therapeutic efficacy and indications for switching, and their use has since been extended to the treatment of AD with vascular pathology. Other treatments for AD, such as estrogens and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), have also been evaluated further, while newer treatments, including a vaccine for AD, are currently in development. Although research outcomes have not always been positive, a significant effort is being made to achieve greater impact in a disease that is becoming ever more prevalent.

Cholinesterase Inhibitors
Currently, the CIs are the only class of drugs that have been proven efficacious in the symptomatic treatment of AD.¹ There are two types of CIs: acetyl and butyryl. Butyrylcholinesterase levels in the brain increase with the progression of AD, whereas levels of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase decrease.² The CIs approved in Canada that have demonstrated efficacy as well as a favourable safety profile are donepezil, rivastigmine and galantamine.

Typical or atypical? It depends on your point of view

Dr. Clarfield is the Chief of Geriatrics, Soroka Hospital Centre, Professor, Faculty of Medicine, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beersheva, Israel, and Professor (Adjunct), Division of Geriatric Medicine, McGill University and Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC., Canada.

Mr. CL, an 84-year-old gentleman, had coped reasonably well with his Parkinson's disease for several years. One Saturday evening he began to act strangely: muttering to himself, wandering aimlessly throughout the house, and from time to time uncharacteristically swearing at his wife. Mrs. L was surprised and distressed by her husband's behaviour since he had never before acted in this manner.

That Saturday night was difficult for Mrs. L, but eventually Mr. L fell asleep. The next morning he seemed somewhat improved, but as the afternoon wore on he once more began to act in the bizarre manner of the previous day. Sunday night was a repeat of the previous night and Mr. L's elderly wife was exhausted and at her wits end by Monday morning.

On that afternoon, Mrs. L phoned her husband's neurologist. He prescribed thioridazine 25mg b.i.d. to be added to the usual regimen of carbidopa/levodopa. The physician hurriedly mentioned something about patients with Parkinson's disease eventually developing dementia. Though horrified by this grave news, Mrs. L dutifully complied, providing the medication, as prescribed, to her husband.

The Lung Association Helps Patients Learn to Manage COPD

Susan Lightstone, co-author of Every Breath I Take: A Guide to Living with COPD, and former Senior Advisor for the National Judicial Institute, Ottawa, ON.

Looking hopeful and gazing skyward, Lorraine LeBlanc is pictured on the front cover of The BreathWorks Plan, a 41-page educational guide about living with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) written for those, like Ms. LeBlanc, who know they have the disease or those who suspect they might have it. The guide is plainly written and full of practical advice for COPD patients on how to work together with their doctors to manage their disease, and is also intended for use by the family, friends and caregivers of those with COPD.

The BreathWorks Plan is distributed free of charge and forms an integral part of The Lung Association's recently announced BreathWorks Program.

D'Arcy Little, MD, CCFP, Lecturer and Academic Fellow, Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto; Director of Medical Education, York Community Services; 2002 Royal Canadian Legion Fellow in Care of the Elderly at Baycrest Centre, Toronto, ON.

Introduction
I was recently given the difficult task of creating a paper on the application of developmental theory to the human condition of dementia. Given the complexity of that endeavor, this article will address both content and process issues involved. I will start with a consideration of the relevant developmental stage as conceptualized by Erikson, and then demonstrate that the biomedical model of dementia is actually insufficient to allow a discussion of dementia in a developmental context. This will be followed by an introduction to a paradigm shift from the biomedical model to the social-environmental model whereby developmental issues in dementia can be more fully explored. The prominence of spirituality as a means to resolve Erikson's final crisis of integrity versus despair will be discussed with reference to both personal reflection as well as recent arguments by clinical ethicists and psychologists working in this field and a prominent patient with dementia. Finally, connections to a different developmental model will serve to confirm the views put forth here.

Erikson's Life Cycle: Application to Dementia
According to Erikson, the dominant antithesis in old age is "integrity versus despair".

Part 3: Coordination, Balance and Gait

David J. Gladstone, BSc, MD, Fellow, Cognitive Neurology and Stroke Research Unit, Sunnybrook and Women's College Health Sciences Centre, Division of Neurology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON.
Sandra E. Black, MD, FRCPC, Professor of Medicine (Neurology), University of Toronto; Head, Division of Neurology and Director, Cognitive Neurology Unit, Sunnybrook and Women's College Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON.

Abstract
This four-part series of articles provides an overview of the neurological examination of the elderly patient, particularly as it applies to patients with cognitive impairment, dementia or cerebrovascular disease. The focus is on the method and interpretation of the bedside physical examination; the mental state and cognitive examinations are not covered in this review. Part 1 (featured in the September issue of Geriatrics & Aging) began with an approach to the neurological examination in normal aging and in disease, and reviewed components of the general physical, head and neck, neurovascular and cranial nerve examinations relevant to aging and dementia. Part 2 (featured in the October issue) covered the motor examination with an emphasis on upper motor neuron signs and movement disorders.

J. George Fodor, MD, PhD, FRCPC, FAHA, Professor of Medicine, Head of Research, University of Ottawa Heart Institute Prevention and Rehabilitation Centre, Ottawa, ON.

It is worthwhile to review the issue of hypertension in the elderly not only because it will become an ever-increasing problem with our aging population, but also because of the robust database currently at our disposal concerning improved risk assessment and efficacious therapy.

The Epidemiology
Generally, the elderly are considered those above 65 years of age. Dealing with hypertension in this age group, we quickly realize that this disease is a major epidemic with far-reaching consequences for both the health status of this segment of the population as well as our health care system.

The Canadian Heart Health Survey ascertained that among people in the age group 65-74 years, 56% of males and 58% of females were hypertensive.¹ This survey defined hypertension as systolic blood pressure (SBP) > 140mmHg or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) > 90mmHg, or current treatment with a prescription antihypertension medication or non-pharmacological treatment of blood pressure (weight control or sodium/salt restriction). The problem of hypertension in the elderly will continue to increase steadily in importance.

Theodore K. Marras, MD, FRCPC, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA; Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON.

Abstract
Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a common disease in the older adult with significant mortality. The following review focuses on the antibiotic management of CAP, with specific reference to the older adult. Common etiologic organisms and organism-specific risk factors that tend to be associated with increasing age are presented. The rationale behind initial empiric antibiotic therapy is discussed and recent guidelines for the selection of empiric antibiotic therapy are compared. A synthesis of guidelines for antibiotic selection and recommendations regarding the switch from parenteral to oral therapy are presented.

Introduction
Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a common infectious disease, the incidence of which is consistently associated with increasing age. The overall incidence of CAP has been reported at 10 to 14 per 1,000 patients per year,^1,2 and 30 per 1,000 among those older than 75 years.^2,3 Compared with people 60-69 years of age, those 70 years or older had a relative risk of developing CAP of 1.5,⁴ independent of the additional risk conferred by heart disease and institutionalization.

Benjamin Chiam, MD, Department of Medicine, Pulmonary Division, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB.
Don D. Sin, MD, FRCP(C), Department of Medicine, Pulmonary Division, University of Alberta, and The Institute of Health Economics, Edmonton, AB.

Introduction
Respiratory conditions are among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Although they are currently listed as the fifth leading cause of death in Canada, respiratory diseases are predicted to be the third leading cause of mortality by the year 2020, following ischemic heart disease and stroke.¹ Furthermore, since the prevalence of these conditions increases with age, the adverse impact of respiratory illnesses on the Canadian health care system will grow enormously over the next few decades as the overall population ages² and treatments for other common conditions, such as ischemic heart disease, stroke and diabetes, improve. A good understanding of the aging process of the respiratory system is clearly needed to formulate better strategies to prevent, diagnose and manage respiratory conditions in Canada.

Why are Respiratory Diseases so Prevalent in the Elderly?
The lungs of elderly persons are subject to a lifetime of exposure to known and unknown harmful agents. Decades may pass before the physical manifestations of cigarette smoke, pollution and other noxious environmental agents become clinically apparent.