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Depression in Parkinson's disease is common, under recognised and under treated. Depression significantly impairs quality of life and increases the burden on caregivers. This article draws on recent research to update clinicians and aims to improve the recognition and overall management of depression in Parkinson's disease.

This report is based on presentations given at the satellite symposium Continence care in the elderly: whose role is it anyway?, which took place at the 2011 Autumn meeting of the British Geriatrics Society, Brighton.

Chronic heart failure (CHF) is predominantly a pathology of old age affecting 5% of those over 75 years of age. It is more common than cancer and the long-term survival is considerably worse than most cancers as annual mortality is 50% in severe cases. Around 60,000 of heart failure patients die annually but only 6% of those dying with CHF are referred to palliative care.

Not only are people with atrial fibrillation more likely to have a stroke than people without the condition, they are also more likely to have a fatal or disabling stroke. Therefore in this population, stroke prevention is vital. Traditionally, this has been through warfarin but warfarin has a reputation for being difficult to manage, with both doctors and patients reluctant to use it. Afer many years of searching for alternatives, we finally seem to have some on the horizon. But, will we ever be able to say goodbye to warfarin? Dawn Powell talks to cardiologist Dr Hugh McIntyre to find out.

The population around the world is ageing. By 2050, it is anticipated that we will see an increase in the population of adults over the age of 65 years to 36%. The potential to live longer will result in an anticipated increase in the over 80 years age group by more than three times. The types of pain seen in the older population are widespread and management can be complex.

Hypertension is the UK's single most common medical condition and there is no greater evidence-base in clinical practice for the management of hypertension. Hypertension is also an important risk factor for the development and worsening of many complications of diabetes, including diabetic eye disease and kidney disease. Most people with diabetes develop high blood pressure during their life and having diabetes increases your risk of developing high blood pressure and other cardiovascular problems.

Postprandial hypotension is commonly defined as the decrease in systolic blood pressure of 20mmHg or more observed within two hours after meal ingestion. It is very common in the elderly especially in those living in long term healthcare homes. Patients may develop symptomatic hypotension, syncope and falls.

The seventh National Medicine for Old Age Psychiatrists conference took place on the 7€“8th November 2011 at the Institute of Physics. This report is based on some of the key presentations of the conference.

Glaucoma is the name given to a group of conditions in which the optic nerve suffers a characteristic form of damage at the back of the eye which is often associated with a raised level of intraocular pressure. World Glaucoma weeks takes place this month (March 11-17) and aims to educate people about how to assess their risk for glaucoma and to be aware of the importance of regular eye exams and disease detection. It also seeks to provide support for diagnosed patients and for members of the advocacy community.

An audit of the screening tool of older persons' prescriptions incorporating criteria for potentially inappropriate drugs called STOPP (Screening Tool of Older Persons' Prescriptions) and criteria for potentially appropriate, indicated drugs called START (Screening Tool to Alert doctors to Right, i.e. appropriate, indicated Treatment).

In this one to one discussion, Dr Marc Evans, Consultant Diabetologist, Cardiff University, talks about the growing prevalence of type 2 diabetes in the UK, how it can be prevented and new opportunities for management of the condition.

Myopathy is the term used to describe diseases of the muscle that are not attributable to nerve dysfunction. It is an umbrella term that encompasses myopathies that are inherited and those that are acquired. Here, we consider the common myopathies that can occur in later life. We discuss the clinical manifestations, investigation and management of drug-induced, toxic and endocrine myopathies as well as the inflammatory muscle disorders. We also consider the inherited muscle disorders that can present in older patients, including myotonic and oculopharyngeal dystrophy, and facioscapulohumeral. We briefly discuss the neuromuscular disorder myasthenia gravis, which whilst not a primary disorder of muscle, has many overlapping features of a myopathy.

Urinary continence in women is subject to many influences, not least age, obesity, diabetes and parity. In addition, several drugs used in cardiovascular medicine have the potential to affect continence. Women should be sympathetically questioned with regard to urinary continence prior to prescribing cardiac medications and counselled regarding potential effects.

It was just under a year ago that I unpacked my newly purchased iPad and set it up. I thought I would find it useful but since purchase I have found it invaluable. Of course there are other forms of tablet computers around but I think my experiences of using a tablet computer can apply to the number of different types and brands available on the market today.

This report is based on presentations given at the satellite symposium When stable PD patients begin to fluctuate, which took place at the 2011 Autumn meeting of the British Geriatrics Society, Brighton. This meeting and the report were sponsored by Teva Pharmaceuticals Ltd and Lundbeck Ltd.