Introduction: Millions of persons with chronic pain across North America and Europe use opioids. While the immunosuppressive properties of opioids are associated with risks of infections, these outcomes could be mitigated through careful patient selection and monitoring practices when appropriate. It is important to recognise that some patients do benefit from a carefully tailored opioid therapy.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground And Objectives: People aged 65 and older, deemed most "vulnerable" by public health, were targeted by the coronavirus disease 2019 protection measures, which sought to minimize physical contact and social activities. Older adults living alone were particularly affected by these measures. However, such measures meant to protect the older population may not have necessarily reflected older adults' individual prioritization choices.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) was the main cause of death in Germany in 2021, with major risk factors (ie, hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidaemia, obesity and certain lifestyle factors) being highly prevalent. Preventing ASCVD by assessment and modification of these risk factors is an important challenge for general practitioners. This study aims to systematically review and synthesise recent recommendations of national and international guidelines regarding the primary prevention of ASCVD in adults in primary care.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: To identify different profiles of socially isolated older adults during the first wave of COVID-19 in Quebec, Canada.
Study Design: Cross-sectional data were obtained through a telehealth socio-geriatric risk assessment tool, ESOGER, administered to adults aged 70 years or more between April and July 2020 in Montreal, Canada.
Measures: Those living alone with no social contacts in the last few days were considered socially isolated.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, policymakers had to quickly offer telehealth services to address older adults' needs. This study aimed to understand the experiences of providers who implemented a telephone-based telehealth tool named Socio-Geriatric Evaluation (ESOGER), which assessed health and social isolation risks in community-dwelling older adults in Quebec (Canada). This qualitative study used 20 semi-structured online/phone interviews with health and social service providers coming from publicly-funded healthcare facilities and community organizations.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF