Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment in the era of telemedicine.

The aging global population poses significant medical and social challenges, necessitating efforts to promote healthy aging. Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) is a multidimensional diagnostic approach for older adults that aims to improve overall health. Remote CGA, facilitated by technological advancements, offers convenience and other potential advantages. It enables early disease detection, monitors chronic disease progression, delivers personalized care, and optimizes healthcare resources for better health outcomes in older individuals. However, remote CGA also has limitations, including technological requirements, data security, and the need for comprehensive evaluation and simplicity. Collaborative efforts are essential to developing a digital home-based CGA platform that addresses accessibility issues and tailors the assessment process to meet the needs of older adults. Continuous optimization of remote CGA can become a pivotal tool for advancing geriatric care and ensuring the well-being of the aging population. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2024; 24: 67-73.

[Rehabilitation for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and ALS clinic].

The dysfunctions of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are highly variable. Rehabilitation medicine for movement disorders differs in accordance with the degree of severity. Exercise therapy should be performed while the disease is mild, with compensatory training increasing as the severity increases. Exercise therapy with a Hybrid Assistive Limb®(HAL®) is generally thought to preserve lower extremity function compared to those without HAL®. The mechanism may be effective on disused muscle fibers. ALS clinic may improve the prognosis of ALS patients.

Prevalence of common causes of neuropathic pain in Korea: population-based observational study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN), trigeminal neuralgia (TN), and diabetic neuropathy (DN), common causes of neuropathic pain encountered in pain clinics. METHODS: We investigated the period prevalence rate of CRPS, PHN, TN, and DN using data from a Korean national electronic database from 2009 to 2013. RESULTS: The prevalence of CRPS decreased slightly throughout the study period, while the prevalence of PHN increased from 2009 to 2013. The prevalence of TN was reduced over the same period. The prevalence of DN increased from 2009 to 2012 but decreased in 2013. All four neuropathic diseases were more prevalent in individuals aged over 70 years. The prevalence of CRPS, PHN, and TN were more common in women than in men, but DN showed no gender difference. CONCLUSION: While the prevalence of CRPS and TN has decreased in Korea, that of PHN and DN has increased. With the exception of DN, the neuropathic diseases were more prevalent in women. Further studies are necessary to investigate the risk factors and socioeconomic burden for each disease, and national efforts are essential to limit the development of these preventable neuropathic diseases.