EICA is pleased to present a series of three double interview video pills entitled “Osteoarthritis: conversation on pharmacological and non-pharmacological management in older adults”.

The project is a joint effort of the association in collaboration with the global pharmaceutical company Viatris, sponsor of the initiative.

To be interviewed will be two eminent Italian geriatricians and EICA’s members: Prof. Stefania Maggi, Research Director at the CNR Aging Branch-Institute of Neuroscience in Padua, and Prof. Nicola Veronese, Senior Researcher in Geriatrics at the University of Palermo.

During the interviews they will debate different aspects concerning knee osteoarthritis and its management, focusing in particular on risks and benefits of some of the most widely used medical treatments and the efficacy of medications, physical exercise and healthy diets.

The videos will be released on a monthly basis, according to the following programme:

  • April 29, 2022: “Safety issues in older people with knee osteoarthritis: the geriatricians’ perspective”;
  • May 27, 2022: “Medication’s efficacy for treating knee osteoarthritis in older people”;
  • June 24, 2022: “Diet and physical exercise for knee osteoarthritis in geriatric medicine”.

The first interview focuses on a comparison among different kinds of medicines used for treating knee osteoarthritis symptoms: paracetamol, oral NSAIDs, glucosamine sulphate, intra-articular injections of hyaluronic acid or corticosteroids, and weak opioids.

Watch the video below to understand how they could affect older people’s life and safety.

In the second video Prof. Maggi and Professor Veronese debate about the efficacy of medical treatments and multimodal interventions.

The third episode focuses on the importance of promoting weight loss through physical exercise and healthy diets in patients affected by knee osteoarthritis.

EICA joins the #OldLivesMatter campaign, an exceptional and unprecedented mobilization of the global geriatric and gerontological community to defend the rights of the elderly.

Launched by the French Society of Geriatrics and Gerontology (Société Française de Gériatrie et Gérontologie – SFGG), with the support of 42 other organizations from 29 different countries, it intends to fight against anti-old racism and raise awareness among citizens, media and institutions.

Videos denouncing ordinary and universal racism

Case 1 (sexism) – English subtitles:

Case 2 (homophobia) – English subtitles:

Case 3 (racism) – English subtitles:

Case 1 (sexism) – Italian subtitles:

Case 2 (homophobia) – Italian subtitles:

Case 3 (racism) – Italian subtitles:

In the current climate of COVID-19 it is more important than ever to ensure the protection of older adults, and those with underlying chronic conditions, against vaccine preventable diseases. Maximizing uptake of existing vaccines for respiratory diseases, such as influenza and pneumococcal pneumonia, reduces the annual burden of disease – including increased mortality, morbidity and healthcare costs – particularly in at-risk populations.

While there has recently been necessary focus on the importance for influenza vaccination from governments and public health leaders around the world, pneumococcal pneumonia has unfortunately been left out of the spotlight. This is especially worrying, considering people infected with influenza who contract pneumonia experience even worse outcomes and increased hospitalization rates.

In the following joint statement, the World Coalition on Adult Vaccination calls on professional, patient and advocacy organizations, together with all levels of government to increase their investment in educating and encouraging older adults and those with chronic diseases to be vaccinated against influenza and pneumococcal pneumonia.

Sincerely,

Vaccines4Life Team,

International Federation on Ageing

In addition, listen to IFA Expert Dr Mine Durusu-Tanriover speak to the importance of vaccination against pneumonia in this video from the IFA 14th Global Conference on Ageing:

Practical aspects of SARS-CoVID-19 infections in old adults, by Prof. Stefan Gravenstein (MD, MPH Greer Professor Brown University and Providence VA)