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| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 15, 2007 |
Contact: Jennifer Reising at jreising@reisingcommunications.com |
Thyroid Disease in Older Adults
Spotlight of ATA Spring Meeting
(FALLS CHURCH, VA)—Thyroid and geriatric experts will share the latest information on the impact of thyroid disease on older adults, especially those factors which might adversely affect healthy aging in a symposium, “Thyroid Disease in Older Adults: Diagnosis, Management, and Clinical Impact.”
The meeting, co-sponsored by the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and the American Thyroid Association (ATA), will take place Friday, May 18, 2007 at the Hamilton Crowne Plaza, Almas Temple, in Washington, DC. Journalists are invited to attend a media roundtable discussion with thyroid and geriatric experts from Noon – 12:30 p.m. on May 18.
“Thyroid conditions, such as subclinical hypothyroidism and thyroid nodules, are very common in this population,” said Jerome Hershman, MD, meeting program co-chair, distinguished professor of medicine, UCLA School of Medicine and associate chief, endocrinology and diabetes division, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System. “Attendees at this meeting will hear the latest synthesis of vital information about thyroid diseases in the elderly and learn the best current management of thyroid conditions in the elderly.”
The goal of this year’s spring symposium is to bring information about the effects of thyroid disease and thyroid function on older adults to the attention of various healthcare workers and professionals, as well as the general public.
“The speakers are outstanding authorities in various areas of thyroid disease and geriatrics,” said Dr. Hershman.
The symposium will discuss the following issues:
- The influence of frailty and comorbidities on thyroid disease and outcomes in the geriatric patient
- Alterations in the regulation of thyroid function and thyroid hormone metabolism and action with aging
- Alteration of immune function and its effect on autoimmune thyroid disease in the elderly
- The influence of drugs on thyroid function (effects of drugs on thyroid hormone absorption in patients taking thyroxine, the problems of polypharmacy, and drug-related thyroid disease).
- Frequency, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and therapy related to the impact of hypothyroidism and subclinical hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism and subclinical hyperthyroidism in the elderly
- Impact of subclinical thyroid dysfunction on the cardiovascular system
- Impact of thyroid dysfunction on neurocognitive function in the elderly
- Differentiated thyroid cancer in the elderly: frequency, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, therapy
The meeting is endorsed by the American Geriatrics Society, American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, and The Endocrine Society.
This program is being supported in part by unrestricted educational grants from Abbott Laboratories. To learn more about the meeting, visit the ATA web site www.thyroid.org.
The American Thyroid Association (ATA) is the lead organization in promoting thyroid health and understanding thyroid biology. The ATA values scientific inquiry, clinical excellence, public service, education, collaboration, and collegiality.
A non-profit medical society founded in 1923, the ATA fulfills its mission through supporting excellence and innovation in research, clinical care, education, and public health. ATA members are physicians and scientists who work to enhance the understanding of thyroid physiology and pathophysiology, improve the diagnosis and treatment of thyroid diseases, and promote the education of physicians, patients, and the public about thyroid disorders.
Thyroid diseases are among the most common disorders of the endocrine system, affecting almost 13 million Americans alone. The ATA has extensive online information for patients on thyroid disease (in English and Spanish) serving the clinician as a resource for patients and the public who look for reliable information on the internet. To further benefit patients, the ATA Alliance for Patient Education was formed in 2002 to offer an exchange of information between the ATA and four patient groups: Thyroid Foundation of America, ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors, Inc.; the Light of Life Foundation, and the National Graves’ Disease Foundation. A public forum is held each year in conjunction with the ATA annual meeting.
Thyroid Research grants total over $200,000 annually to young investigators. Publications sourced by this research and application procedures are available at www.thyroid.org. The 78th annual meeting of the ATA will be in New York City from October 3-7, 2007 at the Sheraton New York Hotel & Towers. All registration and program information is available at www.thyroid.org. We welcome your participation.
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