The lecture devoted to general practitioners presents modern ideas about clinical diagnostic, treatment and prevention of vestibular disorders from the point of view of neurologists and specialists in the field of otorhinolaryngology.

The article presents an analysis of the risk factors for anxiety and depression in people with airflow limitation based on the results of the second (diagnostic) phase of the RESPECT (RESearch on the PrEvalence and the diagnosis of COPD and its Tobacco-related aetiology). The data indicates that participants with airflow limitation that had been revealed during the epidemiological study and with borderline or abnormal anxiety and/or depression showed in diagnostic study persistent airflow limitation (FEV1/FVC = 66.48 ± 10.22, p < 0.05) and more perceived respiratory symptoms (CAT = 11.1 ± 10.01, mMRC = 1.68 ± 1.02, p < 0.001) compared to those without mental disorders. Also, they tended to have concomitant cardiovascular diseases (coronary heart disease, chronic heart failure, p < 0.001) and diabetes mellitus (p < 0.01) more frequently. Although chronic heart failure is the most prominent risk factor for anxiety/depression, it becomes non-significant when corrected for other somatic diseases and respiratory symptoms.

The article presents data on prevalence of the main geriatric syndromes in general medical practice. The method of the structured approach to the assessment of the problems of elderly and old patients that contributes to the early detection of the main geriatric syndromes and also includes a complex as well as interdisciplinary assessment of the state of the physical health, state of mental health, social relations, satisfaction with the quality of life is comprehensively considered. The necessity of applying this methodology in general medical practice is considered.

Objectives. This paper sought to provide normative values for grip strength among older adults 65+ across different age groups in northwest Russia.

Methods. A population-based prospective cohort study of 611 community-dwelling individuals 65+. Grip strength was measured using the standard protocol applied in the Groningen Elderly Tests. The cut-off thresholds for grip strength were defined separately for men and women of different ages using a weighted polynomial regression.

Results and conclusions. 1. This study presents age- and sex-specific reference values for grip strength in the 65+ Russian population derived from a prospective cohort study. 2. The grip strength values obtained in the current study were lower than those reported in other population-based studies in Europe and USA.

The article briefly describes the main stages of the formation of the St.Petersburg Association of Family Medicine. The role of the public professional organization in the implementation of continuous medical education is presented.