HHAL MEDICAL NEWS FEBUARY09

Women’s heart rate helps detect health risks

Simple, inexpensive measurement may predict heart ills, researchers say.

Women with resting heart rates of more than 76 beats per minute were found to be 26 percent more likely to have a heart attack or die from heart disease than those with heart rates of 62 beats per minute or lower

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29003457/print/1/displaymode/1098/

Randomized controlled trial of calcium supplementation in healthy, nonosteoporotic, older men.

CONCLUSION: Calcium, 1200 mg/d, has effects on BMD in men comparable with those found in postmenopausal women but a dosage of 600 mg/d is ineffective for treating

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19001206?dopt=Abstract

Loop diuretic use and fracture in postmenopausal women: findings from the Women's Health Initiative.

Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Memphis, TN, USA. LCarbone@utmem.edu

BACKGROUND: The relationship of loop diuretics to bone mineral density (BMD), falls, and fractures in postmenopausal women has not been established. METHODS: We examined whether loop diuretics are associated with changes in BMD, falls, and fractures in women enrolled in the Women's Health Initiative. We included the 133,855 women (3411 users and 130,444 nonusers of loop diuretics) who were enrolled in the WHI from October 29, 1993 to December 31, 1998 and determined incident falls and fractures for a mean of 7.7 years. Women who had BMD measurements at baseline and at year 3 (300 users and 9124 nonusers of loop diuretics) were also examined. RESULTS: After adjustment for covariates, no significant association was found between ever use of loop diuretics and total (hazard ratio [HR], 1.09; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.00-1.19), hip (HR, 1.21; 95% CI, 0.91-1.60), and clinical vertebral fractures (HR, 1.17; 95% CI, 0.92-1.48) and falls (1.02; 0.96-1.08). An increased risk was found for other clinical fractures (1.16; 1.01-133) and total fractures (1.16; 1.03-1.31) with more than 3 years' use of loop diuretics. The BMD changes were not associated with loop diuretic use. CONCLUSIONS: After adjustment for confounding variables, no significant association was found between ever use of loop diuretics and changes in BMD, falls, and fractures. Loop diuretics were used by women in poor health who were already at risk for fractures. However, prolonged use of loop diuretics was associated with higher fracture risk in postmenopausal women.

Diet could cut risk of dementia

A new study suggests a diet laden with fish, olive oil, veggies and other foods common in Mediterranean-style cuisine may help ward off mild cognitive impairment.

http://usatoday.printthis.clickability.com/pt/cpt?action=cpt&title=Diet+could+cut+risk+of+dementia+-+USATODAY.com&expire=&urlID=34112317&fb=Y&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.usatoday.com%2Fnews%2Fhealth%2F2009-02-09-alzheimers-mediterranean-diet_N.htm&partnerID=1660

Multivitamin Use Not Associated with Lower Risk for Cancer or CVD in Women

http://archinte.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/short/169/3/294

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090209/ap_on_he_me/med_vitamin_disappointment

Continuation of Statin Treatment and All-Cause Mortality

Conclusions, Better continuity of statin treatment providedan ongoing reduction in mortality among patients with and withouta known history of CHD. The observed benefits from statins weregreater than expected from randomized clinical trials.

http://archinte.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/169/3/260?ct

Long-term Use of Inhaled Corticosteroids and the Risk of Pneumonia in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Conclusion: Among patients with COPD, inhaled corticosteroiduse for at least 24 weeks is associated with a significantlyincreased risk of serious pneumonia, without a significantlyincreased risk of death

http://archinte.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/169/3/219?ct

Postmenopausal hormone therapy and subclinical cerebrovascular disease: the WHIMS-MRI Study.

CONCLUSIONS: Conjugated equine estrogen-based hormone therapy was not associated with a significant increase in ischemic brain lesion volume relative to placebo. This finding was consistent within each trial and in pooled analyses across trials.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19139363?dopt=Abstract

Clinical Equivalence of Generic and Brand-Name Drugs Used in Cardiovascular Disease

Conclusions: Whereas evidence does not support the notionthat brand-name drugs used in cardiovascular disease are superiorto generic drugs, a substantial number of editorials counselagainst the interchangeability of generic drugs.

http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/300/21/2514

Cardiovascular events associated with rofecoxib: final analysis of the APPROVE trial.

INTERPRETATION: Use of rofecoxib is associated with increased rates of APTC events. Study data are compatible with an early increase in risk that persists for one year after stopping treatment.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18922570?dopt=Abstract

Anemia for Risk Assessment of Patients With Acute Coronary Syndromes

Another predictive factor for mortality: Anemia
Data from this study confirm that anemia is an independent predictive factor of mortality, and has incremental predictive value on top of the Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events score system for early clinical outcomes. The American Journal of Cardiology

http://www.ajconline.org/article/S0002-9149(08)01877-8/fulltext

Effect of Beta Blockers (Metoprolol or Propranolol) on Effect of Simvastatin in Lowering C-Reactive Protein in Acute Myocardial Infarction

In conclusion, the present study confirmed the anti-inflammatory action of statins and showed that concomitant use of β blockers may significantly attenuate this effect.

http://www.ajconline.org/article/S0002-9149(08)01874-2/fulltext

An effective treatment for hot flashes

Desvenlafaxine is an effective nonhormonal treatment for menopausal hot flushes. Dose titration improves initial tolerability. American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology

http://www.ajog.org/article/S0002-9378(08)02001-2/fulltext

Review shows exercise lowers risk of colon cancer

Men and women who regularly exercise can reduce their risk of colon cancer by up to 24%, according to a review of 52 studies published in the British Journal of Cancer. Researchers said they hope the findings encourage people to adopt a more healthy, active lifestyle.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5ger3VQoptxTXNfR-j90yJcI8VY8A

Folic Acid, Pyridoxine, and Cyanocobalamin Combination Treatment and Age-Related Macular Degeneration in Women

Conclusions These randomized trial data from a large cohortof women at high risk of cardiovascular disease indicate thatdaily supplementation with folic acid, pyridoxine, and cyanocobalaminmay reduce the risk of AMD.

http://archinte.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/short/169/4/335