| Friday, March 31, 2006 |
| Vitamin C And E Supplements Do Not Prevent Pre-eclampsia In Pregnant Women At Risk |
Vitamin C and E supplements do not lower the risk of pre-eclampsia in pregnant women with a high chance of developing the condition, according to the results of a randomised trial published online (March, 2006) by The Lancet. The study also found that vitamin C and E supplements might increase the rate of low birthweight babies.
In 1999, results of a small randomised trial suggested that vitamin C and E could reduce the incidence of pre-eclampsia in pregnant women (See Lancet 1999; 354: 810-816). In the latest trial, Lucilla Poston, Andrew Shennan and colleagues from King's College London, UK investigated the effect of the supplements in a much larger group of women who were at risk of pre-eclampsia from a wide range of different clinical conditions.
The investigators recruited over 2400 women at high risk of pre-eclampsia from 25 hospitals in the UK. Half were assigned 1000mg of vitamin C and 400 IU (International Units) of vitamin E and half placebo daily from the second trimester of pregnancy until delivery. They found that the incidence of pre-eclampsia was similar in both groups (15% vs 16%). The investigators also found that more low birthweight babies were born to women who took the supplements when compared with those on placebo (28% vs 24%). Women receiving the supplements also needed more treatment, including steroids, antihypertensive medication, and magnesium sulphate (to prevent fits). However, there was no evidence that women taking normal pregnancy multivitamin preparations increased the risk of low birthweight babies or caused any harm.
Professor Poston states: "Although we gave high doses of vitamin C and vitamin E to participants in this trial, they were below the maximum recommended intake in pregnant women. Our findings of an increase in low birthweight and an increased need for treatment, without any benefit in regard to pre-eclampsia suggest contraindication of these high doses of vitamin C and vitamin E in pregnancy. There was however no evidence that taking the small doses of vitamins in pregnancy specific multivitamin preparations gave any cause for concern.'' (Quote by e-mail; does not appear in published paper)
See also accompanying Comment.
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Contact: Professor Lucilla Poston, Tommy's the baby Charity Professor of Maternal and Fetal Health, Division of Reproductive Health, Endocrinology and Development, King's College London. T) 0207 188 3644/3639 / 07976 766026 (mobile) lucilla.poston@kcl.ac.uk
Notes to editors
Pre-eclampsia is a high blood pressure disorder of pregnancy.
The vitamins used in this trial are not the same as folic acid supplementation, which is recommended in the UK prior to conception and in early pregnancy to reduce the risk of neural tube defects.
Contact: Joe Santangelo
j.santangelo@elsevier.com
Lancet |
| posted by Jennie Tate @ 7:17 AM |
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| Tuesday, March 28, 2006 |
| Male Smokers 40 Percent More Likely To Be Impotent Than Non-smokers |
Men who smoke a pack or more of cigarettes daily are 40 per cent more likely to be impotent than non-smokers, finds research in Tobacco Control.
The research team analysed the questionnaire responses of over 8000 men aged between 16 and 59 who were taking part in the Australian Study of Health and Relationships.
Almost one in 10 of the men said that they had had erectile problems lasting a month or more during the preceding year.
More than a quarter of the respondents were smokers, one in five of whom smoked 20 or fewer cigarettes a day. Just over 6% smoked 20 or more a day.
The results pointed to a significant association between smoking and erectile problems, which became stronger with increasing numbers of cigarettes smoked.
When compared with non-smokers, those who smoked 20 or fewer cigarettes a day were 24 per cent more likely to report difficulties maintaining an erection. Those smoking more than a pack a day were 39 per cent more likely to report erectile difficulties.
Unsurprisingly, older age and a diagnosis of cardiovascular disease were also associated with a greater likelihood of erectile problems. But moderate drinking significantly cut the risk.
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Contact: Emma Dickinson
edickinson@bmj.com
BMJ-British Medical Journal |
| posted by Jennie Tate @ 8:31 PM |
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| Monday, March 27, 2006 |
| Women Suffer From Anxiety And Stress After Birth, Not Only Depression |
Women can suffer from postnatal anxiety or stress independently of postnatal depression. A study published today in the open access journal BMC Psychiatry concludes that symptoms of anxiety and stress should be assessed in women in the early postnatal period. A scale that measures anxiety and stress independently of depression enabled researchers to detect 61 women who had symptoms of depression, and a further 33 women who had symptoms of anxiety and stress, without depression. There is growing awareness of postnatal depression, however, this study suggests that health practitioners should also be on the lookout for symptoms of anxiety and stress as signs of distress in postnatal women.
The study conducted by Renee Miller and Julie Pallant from Swinburne University of Technology and Lisa Negri from RMIT University, assessed the levels of depression, anxiety and stress in 325 first-time mothers who were 6 weeks to 6 months postnatal. Miller et al. analyzed the results of the widely used Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) along with an additional measure, the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales (DASS). They found that 33 women (10%) had symptoms of anxiety and stress independent of depression. These women would not have been detected if they had been assessed for depression alone.
According to Miller et al., the focus on depression as the only indicator for emotional distress in postnatal women means that women who have symptoms of anxiety and stress are at risk of not receiving help. Miller et al. conclude that it is important for health practitioners to assess new mothers for broader signs of distress than that of depression alone.
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Contact: Juliette Savin
press@biomedcentral.com
BioMed Central |
| posted by Jennie Tate @ 9:24 AM |
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| Sunday, March 26, 2006 |
| Levitra Treats Erectile Dysfunction Effectively In Men Taking Medications To Lower High Blood Pressure |
Levitra (vardenafil HCl), a PDE5 inhibitor, is effective in treating erectile dysfunction (ED) in men receiving one or more medications for the treatment of hypertension (high blood pressure),(1) according to data published in a recent issue of The Journal of Sexual Medicine. In this double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, patients treated with LEVITRA experienced an 83% overall success rate in erectile function while also receiving one or more anti-hypertensive medications.
"This study demonstrated that LEVITRA was well-tolerated when used concomitantly with anti-hypertensive medications in patients not previously treated with PDE5 inhibitors," said study author Dr. Hermann van Ahlen, University of Muenster, Germany.
Hypertension, a major risk factor for ED, affects 29.4 million men in the United States(2). It is one of the most common medical conditions, along with diabetes and high cholesterol, associated with ED. In addition many blood-pressure-lowering medications, particularly beta-blockers and diuretics, may adversely affect erectile function.
"As a primary care physician, I know that my male patients are often concerned about taking anti-hypertensive drugs for fear of the potential sexual side effects," said Dr. Matthew Rosenberg, medical director at Mid-Michigan Health Centers in Jackson, MI. "This study gives me support to tell patients that I can treat hypertension and also prescribe an effective medication to treat ED. The fact that LEVITRA improved erectile function in patients taking multiple anti-hypertensive medications is a testimony to its efficacy."
About the study
Study investigators carried out a randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of flexible-dose LEVITRA in men with treated hypertension and ED who had not previously used LEVITRA or other PDE5 inhibitors. In this study, use of alpha blockers was not permitted. The study, conducted at 98 primary care sites in Germany, involved 354 patients over age 18 who had experienced ED for more than 6 months. Participants received either placebo or LEVITRA, in a dose ranging from 5 mg to 20 mg, for 12 weeks. To measure the drug's efficacy, the patients kept diaries of their responses to standardized questions regarding their erectile function.
LEVITRA was well-tolerated and effective at improving all ED efficacy parameters. There was no significant difference in the frequency of adverse events when patients were grouped according to the type of anti-hypertensive medications being received. Compared with placebo, LEVITRA significantly improved patients' ability to successfully have intercourse. The success rate was 83% for men treated with LEVITRA vs 58% for placebo (P < 0.0001). Success rates for LEVITRA were unaffected by the concomitant use of one or more antihypertensive medications including ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, and diuretics. When compared to baseline or placebo, there were no clinically significant differences in ECG findings, supine (or at rest) systolic and diastolic blood pressure readings, or heart rate in LEVITRA-treated patients during clinic visits. The most common reported adverse events were headache and flushing.
Background: Erectile dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is the consistent or recurrent inability of a man to attain and/or maintain a penile erection sufficient for sexual performance. ED can be a total inability to achieve an erection, an inconsistent ability to do so, or a tendency to sustain only brief erections. It is estimated that some degree of ED affects up to 30 million men in the United States.
Some of the most common treatments for ED include adjustments to lifestyle and better control of concomitant medical conditions as well as the use of oral medications or other forms of therapy. Treating related health conditions or reducing stress may help maintain erectile function. LEVITRA belongs to a class of medications called oral phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors, which are among the most successful treatments for ED. There are currently three FDA-approved oral PDE5 inhibitors available.
About LEVITRA
LEVITRA is an FDA-approved oral prescription medication for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) in men. It belongs to a class of medications commonly referred to as oral phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors, the most commonly prescribed treatments for men with ED. LEVITRA helps increase blood flow to the penis and may help men with ED get and keep an erection satisfactory for sexual activity.
LEVITRA, developed by Bayer Healthcare and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), is jointly promoted in the U.S. by GSK and Schering-Plough Corporation.
Important Safety and Dosing Information
LEVITRA is a prescription medicine that is used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED). Men taking nitrate drugs, often used to control chest pain (also known as angina), should not take LEVITRA. Such combinations could cause blood pressure to drop to an unsafe level.
As with all ED drugs, there is a rare risk of an erection lasting longer than four hours. To avoid long-term injury, seek immediate medical attention. LEVITRA does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases. In rare instances, men taking PDE5 inhibitors (oral erectile dysfunction medicine, including LEVITRA) reported a sudden decrease or loss of vision in one or both eyes. It is not possible to determine whether these events are related directly to these medicines or to other factors. If you experience sudden decrease or loss of vision, stop taking PDE5 inhibitors, including LEVITRA, and call a doctor right away.
Discuss your medical conditions, including heart problems, and medications, including alpha blockers prescribed for prostate problems or high blood pressure, with your doctor to ensure LEVITRA is right for you and that you are healthy enough for sexual activity.
The starting dose of LEVITRA is 10 mg taken no more than once per day. Your doctor will decide the dose that is right for you. In patients taking alpha blockers, your doctor may start you on a lower dose of LEVITRA. In patients taking certain medications such as ritonavir, indinavir, ketoconazole, itraconazole, and erythromycin, lower doses of LEVITRA are recommended, and time between doses of LEVITRA may need to be extended.
In clinical trials, the most commonly reported side effects were headache, flushing, and stuffy or runny nose. LEVITRA is available in 2.5-mg, 5-mg, 10-mg, and 20-mg tablets.
For Prescribing Information please visit http://www.levitra.com. |
| posted by Jennie Tate @ 5:25 PM |
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| Saturday, March 25, 2006 |
| Typical US Pregnancy Is Now Only 39 Weeks |
The most common length of pregnancy in the United States is now 39 weeks, a week shorter than the traditional definition of a full-term pregnancy. This shift occurred between 1992 and 2002, according to a new analysis by the March of Dimes published this month in a special supplement of the journal Seminars in Perinatology.
In 2002, one-quarter of all singleton babies were born full term at 39 weeks. Births at or after 40 weeks decreased by nearly 21 percent. During the decade studied, there was also a 12 percent increase in births occurring between 34 and 36 weeks, referred to as "late preterm births" (sometimes called "near-term births").
"Late preterm infants are a growing concern," said Nancy Green, M.D., medical director of the March of Dimes. "Some babies born just a few weeks early need medical and nursing attention beyond that given to full term newborns. They have a greater likelihood of breathing problems like respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), feeding difficulties, temperature instability (hypothermia), jaundice and reduced brain development than full-term babies."
The March of Dimes analysis suggests that increasing rates of Cesarean section deliveries and induced labor have probably contributed to, but do not completely explain these shifts in deliveries, said Michael Davidoff, Manager of Informatics, Research and Development at the March of Dimes and the paper's lead author.
Clinicians weigh the risk for the mother and the fetus of continuing a medically complicated pregnancy, versus the risks associated with earlier delivery. For some high-risk pregnancies, early delivery may promote better outcomes for both the mother and the baby. The availability of more data on the outcomes of late preterm births will better inform providers and the public about potentially preventable risks. Pregnancies should continue to term if medically and obstetrically advisable, thereby avoiding unnecessary preterm inductions and c-sections.
The March of Dimes study, "Changes in Gestational Age Distribution Among U.S. Singleton Births: Impact on Rates of Late Preterm Birth, 1992 to 2002," was one of the research papers presented at a symposium addressing late preterm birth in July 2005, hosted by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development of the National Institutes of Health. The scientific meeting focused on definitions, trends and complications faced by late preterm babies. These studies are published in a Seminars in Perinatology special supplement on late preterm birth
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The March of Dimes works to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. For more information, visit marchofdimes.com or nacersano.org for Spanish. To access PeriStats go to http://www.marchofdimes.com/peristats -- your online source for perinatal statistics.
Contact: Elizabeth Lynch
elynch@marchofdimes.com
March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation |
| posted by Jennie Tate @ 2:22 PM |
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| Wednesday, March 22, 2006 |
| Spring Fever: Great For The Soul But Tough Times For Asthma & Allergies |
As winter-weary Americans burst outdoors to exercise, play and dig into yard work, and student athletes' training transitions back out to fresh Spring air, millions of people may be at risk for flare-ups of lung disease due to high pollen levels and/or outdoor air pollution that can reach unhealthy levels any day. And scientific updates reported in the American Lung Association's Lung Disease Data report confirm that our increase in outdoor activity can pose health problems for some if they aren't prepared.
“Spring fever is great for the soul, but our return to the great outdoors can cause problems for people with allergies and asthma, and anyone who inhales unhealthy levels of smog or particle pollution,” said Norman H. Edelman, M.D., chief medical officer of the American Lung Association. “If pollen, exercise, and/or air pollution trigger your asthma, it's crucial that you pay attention to your health at this time of year and be prepared before you step outdoors.”
More than 35 million Americans have chronic lung disease, including 20 million with asthma. Asthma ranks among the top 10 most prevalent conditions causing limitation of activity; one survey found that 48 percent of people with asthma say that the disease limits their ability to take part in sports and recreation. Asthma attacks can be triggered by several factors, which may include allergic reactions to pollen, mold, and other allergens; exercise; particle pollution (from diesel exhaust, dust, power plants, and other sources); and smog.
For some children and adults their asthma is triggered by exercise, which can impact anyone from a toddler running through a playground to a world-class athlete in training. Physically, children are more vulnerable to air pollution than adults because they breathe more rapidly, taking in more pollution per pound of body weight.
“The more we learn about how air pollution affects the lungs, the more urgent it is becoming to take precautions to protect yourself outdoors on unhealthy air days,” Dr. Edelman explained. “Ozone, or smog, and particle pollution can affect anyone, but they are especially dangerous for anyone with lung disease.”
The American Lung Association suggests people follow these lung health tips for Spring activities.
Healthy Lung Checklist For Outdoor Activities:
-- Know the pollen level. Check the newspaper, weather web sites, or television for local updates. Take prescribed medications to minimize allergy symptoms.
-- Check local air pollution levels online (epa.gov/airnow), in the newspaper or television. Follow specific health warnings.
-- Bring your rescue inhaler (bronchodilator such as albuterol) with you.
-- Take your rescue inhaler before exercising, if your doctor has prescribed that you do so.
-- Pay close attention to children! Be sure they take brakes and drink plenty of liquids, and that children with asthma are not experiencing symptoms of an asthma attack.
-- Limit outdoor exercise during Orange and Red air pollution days on the Air Quality Index (epa.gov/airnow).
“Managing your lung disease-or your child's-well means that you should be able to enjoy the great outdoors and minimize your risk of flare-ups,” said Dr. Edelman.
To view the full Lung Disease Data report, or for more information about general lung health issues, visit www.lungusa.org or call 1-800-LUNG-USA.
About the American Lung Association
Beginning our second century, the American Lung Association is the leading organization working to prevent lung disease and promote lung health. Lung disease death rates continue to increase while other leading causes of death have declined. The American Lung Association funds vital research on the causes of and treatments for lung disease. With the generous support of the public, the American Lung Association is “Improving life, one breath at a time.” For more information about the American Lung Association or to support the work it does, call 1-800-LUNG-USA (1-800-586-4872) or log on to www.lungusa.org. |
| posted by Jennie Tate @ 11:39 PM |
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| Tuesday, March 21, 2006 |
| Atkins Diet Is Not Safe, State Researchers |
The low-carbohydrate high-protein Atkins diet is not safe and should not be recommended for weight loss, state researchers in this week's issue of The Lancet.
In a Case Report Klaus-Dieter Lessnau (New York School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA) and colleagues describe a life-threatening complication of the Atkins diet in a 40-year-old obese woman. The patient, who had strictly followed the Atkins diet, was admitted to hospital for a condition called ketoacidosis. The condition occurs when dangerously high levels of acids called ketones build up in the blood. Ketones are produced in the liver during starvation. A low carbohydrate diet such as Atkins can lead to ketone production, state the authors.
Professor Lessnau concludes: "Our patient had an underlying ketosis caused by the Atkins diet and developed severe ketoacidosis, possibly when her oral intake was compromised from mild pancreatitis or gastroenteritis. This problem may become more recognised because this diet is becoming increasingly popular worldwide."
In an accompanying Comment Lyn Steffen (University of Minnesota School of Public Health, Minneapolis, MN, USA) states: "Low-carbohydrate diets for weight management are far from healthy, given their association with ketosis, constipation or diarrhoea, halitosis, headache, and general fatigue to name a few side-effects. As researchers and clinicians, our most important criterion should be indisputable safety, and low-carbohydrate diets currently fall short of this benchmark. Professional dietetic associations in the US, Australia, and Europe, emphasize eating healthy foods and being physically active." (Quote by e-mail; does not appear in published paper)
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Contact: Professor Klaus-Dieter Lessnau, Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine, NYU School of Medicine, 300 East 93rd Street #18B, New York NY 10128, USA. T) +1 212 434 2000 klessnau@pol.net
Comment: Dr Lyn Steffen, University of Minnesota School of Public Health, Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55454, USA. T) +1 (612)625-9307 steffen@epi.umn.edu
Contact: Joe Santangelo
j.santangelo@elsevier.com
Lancet |
| posted by Jennie Tate @ 5:41 AM |
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| Wednesday, March 15, 2006 |
| How Coffee Can Reduce The Risk Of Alcohol-induced Pancreatitis |
Scientists at the University of Liverpool have found how coffee can reduce the risk of alcohol-induced pancreatitis.
Pancreatitis is a condition in which the pancreas becomes inflamed, causing severe abdominal pain. It is often triggered by alcohol consumption which causes digestive enzymes to digest part of the pancreas.
Scientists have known for some time that coffee can reduce the risk of alcoholic pancreatitis, but have been unable to determine how. Researchers at the University have now discovered that caffeine can partially close special channels within cells, reducing to some extent the damaging effects of alcohol products on the pancreas.
Professor Ole Petersen and Professor Robert Sutton, from the University's Physiological Laboratory and Division of Surgery, have found that cells in the pancreas can be damaged by products of alcohol and fat formed in the pancreas when oxygen levels in the organ are low. Under these conditions, excessive amounts of calcium are released from stores within the cells of the pancreas. Special organelles, called mitochondria, also become damaged and cannot produce the energiser that normally allows calcium to be pumped out of the cells. The excess calcium then activates protein breakdown, destroying the cells in the pancreas.
Professor Petersen explains: "The primary cause of the build up in calcium ion concentration is movement of calcium ions from a store inside the cells into the cell water through special channels in the store membrane. We have found that caffeine, present in drinks such as coffee can at least partially close these channels. This explains why coffee consumption can reduce the risk of alcoholic pancreatitis. The caffeine effect, however, is weak and excessive coffee intake has its own dangers, so we have to search for better agents."
"At the moment there is no specific pharmacological treatment for pancreatitis. As a result of this research however, we can, for the first time, begin to search for specific chemical agents that target the channels causing the excessive liberation of calcium ions inside the cells, which is where the problem originates. We are also hoping that these findings can be used to warn against the dangers of binge drinking. Some of the effects of the non-oxidative alcohol products on isolated pancreatic cells cannot be reversed, explaining why excess alcohol intake can be so dangerous."
The research by Professor Petersen and Professor Sutton, which is supported by the Medical Research Council, is published in TRENDS in Pharmacological Sciences and Gastroenterology.
1 - The University of Liverpool is one of the UK's leading research institutions. It attracts collaborative and contract research commissions from a wide range of national and international organisations valued at more than £90 million annually.
http://www.liverpool.ac.uk |
| posted by Jennie Tate @ 5:37 AM |
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| Saturday, March 11, 2006 |
| Oxford Biologists Explore Ability For Some Females To Conceive During Pregnancy |
In a fascinating new study forthcoming from The Quarterly Review of Biology, biologists from the University of Oxford explore a rare tactic employed by females badgers to maximize their reproductive success. The authors argue that conception during pregnancy, known as superfetation, benefits female reproductive fitness by reducing the risk of infanticide, extending the female's window of opportunity for conception, and increasing the genetic diversity of the litter.
"Natural selection and sexual selection act on both sexes. However, emphasis on sexual selection as a direct evolutionary force acting on males has diverted attention away from the selective process acting on females, whose discrete mating tactics may have masked the extent of reproductive conflict between the sexes," write Nobuyuki Yamaguchi, Hannah L. Dugdale, and David W. Macdonald, all of the Wildlife Conservation Unit at the University of Oxford.
One of only two known species that exhibit or are presumed to exhibit both superfetation and embryonic diapause - during which the newly fertilized egg temporarily ceases development and remains free in the uterus cavity instead of implanting directly into the uterus - the female European badger first ovulates and is fertilized in late winter-early spring (January-March). However, implantation does not occur until December or January of the following year, a gestation period of nearly eleven months.
"The combination of embryonic diapause and superfetation may… benefit females, regardless of their social system, by enabling cryptic polyandry [mating with more than one male]," write the authors.
The European badger (Meles meles) is unique among badgers in exhibiting large variation in social organization, from large, multi-male, multi-female groups in southern England to small group and paired coexistence. All other species of badgers are primarily solitary.
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Yamaguchi, Nobuyuki, Hannah L. Dugdale, David W. MacDonald "Female Receptivity, Embryonic Diapause, and Superfetation in the European Badger (Meles meles): Implications for the Reproductive Tactics of Males and Females." Quarterly Review of Biology, March 2006.
Since 1926, The Quarterly Review of Biology has been dedicated to providing insightful historical, philosophical, and technical treatments of important biological topics.
Contact: Suzanne Wu
swu@press.uchicago.edu
University of Chicago Press Journals |
| posted by Jennie Tate @ 5:23 AM |
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| Wednesday, March 08, 2006 |
| Depression, Anxiety In Girls Linked To Higher Body Mass Index In Women |
Depression and anxiety disorders during childhood may be associated with a higher body mass index (BMI) into adulthood for women but not men, according to a study in the March issue of Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.
The increasing prevalence of obesity among children and adults is becoming a public health crisis, according to background information in the article. Understanding the social and psychological conditions that are associated with obesity could help predict which children and adolescents are likely to become obese adults, helping physicians target treatment and prevention efforts. Previous evidence suggests that psychological disorders may be one factor associated with weight gain, but studies in the area have been limited, the authors report.
Sarah E. Anderson, M.S., Tufts University, Boston, and colleagues evaluated the association between anxiety disorders and depression and weight gain from childhood into adulthood. They analyzed existing data from 820 individuals (403 women and 417 men) from two counties in New York, who were assessed four times between 1983 and 2003. The participants ranged in age from 9 to 18 years at the beginning of the study, and were 28 to 40 years old at the most recent assessment. At each assessment, the researchers interviewed the individuals to determine whether they met clinical criteria for anxiety disorders or depression. The authors calculated BMI-for-age (BMI z scores) by dividing weight in kilograms by the square of height in meters and adjusting it for age and gender based on national reference data. BMI z scores correspond to growth chart percentiles and allow for tracking a child's relative weight through adolescence.
During the study, 310 participants (119 men and 191 women) had anxiety disorders and 148 (50 men and 98 women) were depressed. Women with anxiety disorders had significantly higher BMI z scores than women of the same age and socioeconomic status without the condition. Women with a history of depression were heavier and experienced a greater yearly increase in their BMI z scores than women without depression. Women who were younger when they developed depression had higher weights in adulthood than women who developed depression later.
In women, anxiety disorders were associated with higher weight, with average BMI z scores of .13 to .18 units higher than women without anxiety disorders. For example, an adult woman with history of an anxiety disorder who had an average height (64 inches) would weigh between 6 to 12 pounds more than a woman without anxiety. "Although these average weight differences are not large, obesity results from incremental increases in weight, and successful prevention is likely to require interventions targeted toward many factors, no one of which, alone, is sufficient to prevent obesity," the authors write. An average-height woman diagnosed with depression at age 14 would weigh about 10 to 16 pounds more than a non-depressed woman by the time both reached age 30 years.
Depression during childhood was associated with an initially lower BMI among boys, but over time, the weight difference in depressed and non-depressed men disappeared. Anxiety disorders did not appear to be linked to men's BMIs at any point throughout the study.
The authors suggest that treating anxiety and depression in girls and women may be one strategy in the battle against obesity, the authors conclude. "Our results suggest that efforts to improve mental health in populations may also help prevent female obesity; consideration of the potential for psychological antecedents and correlates of obesity could improve prevention and treatment," they write.
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(Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2006;160:285-291. Available pre-embargo to the media at http://www.jamamedia.org/)
Editor's Note: This study was support by grants from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Bethesda, Md.; a grant from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda; and grants from the National Institute of Mental Health, Rockville, Md.
Contact: Siobhan Gallagher
JAMA and Archives Journals |
| posted by Jennie Tate @ 5:26 AM |
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| Sunday, March 05, 2006 |
| Erection Pill Associated With Normalization Of Relationships And Increased Self-esteem For Men With Erectile Dysfunction |
The inability to perform sexually can have a significant negative psychosocial impact on a man's overall health including depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem. New research shows that safe and effective oral treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) can improve relationships, sexual confidence, and self-esteem in men with ED.
In the March issue of The Journal of Sexual Medicine, researchers have published the first investigation examining both equivalence testing and traditional statistical testing for men with ED regarding changes in sexual function, sexual self-confidence, self-esteem, and overall relationship satisfaction. Through administration both before and after taking sildenafil (Viagra) of the Self-Esteem And Relationship (SEAR) questionnaire, a multi-dimensional, psychometrically validated questionnaire, the research concluded that men with ED using sildenafil revealed normalization of their relationships, confidence, and self-esteem when compared to men without ED.
The article entitled: "Comparison Between Sildenafil-Treated Subjects with Erectile Dysfunction and Control Subjects on the Self-Esteem And Relationship Questionnaire" published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine, involved 93 men with ED in stable relationships, using sildenafil as needed for 10 weeks. These patients were compared with a control group of 94 male volunteers with no history of ED also in a stable relationships, a novel study design.
To enhance interpretation and meaning of the health-related quality of life scores, SEAR data were compared between subjects with ED and control men without ED. Average score values between the ED group and the no-ED control group were evaluated in terms of not only statistical testing but also equivalence testing. The purpose of a traditional statistical test is to determine whether mean scores of two groups differ beyond chance, whereas the purpose of equivalence testing is to determine whether mean scores of two groups are sufficiently near each other to be considered equivalent.
The researchers concluded that mean SEAR scores between subjects with ED at baseline and control subjects without ED were statistically different from zero and not statistically equivalent. Conversely, mean Self-Esteem And Relationship questionnaire scores between ED subjects after treatment and control subjects were statistically equivalent and not statistically different from zero.
Dr. Joseph C. Cappelleri, a director and statistical scientist in Global Research and Development at Pfizer Inc in Groton, CT, and lead author of the paper, stated that "this research indicates that men with erectile dysfunction before treatment with sildenafil have sexual relationship satisfaction, confidence, self-esteem, and overall relationship satisfaction that are much less than men with normal erectile function. This investigation is the first to report that men with erectile dysfunction who are later given treatment with sildenafil are equivalent to men with normal erectile function in terms of sexual relationship satisfaction, confidence, self-esteem, and overall relationship satisfaction. Hence, the data suggest that sildenafil is associated with normalization of relationship satisfaction, confidence, and self-esteem."
Dr. Stan Althof, Professor of Psychology at Case School of Medicine, Executive Director of the Center for Marital and Sexual Health of South Florida, and co-author of the manuscript commented, "This study adds to the growing body of literature regarding the importance of the psychosocial consequences of ED and the positive impact that effective treatment has on these salient issues. The restoration of sexual self-confidence is arguably the most important psychological variable in the successful treatment of ED."
"Although this is probably a class effect, the data are very important because there has recently been a suggestion that PDE5 inhibitors are life-style drugs that offer society little benefit" said Dr. Irwin Goldstein, Editor-in-Chief of The Journal of Sexual Medicine. "In fact, PDE5 inhibitors are life-quality medications that result not only in physical improvement but also in psychological improvement in men's lives."
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This study was funded by Pfizer Pharmaceuticals and the manuscript is published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine. Drs. Cappelleri, Althof, and Goldstein are available for questions and interviews. To arrange for a telephone interview, or if you are a member of the media and would like a PDF of the full article please contact medicalnews@bos.blackwellpublishing.net or 781-388-8507.
About the Journal
The Journal of Sexual Medicine publishes multidisciplinary basic science and clinical research to define and understand the scientific basis of male and female sexual function and dysfunction. As the official journal of the International Society for Sexual Medicine, it provides healthcare professionals in sexual medicine with essential educational content and promotes the exchange of scientific information generated from basic science and clinical research.
About The International Society for Sexual Medicine
The International Society for Sexual Medicine (ISSM) was founded in 1982 for the purpose of promoting, throughout the international scientific community, research and knowledge in sexual medicine, considered as the subspeciality area of medicine that embraces the study, diagnosis and treatment of the sexual health concerns of men and women. The society has over 3000 members worldwide, with five regional societies that are affiliated with ISSM: the Africa Gulf Society for Sexual Medicine, Asia Pacific Society for Sexual Medicine, European Society for Sexual Medicine, Latin American Society for Sexual Medicine, and Sexual Medicine Society of North America.
About Blackwell Publishing
Blackwell Publishing is the world's leading society publisher, partnering with more than 665 academic, medical, and professional societies. Blackwell publishes over 800 journals and, to date, has published close to 6,000 text and reference books, across a wide range of academic, medical, and professional subjects.
Contact: Sharon Agsalda
medicalnews@bos.blackwellpublishing.net
Blackwell Publishing Ltd. |
| posted by Jennie Tate @ 5:23 AM |
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| Friday, March 03, 2006 |
| Early Estrogen's Effect On Heart Disease Similar To WHI Findings |
Researchers in The Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences at Yale have launched the Kronos Early Estrogen Prevention Study (KEEPS), which will further understanding of the possible beneficial effects on the heart and arteries and/or quality of life in recently menopausal women.
The study will explore whether beginning hormone therapy in women during the menopausal transition (ages 42 to 58) protects against atherosclerosis, the major cause of heart attacks.
This study is supported by the recent release of results from the Women's Health Initiative (WHI). That study initially suggested that there were few benefits of estrogen on atherosclerosis. The National Institutes of Health halted the study in 2002. Women in WHI were postmenopausal, with a mean age of 63, yet most women begin hormone treatment much younger, at the onset of menopausal symptoms. Today's study reports the results by age. The younger women, those 50 to 59-years-old, who used estrogen showed a beneficial effect on the heart.
"These findings are consistent with estrogen having a beneficial effect if used early, but a negative effect if used late," said Principal Investigator of the KEEPS trial at Yale, Hugh S. Taylor, M.D. "Estrogen seems to work by limiting the progression of atherosclerotic changes rather than treating established disease. You can't turn back the clock. Estrogen works by preventing disease, but it doesn't work if one goes for years without it. Newly menopausal women can use estrogen for relief of hot flushes and other menopausal symptoms without worrying about their heart. Women close to menopause might even see benefits for their heart."
The Yale team is seeking 90 healthy, recently menopausal women ages 42 to 58 for the trial that will study the effects of using pill and skin patch hormone therapy.
Compensation will be provided for participants accepted into the study.
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For more information on KEEPS, visit www.keepstudy.org or call Diane Wall, clinical research nurse coordinator at 203-785-4739 or diane.wall@yale.edu.
Contact: Karen N. Peart
karen.peart@yale.edu
Yale University |
| posted by Jennie Tate @ 7:18 AM |
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| Wednesday, March 01, 2006 |
| Cocoa Good For Elderly Men's Blood Pressure And Heart |
If you are an old man you may literally ‘drink cocoa to your heart's content', say researchers from the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, Holland.
The researchers found than elderly men who drank cocoa enjoyed lower blood pressure and a more reduced risk of developing cardiovascular problems, when compared to elderly men who did not consume cocoa.
You can read about this study in the Archives of Internal Medicine.
It seems, say the scientists, that cocoa contains ingredients that keep our circulatory system healthy.
We have always suspected cocoa was good for the heart. Studies have been indicating this for the last 200 years. It is only recently, however, that we have begun to understand why.
In this study, 470 men aged 65-84 were, monitored. They all had a check up and were then asked questions about their diets. This all started in 1985. They were checked and questioned again in 1990 and 1995. In other words, this was a ten-year study, on 470 men who were checked and interviewed every five years (three times).
They found the regular cocoa drinkers had much lower blood pressure than the non-cocoa drinkers. The cocoa drinkers, during this period, were half as likely to have died from a cardiovascular disease. Even if their weight was higher, they were smokers and/or drinkers, had very little physical activity - as long as they were regular cocoa drinkers their cardiovascular risks, and risk of death, were significantly lower than the non-cocoa drinkers, said the researchers.
The scientists also found that the regular cocoa drinkers were less likely to die of any disease, not just cardiovascular.
Perhaps it is the flavan-3-oils found in cocoa, or perhaps the high levels of antioxidants. More likely it is a combination of many ingredients that cocoa has.
Health experts have written in to Medical News Today saying that the study was small, and further investigation is necessary. One should be aware of how fattening chocolate can be - don't go hell-bent and gorge yourself with chocolates for the next six months and find yourself several kilos heavier.
Written by: Christian Nordqvist
Editor: Medical News Today |
| posted by Jennie Tate @ 5:10 AM |
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