Supplement may Help Knee Pain (February 4, 2003)
 CRAWLEY, Australia (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Researchers in Australia found glucosamine supplements may provide some degree of pain relief and improved function in people who experience regular knee pain.

Researchers from the University of Western Australia divided participants into two groups. One group received 2,000 milligrams of glucosamine each day for 12 weeks while the second group received the same regimen of a placebo.

Results of the study show the glucosamine group reported having better quality of life and less knee pain after eight weeks than the placebo group. About 88 percent of the glucosamine group reported some degree of improvement in their knee pain compared to 17 percent in the placebo group.

Previous studies found some perceived benefit of glucosamine use, but the results have been somewhat controversial.

Glucosamine is a natural substance produced by the body and found primarily in joint cartilage, where it is thought to play an important role in maintaining joint health and resilience. Glucosamine supplements are widely sold in health food stores and over the Internet.

Knee pain is often age related. Knee pain in people over age 40 is most likely the result of wear and tear on the joints, which can be early osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is the most common cause of knee pain in the United States. In younger people, it is commonly caused by a sports-related injury or physical activity.
SOURCE: British Journal of Sports Medicine, 2003;37:45-49

Combined Treatment More Effective for Breast Cancer (February 3, 2003)
 MILAN, Italy (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Breast cancer patients whose tumors are positive for the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) may have better long-term outcomes if they are treated with a combined therapy.

According to Italian investigators, adding the drug Adriamycin (ADM), also known as doxorubicin, to standard treatment with cyclophosphamide, methotrexare, and fluorouracil (CMF) improves both relapse-free and overall survival when compared to treatment with CMF alone.

Previous studies show patients with HER2-postive tumors tend to respond to treatment with ADM, while those with HER2-negative tumors do not. In this study, researchers investigated tumor specimens of 506 patients with breast cancer. Patients had been treated with either 12 courses of intravenous CMF or eight courses of CMF followed by four cycles of ADM. Researchers analyzed the specimens for HER2 status and then gauged the response to treatment based on interaction between treatment and HER2 status.

At a 15-year follow up, researchers found 17 deaths and 20 relapses among the 45 HER2-positive patients receiving CMF and ADM , compared to 25 deaths and 28 relapses among 50 HER2-positive patients who received CMF alone. HER2-negative patients who received the combined treatment had slightly worse outcomes than those treated with CMF alone.

The authors write, "These results suggest a therapeutic benefit of ADM treatment in patients with HER2+ breast carcinoma. This observation further confirms the conclusions of other reports suggesting that ADM activity is restricted to the subset of breast carcinomas overexpressing the HER2 oncogene."
SOURCE: Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2003;21:458-462

New Migraine Treatment (February 3, 2003)
 MANHASSET, N.Y. (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Migraine sufferers who fail to find relief from standard medications may benefit from treatment with a drug used for years to induce general anesthesia.

Researchers publishing in this month's Neurology find injections of droperidol can help alleviate the pain of migraine and may even keep the headache from returning.

When first-line treatments for migraine fail to do the job, doctors often turn to "rescue" options, including opioids and butalbital, even though there is little scientific evidence showing these drugs are effective. Some studies show droperidol can benefit patients in these situations, but research establishing the effectiveness of droperidol have been lacking. Safety concerns have also been raised, because droperidol in other situations has been linked to a potentially dangerous condition called QT prolongation.

This study was designed to identify the minimum effective dose needed to treat moderate to severe migraine headaches in adults who couldn't find relief with standard medications. About 300 patients were randomized to receive droperidol at doses of either 2.75 milligrams, 5.5 milligrams, or 8.25 milligrams, or a placebo dose containing no active drug.

Results showed between 81 percent and 87 percent of patients taking droperidol were pain free after two hours, compared with 57 percent of those receiving placebo. Patients who reached the two-hour pain free milestone also had fewer headache recurrences within 24 hours if they had taken droperidol, although these results were not considered statistically significant.

Researchers found patients on the 2.75-milligram dose of droperidol had significantly greater reduction in migraine-associated symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound. Side effects from the treatment were generally mild or moderate and included anxiety and sleeplessness. Most significantly, none of the patients showed signs of QT prolongation.

The authors conclude droperidol at the 2.75 dose may be an effective alternative for patients who fail to respond to other migraine treatments.
SOURCE: Neurology, 2003;60:315-321

Healing Effects of Oxygen (February 3, 2003)
 COLUMBUS, Ohio (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Oxygen can do more than just breathe life into our lungs, according to a new journal report. It also has a role to play in helping heal wounds.

Based on prior studies, doctors know oxygen plays an important role in helping the body heal after injury. In fact, studies have shown treatment in a hyperbaric oxygen chamber can help wound healing. Hyperbaric therapy, however, is expensive, and questions of whether or not it causes oxygen toxicity have been raised. These researchers speculated a topical application of pure oxygen might be easier to administer and have fewer unwanted side effects.

Their study tested the use of topical oxygen on 58 wounds in 32 patients who were followed up between one to eight months after treatment ended. Oxygen was locally administered to the wound site through a gas-impermeable chamber applied around the affected wound. Patients were treated for 90-minute periods on four consecutive days, followed by three days of rest. Then the cycle was repeated as long as the wound appeared to be healing or until surgery was performed to repair the site.

Researchers saw no complications, and 38 of the wounds healed while receiving the topical oxygen treatment. Another four healed after undergoing surgery to repair the wound. Eleven others did not heal, and three patients died during the study. Researchers were unable to follow up with two patients.

The investigators believe this large case report indicates a role for topical oxygen in the treatment of chronic or acute hard-to-heal wounds. The write, "The advantages of topical oxygen include the ability for the patients to receive treatment in their own homes and minimal risks associated with use of the device."

SOURCE: Pathophysiology, 2003;9:81-87

Meal Sizes Increasing (February 3, 2003)
 NEW YORK (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- According to a new study, food portion sizes and restaurant servings have increased significantly over the past two decades.

Researchers from New York University compared portion sizes and found portions surpassed standard sizes by as much as eight times. They also found portion sizes of many foods and beverages are two- to five-times larger then the portions of the same item when it first came on the market. Keith Ayoob, ADA spokesperson and registered dietitian, says, "This trend toward larger marketplace portions parallels the rising rates of obesity in our country."

In fact, researchers found portions of some foods were considerably more than the serving sizes recommended on the food label. The number of calories per serving are listed on food labels however individually packaged foods can contain two or more standard label servings. The Food and Drug Administration's therefore placed a rule for food weighing less than twice the standard serving amount to be labeled as "one serving per container." However, researchers say, this has lead to confusion for Americans' who already are unclear about portion sizes.

Ayoob says, "A standard soda serving is eight ounces, so both eight-ounce and 12-ounce sodas are labeled as one serving, while a 20-ounce soda is labeled as 2.5 servings." He adds, "Because marketplace portions are consistently so much larger than Department of Agriculture standard servings, consumers need to be aware that one bagel can easily comprise six grain servings. This discrepancy explains why many Americans view six to 11 grain servings per day as 'too much to eat.' At our current portion sizes, it is too much."
SOURCE: Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 2003:103;321-234

Validating Fibromyalgia Part 1: Behind the Pain (February 3, 2003)
 ANN ARBOR, Mich. (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- According to the Mayo Clinic, 6 million to 8 million Americans have fibromyalgia. It is described as constant pain in every part of the body and fatigue that leaves many unable to get out of bed. There is no proven treatment and with no easy test to diagnose it, many doctors don't even discuss it. Now, ongoing research finally gives answers where there have been none.

Often the greatest strength is found in times of frustration.

Shari Ferbert says, "I can't just sit there and let this happen to me. It's wrecking my life."

It is fibromyalgia.

"I have burning in various parts of my skin, like Indian burns, and throbbing, and sometimes it's shooting pain," she says.

Ferbert says the response she gets from doctors is often worse than the pain. "They just don't understand it. They don't understand the symptoms of it."

Rheumatologist Daniel Clauw, M.D., tells Ivanhoe, "In many cases, people will see an average of six to eight physicians before they are ultimately diagnosed with fibromyalgia."

According to Dr. Clauw, of the University of Michigan Health System in Ann Arbor, diagnosis may not be such an ordeal anymore. "This study has helped establish that when people with fibromyalgia say they're experiencing pain, they in fact are experiencing pain," he says.

In a study he headed up, Dr. Clauw looked at blood flow in the brains of people with fibromyalgia and a healthy control group. "When we gave the fibromyalgia patients a low pressure stimulus, they had a high rating of pain. But, in the controls, it was barely detectable," he says.

When the stimulus doubled in the healthy group, pain showed up the same as it did in the fibromyalgia patients under low stimulus. What does that mean?

Dr. Clauw says, "If you will, fibromyalgia patients have the volume control turned up too loud on their pain processing areas of their brain."

That may not be the only problem. Nurse researcher Joan Shaver, Ph.D., R.N., of the University of Illinois at Chicago, says fibromyalgia patients may also have low levels of growth hormone. Growth hormone is important to muscle health and not having muscle pain. It is also related to quality sleep -- a major problem for people with fibromyalgia.

In healthy people, the hormone peaks with early sleep. In people with fibromyalgia, it stays low, which may be to blame for disruptive sleep. From there, it's a snowball effect.

"We do know that major sleep disruption leads to fatigue and pain," says Shaver.

For Ferbert, this research is a step in the right direction. With her non-profit group Advocates for Fibromyalgia Funding, Treatment, Education and Research and their first $10,000 grant, she intends to keep it moving forward.

"People can try all the antidotes and all these different trial and error type things they want, but the answer's in the research," she says.

At this time, Shaver says growth hormone supplements probably won't help because they are much higher doses than the body produces. To contact AFFTER, go to http://www.affter.org.

If you would like more information, please contact:

Joan Shaver, Ph.D., R.N.
University of Illinois at Chicago
(312) 996-0778
jshaver@uic.edu

Validating Fibromyalgia Part 2: More Than Growing Pains (February 3, 2003)
 TORRANCE, Calif. (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- One description of fibromyalgia from a small boy was that the condition makes you feel as if every muscle in your body is about to throw up. It causes chronic fatigue and muscle and joint pain. Doctors say it's hard to diagnose and it has long been considered an adult problem. Now, doctors say those childhood "growing pains" may be the start of it all.

It's not easy being a kid when every muscle in your body aches as you struggle to keep up with your kid brother. Alyson Weinberg says it's even harder when nobody believes you.

"We went to the doctor and they [told my parents], 'There's nothing wrong with your child.' It made me feel like nobody trusted me," Alyson tells Ivanhoe.

Alyson was just 2 years old when she first complained that her body hurt. Year after year, the determined athlete would play through a barrage of mysterious symptoms: an itchy back, earaches, headaches, pain in her neck, stomach, legs and feet. Lab tests were negative. Doctors, suspicious.

Alyson's mother, Lisa, says, "[The doctor asked,] 'What's going on at school?' With this attitude like he knew my kid better than I did. I said you can't tell me this is psychosomatic. I don't buy that."

If she had, Lisa never would have found endocrinologist R. Paul St. Amand, M.D., the man who put a name to Alyson's pain.

Fibromyalgia does not show up on X-rays or blood tests. Dr. St. Amand finds it by feeling for swelling in specific muscles, tendons, ligaments and joints. The trouble is, most doctors don't look for it in children.

Dr. St. Amand says, "[Doctors] treat the individual thing. Give them a little Tylenol, give them a little of this and that, but it's patchwork stuff because nobody puts it together."

He says growing pains, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), and some cases of ADHD may actually be fibromyalgia. He believes it's a genetic defect in the kidneys that we pass on to our children.

Lisa's had fibromyalgia 40 years. Both of her children have it, too. "It just brought closure to all the symptoms we've ever had problems with and there was no answer. It made sense finally," she says.

Now, thanks to an old drug, there's hope. Dr. St. Amand says guaifenesin, a common over-the-counter expectorant in cold medicine, is clearing symptoms in 90 percent of his patients with no side effects.

The "pain" spots on Alyson's body are even melting away, and she can feel it. The kid who struggled to keep up is back on the mat hoping to earn a spot on the junior Olympic judo team.

"I don't want to quit. If I see a goal, I want to go out and do it and not be held back by something I can't control," says Alyson.

Her pain is now less frequent and less severe. There's still no cure for it, but for this well-rounded 12-year old, it's enough knowing there's a name for it. She says, "I felt better and relieved that this was something instead of just my imagination."

Dr. St. Amand says irritable bowel syndrome, fatigue, leg and neck pain and headaches are often early signs of fibromyalgia in children. He says keep detailed records of your child's symptoms and find a doctor who knows the disease.

If you would like more information, please contact:

Claudia Marek
4560 Admiralty Way #355
Marina del Ray, CA 90292
(310) 577-7510
fmsnurse@aol.com
http://www.fibromyalgiatreatment.com

Exercise Boosts Immune Function (February 1, 2003)
 TOKYO (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- New research shows exercise helps the elderly in more ways than just protecting bones. A study out of Tokyo finds exercise can actually reduce the risk of developing an upper respiratory infection.

Forty-five men and women, average age about 65, exercised doing both resistance training and endurance training for twelve months. Each exercise was done for a total of 60 minutes each week. Researchers from the University of Tokyo tested the levels of secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA), a biological marker of immune function found in saliva, before training and at 4 and 12 months after training.

The study showed that with exercise, the levels of SIgA increased, and as the time of exercise increased, so, too, did the levels.

URIs are usually caused by a virus but may also be due to bacteria or other organisms. This is the most common acute illness in the United States, the most common reason for absence from school or work, and a frequent problem in the ambulatory setting. The condition is so severe in the elderly because, as people advance in age, the immune system function declines and the elderly are less resistant to microorganisms.

Based on their findings, researchers conclude, “Regular moderate exercise seems to enhance mucosal immune function in elderly subjects.”

SIgA is often used by researchers to determine the role of stress on immune function.
SOURCE: British Journal of Sports Medicine, 2003;37:76-79

High-Altitude Dangers (February 1, 2003)
 MARSEILLES, France (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- A new study shows a condition known as high-altitude pulmonary edema occurs more frequently than reported.

High-altitude pulmonary edema generally occurs in individuals who ascend too rapidly from elevations less than 2,500 meters to 3,000 meters, or 8,200 feet to 9,840 feet. It characterizes the pulmonary abnormalities of high-altitude illness and is very uncommon at moderate altitude levels. Most individuals with high-altitude pulmonary edema are skiers or hikers who began physical activity with no previous training.

Researchers from Marseilles School of Medicine in Marseilles, France, therefore, evaluated patients hospitalized for high-altitude pulmonary edema in the French Alps during a nine-year period to determine if it did in fact occur more frequently than reported. Of the participants treated for high-altitude pulmonary edema, all were vacationing skiers. Over the nine-year period there were 52 cases of pulmonary edema and most of the patients were males with no prior history of disease.
SOURCE: Chest, 2003;123:49-53

Exercise is Good for Lymphedema (February 1, 2003)
 VANCOUVER, British Columbia (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- A new study confirms upper-body exercise does not make lymphedema after breast cancer worst but, in fact, increases a patient's quality of life.

Lymphedema is an abnormal buildup of fluid that causes swelling, most often in the arms or legs, and develops when lymph vessels or lymph nodes are missing, impaired, damaged, or removed. Secondary lymphedema can develop from infection, malignancy, surgery, scar tissue formation, trauma, deep vein thrombosis (blood clot in a vein), radiation, or other cancer treatment. It is a common problem for breast cancer patients.

Researchers from the University of British Columbia randomly assigned seven breast cancer survivors with lymphedema to an exercise group and seven survivors to a control group. The exercise group followed a progressive, eight-week upper-body exercise program that consisted of resistance training and aerobic activity.

Results of the study show no changes in arm circumference or arm volume as a result of the exercise program. Results also show a slight increase in physical functioning, general health, mental health and vitality in the exercise group.

Based on his earlier studies with exercise and lymphedema, lead researcher Donald C. McKenzie, M.D., launched "Abreast In A Boat" in 1996 to test the myth that repetitive upper-body exercise in breast cancer survivors encourages lymphedema. No new cases of lymphedema occurred in survivors from the earlier study and none of the existing cases became worse. The organization has grown to include boat racing teams in Canada, the United States, Australia and other countries.
SOURCE: Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2003;21:463-466

Reducing Complications from Diabetes (February 1, 2003)
 COPENHAGEN, Denmark (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- A new study out of Denmark shows patients with type 2 diabetes are more likely to avoid cardiovascular and other complications of diabetes if they receive intensive treatment for the condition.

In their study, a long-term intervention program incorporating several diabetes strategies led to about a 50-percent reduction in the risk cardiovascular events such as heart attacks and stroke. Complications related to blindness and amputations were reduced as well.

People with type 2 diabetes face about a two- to six-times greater risk of death from cardiovascular causes than those without the disease. Among white Americans, the prevalence of heart disease is twice as high in diabetics as in non-diabetics. Several studies have suggested more intensive treatment can reduce this risk, and the American Diabetes Association now recommends such an approach. This study set out to gauge the outcomes for patients receiving this level of treatment.

Investigators randomly assigned 80 patients to receive conventional treatment for their diabetes and 80 to receive an intensive program consisting of diet, exercise, smoking cessation for those who smoked, blood pressure treatment, daily vitamin-mineral supplementation, daily aspirin, and drugs to control blood sugar, if needed.

Patients were followed for nearly eight years. Those in the intensive group had significantly lower rates of cardiovascular disease, nephropathy, retinopathy, and autonomic neuropathy.

The authors write, "Our findings have considerable implications for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. An approach such as the one we used ... should be offered to patients with type 2 diabetes and microalbuminuria who are at increased risk for macrovascular and microvascular complications."

SOURCE: New England Journal of Medicine, 2003;348:383-393

Exercise like a drug in heart disease, study finds (January 27, 2003)
  Exercise can act like a drug on the blood vessels, reducing the risk of heart disease by literally getting the blood flowing, US researchers said on Thursday.

It works in a surprising way, reducing inflammation, which has recently joined high blood pressure and high cholesterol as a leading known cause of heart disease, the researchers said.

The blood stresses the walls of blood vessels as it passes over them, reducing inflammation in a way similar to high doses of steroids, the researchers report in Friday's issue of Circulation Research.

"Inflammation in blood vessels has been linked to atherosclerosis, a hardening of the arteries, and here we see how the physical force of blood flow can cause cells to produce their own anti-inflammatory response," Scott Diamond of the University of Pennsylvania's Institute for Medicine and Engineering, said in a statement.

"Conceivably, exercise provides the localized benefits of glucocorticoid--just as potent as high doses of steroids, yet without all the systemic side effects of taking the drugs themselves," added Diamond, who led the study.

"Perhaps this is a natural way in which exercise helps protect the vessels, by stimulating an anti- inflammatory program when the vessels are exposed to elevated blood flow."

The findings could help explain why exercise works so well to reduce the risk of heart disease, Diamond said.

"We're not talking about running a marathon here. We're just talking about getting the blood moving at high arterial levels," he said.

Studies in recent years have found that cells and chemicals linked with inflammation can be found in arterial clogs, and much research is now focusing on ways to reduce this inflammation. For instance, teams are investigating whether giving patients antibiotics or anti- inflammatory drugs lowers their risk of heart disease.
Diamond has worked using human arteries in the lab but wants to move into animals to confirm his hypothesis.

"Think of blood flow as a stream--whenever a stream branches off you get small areas of recirculation eddies or pools of stagnant water," he said.
"These same situations of disturbed flow irritate the endothelium (the lining of the blood vessels). When blood vessels branch off, all the arterial flotsam--fats and activated blood cells--can clump and stick at these hot spots for atherosclerotic plaque formation," he added.

"Perhaps, elevated blood flow may alter these disease-prone regions to relieve some of the localized inflammation."

'Spare tire' tummy fat ups risk of artery clogging (January 27, 2003)
  Having a large pot belly appears to raise the risk of atherosclerosis, the fatty buildup on the lining of arteries that can increase the risk of heart attack and stroke, according to new study findings. 

People who carried a "spare tire" of fat around their waists and who were also less sensitive to insulin were more likely than others to have increased fat and cholesterol in their blood, according to the study. Insensitivity to the effects of insulin, a condition called insulin resistance, can precede diabetes.

Insulin resistant people with excess abdominal fat also appeared to show higher concentrations of a substance known as apolipoprotein B (apoB) and lower levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, a "good" form of cholesterol. Previous studies have suggested that high levels of apoB may encourage the development of atherosclerosis. 

Study author Dr. Steven E. Kahn of the VA Puget Sound Health Care System in Seattle, Washington, told Reuters Health that he and his colleagues suspect that a pot belly likely precedes insulin resistance. Once both conditions have set in, he noted, people's bodies are more likely to be primed to develop atherosclerosis.

"We think that the deposition of fat in the inside of the abdomen is the critical determinant of insulin resistance in the general population," Kahn said.
"We think that the fat begets the insulin resistance, which helps produce" risk factors for atherosclerosis, he added.
Kahn's is not the first study to identify health hazards of pot bellies. Although body fat tends to relocate to the abdomen with age, past research has shown that excess belly fat, compared to fat elsewhere on the body, can increase the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes, as well as up the chances of stroke in middle age.
In the current study, Kahn and his colleagues measured body fat distribution and screened for insulin resistance in 196 people. The authors also determined how much cholesterol, fat, and apoB was present in each participant's blood.
The average age of study participants was 53. They were all seemingly healthy, with no history of diabetes or cardiovascular disease. 
Reporting in the January issue of Diabetes, Kahn and his colleagues discovered that people with bigger pot bellies who were more resistant to insulin also had lower levels of HDL cholesterol and higher levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol--the "bad" form of cholesterol. 

Risk factors for atherosclerosis appeared to be linked more strongly to tummy size than to whether a person had insulin resistance, Kahn and his team note.

The current study findings suggest that even people who are not obese can be at risk of atherosclerosis, the authors note. Seemingly slim people can carry excess tummy fat and be resistant to insulin, they write, and can therefore be at risk for the blood vessel disease.

In an interview, Kahn noted that abdominal fat could play an essential role in people's risk of future disease. Specifically, he said having a pot belly "is a critical component of metabolic syndrome," a condition marked by insulin resistance and high blood pressure, and which often precedes diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
SOURCE: Diabetes 2003;52:172-179.

Early Glaucoma Detection (January 27, 2003)
 STONY BROOK, N.Y. (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- A new study shows by treating people with early stage glaucoma immediately, progression of the disease can be delayed.

Doctors say glaucoma has no early warning signs and many affected patients are unaware they have the disease until it has advanced. Once someone has lost his or her vision from glaucoma, it cannot be regained. Researchers in New York and Sweden conducted a study focusing on a previous study called The Early Manifest Glaucoma Trial. Scientists looked at why some patients had their disease progress while others did not.

The Early Manifest Glaucoma Trial included 255 patients from 50 to 80 years old who had early stage glaucoma in at least one eye. Half of the patients were treated with medicines and laser to lower eye pressure and the other half of the patients were not treated. Doctors checked both groups every three months.

After six years, researchers found 53 percent of the patients had progression of their glaucoma. When comparing the two groups, researchers report the progression risk was cut in half by early treatment. Other factors also played a role into whose disease progressed and whose did not. For example, patients with higher eye pressure or who had the disease in both eyes were more likely to have their glaucoma advance. Older patients were also more likely to have their disease progress, according to the research.

The study shows early treatment of glaucoma can reduce the risk of the disease progressing. This is particularly evident in patients whose eye pressure can be reduced initially. Researchers say each millimeter of mercury the eye pressure can be lowered was associated with a 10 percent decrease in the disease progression. Researchers say this finding warrants further studies into the relationship of eye pressure as it relates to glaucoma, according to researchers.
SOURCE: Archives of Ophthalmology, 2003;121:48-56

Lead Exposure and Kidney Disease (January 24, 2003)
TAIPEI, Taiwan (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- A low level of lead exposure may speed up the progression of kidney disease, according to new research. However, a therapy may counteract this progression.

Previous research indicates environmental lead exposure is connected with age-related decreases in kidney function. However, studies that have found this positive association did not consider other factors that influence the progression of kidney disease. Researchers in Taiwan conducted a study to look closely at the relationship between lead exposure and kidney function. They also tested whether chelation therapy would prevent the progression of the disease. Chelation therapy uses agents to separate metals from organs or tissues so they can be removed from the body.

For the study, more than 200 patients with chronic kidney disease and no history to exposure to lead were followed for two years. After the two-year period, 64 of the participants who had an elevated level of lead in their body were randomly assigned to receive chelation therapy or placebo. Researchers noted the change in kidney function during the study.

Researchers say lead levels in the patients was an important risk factor for kidney disease. They found the patients who received the therapy had a decrease in the level of lead in their body. They also report the rate of decline in kidney function was less in the group who received the therapy compared to those who received the placebo.

The study concludes low-level environmental lead exposure may accelerate the progression of kidney disease. They also say chelation therapy may improve kidney function in these patients and slow the progression of the disease.
SOURCE: New England Journal of Medicine, 2003;348:277-286

IVF's Link to Eye Cancer (January 24, 2003)
 AMSTERDAM, Netherlands (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Dutch researchers say children who were conceived by in vitro fertilization could be at an increased risk of retinoblastoma, a cancerous tumor of the retina.

The incidence of retinoblastoma is rare, occurring in about one in 17,000 births in the Netherlands and other Western countries. However, investigators in this study diagnosed the condition in five children within 15 months of each other. They then compared the incidence of retinoblastoma in the 1 percent to 1.5 percent of the Dutch population born after IVF with retinoblastoma incidence in the general population.

Results of the study show children conceived by IVF could be between five- and seven-times more likely than non-IVF children to develop childhood retinoblastoma, assuming IVF accounts for 1 percent to 1.5 percent of all conceptions in the Netherlands. The retinoblastomas were treated successfully in all five children and they have since remained free of the condition.

Lead researcher Annette Moll, M.D., Ph.D., from VU University Medical Center, says, "Future investigators should consider the number of IVF treatments, other fertility drugs given before IVF, and the possibility that serious disorders in children conceived by IVF are diagnosed earlier than those in other children who do not have such close medical surveillance."

David BenEzra, M.D., Ph.D., from Hadassah Hebrew University Hospital in Jerusalem, is cautious. He writes, in an accompanying commentary, that the study's calculated risks of children born after IVF developing the tumor are unprecedented and alarming. He says, "An open debate on this issue is necessary to frame it in its proper context and to [minimize] potential harmful effects of unfounded and potentially misleading information."
SOURCE: The Lancet, 2003;309-310, 273

Alcohol Intake and Diabetes Risk (January 24, 2003)
 OSAKA, Japan (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- A drink a day may keep diabetes away, according to a new study. A new study shows moderate alcohol consumption among healthy men is associated with a reduced risk for the development of type 2 diabetes.

The medical community has been debating the positive and negative effects on alcohol consumption for years. More and more research shows a moderate level, meaning one drink for a woman a day or two drinks for a man, may have some positive health benefits. Previous research has shown moderate alcohol consumption is associated with a reduced risk of heart disease. Researchers in Japan conducted a study to see if there is an association between alcohol consumption and the risk for developing diabetes.

The study included 2,953 healthy Japanese office workers who ranged in age from 39 to 59 years old. The men's fasting blood sugar levels were measured once a year between May 1994 and May 2001.

Researchers found a U-shaped association between alcohol consumption and the incidence of type 2 diabetes during the seven-year follow-up. Specifically, men who drank moderate amounts of alcohol had a reduced risk of developing diabetes compared to men who drank heavily or not at all. This finding was true even after researchers took into account other risk factors such as age, family history of diabetes, body mass index, cigarette smoking and physical activity.

Researchers write, "As moderate alcohol consumption might lower the risks for CVD (cardiovascular disease) and diabetes, it may well be that the effects of moderate alcohol consumption on CVD are related to the changes in insulin and glucose metabolism."
SOURCE: Diabetes Care, 2003;26:48-54

Treatments for Preeclampsia (January 23, 2003)
 PROVO, Utah (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- A new study shows one drug may be more effective than another for preventing seizures in women with severe preeclampsia. Eclampsia is a form of high blood pressure that occurs during pregnancy.

Magnesium sulfate is commonly given during pregnancy to prevent or halt seizures. Nimodipine is a calcium channel blocker that reduces the amount of narrowing of blood vessels. Researchers found magnesium sulfate is more effective than nimodipine against eclampsia seizures.

The multicenter study involved 1,650 women with severe preeclampsia. The women were randomly assigned to receive either 60 milligrams of nimodipine orally every four hours or magnesium sulfate intravenously from enrollment until 24 hours after birth.

Results of the study show women who received nimodipine were more likely to have a seizure than those who received magnesium sulfate. The nimodipine group also had a higher rate of postpartum seizure.

Results also show no significant differences in neonatal outcome between the two groups. However, researchers found more women in the magnesium sulfate group than in the nimodipine group needed treatment to control blood pressure. More than half the women in the magnesium sulfate group needed their blood pressure control compared to 45.7 percent.
SOURCE: New England Journal of Medicine, 2003;348:304-311

Antioxidant-amino acid mix shields blood vessels (January 23, 2003)
 Jan 23 - A cocktail of antioxidants mixed with an amino acid may protect blood vessels from inflammation and the buildup of plaque, a preliminary study suggests. 

According to the report, antioxidants and L-arginine, an amino acid, protected the cells of human blood vessels from the wear and tear of fluid rushing by. 

Branch points, areas where two vessels meet, are particularly vulnerable because they are exposed to turbulent shear-stress, a type of force imposed by the flow of blood that can cause inflammation and plaque build up leading to atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries. 

Shear-stress can also increase damage from free radicals, compounds that can cause varying degrees of damage to cells, researchers report in the online early edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 

To investigate if antioxidants and L- arginine might prevent this type of damage, researchers exposed human cells to different fluid flow forces inside a culture dish. 

High shear-stress caused cells to produce inflammatory compounds. However, fewer dangerous compounds were produced when cells were coated with antioxidants and L-arginine. These substances also caused the cells to produce eNOS (endothelial nitric oxide synthase), an enzyme that allows vessels to expand and prevents blood from clotting.

Antioxidants have been shown to squelch free radicals while L-arginine is a precursor of nitric oxide, a compound that helps the inner lining of blood vessels to dilate.

In a second experiment, researchers demonstrated that these compounds reduced the damage caused by shear-stress in mice bred to have high cholesterol.

"These results demonstrate that atherogenic effects induced by turbulent shear-stress can be prevented by co-treatment with antioxidants and L- arginine," Dr. Louis J. Ignarro from the University of California in Los Angeles and colleagues conclude.

SOURCE: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 2003;10.1073.

Downside of Vitamin A (January 23, 2003)
  UPPSALA, Sweden (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- You can have too much of a good thing, according to a new study. The research finds too much vitamin A in humans may lead to an increased risk of bone fracture. Researchers from Sweden say current levels of vitamin A supplementation and food fortification in Western countries may need to be reassessed.

Previous research has shown vitamin A in high doses stimulates bone resorption and prevents bone formation. This is seen in studies done in the lab and in animal studies. Does this mean an increased level of vitamin A increases one's risk for a fracture?

More than 2,300 men took part in the study looking at Vitamin A and fractures. The men's serum retinol level and beta carotene levels were taken at the beginning of the study. The measurement of retinol is used to determine the level of vitamin A in the body. The men were then followed for 30 years. Researchers documented who suffered a fracture.

The men with the highest levels of serum retinol were at the greatest risk for a fracture. Researchers say men with retinol levels in the 99th percentile had a seven-times greater overall risk of a fracture compared to men with the lower levels. The study also found the level of beta carotene was not associated with the risk of fracture.

The study concludes an increased level of vitamin A puts one at a greater risk for a fracture. These findings are consistent with animal studies, as well as other dietary studies. Researchers feel vitamin A fortification may not be a good idea in Western countries where the life expectancy is high and the prevalence of osteoporosis is increasing.
SOURCE: The New England Journal of Medicine, 2003;348:287-294

study of Asthma-Drug Halted (January 23, 2003)
 The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today announced that an interim analysis of a large safety study of the approved asthma drug Serevent (salmeterol xinafoate) Inhalation Aerosol suggests that the drug may be associated with an increased risk of life-threatening asthma episodes or asthma-related deaths, particularly in some patients.

The interim analysis did not show a statistically significant result for the primary endpoint - a combination of respiratory-related deaths or intubations (or ventilatory failure). There was a trend, however, towards increases in asthma deaths and serious asthma episodes when all patients in the study were considered, though again this did not reach statistical significance. A further analysis of the data from the study suggested that the risk might be greater in African-American patients. Also, further analyses showed that patients not taking inhaled corticosteroids at study entry appeared to have greater risk for serious outcomes than those who were taking inhaled corticosteroids.

This study was designed to further investigate the safety of Serevent, particularly whether it might rarely cause serious asthma-related adverse events. It was begun in 1996, after FDA received post-marketing reports of several asthma deaths associated with the use of Serevent Inhalation Aerosol and following publication of studies raising concern about the regular use of short-acting and long-acting beta agonists, including Serevent. Because asthma patients can sometimes suffer sudden, serious life-threatening episodes of bronchospasm as a consequence of their disease, the deaths and serious adverse events reported for Serevent could neither be clearly attributed to use of this product, nor could it be excluded as a cause. This study was undertaken to try to help provide better information on the safety of this product. 

Today, the manufacturer of Serevent Inhalation Aerosol, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), notified investigators that it is stopping this study, mostly due to difficulties in enrollment and the likelihood the study would not give a clear result, even if fully enrolled. The Glaxo Data Safety Monitoring Board overseeing this trial conducted the interim data analyses that led to today's action. Approximately 26,000 subjects, representing more than 4.3 million patient-days of exposure to the drug, had participated in the study. The study was intended to enroll 60,000 patients.

FDA routinely monitors adverse event reports as part of its continuing efforts to reduce adverse events. Drug safety and risk management are among FDA Commissioner Dr. Mark B. McClellan's top priorities.

FDA approved Serevent Inhalation Aerosol in 1994 to treat asthma, and later this approval was extended to use for treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The drug belongs to the class of asthma medications known as beta2-receptor agonists (commonly called beta agonists). The active drug in Serevent, salmeterol, is also contained in the asthma drugs Serevent Diskus and Advair Diskus, also manufactured by Glaxo.

FDA plans to meet with Glaxo shortly to obtain more details about the data from the interim analyses of the study and to determine what steps are warranted to address this important new risk information. FDA is particularly interested in further evaluating the question of whether certain patients may be at a greater risk for rare, but potentially serious adverse events due to Serevent use and use of other related drugs.

FDA emphasizes that based on available data, the benefits of Serevent for the asthma population continue to outweigh the risks and that the serious adverse events reported in the trial were rare. FDA strongly advises patients that they should NOT stop taking Serevent, or any other medication, for asthma or COPD, without first talking to their physicians. Abruptly stopping drugs for the treatment of asthma and COPD can result in serious exacerbations of these diseases that could be life-threatening. FDA further emphasizes that all asthma drugs, including Serevent, should be a given as a part of a comprehensive treatment plan that takes into account the patient's asthma severity and fully educates the patient in the disease and its proper treatment.

An estimated 16 million patients in the U.S. now have asthma, and the number of asthmatics has increased significantly in the recent decades. In addition to the beta2-receptor family of medications, other drugs approved for asthma include leukotriene blockers, inhaled corticosteroids and theophylline.

U.S. Food Portions Increasing (January 22, 2003)
 CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- New research shows food portion sizes in restaurants and at home have increased over the past 20 years.

Researchers from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill studied three national surveys to determine trends in food portion sizes in the United States. The studies combined involved 63,380 people ages 2 and older.

Researchers found pizza portions in general decreased during the study period between 1977 and 1996. However, portion sizes of salty snacks increased from 1.0 ounces to 1.6 ounces, soft drinks increased from 13.1 fluid ounces to 19.9 fluid ounces, hamburgers increased from 5.7 ounces to 7.0 ounces, French fries from 3.1 ounces to 3.6 ounces, and Mexican food increased from 6.3 ounces to 8.0 ounces.

Authors of the study say the size of the increases are substantial. They write, "Since an added 10 [kilocalories] per day of unexpended energy is equivalent to an extra pound of weight per year, it is easy to see the potential impact of large increases."

Researchers also found fast food establishments served the largest portion sizes while restaurants served the smallest portion sizes. The most surprising result, researchers say, is the large portion size increases for food consumed at home. They add, "These findings suggest that the public requires better education about control of portion size both inside and outside the home."
SOURCE: Journal of the American Medical Association, 2003;289:450-453

Elan Nutrition LLC Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Peanut in Ultimate Lo Carb Bar™ (January 21, 2003)
  -Chocolate Brownie Nut Flavor Manufactured for BIOCHEM®
Grand Rapids, MI - January 17, 2003 -- Elan Nutrition LLC of Grand Rapids, MI is recalling its 60 gram nutrition bars sold under the name of Ultimate Lo Carb Bar™ -Chocolate Brownie Nut flavor, because they may contain peanuts. People who have allergies to peanuts run the risk of allergic reaction if they consume these products.

The recalled product is distributed throughout the United States.

The product comes in a 60 gram size packaged in a flexible metallized film with the following code dates:

APR1803S1 APR1803S6 APR1803W6 APR1803W1 APR1803H7 APR1803N6 
APR1903S7 APR1903N7 APR1903W7 

One allergic reaction was reported to date in connection with this problem.

The recall was initiated after it was discovered that the peanut containing product was distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of peanut.

Consumers who have purchased the product are urged to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at:

Elan Nutrition LLC
4440 44th Street SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49512
616-940-6000

Incontinence in Working Women (January 20, 2003)
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Incontinence is a prevalent condition in working women. Now researchers have found differences in how incontinence is viewed and dealt with among women in different work settings.

Researchers completed two studies. The first study was conducted in an urban academic setting with a survey given to 2,000 women. The second study was conducted with 500 women in a rural pottery manufacturing facility. The average age of women in the first group was 45, and the average age for the second group was 44. The majority of women in both groups reported excellent or good health.

Results of the study show a higher incidence of incontinence in the rural group. Twenty-one percent of women in the urban group and 29 percent of women in the rural group reported incontinence of urine at least once a month. The majority of women in both groups reported being incontinent longer than a year.

Results also show differences in the women's views on whether or not urine loss could get better. A larger percentage of women in the urban academic group, 40 percent, said they didn't know, while only 1 percent of the women in the rural group said they didn't know. In the urban group, half the women thought incontinence could improve, while 10 percent thought it could not improve. In the rural group, 73 percent thought it could improve and 26 percent thought it could not improve.

The majority of women in both groups said getting treatment was of little or no importance. However, most women wanted more information about incontinence, but few actually requested it. Less than half in both groups reported their urinary incontinence to a doctor or nurse. Of the women who did report it, 28 percent of women in the urban group, and 42 percent in the rural group reported that nothing was done by their health care provider, even though strategies to manage incontinence exist.

Treatment for Abdominal Cancer (January 20, 2003)
By Meredith Barnes, Ivanhoe Health Correspondent

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Delivering heated chemotherapy drugs directly into the abdomen may increase the survival rate for patients suffering from a form of abdominal cancer.

Patients with the most fatal intra-abdominal cancer, known as peritoneal carcinomatosis, only live about three to six months without treatment. However, researchers from Wake Forest University School of Medicine were able to extend the life of study participants with peritoneal cancer by an average of 16 months.

In their study, 109 patients with peritoneal cancer underwent surgery to remove as much tumor as possible, in conjunction with intraperitoneal hyperemic chemotherapy. IPHC is the process of cooling the core body temperature to 93 degrees Fahrenheit, then delivering chemotherapy directly into the abdominal cavity using catheters. Previous research shows tumor tissue to be more sensitive to heat than normal tissue and less resistant to chemotherapy when it is cooled.

Perry Shen, M.D., lead author of the study, says, "This trial and available data indicated that a multimodality approach to treating patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis can significantly alter the natural history of disease, alleviate symptoms and even produce long-term survivors."

IPHC cannot cure peritoneal cancer, but it can ease the symptoms associated with the disease and therefore, improve the quality of life for those who suffer. Out of 17 patients who had survived more than three years since surgery, more than 90 percent had no functional limitations.

In an interview with Ivanhoe Broadcast News, Dr. Shen says, "These patients are traditionally considered to have a terminal prognosis and don't have any real hope for meaningful options as far as treatments." He continues, "The approach of surgery, plus the heated chemotherapy during the operation, for certain patients or select patients, can improve their survival and extend their life."
SOURCE: Archives of Surgery, 2003;138:26-33

Falls Common after Stroke (January 20, 2003)
COVENTRY, England (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Women who complain of balance problems after stroke are significantly more likely to experience a fall than those who say they don't have a problem with balance, report British researchers.

Falls are a large problem in the elderly, but even more so in those who experience a stroke. About 40 percent of all people who suffer a stroke will fall within the first year, and research shows stroke survivors who do fall are four times more likely to break a hip than those without stroke.

Investigators studied 124 female stroke survivors who were living at home to gauge the causes of falls among this population. All were evaluated during home assessments for physical and mental factors which could impact fall risk. Researchers followed the women for one year.

Results show the strongest risk factor for falls was due to difficulty of maintaining balance while dressing. Women who complained of this problem were seven times more likely to fall than others. Those who reported overall balance problems, dizziness, or a spinning sensation were about five times more likely to experience a fall.

Researchers believe these results point to a need for interventions aimed at reducing the frequency of balance problems during complex tasks like dressing. In an accompanying editorial, Yngve Gustafson, M.D., Ph.D., from Umea University Hospital in Sweden, agrees with the current findings. However, he notes a recent study which found a fall intervention program consisting of education, exercise, environmental review, use of hip protectors, and other factors was successful in reducing falls in a frail elderly population.

Dr. Gustafson writes, "Similar intervention studies should be conducted among stroke survivors to develop stroke-specific fall prevention strategies."
SOURCE: To be published in an up coming issue of Stroke

Slowing Osteoarthritis (January 20, 2003)
CELEBRATION, Fla. (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- According to the Arthritis Foundation, about 20 million Americans have osteoarthritis. Eighty percent of those who have it report some form of limitation in movement or activities. Now you may be able to slow the progression of the disease.

As a college professor, the world is Ron Clifton’s classroom. He communicates with students through a computer. He tells Ivanhoe, “By the time I came here, there was the beginning of arthritis at that point.”

The pain soon became debilitating. Last year he had both of his knees replaced.

“For a couple of years, mine only ached when I walked, but of course, you can’t avoid walking,” says Clifton.

Orthopedic surgeon Dave Dore, M.D., of Florida Hospital Celebration Health in Celebration, tells Ivanhoe, “Osteoarthritis is one of the most common reasons for everyday complaints, for loss of work-time.”

Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage in your joints wears out. So what can you do to slow the damage? Dr. Dore says keep your muscles strong.

“I always tell people it’s like a tent, their joints are like tents. The bones are the poles and maybe the poles are getting a little rickety, but if you’ve got good, strong ropes, the tent’s going to stay up,” he says.

Also Dr. Dore says avoid extra weight. With every step, you put a force two- to three-times your body weight on your knee joints. An extra 10 pounds is like 20 or 30 pounds. And what about those supplements?

“About a quarter to a third of them who try the classic ones like chondroitin sulfate, glucosamine or glycan, will report to me that they have had significant benefit,” he says.

Clifton has lost about 30 pounds in the past year and a half. He says, “Now if I want to walk around, I walk around as fast as I need to.”

His plans for the future include losing more weight to keep his new knees strong.

Dr. Dore says, not only are overweight people most likely to wear out their knees, but diabetics are too. He says those interested in trying the supplements should know if they're working in six to eight weeks after starting treatment.
If you would like more information, please contact:
Dyan Perewicz
Florida Hospital Celebration Health
400 Celebration Place
Celebration, FL 34747
(407) 303-4204
Dyan.Perewicz@flhosp.org
http://www.celebrationjointreplacement.com

Stroke Risk in Diabetics (January 17, 2003)
SURREY, England (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- A new study finds a high risk of stroke for people diagnosed with type 1, or insulin-dependent, diabetes.

This research represents the first major look at death rates from cerebrovascular disease in this population.

Doctors have long known people with type 2 diabetes have an increased risk of dying from cerebrovascular disease, which is the number one cause of strokes. Studies have also shown a high rate of cardiovascular disease among people with both types of diabetes, but few studies have looked specifically at the risk of cerebrovascular disease in those with type 1 diabetes.

This study included nearly 24,000 people diagnosed with type 1 diabetes before age 30. Investigators followed the subjects for 17 years, recording deaths from cerebrovascular causes according to age and gender. The results were then compared to expected cerebrovascular death rates in the general population.

Overall, death rates from cerebrovascular disease were about three times higher for men and nearly four and a half times higher for women. The discrepancy was even more dramatic for those in the younger age group. Women between 20 and 39 had about a seven times higher risk of dying from cerebrovascular disease, and men that age had about a five times higher risk.

“The results from this group of patients with type 1 diabetes show that at all ages, death from cerebrovascular disease is higher in the patients with diabetes than in the general population,” says lead author Susan P. Laing, Ph.D.
SOURCE: To be published in an upcoming issue of Stroke

Folic Acid Consumption (January 14, 2003)
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- A new study shows Americans are getting more than twice the level of folic acid than what the government predicted. While the level is still considered a safe amount, researchers say the higher level should be carefully assessed.

In 1998, the Food and Drug Administration initiated a mandate to add folic acid to all enriched cereal-grain foods. The main motive behind this mandate was to reduce the occurrence of neural tube defects. Neural tube defects are a birth defect associated with a lack of folic acid. Additionally, the FDA thought the increase in folic acid could reduce the incidence of cardiovascular disease and certain cancers.

The goal of the mandate was to increase the level of folic acid intake to 100 micrograms per day. The FDA thought more than 1,000 micrograms per day would be unsafe, but they felt this would not be likely to happen. Researchers from the University of Florida in Gainesville conducted a study to determine the amount of folic acid consumed by people in the United States.

Researchers analyzed data from published studies to determine the amount of folic acid Americans are eating. They then compared this data to determine the increased level of consumption.

The study shows Americans have surpassed the goal set by the 1998 mandate. Researchers found the predicted increases in folic acid intake from fortified foods ranged from 215 micrograms to 240 micrograms per day. They say, since the level of folic acid consumption is twice as much as expected, the effects of this much higher amount needs to be studied.
SOURCE: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2003;77:221-225

Arthritis Drug Helps the Heart (January 14, 2003)
ZURICH, Switzerland (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- New research shows a common arthritis drug has some beneficial effects in heart disease patients. The anti-inflammatory drug improved blood vessel flexibility and reduced inflammation in these patients. 

Doctors say there is increasing evidence that atherosclerosis is an inflammatory disease. Arthritis is treated with anti-inflammatory drugs including COX-2 inhibitors. Researchers say COX-2 inhibitors may not only reduce inflammation in joints, but also in the vessel wall. Researchers from University Hospital in Zurich, Switzerland conducted a small study to determine if COX-2 inhibitors have beneficial effects on heart disease patients. 

Researchers studied 14 men ages 46 to 77 with severe heart disease. All of the men received standard therapy for their heart disease including blood-thinning aspirin and statins to lower cholesterol. The patients also received the COX-2 inhibitor called celecoxib or placebo for two weeks. Then, the groups switched treatments. Researchers measured the inner lining of the blood vessels in the participants as well as the C-reactive protein level and the ox-LDL level. A high level of a C-reactive protein is associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular disease. Ox-LDL is a form of the bad cholesterol that is combined with oxygen and is considered more dangerous than just the LDL level. 

Researchers found the function of the blood vessels improved more in patients on the drug than when on placebo. They also found the level of the C-reactive protein was lower in the patients on the drug. Finally, they report the levels of ox-LDL were lower in patients receiving the drug compared with those on placebo.

Investigators say this is the first study to demonstrate this positive relationship between anti-inflammatory drugs and heart disease patients. However, they add larger studies are needed to look closer at these benefits. 
SOURCE: To be published in an upcoming issue of Circulation.

Drinking During Pregnancy (January 14, 2003)
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Although many women know the risk of alcohol consumption during pregnancy, a new study shows 15 percent of women have consumed alcohol at least once during a pregnancy.

Researchers from the University of Michigan surveyed 1,131 pregnant women 18 to 46 years old as they waited for their prenatal appointments. Women were asked about a range of health and lifestyle issues, including exercise, tobacco use, and alcohol use. The survey included both direct questions about drinking during pregnancy and indirect questions about drinking habits. Women who reported any alcohol use were divided into low- and high-risk groups.

Researchers found 86 percent of the women fell into the low-risk group, consuming less than one drink per week and reporting no binges of five drinks or more at a time. The remainder of the women drank one drink or more per week or reported having had one or more drinking binges during their pregnancy. Researchers say binge drinking was uncommon, but 7 percent of the women using alcohol reported one or more binge drinking episodes during pregnancy.

The study shows drinking was not associated with marital status, race or education. However, it was associated with age, smoking and earlier stages of pregnancy. Women in the high-risk drinking group smoked twice as many cigarettes per day as women in the low-risk group, and three times as many cigarettes a day as those who didn't drink at all. Women in the earlier stages of pregnancy were also more likely to drink.

Researchers say just over half of the women said their health care provider had talked with them about the dangers of drinking while pregnant. Heather Flynn, Ph.D., from the University of Michigan, says: "We may be able to identify, through quick screening, the women who may be at highest risk for harmful outcomes for themselves and their infants, and stop those potentially risky behaviors. First, we need to better understand the relationships between drinking, tobacco use, and other mental health issues in pregnancy."
SOURCE: Alcoholism; Clinical and Experimental Research, 2002;27:81-87