Stroke & Fitness 

Fitness level predicts stroke                                                                                                                 Back to top

Lack of physical activity is a major public health concern. Poor fitness and low cardiorespiratory levels have been connected to heart disease and hypertension. Now a new study finds low cardiorespiratory fitness is also a risk factor for stroke. Cardiorespiratory fitness level is measured by the maximum oxygen consumption during physical activity. Researchers conducted the current study focusing on fitness level and the risk of stroke in men. The research included more than 2,000 men who had not suffered a stroke as of the start of the study. The participants had their fitness level determined by having their maximum oxygen level measured during exercise. The men were followed for 11 years. During this time, 110 of the men suffered a stroke. Researchers report the unfit men were more likely to suffer a stroke than the fit men. They also found after adjusting for other risk factors such as smoking, alcohol consumption, diabetes, cholesterol levels and blood pressure levels the association between cardio fitness level and stroke still existed.  Researchers conclude a low cardiorespiratory fitness level puts a person at increased risk for a stroke.

SOURCE: Archives of Internal Medicine, 2003;163:1682-1688

Treatment for Foot Ulcer

New treatment for diabetic foot ulcers                                                                                               Back to top

Researchers say surgically lengthening the Achilles tendon of patients with diabetes can reduce the risk of foot ulcer recurrence. Traditional treatment for foot ulcers in diabetics includes immobilization of the infected foot with a cast, which forces the patient to keep pressure off of the wound. Even after treatment, some patients may still develop more ulcers. The research included 64 participants in this study had an ulcer on the ball of the foot. One group received the traditional treatment, while the other received the Achilles tendon lengthening surgery and the standard cast. The patient’s foot was adjusted to stretch the tendon and then was immobilized for six weeks. Seven months after initial treatment, researchers report the group receiving the Achilles lengthening was “75 percent less likely to have an ulcer recurrence than the group who received only a cast. Researchers conclude that this study shows that lengthening the Achilles tendon can have a dramatic effect on the problem of ulcer recurrence.

SOURCE: Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, August 2003

Sunshine & MS Risk

Sunshine reduces ( Multiple Sclerosis)MS risk                                                                            Back to top

Catching some rays has been shown to boost vitamin D levels and now researchers say it may also reduce the risk of disease. Higher sun exposure during childhood and early adolescence is associated with a reduced risk of multiple sclerosis, according to the study. Researchers surveyed 136 patients with MS and 272 healthy participants about past sun exposure, measures the participants used to protect against the sun, the use of vitamin D supplements, medical history, and other factors thought to be associated with MS. Results of the study show higher sun exposure, between ages 6 and 15, and greater skin damage were linked to a decreased risk of MS. Higher exposure in winter seemed more important than higher exposure in summer. For the study, higher exposure was defined as two to three hours or more a day in summer during weekends and holidays.

SOURCE: British Medical Journal, 2003;327:316

Wait Between Pregnancies

Short interval of time may risk for complications                                                                         Back to top

New research shows women who allow only short intervals of time between pregnancies are at an increased risk for developing complications. Researchers studied nearly 90,000 women who had given birth twice between 1992 and 1998. Results of the study show women with complicated first births are much more likely to become pregnant again in less than six months. They are also more likely to be younger than 20 years old, smoke, and live in a socially and economically deprived area. Women who did not wait long before becoming pregnant with a subsequent child were at an increased risk for complications such as premature birth, neonatal death, and low birth weight. Even women who did not have complicated first pregnancies were at an increased risk for premature birth and neonatal death.

SOURCE: British Medical Journal, 2003;327:313-316

Fish & Heart Rate

 Fish lowers heart rate                                                                                                                            Back to top

Men who eat fish regularly have lower heart rates, according to a new study. Researchers say the lower heart rate is important because an increased heart rate is a risk factor for sudden death. Studies have shown omega-3 fatty acids may prevent cardiac arrest by regulating the heartbeat. A new study by researchers assessed the relationship between fish consumption and heart rate. The research included 9,758 healthy men between 50 and 59 years old. The men answered questions about their diets, physical activity levels and other lifestyle factors. Blood samples were taken to look at cholesterol levels. About 400 of the men had their blood levels tested for omega-3 fatty acids. Researchers divided the men into groups according to their fish intake. Researchers say those who ate fish more than twice a week had a lower heart rate compared to those who ate fish less than once a week.

SOURCE: Ivanhoe Newswire

 HRT: A Difficult Decision

 HRT is greater risk for breast cancer                                                                                                Back to top

A new study involving over a million women provides strong evidence that the use of HRT is associated with a greater risk of breast cancer. The study found combination HRT puts women at a great risk. The study also reports an increase risk of death from breast cancer in women who used HRT compared to those who have not. Between 20 percent and 50 percent of all women between 45 and 70 years old are taking HRT. The current research was set up to look at HRT, breast cancer and fatal breast cancer. One million women between 50 and 64 years old from the UK were recruited for the study between 1996 and 2001. Half of the women had used HRT, more than 9,000 of them were diagnosed with breast cancer, and 637 deaths from breast cancer were reported. The study found women on all types of HRT including estrogen-only, combined estrogen-progestagen, and tibolone were at an increased risk of breast cancer compared with those who never took HRT. The use of combined HRT was associated with a substantially greater increase in risk than other types of HRT. In fact, study authors say combined HRT causes four times as many extra breast cancer cases as oestrogen-only HRT.

SOURCE: The Lancet, 2003;362:419-427,414-415

SQUARE's New Products                       Back to top

            Product                                    Nopik
            Generic Name                         Nateglinide INN
            Strength                                  120 mg
            Dosage form                           Tablet
            Therapeutic Category           Antidiabetic         

            Product                                     Beclomin 250 inhaler
            Generic Name                          Beclomethasone dipropionate BP
            Strength                                   250 mcg
            Dosage form                            MDI
            Therapeutic Category            Anti-asthmatic    

            Product                                     Equra
            Generic Name                          Urea BP
            Strength                                   Urea 10%
            Dosage form                            Cream
            Therapeutic Category            Anti-acne