July 29, 2005
Does a multi- vitamin a day keep osteoporosis away?
Citation:Adams J, Pepping J.; Vitamin K in the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis and arterial calcification. Am J Health Syst Pharm. 2005 Aug 1;62(15):1574-81
Findings: Vitamin K is essential for the activation of vitamin K-dependent proteins, which are involved not only in blood coagulation but in bone metabolism and the inhibition of arterial calcification. Vitamin K deficiency causes reductions in bone mineral density and increases the risk of fractures. Concurrent use of menaquinone and vitamin D may substantially reduce bone loss.
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Citation: Morris MS, Jacques PF, Selhub J.Relation between homocysteine and B-vitamin status indicators and bone mineral density in older Americans.Bone. 2005 Aug;37(2):234-42
Findings: Authors examined data collected on older adults ( >55 years) who underwent DEXA scans of the hip as participants in phase 2 of the third U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (n = 1550). They noted an association between hyperhomocystinemia and low Vit B12 levels and osteoporosis. Hyperhomocystinemia is known to be associated with hip fractures.
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Citation: Rude RK, Gruber HE, Norton HJ, Wei LY, Frausto A, Kilburn J. Dietary magnesium reduction to 25% of nutrient requirement disrupts bone and mineral metabolism in the rat. Bone. 2005 Aug;37(2):211-9.
Findings: Magnesium deficiency (Mg intake of 25% NR) was noted to be associated with loss of bone density in rats.
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Food for thought: It is well known that Calcium and Vit D are essential for preventing osteoporosis. Above studies seem to indicate that Vitamins K and B12, Folate and Magnesium are also essential for preventing osteoporosis. More studies are required to differentiate between association and causation of these factors on Osteoporosis. Meanwhile, providers carrying for older adults may want ensure that their patients are taking sufficient amounts of Vit K, B12 and Folate and Mg in addition to the well publicized Calcium and Vit D.
VJ Periyakoil, MD
Posted by VJ@stanford at 09:39 AM | Comments (0)
July 28, 2005
Stanford Pain & Palliative Care Conference
Stanford Pain & Palliative Care Conference
Venue: Fairchild Auditorium, Stanford
Dates: September 23- 24, 2005
Conference highlights:
Meets California AB 487 Criteria for 12CEU Pain & Palliative Care (State mandate for most physicians)
Latest updates about legal issues in pain and physician assisted suicide
Parallel pain and palliative care tracks
Concurrent interactive breakout sessions for skill practice
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To register, contact:
Megan Zimmerman
Phone: (650) 498 7937
Email: meganz@stanford.edu
Conference agenda and other details are attached.
VJ Periyakoil, MD
Posted by VJ@stanford at 11:40 AM | Comments (0)
Stanford Geriatric Education Center
Looking for resources on cross cultural aging?
Go to http://sgec.stanford.edu
Posted by VJ@stanford at 11:18 AM | Comments (0)
NSAIDS and risk of MI
Citation: Hippisley-Cox J and Coupland C. Risk of myocardial infarction in patients taking cyclo-oxygenase-2 inhibitors or conventional non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: Population based nested case-control analysis. BMJ 2005 Jun 11; 330:1366-9.
Outline: In this case control study in UK, a large database ( more than 7 million patients) from a general practice was used to identify 9218 cases with first myocardial infarctions and 86,349 controls ( matched for age and sex). Increased risk for MI was seen when any of these drugs were used within 3 months of MI or control index date. Diclofenac (adjusted odds ratio : 1.55) rofecoxib (adjusted odds ratio, 1.32), ibuprofen ( adjusted odds ratio 1.24) seemed to be associated with increased risk compared to nonselective NSAIDs
Comment: Many elders are on NSAIDs for chronic pain etc. Naproxen (nonselective NSAID) is sometimes easier on patients do to its BID dosing and may be possibly safer(based on this single observational study. It is to be noted that there is some evidence that some NSAIDs have a protective effective against Alzheimer's Disease ( by their effect on peroxisome proliferator g nuclear transcription factor).
Posted by VJ@stanford at 10:50 AM | Comments (0)
July 04, 2005
Forum on Geriatrics
Welcome to the private Forum on Geriatrics. Through this forum, we hope to foster communication among providers caring for aging and dying patients.
You must have a SUNet ID and be a member to view this forum. For more information, please contact VJ Periyakoil - vsperiyakoil@hotmail.com
Posted by ktboyd at 03:34 PM | Comments (0)
