What's the biggest pain in your life? Credit card debt? High gas prices? While these problems are extremely bothersome, a new survey from the makers of DR. SCHOLL'S® reveals that the physical pain suffered by people with knee and lower back pain is also at the top of the list. The survey shows that knee and lower back pain pervade many aspects of respondents' lives - and that's only the beginning of the story. As a result of their pain, more than half of sufferers (55 percent) said they weren't able to sleep as well, one quarter said they gained weight (26 percent), and one in five (21 percent) lost money because they had to take time off from work.1
The survey also shows that almost half of adult Americans (47 percent) experienced knee or lower back pain in the past year.1 When asked what they would trade for a pain-free week, 57 percent of aching Americans said they would forgo eating dessert, 55 percent would miss their favorite television show and one-third (32 percent) would even sacrifice sex.1
Knee and lower back pain are common and costly ailments that can result from several causes, including injury, being overweight, or simply muscle stress and strain.2,3 In 2005, millions of visits were made to physicians' offices due to knee and back symptoms.4 There are several treatment options for knee and lower back pain, but they can be expensive. One study found that direct costs to treat individuals with back pain alone added up to $26 billion a year.5
"With obesity on the rise and the U.S. population aging, Americans are more likely to experience knee or lower back pain at some point during their lives," said Dr. Leslie Campbell, DPM, Presbyterian Hospital, Texas. "While some patients opt for medical intervention, many can find relief simply by using specially designed shoe insoles called orthotics. These over-the-counter products are fairly inexpensive and can be found at various retail locations, including drugstores. Many people are surprised to learn that managing certain types of knee and lower back problems can actually begin with their feet."
In fact, the Dr. Scholl's® survey showed that when asked what treatments they believe would relieve their knee or lower back pain, more than three quarters (77 percent) of sufferers mentioned that visiting a health care professional and/or taking prescription or over-the-counter medication (76 percent) could bring them relief, while less than half (41 percent) named insoles or shoe inserts as a viable pain-relief option to relieve their knee or lower back pain. 1
Dr. Scholl's Pain Relief Orthotics provide an effective and inexpensive solution for certain types of knee and lower back pain. Their design is also clinically proven to provide all-day comfort. DR. SCHOLL'S KNEE PAIN RELIEF ORTHOTICS promote better foot and leg alignment and provide relief from knee pain due to overpronation. DR. SCHOLL'S BACK PAIN RELIEF ORTHOTICS cushion and absorb jarring impacts, using a design that is clinically proven to relieve lower back pain that can result from being on your feet all day. The makers of Dr. Scholl's Pain Relief Orthotics worked closely with health care professionals to develop and test the only full line of over-the-counter orthotics specially designed to relieve knee, lower back, heel or arch pain.
"Using over-the-counter orthotics is a first line of defense that many people are unaware of," added Dr. Campbell. "Sufferers who experience knee or lower back discomfort and the many difficulties their pain may cause should first look into this effective solution."
About DR. SCHOLL'S®
DR. SCHOLL'S® products are available at food, drug and mass retailers nationwide. For more information, please visit drscholls.
DR. SCHOLL'S® is America's number one brand of footcare products. For over a century, the
DR. SCHOLL'S® line has provided footcare and comfort to millions. Today, the DR. SCHOLL'S® brand offers over 120 footcare products to help keep feet healthy, comfortable and beautiful. The
DR. SCHOLL'S® brand leads the way by utilizing the latest podiatric medicine and research to revolutionize the way Americans think of, and care for, their feet.
DR. SCHOLL'S is a registered trademark of Schering-Plough HealthCare Products, Inc.
About Schering-Plough
Schering-Plough is an innovation-driven, science-centered global health care company. Through its own biopharmaceutical research and collaborations with partners, Schering-Plough creates therapies that help save and improve lives around the world. The company applies its research-and-development platform to human prescription and consumer products as well as to animal health products. In November 2007, Schering-Plough acquired Organon BioSciences, with its Organon human health and Intervet animal health businesses, marking a pivotal step in the company's ongoing transformation. Schering-Plough's vision is to "Earn Trust, Every Day" with the doctors, patients, customers and other stakeholders served by its colleagues around the world. The company is based in Kenilworth, N.J., and its Web site is schering-plough.
1 All statistics taken from the Dr. Scholl's Orthotics Omnibus Survey. Conducted by StrategyOne. January 2008, except where noted.
2 Pace B. JAMA Patient Page: Coping with Back Pain. JAMA. 2000;284(21).
3 Zeller JL. JAMA Patient Page: Knee Pain. JAMA. 2007;297(15).
4 National Center for Health Statistics, National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey. 2005. Available at cdc/nchs/data/ad/ad387.pdf
5 Back Pain: A Costly Ache. The Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council. April 2004. Available at phc4/reports/fyi/docs/phc4fyi24.pdf. Accessed March 6, 2008.
воскресенье, 31 июля 2011 г.
четверг, 28 июля 2011 г.
Why Measuring Absolute Risk Of Fracture Could Save Many Broken Bones
A person's absolute risk of fracture over the next 5 or 10 years can be predicted with reasonable accuracy according to their age, sex, bone density and history of fractures and falls.
While not an exact science, risk predictions allow people to make more informed choices about whether or not they will seek or accept treatment.
In Australia, the Government pays for preventative treatment based primarily on whether or not someone has already sustained a fracture. The problem with this approach is that many of those at high risk of future fracture have no history of prior fracture.
The Government also provides treatment for those 70 years or older with very low bone density, even without a fracture, and in some other situations such as high-dose, long-term corticosteroid use.
However, over 50% of women and 70% of men who fracture do not have osteoporosis, and do not have any prior history of fracture. So many people at high risk of fracture are not aware of their risk, and nor are their doctors. If they were aware of that risk, they may decide to make lifestyle changes, or pay for treatment themselves.
Dr Sunita Sandhu, Professor Tuan Nguyen, Professor John Eisman and Dr Nguyen Nguyen from the Garvan Institute of Medical Research have compared the performance of Garvan's fracture risk calculator (fractureriskcalculator), launched early last year, with one released by the World Health Organisation (WHO). Their findings are published in Osteoporosis International, now online.
In a 'matched case-control study', 69 women with a fracture were matched against 75 women without a fracture, and 31 men with a fracture were matched against 25 men without a fracture.
"We can see very clearly that our model predicts fracture at least as well as the WHO model when applied to an Australian population, and apparently more accurately for Australian men," said Professor Nguyen.
The Garvan fracture risk calculator is based on gender, bone mineral density, age, history of personal fracture, and history of falls.
The WHO model ignores falls, but includes height, weight, personal history of fracture, family history of fracture, smoking, alcohol consumption, use of corticosteroids, rheumatoid arthritis and secondary osteoporosis.
According to Professor Nguyen, "the results suggest that the criteria in the Garvan calculator combine the most critical risk factors."
"Our model allows clinicians to combine four risk factors to estimate the risk of fracture within the next 5 to 10 years for an individual man or woman. People can then make decisions about treatment based on that knowledge."
"In the future we will be able to incorporate genetic information as a useful additional criterion, once we have more clearly established which genes are involved in fracture risk."
"In other fields such as cardiovascular diseases and cancer, treatment is now based on an individual's absolute risk of having a disease. In osteoporosis, we are gradually moving in that direction."
About Garvan
The Garvan Institute of Medical Research was founded in 1963. Initially a research department of St Vincent's Hospital in Sydney, it is now one of Australia's largest medical research institutions with nearly 500 scientists, students and support staff. Garvan's main research programs are: Cancer, Diabetes & Obesity, Immunology and Inflammation, Osteoporosis and Bone Biology, and Neuroscience. The Garvan's mission is to make significant contributions to medical science that will change the directions of science and medicine and have major impacts on human health. The outcome of Garvan's discoveries is the development of better methods of diagnosis, treatment, and ultimately, prevention of disease.
Source
Garvan Institute of Medical Research
While not an exact science, risk predictions allow people to make more informed choices about whether or not they will seek or accept treatment.
In Australia, the Government pays for preventative treatment based primarily on whether or not someone has already sustained a fracture. The problem with this approach is that many of those at high risk of future fracture have no history of prior fracture.
The Government also provides treatment for those 70 years or older with very low bone density, even without a fracture, and in some other situations such as high-dose, long-term corticosteroid use.
However, over 50% of women and 70% of men who fracture do not have osteoporosis, and do not have any prior history of fracture. So many people at high risk of fracture are not aware of their risk, and nor are their doctors. If they were aware of that risk, they may decide to make lifestyle changes, or pay for treatment themselves.
Dr Sunita Sandhu, Professor Tuan Nguyen, Professor John Eisman and Dr Nguyen Nguyen from the Garvan Institute of Medical Research have compared the performance of Garvan's fracture risk calculator (fractureriskcalculator), launched early last year, with one released by the World Health Organisation (WHO). Their findings are published in Osteoporosis International, now online.
In a 'matched case-control study', 69 women with a fracture were matched against 75 women without a fracture, and 31 men with a fracture were matched against 25 men without a fracture.
"We can see very clearly that our model predicts fracture at least as well as the WHO model when applied to an Australian population, and apparently more accurately for Australian men," said Professor Nguyen.
The Garvan fracture risk calculator is based on gender, bone mineral density, age, history of personal fracture, and history of falls.
The WHO model ignores falls, but includes height, weight, personal history of fracture, family history of fracture, smoking, alcohol consumption, use of corticosteroids, rheumatoid arthritis and secondary osteoporosis.
According to Professor Nguyen, "the results suggest that the criteria in the Garvan calculator combine the most critical risk factors."
"Our model allows clinicians to combine four risk factors to estimate the risk of fracture within the next 5 to 10 years for an individual man or woman. People can then make decisions about treatment based on that knowledge."
"In the future we will be able to incorporate genetic information as a useful additional criterion, once we have more clearly established which genes are involved in fracture risk."
"In other fields such as cardiovascular diseases and cancer, treatment is now based on an individual's absolute risk of having a disease. In osteoporosis, we are gradually moving in that direction."
About Garvan
The Garvan Institute of Medical Research was founded in 1963. Initially a research department of St Vincent's Hospital in Sydney, it is now one of Australia's largest medical research institutions with nearly 500 scientists, students and support staff. Garvan's main research programs are: Cancer, Diabetes & Obesity, Immunology and Inflammation, Osteoporosis and Bone Biology, and Neuroscience. The Garvan's mission is to make significant contributions to medical science that will change the directions of science and medicine and have major impacts on human health. The outcome of Garvan's discoveries is the development of better methods of diagnosis, treatment, and ultimately, prevention of disease.
Source
Garvan Institute of Medical Research
понедельник, 25 июля 2011 г.
Tobacco Smoke Can Damage Skeletal Muscle
A new study suggests that long term heavy tobacco smoking can lead to potentially harmful structural and functional changes in skeletal muscles outside the lungs, even in smokers who don't have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Smoking is the major cause of COPD, but relatively little is known about the effect of smoking on skeletal muscles. Skeletal muscles are striated and usually attached to the skeleton. By exerting force on the bones and joints, the skeletal muscles contract to produce movement.
Dr. Maria Montes de Oca from Hospital Universitario de Caracas, Venezuela, and colleagues compared the vastus lateralis muscle, which originates in the thigh bone extends to the shin bone, in 14 heavy smokers without COPD and 20 healthy non-smokers. Subjects in both groups led sedentary lifestyles.
According to their report, published in the medical journal, Chest, the investigators observed significantly reduced cross sectional area of two types of muscle fibers in smokers compared with non-smokers.
The investigators note that smokers were also more apt to show potentially harmful metabolic changes including an imbalance of oxidant and antioxidant chemicals, suggesting preferential damage of oxidative fibers among smokers.
The results also suggest that tobacco smoke alters the normal process by which the body generates nitric oxide, a chemical that helps open small blood vessels. This alteration could lead to hypoxia (low oxygen levels), which in turn may explain the fiber atrophy observed in the smokers.
ash.uk
Smoking is the major cause of COPD, but relatively little is known about the effect of smoking on skeletal muscles. Skeletal muscles are striated and usually attached to the skeleton. By exerting force on the bones and joints, the skeletal muscles contract to produce movement.
Dr. Maria Montes de Oca from Hospital Universitario de Caracas, Venezuela, and colleagues compared the vastus lateralis muscle, which originates in the thigh bone extends to the shin bone, in 14 heavy smokers without COPD and 20 healthy non-smokers. Subjects in both groups led sedentary lifestyles.
According to their report, published in the medical journal, Chest, the investigators observed significantly reduced cross sectional area of two types of muscle fibers in smokers compared with non-smokers.
The investigators note that smokers were also more apt to show potentially harmful metabolic changes including an imbalance of oxidant and antioxidant chemicals, suggesting preferential damage of oxidative fibers among smokers.
The results also suggest that tobacco smoke alters the normal process by which the body generates nitric oxide, a chemical that helps open small blood vessels. This alteration could lead to hypoxia (low oxygen levels), which in turn may explain the fiber atrophy observed in the smokers.
ash.uk
пятница, 22 июля 2011 г.
World Osteoporosis Day - October 20: Stand Tall - Speak Out For Your Bones
The International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) kicked off World Osteoporosis Day events in Brussels. This year's theme of Stand Tall, Speak Out For Your Bones is a global call to take charge and improve osteoporosis healthcare policies around the world.
Osteoporosis is a disease that can be largely prevented through timely diagnosis and cost effective treatment - in the long run reducing healthcare budgets as well as preventing the suffering imposed by these fractures.
To better evaluate current standards of care across Europe, an EU-wide report, Osteoporosis in the European Union in 2008: Ten years of progress and ongoing challenges was launched, creating a snapshot of osteoporosis management. The Report recognises some improvements:
Shorter wait times for bone mineral density testing has been achieved in many countries, resulting in more efficient diagnosis and treatment
A wide range of proven treatments is now available
However, ongoing challenges continue:
Only 6 of 27 EU governments have declared osteoporosis a healthcare priority
Hip fracture costs have doubled or tripled in several countries over 10 years
More than 40% of EU members states have fewer than the recommended number of bone mineral density scanners
Full reimbursement for these scans is provided in only 9 of 27 member states
Osteoporosis is part of national public health programs in only 10 of 27 countries
"Definite progress has been shown in many countries since our 2001 EU report, but there are still major gaps in care that deny many people the opportunity for timely and appropriate management to prevent fractures" said Prof John Kanis, IOF President. "Today we know that without intervention the first fracture is associated with an 86% increased risk of a subsequent fracture (1), yet the great majority of those who do fracture are neither identified as being at high risk nor treated."
As Chair of the EU Osteoporosis Consultation Panel, Prof Juliet Compston urged "scientists, physicians, policymakers, advocates and patients and their families to use the information in this report to identify issues that need attention now. The active support of all EU citizens and their governments is essential if the important goals which remain outstanding are to be realized"
Members of the EU Osteoporosis Consultation Panel, comprised of scientific and health policy experts from all 27 member states who contributed to the report, MEPs who form the European Parliament Osteoporosis Interest Group, and members of the media heard about other global World Osteoporosis Day campaigns that seek to mobilize stakeholders to Stand Tall, and Speak Out.
Speakers from across Europe joined together for the 3rd IOF Women Leaders Roundtable, sharing their stories and encouragement to citizens of all ages to take control of their life by making healthy lifestyle decisions now that pay huge dividends down the road. Working in partnership with national osteoporosis societies, which exist in every EU member state, can create a coordinated voice for action, influencing governments to listen.
EU Commissioner for Health, Androulla Vassiliou, one of the Roundtable speakers, said that "Healthcare in the EU is complex and challenging. Among the Commission's key priorities in improving healthcare are to foster good health in an ageing Europe; to reduce health inequalities inside the Union; and to support dynamic health systems by encouraging cross-border cooperation and the creation of centres of excellence. Today's meeting is a very positive step in identifying how we achieve these goals".
Other Roundtable participants included:
Susan Hampshire, film and theatre actress from the UK
Barbara MikliДЌ TГјrk, wife of the President of the Republic of Slovenia
Anna Molinari, fashion designer from Italy (regrettably unable to attend due to illness)
Maggie Philbin, Journalist from the UK
Prof Cyrus Cooper, Moderator, IOF Board Member, UK
In addition to collaborating with IOF on today's events, the Belgian Bone Club sponsored a Health Village where citizens of Brussels were able to learn more about their bone health by having a bone mineral density test and receiving information on risk factors and the prevention of fractures.
For more information, we invite you to visit iofbonehealth/
References: (1) Kanis,JA, Johnell O, De Laet C, et al. (2004) A meta-analysis of previous fracture and subsequent fracture risk. Bone 35:375
Osteoporosis, in which the bones become porous and break easily, is one of the world's most common and debilitating diseases. Unfortunately, screening for people at risk is far from being a standard practice. Osteoporosis can, to a certain extent, be prevented, it can be easily diagnosed and effective treatments are available.
The International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) is the only worldwide organization dedicated to the fight against osteoporosis. It brings together scientists, physicians, patient societies and corporate partners. Working with its 184 member societies in 89 locations, and other healthcare-related organizations around the world, IOF encourages awareness and prevention, early detection and improved treatment of osteoporosis.
Source: Margaret Walker
International Osteoporosis Foundation
Osteoporosis is a disease that can be largely prevented through timely diagnosis and cost effective treatment - in the long run reducing healthcare budgets as well as preventing the suffering imposed by these fractures.
To better evaluate current standards of care across Europe, an EU-wide report, Osteoporosis in the European Union in 2008: Ten years of progress and ongoing challenges was launched, creating a snapshot of osteoporosis management. The Report recognises some improvements:
Shorter wait times for bone mineral density testing has been achieved in many countries, resulting in more efficient diagnosis and treatment
A wide range of proven treatments is now available
However, ongoing challenges continue:
Only 6 of 27 EU governments have declared osteoporosis a healthcare priority
Hip fracture costs have doubled or tripled in several countries over 10 years
More than 40% of EU members states have fewer than the recommended number of bone mineral density scanners
Full reimbursement for these scans is provided in only 9 of 27 member states
Osteoporosis is part of national public health programs in only 10 of 27 countries
"Definite progress has been shown in many countries since our 2001 EU report, but there are still major gaps in care that deny many people the opportunity for timely and appropriate management to prevent fractures" said Prof John Kanis, IOF President. "Today we know that without intervention the first fracture is associated with an 86% increased risk of a subsequent fracture (1), yet the great majority of those who do fracture are neither identified as being at high risk nor treated."
As Chair of the EU Osteoporosis Consultation Panel, Prof Juliet Compston urged "scientists, physicians, policymakers, advocates and patients and their families to use the information in this report to identify issues that need attention now. The active support of all EU citizens and their governments is essential if the important goals which remain outstanding are to be realized"
Members of the EU Osteoporosis Consultation Panel, comprised of scientific and health policy experts from all 27 member states who contributed to the report, MEPs who form the European Parliament Osteoporosis Interest Group, and members of the media heard about other global World Osteoporosis Day campaigns that seek to mobilize stakeholders to Stand Tall, and Speak Out.
Speakers from across Europe joined together for the 3rd IOF Women Leaders Roundtable, sharing their stories and encouragement to citizens of all ages to take control of their life by making healthy lifestyle decisions now that pay huge dividends down the road. Working in partnership with national osteoporosis societies, which exist in every EU member state, can create a coordinated voice for action, influencing governments to listen.
EU Commissioner for Health, Androulla Vassiliou, one of the Roundtable speakers, said that "Healthcare in the EU is complex and challenging. Among the Commission's key priorities in improving healthcare are to foster good health in an ageing Europe; to reduce health inequalities inside the Union; and to support dynamic health systems by encouraging cross-border cooperation and the creation of centres of excellence. Today's meeting is a very positive step in identifying how we achieve these goals".
Other Roundtable participants included:
Susan Hampshire, film and theatre actress from the UK
Barbara MikliДЌ TГјrk, wife of the President of the Republic of Slovenia
Anna Molinari, fashion designer from Italy (regrettably unable to attend due to illness)
Maggie Philbin, Journalist from the UK
Prof Cyrus Cooper, Moderator, IOF Board Member, UK
In addition to collaborating with IOF on today's events, the Belgian Bone Club sponsored a Health Village where citizens of Brussels were able to learn more about their bone health by having a bone mineral density test and receiving information on risk factors and the prevention of fractures.
For more information, we invite you to visit iofbonehealth/
References: (1) Kanis,JA, Johnell O, De Laet C, et al. (2004) A meta-analysis of previous fracture and subsequent fracture risk. Bone 35:375
Osteoporosis, in which the bones become porous and break easily, is one of the world's most common and debilitating diseases. Unfortunately, screening for people at risk is far from being a standard practice. Osteoporosis can, to a certain extent, be prevented, it can be easily diagnosed and effective treatments are available.
The International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) is the only worldwide organization dedicated to the fight against osteoporosis. It brings together scientists, physicians, patient societies and corporate partners. Working with its 184 member societies in 89 locations, and other healthcare-related organizations around the world, IOF encourages awareness and prevention, early detection and improved treatment of osteoporosis.
Source: Margaret Walker
International Osteoporosis Foundation
вторник, 19 июля 2011 г.
Nanoparticle-Core Polymer Holds Promise As An Absorbable, Weight-Bearing Replacement For Traditional Graft Materials
Orthopedic surgeons are often hamstrung by less-than-ideal grafting material when performing surgeries for complex bone injuries resulting from trauma, aging or cancer. Conventional synthetic bone grafts are typically made of stiff polymers or brittle ceramics, and cannot readily conform to the complex and irregular shapes that often result from injury; in addition, they often require metallic fixation devices that require open surgeries to insert and remove. Ideally, a scaffolding graft would conform to complex shapes of an injury site, provide weight-bearing support, require less invasive surgical delivery, and ultimately disappear when no longer needed.
Using a nanoparticle core, Jie Song, PhD, assistant professor of orthopedics & physical rehabilitation and cell biology at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, and postdoctoral fellow Jianwen Xu, have fashioned a new type of tissue and bone scaffolding polymer that addresses a number of these long-standing limitations. Research published in the online Early Edition of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, describes the development of a class of heat-activated smart materials that combine tissue-like properties and strength that are clinically safe to deploy and able to integrate with surrounding tissue.
The key feature of the new polymer is its heat-activated malleability and shape memory. Using CT scans and MRI images of the injury site, Song envisions physicians creating a polymer mold of the scaffolding needed to stabilize a skeletal injury site, in the lab, prior to surgery. Heat activated at a safe 50°C, the smart polymer could then be reshaped to a more compressed form suitable for insertion in the body through a small, minimally invasive incision. Once at the injury site, the idea is to then thermally re-activate the polymer to cause it to revert to its original, pre-molded shape in seconds, according to Song.
In addition to providing mechanical stabilization to the skeletal structure, because the biodegradable material is similar to those used in dissolvable sutures, it can be safely reabsorbed by the body as it breaks down over time. Therefore, there is no need for a second surgery to remove the implant. Additionally, as the scaffolding degrades, the polymer provides a porous structure that promotes tissue growth and integration. At the same time, the polymer has the ability to deliver therapeutics to accelerate new bone growth and integration.
"Strong and resorbable smart implants could have paradigm-changing impact on a number of surgical interventions that currently rely on the use of more invasive and less effective metallic cages, fixators and stents," said Song. "From spinal fusion to alleviate chronic lower back pain, vertebroplasty for treating vertebral fractures to angioplasty for widening narrowed or obstructed blood vessels, there are tremendous clinical applications for smart polymers."
Song and colleagues are testing the safety and efficacy of the material in animal models, which they hope will pave the way for future clinical trials.
Source:
Jim Fessenden
University of Massachusetts Medical School
Using a nanoparticle core, Jie Song, PhD, assistant professor of orthopedics & physical rehabilitation and cell biology at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, and postdoctoral fellow Jianwen Xu, have fashioned a new type of tissue and bone scaffolding polymer that addresses a number of these long-standing limitations. Research published in the online Early Edition of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, describes the development of a class of heat-activated smart materials that combine tissue-like properties and strength that are clinically safe to deploy and able to integrate with surrounding tissue.
The key feature of the new polymer is its heat-activated malleability and shape memory. Using CT scans and MRI images of the injury site, Song envisions physicians creating a polymer mold of the scaffolding needed to stabilize a skeletal injury site, in the lab, prior to surgery. Heat activated at a safe 50°C, the smart polymer could then be reshaped to a more compressed form suitable for insertion in the body through a small, minimally invasive incision. Once at the injury site, the idea is to then thermally re-activate the polymer to cause it to revert to its original, pre-molded shape in seconds, according to Song.
In addition to providing mechanical stabilization to the skeletal structure, because the biodegradable material is similar to those used in dissolvable sutures, it can be safely reabsorbed by the body as it breaks down over time. Therefore, there is no need for a second surgery to remove the implant. Additionally, as the scaffolding degrades, the polymer provides a porous structure that promotes tissue growth and integration. At the same time, the polymer has the ability to deliver therapeutics to accelerate new bone growth and integration.
"Strong and resorbable smart implants could have paradigm-changing impact on a number of surgical interventions that currently rely on the use of more invasive and less effective metallic cages, fixators and stents," said Song. "From spinal fusion to alleviate chronic lower back pain, vertebroplasty for treating vertebral fractures to angioplasty for widening narrowed or obstructed blood vessels, there are tremendous clinical applications for smart polymers."
Song and colleagues are testing the safety and efficacy of the material in animal models, which they hope will pave the way for future clinical trials.
Source:
Jim Fessenden
University of Massachusetts Medical School
суббота, 16 июля 2011 г.
Servier Welcomes Revised NICE Guidance On Postmenopausal Osteoporosis But Urges NICE To Go Further
Servier Laboratories Ltd has welcomed the progress made by NICE to increase access to medicines such as strontium ranelate in its revised draft guidance for the primary and secondary prevention of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women but is disappointed that many women are still unable to access appropriate treatments across the UK. 1
NICE had originally recommended only one treatment (alendronate) for the estimated 2 million post-menopausal osteoporosis sufferers in England and Wales. 1,2 Unfortunately, this treatment is not appropriate for all women with osteoporosis leaving a large section of the patient population without any access to publicly-funded treatment for a disease which significantly affects their health and well-being.
Servier welcomes the fact that NICE has now acknowledged that bisphosphonates are not an appropriate treatment option for all patients and other treatment options, including Strontium Ranelate, are now recommended by NICE in its revised draft guidance. This will lead to greater treatment choices for the estimated 2 million post-menopausal osteoporosis suffers in England and Wales.
Servier also welcomes the acknowledgement by NICE in its draft guidance that caution should be exercised when considering the co-prescription of acid-suppressive medication and bisphosphonates due to the association of acid suppressant medication with increased fracture risk6,7,8,9. NICE had previously failed to address the increased risk of fractures associated with the use of acid suppressive medication, in particular proton pump inhibitors, which are commonly prescribed to treat side effects of bisphosphonates such as dyspepsia or heartburn. 10,11
However, Servier is disappointed that some patients will continue to be denied access to treatments. Under the revised guidance many patients who are unable to take bisphosphonates due to contra-indication or intolerance will continue to be left without access to therapy. Servier therefore calls on NICE to make alternative agents, including strontium ranelate, available to all patients who are unable to take alendronate without having to comply with more restrictive criteria.
Dr Alun Cooper, a GP with a Special Interest in osteoporosis (GPwSI) and Chair of the National Osteoporosis Society's Primary Care Forum said "Whilst I welcome the progress made by NICE in broadening the treatment options for most patients, they need to go further. It is vital that clinicians have a clear choice of treatments for all their patients as many patients do not tolerate bisphosphonates or are at risk of upper GI symptoms."
The NICE evaluation of osteoporosis initially started in 2001. The final appraisal determinations (FADs) on the treatment of osteoporosis were published on 26 June 2007. An appeal hearing involving the National Osteoporosis Society, the Alliance for Better Bone Health and Servier Laboratories took place on 22 October 2007. The appeal decision was published on 13 December 2007.
- The World Health Organisation defines osteoporosis as a progressive skeletal disease characterized by low bone mass and micro-architectural deterioration of bone tissue with a consequential increase in bone fragility and susceptibility to fracture. There is increased risk of fracture particularly of spine, hip, pelvis and forearm. It is pre-dominantly a disease of post-menopausal women and risk of fracture increases with age. Fractures caused by osteoporosis affect one in two women and one in five men over the age of 50.
- Up to 20% of women who suffer a hip fracture die within the first year of a fracture. 3 Permanent disability occurs in more than 30% of hip fracture patients. 2 More than 50% of hip fracture patients are unable to return to full independence and 20% are unable to return home after a hip fracture. 4 The combined cost of social and hospital care for patients with a hip fracture amounts to more than ВЈ1.8 billion per year in the UK and is likely to increase to 2.1 billion by 2020. 5
- Servier Laboratories Limited is the UK subsidiary of The Servier Research Group, a leading French research based organisation, specialising in ethical pharmaceuticals. Servier UK offers a range of products in a number of medical areas: cardiovascular disease, especially hypertension and cardiac disease, diabetes and, more recently, osteoporosis. Servier develops truly innovative drugs and we invest in therapeutic areas where there is an unmet patient need.
References
1. 'Alendronate, etidronate, risedronate and strontium ranelate for the primary prevention of osteoporotic fragility fractures in postmenopausal women' and 'Alendronate, etidronate, risedronate, strontium ranelate and teriparatide for the secondary prevention of osteoporotic fragility fractures in postmenopausal women' nice.uk
2. Van Staa T.P., Dennison E.M., Leufkens H.G., et al. Epidemiology of fractures in England and Wales. Bone 2001; 29 (6): 517-522
3. Cooper C, Atkinson E.J.,Jacobsen S.J., et al. Am J Epidemiology 1993; 137: 1001-1005
4. NOS nos.uk
5. National Osteoporosis Society. A proposal to improve health outcomes for people at risk of osteoporotic fractures through the Quality and Outcomes Framework. NOS Working Party on the GMS Contract. May 2005
6. Vestergaard, P., L. Rejnmark, L. Mosekilde. 2006 Proton Pump Inhibitors, Histamine H2 Receptor Antagonists, and Other Antacid Medications and the Risk of Fracture Calcified Tissue International Vol 79:76-83.
7. Yang Y-X, J.D. Lewis, S. Epstein, D.C. Metz. 2006, Long term proton pump inhibitor therapy and risk of hip fracture, JAMA, 296:2947-2953.
8. Yu E.W. C. Shinoff, T. Blackwell, K. Ensrud, T. Hillier, D.C. Bauer. Use of Acid-Suppressive Medications and Risk of Bone Loss and Fracture in Postmenopausal Women. J. Bone Min Res 2006; 79(2):76-83.
9. De Vries F, Cooper A, Logan R, Cockle S, van Staa T, Cooper C. 2007. Osteoporosis International 18 (Suppl 3): S261
10. Summary of Product Characteristics for alendronate, ibandronate (po) and risedronate
11. Roughead EE, McGeechan K, Sayer GP. 2004. Bisphosphonate use and subsequent prescription of acid suppressants. Br J Clin Pharm., 57(6), 813 816.
12. 'Alendronate, etidronate, risedronate and strontium ranelate for the primary prevention of osteoporotic fragility fractures in postmenopausal women' (FAD1) and 'Alendronate, etidronate, risedronate, strontium ranelate and teriparatide for the secondary prevention of osteoporotic fragility fractures in postmenopausal women' (FAD2) nice.uk
servier
NICE had originally recommended only one treatment (alendronate) for the estimated 2 million post-menopausal osteoporosis sufferers in England and Wales. 1,2 Unfortunately, this treatment is not appropriate for all women with osteoporosis leaving a large section of the patient population without any access to publicly-funded treatment for a disease which significantly affects their health and well-being.
Servier welcomes the fact that NICE has now acknowledged that bisphosphonates are not an appropriate treatment option for all patients and other treatment options, including Strontium Ranelate, are now recommended by NICE in its revised draft guidance. This will lead to greater treatment choices for the estimated 2 million post-menopausal osteoporosis suffers in England and Wales.
Servier also welcomes the acknowledgement by NICE in its draft guidance that caution should be exercised when considering the co-prescription of acid-suppressive medication and bisphosphonates due to the association of acid suppressant medication with increased fracture risk6,7,8,9. NICE had previously failed to address the increased risk of fractures associated with the use of acid suppressive medication, in particular proton pump inhibitors, which are commonly prescribed to treat side effects of bisphosphonates such as dyspepsia or heartburn. 10,11
However, Servier is disappointed that some patients will continue to be denied access to treatments. Under the revised guidance many patients who are unable to take bisphosphonates due to contra-indication or intolerance will continue to be left without access to therapy. Servier therefore calls on NICE to make alternative agents, including strontium ranelate, available to all patients who are unable to take alendronate without having to comply with more restrictive criteria.
Dr Alun Cooper, a GP with a Special Interest in osteoporosis (GPwSI) and Chair of the National Osteoporosis Society's Primary Care Forum said "Whilst I welcome the progress made by NICE in broadening the treatment options for most patients, they need to go further. It is vital that clinicians have a clear choice of treatments for all their patients as many patients do not tolerate bisphosphonates or are at risk of upper GI symptoms."
The NICE evaluation of osteoporosis initially started in 2001. The final appraisal determinations (FADs) on the treatment of osteoporosis were published on 26 June 2007. An appeal hearing involving the National Osteoporosis Society, the Alliance for Better Bone Health and Servier Laboratories took place on 22 October 2007. The appeal decision was published on 13 December 2007.
- The World Health Organisation defines osteoporosis as a progressive skeletal disease characterized by low bone mass and micro-architectural deterioration of bone tissue with a consequential increase in bone fragility and susceptibility to fracture. There is increased risk of fracture particularly of spine, hip, pelvis and forearm. It is pre-dominantly a disease of post-menopausal women and risk of fracture increases with age. Fractures caused by osteoporosis affect one in two women and one in five men over the age of 50.
- Up to 20% of women who suffer a hip fracture die within the first year of a fracture. 3 Permanent disability occurs in more than 30% of hip fracture patients. 2 More than 50% of hip fracture patients are unable to return to full independence and 20% are unable to return home after a hip fracture. 4 The combined cost of social and hospital care for patients with a hip fracture amounts to more than ВЈ1.8 billion per year in the UK and is likely to increase to 2.1 billion by 2020. 5
- Servier Laboratories Limited is the UK subsidiary of The Servier Research Group, a leading French research based organisation, specialising in ethical pharmaceuticals. Servier UK offers a range of products in a number of medical areas: cardiovascular disease, especially hypertension and cardiac disease, diabetes and, more recently, osteoporosis. Servier develops truly innovative drugs and we invest in therapeutic areas where there is an unmet patient need.
References
1. 'Alendronate, etidronate, risedronate and strontium ranelate for the primary prevention of osteoporotic fragility fractures in postmenopausal women' and 'Alendronate, etidronate, risedronate, strontium ranelate and teriparatide for the secondary prevention of osteoporotic fragility fractures in postmenopausal women' nice.uk
2. Van Staa T.P., Dennison E.M., Leufkens H.G., et al. Epidemiology of fractures in England and Wales. Bone 2001; 29 (6): 517-522
3. Cooper C, Atkinson E.J.,Jacobsen S.J., et al. Am J Epidemiology 1993; 137: 1001-1005
4. NOS nos.uk
5. National Osteoporosis Society. A proposal to improve health outcomes for people at risk of osteoporotic fractures through the Quality and Outcomes Framework. NOS Working Party on the GMS Contract. May 2005
6. Vestergaard, P., L. Rejnmark, L. Mosekilde. 2006 Proton Pump Inhibitors, Histamine H2 Receptor Antagonists, and Other Antacid Medications and the Risk of Fracture Calcified Tissue International Vol 79:76-83.
7. Yang Y-X, J.D. Lewis, S. Epstein, D.C. Metz. 2006, Long term proton pump inhibitor therapy and risk of hip fracture, JAMA, 296:2947-2953.
8. Yu E.W. C. Shinoff, T. Blackwell, K. Ensrud, T. Hillier, D.C. Bauer. Use of Acid-Suppressive Medications and Risk of Bone Loss and Fracture in Postmenopausal Women. J. Bone Min Res 2006; 79(2):76-83.
9. De Vries F, Cooper A, Logan R, Cockle S, van Staa T, Cooper C. 2007. Osteoporosis International 18 (Suppl 3): S261
10. Summary of Product Characteristics for alendronate, ibandronate (po) and risedronate
11. Roughead EE, McGeechan K, Sayer GP. 2004. Bisphosphonate use and subsequent prescription of acid suppressants. Br J Clin Pharm., 57(6), 813 816.
12. 'Alendronate, etidronate, risedronate and strontium ranelate for the primary prevention of osteoporotic fragility fractures in postmenopausal women' (FAD1) and 'Alendronate, etidronate, risedronate, strontium ranelate and teriparatide for the secondary prevention of osteoporotic fragility fractures in postmenopausal women' (FAD2) nice.uk
servier
среда, 13 июля 2011 г.
New Online Training - Managing Musculoskeletal Conditions In General Practice
Managing musculoskeletal conditions in general practice is the focus of a new online learning activity from the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP).
The new activity, available from the gplearning website , promotes optimal primary care management of musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions commonly seen in general practice. The activity consists of three case studies in which participants undertake the assessment and management of patients presenting with MSK conditions.
Dr Chris Mitchell, RACGP President and GP in northern New South Wales, said that the managing musculoskeletal conditions in general practice activity focuses on osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis.
"Musculoskeletal conditions are the second most common problem seen in general practice, accounting for approximately 12 per cent of all consultations.
"This activity is informed by the recently published RACGP clinical guidelines for the management of musculoskeletal conditions in general practice and will provide participants with the opportunity to become familiar with the RACGP musculoskeletal clinical guidelines and explore their use in practice. It also incorporates the use of practice systems, including clinical audit, to promote patient safety.
By the end of this activity, participants should be able to:
- Describe the impact of musculoskeletal conditions in the Australian community
- Describe the roles of the general practitioner and the practice nurse in musculoskeletal management
- Describe the important components of systematic assessment and diagnosis of patients presenting with musculoskeletal conditions
- List the risk factors for osteoporosis
- Outline systems changes that the general practice team can undertake to identify all patients within the practice at risk of osteoporosis
- Identify risk reduction strategies that could be implemented for patients identified as being at risk of developing osteoporosis
- Provide patients diagnosed with musculoskeletal conditions with appropriate advice on lifestyle change
- Identify appropriate management strategies for musculoskeletal conditions commonly seen in general practice
- Demonstrate an understanding of the role of clinical audit within general practice
This activity has been approved by the RACGP QA&CPD Program for 4 Category 2 points and endorsed by APEC number 018030901 as authorised by Royal College of Nursing, Australia (RCNA) according to approved criteria. The activity attracts 2 RCNA Continuing Nurse Education (CNE) points as part of RCNA's Life Long Learning Program (3LP).
The managing musculoskeletal conditions in general practice activity has been developed by gplearning as part of the clinical practice guidelines dissemination and implementation project, which is supported by funding from the Australian Government to maximise effective and widespread delivery of current health care information and service strategies to healthcare professionals.
Source:
Royal Australian College of General Practitioners
The new activity, available from the gplearning website , promotes optimal primary care management of musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions commonly seen in general practice. The activity consists of three case studies in which participants undertake the assessment and management of patients presenting with MSK conditions.
Dr Chris Mitchell, RACGP President and GP in northern New South Wales, said that the managing musculoskeletal conditions in general practice activity focuses on osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis.
"Musculoskeletal conditions are the second most common problem seen in general practice, accounting for approximately 12 per cent of all consultations.
"This activity is informed by the recently published RACGP clinical guidelines for the management of musculoskeletal conditions in general practice and will provide participants with the opportunity to become familiar with the RACGP musculoskeletal clinical guidelines and explore their use in practice. It also incorporates the use of practice systems, including clinical audit, to promote patient safety.
By the end of this activity, participants should be able to:
- Describe the impact of musculoskeletal conditions in the Australian community
- Describe the roles of the general practitioner and the practice nurse in musculoskeletal management
- Describe the important components of systematic assessment and diagnosis of patients presenting with musculoskeletal conditions
- List the risk factors for osteoporosis
- Outline systems changes that the general practice team can undertake to identify all patients within the practice at risk of osteoporosis
- Identify risk reduction strategies that could be implemented for patients identified as being at risk of developing osteoporosis
- Provide patients diagnosed with musculoskeletal conditions with appropriate advice on lifestyle change
- Identify appropriate management strategies for musculoskeletal conditions commonly seen in general practice
- Demonstrate an understanding of the role of clinical audit within general practice
This activity has been approved by the RACGP QA&CPD Program for 4 Category 2 points and endorsed by APEC number 018030901 as authorised by Royal College of Nursing, Australia (RCNA) according to approved criteria. The activity attracts 2 RCNA Continuing Nurse Education (CNE) points as part of RCNA's Life Long Learning Program (3LP).
The managing musculoskeletal conditions in general practice activity has been developed by gplearning as part of the clinical practice guidelines dissemination and implementation project, which is supported by funding from the Australian Government to maximise effective and widespread delivery of current health care information and service strategies to healthcare professionals.
Source:
Royal Australian College of General Practitioners
воскресенье, 10 июля 2011 г.
APTA Urges Consumers To See A Physical Therapist Before Pills For Pain Relief
Now that a study suggests that no evidence exists that the popular nutritional supplement chondroitin may prevent or reduce pain for arthritis, patients may wish to consider the benefits of physical therapist intervention for pain relief from certain arthritic conditions, says the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). The study, done by Swiss researchers at the University of Bern in Switzerland, was published in Annals of Internal Medicine.
Pain associated with certain degenerative diseases such as osteoarthritis, can be reduced with physical therapist intervention. "The physical therapist, in collaboration with the patient and the patient's physician, can help the patient manage his or her health over the long term," explained APTA President R Scott Ward, PT, PhD.
For osteoarthritis, a degenerative disease of the cartilage and bone, physical therapist intervention may include exercises for strength, flexibility, range of motion, and the use of devices designed to rest or support the joint, such as orthotics or splints.
Physical therapists work with individuals to prevent the loss of mobility by developing fitness- and wellness-oriented programs for healthier and more active lifestyles. Many insurance policies also cover post-rehabilitation gym programs.
For more information about a career as a physical therapist, to find a physical therapist, and for more physical therapy news and information, consumers can visit apta/consumer.
The American Physical Therapy Association is a national organization representing nearly 70,000 physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, and students nationwide. Its goal is to foster advancements in physical therapist education, practice, and research.
apta
(North American English - Physical Therapist, Physical Therapy. UK/Australasian/Irish English - Physiotherapist, Physiotherapy)
Pain associated with certain degenerative diseases such as osteoarthritis, can be reduced with physical therapist intervention. "The physical therapist, in collaboration with the patient and the patient's physician, can help the patient manage his or her health over the long term," explained APTA President R Scott Ward, PT, PhD.
For osteoarthritis, a degenerative disease of the cartilage and bone, physical therapist intervention may include exercises for strength, flexibility, range of motion, and the use of devices designed to rest or support the joint, such as orthotics or splints.
Physical therapists work with individuals to prevent the loss of mobility by developing fitness- and wellness-oriented programs for healthier and more active lifestyles. Many insurance policies also cover post-rehabilitation gym programs.
For more information about a career as a physical therapist, to find a physical therapist, and for more physical therapy news and information, consumers can visit apta/consumer.
The American Physical Therapy Association is a national organization representing nearly 70,000 physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, and students nationwide. Its goal is to foster advancements in physical therapist education, practice, and research.
apta
(North American English - Physical Therapist, Physical Therapy. UK/Australasian/Irish English - Physiotherapist, Physiotherapy)
четверг, 7 июля 2011 г.
University Of Michigan Experts Say Proper Nutrition Essential For Bone Health
Musculoskeletal conditions, such as arthritis and joint pain, are the number one reason for physician visits and account for at least 50 percent of all chronic conditions in people over the age of 50 IN THE UNITED STATES. With more than one in four Americans having a musculoskeletal condition requiring medical attention and the costs of these conditions toppling $849 billion annually, it's now more important than ever to understand and take proactive steps to keep bones healthy and strong.
Researchers at the University of Michigan couldn't agree more. In a recent scholarly review published in Sports Health: A Multidisciplinary Approach, they concluded that adequate nutrition is essential for overall skeletal health of people of all ages and all activity levels.
Dr. Ronald Zernicke, Director of the University of Michigan Bone & Joint Injury Prevention & Rehabilitation Center, and his colleagues synthesized research conducted in the last 50 years on the role of diet on skeletal tissue and overall bone health. They specifically looked at the effects of dietary proteins, fats, and carbohydrates on bone health. What they found not only supports current facts about bone health and prevention of bone loss, but also validates nutritional strategies to help preserve bone structure and strength.
Protein and Bone Health
Historically, there has been debate about whether protein is detrimental or beneficial to bone health. Some of the earliest research suggested that high-protein diets are detrimental to skeletal health - particularly diets high in animal protein (red-meats). Conversely, there have been numerous studies to show that high-protein diets increase bone mineral content, decrease the risk of fractures, and increase fracture repair time after injury. High-protein diets are often recommended for adolescent and child athletes undergoing rigorous training. According to Dr. Zernicke's team, research suggests that adequate protein is essential for developing and maintaining healthy skeletal tissue.
Simple Carbohydrates and Bone Health
Diets high in refined sugar have been studied extensively and shown to affect bone growth and mechanical strength. Surprisingly, something as simple as drinking carbonated beverages, such as soft drinks and even sports drinks, is associated with significant decreases in bone mineral density - both in males and females. Zernicke suggests that some of these detrimental changes in bone related to the consumption of soft drinks are due to the decreased consumption of milk and other available fluids in favor of soft drinks. Drinking soft drinks can also lead to weight gain, a decrease in lean muscle mass, and can contribute to the loss of calcium and iron which are crucial to health and athletic performance. Zernicke says, "While it's vitally important to hydrate during any type of sport or physical activity, it might be worthwhile to drink bottled or tap water, milk, orange juice, or drinks fortified with calcium instead of reaching for a sugar-filled sports drink."
Fats and Carbohydrates Beneficial to Bone Health
Not all fats and carbohydrates are bad for you. Current research suggests that omega-3 fatty acids and complex carbohydrates, such as fruits and vegetables, may actually improve bone mass density and increase calcium absorption. Fruits and vegetables contain nondigestible carbohydrates, like inulin-type fructans, that cannot be digested by the small intestine. Hence, as they move toward the large intestine and begin to be processed, they produce organic acids that enhance the disbursement of calcium throughout the body.
Benefits of Calcium and Vitamin D
We have always been told that calcium and vitamin D are keys to good bone health, but these nutrients are proving to be just as important for muscle contraction, heartbeat regulation, nerve impulse transmission, regulation of blood pressure, and immune system function. The review looked at clinical recommendations of optimal calcium intake and determined that intake varied by sex and age. The daily adequate intake recommendation for young adults is at least 1,200 mg of calcium per day; women between the ages of 25 and 50 years need 1,000 mg per day; and postmenopausal women not on hormone replacement therapy need 1,500 mg per day.
Getting the adequate daily dose of calcium can be as simple as eating foods like cheese, milk, and yogurt, but dairy products are not the only source of calcium. Kale, turnip greens, broccoli, tofu, and calcium-fortified foods like orange juice can also contribute to overall dietary calcium intake.
Based on their comprehensive review of the scientific literature, Zernicke and his team recommend the following dietary steps to achieve healthy bones:
Avoid foods and beverages with poor nutrient density (such as sugars, carbonated beverages, or food high in sodium or saturated fat) because these will leave the body and skeleton devoid of the nutrients essential for healthy development.
Incorporate high energy density foods (such as polyunsaturated fatty acids - foods containing omega-3 like salmon and walnuts - fruits and vegetables high in potassium and fiber and high-quality animal or plant based protein) into your diet to ensure vitamin and mineral adequacy.
If there are dietary deficiencies, supplements (such as calcium carbonate or calcium citrates) can be used to enhance skeletal health.
Athletes should be consuming at least 1,200 to 1,500 mg of calcium a day by way of low-fat, low-sodium dairy products, vegetable greens or supplements.
Protein is extremely important for proper bone growth, especially in young athletes and physically active, growing children.
The review from the U-M Bone & Joint Injury Prevention & Rehabilitation Center has shown that it's not only the quantity or the cost of bone health issues today that is cause for concern, it's the larger role that the skeletal system plays to protect vital organs against damage. Zernicke summarized the group's findings by saying, "Adequate nutrition is critical to the development and maintenance of a healthy skeleton. It's important for everyone, young and old, people who participate in sport and recreational activities, and everyone in between to make dietary choices that provide the foundation for overall bone health and physical performance."
Source
The University of Michigan Bone & Joint Injury Prevention & Rehabilitation Center
bjiprc.umich
Researchers at the University of Michigan couldn't agree more. In a recent scholarly review published in Sports Health: A Multidisciplinary Approach, they concluded that adequate nutrition is essential for overall skeletal health of people of all ages and all activity levels.
Dr. Ronald Zernicke, Director of the University of Michigan Bone & Joint Injury Prevention & Rehabilitation Center, and his colleagues synthesized research conducted in the last 50 years on the role of diet on skeletal tissue and overall bone health. They specifically looked at the effects of dietary proteins, fats, and carbohydrates on bone health. What they found not only supports current facts about bone health and prevention of bone loss, but also validates nutritional strategies to help preserve bone structure and strength.
Protein and Bone Health
Historically, there has been debate about whether protein is detrimental or beneficial to bone health. Some of the earliest research suggested that high-protein diets are detrimental to skeletal health - particularly diets high in animal protein (red-meats). Conversely, there have been numerous studies to show that high-protein diets increase bone mineral content, decrease the risk of fractures, and increase fracture repair time after injury. High-protein diets are often recommended for adolescent and child athletes undergoing rigorous training. According to Dr. Zernicke's team, research suggests that adequate protein is essential for developing and maintaining healthy skeletal tissue.
Simple Carbohydrates and Bone Health
Diets high in refined sugar have been studied extensively and shown to affect bone growth and mechanical strength. Surprisingly, something as simple as drinking carbonated beverages, such as soft drinks and even sports drinks, is associated with significant decreases in bone mineral density - both in males and females. Zernicke suggests that some of these detrimental changes in bone related to the consumption of soft drinks are due to the decreased consumption of milk and other available fluids in favor of soft drinks. Drinking soft drinks can also lead to weight gain, a decrease in lean muscle mass, and can contribute to the loss of calcium and iron which are crucial to health and athletic performance. Zernicke says, "While it's vitally important to hydrate during any type of sport or physical activity, it might be worthwhile to drink bottled or tap water, milk, orange juice, or drinks fortified with calcium instead of reaching for a sugar-filled sports drink."
Fats and Carbohydrates Beneficial to Bone Health
Not all fats and carbohydrates are bad for you. Current research suggests that omega-3 fatty acids and complex carbohydrates, such as fruits and vegetables, may actually improve bone mass density and increase calcium absorption. Fruits and vegetables contain nondigestible carbohydrates, like inulin-type fructans, that cannot be digested by the small intestine. Hence, as they move toward the large intestine and begin to be processed, they produce organic acids that enhance the disbursement of calcium throughout the body.
Benefits of Calcium and Vitamin D
We have always been told that calcium and vitamin D are keys to good bone health, but these nutrients are proving to be just as important for muscle contraction, heartbeat regulation, nerve impulse transmission, regulation of blood pressure, and immune system function. The review looked at clinical recommendations of optimal calcium intake and determined that intake varied by sex and age. The daily adequate intake recommendation for young adults is at least 1,200 mg of calcium per day; women between the ages of 25 and 50 years need 1,000 mg per day; and postmenopausal women not on hormone replacement therapy need 1,500 mg per day.
Getting the adequate daily dose of calcium can be as simple as eating foods like cheese, milk, and yogurt, but dairy products are not the only source of calcium. Kale, turnip greens, broccoli, tofu, and calcium-fortified foods like orange juice can also contribute to overall dietary calcium intake.
Based on their comprehensive review of the scientific literature, Zernicke and his team recommend the following dietary steps to achieve healthy bones:
Avoid foods and beverages with poor nutrient density (such as sugars, carbonated beverages, or food high in sodium or saturated fat) because these will leave the body and skeleton devoid of the nutrients essential for healthy development.
Incorporate high energy density foods (such as polyunsaturated fatty acids - foods containing omega-3 like salmon and walnuts - fruits and vegetables high in potassium and fiber and high-quality animal or plant based protein) into your diet to ensure vitamin and mineral adequacy.
If there are dietary deficiencies, supplements (such as calcium carbonate or calcium citrates) can be used to enhance skeletal health.
Athletes should be consuming at least 1,200 to 1,500 mg of calcium a day by way of low-fat, low-sodium dairy products, vegetable greens or supplements.
Protein is extremely important for proper bone growth, especially in young athletes and physically active, growing children.
The review from the U-M Bone & Joint Injury Prevention & Rehabilitation Center has shown that it's not only the quantity or the cost of bone health issues today that is cause for concern, it's the larger role that the skeletal system plays to protect vital organs against damage. Zernicke summarized the group's findings by saying, "Adequate nutrition is critical to the development and maintenance of a healthy skeleton. It's important for everyone, young and old, people who participate in sport and recreational activities, and everyone in between to make dietary choices that provide the foundation for overall bone health and physical performance."
Source
The University of Michigan Bone & Joint Injury Prevention & Rehabilitation Center
bjiprc.umich
понедельник, 4 июля 2011 г.
Positive Results Of Phase 2 Osteoporosis Study - ZP-PTH Patch Shows Increase In Lumbar Spine And Hip Bone Mineral Density
Zosano Pharma, Inc., a privately held pharmaceutical company developing a novel transdermal delivery technology, today announced positive results from its phase 2, randomized, multi-center, double-blind, multi-dose study designed to determine safety and efficacy of its ZP-PTH rapid delivery patch for the treatment of osteoporosis. The product delivers PTH 1-34, teriparatide (PTH), a compound that has been proven to stimulate formation of new bone and reduce the risk of fractures. The ZP-PTH patch uses a unique transdermal technology being developed as an alternative to daily injections.
The primary objective of the study was to assess safety and evaluate the effect of three doses of ZP-PTH on lumbar spine bone mineral density (BMD) after 24 weeks relative to placebo in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. Secondary study objectives were to evaluate the effect of three doses of ZP-PTH on total hip, femoral neck and forearm BMD relative to placebo and injectable Forteo®. The study enrolled 165 patients between 50 and 81 years of age with severe osteoporosis and was conducted at multiple sites across North and South America.
The study results demonstrated that daily administration of all three doses of ZP-PTH for 24 weeks resulted in a significant gain in BMD of the lumbar spine over placebo (p
The primary objective of the study was to assess safety and evaluate the effect of three doses of ZP-PTH on lumbar spine bone mineral density (BMD) after 24 weeks relative to placebo in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. Secondary study objectives were to evaluate the effect of three doses of ZP-PTH on total hip, femoral neck and forearm BMD relative to placebo and injectable Forteo®. The study enrolled 165 patients between 50 and 81 years of age with severe osteoporosis and was conducted at multiple sites across North and South America.
The study results demonstrated that daily administration of all three doses of ZP-PTH for 24 weeks resulted in a significant gain in BMD of the lumbar spine over placebo (p
пятница, 1 июля 2011 г.
Craniofacial Biology Award Presented To Vargervik
The 2007 Craniofacial Biology Research Award was presented to Dr. Karin Vargervik, Professor and Interim Chair, Division of Orthodontics, Department of Orofacial Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, USA. The award was part of the Opening Ceremonies of the 85th General Session of the International Association for Dental Research (IADR), convening at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.
Dr. Vargervik received her dental training at the Medizinische Akademie in Dusseldorf, Germany, and her Orthodontic training at the University of Oslo, Norway. In the late 1960s, she was a research fellow at the then-Forsyth Dental Center (now Forsyth Institute) in Boston, Massachusetts, after which she accepted a faculty position at the University of California, San Francisco, where she has been a Professor since 1982.
Dr. Vargervik's research interests and activities have focused on experimental and clinical issues relating to bone formation and bone remodeling in the craniofacial region. Her clinical research includes investigations of the following: (1) characteristics of growth and development in cleft lip and palate, hemifacial microsomia, and craniosynostosis syndromes; (2) factors contributing to abnormal development; (3) effects of the neuromuscular system on bone morphology and growth patterns; (4) stability of craniofacial skeletal components after major reconstructive procedures; and (5) treatment outcomes following various types of management procedures in a team environment.
Her experimental research has focused on the following: (1) adaptations of muscles and bone to changed functional demands; (2) factors contributing to malocclusions, such as tongue and mandible posture and changes in mode of respiration; (3) characterizing environments favorable and unfavorable for maintenance of bone size and morphology; and (4) new bone formation in controlled experimental sites. Dr. Vargervik's studies on etiological factors in the development of malocclusions, airway changes, mandibular posture, and jaw growth adaptation are considered classics and are often referenced. She has been active in the IADR Craniofacial Biology Group and was Group President in 1995-96.
The Craniofacial Biology Research Award, supported by BioMimetic Pharmaceuticals and Osteohealth Company, was established to recognize individuals who have contributed to the body of knowledge in craniofacial biology over a significant period of time, and whose research contributions have been accepted by the scientific community. It consists of a cash prize and plaque, and represents one of the highest honors the IADR can bestow.
Contact: Linda Hemphill
dentalresearch/
Dr. Vargervik received her dental training at the Medizinische Akademie in Dusseldorf, Germany, and her Orthodontic training at the University of Oslo, Norway. In the late 1960s, she was a research fellow at the then-Forsyth Dental Center (now Forsyth Institute) in Boston, Massachusetts, after which she accepted a faculty position at the University of California, San Francisco, where she has been a Professor since 1982.
Dr. Vargervik's research interests and activities have focused on experimental and clinical issues relating to bone formation and bone remodeling in the craniofacial region. Her clinical research includes investigations of the following: (1) characteristics of growth and development in cleft lip and palate, hemifacial microsomia, and craniosynostosis syndromes; (2) factors contributing to abnormal development; (3) effects of the neuromuscular system on bone morphology and growth patterns; (4) stability of craniofacial skeletal components after major reconstructive procedures; and (5) treatment outcomes following various types of management procedures in a team environment.
Her experimental research has focused on the following: (1) adaptations of muscles and bone to changed functional demands; (2) factors contributing to malocclusions, such as tongue and mandible posture and changes in mode of respiration; (3) characterizing environments favorable and unfavorable for maintenance of bone size and morphology; and (4) new bone formation in controlled experimental sites. Dr. Vargervik's studies on etiological factors in the development of malocclusions, airway changes, mandibular posture, and jaw growth adaptation are considered classics and are often referenced. She has been active in the IADR Craniofacial Biology Group and was Group President in 1995-96.
The Craniofacial Biology Research Award, supported by BioMimetic Pharmaceuticals and Osteohealth Company, was established to recognize individuals who have contributed to the body of knowledge in craniofacial biology over a significant period of time, and whose research contributions have been accepted by the scientific community. It consists of a cash prize and plaque, and represents one of the highest honors the IADR can bestow.
Contact: Linda Hemphill
dentalresearch/
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