Gain or loss of more than 5% of body weight after myocardial infarction is common, according to findings published in the March issue of the American Heart Journal, and weight loss is associated with worse outcomes. Reuters Health Information
Hyperlipidemia is often increased and appears to be a significant prognostic factor for survival in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), according to French researchers. Reuters Health Information
In a randomized trial, raloxifene increased bone mineral density at the spine and reduced vertebral fractures in postmenopausal women with chronic kidney disease. Medscape Medical News
Hyperglycemia is associated with a reduced risk of multiple and osteoporotic fractures, according to a report in the March issue of The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. Reuters Health Information
There is an improvement in the formation of bone and a reduction in bone resorption markers with the use of the anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha (anti-TNF-alpha) drug infliximab in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) whose disease has not responded to standard therapy. Reuters Health Information
Consumption of green leafy vegetables and fruit was associated with a lower risk for diabetes mellitus in women, but consumption of fruit juices was associated with an increased risk. Medscape Medical News
In a cross-sectional, prospective study of middle-aged adults with type 2 diabetes, reduced lung function preceded diabetes onset and continued to accelerate throughout the course of the disease. Medscape Medical News
Use of fish oil, with or without fenofibrate, is effective in treating hypertriglyceridemia in patients with HIV, researchers report in the April 1st issue of the Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes. Reuters Health Information
Newborns exposed to heart block-associated maternal autoantibodies in utero usually show growth retardation, but only if the exposure results in second- or third-degree atrioventricular (AV) block, new research suggests. Moreover, these newborns show no catch-up growth during infancy. Reuters Health Information
Long-term use of estrogen or estrogen/progestin hormone therapy does not appear to affect the risk of dementia, according to findings published in the March 15th issue of the American Journal of Epidemiology. Reuters Health Information