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Shingles vaccination proposal for elderly Sunday, 31 January 2010 According to several newspapers millions of people in their seventies could be vaccinated against shingles The government’s independent committee on immunisation suggests there may be benefits in vaccinating the elderly against the virus to prevent the painful skin condition. If it is seen to be cost-effective a vaccination programme could be in place by late 2010.
Advice given to government is based on a systematic review of the medical evidence on a subject.
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Vitamin B may reduce risk of Alzheimer's Friday, 10 September 2010 A new study suggests high doses of vitamin B may halve the speed of brain shrinkage in older people.
Brain shrinkage is one of the symptoms of mild cognitive impairment, which often leads to dementia. Researchers believe this could be the first step towards discovering a way to delay the onset of Alzheimer's disease. Experts think these are important findings but more research is needed.
The researchers from the University of Oxford found that taking three tablets of B vitamins every day slows the brain shrinkage that happens with age, causing early signs of dementia such as memory lapses and language problems. The study, published in the journal Public Library of Science One, looked at 168 elderly people experiencing levels of mental decline known as mild cognitive impairment. Half of the volunteers were given a tablet containing levels of the B vitamins folate, B6 and B12 every day well above the recommended daily amount. The other half were given a placebo.
The average brain shrinks at a rate of 0.5% a year after the age of 60. The brains of those with mild cognitive impairment shrink twice as fast. Alzheimer's patients have brain shrinkage of 2.5% a year. The trial discovered that after two years, the rate at which their brains had shrunk was measured. MRI scans showed the brains of those who had taken the vitamins had shrunk less – by 0.76 per cent a year – than those given placebo (1.08 per cent) – a 31 per cent difference. In the quarter of elderly people who responded best, the reduction in the rate of shrinkage was 53 per cent. Cognitive tests show those with the least shrinkage perform best. Although not designed to measure mental ability, the researchers found that people with the lowest rates of shrinkage had the highest mental test scores.
Large doses of around 300 times the daily recommended intake of B12 and four times the recommended levels of folic acid were used in the trial. The researchers said this meant they acted like a pharmaceutical drug rather than a nutritional supplement and would require further safety tests. They are now seeking funding for another trial.
A vitamin pill that reduces the mental decline associated with ageing would have significant implications. About 1.5 million people in the UK have problems with memory, language or other mental functions known as Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), half of whom go on to develop Alzheimer's or another form of dementia within five years. Even a slight slowing of this process would have huge benefits. B vitamins are found naturally in meat, fish, green vegetables, whole grains, eggs and potatoes. They promote cell growth, enhance the immune system and help maintain healthy skin and bones. Processed foods such contain lower levels of B vitamins and elderly people on a limited diet can become deficient. Low levels are common in Western populations. However, taking B vitamin supplements in large doses can be harmful. There are eight B vitamins, but only three were used in the study – B6, B12 and folic acid (B9).
Professor David Smith of the Department of Pharmacology, Oxford University, and co-leader of the trial, said: "This is a very striking, dramatic result. It is our hope that this simple and safe treatment will delay the development of Alzheimer's disease in many people who suffer from mild memory problems. "These are immensely promising results but we do need to do more trials to conclude whether these particular B vitamins can slow or prevent development of Alzheimer's. So I wouldn't yet recommend that anyone getting a bit older and beginning to be worried about memory lapses should rush out and buy vitamin B supplements without seeing a doctor."
Professor Smith stated that a key issue was whether MCI was a mild manifestation of the more extreme Alzheimer's disease. "Is this a continuum? Are we seeing a disease that begins a long time ago and gets worse and worse? I personally think so."The long-term effects of taking large amounts of the vitamins were not known, and there was some evidence that high folate intake could be linked to cancer, he said. However, asked if he would try the vitamin treatment if he was diagnosed with MCI he said: "Yes, no hesitation. I would take it."
The Alzheimer's Research Trust, which co-funded the study, also called for further investigation.
"These are very important results, with B vitamins now showing a prospect of protecting some people from Alzheimer's in old age," said chief executive Rebecca Wood. "The strong findings must inspire an expanded trial to follow people expected to develop Alzheimer's."
What is Dementia?
Dementia is a loss of cognitive ability caused by diseases such as Alzheimer's. It causes problems with memory and speech and the skills needed to carry out normal daily activities, meaning that many sufferers are unable to properly care for themselves. The condition is most common in the over-65s, affecting one in 20. It is thought that the cost to the UK economy of dealing with dementia will be £27bn a year by 2018.
Dementia usually worsens slowly over time and there is no cure. However, doctors can ease the severity of the symptoms and slow their onset using drugs and other treatments. Depression also affects 20 to 30 per cent of people who have dementia, and about 20 per cent have anxiety.
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Vitamin D deficiency linked to autoimmune diseases and some cancers Monday, 30 August 2010 Scientists have found that vitamin D deficiency plays a key role in causing autoimmune diseases, some cancers and type 1 diabetes, after scientists found over 200 genes that it directly influences.
Research recently published in the journal Genome Research, adds weight to the theory that vitamin D deficiency plays a key role in causing autoimmune diseases, after scientists found over 200 genes that it directly influences.
The researchers created a map of the specific locations on the human genome where vitamin D binds to DNA through proteins called vitamin D receptors. Vitamin D activates these receptors and influences the behaviour of genes that are associated with particular characteristics. The study showed that the vitamin D receptor was found in over 2,700 binding sites. Many of these sites were near genes that are associated with common autoimmune diseases and certain types of cancer.
In particular, the researchers found that vitamin D had a significant effect on genes associated with multiple sclerosis, Crohn’s disease and type 1 diabetes. Vitamin D receptor binding was also found in regions on the genome that are linked with cancers such as leukaemia and colorectal cancer.
Vitamin D is produced naturally by your body when your skin is exposed to sunlight. Many people don’t get enough from these sources. This is especially true if you live in a region that is nearer to the North or South Pole than to the equator (for example the UK, Canada or southern Argentina), where the sunlight needed to make vitamin D is only strong enough during the summer.
It’s already well known that vitamin D deficiency affects bone development, leading to conditions such as rickets, but this study supports previous research showing that vitamin D plays a role in the development of other diseases. Bupa recommends taking vitamin D supplements to reduce the chance of developing cancer by 26 percent. Taking at least 1,500 to 2,000 international units (IU) a day, which equates to three to four high-strength capsules (12.5 micrograms/capsule),will reduce your risk of developing a number of cancers as well as various bone-related conditions such as osteoporosis and osteomalacia.
Dr Virginia Warren, Assistant Medical Director at Bupa, commented on the research: “It is exciting that these researchers have shown that vitamin D is involved in determining the extent to which more than 200 genes are turned on. Vitamin D insufficiency is common in the UK and deficiency happens too. Optimal levels of vitamin D can be achieved with supplements and/or spending time in summer sun without sunscreen but being careful not to let the skin get red or burn.”
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1,400 'Pressure Stations' set up for "Know Your Numbers Week" Monday, 30 August 2010 1,400 'Pressure Stations' set up to support the Blood Pressure Associations "Know Your Numbers Week"
One in three UK adults have high blood pressure, but Blood Pressure Association research found that almost three quarters of adults do not know their blood pressure.
Know your Numbers! is the Blood Pressure Association's flagship awareness campaign. It encourages adults across the UK to know their blood pressure numbers and take the necessary action to reach and maintain a healthy blood pressure.
The highlight is Know your Numbers! Week, the nation's largest annual blood pressure testing and awareness event. This takes place in the second week of September each year and provides free checks for around 250,000 adults across the UK. Since its launch in 2001, Know your Numbers! Week has ensured more than 1.5million people have had their blood pressure checked so that they know their blood pressure numbers in the same way as their height and weight.
Know your Numbers! Week involves hundreds of nationwide organisations signing up to provide free blood pressure tests and information at venues known as Pressure Stations. Pressure Stations are located throughout the community including pharmacies, workplaces, GP surgeries, hospitals, health clubs, leisure centres, shopping centres and supermarkets.
Know your Numbers! Week 2010 takes place fom the 13th to the 19th of September. Check with your local pharmacy and get yourself tested!
References1. Forette F, Seux M, Staessen J. Prevention of dementia in randomised double-blind placebo controlled systolic hypertension in Europe (Syst-Eur) trial. The Lancet 1998;352:1346-51 2. Williams B et al.Guidelines for management of hypertension: report of the fourth working party of the British Hypertension Society, 2004 - BHS IV. The Journal of Human Hypertension 2004;18 :139-185 (available on the British Hypertension Society web site at www.bhsoc.org) 3.The Annual Report of the Chief Medical Officer of the Department of Health 2001 (www.doh.gov.uk) 4.He F, MacGregor G.Cost of poor blood pressure control in the UK : 62 000 unnecessary deaths per year. Journal of Human Hypertension 2003; 17: 455-457 (www.nature.com/jhh/) 5. Health Survey for England 2003. Department of Health publication available at www.dh.gov.uk 6. National Institutes of Health and National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. The Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation and Treatment of high blood pressure 2003 (www.nhlbi.nih.gov/
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New trials on existing medicine show potential to prevent heart failure Monday, 30 August 2010 Trial results have shown that an existing £10 a week pill for chest pains has the potential to save the lives of thousands of heart failure patients and save the NHS milions in the cost of hospital admissions.
Conservative estimates suggest that up to 10,000 deaths a year in the UK could be prevented.
One expert described the evidence as a "significant breakthrough" and said it would compel him to change his clinical practice.
The drug, ivabradine, is already available in the UK for Angina, the pain caused by insufficient blood reaching the heart. However, only around 10% of treated angina patients are prescribed it.
At a recent meeting of experts in Stockholm trial results suggested that ivabradine could be resurrected as a cost-effective treatment for many thousands of patients with moderate to severe heart failure. The drug cut the risk of death from heart failure by 26% in the patient population studied over a two year period. It had a similar impact on the likelihood of being admitted to hospital because of worsening symptoms.
More than 700,000 people over the age of 45 live with heart failure, which occurs when damage to the heart leaves it too weak to pump blood efficiently round the body.
An estimated 68,000 new cases are diagnosed each year. Heart failure causes symptoms of fatigue, breathlessness, increased heart rate, and swollen ankles. It can lead to serious complications, and around 40% of those affected are dead after a year.
Heart failure soaks up 1% to 2% of the total NHS budget, with direct medical costs alone amounting to £625 million a year.
The Shift (Systolic Heart failure treatment with the If inhibitor ivabradine Trial) trial involved more than 6,500 patients in 37 countries already on standard treatments such as beta-blocker drugs.
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