Health News Tidbits

Health News Tidbits – January 2004

'Drugs Don't Work on Many People' -
According to a statement last week by Allen Roses, a senior executive at GlaxoSmithKline, Europe's largest drug maker, has admitted that more than 90% of drugs only work in 30-50% of people. Roses, an expert in genetics, said at present, pharmaceutical companies adopt a "one-drug-fits-all" policy.
BBCnews.com 12/8/2003

NHS to Sue Over Drugs Price Fix -
The British Government is suing seven drug companies claiming they colluded to fix the price of common prescription medicine. The suit alleges that the National Health Service, the governmental health care organization, was forced to pay inflated prices and is seeking $50 million in compensation. BBCnews.com 12/22/2003

National Institutes of Health Launch Ethics Review -
The National Institutes of Health, stung by recent allegations of financial wrongdoing on the part of some past and recent senior officials, announced a major review of how the agency handles conflict-of-interest matters when top agency employees receive lucrative consulting contracts from private companies. The Los Angeles Times reported on Sunday that several high-level NIH scientists and officials had received more than $2.5 million in fees and stock options from drug companies for consulting outside of their government work over the past ten years. NIH admitted that it had approved many of these payments in advance, shocking critics that payments are even permitted. Critics are coming down hard on NIH, raising concern about the integrity of the organization and those who are potentially compromising the health of Americans for financial gain. The Scientist 12/10/03

British Journal Lauds Fish Oil for Heart Disease Prevention -
According to a clinical review appearing in one of the world's most respected medical journals, British Medical Journal, omega 3 fatty acids from fish and fish oils can protect against coronary heart disease. The journal goes so far as to recommend dosages for arrhythmias, thrombosis, atherosclerosis, inflammation, endothelial function, blood pressure, and triglyceride lowering.
BMJ, Volume 328, January 2004

Vitamin Supplementation Lowers C-Reactive Protein Levels -
According to researchers, an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease, C-Reactive Protein (CRP), can be reduced by simply consuming a multivitamin. The randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled trial conducted over six months showed that the group taking a twenty four ingredient multivitamin reduced its CRP levels by 32 percent. The greatest reductions were shown in those with elevated baseline values. CRP has been identified as one of the most important predictors of future heart disease.
American Journal of Medicine, Volume 115, Number 9, 2003

C-Reactive Protein May Raise High Blood Pressure -
A partially funded study by the National Institute's of Health shows that C-Reactive Protein (CRP), already a major risk factor for heart disease, may also contribute to high blood pressure. Of 21,000 female participants, researchers found that healthy women with high levels of C-Reactive Protein in their blood were about 50% more likely to develop high blood pressure over the next eight years. The study indicates that doctors should consider including CRP tests in routine physical exams even for healthy middle-aged adults. JAMA 12/09/03

Use of Cod Liver Oil in First Year of Life Lowers Risk of Diabetes -
A nationwide Norwegian study was performed with 545 cases of childhood-onset type 1 diabetes and 1668 subjects. Data showed use of cod liver oil in the first year of life was associated with a significantly lower risk of type 1 diabetes.
Am J of Clin Nut, Vol. 78, No.6, 1128-1134, December 2003

Virtual Colonoscopy Shows Promise -
The new, less-invasive method of screening for colon cancer and other bowel diseases is already known to be faster and less troublesome for patients than conventional colonoscopy. Now, a study shows it may also be slightly more effective. In evaluating the two procedures in more than 1200 patients -- all deemed to be average risk of colon cancer -- researchers say the new three-dimensional virtual colonoscopy detected about 93% of polyps larger than 8 millimeters. By comparison, some 90% of polyps were detected with conventional colonoscopy. The new non-invasive procedure, using 3-D images, takes about 10 minutes and requires no sedation. With conventional colonoscopy, which can take up to an hour, patients must be sedated as a long, flexible tube with a miniature camera on its tip is snaked throughout the entire colon -- up to 6 feet.
New England Journal of Medicine Dec. 4, 2003; vol 349

Vitamin D May Help Stop Colon Cancer -
According to a study sponsored by the American Cancer Society, a diet rich in vitamin D appears to protect people from developing potentially cancerous growths in the colon. Out of 3,100 patients, those who consumed 645IU of vitamin daily were 40% less likely to have advanced polyps than those who consumed little or none. JAMA 2003;290:2959-2967

Child Warning on Anti-Depressants -
The British Department of Health says that the majority of the most commonly prescribed type of anti-depressants should not be given to people under eighteen. The advice follows a review by medical experts set up to look at their safety. The group found that there is no sufficient evidence from clinical trials that benefits outweigh the risks of side effects for the following SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors): sertaline (Lustral), citalopram (Cipramil), escitalopram (Cipralex), and fluvoxamine (Faverin). The lone SSRI recommended was fluoxetine (Prozac) because the drug had clearly demonstrated that the benefits outweighed the risks. Warnings were issued earlier in 2003 with regard to paroxetine (Seroxat) and venflaxine (Efexor). BBCnews 12/10/2003

Beans Rich Source of Healthy Antioxidants -
Beans, in addition to their high fiber and protein content, is a rich source of antioxidants. Black beans had the highest content, followed by red, brown, yellow, and white. Beans can now be categorized as having antioxidant levels comparable to grapes, apples, and cranberries. Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry 12/31/03

Vitamin B12 Levels Linked With Depression -
Researchers conclude that vitamin B12 levels and the probability of recovery from major depression may be positively associated, but further studies are suggested to confirm this finding. Out of 115 patients tested for serum folate and B12, those with higher levels had a better outcome based on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. BMC Psychiatry 2003, 3:17, December 2003

Elderly Falls Linked to Vitamin Deficiency -
Researchers in Australia found that being severely deficient in vitamin D increases the risk of falls and that supplements reduced their numbers. Many of over 1500 women in the study were found to be severely vitamin D deficient. J Amer Geriat Soc; vol 51, p1533

Study Questions PSA Prostate Tests -

Almost a third of men over 75 undergo prostate screening, but a new study says there is no evidence that screening men this age would be beneficial to them. The senior author of the study says that autopsies on elderly men show that 30 to 70 percent will have prostate cancer, but they died of something else. The author goes on to say that most men with elevated PSAs do not have prostate cancer. J Nat Cancer Inst 12/3/2003

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