Call
or email now to discuss your needs
AAA Warman Home Care's E-Update is intended to bring to you timely and useful articles and information at the click of the mouse. It is sent monthly in an effort to keep you apprised of what is happening across the healthcare continuum of care effecting hospital, hospice and rehabilitation social workers and case managers, as well as Assisted Living, Independent Living and Skilled Nursing facility executives. Warman understands that time is limited and has undertaken to share with you important industry information without your having to search for it.
1. Coronary Artery Disease May One Day Be Predicted By Urine Screening Test
2. Aspirin For Forty Somethings Could Cut Cancer Risk
3. Cholesterol Control Plus Blood Pressure Control Equals Stroke Prevention
4. Are Physicians Referring Their Elderly Patients To Geriatricians? Asks Study That Finds Surprising Answer And Highlights The Need For A Shift In Care
5. Allergy Season: Tips To Limit Exposure To Allergens From The University Of Phoenix
Proteome analysis, a screening requiring only a patient's urine specimen, shows promise as a reliable and noninvasive way to diagnose atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease in the future, according to research presented at the American Heart Association's Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology Annual Conference 2009.
Coronary angiography, an X-ray examination of the blood vessels or chambers of the heart, is the traditional way to diagnose atherosclerosis. To perform this procedure, clinicians insert a small tube, or catheter, into a blood vessel in the groin area or arm and thread the catheter to the coronary arteries of the heart.
"Atherosclerotic disease results in heart attack and stroke, which have major impacts on life and health in the Western world," said Constantin von zur Muehlen, M.D., the study's lead author and cardiologist at the University Hospital Freiburg, Department of Cardiology in Freiburg, Germany. "We conducted this study to find new biomarkers for atherosclerosis and determine whether this noninvasive screening could reliably recognize this disease."
Proteome analysis shows protein patterns in body fluids, such as blood or urine, Muehlen said. Using two techniques to analyze specimens (mass spectrometry and capillary electrophoresis), scientists can simultaneously characterize thousands of proteins in one examination.
Muehlen and colleagues determined that certain protein fragments can only be found in coronary artery disease patients, and this patient group established the proteome pattern. The 17 protein fragments that the researchers identified as being associated with atherosclerotic disease were collagen fragments, known to be present on the surface of atherosclerotic plaques.
The researchers then applied the proteome pattern in another group of patients with atherosclerotic disease of the coronary arteries. The investigators compared the results of the urine proteome screenings from 67 patients presenting with symptoms of coronary artery disease to patients' results from coronary angiography, the current gold standard used to rule out or confirm coronary artery disease.
"The accuracy of the urine proteome pattern to identify coronary artery disease was 84 percent," Muehlen said.
Larger studies will be needed to confirm the findings of this study before proteome analysis can be used as a reliable screening method in patients, Muehlen said. "However, our data suggest that proteome analysis shows great promise. It is easy to use, shows a high reproducibility and does not hurt."
Co-authors are: Eric Schiffer, Ph.D.; Petra Zuerbig, Ph.D.; Harald Mischak, Ph.D.; Christoph Bode, M.D.; and Karlheinz Peter, M.D., Ph.D. Individual author disclosures can be found on the abstract.
Mosaiques Diagnostics & Therapeutics AG, based in Hannover, Germany, co-funded the study and is the maker of the test.
SOURCE: American Heart Association, May 1, 2009
Taking aspirin in your 40s could cut the risk of cancer developing later in life, according to research published in the Lancet Oncology.
In a detailed review of all the available evidence*, Cancer Research UK scientists suggest that taking aspirin at an age before cancer begins to develop - and for at least 10 years - would maximize the drug's potential to prevent cancer.
Previous research suggests that people who take aspirin are less likely to develop HYPERLINK "http://info.cancerresearchuk.org/cancerstats/types/bowel/" \t "_blank" colon cancer, HYPERLINK "http://info.cancerresearchuk.org/cancerandresearch/cancers/breast/" \t "_blank" breast cancer and possibly some other types of cancer. Aspirin blocks the effects of the COX enzymes, proteins involved in inflammation and found at unusually high levels in several types of cancer.
But regular use of the anti-inflammatory drug specifically for cancer prevention is not currently recommended as it has been linked to a number of side-effects including, gastrointestinal bleeding and stomach ulcers.
Common cancers, such as prostate, breast, lung and bowel, tend to develop after the age of 60. And the chances of aspirin causing bleeding in the abdomen are much higher in people over 60.
Study author, Professor Jack Cuzick, from the Cancer Research UK Centre for Epidemiology at HYPERLINK "http://www.qmul.ac.uk/" \t "_blank" Queen Mary, University of London, said: "Taking aspirin regularly in your mid 40s could maximize the effect this drug has on preventing cancer. Taking aspirin at this age, which is about the time pre-cancerous lesions usually begin to develop, may be the best time to stop the disease from progressing to actual cancer.
"And, as the risk of serious side effects of aspirin greatly increase after 60 years old, taking long-term treatment before this age will help to minimize these side effects."
"But many questions need to be answered before we would advise regular use of aspirin for cancer prevention. Future research and more clinical trials are needed to better identify those people who are at high risk of developing cancers and at low risk of side effects, who will benefit most from aspirin treatment."
"Some studies did not show a preventative effect, but the follow up was less than 10 years, so it may have been too early to see the effect."
"For older patients - who are already taking aspirin for cardiovascular disease - the drug may also provide additional protection against some cancers, but it not yet known whether the 'baby aspirin' can achieve this, or if the full standard dose of 300mg/day will be needed."
The researchers also found that taking aspirin in combination with other drugs known as proton pump inhibitors could help to lower the risk of stomach bleeding. The AspECT trial, funded by Cancer Research UK, is investigating the use of proton pump inhibitors and aspirin in patients with Barrett's oesophagus - a pre-cancerous condition that can develop into gullet cancer.
Dr Lesley Walker, Cancer Research UK's director of cancer information, said: "We need scientists to focus their efforts on how to reduce the side effects of taking aspirin so that very soon it may be possible to use the drug as a way of preventing cancer. It's too soon to recommend that people take aspirin to try and stop cancer developing because of the side effects. But, survival is low for cancers like gullet cancer so understanding how to prevent the disease is crucial. It's important that any decision to take aspirin regularly is only made in consultation with a GP."
SOURCE: Cancer Research, UK, April 29, 2009
Reaching optimal levels for cholesterol and high blood pressure in people who've had a stroke adds up to prevent a second stroke or heart attack, according to a study presented as part of the Late-breaking Science Program at the American Academy of Neurology's 61st Annual Meeting in Seattle, April 25 - May 2, 2009.
Researchers looked at four risk factors for stroke: high LDL cholesterol, low HDL cholesterol, high triglycerides, and high blood pressure. They found that for each risk factor that is controlled at the optimal level, the risk of stroke and other major cardiovascular problems goes down.
The Stroke Prevention by Aggressive Reduction in Cholesterol Levels (SPARCL) study involved 4,731 people who had a recent stroke or transient ischemic attack, or mini stroke. Half received the cholesterol-lowering drug atorvastatin, and half received a placebo. The participants were followed for an average of 4.9 years.
People who reached optimal levels in all four risk factors were 65 percent less likely to have another stroke as people who did not reach optimal levels on any of the risk factors. Those who reached the optimal level on three risk factors were 38 percent less likely to have another stroke, and those who reached the optimal level on two risk factors were 22 percent less likely to have another stroke. Those who reached the optimal level on only one risk factor were only two percent less likely to have another stroke than people who did not meet any of the optimal levels.
"These results show that there is a cumulative effect to lowering cholesterol and blood pressure," said study author Pierre Amarenco, MD, of Denis Diderot University and Medical School in Paris, France, and a Fellow of the American Academy of Neurology. "People need to work with their doctors to reach the optimal level on all of these risk factors."
Amarenco said prior to this study researchers knew that lowering cholesterol and blood pressure was helpful overall in preventing stroke, but did not know whether one risk factor played a stronger role than another.
The optimal levels were defined as LDL "bad" cholesterol of lower than 70, HDL "good" cholesterol of higher than 50, triglycerides less than 150, and blood pressure less than 120/80.
The study was supported by Pfizer Inc.
SOURCE: American Academy of Neurology, April 30, 2009
While the U.S. counts only 7,500 or so geriatricians -- physicians with advanced training that prepares them to care for the frailest, sickest older patients -- it's now home to more than 38 million adults who are 65 and older. And that number is expected to nearly double, to 77 million, in the next two decades.
With so few geriatricians and so many older Americans, the Association of Directors of Geriatric Academic Programs (ADGAP) recently asked the directors of U.S. geriatric academic programs how best to make use of available geriatricians. Their answer: Given the shortage of geriatricians, these physicians should focus on the most vulnerable older adults and those with the most complex health problems. The American Geriatrics Society (AGS) is now conducting a follow-up survey of its own members, asking them which older adults are likely to benefit most from the care geriatricians provide.
There could, however, be obstacles to ensuring that adults who could benefit most from geriatrics care actually see geriatricians, suggests a study released here today at AGS' Annual Scientific Meeting.
The study surveyed 115 attending physicians and "non-attending" healthcare providers (including physician assistants, medical students, residents, and fellows) at three teaching hospitals with in-patient geriatric consultation services. Most of those surveyed -- nearly 65% -- were in internal medicine and more than 66% had been in practice between one and five years. Nearly 70% said that at least half of their patients were older than 65. And nearly a third reported having "limited or no training in geriatrics."
While three-quarters said they were comfortable treating older patients in general, fewer than half reported being comfortable treating patients who were frail. And just 43% said they were comfortable treating patients with dementia.
Even so, many of the attending physicians -- more than 80% of whom were familiar with the geriatrics consultation services at their hospitals -- expressed reservations about referring their older patients to the service. Of these physicians, more than 82% reported that referring these patients to geriatricians might result in their "losing a patient to another physician." In contrast, non-attending physicians, who reported being less comfortable treating older adults than attending physicians, were more likely to say they'd refer patients to geriatricians. This was particularly the case with frail older patients and those with complex health problems.
"Attending physicians appear to underutilize geriatric consults services, despite recognized lack of geriatric training," says Alina Gory, MD, of North Shore Long Island Jewish Heath System in New Hyde Park, NY, and co-authors. "Since our data revealed an optimistic and significant difference between non-attending and attendings in referral patterns, we suggest that educational programs be developed to encourage the utilization of geriatric consults for the benefits of elderly patients."
"In today's fast-paced medicine, physicians struggle daily with the challenges of managing the complexity of medical co-morbidities in their elderly patients," Dr. Gory added. "Geriatricians are uniquely positioned to provide support and expertise to both healthcare professionals and older adults."
SOURCE: American Geriatrics Society, May 1, 2009
With spring in full force in California, watery eyes, runny noses, sneezing, aching head, and other symptoms that accompany allergies, or allergic rhinitis (more commonly known as hay fever), are a reality for many Californians. Substances capable of provoking allergic reactions are called allergens or triggers. Allergies to airborne allergens, such as house dust mites, mold, pollen and animal dander affect over 50 million in America today. Allergies are treatable and the symptoms are controllable. The University of Phoenix has released the following list of Do's and Don't's to help Californians avoid allergy triggers and manage their allergy symptoms more successfully.
1. DO try to stay indoors when the pollen count or humidity is reported to be high, and on windy days when dust and pollen are blown about.
2. DO keep windows closed in your home and your car to prevent pollens or molds from drifting inside.
3. DO minimize early morning activity when pollen is usually emitted-between 5-10 AM.
4. DO shower after coming in from outdoors. Be sure to wash your hair and change your clothing.
5. DO bathe your pet frequently as pets can carry pollen in from the outside.
6. DON'T forget to vacuum and dust on a regular basis. Get rid of carpeting and other dust collectors. Wash sheets and pillow cases in hot water every 1-2 weeks and install window shades or blinds instead of curtains.
7. DON'T mow lawns or be around freshly cut grass; mowing stirs up pollens and molds.
8. DON'T rake leaves, as this stirs up molds.
9. DON'T grow too many, or over water, indoor plants if you are allergic to mold.
10. DON'T rub your face or eyes with your hands after you have been outside until you have thoroughly washed them.
SOURCE: The University of Phoenix, April 29, 2009
AAA Warman Home Care is a family-owned Residential Service Agency which has been providing in-home health care services to thousands of clients for the past twenty years. Warman specializes in providing the highest quality of private duty, non-medical care and companionship for the elderly, those recuperating after hospitalization / rehabilitation, the terminally ill, disabled, alone or at-risk. It is our goal to assist our clients in living the most independent, healthy and comfortable lives in the privacy of their own homes.
Warman can be reached at .
If you have written or find any articles that you would like to contribute to the Warman E-Update, please contact Brenda Head at bhead@warmanhomecare.com or by telephone at (877) 694-4264. If any of your colleagues are not receiving the Warman E-Update, please send his or her e-mail address to bhead@warmanhomecare.com for inclusion.
