1 in 7 Alzheimer’s Cases Could Be Prevented with Exercise
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Telemedicine Saves Travel and Time for Patients with Parkinson Disease (VIDEO)
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Even with Weight Gain, Quitting Smoking Still Better for Your Health
Among adults without diabetes, quitting smoking, compared with continuing smoking, was associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease despite subsequent weight gain, according to a study appearing in the March 13 issue of JAMA.
ÛÏCigarette smoking is the leading cause of preventable mortality in the United States and a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Smoking cessation substantially reduces the risks of CVD; however, quitting smoking is associated with a small number of adverse health consequences, weight gain being one of smokersÛª major concerns,Û according to background information in the article.åÊ
The average weight gain varies between 6.6 lbs. and 13.2 lbs. in North America and happens within 6 months after smoking cessation. Obesity is also a risk factor for CVD. One would think then that weight gain following smoking cessation might lessen the benefits of quitting smoking.
Carole Clair, M.D., M.Sc., of the University of Lausanne, Switzerland, and colleagues conducted a study to assess the association between 4-year weight gain following smoking cessation and CVD event rate among adults with and without diabetes. The study included data from the Framingham Offspring Study collected from 1984 through 2011. At each 4-year examination, self-reported smoking status was assessed and categorized as smoker, recent quitter (ä_ 4 years), long-term quitter (>4 years), and nonsmoker. The primary outcome measure was the incidence over 6 years of total CVD events, comprising coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular events, peripheral artery disease, and congestive heart failure.
Weight gain occurred over 4 years in participants without and with diabetes. Among participants without diabetes, recent quitters gained significantly more weight (median [midpoint], 5.9 lbs.) than long-term quitters (1.9 lbs.), smokers (1.9 lbs.), and nonsmokers (3 lbs.). Among patients with diabetes, recent quitters also gained significantly more weight (7.9 lbs.) than smokers (1.9 lbs.), long-term quitters (0.0 lbs., and nonsmokers (1.1 lbs.).
Compared with smokers, recent quitters had a 53 percent lower risk for CVD and long-term quitters had a 54 percent lower risk for CVD.
ÛÏIn conclusion, among adults without diabetes, quitting smoking was associated with a lower risk of CVD compared with continuing smoking. This supports a net cardiovascular benefit of smoking cessation, despite subsequent weight gain,Û the authors write.
Telemedicine Saves Travel and Time for Patients with Parkinson Disease
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Wonder if Michael use telemedicine? |
A randomized clinical trial of 20 patients with Parkinson disease by E. Ray Dorsey, M.D., M.B.A.., of Johns Hopkins Medicine, Baltimore, and colleagues suggests that telemedicine visits could save patients, on average, 100 miles of travel and three hours of time.
The 7-month study at patients’ homes and outpatient clinics at two academic medical centers sought to examine the feasibility, effectiveness and economic benefits of using web-based videoconferencing (telemedicine) to provide specialty care to patients with Parkinson disease at their homes.
The 20 patients were assigned to telemedicine (n=9) or in-person care (n=11). While patients in the telemedicine group saved miles of travel and hours of time, “the change in quality of life did not differ for those randomly assigned to telemedicine compared with those randomly assigned to in-person care (4.0-point improvement vs. 6.4-point improvement ).
“Larger studies are needed to determine whether the clinical benefits are indeed comparable to those of in-person care and whether the results observed are generalizable,” the researchers conclude.
As it becomes harder to get around in the advanced stages of the disease this may be something to think about.