Medical Journal Club article for September 2009:
Exercise and knee osteoarthritis: benefit or hazard? | Canadian Family Physician Journal -
“Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is seen radiographically in 33% of the population older than 60 years of age, and is responsible for a higher incidence of disability than any other chronic condition. It is as potent a factor as cardiovascular disease in limiting activities of daily living in the elderly.”
What is the role of exercise in causing knee OA? ?
Medical Journal Club article for June 2009:
Complementary and alternative medicine for the treatment of type 2 diabetes | Canadian Family Physician Journal -
“Chromium, and possibly gymnema, appears to improve glycemic control. Fibre, green tea, and fenugreek have other benefits but there is little evidence that they substantially improve glycemic control. Further research on bitter melon and cinnamon is warranted. There is no complementary and alternative medicine research addressing microvascular or macrovascular clinical outcomes.”
QUALITY OF EVIDENCE?
The Collaborative Forums In Mental Health is brought to you by the Canadian Psychiatric Association and supported by the College of Family Physicians of Canada.
“A unique opportunity for family physicians and psychiatrists to network, dialogue and establish collaborative working relationships in an educational environment.
An intensive, practical one-day update covering a wide range of psychiatric disorders.
State-of-the-art educational programs and workshops on the latest biopsychosocial approaches in treating mental illness.”
I attended the conference in Montreal yesterday and now I understand why mental illness exists in our society…
Breakfast and booth visits starting at 07:30.
Conferences and workshops starting at 08:00.
Fifteen minute nutrition breaks at 09:45, 14:30, and 16:45. During these breaks, time to visit the pharma booths and have the drug reps stamp your passport for a chance to win a book. (I believe it may be about obsessive-compulsive disorder).
The luncheon presentation is at 12:00, eat while you learn about Practical Strategies for Managing Tobacco Use in Psychiatric Patients. No time for a little walk after lunch in downtown Montreal.
More conferences and workshops at 13:00.
If you are still conscious at 17:00, it is time for Mental Health Issues in the Workplace.
And at 17:45, after sitting in non-ergonomic chairs all day, Fibromyalgia: Diagnosis and Treatment.
Closing remarks at 18:30.
Could Cymbalta™ have helped me get through this day?
Related Post:
FDA Approves Depressant Drug - MedicalJoke.com
Protective effects of Asian dietary items on cancers – soy and ginseng.
The isoflavones genistein and daidzein are phytoestrogens found in soy. Phytoestrogens bind to estrogen receptors which may reduce breast, ovarian, endometrial, and prostate cancer.
Ginseng contains polyphenol compounds and saponins which may reduce gastric cancer.
MD Retirements Stalled – The Medical Post.
Isn’t it nice to have a job were you have the option to increase your work hours when you need more money? It is a lot better than being unemployed.
Diabetes drugs may raise fracture risk in women – TheGlobeAndMail.com
Rosiglitazone and pioglitazone, sold under the brand names Avandia and Actos, seem to accelerate bone density loss and create a heightened threat of fracture among women – especially seniors – who have taken them over a long period of time. The same risk was not seen in men, or among women who took other drugs to manage diabetes.
Thiazolidinediones: Do harms outweigh benefits? – CMAJ Dec 10, 2008 (link to PDF file).
Based on 10 randomized controlled trials that lasted at least 12 months and involved over 13000 patients, Loke and colleagues found that thiazolidinediones were associated with a 45% increase in fractures. Consistent with previous reports, the risk appeared to be limited to women.
Canadian Diabetes Association 2008 Clinical Practice Guidelines
Published only once every five years, the Association’s Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Prevention and Management of Diabetes in Canada represent the best and most current evidence-based clinical practice data for healthcare professionals.
Statins, indication creep and risks for children and youth
CMAJ December 2, 2008; 179 (12).
Direct evidence for the safety and efficacy of statins in children and youth is limited. Approval from the Food and Drug Administration was based on data extrapolated from adult studies and on short-term studies of statin use in children and adolescents with familial hypercholesterolemia.
More studies are required before statins can be included in a Happy Meal.