Osteoporosis drug dangers

Monday, April 28, 2008

Osteoporosis drug dangers

Fosamax may be associated with an irregular heartbeat.

A new study indicates the drug Fosamax, and its generic alendronate, could be associated with an irregular heartbeat known as atrial fibrillation. The condition occurs when one chamber of the heart, the atria, beats irregularly and rapidly.

Researchers compared the incidence of atrial fibrillation in people on aledronate and those who never used the drug. They found 6.5% of those on the medication experienced an irregular heart rhythm compared to 4.1% of people never on the drug.

Study authors say the drug could disrupt proteins that keep the heart beating normally as well as cause inflammation and decrease calcium and phosphate levels.

More Information

Researchers say in some cases, the benefits could outweigh the risks, but it's important for doctors and patients to be aware and make the best decision on a case by case basis.

More information on osteoporosis

and atrial fibrillation

Source: Archives of Internal Medicine

Brain stimulation for depression

In some severe cases, neither drug treatment nor psychiatric treatment can help people overcome depression. According to the World Health Organization, depression is among the primary causes of disability worldwide. It's estimated that as many as 15 percent of depressed people commit suicide.

Now, there may be another option for help... with a treatment commonly used to help people with Parkinson's disease. It's called deep brain stimulation. Tiny electrodes are attached to the brain and an electrical pulse is delivered. The impulse stops abnormal activity in the brain. In a small study, nearly half the patients saw improvement in their depression. They also saw long-term improvement in depression severity, functioning and quality of life as well as improvements in short-term memory. Researchers believe as they learn more about the technology, the treatment could show greater success.

The challenge with deep brain stimulation is that the specific area on the brain associated with the disorder needs to be located in order for it to be successful. The treatment is reversible and adjustments can be made after implantation.

Source: American Association of Neurological Surgeons, Annual Meeting

Controlling kidney disease

It seems controlling blood pressure may not be enough to control kidney disease in African Americans.

African americans have been known to be at increased risk for kidney failure caused by hypertension, but a new study raises the question of how closely the two are connected. More than a thousand African Americans had their blood pressure tracked for 11 years. Even when their blood pressure was controlled, a third of the study participants still lost half their kidney function.

Study participants took an ACE inhibitor - the class of drugs found to be most effective during the first part of the study. Their goal was to keep their blood pressure around 130/80.

Researchers point out it's still important for people with kidney disease to continue to treat their blood pressure, but other factors need to be examined as well.

Source: Annals of Internal Medicine