Some kids could not be capable to keep their asthma attack in check even if they systematically inform using inhaled adrenal cortical steroids, a mainstay of asthma attack therapy, suggests a new study.

The research of 914 kids with modest to moderate asthma attack discovered that over a annual period, kids who informed consistent inspired steroid hormone use were 20% less believable to inform having well-controlled asthma attack equated with those not applying any inhaled steroid hormones. This discovery held even when the severity of the children’s asthma attack was allowed.

“There can potentially be some causes for our discoveries; It is potential that some kids are genetically less reactive to steroid hormones,” states research worker Gregory Sawicki, M.D. of kids’ infirmary in Boston. “Besides issues of drug adherence and unfitness to entirely control for deviations in underlying asthma attack, severity can never be entirely ruled out.” (more…)

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More about half of humans with asthma attack inform that their attributes are induced by laughter, according to a research to be awarded at the American Thoracic Community International League on May 24.

The research of 235 sick people with asthma attack discovered that 56% had laughter-induced asthma attack (LIA). Asthma attack that is activated by laughter does not seem to induce more asthma attack flare-ups demanding ER visits or hospital care compared with additional forms of asthma attack, according to research author Stuart Garay, M.D., Clinical Prof of Medicine at NYU Health Center in New York. “But sick people did inform that during times while their asthma attack is well assured they could laugh for longer without getting asthma attack attributes. That indicates that laughter-induced asthma attack could be a sign that a person’s asthma attack is not as well assured as it can be. Inhabit with bronchial asthma should be allowed to joke.” (more…)

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A new study may be an important motivational tool for obese men to lose weight! According to a study published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine, the official journal of the International Society for Sexual Medicine, obese men with erectile dysfunction (ED) are shown to have low levels of hormones, such as testosterone. A correlation between certain conditions associated with obesity, particularly hypertension, are the most important determinants of obesity-related ED.

The link between obesity and male potency dates from the Byzantine era, when it was thought that a large stomach impaired a man’s ability to have sexual intercourse. This is particularly relevant today, as the prevalence of obesity has more than doubled in the last 25 years. Excess abdominal fat, cardiovascular disease, high blood lipids and type-2 diabetes characterize a condition known as metabolic syndrome, which has recently been associated with erectile dysfunction. (more…)

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The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) has voiced concerns about the prescribing practices of erectile dysfunction clinics currently under review by the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Health and Ageing, Roundtable on Impotency Treatments.

“Of the greatest concern is the use of telemedicine to treat erectile dysfunction,” said Dr Chris Mitchell, RACGP President and GP in Northern NSW . “The danger is that a condition will be treated in isolation without due regard to other physical and emotional factors, which might be affecting a patient”.

“General practitioners provide whole person, comprehensive and coordinated care and often have an established relationship with their patients,” said Dr Mitchell. “This allows the GP to explore a range of interventions, both pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical, as part of the continuing care of a patient.”

“GPs should be the first point of contact in the health care system and are well placed to deal with erectile dysfunction,” Dr Mitchell said. “The RACGP supports the House of Representatives review of the frameworks in place that allow such erectile dysfunction clinics to operate. It is of utmost import that health services are delivered in the context of continuous, safety and high quality care.” (more…)

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The American College of Physicians (ACP) has issued recommendations for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED). ACP, the nation’s largest medical specialty organization and second-largest physician group, strongly recommends that physicians initiate therapy with an oral phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE-5) inhibitor in men who seek treatment for ED unless they have a contraindication to PDE-5 inhibitors, such as nitrate therapy.

As for which PDE-5 inhibitor to use, ACP recommends that physicians base the choice on the individual preferences of patients including ease of use, cost of medication, and adverse effects profile.

“The evidence is insufficient to compare the effectiveness or adverse effects of different PDE-5 inhibitors for the treatment of ED because there were only a few head-to-head trials,” explained the lead author of the guideline, Amir Qaseem, MD, PhD, MHA, FACP, senior medical associate at the American College of Physicians.

The guideline authors analyzed evidence gathered from 130 randomized controlled trials that evaluated oral PDE-5 inhibitors alone or combined. Treatment with a PDE-5 inhibitor resulted in statistically significant and clinically relevant improvements in sexual intercourse and erectile function in patients with ED, regardless of the cause (e.g., diabetes, depression, prostate cancer) or baseline severity. The magnitude of benefit increased with severity of ED.

Overall, the evidence showed that PDE-5 inhibitors were relatively well-tolerated and were associated with mild or moderate adverse effects, such as headaches, flushing, upset stomach, and runny nose. (more…)

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Decision Resources, one of the world’s leading research and advisory firms for pharmaceutical and healthcare issues, finds that although surveyed primary care physicians (PCPs) are generally satisfied with the efficacy of available phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors such as Pfizer’s Viagra, Eli Lilly’s Cialis and Bayer Healthcare/Schering-Plough/GlaxoSmithKline’s Levitra, they are less satisfied with the efficacy of this drug class in difficult-to-treat patient subpopulations. PCPs’ satisfaction with available PDE5 inhibitors on key measures of clinical efficacy suggests that opportunity exists for improvement in the treatment of erectile dysfunction patients with comorbid conditions such as hypertension and diabetes.

The new report entitled Erectile Dysfunction: Physicians Seek Improvements in Efficacy for Underserved Patients and Product Differentiation on Onset and Duration of Action finds that a therapy that provides greater improvement in erectile function than Levitra in patients with hypertension and that is priced at a five percent discount to Levitra would earn a 50 percent patient share in the United States and a 40 percent patient share in Europe, according to surveyed U.S. primary care physicians and European general practitioners.

Additionally, while there are several second-generation PDE5 inhibitors in clinical trials for the treatment of erectile dysfunction, interviewed experts do not expect these agents to provide efficacy superior to that of currently marketed drugs in this class. The report also finds that limited reimbursement for erectile dysfunction drugs and the availability of less-expensive generic versions of Viagra beginning in 2012, will constrain the uptake of emerging PDE5 inhibitors. (more…)

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An innovative drug-delivery system nanoparticles encapsulating nitric oxide or prescription drugs shows promise for topical treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED), according to a new study by scientists at Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University.

The new system, tested successfully on a small number of animals, could potentially prevent side effects associated with oral ED medications, if study results can be replicated in humans. That could mean safer and more effective ED therapy for millions of men with heart disease and other health problems affecting erectile function. The study is published today in the online edition of the Journal of Sexual Medicine.

Tens of millions of men worldwide have benefited from oral ED medications such as sildenafil (Viagra), vardenafil (Levitra), and tadalafil (Cialis). However, these medications which belong to a class of drugs called phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors have limitations. They can cause systemic side effects that can be serious. These side effects include headache, facial flushing, nasal congestion, upset stomach, abnormal vision as well as isolated reports of hearing and vision loss. Men who’ve recently suffered a heart attack or stroke or have severe heart disease should use these drugs with caution or not at all. In addition, “an estimated 30 to 50 percent of men with ED do not respond to oral use of PDE5 inhibitors,” says senior author Kelvin P. Davies, Ph.D., associate professor of urology at Einstein. (more…)

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In the next 25 years, the number of Americans living with diabetes will nearly double, increasing from 23.7 million in 2009 to 44.1 million in 2034. Over the same period, spending on diabetes will almost triple, rising from $113 billion to $336 billion, even with no increase in the prevalence of obesity, researchers based at the University of Chicago report in the December issue of Diabetes Care.

The number of those with diabetes covered by Medicare will rise from 8.2 million to 14.6 million, the researchers predict. Medicare spending on diabetes will jump from $45 billion to $171 billion.

“If we don’t change our diet and exercise habits or find new, more effective and less expensive ways to prevent and treat diabetes, we will find ourselves in a lot of trouble as a population,” said the study’s lead author Elbert Huang, MD, assistant professor of medicine at the University of Chicago.

“Without significant changes in public or private strategies,” the authors wrote, “this population and cost growth are expected to add a significant strain to an overburdened health care system.”

The new estimates are far more rigorous, and more troubling, than previous predictions.

* A 1991 study stated that the number of Americans with diabetes would double, from 6.5 million in 1987 to 11.6 million by 2030, which, as it turns out, is less than half the number of cases in 2009. “These projections stress the importance of prevention and education,” the authors declare. “The requisite change in life style, exercise, or nutrition habits will be more difficult than if a drug is developed for treatment.” (more…)

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IBC received one of the top corporate team awards from the American Diabetes Association (ADA) after mobilizing a team of nearly 400 walkers who raised $36,000 through donations and its corporate matching gift program for the ADA’s Step Out: Walk to Fight Diabetes presented by Independence Blue Cross (IBC). This fall, more than 3,500 people gathered to participate in the ADA’s signature fundraising walk that takes place in 160 cities across the country. IBC, along with a number of local corporate teams, helped ADA meet and surpass an aggressive fundraising goal of $415,000. To date, walkers, volunteers, donors, and corporate sponsors alike have raised $550,000, bringing the ADA one step closer to finding a cure for the nearly 24 million Americans living with diabetes — America’s fastest growing disease.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the number of diabetes cases nationwide increased by 90 percent over the past decade. In Philadelphia alone, 11 percent of people have the disease, and that’s 3 percent higher than the national average. In 2008, the estimated direct and indirect cost of diagnosed diabetes was $174 billion. Not only do costly complications of diabetes, such as heart disease, amputation, and blindness have a significant impact on the U.S. health system and its rising costs, but some complications can lead to death. In 2007, for example, diabetes killed nearly 300,000 people across the U.S.

“Although chronic diseases like diabetes are among the most common and costly health problems, they are also among the most preventable,” said Joseph A. Frick, president and chief executive officer, IBC. “Our sponsorship of Step Out and the enthusiastic participation of our associates, in addition to our strong focus every day on obesity and diabetes-related prevention, management, and support programs, is a clear demonstration of how we are here for our members every step of the way.”

Prevention is key

Though type 1 diabetes can often be tied to genetics, type 2 is largely attributed to lifestyle choices. Sadly, a trend of unhealthy lifestyles is plaguing children and adults alike. According to the CDC, in the last two decades type 2 diabetes has been reported among U.S. children and adolescents with increasing frequency. Health care providers are finding more and more children with type 2 diabetes — a disease usually diagnosed in adults 40 years or older. (more…)

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A panel of leading European diabetes experts led by Professor Oliver Schnell from the Diabetes Research Institute in Munich has published a “Consensus Statement A European perspective” (1) on the benefits of self-monitoring of blood glucose values (SMBG). It recommends performing SMBG for all types of diabetes treatment approaches in order to achieve proper glucose control and values which are close to normal, without increasing the risk of hypoglycaemia. It emphasizes that optimal frequency and patterns of SMBG always depend on a variety of factors the type of diabetes, chosen therapy options, individually set targets of HbA1c as well as pre- and postprandial blood glucose values. “What is important to us is a homogeneous, structured and detailed approach to SMBG, which takes into account individual requirements”, explains Professor Oliver Schnell. Innovatives blood glucose meters such as CONTOUR® from Bayer HealthCare Diabetes Care facilitate an individualized diabetes management, since they offer different levels of personalization and features such as meal markers or post-meal reminders, which support patients especially with postprandial testing.

The expert group evaluated existing scientific information and agreed upon practical recommendations for different groups of diabetes patients with regard to timings, frequencies and target values for SMBG, which go beyond current national and international guidelines. In general, diabetologists recommend an overall target of 6.5 percent for the HbA1c value for most patients. According to the consensus group, this target should be modified based on individual patient needs: For women who are pregnant or are planning to have a baby, a value of less than six percent is recommended. Patients with a high risk of hypoglycaemia or with unawareness of hypoglycaemia should not get over seven or 7.5 percent. Lower levels should be aimed for, but only if they can be achieved safely, since severe hypoglycaemia should be avoided in all patients to reduce the risk of severe complications.

With regard to overall targets for preprandial blood glucose, a value of less than six mmol/L respectively 108 mg/dL is the average. This target may be modified for individual patients like children, “high-risk” patients with known coronary artery disease or severe hypoglycaemia as well as pregnant women. The value for postprandial blood glucose should not exceed 7.8 mmol/L respectively 140 mg/dL. Here, testing is advised to be performed two hours after the meal and stressed as one of the key elements of optimal SMBG.

Also the recommended measuring frequency and timing depends on individual conditions such as the patient’s treatment regimen. Experts differentiate between six patients’ groups. Newly diagnosed Type 2 diabetics, for example, should test their blood glucose values three to five times a week to learn about the effects of lifestyle and medications on their metabolism. Instead, patients undergoing an intensified insulin treatment as well as “high risk” patients should check their values several times a day, especially postprandial or at nighttimes. For those experiencing severe hypoglycaemia even an increased frequency of nocturnal testing is recommended.

As a general rule, the consensus paper states that individual glycaemic targets should always be agreed upon between patient and the healthcare professional. Discussing the current results are advised to take place every three to six months, including pre and postprandial blood glucose values, HbA1c targets as well as lifestyle changes or circumstances complicating the effective control of diabetes, such as pregnancy, severe hypoglycaemic episodes or altered medication orders. “Changes in any of these factors should trigger an immediate adaptation of target values to ensure optimal treatment outcome and avoid late complications”, says Professor Schnell.

About Bayer HealthCare Diabetes Care

Bayer HealthCare, Diabetes Care as part of the Medical Care Division supports customers in 100 countries and stands in a long tradition of leading the way in diabetes care product innovation since the introduction of CLINITEST reagent tablets in 1941. The face of diabetes care was changed in 1969 when the first portable blood glucose meter and test strips were introduced. Certain features of Bayer’s blood glucose monitors such as No Coding technology and no interference from maltose and galactose make diabetes management easier. Today, Bayer HealthCare Diabetes Care offers an unparalleled choice in diabetes management systems and comprehensive support including education, tools and resources designed to simplify life with diabetes.

Bayer HealthCare Diabetes Care global headquarters is located in Tarrytown, New York, in the United States and operates as part of Bayer HealthCare LLC, a member of the worldwide Bayer HealthCare group. The Headquarters for the region Europe-MERA is located in Basel as part of Bayer Consumer Care AG, in Basel.

About Bayer HealthCare

The Bayer Group is a global enterprise with core competencies in the fields of health care, nutrition and high-tech materials. Bayer HealthCare, a subsidiary of Bayer AG, is one of the world’s leading, innovative companies in the healthcare and medical products industry and is based in Leverkusen, Germany. The company combines the global activities of the Animal Health, Bayer Schering Pharma, Consumer Care and Medical Care divisions. Bayer HealthCare’s aim is to discover and manufacture products that will improve human and animal health worldwide.

(1) O. Schnell et al., Diabetes, Stoffwechsel und Herz, 2009, 4, 285-289

Forward-Looking Statements

This release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Bayer Group or subgroup management. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here.

Source: Bayer HealthCare

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