effects of inhaled corticosteroids on bone mineral density in male patients with bronchial asthma

the aim of the study is to assess the effect of Inhaled steroids on bone density in male patients with bronchial asthma. this retrospective analysis included 102 male patients with bronchial asthma, mean age 51 years [range; 22-80]. All has been using inhaled beclomethasone dipropionate or budesonide with average dosage of 800 ug/day [600- 1200] at least for the last year. Patients then were subdivided into 3 groups according to duration of inhalational steroid use: group 1: < 5 years [n= 17], group 2: 5-10 years [n= 57] and group 3: >10years [n= 28]. Bone mineral density was measured from lumbar spine [LI-4] and non dominant proximal femur by dual energy X-Ray absorptiometry with a Hologic QDR-1000 densitometer [Holologic Inc., Waltham, Mass]. ANOVA test was used in statistical analysis and P<0.05 was considered significant. Over all frequency of osteoporosis and osteopenia within our study group were 48% and 43% respectively. In the left femur, those values were 58% and 8% respectively. Frequency of osteoporosis in lumbar vertebrae and left femur in the above 3 groups classified according to duration of inhalational steroid use were: group 1: 6% and 0%, Group 2: 42% and 9% and group 3: 71% and 5% respectively. BMDs, T-scores and Z- scores were lower in group 2 and 3 compared to group l [p<0.05]. our study shows high frequency of osteoporosis among men treated with inhalational steroids. Therefore, screening strategy is recommended within 5 years after initiation of treatment

Folic acid treatment of hyperhomocysteinemia in dialysis patients

We examined the effect of Folic Acid [FA] administration on the homocysteine level of chronic hemodialysis patients. The study group included 16 patients [11 male and 5 female] with CRF; their ages ranged from 20 to 57 years, who were undergoing dialysis at the dialysis unit of Zaid Bin AI-Hussein Hospital in Jordan [2004/2005]. [Hcy] level, of patients' group after supplementation with [FA] led to a significant decrease in homocysteine level [39.7%], [p<0.001], while no significant difference in homocysteine level was shown in control patients. Supplementation of the diet with [FA], at levels above the current recommended dietary allowances, reduces elevated homocysteine levels in [CRF] patients

Adhesive capsulitis among patients seen in Prince Hashem Military Hospital

This study was conducted to explore the etiological factors and some clinical profile of patients with Adhesive Capsulitis [AC]. The study was conducted in Prince Hashim Military Hospital at the Physiotherapy department and Rheumatology clinic. Eighty patients fulfilling the criteria for the diagnosis of adhesive capsulitis were included in this study. They suffered from shoulder pain the range of shoulder movements and the presence of various etiological factors for Adhesive Capsulitis [AC] were examined. Age of the subjects ranged from 20-60 years and the duration of symptoms averaged four months; the left shoulder was more commonly involved [60%], [7.5%] had bilateral involvement and [66%] of the subjects were sedentary workers. Adhesive capsulitis was seen most commonly in patients with diabetes mellitus [39%]. Other risk factors included previous myocardial infarction [7.5%], stroke 4%, COPD [5%] and immobilization [7.5%]. Adhesive Capsulitis [AC] mostly affects people in the forth up to sixth decade. The majority of the affected individuals have sedentary life style at the time of the sickness and patients with diabetes mellitus may be at a particular risk. Further, detailed studies are needed in this regard for a complete understanding of this painful, disabling and protracted clinical syndrome

Effects of otitis media on auditory perception and speech

Objective: To evaluate the effect of recurrent otitis media on auditory perception and speech

Methods: Two groups of children, aged between 9-11 years, who had otitis media in the first 3 years, one group consisted of 20 children who had a history of otitis media for at least 4 times or more, and the second group consisted of 20 children who had otitis media only once. Auditory perception was assessed by an Audiologist who carried out Audiometric measurement and Tympanometry on each ear of the participant using audiometer type Madsen and tympanometry type Kemplex, speech abilities, reading and writing abilities were assessed by a speech pathologist using a battery of a speech test

Results: Eighty percent of children who had otitis media for at least 4 times or more showed auditory perception disorder, and this has affected their speech development

Conclusion: It can be concluded that frequent otitis media episodes associated with hearing loss adversly affects the child's auditory processing and articulation development