A Study on the Impact of Calcium on Woman's Vascular Health
Cardiovascular DiseasesOsteoporosisThe overarching aim of this randomized clinical trial is to estimate the effect of dietary intake of calcium as compared to supplemental calcium on the vascular system and markers of vascular and bone health in postmenopausal women.
Vitamin D and Osteoporosis Prevention in Elderly African American Women
Determine Effect of Vitamin D on Bone Health in Elderly African American WomenVitamin D is a hormone that is produced when sunlight is absorbed by the skin. Vitamin D insufficiency has been recognized as a problem in areas where sun exposure is limited, especially in the wintertime. In addition, the more pigmented the skin is, the less capable it is of utilizing sunlight to make vitamin D. Vitamin D plays an important role in helping the body absorb calcium and in building strong bones. It has also been shown to improve muscle function in the elderly. As we get older, our vitamin D levels in the blood go down and this may increase the risk for falls and fractures. If we can improve vitamin D status as we age, we may be able to improve muscle strength and decrease the risk of falls and fractures.
Improving Quality of Osteoporosis Care Through Patient Storytelling
OsteoporosisThe purpose of this exploratory study is to test novel, mailed, low-cost, direct-to-patient intervention materials (i.e., a personalized letter and osteoporosis information pamphlet) designed to increase rates of dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) utilization and improve osteoporosis quality of care.
The Effect of Soy Isoflavone Supplementation on Endothelial Function
Cardiovascular DiseaseOsteoporosisA randomized double blind controlled trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of daily supplementation with soy isoflavone 100 mg/day for 12 months on 182 postmenopausal women aged 47 to 60 years at subdistrict South Jakarta Indonesia. The study hypothesis was supplementation soy isoflavone 100 mg/day for 6 and 12 months can increase endothelial function.
Assessment of Response to Treatment of Osteoporosis With Oral Bisphosphonates in Patients With Muscular...
OsteoporosisMuscular Dystrophy1 moreBy supplying an adequate amount of calcium and vitamin D with the addition of weekly bisphosphonate, the investigators will be able to increase bone mass and decrease the incidence of fragility fractures in these children with muscular dystrophy. The investigators think this treatment will also decrease the intensity of pain frequently present in these patients and slow the progression of scoliosis.
Dissemination of a Theory-Based Bone Health Program in Online
OsteoporosisHealth BehaviorsBone health is a significant public health issue in the United States. An estimated 10 million Americans age 50 and older are living with osteoporosis, and approximately 50% of women and 25% of men over age 50 will experience an osteoporosis-related fracture in their remaining lifetime. Recent research advancements have produced effective measures to improve and maintain bone health, including exercise, diet, screening tests, pharmacotherapies, and fall prevention strategies. These findings, however, have not been fully incorporated into the daily lives of adults, and many are unaware of the magnitude of bone-health problems. Thus, greater efforts must be made to effectively disseminate evidence-based research findings to improve bone health behaviors of the public. The Internet, with its increasing popularity, can be an effective tool in this endeavor. Despite a great deal of available online health resources, there has been a lack of research investigating effective methods to package and deliver these resources to yield positive public health outcomes. Expanding upon our prior findings and using an innovative approach combining two models of the social cognitive theory (SCT) and the RE-AIM framework (Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, Maintenance), in this proposal, we propose a large scale online study (N = 866) that will compare the long-term impact of two SCT-based online bone health interventions in adults age 50 and older targeting two large online communities. The two interventions are (1) an 8-week SCT-based Online Bone Health (TO-BoneHealth) program and (2) a 12-month TO-BoneHealth Plus program, including the TO-BoneHealth program followed by biweekly theory-based eNewsletters with follow-up of each individual's bone health behaviors ("booster" intervention) for 10 months. The interventions' impact will be assessed on the following the modified RE-AIM framework: (a) Effectiveness (knowledge, selected bone health behaviors, fall incidence, initiation of a discussion about bone health with a primary care provider, eHealth literacy); (b) Reach (number of participants the program reached); (c) Implementation (program usage); and (d) Maintenance (participants' bone health behavior maintenance). With the rapid growth of online communities, findings from this study will significantly contribute to current eHealth practice and research and serve as a dissemination model for other health promotion projects targeting online communities.
Effectiveness of Creatine Supplementation and Exercise on Muscle and Bone
OsteoporosisSarcopeniaAs we age, we experience a reduction in muscle and bone which inevitably decreases strength and the ability to perform tasks of daily living such as gardening, carrying groceries, and climbing stairs. Health costs associated with aging muscle and bone loss are in the billions of dollars. With the projected increase in life expectancy, the incidence of muscle and bone loss will rise and further drain the healthcare system, with greater need for hospitalization, treatment, and rehabilitation. Without effective strategies to counteract aging muscle and bone loss, we may face a healthcare crisis in the future. Creatine, a compound found in red meat and seafood, increases creatine phosphate stores in muscle, providing increased energy during high-intensity exercise. Short-term (i.e. 3-4 months) resistance-exercise and supplementation with creatine, have been shown to have a favorable effect on properties of aging muscle and bone. However, the longer-term (i.e. 1 year) effects of these interventions are unknown. Therefore, the purpose of this innovative research is to determine the longer-term effects of resistance-exercise and creatine supplementation (0.1g•kg-1) in older adults. The primary dependent variables to be assessed will include muscle hypertrophy, bone mineral and bone geometry, strength, and urinary and blood indicators of liver and kidney function. This innovative, multidisciplinary research will help contribute to the successful pursuit of prolonged independent living by improving aging musculoskeletal health for older Saskatchewan adults. Saskatchewan provides a relevant setting for this research, given the higher percentage of older adults (15%), compared to the national average (12%). We hypothesize that creatine supplementation will increase muscle mass, strength, and bone mineral density more than placebo.
Antiepileptic Drugs and Osteoporotic Prevention Trial
EpilepsyBone Loss2 moreStudy Design: (e.g., Controlled, Double-Blind, Randomized, Parallel): Randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled of a bisphosphonate in the prevention of bone loss associated with the use of antiepileptic drugs.
Falls Prevention in Osteoporosis
OsteoporosisThe purpose of this study is to determine wether a falls prevention program can reduce fall incidence in people with osteoporosis.
Evaluation of the Impact of a Case-finding Strategy for Vertebral Fractures
OsteoporosisVertebral FracturePostmenopausal women with vertebral fractures (VFs) represent an important target for secondary fracture prevention, but few of these patients come for clinical attention. Recent evidence suggests that screening postmenopausal women for clinical risk factors like height loss and fracture risk identifies those at high risk of prevalent VFs who should be referred for diagnostic X-rays, a strategy which is likely to prove cost effective. However, before being applied at a United Kingdom (UK)-wide level, it needs to be established that use of this strategy improves secondary fracture prevention, and that these benefits are achieved in a cost-effective manner. To examine these questions, a randomised-controlled-trial will be performed in which women aged 65-80 from general practitioner (GP)-practices in the intervention group will be invited for risk factor assessment, followed by referral for thoracolumbar X-ray where appropriate. The primary outcome will be a change in bisphosphonate or other drug prescribing between the intervention and control arms after six months.