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From Our October 19,2002
Group meeting
Dr.
D’Angelo, a psychologist who works extensively at the Houston VA Hospital, as
well as other area hospitals, spoke on the subject of psychological adaptation
to chronic disorders.
PowerPoint Presentation
Swallowing
difficulty in neuromuscular disorders
The
PowerPoint presentation is the property of the Nerve and Muscle Center of Texas
and has graciously been provided to us for the education of our readers.
For further information about the Center click here -
The Nerve and Muscle Center of Texas
in Houston has been chosen, along with 29 other such centers around the country,
to conduct two new neuropathic studies.
| The first study concerns the
treatment of painful diabetic neuropathy (pain control). The study
involves around 6 visits to the Center over a period of 3-6 months.
Patients are paid $35 for each visit to cover parking and meal expenses |
| The second study is to test an
agent that is intended to reduce the damage caused by diabetes mellitus to the peripheral nerves. It is a challenging study because it addresses
the core of the process. It involves 6-12 visits over 3-9 months.
The patients are paid $40 per visit. |
Those who are interested may call the Nerve and Muscle Center of Texas in
Houston at 713-795-0033 and ask for the research coordinator.
|
New
Study on the Effects of Vitamins C and E on Muscle Cramps
A randomized, double-blind,
placebo-controlled trial of supplementary vitamins E, C and their
combination for treatment of haemodialysis cramps.
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| Khajehdehi P, Mojerlou M,
Behzadi S, Rais-Jalali GA |
| Division of Nephrology, Department of
Internal Medicine, Namazee Hospital, Shiraz University of Medical
Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. |
|
BACKGROUND: Muscle
cramps that improve after carnitine or vitamin E therapies are common
in haemodialysis (HD) patients. Because vitamin C participates in
carnitine biosynthesis, and its levels are reduced in uraemia (accumulation of toxics in the blood),
subclinical vitamin C depletion may contribute to HD cramps. Our aim
was to determine the effects of vitamins C, E and their combination on
the frequency and intensity of HD cramps. METHODS: In this
placebo-controlled, double-blind study, 60 HD-patients were randomized
into four therapeutic groups. Each group (n=15) received six identical
capsules daily for 8 weeks, containing one of the following: vitamin E
(400 mg), vitamin C (250 mg), their combination, or placebo. RESULTS:
The frequency and intensity of HD cramps decreased significantly in
all three vitamin groups compared with the placebo group at the end of
the trial, and compared with the pre-treatment values. At the end of
the trial, vitamins E, C, their combination, and placebo produced
cramp reductions of 54, 61, 97 and 7%, respectively. The percentage
cramp reduction had no significant correlation with age, sex, cause
of end-stage renal disease, serum electrolytes or HD duration, but
showed a positive correlation (r=0.33, P=0.01) with the type of
therapy. No vitamin-related adverse effects were encountered during
the trial. CONCLUSION: Short-term treatment with the combination of
vitamins E and C is safe and effective in reducing HD cramps; however,
its safety for prolonged therapy has yet to be evaluated in HD
patients.
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| MeSH terms: Ascorbic Acid, Comparative
Study, Dietary Supplements, Double-Blind Method, Drug Therapy,
Combination, Electrolytes, Female, Hematocrit, Human, Kidney Failure,
Chronic, Male, Middle Age, Muscle Cramp, Placebos, Renal Dialysis,
Vitamin E |
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