Cheiroarthropathy and long term diabetic complications in Nigerians

Article Abstract:

Cheiroarthropathy is a syndrome of limited joint mobility which affects the small joints of the hands; this condition is believed to be more common in diabetics than in the general population. The prevalence of diabetes is growing in tropical and African countries. There have not been any studies on the development of cheiroarthropathy in patients who live in these countries; all previous studies have been done with Caucasian populations. Further research is important since there may be racial or genetic factors involved in limited joint mobility. A study was conducted with 256 diabetic patients in Nigeria. Nineteen percent of the diabetic patients had limited joint mobility, which is more than the 4 percent found in a non-diabetic population. Limited joint mobility occurred twice as often in diabetics who were treated with insulin as in diabetic patients who were not dependent on insulin. Various other factors such as age, duration of diabetes, and control of blood glucose did not differ between diabetics with and without cheiroarthropathy. Cataracts and background retinopathy (disease of the retina) occurred more often in diabetics with limited mobility syndrome than in those without limited mobility. High blood pressure, disease of the peripheral nerves, and foot ulcers had approximately the same occurrence in the two groups. Kidney disease occurred more often in diabetic patients without limited mobility syndrome. The discovery of an increased incidence of cheiroarthropathy among diabetics who live in Nigeria, especially those receiving insulin treatment and those with retinopathy and cataracts, is similar to the results of studies with Caucasians. However in the research with Caucasians, there was a higher incidence of limited mobility of the joints in diabetics with high blood pressure and disease of the peripheral nerves. The lack of these associations in the diabetic population in Nigeria suggests that racial factors may play a role in the links between cheiroarthropathy and certain vascular complications of diabetes. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Causes of, Complications and side effects, Diabetes, Diabetes mellitus, Genetic aspects, Nigeria, Joint diseases

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High-fiber diet reduces serum estrogen concentrations in premenopausal women

Article Abstract:

Hormones are thought to be involved in the development of breast cancer. Studies have reported that early menarche (beginning of menstruation), late menopause, not having children, and a delayed first pregnancy are associated with an increased risk for breast cancer. Almost one-third of all breast tumors regress following treatments that reduce estrogen levels in the body. Studies that have tried to link breast cancer with diet have focused on dietary fat. Some of these studies found a positive relationship between the amount of fat consumed in the diet and the risk of developing breast cancer, while other studies did not. Also, it has been reported that reducing the amount of fat in the diet lowers blood estrogen levels. A study using laboratory rats reported that the development of breast tumors following exposure to chemical carcinogens was reduced in rats fed a diet high in fiber and low in fat. To further investigate the relationship between diet and breast cancer, a study was performed to determine the effect of dietary fiber on blood hormone levels. During the two-month study period, 62 premenopausal women increased their dietary intake of fiber from 15 to 30 grams per day. The fiber was supplied as wheat bran, oat bran, or corn bran. Blood levels of estrogen, progesterone, and sex-hormone binding globulin were measured before and after the diet period. The wheat bran diet lowered blood levels of estrogen. The other two diets had no effect on blood hormone levels. It is suggested that wheat bran may reduce the risk of breast cancer by lowering blood estrogen levels. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Measurement, Physiological aspects, Breast cancer, Estrogen, Estrogens, High-fiber diet, High fiber diet, Fiber in human nutrition, Dietary fiber, Bran

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