Subclinical Hypothyroidism Is an Independent Risk Factor for Atherosclerosis and Myocardial Infarction in Elderly Women: The Rotterdam Study

Article Abstract:

Postmenopausal women with asymptomatic hypothyroidism may have a greater risk of atherosclerosis and heart attack. Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone. In a study of 1,149 postmenopausal women, 11% had asymptomatic hypothyroidism. These women had about twice the risk of developing atherosclerosis or having a heart attack as the rest of the women. Women who had autoantibodies against the thyroid gland had three times the risk of having a heart attack.

Atherosclerosis, Hypothyroidism

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Thiazide diuretics and the risk for hip fracture

Article Abstract:

Background: Since most hip fractures are related to osteoporosis, treating accelerated bone loss can be an important strategy to prevent hip fractures. Thiazides have been associated with reduced age-related bone loss by decreasing urinary calcium excretion. Objective: To examine the association between dose and duration of thiazide diuretic use and the risk for hip fracture and to study the consequences of discontinuing use. Design: Prospective population-based cohort study. Setting: The Rotterdam Study. Participants: 7891 individuals 55 years of age and older. Measurements: Hip fractures were reported by the general practitioners and verified by trained research assistants. Details of all dispensed drugs were available on a day-to-day basis. Exposure to thiazides was divided into 7 mutually exclusive categories: never use, current use for 1 to 42 days, current use for 43 to 365 days, current use for more than 365 days, discontinuation of use since 1 to 60 days, discontinuation of use since 61 to 120 days, and discontinuation of use since more than 120 days. Results: 281 hip fractures occurred. Relative to nonuse, current use of thiazides for more than 365 days was statistically significantly associated with a lower risk for hip fracture (hazard ratio, 0.46 [95% CI, 0.21 to 0.96]). There was no clear dose dependency. This lower risk disappeared approximately 4 months after thiazide use was discontinued. Conclusions: Thiazide diuretics protect against hip fracture, but this protective effect disappears within 4 months after use is discontinued.

Pharmaceutical Preparation Manufacturing, Pharmaceutical preparations, Renal Diuretic Preparations, Prevention, Hip joint, Hip fractures, Diuretics, Thiazides, Author Abstract

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Reduced response to activated protein C is associated with increased risk for cerebrovascular disease

Article Abstract:

A decreased response to activated protein C (APC) may be linked with a greater risk for stroke but not heart attack. APC inhibits blood clotting and a deficiency can cause excessive clotting. Researchers measured the response to APC blood samples from 227 men and women with a history of stroke or heart attack and compared the results to 222 healthy volunteers. The response to APC was lower in those with a history of stroke but not in those with a history of heart attack. This was true regardless of whether they had a mutation in the factor V gene.

Cerebrovascular disease, Cerebrovascular disorders, Protein C

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