Jesus M. Lavado-Garcia

Effect of beer drinking on ultrasound bone mass in women

OBJECTIVE To study the effect of beer consumption on bone mass in a group of healthy women, by using phalangeal bone ultrasound to evaluate the amplitude-dependent speed of sound. METHODS This was a cross-sectional study of 1697 healthy women (mean age 48.4 y, body mass index (BMI) 19.0-32.0 kg/m(2)), recruited in a clinical convenience sample and screened for the existence of disease and/or medication that would affect calcium metabolism. Of this total, 710 were premenopausal, 176 were perimenopausal, and 811 were postmenopausal. The women recruited completed a questionnaire that contained detailed sections on current cigarette, alcohol, caffeine, and nutrient consumption. In terms of current alcohol intake, the subjects were classified as moderate drinkers, light drinkers, and nondrinkers. Drinkers were also analyzed according to the kind of alcohol consumed: wine or beer. RESULTS Quantitative bone ultrasound values were greater in the beer drinkers compared with the no beer and/or wine drinkers. Taking the amplitude-dependent speed of sound as a dependent variable, and age, BMI, gonadal status, intake of beer and wine, and number of cigarettes per day as independent variables, we found age (beta = -1.52), BMI (beta = -3.86), gonadal status (beta = -27.47), and beer intake (beta = 1.06) to be significant. CONCLUSION The greater bone density found in women beer drinkers might be a result of the phytoestrogen content of this alcoholic drink; this requires further investigation.

Ultrasound bone mass in schizophrenic patients on antipsychotic therapy

To determine bone mass using quantitative phalangeal bone ultrasound in institutionalized schizophrenic patients under chronic treatment with antipsychotic drugs.

Increased bone mineral density is associated with breastfeeding history in premenopausal Spanish women.

Introduction During lactation abundant calcium is lost from the mother as a result of the amount of breast milk produced. Lactation leads to transient fragility, with some women experiencing even fragility fractures, but nearly all of these women subsequently undergo a large increase in bone mineral density (BMD), confirming that the BMD must have declined during lactation but it increases after weaning. We have retrospectively examined the relationship between the duration of breastfeeding and bone properties in Spanish premenopausal healthy women, to identify the site-specific changes in BMD. Material and methods Four hundred and thirty-three premenopausal healthy women, 295 with a mean of 7.82 ±6.68 months of exclusive breastfeeding and 138 control women, were studied. We examined total, trabecular and cortical volumetric BMD (mg/mm3) at the distal radius using peripheral quantitative computed tomography. Areal BMD (g/cm2) was measured using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry at the femoral neck, lumbar spine, trochanter and Wards triangle. Phalangeal bone ultrasound was measured by amplitude-dependent speed of sound. Results Areal BMD analysis at L2–L4 revealed significant intergroup differences (p < 0.05). There were significant intergroup differences in the volumetric BMD in both total and cortical bone (p < 0.05). The observed BMD of breast-feeders was higher than the BMD in non-breast-feeding women. Additionally, the lactation subgroup analysis revealed significant differences in the areal BMD at trochanter and L2–L4 (p < 0.05) and in the cortical volumetric BMD (p < 0.05). Conclusions This study adds to the growing evidence that breastfeeding has no deleterious effects and may confer an additional advantage for BMD in premenopausal women.

Determinants of Quality of Life in Stroke Survivors After 6 Months, from a Comprehensive Stroke Unit A Longitudinal Study

Background: In the social model of stroke, health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is the result of interplay among stroke severity, social support, and health-promoting behaviors. Our objective was to identify determinants of HRQoL in stroke survivors. Methods: Ischemic stroke patients were evaluated at 6 months with the Short Form 12 Health Survey, including physical component survey (PCS) and mental health component survey (MCS) summary scores. Multivariate stepwise regression analyses determined independent predictors of scores. Models included age, gender, socioeconomic class, education, residential environment, social support, previous comorbidity (Charlson Index), previous stroke, side of stroke, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score at admission, Barthel Index (BI) and modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores at discharge, and length of stay. Results: A total of 131 patients participated (mean age 70.1, SD = 12.5; 62.6% males). In all, 33.6% had a BI score <90 and an mRS score >2 (poor outcome). The mean (SD) PCS score was 39.46 (9.3) and mean (SD) MCS score was 34.86 (10.1). Lower PCS score was associated with female sex (β = 0.204, p = .009), poor social support (β = −0.225, p = .003), and poor Charlson Index (β = −0.162, p = .032) and BI scores (β = 0.384, p < .0001). Lower MCS score was associated with female sex (β = 0.162, p = .062) and poor NIHSS (β = −0.265, p = .019) and BI scores (β = 0.203, p < .071). Conclusion: Stroke severity, disability, gender, social support, and previous stroke have significant impacts on the physical and mental domains of generic HRQoL.

Hormonal Relationships to Bone Mass in Elderly Spanish Men as Influenced by Dietary Calcium and Vitamin D

We aim to evaluate whether calcium and vitamin D intake is associated with 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OH-Vitamin D3) and parathyroid hormone (PTH) serum concentrations or is associated with either the phalangeal dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (pDXA) or the quantitative bone ultrasound (QUS) in independent elderly men. Serum PTH and 25-OH-Vitamin D3 were measured in 195 healthy elderly men (mean age: 73.31 ± 5.10 year). Food intake was quantified using a dietetic scale. Participants with 25-OH-Vitamin D3 levels ≥ 30 ng/mL (75 nmol/L) and a calcium intake of 800–1200 mg/day exhibited the lowest PTH levels (41.49 ± 16.72 ng/mL). The highest PTH levels (75.60 ± 14.16 ng/mL) were observed in the <30 ng/mL group 25-OH-Vitamin D3 with a calcium intake >1200 mg/day. No significant differences in the serum PTH levels based on the serum 25-OH-Vitamin D3 levels were observed among participants with a calcium intake of 800–1200 mg/day. Serum PTH was inversely correlated with serum 25-OH-Vitamin D3 in the entire patient sample (r = −0.288, p = 0.019). No differences in any of the three densitometry techniques were observed between any of the age groups in the 800–1200 mg/day and >1200 mg/day calcium intake groups. PTH levels correlate negatively with serum 25-OH-Vitamin D3 levels, and neither calcium nor vitamin D intake exert a strong influence on either of the two parameters.

Quantitative Ultrasound in Spanish Children and Young Adults With Cystic Fibrosis

We studied the relationship between bone density and cystic fibrosis in Spanish children and young adults. We measured the phalangeal bone amplitude-dependent speed of sound (Ad-SoS) in 35 patients with cystic fibrosis and in 30 healthy controls matched for gender, age, and body mass index (BMI). Participants were subjects with normal levels of 25(OH) Vitamin D. We found no difference in Ad-SoS between patients and controls. The only difference between the groups was that the patients had a significantly higher daily caloric intake than the controls (p < .05) as a result of the patient groups greater intake of fats (p < .05). There was a positive correlation between Ad-SoS and weight (p < .0001), but after adjusting for potential confounding factors such as age, the correlation was lost. The percentage of ideal weight did not differ between the two groups. We conclude that well-nourished CF patients had similar Ad-SoS to controls.

Segmental fat-free and fat mass measurements by bioelectrical impedance analysis in 2,224 healthy spanish women aged 18–85 years

This study provides updated data on body composition in adult Spanish women.

Bone Ultrasound and Physical Activity in Postmenopausal Spanish Women

We studied the effects of moderate physical activity on bone mass in healthy postmenopausal women as assessed by quantitative bone ultrasound. We enrolled a total of 326 postmenopausal women (60.95 ± 8.51 years old and 13.02 ± 9.52 years since menopause) and categorized them by weekly physical activity in their leisure time (sedentary, moderate, and active). We administered a questionnaire on general health and diet and measured bone density by ultrasound on phalanges II–V in the nondominant hand. We found no significant difference in the amplitude-dependent speed of sound (Ad-SoS; p > .05) between sedentary and active women. We concluded that the changes induced by moderate physical activity on bone mass are minimal in healthy postmenopausal women.

The protective effect of calcium on bone mass in postmenopausal women with high selenium intake

ObjectiveNutritional factors, especially the two essential nutrients calcium and vitamin D, have been shown to play an important role in bone health. We wanted to determine the possible protective effect of calcium intake in adequate amounts on bone mass as assessed by quantitative ultrasound in postmenopausal women who also have a high intake of selenium.SettingHealth district of Cáceres, Spain.Participants and Study Design335 postmenopausal women aged 60.9 (SD = 8.1) years. Women were stratified based on the vitamin D, vitamin E, calcium intake and the calcium/protein and calcium/phosphorous index.MeasurementsBone status (Ad-SoS measured at the phalanges) was assessed with an ultrasound device model DBM Sonic 1200R. Food intake was quantified using dietetic scales, measuring cups, and spoons based on 7 days of diet records. Urine samples were collected the morning of testing after an overnight fast. Venous blood samples for the hematological and biochemical studies were also obtained in the fasting state.ResultsIn the group of women with Ca intake < 800 mg / d we found a significant and negative relationship between Ad-SoS with age (β = −4.020, F = 23.327) and selenium intake (β = −0.419, F = 10.067), as well as a positive relationship with Ca intake (β = 0.104 and F = 7.084) (p <0.0001 in all). In the group of women with Ca intake > 800 mg / d, age has a significant and negative relationship (β = −4.829 and F = 106.745), whereas folic acid intake has a significant and positive relationship (β = 0.047 and F = 5.858) (p <0.0001 in both).ConclusionElevated selenium intake negatively affects bone mass measurements in postmenopausal women over the age of 51 but only if calcium intake is also less than 800 mg / day. When calcium intake is greater than 800 mg/day, selenium did not appear to affect bone mass.

Long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid dietary intake is positively associated with bone mineral density in normal and osteopenic Spanish women

The regular consumption of long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCO3-PUFAs) results in general health benefits. The intake of LCO3-PUFAs has been reported to contribute to bone metabolism. We aimed to investigate the relationships between dietary intakes of LCO3-PUFAs and bone mineral density (BMD) in Spanish women aged 20–79 years old. A total of 1865 female subjects (20–79 years old) were enrolled, and lumbar (L2, L3, L3 and total spine), hip (femoral neck (FN), femoral trochanter (FT) and Ward’s triangle (WT)) bone mineral density (BMD) were measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Dietary intakes of total energy, calcium, vitamin D, alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and n-6 fatty acids (linoleic acid (LA) and arachidonic acid (AA)) were assessed by a self-administered food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Spearman’s rank correlations between LCO3-PUFAs and BMD were estimated. Partial correlations controlling for age, weight, height, dietary calcium, vitamin D, menopausal status and energy were calculated. A multiple regression analysis was computed to assess significant associations with BMD in this population. After adjustment for potential confounding factors, there were positive correlations between ALA, EPA and DHA intake and BMD. According to the WHO diagnosis criteria for osteoporosis, in this population of normal and osteopenic women, the dietary intake of ALA was also significantly associated with BMD at the hip. In normal women, the dietary intake of DHA was also significantly associated with BMD at the lumbar spine. No significant associations between LCO3-PUFAs and BMD were detected in the lumbar spine of osteopenic or osteoporotic women. The dietary intake of LCO3-PUFAs was positively associated with BMD in Spanish women at both the hips and the lumbar spine. We highlight that the intake of LCO3-PUFAs is not significantly associated with BMD in osteoporotic women; however, the intake of LCO3-PUFAs seems to be positively associated with BMD at both the hips and the lumbar spine in normal and osteopenic women.