Updates

Antifracture efficacy with supplemental vitamin D has been questioned by several trials published in the last 4 years, leading to uncertainty among patients and physicians regarding recommendations for vitamin D supplementation. A recent meta-analysis confirms the efficacy of oral supplemental vitamin D in preventing non-vertebral and hip fractures among older individuals (≥ 65 years) [1].… Read More

Among the methodological questions raised following the Women’s Health Initiative trial was the alleged disparity between the results of randomized, controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies on hormone replacement therapy. A similar argument could be posed in regard to treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis by bisphosphonates: are the results of RCTs in line with ‘real world’… Read More

Colorectal cancer is one of the most prevalent malignancies in women. Similar to breast cancer, there are efficient strategies for its early detection that are associated with significantly improved prognosis. When I was a student, the combination of barium enema and fecal occult blood test (FOBT) was the mainstay of colorectal screening. Years later, colonoscopy… Read More

In a paper recently published in Annals of Internal Medicine, Buist and colleagues [1] reported the results of a randomized, controlled trial to test whether 1 or 2 months’ suspension of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) before screening mammography would decrease additional mammographic imaging recalls in women aged 45–80 years. A total of 1704 women aged… Read More

A recent publication from the Women’s Health Across the Nation (SWAN) study by Greendale and colleagues has followed 2362 participants for 4 years during the menopause transition [1]. Major exposures were time spent in the menopause transition, hormone use prior to the final menstrual period, and postmenopausal current hormone use. Outcomes were longitudinal performance in… Read More

The Raloxifene Use for The Heart (RUTH) trial results were published in 2004 [1]. This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study which recruited 10,101 women above the age of 55 years (mean age 67.5 years), with established coronary artery disease (CAD) or at high risk for CAD. Women were followed for a median period of… Read More

The European Society of Human Reproduction & Embryology (ESHRE) Capri Workshop Group has recently published a summary and recommendations on female contraception over the age of 40 years [1]. The number of women aged 40–49 years has increased by 58% in the last five decades in developed countries and by 32% in Europe. Although most… Read More

In a recently published paper [1], the Diabetes Prevention Program randomized trial provides more information from its database considering the effect of progression from impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) to diabetes on cardiovascular risk factors and its amelioration by intensive lifestyle and metformin intervention.  There is a known increase of cardiovascular disease in subjects with diabetes,… Read More

Medications can affect bone metabolism and be a secondary cause of osteoporosis. A recent publication has reviewed the data on a possible influence of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) on the bone [1]. PPIs, drugs in widespread use for gastroesophageal reflux and other gastric disorders, could impair intestinal calcium absorption, leading to a negative calcium balance,… Read More

The Kuopio Osteoporosis Risk Factor and Prevention Study is a prospective population-based cohort study. In a new publication [1], the effect of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on the new incidence of diabetes mellitus was examined. Almost 8500 women in the early postmenopause were followed over a 5-year period. Almost one-third of the women were current… Read More