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Biomedical subjects

M D Feher

Publications and source records attributed to M D Feher.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Coronary calcification, homocysteine, C-reactive protein and the metabolic syndrome in Type 2 diabetes: the Prospective Evaluation of Diabetic Ischaemic Heart Disease by Coronary Tomography (PREDICT) Study.

AIMS: The PREDICT Study aims to determine: (i) the association between cardiovascular risk factors and coronary artery calcification score (CACS) obtained by electron beam tomography and (ii) the predictive value of CACS for coronary heart disease (CHD) events in Type 2 diabetes. METHODS: Having previously reported relationships between CACS and conventional risk factors, we have now studied the novel risk factors, plasma high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP) and homocysteine, insulin resistance, serum apoprotein A1 and B concentrations, the serum triglyceride/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio and metabolic syndrome (International Diabetes Federation definition) in 573 subjects of the PREDICT Type 2 diabetes cohort. RESULTS: In univariate analyses, the only significant positive novel correlate of CACS was homocysteine (P = 0.0004). CRP was increased in those with detectable calcification, but decreased with increasing calcification score (P = 0.006). In a multivariate model that included all significant univariate correlates, CACS was independently associated with age (P < 0.0001), waist-hip ratio (P < 0.02), male gender (P < 0.05) and duration of diabetes (P < 0.05), but the association with homocysteine was no longer significant. The negative association between CACS and CRP remained in multivariate analysis, and was independent of statin use. CONCLUSIONS: Age was the major factor influencing CACS in Type 2 diabetes, with weaker contributions from waist hip-ratio and duration of diabetes. Other novel cardiovascular risk factors appear to have little positive effect.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Erectile dysfunction and statin treatment in high cardiovascular risk patients.

Erectile dysfunction (ED) has been associated with risk factors for atherosclerosis. Medications used for atherosclerosis have also been implicated in ED. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship of erectile function to cardiovascular risk factors and specific drug therapies before and after 6 months of statin therapy. In this prospective observational study, International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) scores were measured in 93 men attending cardiovascular risk clinics. Cardiovascular risk factors and drug therapies were assessed prior to initiation and after 6 months of statin therapy. Prior to statin therapy, the median IIEF score was 21 (range 0-25), and 57% had impairment of erectile function. After statin therapy, IIEF scores were reduced to 6.5 (range 0-25) (p < 0.001), and 22% experienced new onset ED. Before statin therapy no correlation was observed between IIEF score and any individual cardiovascular risk factor. After 6 months of statin therapy, correlations were observed between lower IIEF scores (r = 0.62; p < 0.001) and age and diabetes and weakly with smoking. Differences in dose, relative efficacy or relative lipophilicity of statin prescribed showed no correlation with change in IIEF score. This study suggests ED following statin therapy is more likely in patients with severe endothelial dysfunction due to established cardiovascular risk factors including age, smoking and diabetes.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

The association of coronary calcium score and conventional cardiovascular risk factors in Type 2 diabetic subjects asymptomatic for coronary heart disease (The PREDICT Study).

AIM: To determine the association between coronary calcification score (CACS) obtained by electron beam computed tomography (EBCT) and cardiovascular risk factors in Type 2 diabetic subjects entered into a prospective cohort study. METHODS: Type 2 diabetic subjects attending routine hospital diabetic clinics without known coronary heart disease (CHD) underwent EBCT to measure CACS. Demographic data were obtained and conventional cardiovascular risk factors were measured at baseline. RESULTS: Four hundred and ninety-five subjects were assessed of whom 67.7% were male. They had a mean (SD) age of 62.9 (7.1) years, with median (inter-quartile range) duration of diabetes of 8 (4-13) years. None had a history of coronary artery disease. Forty-five per cent were receiving lipid-lowering agents (including 36% statins). In a univariate analysis, there were significant associations between increased CACS and age, duration of diabetes, male gender, waist-hip ratio (WHR), systolic blood pressure, and the use of statins. In a multivariate model adjusting for the possible interaction of these and other factors, the significant association between CACS and WHR, systolic blood pressure, male gender and statin use remained. CONCLUSIONS: The close association between CACS and WHR and the association with systolic blood pressure suggest that coronary calcification may be particularly linked to the metabolic syndrome in Type 2 diabetes.

Calcinosis↗
PubMed2004

Diabetes: preventing coronary heart disease in a high risk group.

Cardiovascular disease is the major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes. Numerous outcome trials have demonstrated clinical benefits from effective treatment of individual cardiovascular risk factors in patients with diabetes. These trials have provided the basis for current treatment guidelines and targets. More recently, multifactorial intervention strategies have shown a reduction in both cardiovascular and microvascular events in patients with type 2 diabetes. However, full implementation of a truly multifactorial strategy into routine practice remains an ideal due to practical difficulties of sustained implementation and associated costs. These practical issues relating to the treatment of diabetes and its complications are now in a greater spotlight due to the growing number of patients requiring treatment.

Antihypertensive Agents↗
PubMed2004

Smell testing: an additional tool for identification of adult Refsum's disease.

BACKGROUND: Adult Refsum's disease (ARD) is characterised by the presence of retinitis pigmentosa, ataxia, deafness, sensory neuropathy, and bony changes. The diagnosis is confirmed by the presence of phytanic acidaemia. Although reduced smell function has been described in ARD, its value in the diagnosis of the condition has not been fully evaluated. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence and degree of olfactory dysfunction in patients with ARD. METHOD: The olfactory function of 16 patients with ARD was assessed using the quantitative University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test (UPSIT). RESULTS: All patients had complete anosmia or grossly impaired smell function with a mean UPSIT score of 14.7 (SD 4.7) (normal > 34) despite having been treated with an appropriate diet for a median of 15 years (range 1-25). CONCLUSIONS: Identification of ARD patients can be facilitated by using the UPSIT in combination with the presence of retinitis pigmentosa, even if they have no neurological or bony features. Phytanic acid screening should be performed in any patient manifesting these two signs.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Long-term remission from gout associated with fenofibrate therapy.

Short-term studies with fenofibrate, an established treatment for hyperlipidaemia, have shown that its unique side effect of urate lowering is mediated through enhanced renal urate clearance. The long-term effects of fenofibrate on hyperuricaemia and gout have not previously been reported. We report two patients with hyperlipidaemia in association with hyperuricaemia in whom long-term fenofibrate therapy was associated with a sustained reduction in serum urate and lipid levels, together with remission from recurrent attacks of acute gout. The mechanisms involved in these effects and the potential role for fenofibrate in the management of gout are discussed.

Fenofibrate↗
PubMed2003

Fenofibrate enhances urate reduction in men treated with allopurinol for hyperuricaemia and gout.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the short-term urate-lowering effect of fenofibrate in men on long-term allopurinol therapy for hyperuricaemia and gout. METHODS: Ten male patients (38-74 yr) with a history of chronic tophaceous or recurrent acute gout with hyperuricaemia and on established allopurinol at 300-900 mg/day for > or =3 months were studied in an open-crossover study of fenofibrate therapy. Allopurinol at the established dose was continued throughout the study. Clinical and biochemical assessments (serum urate and creatinine, 24-h urinary excretion of urate and creatinine, liver function tests, creatine kinase and fasting serum lipids) were undertaken at: (i) baseline, (ii) after 3 weeks of once-daily therapy with micronized fenofibrate (Lipantil Micro) at 200 mg and (iii) 3 weeks after fenofibrate was withdrawn. RESULTS: Fenofibrate was associated with a 19% reduction in serum urate after 3 weeks of treatment (mean+/-S.E. 0.37+/-0.04 vs 0.30+/-0.02 mM/l; P=0.004). The effect was reversed after a 3-week fenofibrate withdrawal period (0.30+/-0.02 vs 0.38+/-0.03 mM/l). There was a rise in uric acid clearance with fenofibrate treatment of 36% (7.2+/-0.9 vs 11.4+/-1.6 ml/min, normal range 6-11; P=0.006) without a significant change in creatinine clearance. Both total cholesterol and serum triglycerides were also reduced. No patient developed acute gout whilst taking fenofibrate. CONCLUSIONS: Fenofibrate has a rapid and reversible urate-lowering effect in patients with hyperuricaemia and gout on established allopurinol prophylaxis. Fenofibrate may be a potential new treatment for hyperuricaemia and the prevention of gout, particularly in patients with coexisting hyperlipidaemia or those resistant to conventional therapy for hyperuricaemia.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2001

Avascular necrosis not Charcot's.

BACKGROUND: A case of avascular necrosis (AN) of the navicular bone, in a 24-year-old woman with Type 1 diabetes with peripheral neuropathy, in the absence of any history of direct trauma is presented. The clinical and radiological features at presentation suggested an evolving Charcot arthropathy (CA), but subsequent serial X-rays clearly confirmed AN. CONCLUSIONS: Swelling and foot deformity in association with long-standing diabetic peripheral neuropathy is suggestive of CA, although AN, a less common condition, may show the same clinical features. It is therefore important to undertake further confirmatory radiological investigations if there is any doubt about the diagnosis.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Joint liaison psychiatry-diabetes clinic: a new specialist service.

AIMS: Specialist diabetes clinics have an established role in prevention and management of complications. As psychological problems are usually treated separately from diabetes centres, the role of a specialist psychiatrist within a teaching hospital was assessed. The aims of the study were to describe referral patterns, specific psychiatric conditions and treatments offered. RESULTS: During weekly outpatient sessions over a 12-month period, 31 patients were referred with a wide range of psychiatric diagnoses. One-third of patients were seen on the day and two-thirds within 2 weeks of referral. Treatments included anti-depressant medication, counselling and cognitive behaviour therapy. Successful discharge was obtained in 10 subjects and eight were undergoing continued treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The range of specific diagnoses requiring psychiatric supervision supported the role of specifically trained personnel as seen in a joint liaison psychiatry-diabetes service.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Prevalence of renal artery stenosis in subjects with type 2 diabetes and coexistent hypertension.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of renal artery stenosis (RAS) in subjects with type 2 diabetes and coexistent hypertension by using magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) of the renal arteries, to assess clinical and biochemical predictors of RAS, and to assess the hemodynamic significance of RAS, by using the captopril test (a measure of the response of plasma renin activity to a single oral dose of captopril). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A total of 117 subjects with type 2 diabetes and coexistent hypertension between 40 and 70 years of age and with creatinine concentrations < 150 micromol/l were recruited from two inner-city general diabetes clinics. All subjects underwent MRA of the renal arteries. In a subgroup of 85 subjects, data concerning possible clinical and biochemical predictors of RAS were collected, and the captopril test was performed. For comparison of a continuous variable between subjects with a positive MRA and those with a negative MRA, the Mann-Whitney test was used. For comparison of a discrete variable between subjects with a positive MRA and those with a negative MRA, Fisher's exact test was used. RESULTS: The prevalence of RAS detected by using MRA in 117 hypertensive type 2 diabetic subjects was 17%; 19 subjects had unilateral RAS, and only 1 subject had bilateral RAS. A femoral bruit was significantly more common in subjects with a positive MRA versus subjects with a negative MRA (21 vs. 0%; Fisher's exact test P < 0.005); however, other clinical features of atherosclerotic disease were not statistically associated. Greater duration of hypertension and treatment with statins were features of subjects with RAS (P < 0.05). The captopril test was negative in all subjects, although the antihypertensive response to oral captopril was significantly greater in subjects with RAS detected by MRA. CONCLUSIONS: RAS is common in hypertensive type 2 diabetic subjects. The presence of a femoral bruit is a useful predictive clinical marker. The captopril test is not useful in predicting the hemodynamic significance of RAS in this patient group.

Aged↗