EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE UNTIL 5 P.M., EDT, MONDAY, JULY 14, 1997
July 15, 1997, Tip Sheet
Annals of Internal Medicine is published by the American College of Physicians (ACP), more than 100,000 physicians trained in internal medicine. The following highlights are not intended to substitute for articles as sources of information. For a copy of an article, call 1-800-523-1546, ext. 2656 or 215-351-2656. The full text of selected articles can be accessed on the Internet at http://www.acponline.org/journals/annals/annaltoc.htm
* * * Knee Osteoarthritis May Develop Because of Weak Quadriceps Muscles Not Cause Them
Weak quadriceps leg muscles are often thought to result from knee osteoarthritis pain restricting muscle use. A new study of people with and without osteoarthritis found quadriceps weakness in patients who had osteoarthritis but no knee pain, suggesting that the weakness may be due primarily to muscle dysfunction rather than the osteoarthritis. The weakness may thus precede and help cause the arthritis. (Article, p. 97.) An accompanying editorial discusses developing a variety of new drugs to counteract osteoarthritis. The writer says drug development should not preclude the possibility that physically improving quadriceps muscle strength may favorably affect the development and progression of osteoarthritis. * * *
Protease Inhibitor Can Cause Kidney Problems
Indinavir, a protease inhibitor used to treat patients with HIV infection, commonly forms characteristic crystals in the urine that may be associated with painful or frequent urination, back pain or kidney stones, a new study found. (Article, p. 119.) NIH researchers studied 240 patients receiving indinavir and 40 with no symptoms who were not receiving the drug. They say that the symptoms can usually be treated with hydration and drug withdrawal, and many patients can restart indinavir therapy. * * *
African-Americans Have Different Rates of Heart Disease Than Whites
The total incidence of coronary heart disease is higher in African-American women aged 25 to 54 years than in white women of the same ages and is lower in African-American men aged 25 to 74 years than in white men of the same ages, an analysis of data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) found. (Article, p. 111.) This study is one of the few analyses of the rate of African-American heart disease data within age groups, the CDC authors say. They particularly urge physicians to work with African-American women younger than 65 to reduce cardiovascular risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes and cigarette smoking. # # #
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