UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO HEALTH SCIENCES CENTER
March 1, 1997 Contact: Sarah Ellis
(303) 315-5571; [email protected]
Tips from the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center
1) Study shows Medicare rehab warranted for stroke, less for hip fracture 2) Relief is available for dry mouth sufferers 3) Patients for hormone replacement studies sought in Colorado 4) Univ of Colorado School of Medicine ranks among top for primary care
Medicare Rehab Care Warranted For Stroke; Less For Hip Fracture
Results of a national comparison study of treatment options for Medicare patients who have suffered stroke or hip fracture -- the two leading causes of disability in seniors -- showed that the care setting made a difference both in the cost to Medicare and in the outcome for the patient.
The study, published in the Feb. 5 issue of The Journal of the American Medical Association, was conducted by researchers from the University of Colorado's Center on Aging and Center for Health Services Research.
"Our findings indicate that many elderly people with hip fracture or stroke are not receiving care in the preferred settings," said Andrew Kramer, MD, research director at the Center on Aging and lead investigator on the study. "Those who suffer stroke benefit more from the added services and additional costs of rehabilitation hospitals and the use of home health services. But those with hip fracture did not receive any greater benefit with more expensive rehabilitation hospital setting than those who received care in a nursing home setting."
Relief is Available for Dry Mouth Sufferers
Dry mouth, or xerostomia, is a condition that usually affects the elderly, but it can occur in all age groups. Measures can be taken, however, to prevent or reduce the effects of dry mouth, which can contribute to decay, tooth loss or periodontal disease, said Donna Stach, RDH, MED, associate professor for dental hygiene at the University of Colorado School of Dentistry.
Sach suggests the following steps to avaoid dry mouth: ï Avoid foods that are dry, spicy or acidic ï Chew on sugarless gum or suck on sugar-free mints or candy to help increase salivary flow. ï Drink eight glasses of water every day. ï Use a daily fluoride treatment to help prevent cavities.
University Physicians Seeking Patients for Hormone Replacement Studies
Most women start hormone replacement therapy because of uncomfortable symptoms associated with menopause, such as hot flashes, night sweats or difficulty sleeping. Recent studies have shown that estrogen provides myriad long-term health benefits as well.
"We now know that estrogen given in low doses helps in the prevention of some very serious chronic illnesses," said Jeffrey Christian, MD, assistant professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center. "Estrogen reduces the risk of osteoporosis, aids in calcium metabolism, increases blood flow to the heart and brain, and significantly reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke."
Dr. Christian currently is seeking patients for two hormone replacement therapy studies. One is testing the combined benefit of hormone replacement therapy and a new drug designed to combat osteoporosis, or loss of bone density, common among older women. The second study hopes to determine whether doses of estrogen lower than commonly prescribed still provide cardiovascular benefits.
For information on either hormone replacement study, call (303) 315-4144.
CU School of Medicine Ranks Among Top in Nation
The University of Colorado Health Sciences Center is among the top primary-care medical schools in the country, according to U.S. News & World Report's annual ranking of graduate schools.
The rankings will appear in the March 10 issue of U.S. News & World Report and in a guidebook to graduate schools, both of which will be on newsstands March 3.
The CU School of Medicine was ranked 11th best primary-care medical school this year, up from 13th for last year.
The University of Colorado Health Sciences Center is one of four campuses in the University of Colorado system. Located in Denver, Colo., the campus includes schools of medicine, nursing, pharmacy, and dentistry, a graduate school and two hospitals.
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