Cholesterol

Diabetes, high LDL speed Alzheimer's decline

July 13, 2010

A history of diabetes or high cholesterol (especially LDL) can speed cognitive decline in patients with Alzheimer's disease.
 

Triglycerides linked to diabetic neuropathy and amputations

June 24, 2009

Serum triglyceride levels may allow clinicians to predict which patients with type 2 diabetes will develop neuropathy, while fenofibrate therapy can reduce the risk of diabetes-related amputations by more than a third.
 

Discrete yellow lesions on the eyelid

By Craig G. Burkhart, MD, MPH June 02, 2009

A 57-year-old Caucasian woman has had discrete yellow areas on her eyelids for several years. According to the patient, the precipitating factor was an episode of poison ivy that involved her eyelids four summers ago.
 

Statin use reduces prostate cancer mortality

April 16, 2009

Use of the drug is associated with a nearly two thirds reduced risk of death from prostate cancer, a study found.
 

Hair loss as a side effect of statins?

Question by Jyoti Khatri, MD, Omaha; response by Peter F. Cohn, MD April 15, 2009

A 63-year-old woman wants to discontinue the simvastatin (Zocor) 10 mg she is taking for hypercholesterolemia because she believes the medication is causing her to lose her hair. Is there any evidence supporting this side effect of Zocor?
 

New findings challenge Framingham heart risk tool

April 14, 2009

Three recent studies indicate that the venerable Framingham risk score goes only so far as a predictor of cardiovascular problems.
 

Lowering LDL cholesterol still important, says FDA

January 09, 2009

The agency reaffirmed its position that elevated amounts of LDL are a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases such as heart attack, stroke, and sudden death and that lowering LDL cholesterol reduces the risk of these diseases.
 

Top 10 health stories of 2008

January 05, 2009

Blood sugar goals, stem cells, CT scans, health reform--these are some of the issues to make the list of most important stories of the year, as chosen by the Harvard Health Letter.
 

Fibrate used in combination with statin approved

December 16, 2008

The FDA has approved Trilipix (fenofibric acid), a delayed-release capsule for use along with diet to treat dyslipidemia. Trilipix is the first fibrate to be approved for use in combination with a statin.
 

Omega 3s plus statins help lipids

October 20, 2008

In patients with mixed dyslipidemia, a combination of statin therapy and prescription omega-3 fatty acids may help improve lipid profiles, according to a report in the Oct. 15 issue of the American Journal of Cardiology. Reported at HealthDay.
 

Chill on fish oil

Clinical Pearl submitted by Jack Wang, MD, Beloit, Wis. October 06, 2008

Storing fish-oil tablets in the freezer will eliminate the fishy smell and aftertaste.
 

Treating LDL in patients with high HDL

Question by David Y. Kawashiri, MD, Beverly Hills, Calif., and answer by Peter F. Cohn, MD September 24, 2008

When does a high HDL counterbalance a high (or even borderline) HDL?
 

Dyslipidemia in a diabetic patient

Question raised by William E. Feeman Jr, MD, Bowling and answered by Christopher Ruser, MD September 18, 2008

I would like to comment on treatment of dyslipidemia in the diabetic patient with total cholesterol 195 mg/dL, HDL 32 mg/dL, LDL 98 mg/dL, and triglycerides 195 mg/dL...
 

Are LDL goals permanent?

Question by John S. Rajapakse, MD, Woodbridge, N.J., and answered by Peter F. Cohn, MD July 16, 2008

We're all aware that patients with more than two cardiovascular risk factors should have their 10-year risk of coronary disease estimated with the Framingham Risk score. If that score is >20%, the patient's LDL goal is 20% permanently establish the LDL goal at 100?
 

Cholesterol goals in diabetes patients

Question raised by John S. Rajapakse, MD, Woodbridge, N.J. and answered by Susan Kashaf, MD, MPH July 01, 2008

Now that colesevelam (WelChol), a bile acid sequestrant (BAS), has been shown to decrease hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), should it be the agent of choice (rather than ezetimibe [Zetia]) in diabetic patients who have not reached their cholesterol goals after using maximum doses of a statin?
 

Do elevated lipids call for more than statins?

By Robert M. Guthrie, MD January 23, 2008

The goal of cholesterol management is not the correction of lipid numbers but the reduction in heart attack and other cardiac end points. The benefit of adding a second or even a third drug to a statin is unproven at best. There are even potential downsides.
 

Stents: What you now need to know

June 07, 2007

Once hailed as a breakthrough in the care of heart disease, stents have been in the news and in the crosshairs of skeptics. Here's what you need to know to deal with your heart patients.
 

Clusters of erythematous papules on the upper and lower extremities

By Craig G. Burkhart, MD, MPH May 22, 2007

A 38-year-old, mildly obese Caucasian man reported the sudden onset of erythematous, papular lesions. The papules had presented four weeks earlier in crops on the extensor surfaces of his arms and legs and as scattered discrete lesions on his trunk....
 

High lipids, high liver enzymes

Question raised by Tony Pham, DO, Dallas and answered by Peter F. Cohn, MD February 21, 2007

How should I manage a 62-year-old Hispanic man who has hyperlipidemia and abnormal liver enzymes?
 

Reducing statin side effects

Comment by Howard A. Grayson Jr., Newington, Conn; response by Robert M. Guthrie, MD, professor of internal medicine October 13, 2006

Monitoring for the side effects of statins
 

Metabolic syndrome: Call to action

By Roger Zoorob, MD, MPH, and Victoria Smith, MD August 07, 2006

The debate rages on: Does the metabolic syndrome really exist? What are its clinical implications? Does diagnosis help prevent heart disease and diabetes?
 

CK determinations in asymptomatic patients on statins

Question by Jeff Lipke, MD, Tamuning, Guam; response by Robert A. Guthrie, MD May 26, 2006

What is the evidence or consensus regarding CK measurements in the patients described?
 

Do omega-3 fatty acids lower CRP?

Question raised by MICHAEL B. BRUEHL, MD, Orono, Maine, and answered by Peter F. Cohn, MD February 27, 2006

Do any data demonstrate a beneficial effect of omega-3 fatty acids on CRP levels?
 

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