Handgrip strength and lean mass are independently related to brain atrophy among alcoholics.

Background: In neurodegenerative disorders or in normal aging humans a relationship between muscle mass and/or performance and brain volume was observed, that is not dependent on age or other confounding factors. The aim of the present study is to analyse the relationship between lean mass and handgrip strength in alcoholics, who frequently show brain and muscle atrophy.

Methods: It was included 101 male patients aged 58.

Relationship of abdominal adiposity and body composition with endothelial dysfunction in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Objectives: We aimed to investigate whether the abnormalities in body composition and abdominal fat that occur in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are associated with the presence of endothelial dysfunction.

Methods: Cross-sectional study that encompassed 197 women (100 RA patients and 97 age-matched controls). Patients and controls were evaluated to establish endothelial function by brachial artery flow-mediated dilatation (FMD).

Relationship between endothelial dysfunction and osteoprotegerin, vitamin D, and bone mineral density in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Objectives: We aimed to investigate whether the abnormalities in bone mineral density (BMD) that occur in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are associated with the presence of endothelial dysfunction.

Methods: Cross-sectional study encompassing 216 subjects (111 patients with RA and 105 age- and sex-matched controls) without history of cardiovascular disease. Endothelial function was determined by brachial artery flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) and BMD by dual x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) measurements.

Bone alterations in hepatitis C virus infected patients.

Background And Aims: Most studies have shown that patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection are affected by osteoporosis. However, liver function impairment and deranged nutrition may both play a role in the bone alterations observed. In some works no osteoporosis was found, and some cases of osteosclerosis have been reported.

Vitamin D and nutritional status are related to bone fractures in alcoholics.

Background: Bone fractures are common in alcoholics.

Aims: To analyse which factors (ethanol consumption; liver function impairment; bone densitometry; hormone changes; nutritional status, and disrupted social links and altered eating habits) are related to bone fractures in 90 alcoholic men admitted to our hospitalization unit because of organic problems.

Methods: Bone homoeostasis-related hormones were measured in patients and age- and sex-matched controls.

Prognosis of osteopenia in chronic alcoholics.

Osteoporosis is frequent among alcoholics all by a direct effect of ethanol, malnutrition, and liver failure. Therefore, it may be related to survival. The aim of this study was to assess bone mineral density (BMD), bone mineral content, hormonal status, and to determine prognostic value of these parameters in a total of 124 alcoholics followed up for a median period of 57 months.