Publications by authors named "J M Falko"

Objective: Familial chylomicronemia syndrome (FCS) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder caused by mutations in lipoprotein lipase, resulting in accumulation of chylomicrons in plasma and hypertriglyceridemia. Elevated triglycerides cause several complications in patients, the most serious being episodes of acute pancreatitis. This review focuses on expert guidance and opinion from an experienced lipidologist and endocrinologist as well as a current review of the literature, as there are no specific guidelines on FCS.

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In individuals with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) who are unable to reach a target low-density lipoprotein level on a drug regimen, lipoprotein apheresis (LA) may be the treatment of choice. Severe reactions involving clotting during LA are not well described in the literature. We report a case of a 63-year-old woman with FH and markedly elevated lipoprotein(a) (Lp[a]) levels who experienced such a reaction while undergoing LA with a dextran-sulfate cellulose column on the Kaneka MA-01 Liposorber system.

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Patients with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) have higher baseline LDL cholesterol (LDLc) levels and are at high risk of developing premature cardiovascular disease. Disease is attributed to mutations in the LDLR gene, which encodes the LDL receptor protein and whose deficiency results in decreased uptake of apoB-containing cholesterol particles by the liver and elevated serum LDLc levels. Heterozygous FH is inherited in an autosomal-dominant pattern and has an incidence of 1:500 in the general population.

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Purpose: Obesity increases the risk of developing physical disability and pain. Persons with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m or more have an increased risk for osteoarthritis compared with those with a BMI between 25 and 29 kg/m. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of treatment directed at reducing musculoskeletal pain on weight loss in obese subjects prior to participation in a 6-month weight management (WM) program.

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An increased prevalence of coronary heart disease (CHD) has been well documented in the South Asian population living worldwide. The prevalence of certain traditional CHD risk factors, like diabetes mellitus and tobacco use, have been on the rise in this ethnic group and likely contribute to the increase in CHD prevalence. Still, a disproportionate excess of CHD exists, and this may be linked to novel CHD risk factors.

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