Impact of zinc supplementation on diarrheal morbidity and growth pattern of low birth weight infants in kolkata, India: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, community-based study.

Objective: To assess the impact of zinc supplementation on diarrheal morbidity and growth pattern of low birth weight (LBW) infants.

Methodology: In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, community-based study conducted in the Tiljala slum of eastern Kolkata, India, between 1999 and 2001, a birth cohort of 100 LBW infants was randomly allocated into either an intervention group receiving 1 mL daily dose of 5 mg of elemental zinc as zinc sulfate in vitamin B complex-based syrup or a placebo group receiving an identical placebo of 1 mL of vitamin-based syrup from birth up to 1 completed year of age. Active weekly surveillance was conducted for detection of diarrhea.

Use of antihypertensive drug therapy in older persons in an academic nursing home.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of hypertension and the appropriate treatment of hypertension in older persons in an academic nursing home.

Design: The charts of all persons aged > or = 59 years currently residing in a nursing home affiliated with Westchester Medical Center/New York Medical College were analyzed by two geriatrics fellows according to a protocol designed by one of the authors (W.S.

Use of antihypertensive drug therapy in older persons in an academic nursing home.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of hypertension and the appropriate treatment of hypertension in older persons in an academic nursing home.

Design: The charts of all persons aged > or = 59 years currently residing in a nursing home affiliated with Westchester Medical Center/New York Medical College were analyzed by two geriatrics fellows according to a protocol designed by one of the authors (W.S.

Utilization of lipid-lowering drugs in elderly persons with increased serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol associated with coronary artery disease, symptomatic peripheral arterial disease, prior stroke, or diabetes mellitus before and after an educational program on dyslipidemia treatment.

Background: We report the prevalence of use of lipid-lowering drugs in elderly persons with increased serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol associated with coronary artery disease (CAD), symptomatic peripheral arterial disease (PAD), prior stroke, and diabetes mellitus before and after an educational program on the treatment of dyslipidemia.

Methods: In an academic nursing home, we investigated the prevalence of use of lipid-lowering drugs in persons, mean age 77 +/- 9 years (40% men and 60% women), with a serum LDL cholesterol > or = 100 mg/dl associated with the aforementioned ailments before and after a 5-month educational program on the treatment of dyslipidemia was given to physicians and nurse practitioners.

Results: After the educational program, the prevalence of use of lipid-lowering drugs to treat the targeted elderly population increased (p <.

Underutilization of aspirin, beta blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, and lipid-lowering drugs and overutilization of calcium channel blockers in older persons with coronary artery disease in an academic nursing home.

Background: We report the prevalence of use of aspirin, beta blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or angiotensin II type 1 receptor blockers, statins, and calcium channel blockers in older persons with coronary artery disease (CAD) in an academic nursing home.

Methods: We investigated the prevalence of use of aspirin, beta blockers, ACE inhibitors or angiotensin II type 1 receptor blockers, lipid-lowering drugs, and calcium channel blockers in older persons with a mean age of 77 +/- 9 years, in an academic nursing home with documented CAD and no contraindications to the use of aspirin, beta blockers, ACE inhibitors or angiotensin II type 1 receptor blockers, and lipid-lowering drugs.

Results: CAD was documented in 77 of 255 persons (30%).