Soybean suggestion

Soybean protein may have a role in preventing and treating hypertension, say US and Chinese researchers. 1 They conducted a randomised controlled trial in 302 people from three Chinese communities with pre-hypertension or stage 1 hypertension (systolic BP, 130 mmHg to 159 mmHg; diastolic BP, 80 mmHg to 99 mmHg). Subjects were randomised to receive a daily cookie, which contained either 40 g soybean protein or 40 g of complex carbohydrate, for 12 weeks. After 12 weeks, systolic and diastolic BPs had fallen by 4.3 mmHg and 2.8 mmHg, re-spectively, in the soybean protein group. However, both the researchers and editorialists expressed some concern that an increased soy protein intake may be linked to bladder cancer. The editorialists wondered whether an increased mixed vegetable protein intake might produce the same effect on blood pressure as soybean protein.2

1. Ann Intern Med 2005; 143: 1-9

2. Ann Intern Med 2005; 143: 74-75

Friends forever

Friends, rather than family, may help the elderly to live longer, according to findings from the Australian Longitudinal Study of Aging. The study followed 1477 people aged 70 years or older for a decade. Those participants with a more extensive network of friends (whom they contacted face-to-face or by phone) had a lower risk of dying during the 10 years of follow-up than other participants. However, social networks made up of children and other relatives did not affect the subsequent survival of participants.

J Epidemiol Community Health 2005; 59: 574-579

Trojan dog?

“Pet therapy” dogs can acquire and therefore spread methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), suggest UK authors. They reported that an 11-year-old border collie acquired MRSA in a district hospital after visiting care-of-the-elderly wards. Swabs from the asymptomatic dog’s nose, scalp and interdigital folds of the paws had been taken before and after visiting the wards.

Only the post-visit swabs grew MRSA. The authors proposed a set of guidelines for preventing the spread of MRSA from pet therapy dogs, including hand disinfection by patients and staff members before and after touching dogs, and pet bathing after visiting. Further, cats should be banned from all clinical areas because of additional risks from the transmission of gastrointestinal tract diseases.

J Hosp Infect 2005; 60: 186-188

Seek and treat

Treating gestational diabetes — carbohydrate intolerance beginning or first recognised during pregnancy — reduces serious perinatal morbidity, according to the Australian Carbohydrate Intolerance Study in Pregnant Women Trial Group. The Group randomly assigned 1000 women between 24 and 34 weeks’ gestation who had gestational diabetes to receive either dietary advice, blood glucose monitoring and (as required) insulin therapy or routine care. Only 1% of the infants of women in the intervention arm experienced a serious perinatal complication (defined as death, shoulder dystocia, bone fracture and nerve palsy) compared with 4% of infants born to women in the control arm. Women in the intervention arm were more likely to have their labour induced and their infants were more likely to be admitted to a neonatal nursery, however, the caesarean delivery rate was similar in both groups of women.

N Engl J Med 2005; 352: 2477-2486

Playstation thumb

A young researcher has suggested that “playstation thumb” is a common condition among school-aged children.1,2 Karim, a 7th grade student, surveyed 120 students aged 9 to 13 years at his school in Durban, South Africa.2 In regular players, 8 of 28 boys and 7 of 17 girls suffered symptoms of “playstation thumb”, including pain and blisters of the thumbs. Children who played the games more had more symptoms, especially if they played for more than 3 hours per day. Karim conducted this survey as a project for his school’s Science Day.

1. Lancet 2004; 363: 1080

2. S Afr Med J 2005; 95: 412

Dr Ann Gregory, MJA