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December 19, 2001: NEUROLOGY RESEARCH
CENTER AWARDED GRANT
The Center for Neural Recovery and Rehabilitation
Research at Helen Hayes Hospital in West Haverstraw, in conjunction
with the Department of Neurology at Cornell University, has
been awarded a research grant by the National Institute of
Neurological Disability and Stroke, a division of the National
Institutes of Health. The grant will fund a five-year research
study examining how stem cells in the adult brain function.
Helen Scharfman, Ph.D., Director of the hospital’s
Center for Neural Recovery and Rehabilitation Research, will
be collaborating with Joseph Pierce, Ph.D. of Cornell University.
The project is based on research completed one year ago by
Dr. Scharfman’s laboratory at Helen Hayes which demonstrated
that stem cells in the hippocampal region of the adult brain
became functional nerve cells. The new project will determine
how the new nerve cells function following trauma or seizures.
Specifically, they will examine if it is possible to enhance
development of nerve cells, how to give the cells greater
function, and how to manipulate them to benefit the damaged
brain. Studies will involve multiple methods, including electron
microscopy, immuncytochemistry and neurophysiology.
"The stem cells we will be studying occur
naturally in the adult human brain," explains Dr. Scharfman.
"What we previously found is that they evolved into functioning
nerve cells following seizures and brain damage. We hope that
these cells hold promise for regeneration, and therefore,
promise for recovery for individuals who have had a stroke,
spinal cord injury, or other neurological, and possibly psychiatric
disorders."
Robert Lindsay, M.D., Ph.D., Director of Internal
Medicine at Helen Hayes Hospital comments, "Through rehabilitation,
we can help our patients adapt and adjust to disability, and
go on to lead an improved quality of life. Through research
such as this, we hope to one day be able to reverse the effects
of disability and restore functioning."
The Center for Neural Recovery and Rehabilitation
Research is one of four research centers at Helen Hayes Hospital,
which is one of the country’s leading physical rehabilitation
facilities. Basic and clinical research at the hospital focuses
on conditions related to disabling illness and injury, such
as stroke, osteoporosis and brain injury, which affect the
hospital’s patients.
For additional information on this study, contact
Dr. Helen Scharfman at 845-786-4859.
December 14, 2001: NEW MEMBER APPOINTED
TO HOSPITAL BOARD
Magdalena Ramirez, Chief Executive Officer
of Helen Hayes Hospital, has announced that David G. Welch,
M.D. has been appointed to the Board of Visitors of the physical
rehabilitation hospital in West Haverstraw.
Dr. Welch, who is board certified in Physical
Medicine and Rehabilitation, is an independent practitioner
with offices in Queensbury, Saranac Lake and Lake Placid,
New York. He is a partner in Adirondack Rehabilitation Medicine
and serves on the staff of Glens Falls Hospital. Dr. Welch
has served as the Medical Director of the Hamilton County
Public Health Nursing Service since 1980, is a Clinical Professor
of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Albany Medical
Center and a Medical Consultant at the Adirondack Medical
Center. He serves on various review committees of several
managed care organizations and is an active board member of
the Community Workshop, Inc., and previously served as President
of the Independent Living Center. In addition, he is a member
of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation,
the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine and the New
York Society of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and is
currently President of the Warren County Medical Society.
Dr. Welch and his wife Mary are residents of
Queensbury, New York and have three children. A graduate of
Cornell University, Dr. Welch received his medical degree
from Temple University School of Medicine and completed his
residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Albany
Medical Center.
Helen Hayes Hospital is the largest and most
comprehensive physical rehabilitation hospital in New York
State, helping to restore mobility and independence to individuals
with physical disabilities and chronic disabling diseases.
The hospital is operated by the New York State Department
of Health and is affiliated with NewYork-Presbyterian Healthcare.
December 7, 2001: HOSPITAL AQUATICS
PROGRAM ACCEPTING NEW PARTICIPANTS
The Aquatics Program at Helen Hayes Hospital
in West Haverstraw is currently accepting new participants.
All programs take place in the hospital’s state-of-the-art
warm water aquatic facility, which features newly refurbished
locker rooms and a 60’ by 25’ pool, heated to
92-94 degrees, which has steps with bilateral rails and specialized
hydraulic lifts to enable individuals of all abilities to
access the pool. The pool also offers a flat floor divided
into depths of 5’, 4 1/2’ and 4’ to accommodate
comfortable exercise for individuals of all heights.
The hospital is certified to offer the Arthritis
Foundation Aquatic Program (AFAP), which has been designed
by the organization to help individuals with arthritis maintain
and/or improve their health and well being. An AFAP instructor
leads participants in gentle exercise routines. AFAP classes
meet twice per week and take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays
at the following times: 9:30 a.m., 10:15 a.m., 11:00 a.m.,
12:30 p.m., and 5:00 p.m. The class is also offered at 5:00
p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays.
Individuals who simply wish to exercise within
the warm water pool may participate in the hospital’s
Aquatic Exercise Program. Participants perform their exercise
routines independently during 45-minute sessions, and may
bring a personal aid for assistance if needed. Sessions are
offered on a two or three time per week basis, on Mondays,
Wednesdays and Fridays at the following times: 9:30 a.m.,
10:15 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 1:15 p.m.
The goal of these programs is to decrease pain
and discomfort, while simultaneously increasing physical fitness
and relaxation. Warm water immersion lessens the effects of
gravity, providing buoyancy and reducing weight-bearing stress
on joints, often enabling participants to perform exercises
they are unable to do on land. Benefits of aquatic exercise
include increased flexibility, strength, coordination and
balance, as well as improved circulation. Individuals who
can benefit from aquatic exercise include those with back
pain, arthritis, joint replacements and neurological conditions.
Neither program is covered by insurance, nor
is a physician referral required for participation. Individuals
may enroll on a monthly or yearly basis. A lifeguard is on
duty at all times. Participants have use of the locker rooms
and must wear aquatic shoes when using the pool. For additional
information, or to register, call Judy Berenson, C.T.R.S.,
Aquatics Director at 845-786-4457.
November 21, 2001: HOSPITAL RECEIVES
GRANT FROM NORTH ROCKLAND LIONS CLUB
The North Rockland Lions Club has awarded $2,000
to Helen Hayes Hospital in West Haverstraw, a portion of the
proceeds from the 2001 Robert E. Byrne Golf Outing. The event,
which is cosponsored by the Club and the Helen Hayes Hospital
Foundation, recently took place at the Blue Hill Golf Course
in Pearl River. The donation will support ongoing patient
programs at the physical rehabilitation hospital.
Karl Wallburg, President of the North Rockland
Lions Club states, "The Lions Club is dedicated to providing
community service. Our club has had a long and strong relationship
with Helen Hayes Hospital and we are pleased to play a continuing
part in enabling them to help patients through rehabilitation."
Helen Hayes Hospital is the largest and most
comprehensive physical rehabilitation hospital in New York
State, helping individuals with disabling illnesses and injuries
rebuild their lives.
September 25, 2001: HELEN HAYES HOSPITAL
ANNOUNCES OPENING OF TRANSITIONAL REHABILITATION CENTER
Ribbon cutting ceremony and reception are rescheduled
A ribbon cutting ceremony and reception marking
the grand opening of the Helen Hayes Hospital Transitional
Rehabilitation Center for individuals with traumatic brain
injuries has been rescheduled and will take place on Tuesday,
October 2, 2001 at 2:00 PM at the new Center, located at the
Cinder Road/Chapel Street entrance of the hospital. The Center
represents the hospital’s newest addition to an already
comprehensive continuum of care for individuals recovering
from a brain injury.
Dr. Antonia Novello, the New York State Commissioner
of Health, will join Magdalena Ramirez, hospital Chief Executive
Officer, in cutting the ribbon and introducing the new program.
The Transitional Rehabilitation Center, located
on the hospital campus, is a newly built single story ranch
style house which accommodates 10 individuals. Accessible
and comfortably appointed, the residence features six bedrooms,
both accessible and standard style bathrooms, a kitchen, great
room, dinning room, activity room, study and a screened-in
porch. The transitional rehabilitation program will provide
professionally trained staff 24 hours a day, seven days a
week.
The program is designed to help individuals
with brain injury re-enter the community in the most effective
and cost efficient manner possible. It will allow clients
the opportunity to practice and be accountable for their daily
living skills in a supervised and supportive environment.
Through ongoing therapeutic services, including mastering
the skills of everyday living, such as self care and household
maintenance, the program will seek to maximize the functional
level of the patient, enabling them to lead an independent,
self-directed, productive and dignified life. Regular outings
to shopping centers, recreational facilities, banks and other
locations will reinforce what is learned in therapy, and will
incorporate vocational, leisure and social skills. Through
comprehensive service coordination, the individual will work
on developing and securing a discharge to a permanent residence
of his or her choice.
While each case will be evaluated on an individual
basis, the Transitional Rehabilitation Center is designed
for individuals with acquired brain injury, who are at least
18 years of age. Typically, prospective participants have
completed an intensive inpatient rehabilitation program and
are not yet functioning at a high enough level to return home
or live independently. The Center will also provide services
for individuals who have been residing in the community and
have begun to decompensate.
Individuals will participate in programming
for approximately 30 days to six months. The participant will
work with his or her individualized treatment team to develop
the highest level of resources and support systems that will
allow for a successful transition home. The Transitional Rehabilitation
Center at Helen Hayes Hospital accepts referrals from physicians,
discharge planners, case managers and other health care providers.
Services are usually covered by the New York State Department
of Health Medicaid Waiver program.
The furnishings for the new Transitional Rehabilitation
Center have been obtained through the generous support of
the Helen Hayes Hospital Foundation, Ethan Allen and Hunter
Douglas.
A brain injury occurs every 15 seconds. Data
from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that
there are more than 5.3 million Americans, or slightly more
than 2%, living with a disability as a result of a traumatic
brain injury.
Recognized as a leader in the field of brain
injury rehabilitation, Helen Hayes Hospital is well versed
in the devastating effects of brain injuries and the services
survivors need to resume their lives. The hospital seeks to
improve the functional and medical outcomes of brain injury
survivors through its continuum of TBI services, including:
Coma Recovery Program, Inpatient Rehabilitation, Day Hospital,
Outpatient Rehabilitation Services, AfterCare Program, Traumatic
Brain Injury Support Group.
For additional information on the new program,
or to make a referral, call Program Director Barry Dain at
845-786-4795.
September 5, 2001: HOSPITAL APPOINTS
DIRECTOR OF NEW TRANSITIONAL REHABILITATION PROGRAM
Barry M. Dain has been appointed Program Director
of Helen Hayes Hospital’s new Transitional Rehabilitation
Center for individuals with traumatic brain injury, according
to Magdalena Ramirez, the Hospital’s Chief Executive
Officer. The Center will open in October, 2001.
Mr. Dain joins Helen Hayes with a strong background
in the field of rehabilitation services for individuals recovering
from traumatic brain injury. Most recently, he served as program
director of the community re-entry program for Rehabilitation
Specialists in Tuckahoe, New York, and prior to that, as assistant
residential manager for Rockland ARC. Mr. Dain has provided
training on community re-entry programming and is well versed
in the New York State Department of Health’s TBI Waiver
program. In addition, he has served as the facilitator of
the Brain Injury Association support groups in both Rockland
and Westchester counties.
The new 10-unit Transitional Rehabilitation
Center is designed to help individuals with brain injury re-enter
the community in the most effective manner possible. It will
allow clients the opportunity to practice and be accountable
for their daily living skills in a supervised and supportive
environment. Through ongoing therapeutic services, including
mastering the skills of everyday living, such as self care
and household maintenance, the program will seek to maximize
the functional level of the patient. Regular outings to shopping
centers, recreational facilities, banks and other locations
will reinforce what is learned in therapy, and will incorporate
vocational, leisure and social skills.
The Center, which is an attractive single story
residence on the hospital campus, will expand Helen Hayes
Hospital’s continuum of care to individuals with brain
injury, while also helping to fulfill a tremendous need in
the region for such services. Already recognized as a leader
in the field of brain injury rehabilitation, the hospital
offers coma recovery, acute inpatient rehabilitation, Day
Hospital and AfterCare programs.
A brain injury occurs every 15 seconds. Data
from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that
there are more than 5.3 million Americans living with a disability
as a result of a traumatic brain injury. Yet, a recent Harris
Poll indicates that public awareness of brain injury is very
low, with one in three Americans reporting that they are not
familiar with the term brain injury.
September 4, 2001: HOSPITAL APPOINTS
NEW FACILITIES DIRECTOR
Edmund J. Coletti, P.E., has been appointed
the Director of Facilities Management at Helen Hayes Hospital
in West Haverstraw, according to Magdalena Ramirez, the physical
rehabilitation hospital’s Chief Executive Officer.
Mr. Coletti joins Helen Hayes from the New
York Power Authority, where he has served in various capacities
over 16 years. Most recently, he was the Operations Shift
Manager at the Charles Poletti Power Project, responsible
for the safe and efficient operation of a fossil fuel power
plant and fuel oil plant. Prior to that, Mr. Coletti was a
Senior Engineer for the Power Authority.
At Helen Hayes Hospital, Mr. Coletti will direct
the operations of the physical plant, including overseeing
the engineering, housekeeping, grounds and garage departments.
In addition, he will ensure that the hospital is in compliance
with facility standards for all regulatory agencies.
Mr. Coletti received his MS in engineering
from Polytechnic University and his BS in engineering from
SUNY Albany. He is a resident of Mohegan Lake, New York.
Helen Hayes Hospital is the largest and most
comprehensive physical rehabilitation hospital in New York
State, helping individuals recover from traumatic injuries
and disabling illnesses.
June 1, 2001: HOSPITAL CHIEF EXECUTIVE
RECEIVES HONORARY DEGREE
Magdalena Ramirez, Chief Executive Officer
of Helen Hayes Hospital, was recently awarded an honorary
degree, Doctor of Humane Letters, by Dominican College of
Blauvelt, New York. The degree, which was presented at the
College’s commencement ceremony, was bestowed in recognition
of Ms. Ramirez’s vision of ensuring the provision of
quality health care, and her leadership in delivering it effectively
and efficiently.
Ms. Ramirez has served as the Chief Executive
Officer of Helen Hayes Hospital in West Haverstraw since 1989.
The facility, which is the largest and most comprehensive
physical rehabilitation hospital in New York State, is owned
by the Department of Health and is affiliated with the NewYork-Presbyterian
Healthcare System. At Helen Hayes, Ms. Ramirez has been instrumental
in restructuring services and re-engineering delivery systems,
resulting in a self-supporting public hospital which is internationally
recognized as a leader in physical rehabilitation. The hospital
recently celebrated its centennial and is preparing this summer
to open a new Transitional Rehabilitation Center for individuals
recovering from traumatic brain injury. Helen Hayes was recently
ranked number one in patient satisfaction among rehabilitation
facilities surveyed nationwide.
A graduate of Cornell University, Ms. Ramirez
received her Masters in Public Administration from New York
University. She has served on the governing council of the
American Hospital Association Council on Long Term Care and
Rehabilitation, the New York State Spinal Cord Injury Research
Board and is a member of the board of the American Rehabilitation
Providers Association. Ms. Ramirez has been on the forefront
of national efforts to improve the funding and delivery of
medical rehabilitation services to enable individuals recovering
from traumatic injuries and chronic disabling diseases to
rebuild heir lives.
"It is an honor to be recognized by Dominican
College, which is a leader in providing educational programs
and resources to train our current and future health care
providers," says Ms. Ramirez. "However, this honor
truly belongs to the entire staff of Helen Hayes Hospital.
Working together, we have been able to achieve outstanding
outcomes for our patients and an outstanding reputation for
our hospital."
May 25, 2001: HOSPITAL TO HONOR FORMER
PATIENTS
Helen Hayes Hospital will host its 101st annual
“Honors Assembly” on Monday, June 11, 2001 at
1:30 PM at the hospital in West Haverstraw. The event is held
every June to recognize patients who have made outstanding
progress in their physical rehabilitation programs over the
past year. Twenty-one individuals from the New York Metropolitan/Hudson
Valley region will be honored for triumphing over disability
and for their contributions to the community. The keynote
speaker will be Anita Hollander, a professional actress and
singer who has performed throughout Europe and the United
States.
The individuals receiving awards have been
nominated and selected by the hospital staff. In all instances,
the award recipients have demonstrated determination, strength,
hard work and courage in the face of very challenging circumstances
and obstacles. Through physical rehabilitation, they have
regained functioning and independence to the greatest degree
possible and have acted as role models to other individuals
with disabilities.
This year’s keynote speaker, Anita Hollander
has premiered works of composers and lyricists at Carnegie
Hall, the Village Gate and the O’Neill Center. In 1997,
she received a prestigious Helen Hayes Award nomination for
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical for her performance
in the world premier of the Fifth Season. Ms. Hollander’s
acclaimed, one-woman musical “Still Standing”
is a deeply personal, inspiring, provocative, funny and poignant
journey recounting her triumphant battles with cancer and
the impact that the amputation of her leg has had on her life,
career and family. “Still Standing” has been produced
Off-Broadway as well as nationally at the White House and
at the Kennedy Center.
The Honors Assembly has been held every year
since the hospital was founded in the year 1900. During the
early years, when the hospital was predominantly a pediatric
facility and housed its own school, the event served as a
graduation, marking the scholastic and physical progress of
the young patients. The famous actress Helen Hayes MacArthur
made it a point during her long association with the hospital
to attend the event every year and personally present the
diplomas and special awards to each patient. Today, the Honors
Assembly is designed to acknowledge the significant benefits
that rehabilitation can have on a person’s life and
to acknowledge Helen Hayes Hospital’s commitment to
helping individuals live their lives to the fullest potential.
It is a moving and inspirational ceremony, unique to the hospital.
In addition to family members and friends,
the award recipients will be joined by hospital staff and
volunteers, local dignitaries, members of the community and
the hospital’s Board of Visitors and Foundation.
Attached is a list of all Honors Assembly awardees.
The public is invited to attend. A reception immediately following
the ceremony will take place in the Club Room.
March 14, 2001: EXPANSION OF SPINAL
CORD INJURY REHABILITATION SERVICES PLACES HOSPITAL IN FOREFRONT
OF CARE
Helen Hayes Hospital, the largest physical
rehabilitation hospital in New York State, has announced a
comprehensive enhancement of its spinal cord injury rehabilitation
service. The expansion ensures patients access to the latest
technology and most comprehensive range of services available
to effectively manage spinal cord injury, from acute recovery
to ongoing wellness programs. The initiative has been made
possible through the support of the Helen Hayes Hospital Foundation.
Enhanced spinal cord injury (SCI) services
include the following:
* Dedicated SCI patient rooms with direct
internet access and customized environmental controls, enabling
a patient to control lights, television, radio, computer,
telephone, etc. independently
* Expanded recreational therapy programs, including patient
exposure to skiing and biking via adaptive sports equipment,
such a mono-skis and hand cycles
* Peer counseling - provided in conjunction with Independent
Living Centers, by individuals living with spinal cord injury,
who also follow-up with patients after hospital discharge
to assist with accessing needed services, such as housing,
transportation, vocational/employment issues, etc.
* Transitional Living - an apartment, located on the hospital
campus, has been designed for SCI patients and family members
to use prior to discharge
* Sexual counseling - hospital staff have been certified in
the specialty of sexual counseling for individuals with physical
disabilities, including spinal cord injury
* Wellness Programs - wheelchair accessible strength and aerobic
exercise equipment, and personal trainers with expertise in
exercise for individuals with disabilities, are available
through the hospital’s Wellness Center, offering access
to important ongoing health and wellness programs
* Think First – a community outreach program to schools
focused on preventing spinal cord and head injuries; designated
as the regional program of the national Think First initiative
"These enhanced services signify Helen
Hayes Hospital’s commitment to being a national leader
in spinal cord injury rehabilitation," states Inocenica
Carrano, MD, who directs the program. "We strongly believe
it offers patients the most effective combination of high
tech-high/touch care – with access to state-of-the-art
equipment, paired with specialized care provided one-on-one
by professionals trained and skilled in the field."
These new services complement the hospital’s
existing array of specialty SCI services, including intensive
physical and occupational therapy, wound care, primary medical
care, outpatient therapy and aquatic therapy. In addition,
the hospital’s Center for Rehabilitation Technology
and Prosthetic Orthotic Center offer the most advanced technology
in the areas of wheelchair seating, bracing and environmental
controls. Helen Hayes Hospital is Accredited With Commendation
from JACHO and the spinal cord injury rehabilitation program
has received a specialized spinal cord CARF accreditation.
Approximately 7800 individuals in the United
States sustain a spinal cord injury each year. It is estimated
that there are between 250,000 and 400,00 individuals living
with spinal cord injury, with the majority of injuries occurring
in males between 16 and 30 years of age. Along with a loss
of sensation and motor functioning, individuals with spinal
cord injury may experience dysfunction of the bowel and bladder,
low blood pressure, inability to regulate body temperature
and in the case of a very high injury level, loss of the ability
to breathe voluntarily. Through rehabilitation, individuals
can regain maximum functioning and go on to lead active and
productive lives.
February 9, 2001: HOSPITAL FOUNDATION
BOARD INDUCTS NEW OFFICERS AND MEMBERS
The Helen Hayes Hospital Foundation has announced
the election of new officers and the induction of new members
to its board of directors. Eight new members and the new slate
of officers were inducted at the Foundation’s annual
meeting on January 11.
Heading the Executive Committee are the following
new officers:
* Chairman: Milton Herman Esq., Partner, Herman
& Cupero, LLP, of Goshen and resident of Monroe
* Vice Chairman: Sheldon S. Horowitz, President of Safe Harbour
Group Ltd. of New City and resident of New City
* Secretary: Philip Fey, J.D., Ed.D., Associate Professor
of Adult and Continuing Education at Columbia University and
resident of Suffern
* Treasurer: Mark Rothenberg, retired Vice President of United
Water NY and resident of New City
* Jan Degenshein, who joined the board in 2000, was appointed
to the Helen Hayes Hospital Foundation Executive Committee.
A resident of Nyack, he is President of Degenshein Architects.
Completing the Executive Committee are former
chairman Niles M. Davies Jr., Eric Kohlmeier, Bert Rappaport,
John Panebianco, Arthur Ferraro, Jill Sagarin and Magdalena
Ramirez.
The eight new members of the Board of Directors
are:
* Jerry Donnellan of Nyack, Director of the
Rockland County Veterans Agency
* Keith Foley of New City, a long term care resource planner
* Joseph Guida of Wesley Hills, a remodeling contractor and
President of the Rockland County Builders Association
* Diane LaDuca of Tappan, Vice President Special Projects
at Superior Bank, FSB in Orangeburg
* Robert Lindsay, M.D., Ph.D., of Harrison, Chief of Internal
Medicine at Helen Hayes Hospital and internationally recognized
expert in osteoporosis
* Sheldon Lyons of Nyack, Associate publisher of The Journal
News
* Laurie Moore of New Windsor, Vice President of Operations
for A&T Healthcare
* Arthur Moskoff of Haverstraw, a retired attorney, active
in Rockland County affairs for over 30 years
"As a patient in the 1950’s, this
hospital helped me overcome polio, so it is extremely gratifying
to now be able to serve as Chairman of the Foundation,"
states Mr. Herman. "I truly consider this position a
highlight of my career as an advocate for individuals with
disabilities, and I look forward to working with the full
Board and the administration of the hospital in furthering
the hospital’s mission of providing outstanding medical
rehabilitation services."
The Helen Hayes Hospital Foundation supports
the physical rehabilitation hospital through fundraising and
advocacy.
JAMA ARTICLE UNDERSCORES RISK IN DELAYING OSTEOPOROSIS
DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT
A vertebral fracture is a warning signal; 1
in 5 women with postmenopausal osteoporosis who suffer a vertebral
fracture will fracture again within just one year
West Haverstraw, NY, January 17, 2001. An article published
today in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA)
reveals that one in five women with postmenopausal osteoporosis
who have suffered a vertebral (spinal) fracture, the most
common type of fracture in people with osteoporosis, will
suffer another vertebral fracture within a year.
The women were enrolled in the control groups
of four large clinical studies evaluating the therapeutic
benefit of the osteoporosis medication risedronate (Actonel®).
The women in the control groups received only supplemental
calcium and if needed, vitamin D.
"Because bone loss occurs slowly over
time and a person may not feel its effects, osteoporosis often
goes undetected until a woman has suffered one or more fractures,
increasing her risk of future fractures," said the study’s
lead author, Robert Lindsay, M.D., Ph.D., Chief, Internal
Medicine, Helen Hayes Hospital, New York, and Department of
Medicine, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University,
New York. The data showed that after some women suffer a vertebral
fracture, there may be a fracture "cascade," or
domino effect. In light of these findings, osteoporosis therapies
that rapidly reduce vertebral fracture risk are important,
according to Dr. Lindsay.
"These findings challenge the current
tendency to diagnose and treat osteoporosis only after a fracture
has occurred. They demonstrate the need for osteoporosis treatments
that work quickly to reduce fracture risk," Dr. Lindsay
added.
Fortunately, other data from these studies
have shown that therapeutic intervention with risedronate
can help reduce the risk of vertebral fractures in as soon
as one year. These results were previously published in JAMA1.
In the studies, risedronate reduced the incidence of vertebral
fracture by up to 65 percent in just one year, compared with
women in the control groups taking just supplemental calcium
and vitamin D. About 1 in 16 patients in the control group
fractured during the first year, compared with 1 in 42 in
the treatment group. Risedronate is the only therapy that
has been shown to reduce the incidence of vertebral fractures
in the first year of treatment.
Clinical Highlights
The authors of this article analyzed data from
2,725 postmenopausal women enrolled in the control groups
of four large osteoporosis treatment trials conducted in North
America, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. Of the 381 women
who fractured during the study, 19.2 percent fractured again
within a year — even when taking 1,000 mg of calcium
and supplemental vitamin D.
"Now that we know that one vertebral fracture
can quickly lead to another, it is crucial for doctors and
patients to take action to diagnose and treat this disease
as early as possible," says Sandra C. Raymond, executive
director of the National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF).
Two-thirds of vertebral fractures do not initially
cause any symptoms, making timely diagnosis of this disease
difficult. "I think the public fails to realize the serious
consequences of the fractures that result from osteoporosis.
They need to learn about the risk factors for osteoporosis
and those at risk should be assessed for the disease before
they suffer a fracture," Ms. Raymond added. Some risk
factors include being female, being menopausal or postmenopausal,
having a family history of osteoporosis, a personal history
of fractures, a thin or small build, low calcium intake and
an inactive lifestyle.
The Impact of Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is common among older adults,
particularly postmenopausal women, and is reaching epidemic
proportions. According to the NOF, osteoporosis is a major
public health threat for more than 28 million Americans. This
number is expected to rise to 41 million by 2014 if no action
is taken. The disease causes about 700,000 vertebral fractures
in the United States each year, and it is estimated that 1
in 2 American women age 50 and older will suffer an osteoporosis-related
fracture in their lifetime. In the United States, expenditures
for osteoporotic and associated fractures totaled an estimated
$13.8 billion in 1995 alone.
About Helen Hayes Hospital
Helen Hayes Hospital, a national leader in
rehabilitation medicine and research, is the largest and most
comprehensive physical rehabilitation facility in New York
State. The hospital restores mobility and functioning to individuals
with traumatic injuries and disabling diseases, helping them
resume active, independent lives. The Helen Hayes Hospital
Osteoporosis Center is one of two centers in the country designated
as a Specialized Center of Research (SCOR) in Osteoporosis
by the National Institutes of Health, and is internationally
recognized for excellence in osteoporosis prevention, diagnosis,
treatment and research. It is also the coordinating center
for the New York State Osteoporosis Prevention and Education
Program.
Note to Editors: Osteoporosis statistics can
be found on the National Osteoporosis Foundation’s website,
www.nof.org.
Harris ST, Watts NB, Genant HK, et al. Effects of risedronate
treatment on vertebral and non-vertebral fractures in women
with postmenopausal osteoporosis: a randomized controlled
trial. JAMA. 1999;282(14):1344-1352. |
