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Menopause and Advanced Age
Briefs
Research & Practice
Menopause and Advanced Age Women who start menstruation and experience menopause later in life may have better chances of living to age 90 years, according to a study published in Menopause. Researchers at the University of California–San Diego School of Medicine sought to evaluate the association of reproductive factors with survival to a specific advanced age, such as 90 years old. The prospective study included 16,251 postmenopausal women from the Women’s Health Initiative born on or before August 29, 1924;
Summer Hunt is editorial coordinator for publications; Jennifer P. Hellwig, MS, RDN, ELS, is managing editor of Nursing for Women’s Health; both authors are with AWHONN in Washington, DC.
they were followed up for 21 years. Authors used multivariable logistic regression models to evaluate associations of ages at menarche and menopause (natural or surgical) and reproductive lifespan with longevity, adjusting for demographic, lifestyle, and reproductive characteristics. Of participants, 55% survived to at least age 90 years. Later age at menopause and longer reproductive lifespan were significantly associated with increased longevity.
Zika Vaccine Trial The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the first clinical trial for an experimental Zika vaccine in June. Inovio Pharmaceuticals and GeneOne Life Science are developing the vaccine and plan to start human studies later this year. Currently called GLS-5700, the vaccine uses DNA coded to produce the protein that surrounds the Zika virus, which is injected into the skin.
New therapies called anti-proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) antibodies can help lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels when added to other lipid-lowering treatments, according to a recent analysis published online August 1 in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. Two such antibodies, alirocumab and evolocumab, are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicines Agency. Researchers identified 21 total studies including more than 10,000 patients combined, most of whom were taking statins but still had elevated cholesterol. All studies showed a reduction in LDL cholesterol with the anti-PCSK9 antibodies. Up to 87% of patients receiving alirocumab and up to 98% receiving evolocumab reached LDL cholesterol goals. Researchers conclude that using anti-PCSK9 antibodies as add-on therapy to other lipid-lowering treatments or as monotherapy for patients unable to tolerate statins may help patients with high cardiovascular risk to achieve their LDL-C goals.
452
Nursing for Women’s Health
Volume 20
Issue 5
Photo © Xavier Arnau / iStockphoto.com
Drug Treatment for Reducing LDL Cholesterol
Research & Practice
Menopause and Advanced Age Women who start menstruation and experience menopause later in life may have better chances of living to age 90 years, according to a study published in Menopause. Researchers at the University of California–San Diego School of Medicine sought to evaluate the association of reproductive factors with survival to a specific advanced age, such as 90 years old. The prospective study included 16,251 postmenopausal women from the Women’s Health Initiative born on or before August 29, 1924;
Summer Hunt is editorial coordinator for publications; Jennifer P. Hellwig, MS, RDN, ELS, is managing editor of Nursing for Women’s Health; both authors are with AWHONN in Washington, DC.
they were followed up for 21 years. Authors used multivariable logistic regression models to evaluate associations of ages at menarche and menopause (natural or surgical) and reproductive lifespan with longevity, adjusting for demographic, lifestyle, and reproductive characteristics. Of participants, 55% survived to at least age 90 years. Later age at menopause and longer reproductive lifespan were significantly associated with increased longevity.
Zika Vaccine Trial The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the first clinical trial for an experimental Zika vaccine in June. Inovio Pharmaceuticals and GeneOne Life Science are developing the vaccine and plan to start human studies later this year. Currently called GLS-5700, the vaccine uses DNA coded to produce the protein that surrounds the Zika virus, which is injected into the skin.
New therapies called anti-proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) antibodies can help lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels when added to other lipid-lowering treatments, according to a recent analysis published online August 1 in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. Two such antibodies, alirocumab and evolocumab, are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicines Agency. Researchers identified 21 total studies including more than 10,000 patients combined, most of whom were taking statins but still had elevated cholesterol. All studies showed a reduction in LDL cholesterol with the anti-PCSK9 antibodies. Up to 87% of patients receiving alirocumab and up to 98% receiving evolocumab reached LDL cholesterol goals. Researchers conclude that using anti-PCSK9 antibodies as add-on therapy to other lipid-lowering treatments or as monotherapy for patients unable to tolerate statins may help patients with high cardiovascular risk to achieve their LDL-C goals.
452
Nursing for Women’s Health
Volume 20
Issue 5
Photo © Xavier Arnau / iStockphoto.com
Drug Treatment for Reducing LDL Cholesterol