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Diabetic patients experience higher cardiovascular disease incidence and mortality (1,2). In patients with type 1 diabetes, coronary artery disease (CAD) occurs earlier in life (3) and affects women almost as [...], The objective of this is study was to examine whether estimated insulin resistance and insulin resistance-related factors are associated with coronary artery calcification (CAC) in 1,420 asymptomatic participants in the Coronary Artery Calcification in Type 1 Diabetes (CACTI) study. A total of 656 patients with type 1 diabetes and 764 control subjects aged 20-55 years were examined. CAC was assessed by electron-beam computed tomography. Insulin resistance was computed with linear regression based on an equation previously validated in clamp studies on type 1 diabetic adults. Insulin resistance was associated with CAC (OR 1.6 in type 1 diabetes and 1.4 in control subjects, P < 0.001), independent of coronary artery disease risk factors. There was a male excess of CAC in control subjects (OR 2.7, adjusted for age, smoking, and LDL and HDL cholesterol levels) and in type 1 diabetic patients (OR 2.2, adjusted for the same factors and diabetes duration). After adjusting for insulin resistance, the CAC male excess in diabetic patients decreased from OR 2.2 (P < 0.001) to 1.8 (P = 0.04). After adjustment for waist-to-hip ratio, waist circumference, or visceral fat, the gender difference in CAC was not significant in diabetic subjects. In conclusion, gender differences in insulin resistance-associated fat distribution may explain why type 1 diabetes increases coronary calcification in women relatively more than in men.

Type 2 diabetes is widely recognized as a major risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, including subclinical atherosclerosis as measured by noninvasive procedures. However, the role of genetic factors that [...]

There may be an association between the size and nature of the calcium crystals deposited in synovial fluid of pseudogout patients during an episode of inflammation. Pseudogout is an inflammatory joint disease characterized by calcium salt deposits in the affected joint fluid. Researchers analyzed and compared the crystals found in the knee joint fluid of 9 patients with pseudogout during and following an inflammatory episode. There were significantly more calcium salt deposits present in the joint fluid samples taken during an inflammatory episode as compared to the samples taken following the episode. The ratio of larger, symmetrical calcium crystals (monoclinic) to smaller, asymmetrical calcium crystals (triclinic) was higher during an inflammatory episode. This evidence suggests that the monoclinic calcium crystals play a role in the inflammation process.

2002 MAY 16 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Hormone replacement therapy can halve breast artery hardening (calcification), and it's an effect that can be picked up during a breast screen, [...]

A 31 year old woman with end stage renal disease secondary to hypertension and on haemodialysis for 10 years was admitted with shortness of breath, cough, and low grade fever. [...]

The diagnosis of central nervous system (CNS) manifestations in systemic lupus erythematous (SLE) is often difficult. These manifestations may be explained by a number of aetiologies. Here, we discuss the [...]

Over the past decade, our concept of the pathogenesis of calcific aortic valve disease has undergone a major transformation. We now recognise that calcific valve disease is the end stage [...]

A 92-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of congestive heart failure aggravated by uncontrolled atrial fibrillation. A chest radiograph showed extensive tracheal calcification (Figure 1). This finding is [...]