More pot study needed; whey a muscle-builder
Cannabis for MS?
Reliable studies are needed to determine if cannabis is an effective treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS), argue two Hamilton doctors.
A meta-analysis was unable to draw strong conclusions in the role of cannabinoids in managing MS symptoms because of the relatively weak trials included, say the McMaster University and Juravinski Hospital doctors in an editorial published Oct 12 in JAMA Network Open.
With increasing access to marijuana in Canada, Dr. Oren Levine and Dr. Marissa Slaven caution against using pot as a therapy for MS until high-quality studies answer the outstanding questions.
Pot and puberty
An urgent call for studies on the impact of pot on puberty is coming from McMaster University researchers.
The absence of research on physical health effects of cannabis use was revealed in a systematic review of existing literature published in Adolescent Health, Medicine and Therapeutics on Oct. 5.
It’s significant because animal studies have shown that chronic cannabis use leads to delayed sexual maturation.
While the effects of cannabis on mental activities and neuropsychology in youth have been studied, there is a gap in understanding what it will do to physical health, particularly puberty, says lead author Dr. M. Constantine Samaan, pediatric endocrinologist at McMaster Children’s Hospital and associate professor at McMaster.
Muscle building
Whey protein is most effective at rebuilding muscle seniors lose during illness and long hospital stays, concludes a McMaster University study.
It’s significant because the loss of muscle and strength can affect balance, gait and the ability to perform everyday tasks.
Protein supplements did not stop lean muscle loss caused by inactivity, found the study published online Oct 4 in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. But it can rebuild the muscle once seniors are active again.
Not all supplements are created equal, says lead author Stuart Phillips, professor of kinesiology at McMaster.
The best for seniors was whey, which is rich in all essential amino acids.
Midwifery bursary
A new bursary at McMaster University is being named after the founding dean of the midwifery program Karyn Kaufman and Eileen Hutton, who retired as assistant dean of the program in July.
Both are considered pioneers in the profession with Kaufman establishing Canada’s first midwifery program at McMaster in 1993 and directing it until 2006 with Hutton taking over in 2007.
The bursary, begun by Hutton’s family and friends, will provide grants to students in financial need in the program.
To donate go to alumni.mcmaster.ca/mepbursary
Hospital leadership
Rob MacIsaac has been reconfirmed as president and CEO of Hamilton Health Sciences through to 2023. He was first appointed to the role in 2013.
In addition, Dr. Michael Stacey will become chief medical executive as of Oct. 25.
The surgeon and researcher has also been appointed vicepresident, academic at the hospital network that includes McMaster Children’s Hospital, Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre, Hamilton General Hospital, West Lincoln Memorial Hospital, St. Peter’s Hospital and the Main Street West Urgent Care Centre.
Stacey will oversee physician professional practice and human resources planning as well as academic relations, quality and performance, interprofessional practice and research.
He is currently HHS surgeonin-chief and has worked both in Hamilton and Australia.
Stacey is taking over from Dr. Dick McLean who is retiring
Cancer treatment
Cancer patients are possibly receiving toxic and costly treatments without benefit, found a McMaster University-led analysis of clinical trials.
The systematic review involving 13,979 patients with 12 types of cancer raises questions about interventions to prolong progression-free survival, which is when the disease is not getting worse.
It’s significant because access to these drugs is expensive but there is not strong evidence to show they can extend a patient’s life or improve quality of life, says lead author Feng Xie from McMaster’s Centre for Health Economics and Policy Analysis.
The results published Oct 1 in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Internal Medicine suggest a more rigorous and trustworthy measurement of health-related quality of life is needed in cancer trials.
Dementia information
A free online tool to teach Canadians about dementia has been launched by McMaster University.
The tool, iGeriCare, provides multimedia lessons, live events and resources to help patients, their families and caregivers cope after a diagnosis of dementia.
It’s significant because 564,000 Canadians live with dementia and the numbers are expected to double in the next 15 years, said geriatrician Dr. Richard Sztramko, who created the tool with Dr. Anthony Levinson.