Health
Vitamin D decreases pain in women with type 2 diabetes and depression, according to a study conducted at Loyola University Chicago.
These findings were presented at an Oct. 24, 2013, research conference at Loyola's Health Sciences Campus.
Type 2 diabetes is associated with depression and pain, but few studies have looked at how pain may affect the treatment of depression in patients with type 2 diabetes and no studies have evaluated the role of vitamin D supplementation on this association.
Researchers in this study tested the efficacy of weekly vitamin D2 supplementation (50,000 Ius) for six months on depression in women with type 2 diabetes. Depression significantly improved following supplementation.
In addition, 61 percent of patients reported shooting or burning pain in their legs and feet (neuropathic pain) and 74 percent reported numbness and tingling in their hands, fingers, and legs (sensory pain) at the beginning of the study.
Researchers found a significant decrease in neuropathic and sensory pain at three and six months following vitamin D2 supplementation.
“Pain is a common and often serious problem for women with type 2 diabetes and depression,” said Todd Doyle, MD, lead author and fellow, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Neurosciences, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine (SSOM). “While further research is needed, D2 supplementation is a promising treatment for both pain and depression in type 2 diabetes.”
Loyola researchers have received funding from the National Institute of Nursing Research to conduct a trial comparing the effects of two different doses of vitamin D3 supplements on health outcomes in women with diabetes.
“Vitamin D has widespread benefits for our health and certain chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes,” said Sue Penckofer, PhD, RN, study co-author and professor, Loyola University Chicago Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing. “This NIH grant will allow us to shed greater light on understanding the role that this nutrient plays in managing the health of women with diabetes.”
Other study authors included Patricia Mumby, PhD, professor, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Neurosciences, Mary Anne Emanuele, MD, professor, Department of Endocrinology & Metabolism, SSOM; Mary Alice By.
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UKIAH, Calif. – Ukiah Valley Rural Health Center (UVRHC) recently received a 100-point quality rating as part of the Quality Improvement Program (QIP) from Partnership HealthPlan of California (PHC).
In the 2012-2013 reporting year a total of 126 sites participated in the QIP across PHC’s six counties: Marin, Mendocino, Napa, Solano, Sonoma and Yolo.
Each site that participated in the program was responsible for reporting 16 measures across four domains which included: preventative care services, appropriate use of resources, access and operations, and measuring and continuing to improve the patient’s experience.
The average number of points earned across all sites was 67.3 percent, with only two sites earning 100 points, one being the UVRHC, and the other site in Marin County.
“Partnership HealthPlan is lucky to have a network of primary care providers that is dedicated to providing high quality of care to the most vulnerable members of our community,” said Chief Medical Officer of PHC Dr. Robert Moore. “The performance standards for our Quality Improvement Program are quite high, so a 100 percent score requires a concerted effort by the primary care provider. Ukiah Valley Rural Health Centers deserves special recognition for this achievement."
According to UVRHC Director, Darcie Antle, “We really made a concerted effort to do our best. We knew that by participating in the QIP each member of our team, from the receptionist to our physicians, would have to put their best effort into caring for each community member that comes through our doors – something I feel our team has always tried to achieve regardless of an award. We are truly honored to receive a 100-point ranking.”
The Ukiah Valley Rural Health Center provides comprehensive and preventative health care services for Mendocino and Lake County.
Services include adolescent behavioral health, allergy, bariatric, family practice, general and advanced laparoscopic surgery, gynecology/obstetrics, internal medicine, pediatrics, lab draw station, neurology, oncology, ophthalmology/optometry, otolaryngology (ear, nose, and throat specialist), pain management and urology.
The Ukiah Valley Rural Health Center accepts Medicare, Medi-Cal and most other forms of insurance.
For more information on services and locations, please call 707-463-8000 or visit www.uvmc.org for more information.
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