Browsing by Author "Harrison, Samantha"

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    The Effect of Vitamin D Supplementation on Muscle Mass, Muscle Strength and Muscle Function in the Elderly: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
    (Aging Medicine and Healthcare, 2023-07-28) Ghosh, Sudip; Harrison, Samantha
    Sarcopenia, the age-related loss of muscle mass, strength, and function is associated with falls and increased mortality. It is becoming a major public health concern due to its increase in prevalence, affecting over fifty million people worldwide. Due to the rising elderly population, this is expected to rise to over 200 million people by 2050. Mounting evidence supports the role of vitamin D in the stimulation of skeletal muscle fibre proliferation and differentiation. Therefore, vitamin D supplementation has the potential to prevent muscle loss and thus sarcopenia. Data from twenty-six randomised controlled trials including 6481 participants were summarised to investigate the effects of vitamin D supplementation on muscle mass, strength, and function in the form of balance, gait speed, and chair stand tests in the elderly population (≥60 years old). Results revealed that vitamin D supplementation had a significant positive effect on muscle mass (standardised mean difference (SMD) 0.27; 95% confidence intervals (CI) 0.12-0.42; P <0.001) and muscle strength (SMD 0.34; 95% CI -0.01 - 0.69; P=0.05). No significant effects were found for balance (SMD -0.06; 95% CI -0.19-0.08; P=0.40), gait speed (SMD 0.17; 95% CI -0.08–0.43; P=0.18), or chair stand tests (SMD 0.04; 95% CI -0.31–0.40; P=0.81) as markers for muscle function. These results suggest that vitamin D supplementation could have potential as a widely accessible cost effective intervention for reducing sarcopenia. However, further studies are required to evaluate optimum modalities such as dose and treatment duration.
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    Integrated Community Cardiac Clinic for the Assessment of Cardiovascular Disease in Severely Mentally Ill Patients
    (International Journal of Medical Science and Health Research, 2023-08-20) Ghosh, Sudip; Harrison, Samantha; Moseley, Caroline; Goulding, Emma; Read, Julie
    Cardiovascular disease (CVD) accounts for ~20% of physical comorbidity amongst people diagnosed with severe mental illness (SMI), and people of all ages have reduced life expectancy compared to the general population. 69 patients on our SMI register were invited to attend a one-stop cardiac assessment clinic in the general practice setting between June 2021 and March 2022. The consultation included a CV risk assessment which consisted of detailed CV history and examination including10 year CV risk assessment, blood panel work-up and electrocardiography (ECG). 42 patients (61%) attended the clinics. Mean age of the patients were 38.9 ± 3.9 years (range 22-63). The mean 10 year-CV risk using the QRISK2 tool was 11.4 ± 6.7%. Only 5 patients were on statin therapy at presentation in clinic. 24 patients (57%) were diabetic with mean HbA1c of 53 ± 2.7 Mmol/L. 39 out of the 42 patients smoked. Mean body mass index was 34.5 ± 1.9 with mean blood pressure at 132 ± 13/ 87 ± 21 mmHg. Mean LDL was 2.9 ± 1.1 mg/dl. 6 patients reported ECG abnormalities suggestive of ischaemic changes and were referred to cardiology for further work-up. 2 patients have now undergone percutaneous coronary intervention with stent placement and the remaining 4 patients are receiving medical management. All patients with high QRISK2 scores have been offered statin therapy. Given the shortened life span of people with SMI, and the considerable contribution of CVD to earlier mortality, the data support more thorough screening and effective management of major cardiovascular risk factors within the community setting.