Dr. Christman studies how aging affects various bodily systems, particularly in older women and the elderly. She investigates conditions like pelvic floor issues, the impact of medication changes on hospital readmissions after falls, and the effectiveness of chemotherapy in older cancer patients. Her research also includes innovative techniques for delivering treatments and repairing heart tissue, which show promise for patients with heart problems and infections.
Key findings
In a study of 870 older patients with fall-related injuries, those with intensified medication at discharge had a 21% readmission rate, compared to 16% for those whose medications did not change.
Research revealed that aging leads to a fourfold decrease in muscle stem cells in pelvic floor muscles of older women, which contributes to pelvic floor problems.
A phase I trial showed that using oral uridine allowed for a 33% increase in the safe dosage of the chemotherapy drug 5-fluorouracil during treatment cycles, potentially improving cancer therapy outcomes.
Older adults with gastrointestinal cancers were found not to be more adversely affected by chemotherapy than younger patients, indicating that treatment should be based on overall health rather than age.
In a study of advanced gastric cancer, treatment with gemcitabine had only minor improvements in 2 out of 18 patients, signaling a need for alternative treatment strategies.
Frequently asked questions
Does Dr. Christman study conditions affecting older adults?
Yes, she focuses on geriatric health issues, including the impact of aging on conditions like pelvic floor problems and the effects of chemotherapy in older cancer patients.
What treatments has Dr. Christman researched?
Dr. Christman has researched various treatments, including chemotherapy regimens for cancer and innovative injectable materials for repairing heart tissue.
Is Dr. Christman's work relevant to women with pelvic floor issues?
Yes, her research specifically addresses how aging affects pelvic floor muscles in women, which can lead to significant health challenges.
How does Dr. Christman's research impact elderly patients receiving chemotherapy?
Her findings suggest that older patients can respond well to chemotherapy and should not be excluded from treatment based solely on age.
What can be learned from Dr. Christman's work on medication management in elderly trauma patients?
Her research highlights the importance of careful medication management after falls, as intensified medications may increase hospital readmission rates.
Publications in plain English
Impact of medication intensification on 30-day hospital readmissions in a geriatric trauma population: A multicenter cohort study.
2024
Pharmacotherapy
Kanis E, Gallegos P, Christman K, Vazquez D, Mullen C +1 more
Plain English This study looked at older patients who were hospitalized due to fall-related injuries and assessed how changes in their medication at discharge affected their chances of being readmitted to the hospital within 30 days. Among 870 patients, those whose medications were intensified (either by increasing doses or starting new drugs) had a higher readmission rate of 21%, compared to 16% for those whose medications did not change. This is important because it highlights the potential risk of giving more medications to elderly patients after a fall, which could lead to more hospital visits instead of reducing health issues.
Who this helps: This helps doctors and healthcare providers making medication decisions for older patients after falls.
Quantifying the Effects of Aging on Morphological and Cellular Properties of Human Female Pelvic Floor Muscles.
2021
Annals of biomedical engineering
Rieger M, Duran P, Cook M, Schenk S, Shah M +4 more
Plain English This study looked at how aging affects the muscles that support the pelvic floor in women. Researchers found that as women age, these muscles suffer from fibrotic degeneration, showing a fourfold decrease in muscle stem cells compared to younger women, which isn’t seen to the same extent in other leg muscles. Understanding these changes is important because it can help address pelvic floor problems, which are common in older women.
Who this helps: This helps older women experiencing pelvic floor issues.
Self-Assembled Colloidal Gel Using Cell Membrane-Coated Nanosponges as Building Blocks.
2017
ACS nano
Zhang Y, Gao W, Chen Y, Escajadillo T, Ungerleider J +4 more
Plain English This study explored a new way to create a gel using tiny particles coated with red blood cell membranes to deliver drugs and treat infections. The researchers found that this gel could easily be injected, and when tested in mice, it effectively reduced skin infections caused by bacteria by significantly decreasing the size of lesions. This is important because it could lead to better treatments for bacterial infections while keeping the treatment in the body longer.
Who this helps: Patients with bacterial infections.
Fabrication of biologically derived injectable materials for myocardial tissue engineering.
2010
Journal of visualized experiments : JoVE
Seif-Naraghi S, Singelyn J, Dequach J, Schup-Magoffin P, Christman K
Plain English This research focused on creating a special gel made from natural heart tissues that can be injected to help repair damaged heart muscle. They found that this gel retains important proteins and other components from the original tissue, and when injected into mice, it encourages the growth of blood vessels and forms a supportive structure for heart cells. This is important because it could improve treatments for heart injuries and diseases, offering a potential way to enhance heart repair.
Who this helps: This benefits patients with heart problems, doctors specializing in cardiology, and researchers in tissue engineering.
Transfer versus transition: success in pediatric transplantation brings the welcome challenge of transition.
2005
Progress in transplantation (Aliso Viejo, Calif.)
Stabile L, Rosser L, Porterfield KM, McCauley S, Levenson C +2 more
Plain English This study looked at how young people with organ transplants move from children's healthcare to adult healthcare. Researchers interviewed 24 young adults who had recently made this transition and found that while they appreciated being treated as adults, they faced challenges like sudden changes in care and poor communication between their pediatric and adult healthcare providers. Improving the transition process is important so that young people feel supported and don’t feel lost when moving to adult care.
Who this helps: This helps young adults with organ transplants and their healthcare providers.
A phase I trial of a modified, dose intensive FAMTX regimen (high dose 5-fluorouracil+doxorubicin+high dose methotrexate+leucovorin) with oral uridine rescue.
1996
Cancer
Schwartz GK, Christman K, Saltz L, Casper E, Quan V +4 more
Plain English This study tested a new treatment approach using a stronger version of a chemotherapy drug called 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) alongside other drugs to see if it could be given in higher doses without causing severe side effects. Researchers found that using a medication called oral uridine helped increase the maximum safe dose of 5-FU, allowing for a 33% increase during some treatment cycles and a 45% increase during others. This is important because higher doses of 5-FU can potentially improve cancer treatment outcomes.
Who this helps: This helps cancer patients who are receiving chemotherapy treatments.
Plain English This study looked at how chemotherapy affects older adults with gastrointestinal cancers in the U.S. Researchers found that most chemotherapy drugs aren't more harmful to elderly patients, and treatment plans should focus on a person's overall health rather than just their age. They also noted that while chemotherapy can be dangerous and its benefits are unclear, more research is needed to better understand its effects on older patients.
Who this helps: This information benefits older cancer patients and their doctors.
Phase II trial of gemcitabine in patients with advanced gastric cancer.
1994
Cancer
Christman K, Kelsen D, Saltz L, Tarassoff PG
Plain English This study looked at the drug gemcitabine as a treatment for patients with advanced gastric cancer, which is a type of stomach cancer that can't be surgically removed. Researchers treated 18 patients with weekly gemcitabine, but found that only 2 had minor improvements, while the rest showed no significant positive effects. This is important because it highlights that gemcitabine is not an effective treatment for this stage of gastric cancer, indicating a need for other treatment options.
Who this helps: This helps doctors and researchers who are looking for better treatments for advanced gastric cancer.
Desert Shield deployment and social problems on a U.S. Army combat support post.
1994
Military medicine
Rothberg JM, Koshes RJ, Shanahan J, Christman K
Plain English This study looked at how the stress from the U.S. Army's Desert Shield and Desert Storm operations affected soldiers' use of mental health services at a support post. It found that soldiers in deployed units visited alcohol and drug programs and social work services more often, with higher problem rates both before and after deployment. After returning home, there was a temporary spike in these visits but it didn’t last long. Understanding these patterns can help improve mental health support for soldiers during and after deployment.
Who this helps: This benefits soldiers and mental health professionals working with military personnel.
Chemotherapy of metastatic breast cancer in the elderly. The Piedmont Oncology Association experience [see comment].
1992
JAMA
Christman K, Muss HB, Case LD, Stanley V
Plain English This study looked at how age affects the results of chemotherapy in women with advanced breast cancer. Researchers compared outcomes for three different age groups: under 50, 50-69, and 70 or older. They found that response rates were 40% for those under 50, 31% for those aged 50-69, and 29% for those 70 and older. There were no significant differences in how long patients lived or how quickly their disease progressed across all age groups. This matters because it shows that older women can respond to chemotherapy just as well as younger women and should not be excluded from treatment based solely on their age.
Who this helps: This helps older women with breast cancer and their doctors.