Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

A Baerheim

Publications and source records attributed to A Baerheim.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

[Children exposed to "earth rays" are not more frequently ill than other children].

From time to time newspapers bring reports on "earth rays" and their alleged damaging effects on health. There is, however, no objective evidence which suggests the existence of earth rays. In spite of this, dowsers claim that earth rays are a main cause of disease, also in children. In this study we wanted to evaluate, using a double-blind design, the alleged effects of earth rays on young children. A total of 44 children in four nursery schools in the Bergen area were recruited. Two dowsers and one interviewer visited the homes of all the children. The dowsers evaluated the presence of earth rays over the child's bed while the parents were interviewed in an independent procedure about the child's medical history over the past 12 months. Whether or not earth rays where found over the child's bed, there where no differences in the reported health of the child with regard to upper and lower respiratory tract infections, stomach aches, allergies or sleeping habits. Parents' report on restlessness and hyperactivity were also the same. The study failed to find any health effects, adverse or not, of earth rays.

Background Radiation↗
PubMed1999

Equal symptomatic outcome after antibacterial treatment of acute lower urinary tract infection and the acute urethral syndrome in adult women.

OBJECTIVE: To compare symptomatic outcome after antibacterial treatment in patients with acute lower urinary tract infection and the acute urethral syndrome. DESIGN: A multipractice study; patients registering symptoms prospectively for 3 days by means of a diary. SETTING: General practices in western Norway. SUBJECTS: 153 adult women with acute lower urinary tract symptoms. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Patient's prospective registration of symptom distribution and duration after starting antibacterial treatment. RESULTS: Fifty-one patients with acute lower urinary tract infection and 58 patients with the acute urethral syndrome were included. There were no differences in age, history of urinary tract infection, actual symptoms, or symptom duration between the groups. Symptom duration was nearly identical in the two groups among those who became asymptomatic during the 3 days of registration, ranging from 1.2 days for urgency to 1.6 days for dysuria. Almost half of the patients in each group still had some symptom left after 3 days. CONCLUSIONS: Symptomatic outcome was equal after antibacterial treatment whether the patient was classified as having acute cystitis or the acute urethral syndrome. Consequently, the general practitioner may rely on symptoms alone when starting antibacterial treatment in adult women with suspected cystitis.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1999

Peeing barbed wire. Symptom experiences in women with lower urinary tract infection.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the contents and presentation of symptoms experienced by female patients with lower urinary tract infections. DESIGN: Qualitative study based on written answers to open-ended questions on symptom experiences, analysis with Giorgi's phenomenological approach, explanatory model as frame of reference. SETTING: Twelve general practices in the Bergen area of Norway. SUBJECTS: Ninety-four women aged 19-97 years who consulted because they suspected to have an acute cystitis and who had leucocyturia and growth of 10(5) or more uropathogens/ml in the urine. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Descriptions and nuances considered mainstream for cystitis or as a supplement to the traditional medical symptom descriptions. RESULTS: We found a great diversity of symptoms. Typical symptom descriptions were a terrible scorch when the bladder is nearly empty, frequent need to void followed by only a few drops, sometimes so suddenly that it may go wrong, or a constant ache in the low back and belly. Subjects also described constant aching or pressure in the genital area, or they felt miserable and no good in the whole body. Specific symptoms were also localized elsewhere in the body. CONCLUSION: Diverse symptom descriptions complementing previous knowledge were revealed, as well as symptoms not usually mentioned in textbooks or reviews.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1999

Acupuncture treatment of patellofemoral pain syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of acupuncture treatment in patellofemoral pain syndrome. DESIGN: A controlled trial where patients were randomly assigned either to acupuncture treatment or no treatment. Evaluation of the result was blinded. SETTING: An acupuncture/physiotherapy treatment practice in Bergen, Norway. SUBJECTS: A total of 75 patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome were included, of whom 44 were female. INTERVENTION: Individualized acupuncture treatment twice weekly for 4 weeks. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Patients were followed for 1 year with the Cincinnati Knee Rating System (CKRS) scale as the main outcome measure. Other tests used were the Stairs-Hopple test, quadriceps atrophy, and evaluating level pain after activity by a visual analogue scale. RESULTS: At inclusion patients, aged 18-45 (mean 31.0) years, reported persistent pain on activity (mean 6.6 years) and at rest (mean 4.3 years). CRS scores at baseline were similar (acupuncture group 58.0 versus no treatment group 56.1). At 12 months there was a significant difference in the CRS score between the groups (acupuncture 75.2 versus no treatment 61.7, p = 0.005). When analyzing for worst case, the difference persisted (68.1 versus 54.4, p = 0.03). Results were then dichotomized as to whether the patient was cured or not at 12 months. A patient was defined as cured if he/she scored "slight" or "none" on the "pain" or "limitation to activity" subscales. The Number Necessary to Treat (NNT) to cure one patient was NNT = 3.0 for the CRS pain subscale and NNT = 3.7 for the CRS function subscale. CONCLUSION: We conclude that acupuncture may be an alternative treatment for patellofemoral pain syndrome.

Acupuncture Therapy↗
PubMed1999

Are resistance patterns in uropathogens published by microbiological laboratories valid for general practice?

During 7 months from August 1994, 171 urine samples were collected consecutively in general practice in Western Norway from female patients with suspected lower urinary tract infection. For each of the 171 samples, 2 samples from adult females received from general practice at the microbiological laboratory on the same day were selected using a predetermined system. Samples noted as treatment controls and samples from pregnant patients were discarded. Bacteriuria was found in 101/171 (59.1%) vs 220/342 (64.3%) of the samples. The general practice material contained more bacteriuric samples with Escherichia coli (83.2% vs 71.8%, p<0.05) and Staphylococcus saprophyticus (11.9 vs 6.4%), and fewer with other Gram-negative rods (4.0% vs 15.9%, p<0.01) and enterococci (1.0% vs 5.9%, p<0.01). The frequency of resistant isolates was substantially lower in the samples from general practice for all antibacterial agents tested: amoxycillin 18.9% vs 23.9%, mecillinam 1.1% vs 4.7%, trimethoprim 12.9% vs 18.5%, cotrimoxazole 12.0% vs 15.4%, sulphonamide 20.0% vs 28.4%, nitrofurantoin 3.0% vs 9.7% (p<0.05). Data from local laboratories exaggerate the resistance problems among uropathogens found in urine samples in general practice.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

[Can acupuncture prevent cystitis in women?].

67 adult women with a history of recurrent lower urinary tract infection (UTI) were randomized for acupuncture treatment, sham acupuncture, or no treatment. The incidence rate of UTI over the following six months was noted. In the acupuncture group a total of 85% was free of cystitis during the six-month observational period, as compared to 58% in the sham group (p < 0.05), and 36% in the control group (p < 0.01). Compared to the acupuncture group, twice as many incidents of cytitis occurred in the sham group, and three times as many in the control group (p < 0.05). Acupuncture seems a worthwhile alternative in the prevention of frequently recurring cystitis in women.

Acupuncture Therapy↗
PubMed1998

[Feet--a diagnostic tool?].

We wanted to test the specific theory behind foot reflexology. Three reflexotherapists examined 76 patients of whom they had no previous knowledge. They were to localize the patients' problems and complaints by examination of the foot soles only; they had no other information about the patients. Each patient and the therapist graded problems related to 13 different parts of the body. Interrater agreement, measured by weighted Kappa, ranged from 0.04 to 0.22, and was significantly better than chance (p < 0.05) for six parts of the body. The overall Kappa was 0.11 (95% CI: 0.08-0.14). A score based on a detailed examination of the "colon zone" showed no significant difference between patients with many or few distal intestinal complaints. Generally, the therapists tended to score higher than the patients, thus overdiagnosing problems. The statistical agreement may be better than pure chance, but is too low to be of any clinical significance.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Acupuncture in the prophylaxis of recurrent lower urinary tract infection in adult women.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of acupuncture in the prevention of recurrent lower urinary tract infection (UTI) in adult women. DESIGN: A controlled clinical trial with three arms: an acupuncture group, a sham-acupuncture group, and an untreated control group. Patients were followed for 6 months. SETTING: An acupuncture clinic in Bergen, Norway. SUBJECTS: Sixty-seven adult women with a history of recurrent lower UTI. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Acute lower UTIs during the 6-month observation period. RESULTS: Eighty-five percent were free of lower UTI during the 6-month observation period in the acupuncture group, compared with 58% in the sham group (p < 0.05), and 36% in the control group (p < 0.01). There were half as many episodes of lower UTI per person-half-year in the acupuncture group as in the sham group, and a third as many as in the control group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Acupuncture seems a worthwhile alternative in the prevention of recurring lower UTI in women.

Acupuncture Therapy↗
PubMed1997

["Earth rays"--an underground phenomenon?].

According to reports in the Norwegian lay press, a lot of illness can be ascribed to "earth rays". Earth rays are presumed to form a square pattern, but can only be demonstrated by dowsing. No documentation has been reported which supports their existence. However, many patients have experienced considerable relief after a protecting copper net has been placed under their beds. Four dowsers participated in an experiment where, independently of each other, they were to demonstrate the pattern of earth rays in a gymnasium. Four supervisors ensured that the dowsers could not communicate with each other during the experiment. As it turned out, they came up with four totally different patterns. Thus, any protective treatment prescribed by the dowsers seems to be based on pure chance.

Earth, Planet↗
PubMed1997

[Current management of uncomplicated acute cystitis in general practice].

Uncomplicated acute cystitis, defined as acute lower urinary tract infection in an otherwise healthy, non-pregnant, adult woman, is the most frequent form of urinary tract infection managed in general practice. The current views on diagnosis and treatment are reviewed. Using clinical epidemiological concepts we focus on the importance of the medical history, but urinalysis can be regarded as an aid in the process of differential diagnosis. Most patients will be cured by a three-day oral course of antibiotic treatment. Longer duration of treatment gives no increase in the rate of cure, and a higher rate of side-effects. Several antibiotics may be used, and from an ecological point of view we encourage a varied prescription policy. No follow-up is needed unless the symptoms persist or reappear soon after treatment.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Focus groups as a path to clinical knowledge about the acutely and severely ill child.

OBJECTIVE: To identify elements of clinical information beyond the area of knowledge presented in medical textbooks, but used by the general practitioner when confronted with the acutely and severely ill child. DESIGN: Focus group approach. SETTING: A course for teachers in General Practice at the Division for General Practice, University of Bergen, Norway. SUBJECTS: 25 experienced general practitioners serving as clinical teachers at the Division for General Practice. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Clinical descriptions arising from incident-based anecdotes and experiences. RESULTS: Issues were reported concerning the doctor's emotional reactions, cues from the parents of the child, atypical contact between doctor and child, cognitive discrepancies, and difficulties in acting on cues. CONCLUSION: This material identifies elements of tacit clinical knowledge which may provide a basis for further analysis and shared action.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1996

[Prevention of frequent cystitis in otherwise healthy women].

Three or more events of cystitis over a period of 12 months may indicate a need for prophylactic treatment. We evaluate the available literature on prophylactic treatments: change of life-style, behavioural therapy, and pharmacological options. We believe that many women can be treated by means of simple practical measures, with oestrogen, or with methenamine hippurate. Only few women need to be treated with antibiotics.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1995

[Clinical examination in general practice--a consulatation. Experiences after the first examination].

In 1994 the first examination in general practice was arranged for graduate students at the medical school in Bergen. The examination consisted of a written part, and an oral, clinical examination. We report some experiences and reflections concerning the latter. Patients with commonly occurring health disorders were recruited from the practices of internal and external examiners. The performance of the student was assessed according to the skills in respect of clinical issues, communication, consultation tasks, and theoretical matters. The correspondence between the assessment of different examinators was very good, and the marks were well distributed. The students' evaluation and our own experiences lead to the conclusion that this kind of examination seems to be suitable for differentiated testing of skills and knowledge in general practice.

Clinical Competence↗
PubMed1995

Simulated patients for the practical examination of medical students: intentions, procedures and experiences.

This paper presents intentions, procedures and experiences related to a simple method for training simulated patients for undergraduate examinations set up as clinical consultations. The examinations took place in the final year of medical school, at the Division for General Practice, University of Bergen, Norway. Thirty-six medical students were assessed by the use of five primary-school teachers serving as simulated patients and 18 authentic patients. Field notes from the process, observations during the examinations, written evaluation from the students and transcript of audiotape from focus group setting with the simulants are presented. Simulants were trained and prepared to simulate common health problems during a brief procedure which seemed to be sufficient as long as standardization was not aimed for. Simulants were not detected from among the ordinary patients by the students. Even the authentic patients did some level of role playing, which must be accounted for in future preparation. Simulants may by means of brief preparatory instructions serve as useful and realistic supplements to authentic patients in the practical examination of undergraduate medical students.

Adult↗