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Biomedical subjects

A Chua

Publications and source records attributed to A Chua.

30 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

Assessment of central noradrenergic functioning in irritable bowel syndrome using a neuroendocrine challenge test.

Desipramine, the monoamine reuptake inhibitor, acts predominantly on noradrenergic neurones, and via alpha-2 receptors brings about the release of growth hormone in normal healthy subjects. Thirteen patients with a diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome, 10 normal controls and eight patients with peptic ulcer disease were each given a challenge test of desipramine 1 mg/kg body weight. Growth hormone release over a 3 h period was monitored. A blunted response was defined as a failure of growth hormone levels to rise at least 5 mU/l above baseline. Of the 13 patients with irritable bowel syndrome 11 showed such a blunting. The results suggest abnormal central alpha-2 receptor functioning in irritable bowel syndrome.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Ultrasound as part of a 1-day gastroenterology clinic: advantages and problems.

Ultrasound was introduced into a 1-day gastroenterology clinic so that clinical assessment, endoscopy and ultrasound could be performed as appropriate in a single hospital visit. The findings in 602 patients are reported. A total of 256 (43%) patients underwent ultrasound, 35% of which showed positive findings including cholelithiasis in 12% and tumours in 7%. This system of referral for ultrasound is very convenient for patients and their general practitioner and is less costly than traditional referral methods. It is, however, time-consuming for the radiologist.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Serotonin supersensitivity: the pathophysiologic basis of non-ulcer dyspepsia? A preliminary report of buspirone/prolactin responses.

Buspirone stimulates central 5-hydroxytryptamine (5HT) receptors and brings about the release of prolactin, and there is evidence to suggest that the extent of prolactin release after a challenge with buspirone is an indicator of the sensitivity of central 5HT receptors. Seventeen patients with a diagnosis of non-ulcer dyspepsia, eight normal healthy volunteers, and six patients with peptic ulcer disease were each given a challenge test of 60 mg buspirone orally, and prolactin release over a 3-h period was monitored. The mean prolactin response was significantly greater in patients with non-ulcer dyspepsia than in healthy controls and peptic ulcer disease patients. The results suggest that central 5HT receptors may be supersensitive in non-ulcer dyspepsia.

Buspirone↗
PubMed1982

Factors influencing outcome of pregnancy in heavy-drinking women.

18 pregnant women identified as heavy drinkers by the criteria of Cahalan et al., gave birth to 6 normal infants, 5 infants with fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) and 7 with partial FAS. Average daily alcohol consumption of mothers of normal infants was less than that of mothers of FAS and partial FAS infants. Lower socioeconomic class, higher parity and increased use of tobacco and other drugs were non-alcohol-related maternal factors which appeared to influence the outcome of pregnancy in heavy-drinking women.

Diet↗
PubMed1979

Renal anomalies in fetal alcohol syndrome.

Six patients with fetal alcohol syndrome were found to have developmental abnormalities of the kidney. In only one patient was investigation for renal pathology made in the absence of clinical indication. Two had palpable masses in the left upper quadrant, one had pyelonephritis, one had painless hematuria, and the fifth patient had symptomatology suggestive of renal failure. Although the renal pathology was not of the same type in all cases, it is of interest that four patients had either unilateral or bilateral renal hypoplasia.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMedDate not supplied

An evaluation of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy feeding in AIDS.

Between October 1991 and October 1993, 17 AIDS patients (14 intravenous drug users, 3 sexually acquired) were commenced on percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) feeding in St James's Hospital. Indications were progressive weight loss related to severe anorexia, persistent oesophageal candidiasis (5) and absence of gag reflex (1). Two patients requested PEG tube removal after one week because of crampy abdominal pain without peritonitis. Five patients died from AIDS related infections within 6 weeks of PEG insertion. Ten patients were followed up for > 2 months (mean 5.2 months, range 2.5-15.5 months). In these 10 patients, 1 patient developed a PEG site infection which responded to topical antibiotics. There were no other complications. There was a significant (P < 0.001) increase in energy and protein intake at 2 months. Variant degrees of weight gain occurred in all patients (mean 2.6 kg) (P < 0.01). Small but significant increases in other anthropometric variables occurred. Patients who died within 6 weeks of PEG insertion were older, and had a lower serum albumin than the group who survived > 2 months (P < 0.01). A self-administered questionnaire demonstrated that the majority of patients found PEG feeding acceptable and preferable to nasogastric (NG) feeding.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗