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Biomedical subjects

A L Hull

Publications and source records attributed to A L Hull.

25 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1978

Tricyclic antidepressant prescribing habits: a comparison of family physicians and psychiatrists.

Because of persistent evidence that tricyclic antidepressants are generally underprescribed in respect to dosage and duration of treatment, a large group of family physicians attending a postgraduate course were asked specifically about their prescribing habits for these drugs. Their responses were compared to a group of psychiatrists. This study documented a tendency among family physicians, when compared to psychiatrists, to prescribe too low a dosage of tricyclics for treatment, to be hesitant to increase the dosage, and to discontinue maintenance prematurely. The family physicians overwhelmingly expressed the belief that 75 mg per day of imipramine or amitriptyline was sufficient for treatment maintenance, whereas 150 mg per day is ordinarily considered the minimum effective dosage. Proper use of tricyclic medication with a discussion of side effects and potential hazards is presented.

Amitriptyline↗
PubMedDate not supplied

High blood pressure in older Americans. The First National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Data from a representative sample of the U.S. adult population obtained during 1971-1975 were analyzed to provide a profile of blood pressure (BP) levels and related nutritional and sociodemographic factors. Older adults (aged 55-74 years) had a twofold greater prevalence of high BP than younger adults (25-54 years), and older black persons had the highest rates. Isolated systolic elevation was uncommon under 54 years of age, but occurred in 5% to 10% of adults over 55 years and was less common than systolic-diastolic elevation. In older adults, body mass (weight/height2) had the strongest relationship to BP of all the nutritional variables. Alcohol consumption and dietary calcium and phosphorus were associated with high BP, but dietary sodium and salt use were not. The serum calcium/phosphorus ratio and serum urate were significantly higher in older adults with high BP. In general, the variables associated with elevated BP in older adults were similar to those in younger adults, although the strengths of the associations differed. Associations of factors useful for nonpharmacologic prevention and management of high BP in older persons were suggested from this survey.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Factors affecting the educational diagnosis of diabetic patients.

An accurate determination of the educational needs of diabetic patients is based on a wide range of patient characteristics. In the development of an assessment instrument to determine the educational needs of patients, the relative importance of numerous patient characteristics was determined. A questionnaire was mailed to 1518 health professionals who are either members of the American Association of Diabetes Educators or community health nurses in the state of Michigan. Analyses of the responses to this questionnaire have provided information regarding the knowledge, psychosocial, and demographic characteristics of patients, which are thought to be important in an educational diagnosis. Questions to measure these identified characteristics will be incorporated into an instrument that will assess the educational needs of diabetic patients.

Community Health Nursing↗