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Biomedical subjects

A Richman

Publications and source records attributed to A Richman.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1977

Pseudoepidemics of heroin addiction.

Smooth unimodal skewed distributions, sometimes referred to as "epidemic-like" curves, are often used as evidence of time to time changes in incidence. Data on year of onset from groups of treated heroin addicts are generally alleged to reflect incidence, and this distribution is used to evaluate effectiveness and predict future needs. This paper describes the development of simple demographic models which demonstrate the production of epidemic-like curves without changes in incidence, ascertainment or duration of disorder. These graphic models are relevant to other non-infectious disorders where there is continuing exposure to the etiologic agents and where intervals between onset and ascertainment are not uniformly distributed.

Disease Outbreaks↗
PubMed1977

The epidemiology of drug abuse: current issues. Ecological studies of narcotic addiction.

Narcotic addiction is concentrated in certain places and among particular social groups. Heretofore it has not been possible to assess which environmental factors are critical for the initiation of narcotic use, its transition to narcotic addiction; and subsequently, entry into treatment or whether there are environments which select those particularly prone to social deviancy while others migrate out. There are few systematic descriptions of the social and environmental distribution of narcotic addicts. This paper describes the initial results of assessing the characteristics of the social environment (1970 Federal Census) of 3,000 individual narcotic addicts from the Lower East Side of Manhattan who were treated at the Beth Israel Medical Center. Pearson correlations between treated addiction ratios and 1970 Census characteristics were calculated for 13 health areas. Out of 103 socio-economic characteristics from the NIMH Mental Health Demographic Profile System, 29 were statistically significant at p less that 0.01 and 28 at 0.01 less than p less than 0.05. Highly significant correlations were found for households with children, female headed (r = .94, F= 90.3) and population in poverty (r = .89, F = 41.7). Correlations with density (over 1.01 persons per room) or population mobility (residing in different house five years ago) were not statistically significant. This paper has outlined some of the methodological and theoretical problems of ecological studies of narcotic addiction, and emphasized the need for concentration on the socio-dynamics of diffusion. Methodological problems include consideration of the time and place of onset; demographic standardization; ascertainment differentials; clinical characterization; and assessment within individuals of ecological correlations.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1977

The radiology corner: Kaposi's sarcoma of the stomach.

Kaposi's sarcoma is a systemic, multicentric and slowly progressing vascular tumor which usually affects the skin. Visceral involvement is common, may follow or precede the cutaneous involvement and rarely, may be the only manifestation of the disease. Gastric sarcomatous lesions are characterized by the presence of multiple submucosal or intraluminal nodules affecting a part or the entire stomach and simulating large gastric rugae. A case of isolated gastric Kaposi's sarcoma affecting the greater curvature of the stomach is presented, illustrated and discussed together with a short review of the pertinent literature.

Female↗
PubMed1976

A sociological theory of the diffusion and social setting of opiate addiction.

The theory presented here is intended to apply to socially deprived areas where heroin addiction is endemic, narcotics are available, and adolescents are not naive about the consequences of heroin use. In such settings rapid epidemic changes occur in which within a short period of time large numbers are involved. The transition of heroin use is a conversion-type phemonenon which is facilitated by the basic belief system, the network of social circles and the social and psychological inducements for compliance.

Communication↗