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Biomedical subjects

B O'Donoghue

Publications and source records attributed to B O'Donoghue.

5 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

Why do Australians live longer than New Zealanders?

The aim of this study was to compare patterns of mortality in Australia and New Zealand, using routinely collected data. Life expectancy at birth is greater in Australia than in New Zealand (in 1996 the gap was 1.5 years for women and 1.1 years for men). Prior to 1970, mortality was lower in New Zealand than Australia. Possible reasons for the divergence in life expectancies include slower economic growth in New Zealand, more marked increases in economic inequalities which have affected Maöri in particular and, to a modest extent, differentials in health care.

Australia↗
PubMed1996

Metabolic and hormonal responses to induced hypotension for middle ear surgery.

We have investigated in 30 patients the metabolic and hormonal responses to middle ear surgery using induced hypotension to a mean arterial pressure of 55 mm Hg. A standardized anaesthetic technique of propranolol, thiopentone-vecuronium-isoflurane was used in all patients and hypotension induced with sodium nitroprusside, trimetaphan camsylate or additional isoflurane. All patients showed a classic stress response with an increase in circulating blood glucose, cortisol and growth hormone concentrations. Blood lactate and plasma uric acid concentrations changed little during operation, suggesting that tissue oxygenation was adequate. However, the former declined after operation, possibly as a result of the concomitant use of propranolol. There were no significant differences between the three hypotensive techniques in their effects on the hormonal and metabolic response, although the increase in blood glucose concentration in the trimetaphan group was obtunded. We conclude that induced hypotension for middle ear surgery induced an endocrine and metabolic response of small magnitude and short duration.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

A preliminary comparison of the effects of halothane and isoflurane on nasal mucosal blood flow.

The differing effects of halothane and isoflurane on nasal mucosal blood-flow was investigated by means of laser-doppler flowmetry in a total of fourteen patients who received one of these inhalational agents during anaesthesia. A trend towards lower nasal flux was seen in the halothane group but, due to insufficient numbers, significance could not be demonstrated. These changes in flux appeared not to be related to the falls in perfusion pressure which were seen in both groups of patients and were thought to be due to locally vasoactive effects.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Schizophrenia in general practice: a national survey of general practitioners in Ireland.

BACKGROUND: Chronic schizophrenia is challenging to manage in primary care. AIMS: We sought to establish the views of General Practitioners about managing patients with chronic schizophrenia in primary care. METHODS: A cross-sectional, postal survey questionnaire of a randomly selected sample of 20% of GPs was carried out. RESULTS: Most GPs (97.2%) have at least one person with schizophrenia attending their practice. A substantial number of GPs (22.2%) treat cases of schizophrenia without specialist input following an initial referral to psychiatric services. Almost all (88.7%) advised patients who had experienced multiple relapses to remain on medication indefinitely. One third of GPs reported that they always experience difficulties managing patients with schizophrenia in their practice. Non-adherence with prescribed medication and loss to follow-up were the commonest impediments to treatment encountered. CONCLUSION: GPs require appropriate back up from specialist services to enable their management of chronic schizophrenia.

Adult↗