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Biomedical subjects

C J Goldberg

Publications and source records attributed to C J Goldberg.

28 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis as developmental instability.

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is the most common spinal deformity affecting children, with a prevalence from mass screening programmes of 1-3%. Despite centuries of study, it remains a problem with no generally accepted theory of aetiology, and disagreement on its natural history and management. Because the deformity consists ultimately of gross left-right asymmetry, a study was undertaken to test the hypothesis that it might be a manifestation of developmental instability. Palmar dermatoglyphics in 112 normal subjects, 62 with non-scoliosis trunk asymmetry and 85 with defined adolescent idiopathic scoliosis were examined and both the absolute right-left difference and the ratio of this to the total were considered. There was increased fluctuating asymmetry of atd difference in those with any asymmetry, scoliotic or not, and increased directional asymmetry of ab and cd ridge counts only in those with pure scoliosis. This suggests that, at adolescence, developmental instability may result in a loss of symmetry in growth, and that in the presence of an increased developmental left-right gradient, this may be of sufficient severity to be classified as deformity and come to the attention of orthopaedic surgeons. This interpretation changes the focus of many previous observations on scoliosis and raises the prospect that developmental stability in humans has relevance to problems hitherto restricted to clinical practice.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Left thoracic scoliosis configurations. Why so different?

STUDY DESIGN: Patients in the scoliosis screening database were analyzed with respect to curve convexity, severity, and outcome, using standard statistical methods. OBJECTIVES: This study assessed whether left thoracic scoliosis is always pathologic and inquired why this is the case. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Left thoracic scoliosis is more significant than the usual right thoracic pattern, but evidence in the literature is circumstantial. METHODS: Prospectively collected data from 1979-1990 was analyzed in the natural history database of the school screening program. RESULTS: Right thoracic pattern was observed in 421 girls, and left thoracic pattern was present in 125 girls. The minimum age at diagnosis was 10 years and the Cobb angle was > 4 degrees. Primary left thoracic patterns were statistically smaller and less progressive. CONCLUSIONS: The left pattern of scoliosis in the absence of overt neuropathology carries a benign prognosis. This contradictory observation is examined in the light of biological asymmetry.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

A statistical comparison between natural history of idiopathic scoliosis and brace treatment in skeletally immature adolescent girls.

Thirty-two adolescent girls braced for late onset idiopathic scoliosis at Children's Hospital, Boston were compared with thirty-two untreated girls from Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, Dublin, Ireland paired on the basis of curve size and site and age at diagnosis. All were Risser 0 at diagnosis. Study period for the braced group was from brace initiation to part-time brace wearing and, for the controls, from diagnosis to last review. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups on any parameter of curve progression. This study raises questions about the efficacy of spinal orthoses in modifying the natural history of late-onset idiopathic scoliosis and removes the ethical problems inherent in a prospective trial in which the only treatment permitted to the control group is surgery.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis--early menarche, normal growth.

Growth has long been known to be relevant to the development and prognosis of spinal deformity and abnormalities have been considered in the etiology of idiopathic scoliosis. Age at menarche, as an indicator of puberty, in 303 girls with idiopathic scoliosis 10 degrees or more from the Dublin school screening program was 13.13 years, 0.39 years earlier than the national mean for Irish girls. This difference is statistically significant (P < 0.01). The heights of 214 of these girls aged 10-15.5 years at diagnosis and at least 14 years at follow-up, after a minimum 6 months, were compared with the national standards. It was found that, although those diagnosed at a younger age were generally taller than their peers, this was not true for those diagnosed at a later age or for anyone at final follow-up. This points to an early pubertal growth spurt in girls with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis but not to any outright abnormality of growth or development.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Assertiveness in Hispanic adolescents: relationship to alcohol use and abuse.

An investigation was carried out on the relation of assertiveness to use of alcohol among 3129 Hispanic junior high school students. Data were obtained through questionnaires administered in 47 public and parochial schools in New York City to 5501 students. An 18-item modified version of the Gambrill-Richey Assertiveness Inventory was used to assess assertiveness. Factor analysis of the inventory identified five assertiveness factors of substance awareness, mastery of cognitive skills, individual rights, dating, and social skills. Significant gender differences were observed. Multiple regression analysis showed that substance awareness was negatively associated with alcohol use while dating, social skills, and individual rights factors were positively associated with alcohol use. Acculturation with peers was also a significant predictor of alcohol use or abuse. The findings provide a basis for design of alcohol prevention programs that specifically focus on Hispanic youth.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Correlates and predictors of smoking among black adolescents.

Little is known about the etiology of cigarette smoking among minority populations. This study examines the correlates and predictors of smoking among inner-city black seventh graders (N = 608). Enhanced self-reports of cigarette smoking were collected along with data concerning demographic, social, and psychological factors hypothesized to promote smoking initiation. Results indicate that social environmental factors, such as the smoking status of friends and siblings, and individual factors, such as refusal assertiveness, general assertiveness, and age are predictive of current smoking. Similarly, the smoking status of friends, attitudes concerning the harmful effects of smoking, and low self-esteem concerning schools are predictive of behavioral intention to smoke in the future. Overall, the factors that were the most salient predictors of smoking for the black adolescents in this study are generally congruent with the existing literature for other populations.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

The false consensus effect: predicting adolescents' tobacco use from normative expectations.

A longitudinal sample of 916 adolescents was examined to assess the extent to which the perceived smoking prevalence of adults' or peers' smoking was related to cigarette smoking. Questionnaires were distributed to junior high school students in Grade 7 and again in Grade 9. Prevalence of perceived peers' smoking and prevalence of perceived adults' smoking were significantly related to cigarette smoking both cross-sectionally and longitudinally. Adolescents who believed that half or more than half of all adults or peers smoked cigarettes showed the most smoking involvement, and those who believed that fewer than half of adults or peers smoked were least involved. These findings provide further evidence that adolescent normative expectations about cigarette smoking are an important determinant of smoking initiation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Idiopathic scoliosis and asymmetry of form and function.

This report investigates dimensions of hand and foot preference in 159 girls with idiopathic scoliosis diagnosed after the age of 8 years, 1,522 girls with clinically straight spines, and 132 with minor truncal asymmetry. It was found that, although there was no significant difference in hand or foot preference for individual items between scoliotic groups and controls, there was a statistically significant tendency for children with any degree of asymmetry to show uniform lateralization in the sense of consistency of side preference. Another, smaller group showed a tendency for scoliosis to be associated with clearly visible facial asymmetry, which itself correlated with handedness. It was concluded that theories of scoliosis need to include the frequently ignored minor observations, such as the well-known fact of lateralization of the curve, if they are to describe the condition completely. Because the asymmetry of cerebral lateralization is known to be genetically determined and because it is thought to result in other skeletal asymmetries, such as skull and limb inequality, it seemed reasonable to investigate the primary cause of that gross asymmetry, idiopathic scoliosis.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Smoking behavior of adolescents exposed to cigarette advertising.

The purpose of the study was to explore the relationship between the exposure of adolescents in the seventh and eighth grades to cigarette advertising and their being smokers. A survey questionnaire given to 602 adolescents assessed their exposure to cigarette advertising and provided measures of their smoking behavior, demographic characteristics, and some psychosocial variables. The results indicated that exposure to cigarette advertising and having friends who smoked were predictive of current smoking status. Adolescents with high exposure to cigarette advertising were significantly more likely to be smokers, according to several measures of smoking behavior, than were those with low exposure to cigarette advertising. The findings extend previous research identifying factors that may play a role in the initiation and maintenance of smoking among adolescents.

Adolescent↗