Biomedical subjects

C L Arfken

Publications and source records attributed to C L Arfken.

38 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

PubMedDate not supplied

Major decrements in glycated hemoglobin levels between 1978 and 1989 in patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

The Diabetes Control and Complications Trial has shown that intensive treatment can deter the development and progression of diabetic complications. Integral to intensive treatment is improved glycemic control. To describe the trend in glycemic control for subjects with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, we examined the medical records of 662 subjects seen between 1978 and 1989 at the Model Demonstration Unit of the Diabetes Research and Training Center (Washington University School of Medicine). Mean value of glycated hemoglobin showed steady decline from a peak of 11.5% in 1979 to 9.0% in 1989. This decline was observed both in subjects evaluated only once (annual rate of decline estimated from linear regression, -0.17 +/1 0.03; p = 0.0001) and in subjects evaluated more than once (annual rate of decline estimated from growth curves, -0.18 +/- 0.06; p = 0.0001). These results suggest that substantial lowering of glycated hemoglobin has occurred during the last decade. This reduction should result in a lowered risk of diabetic complications.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Factors that influence the decision to receive treatment for proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

Educational messages aimed at health professionals have stressed the importance of regular eye examinations for people with diabetes and the value of early treatment. To investigate whether the messages need to be expanded or tailored in a specific way, we asked people with diabetes (N = 37) to describe their reactions to the diagnosis of proliferative diabetic retinopathy and the factors that influenced their decision to seek treatment. The findings reaffirm the importance of the physician's recommendation in pursuing treatment. Furthermore, a constructive response (eg, "knew it had to be taken care of") to the diagnosis was associated with prior knowledge of the consequences of proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Minimal racial and gender differences were observed. White women reported being influenced by the experiences of others, and African Americans reported being influenced by the diabetes educator. These findings emphasize the importance of providing patient education not only following a diagnosis but also in anticipation of probable complications.

Diabetic Retinopathy↗