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C P Pollak

Publications and source records attributed to C P Pollak.

48 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Theoretical and technical problems in the measurement of nocturnal penile tumescence for the differential diagnosis of impotence.

Theoretical and technical problems in using Nocturnal Penile Tumescence (NPT) measurements for the differential diagnosis of impotence are discussed and possible solutions are offered: 1) The basic assumption that NPT measurements can distinguish psychogenic from organic impotence has never been demonstrated in patients shown to be psychogenically and organically impotent independent of the NPT measurements themselves. Studies attempting to do this are necessary to determine definitively the limits of the clinical applicability of this important diagnostic tool. 2) Evidence is presented showing that though a direct observation of one of the patient's fullest erections is required for an adequate NPT evaluation, this is not always done. The danger of misdiagnosis if this step is omitted is illustrated with a case report. 3) Disagreements in the literature about NPT criteria for diagnosing psychogenic impotence are discussed and criteria are suggested that are based on demonstrating the intactness of the physiological mechanisms required for erection rather than on values recorded in normal subjects.

Anthropometry↗

Long-term ambulatory temperature monitoring in a subject with a hypernychthemeral sleep--wake cycle disturbance.

A portable temperature data logger was used for prolonged rectal temperature monitoring in an ambulatory subject with a longer than 24 hr (hypernychthemeral) sleep-wake cycle. The mean period of the sleep-wake and circadian temperature cycles was 24.8 hr. However, the period of the sleep-wake cycle fluctuated considerably, being less than 24.8 hr when he slept during the socially desirable sleep hours and more than 24.8 hr when he slept during the day. In the first instance, the daily temperature fall occurred later than, and in the second earlier than, sleep onset. During the times of desynchronization of the two cycles, he complained of insomnia, fatigue, and reduced performance. We postulate that his hypernychthemeral cycles were the result of either a primary defect in the mechanism of entrainment or "weakened" social zeitgebers due to a personality disorder. These concepts are supported by a sleep-wake pattern resembling that of relative coordination. We therefore raise the possibility that 24 hr was beyond the range of entrainment of the subject's circadian temperature cycle during the study.

Adult↗

Fibro-optic study of pharyngeal airway during sleep in patients with hypersomnia obstructive sleep-apnea syndrome.

Pharyngeal airway during sleep was observed with help of Fibro-optic flexible bronchoscope and cineradiography in 10 adult patients with Hypersomnia Sleep-Apnea (HSA) syndrome. The results of the study suggest that the structures involved in production of airway obstruction in the patients with HSA syndrome are the muscles of velopharyngeal sphincter and tongue. The laryngeal airway was not obstructed during the episodes of apnea.

Adult↗

Hypoventilation during sleep in children who have lymphoid airway obstruction treated by nasopharyngeal tube and T and A.

Three children with sleep apnea, alveolar hypoventilation, apparent mental retardation, and poor growth associated with chronically enlarged tonsils and adenoids were treated with the use of a nasopharyngeal tube followed by tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy. The effectiveness of this therapy was documented by polygraphic recording of sleep stages and respirations, and by correlation with serial arterial blood gases and pH. The nasopharyngeal tube was well tolerated, easy to use, and effective in diagnosis and treatment. We suggest that its use be further evaluated in patients with obstructive apnea.

Adenoidectomy↗

Lack of residual sedation following middle-of-the-night zaleplon administration in sleep maintenance insomnia.

The present randomized, double-blind, placebo and active-drug controlled, crossover study assessed residual sedation after zaleplon 10 mg, flurazepam 30 mg (as an active control), and placebo, taken during a nocturnal awakening in patients with sleep maintenance insomnia. Twenty-two healthy sleep maintenance insomniacs (11 men; mean age, 42 y) received zaleplon, flurazepam, or placebo after an experimental awakening 3.5 hours after bedtime on two consecutive nights in each of three conditions. Residual sedation was measured with sleep latency testing (5 and 6.5 h postdrug), digit symbol substitution, symbol copying, and subjective sleepiness by visual analog scale, each twice each morning. Zaleplon did not differ from placebo on any measure of residual sedation; flurazepam showed significant sedation on all measures. No residual sedative effects were detected 5 or 6.5 hours after ingestion of zaleplon during the middle of the night by sleep maintenance insomniacs.

Acetamides↗

Sleep problems and institutionalization of the elderly.

This study examined the role of sleep problems in the decisions of families to institutionalize elderly relatives. Previous work on institutionalization of the elderly has given little attention to the contribution of nocturnal, sleep-related problems. Seventy-three primary caregivers of elders recently admitted to a nursing home or psychiatric hospital were asked to identify the problems the elder was having during the night and day and rate the degree to which these influenced their decision to institutionalize the elder. Seventy percent of the caregivers in each sample cited nocturnal problems in their decision to institutionalize, often because their own sleep was disrupted. The most frequent disruptive nocturnal events were micturition, pain, and complaints of sleeplessness. Sleep problems of the elderly contribute heavily to the decision to institutionalize an elder and thus to the social and economic cost of institutional care. They appear to do this largely by interfering with the sleep of caregivers. The nature, prevalence, and treatability of the sleeping problems of both elders and their caregivers need further study.

Activities of Daily Living↗

Human growth hormone release is decreased during sleep in temporal isolation (free-running).

Growth hormone (hGH) secretion was measured during sleep in 10 healthy male subjects isolated from all time cues. HGH concentrations following sleep onset were compared between scheduled sleep episodes (entrainment) and self-selected sleep episodes (free-running). Peak sleep-related hGH values were decreased significantly during free-running. The duration of the first slow wave sleep (SWS) episode and the latency to the first REM sleep episode also decreased significantly during free-running. The latencies from sleep onset to SWS and to peak hGH secretion did not differ between entrainment and free-running. These results suggest that sleep-related hGH secretion begins 'on time' during free-running, but is terminated earlier. Thus, while sleep onset facilitates hGH release, the timing of other stages of sleep such as REM may alter the magnitude of sleep-related hGH secretion.

Adult↗

The differential diagnosis of impotence. The measurement of nocturnal penile tumescence.

The literature on nocturnal penile tumescence (NPT) and impotence is briefly reviewed. Available evidence suggests that measurement of NPT provides objective data, which when combined with a thorough clinical evaluation can be helpful in distinguishing psychogenic from organic impotence in approximately 80% of those patients who present this differential diagnostic problem. Further research is needed to determine whether some psychogenically impotent patients may have impaired NPT. The interdisciplinary evaluation employed at our center is described, and clinical material illustrating the usefulness of this technique is presented. The potential errors that can result from the use of portable NPT monitoring devices are discussed.

Adult↗