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Biomedical subjects

D Burrows

Publications and source records attributed to D Burrows.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Contact allergy to gold sodium thiosulfate.

278 consecutive patients with suspected contact dermatitis were patch tested with the European standard series and gold sodium thiosulfate (0.5% pet.): 13 patients (4.6%) had a positive allergic response to gold sodium thiosulfate (GST). All of these patients were female, with a mean age of 37 years. The most frequent site of eczema in these patients was the head and neck (62%). A seborrhoeic distribution of eczema was common. 46% had involvement of the limbs, 15% had a perianal or perivulval rash. The mean duration of eczema in this group of patients was 15.8 months. 54% of patients allergic to gold were also allergic to nickel. Biopsy of positive patch test reactions to GST were consistent with allergic contact dermatitis.

Adult

Patch testing with fragrances: results of a multicenter study of the European Environmental and Contact Dermatitis Research Group with 48 frequently used constituents of perfumes.

The objective of this study was to determine the frequency of reactivity to a series of commonly used fragrances in dermatological patients. A total of 48 fragrances (FF) were chosen, based on the publication of Fenn in 1989 in which the top 25 constituents of 3 types (1. perfumes, 2. household products, 3. soaps) of 400 commercial products on the US market had been determined. In a pilot study on a total of 1069 patients in 11 centres, the appropriate test concentration and vehicle were examined. For most fragrances, 1% and 5% were chosen, and petrolatum proved to be the best vehicle in comparison to isopropyl myristate and diethyl phthalate. In the main study, a set of 5 to 10 fragrances at 2 concentrations was patch tested in each centre on a minimum of 100 consecutive patients seen in the patch test clinic. These patients were also patch tested to a standard series with the 8% fragrance mix (FM) and its 8 constituents. In patients with a positive reaction to any of the 48 FF, a careful history with regard to past or present reactions to perfumed products was taken. A total of 1323 patients were tested in 11 centres. The 8% FM was positive in 89 patients (8.3% of 1072 patients). Allergic reactions to the constituents were most frequent to oak moss (24), isoeugenol (20), eugenol (13), cinnamic aldehyde (10) and geraniol (8). Reactions read as allergic on day 3/4 were observed only 10X to 7 materials of the new series (Iso E Super (2), Lyral (3), Cyclacet (1), DMBCA (1), Vertofix (1), citronellol (1) and amyl salicylate (1)). The remaining 41 fragrances were negative. 28 irritant or doubtful reactions on day 3/4 were observed to a total of 19 FF materials (more than 1 reaction: 5% citronellol (2), 1% amyl salicylate (2), 1% isononyl acetate (3), 0.1% musk xylol (2), 1% citral (2), and 1% ionone beta (2)). Clinical relevance of positive reactions to any of the FF series was not proved in a single case. This included the 4 reactions in patients who were negative to the 8% FM. In conclusion, the top 25 fragrances commonly found in various products caused few reactions in dermatological patients and these few appeared to be clinically irrelevant, with the possible exception of Lyral. However, this data should be interpreted in the light of the relatively small number of patients tested (only 100 in most centres).

Acrolein

Spread the word and reach a wider audience. Writing for publication.

1. The advancement of nursing depends on sharing ideas through submitting articles for publication. 2. Nurses are often reluctant to write up their ideas for publication. 3. A review of the literature is essential in understanding the principles of writing for publication. 4. A system of peer review should be developed in the workplace to encourage and support nurses in the publication process.

Diffusion of Innovation

The influence of the probability of survival on patients' preferences regarding cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

BACKGROUND: Studies suggest that a majority of elderly patients would want to undergo cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) if they had a cardiac arrest. Yet few studies have examined their preferences after clinicians have informed them about the outcomes of CPR. METHODS: To study older patients' preferences regarding CPR, we interviewed as many ambulatory patients as possible in one geriatrics practice in Denver from August 1, 1991, through July 31, 1992. RESULTS: A total of 371 patients at least 60 years of age were eligible; 287 completed the interview (mean age, 77 years; range, 60 to 99). When asked about their wishes if they had cardiac arrest during an acute illness, 41 percent opted for CPR before learning the probability of survival to discharge. After learning the probability of survival (10 to 17 percent), 22 percent opted for CPR. Only 6 percent of patients 86 years of age or older opted for CPR under these conditions. When asked about a chronic illness in which the life expectancy was less than one year, 11 percent of the 287 patients opted for CPR before learning the probability of survival to discharge. After learning the probability of survival (0 to 5 percent), 5 percent said they would want CPR. CONCLUSIONS: Older patients readily understand prognostic information, which influences their preferences with respect to CPR. Most do not want to undergo CPR once a clinician explains the probability of survival after the procedure.

Advance Directives

The value of a baseline liver biopsy prior to methotrexate treatment.

Two patients with severe disabling psoriasis were treated with methotrexate (MTX). As a short course of treatment was envisaged, a pretreatment liver biopsy was not performed. Although both patients developed similarly abnormal levels of hepatic enzymes after low cumulative doses of MTX (440 and 450 mg), subsequent liver biopsies revealed contrasting findings. In one patient the histological features were normal. However, in the second, there was hepatic fibrosis, and the absence of a pretreatment biopsy led to problems with interpretation of these histological findings. As a liver biopsy is by far the most reliable method of detecting liver disease, we suggest that it is still of value to include a baseline liver biopsy in the pretreatment assessment of patients even when only a short course of MTX is planned.

Adult

Leucopenia, thrombocytopenia and lymphadenopathy associated with sulphasalazine.

We report a 19-year-old woman with psoriasis who developed a severe allergic reaction within 1 week of commencement of sulphasalazine; her skin becoming erythrodermic with associated lymphadenopathy, leucopenia and thrombocytopenia. Clinical signs and haematological abnormalities rapidly returned to normal on discontinuation of sulphasalazine. It is important to monitor carefully haematological indices in the early stages of treatment with this drug.

Adult

Allergic contact dermatitis from the synthetic fragrances Lyral and acetyl cedrene in separate underarm deodorant preparations.

The case is reported of a 28-year-old man who developed allergic contact dermatitis from 2 synthetic fragrance ingredients, Lyral (3- and 4-(4-hydroxy-4-methylpentyl)-3-cyclohexene-1-aldehyde) and acetyl cedrene, in separate underarm deodorant preparations. The implications of the patient's negative patch test reactions to the European standard series (Trolab) and cosmetics and fragrance series (both Chemotechnique Diagnostics) are discussed. The importance is stressed of patch testing with the patient's own preparations when cosmetic dermatitis is suspected, and of identifying and reporting offending fragrance ingredients, with a view possibly to updating the European standard series and commercially available cosmetics and fragrance series.

Adult

An audit of dermatology in a paediatric accident and emergency department.

Two studies were undertaken of patients with dermatological disorders who attended the Accident and Emergency (A&E) Department of the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children during 1990-1991. The aims were to review diagnostic accuracy and assess the benefits of an open-access consultant dermatology clinic. A retrospective survey of 14,340 new attendances at the A&E department over a 7-month period found that 540 of these (4%) had a primary dermatological disorder. In 26% no diagnosis had been made although only 10% were referred for a specialist opinion. A 2-month prospective study of patients who attended the department and were referred to a consultant dermatology open-access clinic revealed overall diagnostic accuracy of 66% (+/- 2 SEM). Individual rates of diagnostic concordance between junior doctor and consultant were 59% for skin infections and 77% for papulosquamous disorders. The open-access clinic allowed prompt referral for correct diagnosis and initiation of appropriate management.

Adolescent

Pigmentation of Peutz-Jeghers syndrome occurring in psoriatic plaques.

We report a patient with late-onset mucocutaneous pigmentation characteristic of Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, who also developed hyperpigmented macules within pre-existing psoriatic plaques. This has rarely been reported. Macular pigmentation of the forehead and dorsum of the fingers was also a prominent feature. It is important to consider other causes of mucocutaneous pigmentation including Addison's disease, the Laugier-Hunziker syndrome, chemotherapeutic agents and HIV disease.

Aged

Laryngo-onycho-cutaneous syndrome associated with familial benign hypercalcemia.

A Pakistani boy had chronic ulceration of the cheeks, generalized nail dystrophy, ulceration and hypergranulation of the nail beds, conjunctiva, and vocal cords, and dental enamel hypoplasia. These features are consistent with laryngo-onycho-cutaneous (LOCS) syndrome or Laryngeal and Ocular Granulation tissue in children from the Indian subContinent (LOGIC) syndrome. Both he and his elder brother had elevated levels of serum calcium consistent with familial benign hypercalcemia. Laryngo-onycho-cutaneous syndrome is a newly recognized condition and its association with familial benign hypercalcemia has not been previously reported.

Child, Preschool

Erythrodermic psoriasis. Report of a case associated with symptomatic hypophosphataemia.

We describe a patient with a long history of psoriasis who developed severe erythrodermic psoriasis associated with lethargy, muscular weakness and collapse. Serum biochemical screening at the time revealed severe hypophosphataemia, and when this was corrected by intravenous phosphate replacement her symptoms resolved and her psoriasis improved. Hypophosphataemia may therefore be another metabolic complication of erythrodermic psoriasis.

Dermatitis, Exfoliative

Allergic reactions to a hairdressers' series: results from 9 European centres. The European Environmental and Contact Dermatitis Research Group (EECDRG).

To obtain data on the frequency of sensitization among European hairdressers, the patch test results from 9 centres were evaluated. 8 allergens recommended by the ICDRG and EECDRG in the hairdressing series and PPD from the standard series were used to patch test 809 hairdressers and 104 clients suspected of contact sensitization. Among hairdressers, the mean frequencies of sensitization ranked as follows: GMT 19%, PPD 15%, APS 8%, PTD 8%, ONPPD 4% and PADH 4%. In contrast to GMT in acid permanent waves, the frequency of sensitization to AMT in alkaline permanent waves was only 4%. Frequencies of sensitization to pyrogallol and resorcinol were 0.8% and 0.6%, respectively. The frequencies of sensitization showed marked regional variations, particularly that to GMT, which was highest in Germany (51%), followed by Spain (22%) and London (19%). Clients of hairdressers showed a similar rank order of sensitization frequency, with the exception of APS, which was completely negative in this (small) series.

Beauty Culture