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Biomedical subjects

D Churchill

Publications and source records attributed to D Churchill.

63 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Toxic nephropathy after low-dose methoxyflurane anesthesia: drug interaction with secobarbital?

Vasopressin-resistant nonoliguric renal insufficiency developed in a 57-year-old man after 2 1/2 hours of low-dose methoxyflurane anesthesia. Secobarbital, 100 mg daily, had been taken for 1 month before. Of 13 patients in whom the influence of methoxyflurane on renal function was being studied, he was the only one to have taken a drug that induces microsomal enzymes. Blood values of methoxyflurane in this patient were lower than group means on all five occasions during anesthesia. Postoperatively his serum inorganic fluoride value reached 114 mumol/l -- more than two standard deviations greater than the group mean. Peak values for serum urea nitrogen, creatinine and uric acid and postvasopressin urine osmolality, and the lowest creatinine clearance in this patient also differed by more than 2 SD from the group mean, and the peak amount of oxalate excreted in his urine was double the group mean. Pretreatment with the barbiturate appears to have altered methoxyflurane metabolism and led to toxic concentrations of metabolites in the blood.

Drug Interactions↗

Solitary intrarenal cyst: correctable cause of hypertension.

A patient with hypertension was found to have a solitary renal cyst in his right kidney. Peripheral plasma renin activity was elevated following furosemide challenge, and there was increased renal vein renin activity on the affected side with suppression of renin secretion from the contralateral kidney. Percutaneous aspiration of the cyst and injection of a sclerosing contrast medium was associated with a sustained decrease in blood pressure.

Contrast Media↗

Consultation patterns and provision of contraception in general practice before teenage pregnancy: case-control study.

OBJECTIVES: To determine patterns of consultation in general practice and provision of contraception before teenage pregnancy. DESIGN: Case-control study, with retrospective analysis of case notes. SETTING: 14 general practices in Trent region. SUBJECTS: 240 registered patients (cases) with a recorded conception before the age of 20. Three controls per case were matched by age and practice. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Consultations in general practice and provision of contraception in the 12 months before conception and recorded provision of contraception at any time before conception. RESULTS: Overall, 223 cases (93%) had consulted a health professional at least once in the year before conception, 171 (71%) had discussed contraception in this time, and 121 (50%) had been prescribed oral contraception. Cases were more likely to have consulted in the year before conception than controls (odds ratio 2. 70, 95% confidence interval 1.56 to 4.66). Most of the difference was owing to consultation for contraception. Overall, 53 cases (22%) resulted in a termination of pregnancy. Cases whose pregnancy ended in a termination were more likely to have received emergency contraception than either their controls (3.21, 1.32 to 7.79) or cases resulting in other outcomes (3.01, 1.06 to 8.51). CONCLUSIONS: Most teenagers who became pregnant attended general practice in the year before pregnancy, and many had sought contraceptive advice. The reluctance of teenagers to attend general practice for contraception may be less than previously supposed. The association between provision of emergency contraception and pregnancy ending in termination emphasises the need for continuing follow up of teenagers consulting for this form of contraception.

Adolescent↗

IgA nephropathy and pulmonary hemorrhage in an adult.

IgA nephropathy is the most common glomerular disease worldwide, but is generally renal limited or associated with a rash. Pulmonary hemorrhage has been very uncommonly associated with IgA nephropathy, although it is frequently seen in other glomerulonephritides. We describe a well-proven case of IgA nephropathy associated with pulmonary hemorrhage, in which immunosuppressive medication was administered. We also review the literature to make a case for immunosuppression in these rare patients.

Adult↗

Do clinicians prescribe HRT for hypertensive postmenopausal women?

Despite the benefits of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in relieving menopausal symptoms, there continues to be anxiety about its use in women who also have hypertension. To examine clinical practice in relation to HRT, especially in patients with hypertension, and to canvass opinions on potential or perceived side-effects, the authors conducted a postal survey of HRT prescribing habits among 285 GPs, physicians and obstetricians in the West Midlands. The overall response rate to the questionnaire was 191 (66.3%): 61 clinicians reported that they would not prescribe HRT in women whose hypertension was difficult to control, but only 3 would withhold treatment if blood pressure was well controlled; 9% of physicians and 13% of gynaecologists did not routinely measure blood pressure before starting HRT or monitor BP at follow-up (24% and 10% respectively). A proportion of GPs (20%), physicians (21%) and gynaecologists (9%) reported that in their opinion HRT raised blood pressure, and a minority in each group considered that HRT increased the risk of venous thrombosis, stroke and myocardial infarction. This study demonstrates differences among GPs, physicians and gynaecologists in the use of HRT in menopausal women with hypertension, the authors suggest that, in view of data from studies of the effects of HRT on blood pressure and the possible reduction of cardiovascular disease, these clinicians can be reassured and hypertensive women need not be denied the benefits of HRT, as long as there is careful monitoring.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗