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Biomedical subjects

D Ciraulo

Publications and source records attributed to D Ciraulo.

6 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

Personality, family history, and alcohol use among older men: the VA Normative Aging Study.

BACKGROUND: We examined personality traits (Sociability, Impulsivity, Neuroticism) as mediators of the effects of family history on alcohol outcomes. METHODS: A sample of 485 men reported on family history of alcohol problems in 1973, completed the Eysenck Personality Inventory in 1976, and responded to a survey on alcohol use in 1982. RESULTS: Using structural equation modeling, family history was found to have direct effects on number of drinks per day and on the number of alcohol problems, as well as indirect effects mediated through Neuroticism. There were no effects of Sociability or Impulsivity on either alcohol outcome. CONCLUSIONS: In this sample of older men, family history had both direct and indirect effects, and personality traits found to affect alcohol outcomes were different from those that have been found in younger men.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Trauma 24-hour observation critical path.

BACKGROUND: The 24-hour observation critical pathway for trauma is a clinical tool developed to expedite health care delivery to minimally injured patients. The use of patient care, BS, guidelines and physician-approved standing orders was implemented in a Level I trauma center. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed of 122 patients admitted via the emergency department between December 1, 1993, and May 31, 1994. All patients were evaluated in the emergency department by emergency medicine and trauma physicians and deemed appropriate for 24-hour observation. The information collected included patient demographics, hospital charges, injuries, length of stay, diagnostic tests, consultations, and variances from the critical pathway. RESULTS: During the 6-month study period, there were 600 trauma admissions. Of those admissions, 122 patients (20%) were evaluated in the emergency department and deemed appropriate for enrollment in the 24-hour observation pathway. The charts of these patients were reviewed. Fourteen admissions were determined inappropriate for the critical pathway because of the severity of injuries or discharge against medical advice. One hundred eight charts were evaluated further. Eighty-nine patients (80%) completed the critical pathway with a length of stay of 24 hours. CONCLUSION: The 24-hour observation critical pathway was designed and used appropriately as exemplified by an overall 80% completion rate. The critical pathway offers a mechanism to streamline care of the minimally injured trauma patient. It also serves as a quality-improvement tool for increasing efficiency, decreasing utilization of resources, and decreasing length of stay.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

A placebo-controlled trial of trihexyphenidyl in unmedicated patients with schizophrenia.

Seventeen patients with schizophrenia who had been free of medication for at least 2 months entered a placebo-controlled, random-order crossover trial of 5 mg of trihexyphenidyl twice daily for 4 weeks. Ten patients completed trials of both drug and placebo. Ratings of anticholinergic symptoms and of feeling the effects of the drug, controlled for order effects, were significantly higher at week 4 of the trihexyphenidyl trial than at week 4 of the placebo trial. Measures of psychosis, negative symptoms, depression, and liking the drug did not differ between trihexyphenidyl and placebo trials.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Alcoholism and mortality kinetics.

Gompertz plots of age-specific mortality rates versus age were compared in alcoholics and the general population. Alcoholism had a dual effect, apparently increasing vulnerability to death while slowing the aging rate (longevity is a two-dimensional function). It was hypothesized that the apparent slowing of the aging rate was an artifact, resulting from population heterogeneity in vulnerability. It is recommended that in future studies, attempts be made to categorize alcoholic subjects with respect to alcoholic habit. Longitudinal studies would also be useful.

Adult↗