Biomedical subjects

D E Nelson

Publications and source records attributed to D E Nelson.

95 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

PubMedDate not supplied

Cigarette smoking and self-reported health problems among U.S. high school seniors, 1982-1989.

PURPOSE: To estimate the independent effect of cigarette smoking on respiratory tract symptoms and health status indicators among high school seniors. DESIGN: Consolidated data sets from one-time cross-sectional survey designs. SETTING: High schools in the United States, 1982-1989. SAMPLE: A total of 26,504 high school seniors, with an 83% response rate. MEASURES: Odds ratios for respiratory tract symptoms and health status indicators for cigarette smokers compared with nonsmokers, while controlling for sex, socioeconomic status, and use of other drugs. RESULTS: High school seniors who were regular cigarette smokers and who began smoking by grade nine were significantly more likely than never smokers to report shortness of breath when not exercising (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 2.7), coughing spells (OR = 2.1), productive cough (OR = 2.4), and wheezing or gasping (OR = 2.6). These smokers were also more likely to have seen a doctor or other health professional for an emotional or psychologic complaint (OR = 3.0) and to rate their overall health as poorer than average (OR = 2.4). We found strong dose-response relationships for most outcome measures. CONCLUSIONS: Cigarette smoking among high school seniors is associated with respiratory tract symptoms and poorer overall physical health and may be a marker for underlying mental health problems. Smoking prevention activities directed at adolescents should include information on the early adverse health consequences of cigarette smoking.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Current considerations in the use of the APTT in monitoring unfractionated heparin.

This paper focuses on laboratory monitoring of unfractionated heparin by use of the activated partial thromboplastin time. The reader is directed to a remarkably useful document that includes current recommendations for laboratory monitoring of anticoagulation therapy, and was produced in the wake of the XXXI Conference of College of American Pathologists in 1997. The authors' recommendations were based on reviews of current medical literature as well as the consensus of the opinions of recognized experts on the subject of anticoagulation. Points of contention, still seeking resolution, were also expressed. At this date, it is probably the most complete and objective review of current laboratory assessment of anticoagulation available.

Anticoagulants↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The association between veteran status and cigarette-smoking behaviors.

Although the prevalence of smoking has decreased since 1980 among active duty military personnel, it remains higher than among the adult civilian population; among military veterans, the prevalence of smoking has not been well described. The objectives of this study were to describe patterns of cigarette smoking behaviors among United States veterans and nonveterans and to examine the association between military veteran status and cigarette smoking. We analyzed data from a cross-sectional survey from a national probability sample of the civilian, noninstitutionalized adult population (National Health Interview Survey supplements). We estimated the prevalence of ever, current, and former smoking, as well as crude and adjusted odds ratios (AORs) of each outcome measure among veterans and nonveterans, by gender. The prevalence of ever smoking was 74.2% (+/- 0.7%) among veterans and 48.4% (+/- 0.5%) among nonveterans; current smoking prevalence was 33.9% (+/- 1.0%) among veterans and 27.7% (+/- 0.5%) among nonveterans. Among those who had not initiated smoking before the age of 18 years, veterans were more likely than nonveterans to report ever smoking (AOR = 1.8 for men and 1.9 for women) and current smoking (AOR = 1.9 for both men and women). After statistical adjustment, no difference was seen in cessation behavior. We concluded that the prevalence of ever and current smoking was higher among U.S. military veterans. The association was the strongest among veterans who had not initiated smoking before the age of 18 years. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that military service is a risk factor for cigarette smoking, and they support the military's current prevention and cessation efforts.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Helmets and horseback riders.

To determine patterns of helmet use and attitudes toward helmets among horseback riders, we analyzed a subset of data (n = 1,834) from a cross-sectional mail survey of horseback riders conducted from July to December 1991. Riders were randomly selected from the mailing list of a national mail-order company that sells horseback-riding equipment. Of 900 English-style riders, 517 (57.5%) wore helmets on their last ride, compared with only 81 of 684 (11.8%) Western-style riders. Among 546 riders who did not own helmets, their most commonly cited reasons included believing that helmets were unnecessary (43.8%) or uncomfortable (29.9%). Of the 1,263 helmet owners, nearly 62% had one or more complaints about helmets, but 41.1% of owners reported that their helmet had prevented at least one head injury. Increasing helmet use will require major educational efforts with horseback riders and design changes by manufacturers.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The extent of cigarette brand and company switching: results from the Adult Use-of-Tobacco Survey.

To evaluate the effects of cigarette advertising on brand switching, an accurate estimate of the extent of cigarette brand and company switching among current smokers is needed. Data from the 1986 Adult Use-of-Tobacco Survey were analyzed to estimate the percentage of adult smokers who switched cigarette brands and companies in the previous year. Approximately 9.2% of adult smokers (4.2 million) switched cigarette brands in 1986, and 6.7% (3.1 million) switched cigarette companies. The aggregate profitability of brand switching in 1986 was approximately $362 million. Based on this analysis, brand switching alone justifies only a small percentage of a cigarette company's advertising and promotion expenditures, suggesting that future research should address other potential effects of advertising, including maintenance of brand loyalty and expanding the cigarette market. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH): addictive behavior, advertising, smoking, tobacco.

Adolescent↗