Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

E Allander

Publications and source records attributed to E Allander.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1976

Do you die from rheumatism? The five-year mortality in a middle-aged population sample with respect to reported joint symptoms.

With special reference to reported joint symptoms, the five-year mortality was studied of a population sample of 3394 persons, 56-60 years old in 1965. An age- and sex-matched comparison was made between the mortality of the total population of the same age-group, and the sample investigated. A significant excess mortality was found for males reporting previous hospital admission for "rheumatoid arthritis". In this group, however, only 28% really had rheumatoid arthritis according to generally used criteria. The other diseases were mainly previous rheumatic fever and degenerative joint disease. It is concluded that males are harder hit by degenerative joint disease than females. The sample investigated had a lower mortality than the population from which it was sampled. The comparability of a fixed sample and a mean population found in official statistics is discussed. The non-response group was estimated to have a considerable excess mortality.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗
PubMed1976

The layman's medical vocabulary. A study of illness definitions and perceived need for medical care.

A knowledge of the layman's illness concepts is of value both for diagnosis and therapy in the practical application of the medical services. It is also valuable for the estimation of morbidity and of the need for medical assistance. The present article describes an investigation intended to throw light on the import of ten different illness concepts and on the implications these may have for the utilization of the medical services. The study is based on interviews with 100 middle-aged women. Most of the respondents considered that an illness may have many causes--a multifactorial aetiology. Great differences between the illnesses were noted with respect to the opinions as to whether examination by a doctor was necessary for diagnosis. The interpretations as to whether an illness needed treatment--medical attention, medicine, hospital care--seemed however to be more closely related to its duration than to its nature. A long duration was regarded by a surprisingly large number as a sign that hospitalization was required--even in the case of a common cold! Only 8% considered obesity 'serious'. As regards the choice of illness alternatives, earlier experience of illness influenced this only in the case of 'shortness of breath' and 'nervous symptoms'. Social class was not found to affect the type of answer.

Adult↗
PubMed1975

Varicose ulcers.

The results of a combined dermatological and surgical treatment of varicose ulcers was studied in 100 patients. This chronic disease, often persisting for decades, was halted in 90 percent of leg operated upon. Even when the general outcome of the treatment was favourable, it was found that, for 5 out of the 12 ulcers which were the same or larger in size at follow-up than before operation, the patient assessed the result as good or even excellent. This finding deserves further study. It indicates that patients and physicians sometimes use different standards by which to measure therapeutic success.

Aged↗
PubMed1975

Screening--an efficient tool in outpatient endocrine care. Studies of the diagnostic process.

A screening procedure based on physical examination alone was used in the outpatient unit of a department of endocrinology and metabolism. The effectiveness, efficiency, and volume of this diagnostic process were evaluated by a study of the case records and a mail questionnaire. In 1968, 296 subjects were examined by this screening procedure; 103 of these could immediately be referred back. The percentage of confident endocrine diagnoses increased from 31 to 39%. The corresponding figure for the group of subjects immediately referred back was 100%. A considerable change in the diagnoses was also recorded. The use of the screening procedure saved approximately ately +30,000. It is concluded that diagnostic screening by an experienced endocrinologist is inexpensive, efficient and safe. The use of the screening procedure made it possible to offer highly specialized medical treatment to more people.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1975

The diagnostic process in outpatient endocrine care with special reference to screening. Further study of diagnostic patterns, their changes, total and diagnosis-specific resource consumption.

A screening procedure based on physical examination alone was used in the outpatient unit of a department of endocrinology and metabolism. The volume effectiveness and efficiency of this diagnostic process was evaluated by studying the case-records and by mail questionnaire. The case-records of 296 patients admitted to the clinic during 1968 were analyzed. It was found that 103 of these patients were immediately referred back after a brief physical examination only. The pattern of diagnosis, its changes during the screening procedure, and the outpatient-investigation were also studied. 50% of the patients subjected to outpatient-investigation ended up with a new diagnosis. It was also possible to construct a diagnosis-specific cost estimate for outpatient-investigation, starting from a non-confident and arriving at a confident diagnosis. The distribution of these costs was very skew. The cost for the physician performing the screening was estimated to represent only 2.6% of the costs saved by the introduction of the screening.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1975

Rheumatic fever and Yersinia arthritis. Criteria and diagnostic problems in a changing disease pattern.

A study of rheumatic fever (RF) in Finland and Sweden was carried out by examining (a) the patients with RF in two hospitals in Helsinki, Finland during the years 1969-72, (b) the case reports of RF patients in Uppsals hospital region (UHR) in Sweden during the years 1968-69. In Helsinki there were 22 and 2n UHR 16 patients with an acceptably certain diagnosis of RF. Of the five "major manifestations" according to Jones' revised criteria (Circulation, 32: 664, 1965), carditis and polyarthritis were the most valuable diagnostic criteria, whereas only 8 cases of the whole material had erythema marginatum. The two remaining criteria, chorea and subcutaneous nodules, have lost their diagnostic value, since they are extremely rare nowadays. The diagnosis of RF was substantially influenced by arthritis associated with Yersinia enterocolitica infection. Some of the patients with YA met completely the Jones revised criteria for the diagnosis of RF. The symptomatology of Yersinia arthritis (YA) and that of RF are similar in some cases it is impossible to separate then even on the basis of serological tests. Diagnostic criteria should therefore be viewed against the geographical distribution of the disease. In addition to the required Jones' criteria, we concluded that at least in Sweden and Finland, in order to be categorized under RF, a patient must demonstrate clinical and serological evidence of acute streptococcal infection and, furthermore, Yersinia infection must be excluded.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1975

Need, demand, and supply of medical care in a population sample of rheumatoid arthritis.

Estimates of medical need in persons with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are rarely based on data from population surveys. In a population survey of RA in Stockholm City, 293 RA sufferers were identified in four random samples of four age-groups in the adult population, age-range 31-74 years. The influence of age, sex, and severity of disease on the number of pervious hospital admissions was slight, indicating that diagnosis, rather than rehabilitation, is the impetus to hospital admission. Hospital patient inventories might give quite misleading information as to need. Need for hospital admission, out-atient care, reconstructive surgery, ADL-devices, physical therapy, and rehousing were all considered. 17% of the RA group accounted for 48% of the need. Steinbrocker functional classes I and II contributed to 61% of individuals in need of hospital care greatly exceeded those previously having enjoyed such care and possible availabel resources. Estimates of need for outpatient care for joint disease exceeded provided treatment by only 1.7 times. It is concluded that the psychological distance between doctor's decision to choose inpatient or outpatient treatment in the case of RA is generally fairly short. Figures are given for estimates of need based on a population of 100 000 with known age and sex distribution and prevalence of disease.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1975

A population study of rheumatoid factor in Iceland. A 5-year follow-up of 50 women with rheumatoid factor (RF).

The subject of this paper is a 5-year follow-up of 50 women found with Rose-Waaler Titre greater than or equal 1 : 10 or with a Acryl Fixation Titre greater than or equal 1 : 10 in a general health survey conducted in the Reykjavik area in 1968-1969. The average annual incidence of RA was 2.3 percent. Of four women who died during the follow-up period, three were amongst those with the highest titres. Two of the decreased had cancer mammae and one had lung cancer. Changes in RF-titres and New York Criteria are also discussed. It is suggested that RF-positives could be divided in three different riskgroups.

Adult↗