An introduction to snoring and sleep apnea for dental practitioners.
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Behavior Therapy↗
Biomedical subjects
E Robinson
Publications and source records attributed to E Robinson.
Intervening to reduce weight gain in pregnancy and gestational diabetes mellitus in Cree communities: an evaluation.
BACKGROUND: A high prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus and type 2 diabetes has been observed among the Cree of James Bay, Quebec. To address this problem, a diet and activity intervention during pregnancy, which was based on social learning theory, was initiated in 4 Cree communities. METHODS: A prospective intervention compared dietary, weight and glycemic indicators for 107 control subjects and for 112 women who received the intervention during the course of their pregnancy. A control period in 4 communities (July 1995-March 1996) was followed by an intervention period (April 1996-January 1997) when subjects were offered regular, individual diet counselling, physical activity sessions and other activities related to nutrition. RESULTS: The intervention and control groups did not differ at baseline regarding their mean age (24.3 years [SD 6.29] v. 23.8 years [SD 5.86]), mean prepregnancy weight (81.0 kg [SD 19.46] v. 78.9 kg [SD 17.54]) and mean gestational age at recruitment (17.1 weeks [SD 7.06] v. 18.5 weeks [SD 6.92]). The intervention did not result in differences in diet measured at 24-30 weeks' gestation, rate of weight gain over the second half of pregnancy (0.53 kg per week [SD 0.32] v. 0.53 kg per week [SD 0.27]) or plasma glucose level (50 g oral glucose screen) between 24 and 30 weeks (7.21 mmol/L [SD 2.09] v. 7.43 mmol/L [SD 2.10]). Mean birth weights were similar (3741 g [SD 523] v. 3686 g [SD 686]), as was maternal weight at 6 weeks post partum (88.1 kg [SD 16.8] v. 86.4 kg [SD 19.0]). The only changes in dietary intake were a reduction in caffeine (pregnancy) and an increase in folate (post partum). INTERPRETATION: This intervention had only a minor impact on diet; finding ways of encouraging appropriate body weight and activity levels remains a challenge.
Adult↗
Hospial admission among Pacific children Auckland 1992-97.
AIMS: To describe the reasons for, and rates of, hospital admissions for Pacific children, compared with Maori and 'Other' (non Maori, non Pacific) children in Auckland over the six year period 1992 to 1997. METHOD: Analysis was carried out of the New Zealand National Health Information Service database for Auckland domiciled children to show diagnostic codes and hospital admission rates for 0-14 year old children, using the 1996 Census population as the denominator population. Age standardised rates were calculated using the 'Other' group of children as the standard population. RESULTS: All-cause admission rates were higher among Pacific Children, compared with Maori and 'Other' children. Pacific Children were over-represented in admissions for acute respiratory infections, pneumonia and asthma/chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, compared with both Maori and 'Other' children. CONCLUSION: Pacific children had the highest hospital admission rates, the main reason being preventable respiratory tract conditions. These findings suggest that Pacific children should be a priority group for intervention at various levels. Improvements in socio-economic circumstances, access to early primary health care and community education supported by comprehensive ambulatory paediatric services (particularly with respect to respiratory conditions) need to be implemented urgently. Qualitative research is needed to determine why ethnic differences exist and to identify effective interventions for Pacific children.
Adolescent↗
Declines in physical functioning attributable to hip fracture among older people: a follow-up study of case-control participants.
PURPOSE: To identify declines in physical functioning, directly attributable to the effects of hip fracture. METHODS: A follow-up study of participants in a case-control study was conducted in Auckland, New Zealand, between 1993 and 1996. Nine hundred and eleven randomly selected older people with a hip fracture at the time of the initial interview (cases) and 910 randomly selected older people, without hip fracture (controls), were invited to participate in the study. Two year changes in physical functioning, defined in terms of self-reported mobility, functional dependence and physical activity were examined. RESULTS: Data from the survivors (572 cases and 756 controls) showed that, after controlling for pre-existing chronic medical conditions and disabilities, cases were 4.2 times more likely than controls to be community immobile (95% confidence interval (CI) 2.8-6.2, p < 0.001) and 2.6 times more likely to be functionally dependent (95% CI 1.7-4.1, p < 0.001). Cases were also spending less hours per day on their feet (2.9) compared with controls (3.5) (F1,1211 = 55.7, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Hip fractures are associated with dramatic declines in physical functioning at two years, independent of the effects of increasing age, pre-existing medical conditions and disabilities.
Activities of Daily Living↗
Use of hormone replacement therapy to reduce the risk of osteopenia in adolescent girls with anorexia nervosa.
PURPOSE: To assess how commonly hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and other measures are prescribed for the treatment of osteopenia in children and adolescents with anorexia nervosa (AN). METHODS: A self-administered questionnaire was distributed and completed by allopathic and osteopathic physician members of the Society for Adolescent Medicine at its 1998 annual meeting. The questionnaire was also mailed and E-mailed between March 1998 and February 1999. Descriptive statistics included percentages and measures of central tendency. RESULTS: The questionnaire was completed by 394 of the 1029 physicians surveyed (38.3%). Of the 268 respondents who treated patients with AN under the age of 18 years, 77.6% prescribed HRT. The decision to prescribe HRT was influenced by patient's age but not by bone mineral status. Among those who prescribed HRT, additional therapies included increased caloric intake (89.4%), weight gain (82.2%), increased calcium intake (84.1%), a change in exercise patterns (59.1%), and vitamin D supplementation (37.0%). Only 59 (22.0%) did not use HRT as a treatment modality. One-third of nonprescribers cited the lack of evidence of efficacy of HRT in preventing osteopenia. More recent medical graduates were less likely to prescribe HRT. CONCLUSIONS: This survey suggests that practitioners caring for adolescent females with AN commonly prescribe HRT for the treatment of osteopenia despite the paucity of evidence demonstrating that it effectively prevents or reverses bone loss associated with this disorder.
Adolescent↗
Large-scale discovery and genotyping of single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the mouse.
Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been the focus of much attention in human genetics because they are extremely abundant and well-suited for automated large-scale genotyping. Human SNPs, however, are less informative than other types of genetic markers (such as simple-sequence length polymorphisms or microsatellites) and thus more loci are required for mapping traits. SNPs offer similar advantages for experimental genetic organisms such as the mouse, but they entail no loss of informativeness because bi-allelic markers are fully informative in analysing crosses between inbred strains. Here we report a large-scale analysis of SNPs in the mouse genome. We characterized the rate of nucleotide polymorphism in eight mouse strains and identified a collection of 2,848 SNPs located in 1,755 sequence-tagged sites (STSs) using high-density oligonucleotide arrays. Three-quarters of these SNPs have been mapped on the mouse genome, providing a first-generation SNP map of the mouse. We have also developed a multiplex genotyping procedure by which a genome scan can be performed with only six genotyping reactions per animal.
Animals↗
Bacteriological safety and cost-effectiveness of a nonrefluxing valve in the irrigation system during outpatient flexible cystoscopy.
OBJECTIVE: To critically evaluate the infection rate associated with the use of a nonrefluxing irrigation system for outpatient flexible cystoscopy, by comparing it with conventional irrigation systems, and to determine the costs and benefits of this system of irrigation delivery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All patients undergoing flexible cystoscopy on scheduled outpatient lists were considered for inclusion in the study; 143 patients of 220 undergoing cystoscopy fulfilled the study criteria. The study group of patients underwent cystoscopy with a new single-use nonrefluxing valve inserted into the same irrigation delivery system that was used for the whole endoscopy session, and the control group had the complete irrigation system changed after each endoscopic examination. Midstream urine samples were taken for analysis before cystoscopy and again 3-4 days later. Infection was defined as a pure growth of >/= 105 organisms/mL, with associated pyuria defined as >/= 10 pus cells per high power microscopic field. RESULTS: Complete data were available on 133 patients, with a further nine being excluded from the statistical analysis because they had a pre-existing urinary tract infection, leaving 64 patients in the study and 69 in the control groups. The overall infection rate for flexible cystoscopy was 3.2%, with no significant difference between the study and control groups. Cost savings of > 35% can be expected using the nonrefluxing valve method of irrigation delivery. CONCLUSION: The nonrefluxing valve caused no detectable increase in patient morbidity from bacterial infection when compared with conventional irrigation systems for flexible cystoscopy, and can save considerable costs.
Aged↗
The UICC/WHO-CCCE Cancer Education project: a different approach.
The Union Internationale Contre le Cancer (UICC) and the WHO-Collaborating Centre for Cancer Education (WHO-CCCE) have started an international pilot project offering assistance to medical schools that want to implement in their curricula a two-week multidisciplinary cancer course aimed at cancer care in general practice. The approach will be bottom-up (based on the possibilities in individual medical schools) instead of top-down (based on general recommendations and rules established in published studies). In April 2000 one or more medical schools from each of four continents had registered. Registration is open to any medical school and to other schools that have satisfactory ongoing cancer courses. The aim is to develop a network among medical schools in order for them to learn from each other's cancer education strategies and experiences.
Americas↗
A 1-year follow-up study of dynamic magnetic resonance imaging in early rheumatoid arthritis reveals synovitis to be increased in shared epitope-positive patients and predictive of erosions at 1 year.
OBJECTIVES: Dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) allows visualization of the synovial membrane and measurement of synovitis within the joint. A cohort of patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were studied using MRI of the dominant wrist and clinical assessments. Associations between synovitis and the shared epitope genotype (SE) were looked for and synovitis as a predictor of joint erosion was examined. METHODS: Gadolinium-enhanced MRI scans of the dominant wrist were performed in 42 early RA patients at baseline (median disease duration = 4 months) and after 1 yr. Images were obtained at 42-s intervals over the first 6 min after gadolinium-diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid injection using six cuts in the coronal plane, 2 mm apart. The site of maximal synovial enhancement was selected as the region of interest (ROI). The rate of enhancement (E-rate) was calculated and compared with synovitis scores from static MRI scans, clinical disease activity scores and HLA-DRB1*04/01 genotyping [sequence-specific primer polymerase chain reaction (SSP-PCR) and DNA sequencing]. RESULTS: Reproducibility of the E-rate measurement was assessed by re-evaluating 10 randomly selected scans in a blinded fashion. Intra-observer reliability was high with an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.91, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.65-0.97. The E-rate correlated strongly at baseline with the maximum level of synovial enhancement (E-max) (r = 0.88, P < 0.0001) and the static MRI synovitis score (r = 0.52, P = 0.0004). There was also a weaker but significant correlation between E-rate and the pain score (r = 0.29, P = 0.04). The E-rate fell from baseline to 1 yr (P = 0.02) concordant with clinical improvement after treatment with standard therapies. E-rate scores were higher in SE+ than SE - patients (F(1,25) = 5.19, P = 0.03) and were predictive of MRI erosions at 1 yr [chi-square = 5.0 (1 d.f.), P = 0.03]. The baseline C-reactive protein (CRP) was also predictive of MRI erosions at 1 yr to a similar degree [chi-square = 4.7 (1 d.f. ), P = 0.03] but the mean static synovitis score at baseline was the strongest predictor [chi-square = 9.2 (1 d.f.), P = 0.003]. CONCLUSIONS: These results show that dynamic MRI can be used to score synovitis objectively in early RA patients. Synovitis was greater in SE+ patients, suggesting an early genetic influence on joint inflammation, and was predictive for the development of erosions at 1 yr.
Adult↗
Evaluation of the Waitakere Community Injury Prevention Project.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the Waitakere Community Injury Prevention Project (WCIPP). METHODS: Process and outcome evaluations were conducted over a three year period. Process activities included analysis of project documentation, participant observation, key informant interviews, and two post-implementation case studies. A quasiexperimental design was used for the outcome evaluation. Three primary sources of data were collected and analysed: injury statistics; a pre-post telephone survey (n=4,000); and a pre-post organisation survey (n=144). RESULTS: Process evaluation provided a comprehensive account of the operation and activities of the WCIPP. Findings stress the pivotal role of the coordinators and highlight the value of incorporating a multicultural approach. A positive impact on changes to Waitakere City Council safety policies and practices was also evident. Outcome evaluation findings demonstrated significant reductions in rates of Waitakere child injury hospitalisations (p<0.05), while comparison communities showed an increase in child hospitalisation rates. In addition, compared with pre-intervention and comparison data, significantly more Waitakere residents were aware of injury prevention safety messages (p=0.0001) and had acquired appropriate child safety items (p=0.0001). CONCLUSION: The community injury prevention model appears to be an effective strategy for injury prevention. The support provided by the council for the WCIPP has provided a benchmark for the role of local governments in injury prevention.
Adolescent↗
Hypochondriacal concerns, somatosensory amplification, and primary and secondary cognitive appraisals.
This paper uses data from four studies (N = 150, 150, 154 and 79) to examine the associations between hypochondriacal concerns (HCs) and stress appraisals (primary and secondary). A search activity account of HCs suggests that increased levels of HCs should be associated with positive appraisals of a stressful situation (i.e., increased levels of perceived challenge and perceived control). However, the results indicated that in terms of primary appraisals, increased perceptions of threat and not challenge were consistently associated with increased levels of HCs. Further, the results indicated that the association between threat and HCs is mediated by somatosensory amplification. Consistent with the search activity account it is shown that increased levels of perceived control (secondary appraisals) are associated with increased levels of HCs. The association for perceived control remains once variance due to somatosensory amplification is partialled and generalizes to a sample of patients with a sexually transmitted infection. The results are interpreted in relation to the transactional model of the stress process.
Adult↗
Evidence of progressive delay of motor development in children with sensorineural hearing loss and concurrent vestibular dysfunction.
Gross motor development, and the effect of age, sex and vestibular function on it, was examined in 39 24- to 83-mo.-old children with sensorineural hearing impairment. Repeated testing was completed on 18 children. Delayed gross motor development was evident regardless of age, but only children less than 5 years of age had developmental balance deficits on initial testing. Both gross motor and balance development scores were lower on repeated testing. Furthermore, vestibular function scores facilitated identification of those children with a deficit in balance development as well as those with a progressive delay in motor or balance development. Implications for practice are discussed.
Age Factors↗
Lookbacks for HIV infected health care workers.
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Communicable Disease Control↗
Uptake of postnatal services for mothers of newborn babies up to eight weeks of age.
AIM: Significant changes have occurred in the way postnatal care is funded in New Zealand since July 1996. This study investigated three aspects of postnatal care: the uptake of the six-week check, the six-week immunisation and breast feeding rates. METHOD: A prospective prevalence survey of 504 mothers of newborn babies recruited from birthing centres in urban Auckland over the period November 1997 to February 1998. A postal questionnaire was sent at ten weeks postnatal, covering issues concerning the six-week check, six-week immunisation and breast feeding. RESULTS: Four hundred and four completed questionnaires were obtained (82%); 98% of respondents had obtained a six-week check and 90% a six-week immunisation for their infant. Infants who received their six-week check from a general practitioner were more likely to be immunised. Younger mothers (15-19 years) and older mothers (35 years plus) were less likely to have immunised children. Of reasons given for not immunising, 43% were concerns over immaturity of the baby and 27% because the child was not well. At birth, 88% of mothers were fully breast feeding and 62% at six-weeks postnatal. Of the reasons given for stopping feeding, 41% stated insufficient milk or poor weight gain and 15% stated failure to establish feeding. CONCLUSIONS: Removing the six- week check from a general practitioner check and splitting it from the immunisation, has a deleterious effect on immunisation uptake. Mothers, particularly under 20 years, but also 35 years plus, are less likely to have immunised infants. A significant number of unimmunised babies arose from concerns that the baby may be too immature. The rate of breast feeding in New Zealand is continuing to drop. Actual rates fall well below mothers' desires to breast feed. Reasons given for stopping breast feeding point to a general need for greater postnatal support. The high rate of failure to establish feeding raises concerns over lack of early postnatal support. In July 1996 significant changes in payment of the maternity services benefit were introduced in New Zealand. In particular, postnatal services previously paid on a 'fee-for-service' basis were altered to a set capped amount for the 'postnatal module'. This led to concerns that care in the postnatal period had become more limited. In particular, there were anecdotal reports of the six-week check not being given, or being given by a range of providers who did not necessarily offer the opportunity for immunisation at the time of the check. Recent concerns have also been expressed about the apparent dropping immunisation rates in New Zealand, and the dropping breast feeding rates. The present study, developed in response to these concerns investigated three aspects of postnatal care: (a) The incidence of the uptake of the six-week check and whether mothers perceived any barriers to access. (b) The incidence of the uptake of the six-week immunisation and whether mothers perceived any barriers to access. (c) The rate of breast feeding and what barriers mothers perceived to continuing to breast feed.
Adolescent↗
Prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus among James Bay Cree women in northern Quebec.
BACKGROUND: The prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus has been reported to vary widely in aboriginal populations. Most of the data have come from the United States. To help determine the extent of gestational diabetes in Canada's aboriginal population, the authors assessed the prevalence in a population of Cree women in northern Quebec. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted using the National Diabetes Data Group (NDDG) criteria. Information was obtained from patient charts on pregnancies between January 1995 and December 1996 among women residing in 9 Cree communities in the eastern James Bay region of northern Quebec. Women who were not Cree, had pre-existing diabetes, had spontaneous abortion or were receiving glucocorticoid treatment were excluded. RESULTS: Data on 654 pregnancies that met the inclusion criteria were available. Results of the screening oral glucose challenge test were available for 579 of the pregnancies; the remaining 75 were excluded. The mean gestational age at screening was 28.3 (standard deviation 2.6) weeks. The prevalence of gestational diabetes was 12.8% (74/579) (95% confidence interval [CI] 10.1%-15.5%). The prevalence in the inland communities was twice as high as that in the coastal communities (18.0% v. 9.3%, p = 0.002). Women with gestational diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance tended to be older, have had more pregnancies, weigh more before pregnancy and have heavier babies than those with a normal glycemic status. INTERPRETATION: The prevalence of gestational diabetes among James Bay Cree women in northern Quebec is twice as high as that among women in the general North American population and the second highest reported in an aboriginal group worldwide.
Adolescent↗
Lymphocyte subpopulations in patients with multiple primary tumors.
BACKGROUND: Cancer patients with single tumors live longer today due to earlier detection and improved treatment methods. For this reason, the authors see more patients who develop a second primary tumor. The etiology of the second tumor can be the same as the first, whether treatment-induced or unknown. The prognoses of these patients usually depend on the behavior of the second tumor. METHODS: The authors investigated the lymphocyte subset in 88 of the more than 750 patients listed in the tumor registry at their treatment center who had at least one carcinoma of the breast or colon and a second primary of the same or another site. Mononuclear cells were obtained from heparinized blood by the standard fractionation Hypaque gradient centrifugation technique. Helper and suppressor cells were identified by using three murine monoclonal antibodies: CD3 for mature T lymphocytes, CD4 for helper inducer cells, and CD8 for suppressor cytotoxic cells. T-cell subset distribution was evaluated with flow cytometry. RESULTS: Most values of CD3, CD4, and CD4/CD8 were lower in patients than in healthy controls. The values of CD4 and CD4/CD8 were lower in patients who had a second tumor in the colon rather than in the breast. CONCLUSIONS: As tumors in patients with a second primary sometimes recur or the patient develops a third primary, the authors are prospectively following their patients to see whether those with immunosuppression have a greater tendency to develop recurrent disease or a third primary.
Adult↗
Spouse-assisted coping skills training in the management of knee pain in osteoarthritis: long-term followup results.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the long-term effects of a spouse-assisted coping skills intervention in patients with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knees, and to evaluate how pre- to posttreatment changes in marital adjustment and self-efficacy relate to long-term improvements in pain, psychological disability, physical disability, pain coping, and pain behavior. METHODS: A followup study was conducted with 88 OA patients who had been randomly assigned to 1 of 3 treatment conditions: 1) spouse-assisted coping skills training (spouse-assisted CST), 2) a conventional CST intervention with no spouse involvement, and 3) an arthritis education-spousal support (AE-SS) control condition. To evaluate long-term outcome, comprehensive measures of self-efficacy, marital adjustment, pain, psychological disability, physical disability, pain coping, and pain behavior were collected from these individuals at 6 and 12 months posttreatment. RESULTS: Data analysis revealed that, at 6-month followup, patients in the spouse-assisted CST condition scored higher on measures of coping and self-efficacy than those in the AE-SS control group. At 6-month followup, patients who received CST without spouse involvement showed a significantly higher frequency of coping attempts and reported higher levels of marital adjustment than those in the AE-SS control group. At 12-month followup, patients in the spouse-assisted CST condition had significantly higher overall self-efficacy than those in the AE-SS control condition. In addition, patients in both the spouse-assisted CST and CST only conditions tended to show improvements in physical disability at the 12-month followup. Individual differences in outcome were noted at the 12-month followup. Patients in the spouse-assisted CST condition who reported initial (pre- to posttreatment) increases in marital adjustment had lower levels of psychological disability, physical disability, and pain behavior at 12-month followup. However, for patients in the conventional CST and AE-SS control conditions, increases in marital adjustment occurring over the initial phase of treatment were related to increases in pain and decreases in scores on the Pain Control in Rational Thinking factor of the Coping Strategies Questionnaire. Finally, patients in the spouse-assisted CST condition who showed pre- to posttreatment increases in self-efficacy were more likely to show decreases in pain, psychological disability, and physical disability at 12-month followup. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that spouse-assisted CST can enhance self-efficacy and improve the coping abilities of OA patients in the long term. Individual differences in the long-term outcome of spouse-assisted CST were noted, with some patients (those showing increases in marital satisfaction and self-efficacy) showing much better outcomes than others.
Activities of Daily Living↗
A survey of psychological need amongst adult burn-injured patients.
This study of 71 burn-injured adults was carried out to inform clinical psychological practice in a newly developed service for individuals affected by disfigurement. Self-completion questionnaires were administered to patients attending outpatient clinics and information was collated on a range of variables including time since injury, cause, location and perceived severity of injury. Questions were also asked about the level of psycho-social support received and needed during hospitalisation and post discharge and people were asked to indicate the type of help that they wanted. Results indicate no correlation between the amount of time since injury and the degree of emotional difficulty experienced. 56% reported current emotional problems and 38% of the sample felt that they would benefit from professional help. There was a significant correlation between individuals' perception of the severity of the injury and the degree of distress experienced (p < 0.05). The two most popular preferences for help was individual counselling followed by professionally led groups.
Adolescent↗