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Biomedical subjects

F D O'Kelly

Publications and source records attributed to F D O'Kelly.

10 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1996

A new short form individual quality of life measure (SEIQoL-DW): application in a cohort of individuals with HIV/AIDS.

Quality of life is an increasingly important outcome measure in medicine and health care. Many measures of quality of life present patients with predetermined lists of questions that may or may not be relevant to the individual patient. This paper describes a brief measure, the SEIQoL-DW, which is derived from the schedule for evaluation of individual quality of life (SEIQoL). The measure allows respondents to nominate the areas of life which are most important, rate their level of functioning or satisfaction with each, and indicate the relative importance of each to their overall quality of life. Given its practicality and brevity, the measure should prove particularly useful in clinical situations where patient generated data on quality of life is important. This article describes the first clinical application of the measure, assessing the quality of life of a cohort of patients with HIV/AIDS managed in general practice.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1992

Follow up of a cohort of intravenous heroin users in north and south central Dublin and in Dun Laoghaire.

Three studies of intravenous heroin abusers, in electoral wards in the north and south of central Dublin and in Dun Laoghaire, were undertaken in 1982-84. One hundred and one out of the 203 intravenous injectors in these three studies are known to have been tested in Dublin for infection by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and 87 of the 101, or 86% are HIV Positive. Ninety two had also been tested for Hepatitis B infection (Hab) and 76 of the 92 were positive for the hepatitis antigen. The majority of those at present known to be HIV Positive in the Republic of Ireland are, or were, intravenous drug users.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Does smog increase the general practitioner's workload?

Dublin city experienced a week-long episode of intense smog in November 1988. A retrospective analysis was carried out in ten general practices of the numbers of patients seen during November. Each practice was situated in an area affected by high smog levels. The numbers of patients seen in surgery and on house-calls showed no differences during the weeks preceding the smog outbreak, during the period of high smog levels or during the week after this period. No qualitative data on the reasons for patients' visits were collected and no comments can be made on the nature of patients' illnesses during this period. There was no evidence for an increased workload in general practice caused by this episode of intense smog but a prospective study is necessary to confirm this finding and to examine the nature of patients' problems during such an episode.

Humans↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Hepatitis C infection among drug users attending general practice.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of hepatitis C (HCV) infection among injection drug users is high and addiction-related care is increasingly being provided by GPs in Ireland. AIMS: To determine the prevalence and associated factors of HCV infection among injecting drug users attending general practice. METHODS: The records of 571 patients attending 42 general practices in the Eastern Regional Health Authority (ERHA) area for methadone maintenance treatment were reviewed. RESULTS: The HCV status was recorded in 380 cases (67%). Of these, 193 had a test performed by their GP, 74 had been tested by another service and 113 had no evidence of being tested, but HCV status was recorded based on information provided by the patient himself. A total of 276 cases were identified as being HCV positive (prevalence 73%), with no difference in prevalence between the three sources of information (p = 0.12). A history of injecting drug use was the major determinant of testing for HCV. CONCLUSIONS: While a large proportion of drug users attending GPs for methadone maintenance treatment are known to be HCV positive, a considerable number have not been tested. Barriers to testing need to be explored to facilitate comprehensive screening.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Irish general practice and the human immunodeficiency virus.

Over a quarter (499) of general practitioners in the Republic of Ireland were sent a questionnaire on the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Two hundred and fifty eight (51.7%) general practitioners returned completed questionnaires. Ninety six respondents (37.2%) had seen at least one HIV positive patient in their practice. In Dublin two thirds (67%) of respondents had seen HIV positive patients. A large majority (77.6%) of HIV positive people identified by the survey were attending general practitioners in the Eastern Health Board area. Most (61.2%) respondents favour the involvement of general practitioners in the future care of patients with HIV.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

An analysis of the effects of HIV infection in a cohort of intravenous drug users.

Intravenous drug use has been a serious problem for Dublin's deprived inner city areas since the late 1970's. In 1985, a cohort of all known intravenous drug users (IVDUs) was identified in one inner city electoral cohort and has been followed since then. The cohort was identified before the introduction of HIV testing. The prevalence of HIV infection and its consequences have continued to rise. By 1994, 80% of the group were known to have had a HIV test: 53 (65%) are seropositive. Twenty-one (26%) have died, almost all from the seropositive group. Thirty-six (44%) continued to inject heroin during 1994. The implications of these grim statistics are discussed.

Adolescent↗