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Biomedical subjects

H D Pedoe

Publications and source records attributed to H D Pedoe.

6 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1984

How well can we predict coronary heart disease? Findings in the United Kingdom Heart Disease Prevention Project.

The probability of myocardial infarction developing over five years in a group of middle aged men was predicted with knowledge of their ages, blood pressures, cholesterol concentrations, and smoking habits as recorded in an initial screening examination. Although the top 15% of the risk distribution predicted 115 (32%) of the subsequent cases of myocardial infarction, there was a considerable overlap in predicted risk between those subjects who did and those who did not go on to develop a myocardial infarction. Of the subjects in the top 15% of risk, only 72 (7%) of those initially free of coronary heart disease and 43 (22%) of those initially with coronary heart disease actually developed a myocardial infarction over the subsequent five years. Thus, although a group of subjects at high risk can be identified, among whom will be a high proportion of potential victims of heart attack, many subjects will be wrongly classified. These findings may explain part of the difficulty in persuading patients of the potential benefits of reducing risks and highlight the need for research to improve the prediction of the development of coronary heart disease.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1978

Digoxin prescribing in general practice 1967--77.

Data from a survey of general-practitioner prescribing from 1967 to 1977 were examined to see how news of the changed potency of "Lanoxin" tablets in 1972 and of unbranded digoxin in 1975 had affected prescribing patterns. A stong downward trend in average daily dose was found, equivalent to a halving in lanoxin, almost as much in digoxin, and a one-fifth fall in prepared digitalis. This trend, however, preceded the publicity on potency and bioavailability, and in the case of lanoxin was apparent during the time that bioavailability fell. It had two components--reduced frequency of tablets per day, and increased popularity of low-dose tablets. From 1972 the proprietary 250 microgram tablet of lanoxin was prescribed increasingly at the expense of unbranded digoxin, but at a lower daily frequency until 1975. The number of people treated with digoxin and lanoxin has risen overall and constitutes perhaps 6% of those over 65. The determinants of prescribing behaviour are complex.

Aged↗
PubMed1978

Predictability of sudden death from resting electrocardiogram. Effect of previous manifestations of coronary heart disease.

The sudden death rate from coronary heart disease over a mean period of 4 years was related to the electrocardiographic findings in 3 groups of subjects, survivors of myocardial infarction, employed men, and employed men with no symptoms or history of coronary disease. Within each group the sudden death rate correlated with the number of electrocardiographic findings, particularly Q, ST, and T wave items. However, between groups there were large differences in sudden death rates in subjects with the same findings. These were greatest in the case of ventricular conduction disturbances and disturbances of rhythm and rate which appeared to be benign in those free of symptoms but ominous after infarction. Findings predictive of sudden death were also predictive of non-sudden coronary deaths. It is concluded that the electrocardiogram is only one of several aids to the diagnosis and assessment of severity of disease and not a substitute. Prognoses derived from clinical case series are inappropriate to symptomless individuals in whom isolated electrocardiographic findings denote little increase in risk.

Adult↗
PubMed1978

Blood pressure measurement in the United Kingdom Heart Disease Prevention Project.

A blood pressure measurement was part of a cardiovascular screening examination of 8397 middle-aged men taking part in the intervention section of the United Kingdom Heart Disease Prevention Project. Standardised training techniques reduced observer bias to acceptable limits in four out of a total of five observers. The time of day and room temperature both made significant differences to the blood pressure measurement. High room temperatures in particular apparently had a marked effect in reducing the level of blood pressure. There were consistent and large positive associations with increasing age and overweight. The survey revealed a poor degree of blood pressure control in the community at the time of screening--only 7% of the "hypertensive" population had their diastolic pressure controlled to below 100 mm Hg.

Adult↗