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Biomedical subjects

H L Muncie

Publications and source records attributed to H L Muncie.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1987

Fever, bacteremia, and death as complications of bacteriuria in women with long-term urethral catheters.

Numbers of nursing home beds now exceed hospital beds in the United States and are usually occupied by women. Urinary incontinence is very common and may be managed with long-term urethral catheters. Bacteriuria invariably results, yet its clinical consequences are not well known. We studied 47 catheterized and bacteriuric women for almost 25 patient-years. The incidence of febrile episodes of possible urinary origin was 1.1 episodes/100 patient-days. Because these were diagnoses of exclusion, even this low incidence may be an overestimate. Most of these episodes were of less than or equal to 38.3 C (101.0 F), lasted for less than one day, and resolved without antibiotic therapy. Six deaths, half the total from all causes, occurred during these episodes, an incidence 60 times that during afebrile periods. Deaths and bacteremias were significantly associated with episodes of greater than or equal to 38.8 C (102.0 F). In the individual patient, these risks should be weighed against benefits of patient comfort, family satisfaction, and prevention and management of decubitus ulcers.

Aged↗
PubMed1987

A practical method of estimating stature of bedridden female nursing home patients.

Accurate measurement of stature is important for the determination of several nutritional indices as well as body surface area (BSA) for the normalization of creatinine clearances. Direct standing measurement of stature of bedridden elderly nursing home patients is impossible, and stature as recorded in the chart may not be valid. An accurate stature obtained by summing five segmental measurements was compared to the stature recorded in the patient's chart and calculated estimates of stature from measurement of a long bone (humerus, tibia, knee height). Estimation of stature from measurement of knee height was highly correlated (r = 0.93) to the segmental measurement of stature while estimates from other long-bone measurements were less highly correlated (r = 0.71 to 0.81). Recorded chart stature was poorly correlated (r = 0.37). Measurement of knee height provides a simple, quick, and accurate means of estimating stature for bedridden females in nursing homes.

Aged↗
PubMed1987

The vitamin-mineral supplement history.

The prolonged use of vitamin or mineral supplements in amounts greater than their recommended dietary allowance (RDA) can lead to medical complications or interfere with the treatment of some diseases. A vitamin-mineral supplement history is necessary to determine whether patients may be contributing to a medical problem and for physicians to counsel patients about the appropriate use of vitamins and minerals. This article provides a three-phased guide for obtaining a comprehensive history of vitamin-mineral supplement use. Phase 1 determines current and past behaviors with respect to kind, dosage, frequency, duration, and constancy of supplement intake. Phase 2 considers patient beliefs about taking supplements and outcomes of supplement usage. Phase 3 outlines considerations important for patient guidance. A vitamin-mineral supplement history should be a routine component of every complete medical history.

Attitude to Health↗
PubMed1986

Informed consent by proxy. An issue in research with elderly patients.

The need for clinical study of patients in nursing homes is growing as this population grows; yet many of these patients are mentally incompetent to give informed consent for such research, and the decision must therefore be left to family members or other proxies. We studied the decisions by the proxies for 168 patients in nursing homes about whether to permit the patients' participation in a study involving minimal risk. The proxies were family members in all but one case, and 78 of 168 (46 percent) refused consent. Refusal was significantly associated (P less than 0.001) with the views that research should not be done in nursing homes, that the study would disturb the patient, that the patient, if able, would refuse to participate in the study, and that the proxy would refuse to participate in such a study if asked. Of the 55 proxies who believed that the patient would refuse consent, however, 17 (31 percent) gave consent, in apparent opposition to the patient's wishes. We conclude that refusal by family members to allow incompetent elderly patients to participate in studies may be an important obstacle to research among the elderly. Both the selection of proxies and the bases for their decisions require further study and definition.

Aged↗
PubMed1986

Nutritional supplement use by patients in a rural family practice.

The use of nutritional supplements (vitamins, minerals) has been reported to be as high as 66% for individuals and 54% for households. Among medical patients in metropolitan areas, 66% of suburban private patients and 31% of urban clinic patients use supplements. Reported here are results of a survey to assess the use of nutritional supplements by rural family medicine patients. A sample of patients (N = 199) in one practice completed a standardized questionnaire, and 54% reported that they had taken supplements (primarily multivitamins) during the previous 6 months. The desire to assure good nutrition and less fatigue were the major reasons cited for supplement use; 50% were daily users, and 42% had used supplements for longer than 3 years.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Prescribing postpartum iron supplementation: a survey of practicing obstetricians.

Supplemental iron (excluding the amount in prenatal vitamins) is routinely recommended post partum by standard obstetric textbooks. We surveyed practicing obstetricians in Maryland to examine their indications for and prescription of postpartum iron supplements. The survey was returned by 201 physicians (33% response rate). Iron was prescribed by 25% of the physicians always, 12% never, and 63% depending upon the patient. An average of 37% of postpartum patients were given iron. The most frequently cited indication for prescribing iron was the postpartum hematocrit level (used by 90% of the physicians), followed by high blood loss (41%), operative delivery (15%), mean corpuscular volume (12%), and toxemia (9%). The postpartum iron dosage (325 mg) was prescribed as a single daily dose by 22%, twice daily by 37%, and three times daily by 32%. These practices do not correspond to the current recommendation that postpartum iron should always be prescribed.

Decision Making↗
PubMed1986

Treatment of mild to moderate pain of acute soft tissue injury: diflunisal vs acetaminophen with codeine.

Acute soft tissue injuries create pain and limitation of function. Treatment requires analgesia and time for full recovery. Acetaminophen with codeine (650 mg plus 60 mg, respectively, every 4 to 6 hours) is used frequently as the analgesic of choice. Diflunisal (1,000 mg initially then 500 mg twice a day) vs acetaminophen with codeine was prospectively studied in the treatment of acute mild to moderate pain from soft tissue injuries. Thirty-five patients with acute strains, sprains, or low back pain were randomized to treatment (17 acetaminophen with codeine vs 18 diflunisal). Both groups were similar in the amount of pain and type of injury at initiation of therapy. Patient pain rating went from 3.3 +/- 0.6 to 1.6 +/- 1.5 for acetaminophen with codeine and from 3.3 +/- 0.6 to 1.3 +/- 1.1 for diflunisal. However, 65 percent of acetaminophen with codeine patients experienced side effects, with 35 percent of these patients stopping the medication because of intolerable side effects. In the diflunisal group, 28 percent of the patients experienced side effects and 5 percent had to stop the medication early. Diflunisal was found to be an effective analgesic in mild to moderate pain of acute soft tissue injuries, and caused fewer and more tolerable side effects than did acetaminophen with codeine.

Acetaminophen↗
PubMed1986

Occupational therapy in the multidisciplinary assessment and management of osteoarthritis.

As part of the multidisciplinary assessment of osteoarthritis, two occupational therapists evaluated the signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis in the hands of 77 patients. The patients were seen every two weeks for 12 weeks. Initially 58% considered themselves disabled; their mean disability score, on a scale of 0 to 3, was 1.7. Crepitus and pain of the joints and tendons occurred in 36% of the patients. Three hundred fifty-five cysts/nodules, primarily bony, were identified, the mean number being significantly greater (P less than 0.05) for women (8.8) than for men (5.3). Despite considerable disability due to osteoarthritis, none of these patients had ever consulted an occupational therapist. At the end of the study, the mean disability score was 1.2, significantly (P less than 0.05) lower than the initial score. Osteoarthritis of the hand was associated with considerable disability, more so in women than in men, and improvement was evident when an occupational therapist participated in the management of this disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Medical aspects of the multidisciplinary assessment and management of osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis, influences a person's mental well-being, ability to work or perform activities of daily living, and personal and family relationships. Ideally, the management of this disease is multidisciplinary, involving not only the use of medication but also exercise instruction, dietary counseling, and psychosocial interventions. The effects of such a comprehensive treatment program have not been well studied. A 12-week trial of multidisciplinary assessment and management of osteoarthritis was conducted. In addition to receiving the anti-inflammatory agent sulindac, patients were evaluated and followed up by health professionals in the disciplines of medicine, physical therapy, occupational therapy, nutrition, social work, and psychology. An initial assessment of the degree of pain, swelling, tenderness, stiffness, and ability to conduct activities of daily living was made, which represented patients' entry status. Subsequent assessments were made by the multidisciplinary team every two weeks for 12 weeks. Seventy-seven patients completed at least ten of the 12 weeks. On entering the study, two thirds of the patients had pain, tenderness, or swelling affecting the hip, knee, or hand. At the end of 12 weeks, 80% of the patients had improvement in their osteoarthritis, and 71% improved in their ability to conduct activities of daily living. The results support the view that a comprehensive approach to osteoarthritis can significantly reduce disability and pain.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1985

Physicians' beliefs about the importance of 25 health promoting behaviors.

A mail survey of 1,040 primary care physicians in Maryland examined their beliefs about the importance of 25 behaviors for promoting the health of the average person. Physician consensus existed across specialties in rating most health behaviors as very important and few as very unimportant. Eliminating smoking was most important and taking vitamin supplements least important.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed1984

Nutritional supplement utilization in an urban family practice center.

A survey of 128 patients in an urban family health center examined their use of nutritional supplements and found that 31 percent currently used supplements, primarily multivitamins and other vitamins. The patients' desire to increase their energy and to ensure good nutrition were the major reasons for their taking supplements, along with prevention of illness, desire for strength, and dealing with stress. Patients reported that they were influenced by their physicians' advice and were willing to change their supplement use upon physician recommendation. The resident physicians who cared for these patients were also surveyed, and they estimated that an average of 23 percent of their patients used nutritional supplements. Residents did not consider discussion of nutritional supplements to be of high priority, nor did they usually discuss them with their patients. Discussion about the use of nutritional supplements can contribute to the role family physicians play in nutrition education.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Developing a cancer prevention elective course.

A comprehensive course on cancer prevention was developed for medical students at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. This course was developed under a three-year contract with the National Cancer Institute during the period from 1979 to 1982. The course development team was multidisciplinary and consisted of faculty members from the departments of pathology, epidemiology and preventive medicine, and family medicine and the Office of Medical Education. The finished course consisted of 20 instructional modules which can be used individually, in groups, or as a complete course in cancer prevention. During the developmental process, all educational objectives were subjected to intensive review and critique by faculty members from the University of Maryland School of Medicine and several other medical schools. The course was pilot tested as a four-week "minimester" elective, revised, and field tested again. This innovative, multidisciplinary, modular curriculum package is now considered complete and appropriate for use by other health sciences institutions.

Achievement↗
PubMed1983

Ineffectiveness of cephalexin in treatment of cephalexin-resistant bacteriuria in patients with chronic indwelling urethral catheters.

Catheterized patients not only are subject to risks of bacteriuria but the catheter also may act as reservoirs for nosocomial infections. Antibiotics that are concentrated in the urine, even those to which the organisms are nominally resistant, have been advocated as a means of treatment and infection control. During a randomized study of repetitive 10-day courses of cephalexin in chronically catheterized patients we observed the impact of such treatment upon susceptible, moderately resistant and highly resistant strains of bacteria. Cephalexin diminished the persistence of cephalexin-susceptible strains. However, its effect upon moderately resistant (inhibited by 200 micrograms per ml.) was not different than its effect upon highly resistant (not inhibited by 200 micrograms per ml.) strains. Indeed, the persistence of strains of moderately and highly resistant organisms during cephalexin courses was similar to that of such organisms during comparable periods in patients not receiving cephalexin. The administration of cephalexin to chronically catheterized patients with moderately or highly resistant organisms causing bacteriuria does not clear these organisms from the urine.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

Cephalexin for susceptible bacteriuria in afebrile, long-term catheterized patients.

Patients with long-term indwelling urethral catheters are subject to acute and long-term complications of bacteriuria. To evaluate the common practice of short-course antibiotic therapy in such patients, we performed a randomized controlled trial of ten-day courses of cephalexin monohydrate repeated whenever a susceptible bacteriuria was present. We observed 17 cephalexin group patients for 545 patient-weeks (160 cephalexin courses) and 18 control group patients for 477 patient-weeks. Throughout the study, the groups were comparable in regard to incidence and prevalence of bacteriuria, number of bacterial strains per weekly urine specimen, incidence of febrile days, and incidence of obstructed catheters. In the cephalexin group, the frequency of fever during periods when antibiotics were being used was similar to that during periods when antibiotics were not being used. More cephalexin-resistant bacteria were isolated from cephalexin group patients. Routine treatment with cephalexin of asymptomatic long-term catheterized patients, even for susceptible organisms, does not seem to be warranted.

Adult↗