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Biomedical subjects

I Lunde

Publications and source records attributed to I Lunde.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Prevalence and sequelae of sexual torture.

283 torture victims (135 examined by the Amnesty International [AI] Danish Medical Group, and 148 by the International Rehabilitation and Research Center for Torture Victims [RCT]) were questioned about methods of torture and subsequent sexual difficulties. Overall, the prevalence of sexual torture was 61% (women 80%, men 56%), but this was higher in the RCT than in the AI group. More Latin Americans than Europeans had been sexually tortured in the AI group. Prevalence of sexual difficulties was 32%, the RCT recording a significantly higher prevalence than the AI (43% vs 20%). Sexually tortured victims were more likely to have sexual difficulties (40%) than were non-sexually tortured victims (19%). Overall, there were more cases of sexual difficulties in victims from Africa and from Turkey/Middle East/Far East than in victims from Latin America and from Europe. In the RCT subsample, prevalence of sexual difficulties and anxiety was significantly higher in sexually tortured victims than in non-sexually tortured victims; the two groups were broadly similar with respect to depression and low self-esteem. Depressed victims and victims with low self-esteem were more likely to have sexual difficulties. In the RCT group, but not overall, prevalence of sexual difficulties was significantly associated with age but was independent of low self-esteem and of depression.

Adolescent↗

The teaching and organisation of clinical pharmacology in European medical schools (W.H.O. Working Group on Clinical Pharmacology).

A World Health Organisation (European Regional Office) working party has been established to review the progress of clinical pharmacology in European countries. As part of this review a questionnaire on the teaching of clinical pharmacology was sent to the Deans of all 350 medical schools in the region. Very few replies were received from U.S.S.R., Greece and Portugal and these countries' returns were not analysed further. The overall compliance rate (excluding these countries) was 82% with a figure of 84% from Western Europe and 74% from Eastern Europe. An average time of 96 h (range 0-320) was devoted to pharmacology teaching in the medical curriculum in Western Europe with 124 (0-240) h in Eastern Europe. In contrast 28 h (0-210) was devoted to clinical pharmacology teaching in Western Europe and 27 h (0-90) in Eastern Europe. On average in Western Europe each medical school had 2 individuals trained in clinical pharmacology with 1.3 posts in the subject and the figures for Eastern Europe were 2.3 and 1.1 respectively. However these figures hide a wide variance in the teaching of clinical pharmacology. Particularly in Western Europe there are a number of medical schools in Italy, Spain and the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) where clinical pharmacology is not taught and there is a dearth of individuals trained in the subject. Every effort to encourage clinical pharmacology and its teaching should be made, particularly in these countries.

Curriculum↗

Guidelines of the World Health Organization for clinical trials with antimicrobial agents.

The WHO Consensus Documents Series on Clinical Investigation covers many different therapeutic drug groups including the antibacterial drugs. The documents have been produced by the WHO Regional Office for Europe in collaboration with a wide group of clinicians and other experts in order to define and promote agreement on current and emerging standards for the clinical investigation of drugs.

Anti-Infective Agents↗

Sleep disturbances in torture survivors.

One of the main complaints in torture survivors is sleep disturbance with nightmares, too little sleep and daytime fatigue. Seven subjects, who had been exposed to torture from 6 months to seven years previously, were examined by polysomnography. All had abnormal sleep patterns compared with normal age- and sex-matched controls. The subjects woke frequently from REM sleep, had reduced REM sleep duration, absent Stage 4 sleep, short total sleep time and low sleep efficiency. This study revealed that previously healthy young persons subjected to extreme stress may develop an abnormal sleep pattern.

Adult↗

Torture and its treatment.

Physical and psychological torture of political detainees and prisoners is currently practiced in more than 90 countries. Types of torture and the diagnosis and treatment of torture victims are described based on the experience of Copenhagen's Rigshospitalet.

Denmark↗

Psychiatric disorders in the biological and adoptive families of adopted individuals with affective disorders.

To investigate the contribution of genetic and environmental factors in the etiology of mood disorders, a study was initiated to examine the frequency of psychiatric disorders in the biological and adoptive relatives of adult adoptees with mood disorders and in matched normal adoptees. Psychiatric evaluations of the relatives were made on the basis of independent blind diagnoses based on mental hospital and other official records. Analysis of the data showed an eightfold increase in unipolar depression among the biological relatives of the index cases and a 15-fold increase in suicide among the biological relatives of the index cases. These data demonstrate a significant genetic contribution to unipolar depression and suicide. They fail to disclose a significant contribution of family-associated transmission in the genesis of the mood disorders.

Adjustment Disorders↗

Influence of social status on female sexual behaviour. A random sample study of 40-year-old Danish women.

In a sexological study of a random sample of 225 40-year-old women, approximately representative of the Danish female population at that age, the main purpose was to obtain general information about sexual behaviour, experience, knowledge and attitude. Another aim was to examine the relationship between sexual behaviour and social status. The method was a detailed, structured interview. The participation percentage was 94. The sexological variables were tested for differences between high and low social status. Sexual behaviour was in several respects determined by social background and actual social status, women in the high social status group having more sexual scope, more benefit from sexual life, more tolerance to and knowledge about sexual matters and lower frequency of sexual problems than women in the low status group. Generally the investigation revealed as a very common feature taboo attitude concerning sexual matters during childhood and a very poor knowledge concerning specific female functions like menarche and menstruation. We conclude that in a description of sexual behaviour it is misleading if generalisations are not made from a socially representative random sample, or if data from each respective social group are not given.

Adolescent↗

Review of restrictive actions under the Australian drug regulatory system.

An analysis of restrictive measures taken by the Australian Drug Evaluation Committee (ADEC) over the period of 27 months (from March, 1976, to June, 1978) was made by two non-Australian observers. During this period, the ADEC took 32 useful restrictive measures (a little more than one a month). The analysis was limited only to cases in which ADEC took substantial action; if less comprehensive measures were included, the number of valid actions to counter the occurrence of iatrogenic complications would be much greater. It is concluded that, although it is an undisputed fact that many pharmaceutical companies maintain the highest ethical standards, there is a need for the type of objective and dispassionate control exercised by the Australian Drug Evaluation Committee.

Animals↗

The regulatory control of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents.

The number of marketed non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents varies widely from one European country to another, partly as a consequence of differing regulatory policies. During a four-year period, nine of 18 applications to market such drugs in the Netherlands failed; the remaining nine compounds were all licenced; in all, 22 single drug entities of this type are currently on sale. In Norway during the same period none of the 15 applications received was granted, though five cases are still pending; only seven such drugs are currently licenced for sale. The reasons for the national decisions and for the discrepancies between them are analyzed. A study of the prescribing practice of rheumatologists in the two countries suggests that some 10 to 15 products of this type are in fact needed in order to provide a reasonable choice. Current registration trends could markedly discourage further research investment in this field unless in the near future a basis is found for developing non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs with distinct advantages as compared with all those so far known.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents↗

Sexual and pituitary-testicular function in torture victims.

Seventeen men who previously had been subjected to torture were studied. Sexual dysfunction (reduced libido and erectile dysfunction) occurred in 29%. There was no relationship between presence of sexual disturbances and previous cranial and/or genital traumas, severity of torture, or length of imprisonment. Plasma concentrations of pituitary gonadotrophins, prolactin, and testosterone were normal in all subjects studied. The cause of sexual dysfunction in torture victims remains to be established.

Adult↗

Sexual and hypothalamic dysfunction in the postconcussional syndrome.

Nineteen males with a well-developed postconcussional syndrome were studied by CT-scan, by psychometric testing and by endocrinological evaluation including a variety of laboratory tests and an assessment of sexual function, 68% had cerebral atrophy on CT-scan and 79% were intellectually impaired, 37% to a severe degree. Sexual dysfunction (reduced libido and/or erective dysfunction) related to the head injury occurred in 58%, and severe intellectual impairment was significantly more frequent in this group. Increased plasma concentration of follicle stimulating hormone was observed in 37%, suggesting a reduced spermiogenesis. The possibility of a primary hypothalamic disorder causing reduced spermiogenesis is raised. Otherwise no radiological or laboratory evidence of major hypothalamic-pituitary dysfunction was demonstrated. The high frequency of cerebral atrophy and intellectual deterioration in postconcussional syndrome suggests organic brain dysfunction, but not causal relationship was established.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗

Female sexual behaviour. A study in a random sample of 40-year-old women.

This is a sexological study of a random sample of 225 40-yr-old women representative of the Danish female population at the age of 40. These women were questioned by a female physician utilizing a structured interview; 94% of the women invited to participate in this study agreed to do so. The purpose of this research was to elucidate sexual behaviour, experience, knowledge and attitudes. Some of the findings were the following. Menstruation still seems to be a taboo subject; 36% of this population knew little about this topic. 96% of these women had experienced orgasm at least once in their lives and 67.6% had experienced spontaneous libido. Genuine homosexuality appears to be a rare phenomenon. A monogamous heterosexual life style is the norm, as reflected by low number of partners and low frequency of infidelity. Yet, 35% of these woman had sexual problems. There is a need for advice and treatment of sexual difficulties in this population, but these are at present, in Denmark, not generally available.

Adult↗