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Biomedical subjects

J C Murdoch

Publications and source records attributed to J C Murdoch.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

Psychiatric symptoms, personality and ways of coping in chronic fatigue syndrome.

This study aimed to investigate the psychological characteristics of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS: Holmes et al. 1988). A battery of psychometric instruments comprising the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) and the Lazarus Ways of Coping (WoC) inventory, was administered to a sample of clinically-defined CFS sufferers (N = 58), to a comparison group of chronic pain (CP) patients (N = 81) and to a group of healthy controls matched for sex and age with the CFS sample (N = 104). Considerable overlap was found between CFS and CP patients at the level of both physical and psychological symptoms. This raises the possibility that CFS sufferers are a sub-population of CP patients. However, while there was some commonality between CFS and CP patients in terms of personality traits, particularly the MMPI 'neurotic triad' (hypochondriasis, depression and hysteria), CFS patients showed more deviant personality traits reflecting raised levels on the first MMPI factor, emotionality. Moreover, results were not consistent with the raised emotionality being a reaction to the illness, but rather were consistent with the hypothesis that emotionality is a predisposing factor for CFS. The majority of CFS patients fell within four personality types, each characterized by the two highest MMPI scale scores. One type (N = 20) reported a lack of psychological symptoms or emotional disturbance contrary to the overall trend for the CFS sample. This group conformed to the ICD-10 classification of neurasthenia.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1990

Treatment of hypertension: the view from general practice.

All patients aged 35-64 years on a computerized age/sex register at Mornington Health Centre, Dunedin, were invited to meet with a Research Nurse for the assessment of their blood pressure. Results are presented from the 1,335 people attending (57% response). These show that 33 people (2%) had hitherto undiagnosed hypertension and that 157 (12%) had their hypertension diagnosed and treated. Evidence will also be presented of the level of control that indicates a marked improvement in published figures on the level of identification, treatment, and control in a community-based group.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Is outcome for low risk obstetric patients influenced by parity and intervention?

Maternal and perinatal morbidity were examined to assess the influence of parity and intervention procedures among 1032 women considered low risk at commencement of labour. A diagnosis of fetal distress, failure to progress during labour, maternal problems after delivery and consultation with or transfer of the neonate to a paediatrician occurred more frequently amongst nulliparous women (p less than 0.001). Failure to progress in labour was found to be influenced by parity (primigravida), maternal age (less than 20 years) and also by the use of epidural anaesthetic for pain relief (p less than 0.001). Prevalence of abnormal delivery was found to be influenced by parity (primigravida), failure to progress in labour and diagnosis of fetal distress. The use of epidural anaesthesia for pain relief was also found to increase the rate of abnormal delivery (p less than 0.001). Statistically significant differences occurred between the groups of patients, with patients of private specialists having the highest rates for induction (34%), use of epidural for pain relief (40%) and abnormal delivery (46%).

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Cell-mediated immunity in patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis syndrome.

Cell-mediated immunity was measured in 33 patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis syndrome and 33 age and sex matched healthy controls, using the multitest CMI device. The multitest scores in myalgic encephalomyelitis syndrome were significantly less than the controls suggesting a T-cell abnormality in these patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

The myalgic encephalomyelitis syndrome.

The myalgic encephalomyelitis syndrome has been described over the past 40 years as a relapsing illness occurring mainly in young females, with the cardinal symptoms of muscle pain and exhaustion. This paper reviews recent studies on the syndrome in the United Kingdom, United States and New Zealand. The possible pathogenesis of the syndrome is discussed, as is the difficulty of managing such patients where no certain aetiology is present. It is suggested that the syndrome should be described as the myalgic exhaustion syndrome.

Encephalomyelitis↗
PubMed1985

Congenital heart disease as a significant factor in the morbidity of children with Down's syndrome.

A comparison of children with Down's syndrome classified according to having congenital heart disease has shown no differences in contact with the general practitioner, new episodes of respiratory illness, acute admission to hospital or mortality over the period of 1981. It is suggested that the prognostic significance of coincidental congenital heart disease in Down's syndrome be questioned.

Child↗
PubMed1984

Experience of the mothers of Down's syndrome and spina bifida children on going home from hospital in Scotland 1971-1981.

A postal questionnaire completed by the mothers of 123 children with Down's syndrome and 109 children with Spina bifida born over the past 10 years in Scotland has shown that difficulties exist in the transfer of care from hospital to the home. Few Spina bifida children came home at the same time as the mothers and only one-half of both groups were given positive encouragement concerning the homecoming. Two-thirds of the Down's mothers and less than half of the Spina bifida mothers were seen by their general practitioner on their return and a significant minority of those visited found his visit unhelpful. A greater percentage of both groups were visited by the health visitor and about a third found her visit unhelpful. It is suggested that the training of both these health professionals may not be appropriate to the correct management of these handicaps at home.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1984

Characteristics of parents of Down's children and control children with respect to factors present before conception.

A study of the characteristics before conception of 145 mothers and 135 fathers of Down's children compared to control parents has shown that the Down's mothers, even when controlled for age, had significantly more illnesses before conception, particularly psychological illness, and significantly more drug ingestion in the year before conception. There were no other differences in the mothers and the fathers did not demonstrate a similar tendency. Since morbidity and drug ingestion are both associated with increasing age, it is suggested that further investigation of the role of environmental factors such as illness or drug ingestion may elucidate further the aetiology of Down's syndrome.

Adult↗