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Biomedical subjects

J C Veltri

Publications and source records attributed to J C Veltri.

22 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Fenfluramine poisoning.

Fenfluramine is a substituted phenylethylamine structurally related to amphetamine. Within three hours following the ingestion of 1,600 mg of fenfluramine, a 17-year-old girl, who was initially agitated and had tachycardia, developed convulsions, cardiac arrhythmia, and cardiorespiratory arrest. In previously reported cases, flushing, sweating, mydriasis, tachycardia, and agitation commonly occur, as well as convulsions and abrupt cardiorespiratory arrest. The rapid onset and progression of symptoms, the short interval between ingestion and death, and the lack of responsiveness to resuscitative measures are common findings in fatal cases.

Adolescent↗

Interpretation and uses of data collected in poison control centres in the United States.

Clinical toxicology and poison control have not benefited from the same epidemiological and demographical scrutiny that other health care disciplines have, because of the lack of a meaningful, appropriate database from which to undertake those analyses. Since the creation of the American Association of Poison Control Centers National Data Collection System in 1982 many of the former obstacles of data collection have been overcome. A system has been devised which apparently meets the needs of busy regional poison control centres willing to participate in data collection, and thus provide a large database of human poisoning experience. The data collected by poison control centres and maintained in the National Data Collection System afford a new, powerful tool with which to address issues of demography, epidemiology, risk assessment, product surveillance and regulatory affairs. While the system affords these potentials, certain limitations of the data must be understood so that the data are not misinterpreted. Additionally, we have attempted to identify strengths of the system as well as areas in need of improvement and refinement.

Epidemiologic Methods↗

Recurrent poisonings among paediatric poisoning victims.

A study of 1943 potentially toxic ingestions occurring in children under 6 years of age was conducted by 3 geographically and demographically diverse poison centres to determine the incidence of exposures to poison. Of the total group, 30.1% indicated that the child had experienced a prior poison exposure (12.0% in children under 1 year of age, and 41.3% of children between the ages of 3 and 5 years). Most repeaters (68.9%) experienced only 1 prior ingestion (range 1 to 15). Two prior ingestions were reported in 17.6% of repeaters; 3 prior ingestions in 4.4%. A profound effect of age on type of substance ingested was observed, with drugs accounting for 11.0% of ingestions in children under the age of 1 year, 23.2% in 1-year-old, and 49.9% in 2- to 5-year-old. A corresponding age-related decline in ingestions of household and personal care products was also noted. Although less marked than the age effect, a statistically significant propensity to re-ingest similar types of poisons was observed. Among repeaters, those with a prior ingestion of a drug subsequently ingested another drug 1.49 times more frequently than expected. A similar trend was observed with products (1.24 times more frequently) and plants (2.00 times more frequently).

Age Factors↗

Asthma patients' satisfaction with the frequency and content of pharmacist counseling.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the level of expectation and satisfaction of patients with asthma regarding the counseling provided by community pharmacists, and to identify the counseling information patients consider important in helping them manage their asthma. DESIGN: Mailed survey. PARTICIPANTS: 208 patients seen in the University of Utah Asthma Clinic for at least 3 months, age 18 years or older, and on at least 1 asthma medication. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Frequency of pharmacist-provided asthma medication counseling, patients' perception of the importance of counseling, and their satisfaction with counseling. RESULTS: Response rate was 55% (106 of 194 surveys returned). The majority of patients (> 90%) indicated that their community pharmacist "never" or "sometimes" discussed the management of their asthma with them. Frequency of counseling in three predefined areas of asthma education (role of medications, inhaler technique, and prevention of asthma attacks) was 1.91, 1.72, and 1.31, respectively (1 = never, 4 = always). Most patients (76%) considered these areas of counseling to be important for the management of their asthma. Most patients (62%) were "somewhat" to "pretty" satisfied with the type and amount of asthma counseling provided by their pharmacist. Counseling sessions averaged less than 3 minutes. Only 25% of patients would be willing to pay an additional amount for pharmaceutical care. CONCLUSION: Self-reported rates of patient counseling concerning asthma medications in the community pharmacy setting are low and adequately address neither the educational needs of patients nor the recommendations of the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program.

Adult↗