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Biomedical subjects

J Drury

Publications and source records attributed to J Drury.

27 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Genetic and metabolic studies in diabetic neuropathy.

Forty-one diabetic patients with symptomatic diabetic neuropathy were studied together with an equal number of matched diabetic subjects without neuropathy. The acetylator status was determined and HLA-A, B, C and DR antigens were investigated. Metabolic control was assessed by measurement of glycosylated haemoglobin and by the mean of multiple random clinic blood glucose values. No significant difference was observed between the two groups in the proportion of fast and slow acetylators. The distribution of HLA frequencies was similar in subjects with and without neuropathy for both Type 1 (insulin-dependent) and Type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetic patients. When compared with diabetic subjects without neuropathy, the neuropathy group had higher levels of both glycosylated haemoglobin (mean +/- SEM: 50.1 +/- 1.4 versus 57.5 +/- 1.8 mmol hydroxymethylfurfural/mol haemoglobin (10.5 +/- 0.3 versus 12.0 +/- 0.4% haemoglobin A1, p less than 0.01) mean blood glucose (9.3 +/- 0.4 versus 11.3 +/- 0.5 mmol/l, p less than 0.005). This study provides no evidence that genetic factors increase the susceptibility of diabetic patients to develop neuropathy. In contrast, the elevated glycosylated haemoglobin and blood glucose levels strengthen the association between hyperglycaemia and diabetic neuropathy.

Adult↗

A feasibility study of the use of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion in a diabetic clinic: patients' choice of treatment.

Insulin-treated diabetic patients attending a busy diabetic clinic were approached to determine their interest in using continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) via a portable pump. Three hundred and eighty-two patients were offered the choice of CSII, intensified conventional therapy (ICT) or continuation of less intensified treatment. One hundred and sixteen patients (30.4%) chose CSII, 169 (44.2%) chose ICT, 97 (25.4%) chose the less intensive regimen. Those choosing CSII represented a broad cross section of the clinic population, though older patients with a longer duration of diabetes tended to continue with less intensified therapy. There were no differences between groups in the level of blood glucose control or the prevalence of complications at the outset of the study. Of 104 patients not previously using CSII, 86 have so far commenced the therapy. Twenty-seven (32.6%) of these discontinued within one year, 23 doing so in the first three months of treatment. Metabolic control, assessed by glycosylated haemoglobin, was significantly improved in the CSII group after three months and in the other treatment groups by six months. Glycosylated haemoglobin levels achieved with CSII were significantly lower at three and six months when compared with the other treatments.

Adolescent↗

Diabetic ketoacidosis associated with outpatient treatment using continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion.

The occurrence of ketoacidosis in out-patient diabetics treated with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) has received little attention. We report two such cases of ketosis, each precipitated by infection and occurring in patients previously well controlled on CSII. This report illustrates that the risk of ketoacidosis is ever present in insulin-treated patients, whether the insulin is infused by pump or injected intermittently.

Diabetes Mellitus↗

Coping.

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Child, Preschool↗

Elevated glycosylated hemoglobin in diabetic neuropathy.

Glycosylated hemoglobin (GHb) levels were measured in 36 patients with established symptomatic neuropathy and in an identical number of matched controls. Strict criteria were employed in the selection of subjects and all had neuropathy of at least 12 months' duration. The diagnosis of neuropathy was supported by estimation of motor conduction velocities and vibration perception threshold. A semi-automated colorimetric technique, employing the reaction between thiobarbituric acid and 5-hydroxy-methyl furfural, was used for the estimation of GHb. Those patients with neuropathy had significantly higher GHb levels (58.2 +/- 11.3 mmol HMF/mol Hb) than the controls (50.0 +/- 8.9 mmol HMF/mol Hb) (p less than 0.01). This suggests that hyperglycemia or related metabolic abnormalities are important factors in established symptomatic neuropathy.

Diabetes Mellitus↗

Continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion in the management of painful diabetic neuropathy.

Nine patients with diabetic neuropathy were treated as outpatients with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII). Painful symptoms were scored on a 10-cm horizontal graphic rating scale; motor conduction velocity (MCV) was measured in the median and peroneal nerves; and vibration perception threshold (VPT) was recorded in the great toes. All investigations were repeated after 6 wk and at the completion of 4 mo of CSII. Improved diabetic control was confirmed by significantly lower mean blood glucose levels, M-values, and glycosylated hemoglobin. Symptomatic relief was noted by all patients and was accompanied by a significant improvement in pain scores. There was also significant improvement in VPT and MCV after 6 wk of CSII, which was maintained throughout the 4-mo period. However, sensory studies in the median nerve showed no significant changes during the study. It is concluded that strict glucoregulation is indicated in all cases of symptomatic diabetic neuropathy. It remains to be seen whether strict diabetic control from diagnosis will lead to a reduction in the incidence of this complication.

Adult↗

The prevalence of symptomatic, diabetic neuropathy in an insulin-treated population.

The prevalence of symptomatic sensorimotor polyneuropathy has been determined in a population of 382 insulin-treated diabetic subjects aged 15-59 yr. Forty-one subjects (10.7%) were found to have diabetic neuropathy, according to strict diagnostic criteria that required the presence of symptoms and signs of nerve dysfunction in the absence of peripheral vascular disease. There was a significant correlation between glycosylated hemoglobin levels and motor conduction velocity in the median and peroneal nerves in all subjects. This finding further emphasizes the importance of metabolic factors related to hyperglycemia in the impaired nerve function seen in diabetic patients.

Adolescent↗

Sexual abuse: giving support to nurses.

Nurses dealing with people who have been sexually abused as children need strong support and supervision systems to enable them to cope with the feelings of helplessness and sadness that can arise. Such a system has been set up at a psychiatric day hospital in London to help nurses provide consistent, long-term and non-judgemental care.

Adult↗