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Biomedical subjects

K A Lorenz

Publications and source records attributed to K A Lorenz.

5 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Religiousness and spirituality among HIV-infected Americans.

PURPOSE: To describe the demographic and clinical factors associated with the importance of religiousness and spirituality among patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in the United States. METHODS: Longitudinal study of a nationally representative cohort of 2266 patients receiving care for HIV infection surveyed in 1996 and again in 1998. Measures included 12 items assessing religious affiliation and attendance, the importance of religion and spirituality in life, and religious and spiritual practices. Multi-item religiousness and spirituality scales were constructed. RESULTS: Eighty percent of respondents reported a religious affiliation. Sixty-five percent affirmed that religion and 85% that spirituality was "somewhat" or "very" important in their lives. A majority indicated that they "sometimes" or "often" rely on religious or spiritual means when making decisions (72%) or confronting problems (65%). Women, nonwhites, and older patients were more religious and spiritual. Residents of regions other than the western United States reported higher religiousness. High school graduates were more religious and spiritual than those with less education. Patients who did not report one of the risk factors assessed for HIV infection had higher religiousness scores than injection drug users (IDUs). Women, nonwhites other than Hispanics, patients older than 45 years of age compared to those between 18 and 34 years of age, and more educated patients reported higher spirituality. Clinical stage was not associated with religiousness or spirituality. CONCLUSIONS: A large majority of HIV-infected patients in the United States affirm the importance of religiousness and spirituality. These findings support a comprehensive, humanistic approach to the care of HIV-infected patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Associations of symptoms and health-related quality of life: findings from a national study of persons with HIV infection.

BACKGROUND: Health-related quality of life refers to how well people are able to perform daily activities (functioning) and how they feel about their lives (well-being). The relationship between symptoms and health-related quality of life has not been fully explored. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the association of HIV symptoms with health-related quality of life and with disability days. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: HIV providers in 28 urban and 24 rural randomly selected sites throughout the United States. PATIENTS: Nationally representative sample of 2267 adults with known HIV infection who were interviewed in 1996 and again between 1997 and 1998. MEASUREMENTS: Symptoms, two single-item global measures of health-related quality of life (perceived health and perceived quality of life), and disability days. RESULTS: White patches in the mouth; nausea or loss of appetite; persistent cough, difficulty breathing, or difficulty catching one's breath; and weight loss were associated with more disability days and worse scores on both health-related quality-of-life measures. Headache; pain in the mouth, lips, or gums; dry mouth; and sinus infection, pain, or discharge were associated with worse perceived health. Pain in the mouth, lips, or gums; trouble with eyes; pain, numbness, or tingling of hands or feet; and diarrhea or loose or watery stools were associated with worse perceived quality of life. Headache and fever, sweats, or chills were associated with more disability days. CONCLUSIONS: Several symptoms are associated with worse health-related quality of life and more disability days in persons with HIV infection. In such patients, targeting specific symptoms may improve health-related quality of life and reduce disability.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1982

Sex differences and estrous cycle variations in amphetamine-elicited rotational behavior.

The experiments reported here were designed to determine if there are sex- and/or estrus cycle-dependent differences in amphetamine (AMPH)-elicited rotational behavior in unlesioned rats. Whole brain or striatal levels of AMPH produced by systemic administration of the drug were also measured. At all doses tested (1.0-10.0 mg/kg) systemic administration of AMPH resulted in significantly higher brain levels of AMPH in females than in males. A systemic dose was then calculated which produced equivalent brain levels of AMPH in males and females. Even with equivalent brain levels of AMPH, males produced significantly fewer net rotations than females in estrus, diestrus 2, or proestrus. In female rats the brain levels of AMPH produced by systemic administration did not vary with the estrous cycle. However, the amount of AMPH-elicited rotational behavior did. On the day of estrus, female produced significantly more net rotations than they did 24 h later, on the day of diestrus 1. It is suggested that sex and estrous cycle dependent differences in rotational behavior may be due to the direct or indirect modulation of mesostriatal dopamine activity by gonadal steroid hormone.

Amphetamine↗