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Biomedical subjects

M Amir

Publications and source records attributed to M Amir.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

Posttraumatic stress disorder, tenderness and fibromyalgia.

The aims of the present study were to inquire into the prevalence of fibromyalgia syndrome, to assess nonarticular tenderness, to measure fibromyalgia syndrome-related symptoms, quality of life, and functional impairment among posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) patients as compared with control subjects. Furthermore, the differences between the PTSD patients with and without fibromyalgia syndrome were studied. Twenty-nine PTSD patients and 37 control subjects were assessed as to the diagnosis of fibromyalgia syndrome according to the American College of Rheumatology. Tenderness was assessed manually and with a dolorimeter. Fibromyalgia syndrome-related symptoms, quality of life, physical functioning, PTSD symptomatology, and psychiatric features were assessed by valid and reliable self-report inventories. Results showed that the prevalence of fibromyalgia syndrome in the PTSD group was 21% vs. 0% in the control group. Furthermore, the PTSD group was more tender than the control group. PTSD subjects suffering from fibromyalgia syndrome were more tender, reported more pain, lower quality of life, higher functional impairment and suffered more psychological distress than the PTSD patients not having fibromyalgia syndrome. It is suggested that previous reports on diffuse pain in PTSD in fact described undiagnosed fibromyalgia syndrome. The link between psychological stress and pain syndromes is emphasized.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1997

Life events in childhood, adolescence and adulthood and the relationship to panic disorder.

The aim of this study was to explore the association between stressful life events (SLE) and the development of panic disorder (PD) in an Israeli sample. A total of 44 PD patients and a matched control group were studied with regard to SLE over the life cycle (in childhood, adolescence, adulthood and the year preceding the outbreak of the disorder). The major findings were as follows. (i) With regard to the total number of life events experienced in childhood and adolescence, the PD group had experienced significantly more life events than the control group. (ii) No differences were detected in the total amount of SLE between the PD group and the control group with regard to adulthood and the year preceding the outbreak of the disorder, although the PD group had more life events relating to loss in adulthood, whereas in the year before the outbreak of PD life events relating to 'love and family', negative and loss events were more prevalent. These results expand previous findings by demonstrating that SLE in childhood and adolescence may contribute to the development of PD in adulthood.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Organ donation: who is not willing to commit? Psychological factors influencing the individual's decision to commit to organ donation after death.

One hundred thirty-nine students in Israel answered 3 questionnaires, Attitudes Toward Organ Donation, Trait-State Anxiety, and Fear of Death. A minority (17%) had signed an organ-donor card. This was found related to age, religious affiliation, viewing donation as a good idea for oneself, knowing people with organ donor cards, and higher scores on the Fear of Death Scale. The combination of the personality scales explained 5% of the total variance of the 'donor card' variable. Factor analysis identified 3 factors representing the reasons preventing the commitment to donate, 'Avoidance,' 'Lack of Interest,' and 'General Intention.' Cluster analysis showed that different combinations of the factors created 3 different clusters. The personality variables explained 18% of the variance of belonging to a specific nondonor cluster. It was concluded that failure to possess an organ donor card does not necessarily reflect opposition to donation and that there are different dimensions of ambivalence toward the commitment to donate one's organs after death.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1996

Positive-negative evaluation (PNE) scale: a new dimension of the subjective domains of quality of life measure.

A new subjective measure of Quality of Life (QOL), the Subjective Domains of Quality of Life Measure (SDQLM), developed by Bar-On and Amir, is a qualitative and quantitative self-structured method shown to have internal reliability and construct validity compared with quantitative pre-structured measures and evaluations by spouses and physicians. To earlier analyses on a sample of male hypertensives and normotensives, we added a content analysis which is reported here, in which the elicited QOL domains were assessed according to whether the respondent evaluated his QOL domains as positive, negative or neutral/mixed. The content analysis showed that respondents may be classified on a continuous scale from stable positive to stable negative evaluations of their QOL domains (before-after measurement). The scale was assembled by ordinal ranging of the answers at two points in time (one year apart). A respondent who evaluated his domain as positive at both such points was ranked highest on the scale, negative at both points the lowest and the two remaining possibilities constituted the middle range. Analysis of the data showed that the SDQLM with this additional content analysis correlated significantly with depression scale scores, sexual functioning, physical fitness, work satisfaction, quality of sleep, hardiness, education and age, as well as individual self-rating of QOL. The subjective measure based on self-elicited domains with PNE was shown to be an important construct compared with pre-structured measures of QOL.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Evaluating the response of mild hypertensives to biofeedback-assisted relaxation using a mental stress test.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the long term effect of a program of biofeedback-assisted relaxation on hypertensive patients by mental stress test reactivity. Twenty mild hypertensive patients were subjected to a mental arithmetic stress test before and six months after completing biofeedback-assisted relaxation therapy. The therapy consisted of 10 sessions of biofeedback-assisted relaxation instruction and continuous home practise. The study group was compared to a control group. The biofeedback-assisted relaxation treatment produced a mild improvement in blood pressure control and decreased the dose of drugs used as well as a decrease in state-anxiety (p < 0.05). The stress-induced increases in systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, galvanic skin response and skin temperature were all significantly attenuated six months after completion of biofeedback-assisted relaxation treatment.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Bacteriuria in a cohort of predominantly HIV-1 seropositive female commercial sex workers in Nairobi, Kenya.

Although significant bacteriuria and urinary tract infection are more common in immunocompetent women than men, studies linking HIV immunosuppression with an increased risk of developing urinary infection have so far only been carried out in men. We therefore examined the relationship between bacteriuria and HIV status and CD4+cell count in a relatively homogeneous cohort of female commercial sex workers (CSW) attending a community clinic in Nairobi. Two hundred and twenty-two women were enrolled, and grouped according to HIV status and CD4 count. Group 1 were HIV seronegative (n = 52); Group 2 were HIV seropositive with CD4 + counts above 500 x 10(6)/l (n = 51); Group 3 were HIV seropositive with CD4 + counts between 201 and 500 x 10(6)/l (n = 67); Group 4 were HIV seropositive with CD4+counts below 200 x 10(6)/l (n = 52). Clinical signs and symptoms were noted and mid-stream specimens of urine obtained for culture and sensitivity. Overall 23% (50/222) had significant bacteriuria. The rates in each group respectively were 25%, 29%, 19% and 23% and there was no significant association between bacteriuria and HIV status; or between bacteriuria and level of immuno-suppression as indicated by CD4 + count. Overall 19% (30/222) of women had symptoms (frequency; dysuria; loin pain; smelly urine) or signs (fever; loin tenderness) compatible with urinary tract infection. However there was no significant association between symptoms or signs of infection and bacteriuria or HIV status. A typical range of pathogens, predominantly Enterobacteriaceae, were isolated and there were high rates of resistance to commonly used antimicrobials as well as 10% resistance to ciprofloxacin. Although high rates of significant bacteriuria can occur in highly sexually-active women, this appears unrelated to HIV infection or the level of HIV-related immunosuppression and is generally asymptomatic or clinically indistinct.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Type of trauma, severity of posttraumatic stress disorder core symptoms, and associated features.

Sixty-six persons with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) exposed to battlefield experience, civilian terrorism, and work and traffic accidents were studied to assess the differential outcome of the various types of trauma as measured by PTSD core symptoms and associated features of depression, anxiety, interpersonal sensitivity, and somatization. The participants were assessed on a PTSD scale, Impact of Events Scale, and four Symptom Check List subscales. The results showed that the battle-experience group was more severely affected than the other groups. Time elapsed since the trauma was significantly positively correlated to PTSD core symptoms and associated features. Only the time elapsed since the trauma-not the division into type of trauma groups-was significantly correlated with severity. Education and army rank were found to be protecting variables.

Accidents, Occupational↗
PubMed1996

Quality of life in normotensives compared to hypertensive men treated with isradipine or methyldopa as monotherapy or in combination with captopril: the LOMIR-MCT-IL study.

Quality of life (QOL) measures were assessed in a multi-center, double-blind, case-controlled trial of 1 year's duration. A total of 368 hypertensive male patients were randomly assigned to monotherapies of either isradipine, methyldopa or placebo. If normotension was not achieved, captopril was added. QOL assessments in the hypertensives and in 155 normotensives included a self-structured scale to measure the subjective perception of QOL, the severity, desirability and controllability of recent critical life events, semantic memory, physical dysfunction, sleep disorders, sexual difficulties, depression and work-related stress. The overall withdrawal rate during the trial was 19%, mainly due to lack of efficacy and adverse experiences. At baseline, and at the end of the trial, the normotensives as compared to hypertensive patients, had significantly better scores in most QOL measures. Patients treated with the combination of isradipine and captopril reported more favorable changes in the subjective measure of QOL (P < 0.03) and in semantic memory (P < 0.001) than patients treated with any of the monotherapies or with methyldopa in combination with captopril. There were no statistically significant differences among treatments for changes of other indices of QOL. In most QOL measurements, normotensives rated better then hypertensives. Patients treated on long-term therapy with the combination of isradipine and captopril showed improvement in self-structured QOL measures and semantic memory, compared to patients treated either with methyldopa or placebo.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Nasopharyngeal carriage of Staphylococcus aureus and carriage of tetracycline-resistant strains associated with HIV-seropositivity.

The aim of this prospective study was to investigate the relationship between carriage of antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). A total of 554 pernasal swabs was taken during a six-month period from 554 adult patients attending three outpatient clinics and from inpatients from a hospital in Nairobi, Kenya. Overall, 121 swabs (22%) yielded Staphylococcus aureus, there being significantly higher carriage in HIV-positive patients (71/264, 27%) than in HIV-negative patients (50/290, 17%); p = 0.008. Antimicrobial resistance rates were determined for 110 isolates and were high for penicillin (91%) and tetracycline (72%) and low for erythromycin (8%), methicillin (3%), gentamicin (5%) and chloramphenicol (0%). Genetic analysis showed plasmids in the range of 24-42 MDa to be associated with beta-lactamase production and plasmids in the range of 3-5 MDa to be associated with resistance to tetracycline, erythromycin and trimethoprim. All nine erythromycin-resistant strains were from HIV-positive patients (p = 0.02). There was a significant association of tetracycline resistance with HIV seropositivity (p = 0.002). The association of HIV seropositivity with Staphylococcus aureus carriage and carriage of antibiotic-resistant strains against the background of the HIV epidemic are of relevance in individual patient care and raise concern for public health.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Does the combination of ACE inhibitor and calcium antagonist control hypertension and improve quality of life? The LOMIR-MCT-IL study experience.

The LOMIR-MCT-IL study was designed to investigate the effects of different antihypertensive drugs on the quality of life (QoL) of men with mild-to-moderate hypertension. This report focuses on the subgroup of patients treated with the combination of the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor captopril and the calcium antagonist isradipine. The LOMIR-MCT-IL was a double-blind multicenter, placebo-controlled, one-year follow-up study in which 368 hypertensive men, aged 40-65 years, were randomly allocated to receive either isradipine, methyldopa or placebo at three titration levels. If diastolic blood pressure (DBP) remained > 90 mmHg, captopril was added openly. The QoL evaluation introduced a qualitative self-structured subjective measure in addition to prestructured quantitative measures. The quality of life was assessed at baseline, after 6 months and at the end of the study. Methyldopa normalized DBP in 50% of patients when given as monotherapy and an additional 34% with the addition of captopril (84% total). With placebo, 36% normalized DBP and another 39% on addition of captopril (75% total) and, with isradipine, 64% normalized DBP and an additional 26% with added captopril (90% total). Assessment of QoL showed that both the placebo and the isradipine+captopril groups showed significant improvement in semantic memory after antihypertensive treatment. The isradipine+captopril group showed a clear tendency towards lower depression scores, better quality of sleep, better subjective evaluation of QoL and a more positive evaluation of personal life events in comparison to the other groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Reexamining the quality of life of hypertensive patients. A new self-structured measure.

This study included the introduction of a new, qualitative, self-structured measure of quality of life (QOL) after meta-analysis had shown that prestructured quantitative measures yielded insignificant results. This study compared the pre- and post-treatment evaluations of 268 men with mild hypertension, aged 40 to 65 years, who were randomly allocated to three treatment groups (methyldopa, isradipine, and placebo) with that of 155 normotensive subjects. It was found that the study participants defined QOL qualitatively differently from the way it was defined by physicians. Normotensive subjects showed a better QOL status in most prestructured measures whereas the patients taking isradipine showed better results on evaluation of the current level of their self-defined domains. The combined quantitative and qualitative approach to measuring QOL may help to clarify this important aspect of medical research, both conceptually and methodologically.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Caught by a cage.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Anesthesia, Closed-Circuit↗
PubMed1991

Some new N-substituted alpha-aryl/alkyl succinimides as possible anticonvulsants.

In view of their expected MAO inhibitory CNS depressant and anticonvulsant properties a number of N-(5-alkyl-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl)-alpha-aryl/alkyl succinimides (1-20) and N-(cyclohexyl)-alpha-aryl/alkyl succinimides (21-25) have been synthesized. Some of them when screened for anticonvulsant activity against pentetrazole induced seizures in mice at a dose of 80 mg/kg were found to be 10 to 50% active.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

[Psychological preparation for surgery].

Recognition of the importance of psychological intervention for surgical patients is a relatively recent development. A range of diverse intervention techniques is now being used to relieve the distress of invasive procedures. We report results of a study in which surgical patients underwent psychological preparation. Intervention was based on a cognitive-behavioral program ("stress inoculation") built on the assumption that it is possible to "immunize" against stress just as it is possible to immunize by inoculation against measles or any other disease. This is done by exposing the individual to the agent (stress) in small doses in order to develop natural resistance. Coping mechanisms then develop so that when a real stressful situation is faced, its demands can be met satisfactorily. The experimental group of 20 patients had a 30-minute conversation with a psychologist in which they were taught various coping devices, including cognitive reappraisal of events surrounding the operation, calming self-talk and cognitive control through selective attention. The 20 in the control group met with the psychologist for the same length of time, but the content of the conversation was completely unrelated to the operation (attention-placebo group). The experimental group needed less post-surgical analgesia than the control group and coped better with the surgical situation in the opinion of the surgeons.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1987

Considerations guiding physicians when informing cancer patients.

The objective of the present research was to study, in a multivariate design, the considerations that guide the physician when informing cancer patients about their diagnosis and prognosis. General surgeons (104) in Israel were presented with hypothetical case stories and other questionnaires. It was found that the main factor guiding the physician, when informing about the diagnosis, is the approach the physician holds towards information to cancer patients. When informing about the prognosis other factors were found relevant, the main one being the seriousness of the disease. Other considerations guiding for both diagnosis and prognosis were patient characteristics, such as questions asked and intelligence of patient as perceived by physician. Tenure of physician was important in that senior physicians tend to give a more optimistic prognosis than their junior colleagues, but not a more benign diagnosis. The findings were discussed in terms of the combination of variables encouraging openness or reticence from the physician.

Anxiety↗