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Biomedical subjects

M Helliwell

Publications and source records attributed to M Helliwell.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1993

Solid oral dosage forms.

The oral route of drug administration is the most convenient for patients, with tablets emerging as the most popular solid oral dosage form used today. Standard compressed, controlled-release and coated tablets are the most common form of solid oral dosages. A wide range and diversity of ingredients are often included in tablet formulations. A knowledge of the difference between tablet and capsule formulations should enable nurses to improve patient compliance with respect to solid oral dosage forms.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1992

Liquid preparations for oral administration.

Liquids are easier to swallow and act more quickly than solid dosage forms, but may be unpalatable and relatively unstable. Solutions contain dissolved drugs and may be difficult to formulate or to make palatable; suspensions are usually more pleasant to take but accuracy of dosing may be affected by settling of drug particles. The dose of a drug in liquid and solid form may differ because different drug compounds are often used. Liquids contain many additives which can give rise to adverse affects in the patient.

Chemistry, Pharmaceutical↗
PubMed1985

Staphylococcus aureus infection complicating haemarthroses in elderly patients.

The case histories of 3 elderly patients who developed haemarthrosis of osteoarthritic joints with subsequent infection with staphylococcus aureus, are described. Trauma to the affected joints was a predisposing factor in 2 patients and, while only one patient developed clinical signs of sepsis, all had marked elevation of the erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Although suspicion of joint sepsis was obscured by the presence of a coexistent haemarthrosis, routine culture of joint aspirates showed infection with staphylococcus aureus and all patients recovered well with antibacterial therapy.

Aged↗
PubMed1984

Thyroxine-binding prealbumin--an index of disease activity or nutritional status in rheumatoid arthritis?

Thyroxine-binding prealbumin (TBPA) concentrations were measured in 54 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and 50 control subjects. TBPA levels were significantly depressed in the RA patients, of whom 15 had values below the laboratory reference range. Although significant negative correlations were seen between TBPA and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein and alpha 1-antichymotrypsin measurements, TBPA levels showed little relationship to disease activity as assessed clinically. On the other hand, RA patients with reduced TBPA had an increased frequency of associated anthropometric and serum visceral protein abnormalities indicating nutritional impairment. TBPA is probably subjected to diverse stimuli in patients with RA and should not be considered to act as a 'pure' negative acute phase reactant.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

A pharmacokinetic comparison of choline magnesium trisalicylate and soluble aspirin.

Claims that twice-daily dosage of choline magnesium trisalicylate (CMT) may alter salicylate disposal kinetics and result in sustained plasma levels were examined. Plasma levels, urine excretion and pharmacokinetics of salicylate were estimated in six men following the recommended twice-daily dose of CMT and a smaller dose of soluble aspirin. The plasma salicylate levels achieved with CMT were lower than those seen in previous studies but this probably reflected differences of methodology. Salicylate levels were not sustained between doses and elimination rates and half-life were similar for both preparations. No major alteration of disposal kinetics could be demonstrated for CMT with the dose used in the present study.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1984

Nutritional status in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

A nutritional assessment of 50 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) showed evidence of malnutrition in 13 (26%), while all 50 control subjects had normal nutritional status. Of the anthropometric measurements the body-mass index and triceps skinfold thickness values in men and women were significantly reduced in RA patients compared with controls. Upper arm muscle circumference was significantly less in male but not female rheumatoid patients. In addition all six biochemical determinants of nutrition assayed-serum albumin, transferrin, retinol-binding protein, thyroxine-binding prealbumin, zinc, and folic acid-were significantly lower in the RA group of patients. Malnourished patients had more active disease than the remaining RA patients, with significantly higher ESR, C-reactive protein, and alpha 1 antichymotrypsin measurements. Significant inverse correlations were found between some biochemical measurements of nutrition and indices of disease activity. Our results suggest that in RA the severity of disease adversely affects the nutritional status.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

The effect of hyperparathyroidism on the course of rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis and primary hyperparathyroidism have been diagnosed in three patients. This is likely to represent the coincidence of two common diseases but the clinical features are discussed with particular reference to the presence and withdrawal of raised levels of circulating parathyroid hormone (PTH). It is argued that raised levels of PTH potentiate the effects of the rheumatoid disease on bone and joints. Other musculoskeletal features of hyperparathyroidism and the actions of PTH on bone are reviewed.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

[Rheumatic symptoms in primary hyperparathyroidism].

In a retrospective survey of 34 patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (HPT), 18 (53%0 complained of musculo-skeletal symptoms during the 12 months before the diagnosis was made and 9 (26%) attended at some time for either a rheumatological or orthopaedic consultation. Myalgia was the most frequently reported symptom which occurred in 41% of patients. Arthralgia, mainly affecting the large joints was present in 11 (32%) patients, 2 of whom had an erosive synovitis mimicking rheumatoid arthritis. Radiological abnormalities were seen in 8 patients. Clinicians should be aware of the variety and frequency of musculo-skeletal symptoms associated with HPT and should consider including serum calcium measurements when investigating rheumatic complaints.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

Experience with activated carbon-bead haemoperfusion columns in the treatment of severe drug intoxication. A preliminary report.

Five patients who were severely poisoned with hypnotic drugs, paracetamol, or theophylline were treated by charcoal haemoperfusion. The device contained 160 g of activated carbon beads with a polyester coating. Four patients made a significant improvement; one subsequently died from a cerebral haemorrhage which had occurred prior to haemoperfusion. Platelet losses were minimal and no fibrinolysis was observed. No significant biochemical abnormality occurred as a result of haemoperfusion, although one patient, who presented with hypocalcaemia, required intravenous calcium throughout the procedure.

Acetaminophen↗
PubMed1981

Extracorporeal treatment of salicylate or acetaminophen poisoning--is there a role?

Hemodialysis or sorbent hemoperfusion has been used in the management of clinical overdose of salicylates or acetaminophen. Hemodialysis offers considerable benefit in severe salicylate poisoning and is preferred to hemoperfusion or peritoneal dialysis, since it more rapidly corrects acid-base and electrolyte abnormalities than does hemoperfusion, and since it is clearly more efficient than is peritoneal dialysis for the removal of salicylates. Charcoal hemoperfusion in animal studies and hemodialysis in man have been shown to accelerate acetaminophen elimination from the body. Hemodialysis and hemoperfusion are of questionable benefit in clinical acetaminophen overdose. However, our clinical experience to date with charcoal hemoperfusion in "late" acetaminophen overdose has been associated with a less notable increase in liver enzyme concentrations in comparison with results of retrospective studies of series of patients treated or not treated with sulfhydryl donors.

Acetaminophen↗
PubMed1981

Theophylline absorption by effervescent activated charcoal (Medicoal).

Plasma theophylline concentrations were measured in six volunteers given 675 mg of a sustained-release preparation (Phyllocontin). Significant reductions in both the mean recorded peak theophylline plasma concentrations and the mean 12-hour theophylline bioavailability were observed after the administration of effervescent activated charcoal (Medicoal) in single and multiple doses. These results indicate the potential use of activated charcoal in the management of theophylline poisoning.

Adult↗