Biomedical subjects

M Larkin

Publications and source records attributed to M Larkin.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2004

Routine psychosocial assessment of women in the antenatal period: frequency of risk factors and implications for clinical services.

Routine psychosocial assessment was introduced at an Australian public hospital's antenatal clinic in 2001. After modification, this assessment consists of 12 questions together with the Edinburgh Depression Scale (EDS). Data are reported for responses to these questions from over 2,000 English-speaking women presenting to the clinic in a 12-month period. These 12 questions and the EDS were categorised into seven risk domains, with 12% of the women (n = 260) having three or more of these risk domains. Referral information to one of our two clinical services shows that 6.7% of women assessed in the antenatal clinic become clients having face-face counselling, and a further 7.2% have just telephone contact with this specialist perinatal mental health service. This information should prove useful for services considering implementing routine psychosocial assessments (or "screening") in the antenatal period.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Characterization of bone metastases in patients with renal cell cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the clinical features of bone metastases in patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) treated with interleukin-2 therapy. Bone lesions contribute to significant morbidity and mortality, and although present in up to half of patients with RCC, their behaviour and response to therapy have not been well characterized. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We evaluated skeletal metastases in 19 patients with bone lesions who received either moderate- or high-dose interleukin-2 therapy. Data on bone disease, including location and number of bone lesions, need for bone-specific therapies and use of pain medications, were noted. The response of bone lesions to interleukin-2 was compared with the response of other systemic metastatic sites. RESULTS: Skeletal metastases resulted in significant morbidity by causing pain (75%) and other complications requiring surgical and/or radiotherapeutic intervention (94%) before beginning interleukin-2 therapy. In most patients the response of bone lesions to interleukin-2 was similar to that in their other systemic sites. Treatment with interleukin-2 had no significant effect on the requirement for pain medication for bone pain. However, it may have prevented skeletal complications requiring surgery or radiotherapy. None of the patients had hypercalcaemia; there was no significant association between bone metastases and elevated alkaline phosphatase levels. CONCLUSIONS: Skeletal metastases are a significant contributor to morbidity among patients with RCC. Bone lesions respond similarly to interleukin-2 therapy as other systemic sites. Bisphosphonates appear promising for these predominantly osteolytic lesions.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Eczema and early solid feeding in preterm infants.

AIMS: To establish whether development of eczema is influenced by feeding practices in preterm infants, while taking account of confounding factors. METHODS: Data were assembled from 257 infants born prematurely and studied to 12 months post-term. Logistic regression analysis was performed to establish the association between feeding practices and eczema, allowing for potential confounding factors including the infants' gender, parental atopic status, social background, and parental smoking habits. RESULTS: For the development of eczema (with or without other symptoms) by 12 months post-term, the introduction of four or more solid foods by or before 17 weeks post-term was a significant risk (odds ratio 3.49). Male infants were at significantly higher risk (odds ratio 1.84). In addition, having non-atopic parents who introduced solid foods before 10 weeks post-term or having at least one atopic parent represented a significant risk scenario (odds ratio 2.94). CONCLUSIONS: Early introduction of a diverse range of solid foods may predispose the preterm infant to eczema development by 12 months post-term. Furthermore, non-atopic parents who practice early as opposed to late introduction of solid foods may be exposing preterm infants to a greater risk of eczema by 12 months post-term.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2001