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Biomedical subjects

P L Owens

Publications and source records attributed to P L Owens.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

Depressive disorder, dysthymia, and risk of stroke: thirteen-year follow-up from the Baltimore epidemiologic catchment area study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: This study examined depressive disorder as a risk factor for incident stroke in a prospective, population-based design. METHODS: The Baltimore Epidemiologic Catchment Area Study is a prospective 13-year follow-up of a probability sample of household residents from Baltimore, Md. Depressive disorder was measured with the diagnostic interview schedule, and stroke was assessed by questions from the health interview survey or by documentation on a death certificate. RESULTS: During the 13-year follow-up of 1703 individuals, 66 strokes were reported and 29 strokes were identified by death certificate search. Individuals with a history of depressive disorder were 2.6 times more likely to report stroke than those without this disorder after controlling for heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, and current and previous use of tobacco. Medications used in the treatment of depressive disorder at baseline did not alter this finding. A history of dysthymia demonstrated a similar relationship to stroke, although the estimate was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Depressive disorder is a risk factor for stroke that appears to be independent of traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Further research on mechanisms for the association and the impact of treatment for depressive disorder on subsequent stroke is needed.

Adolescent↗

Large-angle exotropia corrected by intraoperative botulinum toxin A and monocular recession resection surgery.

PURPOSE: Surgical correction of large-angle exotropia, greater than 70 PD, traditionally requires operating on three or four horizontal muscles. However, in secondary exotropia from monocular visual loss, it is advisable to operate only on the eye with poor vision. We used intraoperative botulinum toxin as an adjunct to the monocular recession-resection procedure for large-angle sensory exotropia, therefore operating only on the visually impaired eye. METHODS: Three patients underwent monocular recession (10 mm) and resection (10 mm) along with intraoperative botulinum toxin A injection of 10 units into the recessed muscle. All had desired cosmetic repair of long-standing large-angle exotropia (range 100 to 110 PD) with amblyopia and vision worse than 20/200 in the deviated eye. RESULTS: Within 4 days after operation all patients demonstrated maximal paresis of the lateral rectus muscle. This lasted 8 to 12 weeks and resulted in stable orthotropia at 2.5 years in case 1 and stable 8 PD exotropia at 4 years in case 2. The third case demonstrated a stable 18 PD exotropia by 7 months with a satisfactory cosmetic result. CONCLUSION: This technique provides an alternative for the surgical correction of large-angle exotropia by operating only on two horizontal muscles. In sensory exotropia it also avoids subjecting a normal eye to an operative risk.

Adult↗

Ocular deviation following excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy.

We present a case of ocular deviation and diplopia that developed 9 months after monocular excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy. In this case, decompensation occurred because of a breakdown of fusion at distance. We suggest a cover test to assess the presence of significant phorias in all candidates for refractive surgery procedures.

Cornea↗

Domestic violence: impact on psychiatric medicine.

The 1984 Attorney General's Task Force Report on Domestic Violence attested: Anyone who lives in a violent home experiences an essential loss. The one place on earth where they should feel safe and secure has become a place of danger...the shadow of domestic violence has fallen across their lives and they are forever changed. One report states that the victims of the crime of domestic violence include "not only the people who die from injuries, but the family members who daily endure the psychological, emotional and spiritual abuse and pass on the emotional scars and violent behavior to one generation after another." If we are to stop this cycle of violence, we as physicians must step forward and assume our personal and professional responsibilities.

Domestic Violence↗

Student nurses' attitudes toward nursing research.

This study has various limitations and some generalizations have been made in the interpretations of the findings. However for nursing research to be of significance to students as a means of inquiry, problem solving and investigation, research concepts need to be introduced in nursing education programs as early as possible. Emphasis could be placed on demonstrating processes, application, participation, and environment. In conclusion, encouraging participation, a more comprehensive connection between research processes and demonstrating the relevance of research to nursing is crucial to students in preparing them for their impending role as a registered nurse.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗

Previous strabismus surgery and eye position under anesthesia.

We studied eye position under general anesthesia in 51 patients with concomitant esotropia or exotropia, divided into two groups. One group consisted of strabismus patients who had had no previous surgery. The second group consisted of strabismus patients who had undergone previous surgery on one (asymmetric) or both (symmetric) eyes. We found that both groups showed either no change or more divergence under general anesthesia in comparison to their preoperative state. Those patients who had had no previous surgery revealed an equal divergence in both eyes. This relationship also held true for those patients who had undergone symmetrical surgery in both eyes. However, those patients who had had surgery in one eye only showed more divergence in the operated eye than in the unoperated one. These findings reflect the mechanical--anatomical factors created by the surgery itself.

Adolescent↗