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Biomedical subjects

R D Kennedy

Publications and source records attributed to R D Kennedy.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1996

Causes of death among U.S. military personnel: a 14-year summary, 1980-1993.

Data extracted from the Report of Casualty (DD Form 1300) of the Department of Defense's Worldwide Casualty System were used to describe the 27,070 deaths among active duty personnel for the 14-year period 1980 through 1993. Ninety-five percent of all military deaths occurred among males and 84% among enlisted personnel. Unintentional injuries were the leading cause of death among both males (61%) and females (52%). Diseases accounted for about 20% of all death and represented the second most significant cause of death for both male and female service personnel. Suicide was the third leading major cause of death among males (13%), followed by homicide (5%); among females this order was reversed, with homicide (14%) exceeding suicide (12%). About 2% of all deaths resulted from combat. The findings presented here are useful in identifying cause-specific high-risk groups in each of the four service branches and directing appropriate prevention strategies.

Accidents↗
PubMed1993

Pneumoconiosis: comparison of digitized and conventional radiographs.

The classification of pneumoconiosis on 108 paired radiographs obtained in coal miners was compared by using conventional radiograph film images and digitized images of those conventional film images. Conventional film images and digitized images were each independently read in a random order in two separate sessions by three radiologists certified as "B" readers. Overall, the digitized images were perceived as being of better quality than the conventional film images (radiograph quality grade 1, 48% [617 of 1,292 classifications] vs 37% [482 of 1,296], respectively; P < .001). The mean International Labour Office (ILO) scores for small-opacity profusion were similar between the digitized images and conventional film images (3.14 vs 3.24, respectively; P = .19). The mean absolute differences in small-opacity profusion score between radiograph pairs were also similar (0.74 vs 0.77, respectively; P = .50). No difference in the ILO type of opacity was noted between the display modes. Interpretation of digitized images for pneumoconiotic small opacities was shown to be an acceptable alternative to interpretation of conventional film images; the important problem of reader variability affects both display modes.

Humans↗
PubMed1992

Injuries in the Alaskan Arctic.

In recent years, the State of Alaska has developed a Trauma Registry data collection system on injuries which result in hospitalization or death. All 25 acute care hospitals in Alaska have agreed to participate in this Trauma Registry. Data are presented from this registry on injuries which occurred between March 1988 and December 31, 1990 in the North Slope Borough, the Northwest Arctic Borough, and the Norton Sound Region. Causes of death and serious injury are presented and comparisons made among regions and between Natives (primarily Inupiat Eskimos) and non-Natives. Use of firearms accounted for the majority of fatalities (32%), while falls were the most reported injury (19%). Trauma Registry Data can be used to target high risk groups and activities for the development and evaluation of prevention programs. This database also is used for quality assurance reviews of patient care and outcomes.

Alaska↗
PubMed1992

The NIOSH B reader certification program. An update report.

Physicians trained in the use of the International Labour Office system for classification of radiographs of pneumoconioses who pass a competence test administered by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health are designated as B readers. The current certification and recertification examinations for qualification under the NIOSH B reader program are described. Details of the rationale and format of each examination are given, and information on candidates' scores provided for the years 1987-1990.

Certification↗
PubMed1987

Hypertension in the elderly.

Hypertension in the elderly, when to treat, and with what to treat all remain controversial areas. Epidemiological data and demographic projections indicate the likelihood of a marked increase in the numbers of elderly with systolic and probably diastolic hypertension in the next 30 years. Systolic hypertension in the old can no longer be regarded as benign. The effect of intervention trials on mortality and morbidity in those over 65 fail to show consistent results, depending on the age span of the cohorts examined. When the physician decides to institute therapy, the increased prosperity of the old and very old to severe or life-incapacitating side effects must influence the drug of choice. Newer agents such as calcium antagonists and angiotension converting enzyme inhibitors are promising. Each new agent must be tested in an elderly population. There is increasing evidence that present treatment has a lessening influence on the course of hypertension and related events in those over 80 years.

Aged↗
PubMed1983

Digoxin kinetics in the elderly.

Digoxin elimination phase kinetics have been studied in 24 hospital in-patients (mean age 79 years), six of whom showed no evidence of digoxin toxicity. The others, with suspected toxicity, have been grouped according to the nature of the drug effects observed. Renal function, digoxin elimination half-life, apparent volume of digoxin distribution, and notional body content of digoxin have been compared between the groups. Apart from two hyperthyroid patients, the volumes of distribution averaged 6.1 1/kg. Toxic patients tended to have lower creatinine clearances, longer digoxin half-lives, and higher body contents of digoxin than the nontoxic, but the highest body contents were found in those with systemic toxicity. Thyrotoxicosis increases the apparent volume of digoxin distribution in the elderly.

Aged↗
PubMed1977

Digitalisation and digitalis detoxication in the elderly.

Twenty-three elderly patients with normal renal function were studied during digitalisation for cardiac failure or atrial fibrillation. Mean serum digoxin concentrations were in the therapeutic range from the fourth day in seven patients given digoxin 0.25 mg daily, from the second day in seven patients given 0.5 mg followed by 0.25 mg daily, and from the first day in nine patients given 0.75 mg followed by 0.25 mg daily. Toxic effects were not encountered in any patient. Serial measurement of serum digoxin concentrations in six patients recovering from digitalis intoxication, all of whom had severe renal impairment, allowed calculation of serum half-times (62 to 189 hours), and elimination constants (9 to 27% per day). The apparent volumes of distribution of digoxin were around 300 litres, and the apparent body contents of the drugs around 20-25 mug/kg body weight. Differences between these figures and those determined by others for younger patients seem mainly to reflect the consequences of renal impairment. If reasonable assumptions are made for fractional absorption, volume of distribution, and elimination constant, serum digoxin levels during digitalisation can be predicted, and are found to agree well with those observed.

Aged↗
PubMed1977

Ischaemic heart disease in the elderly.

Studies were made for evidence of heart disease on 501 people aged 65 and more living at home; 22-4 per cent had clinical and/or electrocardiographic evidence of ischaemic heart disease. The prevalence of ischaemic heart disease increased with age, and was slightly greater in men than women. The frequency of ischaemic heart disease increased with increasing current cigarette consumption and with total cigarette consumption. There was no increase in relation to any of the following possible risk factors: systolic and diastolic blood pressure, blood glucose, serum cholesterol, skinfold thickness, percentage of ideal body weight. The survival over a 5-year period of all subjects with ischaemic heart disease did not differ significantly from that of all subjects together, but the mortality of subjects with ischaemic heart disease and an abnormal electrocardiogram was 1-5 to 2 times that of subjects in whom ischaemic heart disease was diagnosed on the basis of angina pectoris or past cardiac infarction, the electrocardiogram being normal.

Aged↗