Maintaining the methadone patient.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Humans↗
Biomedical subjects
R McDermott
Publications and source records attributed to R McDermott.
Insulin resistance syndrome in Australian aboriginal people.
1. Like many indigenous populations, Australian Aboriginal people have developed high rates of obesity, non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) and cardiovascular and renal disease following the transition from a traditional to an 'urbanized' lifestyle. These conditions tend to cluster as part of the insulin resistance syndrome. 2. The prevalence of overweight people and obesity in Australian Aboriginal populations ranges from 0% in communities with a traditionally orientated lifestyle to well over 50% in the worst affected communities. There is a predominantly central pattern of fat deposition in both men and women, which is associated with greater insulin resistance and cardiovascular risk than is peripheral fat deposition. 3. Data from four previously published, population-based surveys in Aboriginal communities were combined to give a cohort of 1079 subjects of 15 years and older. Several conditions of the insulin resistance syndrome had a strong, positive association with increasing body mass index (BMI): NIDDM (both cross-sectionally and longitudinally), hypertension, dyslipidaemia and albuminuria. Remaining lean (BMI < 20 kg/m2) protected even older Aboriginal people from these conditions to a large extent. 4. Community based programmes to increase physical activity and improve dietary quality are likely to be the major means by which conditions associated with insulin resistance can be prevented in Aboriginal populations.
Female↗
The prevalence of smokeless tobacco use in native children in northern Saskatchewan, Canada.
We used a self-administered questionnaire to develop a profile of smokeless tobacco use among 1,170 Canadian native children aged 7 to 21 years attending schools situated in remote communities in northern Saskatchewan. Nearly 30% of the sample were current users of smokeless tobacco; more than 50% of users began to use these products before the age of 12 years. More males than females chewed tobacco or dipped snuff. The results revealed a relatively high prevalence of smokeless tobacco users among the present sample of native children and were found to be consistent with data from other studies of similarly aged native populations. The results also showed a prevailing pattern of addiction among the users of smokeless tobacco. It is suggested that educational programs aimed at preventing or reducing the use of tobacco products among native populations be intensified and as well, these programs would benefit from the active participation of trained native personnel.
Adolescent↗
Red-back spider envenomation in the red centre of Australia.
OBJECTIVE: To examine the incidence, symptoms and treatment of red-back spider envenomation at a rural hospital. METHODS: A retrospective review of all patients admitted to the intensive care unit of Alice Springs Hospital with red-back spider envenomation from 1 January 1991 until 31 December 1992. RESULTS: Thirty-two patients were identified, of whom 12 were Australian Aboriginals (35%). Mean time from bite to presentation was 21 hours. Twenty-six patients required antivenom. All patients responded well to therapy and adverse reactions to the antivenom were observed. Two antivenom recipients had had previous bites requiring treatment. Aboriginals received antivenom later than non-Aboriginals (27.0 h v. 16.5 h) and this delay was associated with more sweating and fever in Aboriginals. CONCLUSION: Red-back spider envenomation is common in Central Australia. Aboriginals and non-Aboriginals are equally at risk but later presentation is more common in Aboriginals who thereby suffer greater systemic symptoms. Antivenom use is safe and effective.
Adolescent↗