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Biomedical subjects

R Schoberberger

Publications and source records attributed to R Schoberberger.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1995

[Psychological and physiological dependence in smokers and there effect on motivation for smoking cessation].

The typical onset of cigarette smoking is determined on various psychological and social factors. The period of experimental smoking may be followed by habituation. Habituation involves development of skill in inhalation and regulation of nicotine dose, becoming accustomed to the mood-altering and other pharmacologic effects of nicotine, and development of a pattern of conditioned reinforcement from smoking. Many smokers continue to smoke because nicotine helps them to regulate mood. The nicotine intake leads promptly and noticeable to pleasant, desired psychotropic effects. In the event of physical dependence, the occurrence of withdrawal symptoms results in renewed nicotine intake. Psychological and physiological dependence could be very different among smokers and this has important implications on the motivation for smoking cessation. Using the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND) to assess nicotine dependence in a population 6.000 randomly selected Austrians were interviewed. 42% of men and 27% of women were found to be smokers. 3 groups of smokers differing in dependence can be described: 36.5% are nicotine addicted; 30.2% must be psychosocial dependent because they show nearly no sign of nicotine dependence; and there is a group between, difficult to classify them as more psychological or more nicotine addicted.

Austria↗
PubMed1995

[Women and smoking].

Of the 300,000 deaths attributable to smoking among women in developed countries in 1985, 21% were coded to lung cancer, for example, 41% to cardiovascular diseases, primarily coronary heart disease and stroke, and 18% to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Overall, female deaths rates from lung cancer in developed countries increased by almost 200% between 1957 and 1987. Smoking and tobacco consumption is a health risk for women at all ages. All women, regardless whether they are pregnant, performing oral contraception or estrogen replacement should not smoke; if they are not able to stop on their own, appropriate counselling and therapy should be provided according to the state of the art. Women who smoke typically go through the menopause 2 or 3 years earlier than non-smokers. Cigarette smoking to increase the risk of estrogen-deficiency diseases, as cardiovascular risk and postmenopausal osteoporosis. Many women want to give up smoking for a number of reasons, such as health, freedom from smoking dependence, financial worries and of course pregnancy. Women find it more difficult to quit than men because of lack of social support, more reliance on cigarette to cope with stress and anxiety and fear of weight gain. Although many women manage to refrain from smoking for a long, they may relapse in situations involving negative emotions, such as conflicts, stress, loss. Men however, tend to relapse in positive situations, such as social events. Smoking cessation programmes have to cover specifically women's need including basic health education, discussion of withdrawal symptoms, strategies to maintain non-smoking and prevent relapse, continuing group support, stress management, advice on weight management, nutrition, fitness and exercise.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Cardiovascular Diseases↗
PubMed1995

[Effect of dexfenfluramine on eating behavior and body weight of obese patients: results of a field study of Isomeride in Austrian general practice].

In a multicenter study by 243 practicing physicians in Austria 819 severely obese subjects of both sexes without overt disease were encouraged to keep a calorie-restricted diet to reduce weight. After a run-in period of more than two weeks of dieting patients started taking 15 mg dexfenfluramine (Isomeride) twice daily for three month. While their weight was fairly stable during the run-in period progressive weight loss occurred during taking dexfenfluramine due to obvious changes in eating habits and appetite allowing to keep the reducing diet more strictly. Females lost 7.7 +/- 3.9 kg while obese men lost 9.32 +/- 4.6 kg. Laboratory tests obtained before starting dexfenfluramine and after 3 months at termination of medication showed blood glucose, cholesterol, LDL and triglycerides to decrease while HDL-cholesterol increased moderately. Dexfenfluramine was well tolerated by the majority of patients. Side effects such as fatigue, sedation, flatulence or diarrhea occurred in only 7.9% of the probands initially and dropped to 2.1% during the third month of the medication. It is concluded that Dexfenfluramine modifies eating habits and appetite thus making weight reducing diets easier acceptable and resulting in weight loss. It is suggested that Dexfenfluramine has a role in treatment regimes for morbid and refractory obesity.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Factors delaying treatment of acute myocardial infarction.

The study was set up to investigate factors delaying treatment of acute myocardial infarction. Nine hundred and sixty-seven Austrian physicians submitted data on their most recent case of myocardial infarction in a cross-sectional study. Mean time for seeking medical care was 111 min from onset; mean admission time to the hospital was 136 min. The degree of anxiety and fear perceived by the patient was positively associated with an earlier decision. Adjusted means of decision time according to degree of fear ranged from 29 to 133 min, adjusted means of admission time from 77 to 153 min. Decision time and admission time were negatively associated with the presence of typical symptoms and a history of myocardial infarction. Adjusted means of decision time according to symptom-history category ranged from 75 to 134 min, adjusted means of admission time from 110 to 151 min. Admission time was also higher in men when patients lived alone, and if the journey to the hospital was a 40 min or more car drive (i.e. 90th percentile). We conclude that measures that increase awareness in patients at risk are vital to reduce delays in seeking medical care and hospital admission, and thus to improve the prognosis of acute myocardial infarction.

Aged↗
PubMed1994

[Smoking intervention program].

For promoting health the "Fonds Gesundes Osterreich" worked out an "Intervention Programme Against Smoking". In cooperation with different institutions as "Osterreichische Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Volksgesundheit", "Ludwig-Boltzmann Institut für Gesundheitspsychologie der Frau" and "Institute of Social Medicine, University of Vienna" a report on smoking and health, an update on smoking in pregnancy and associated health hazards, report and overview of smoking cessation in Austria and state of the art of smoking cessation therapy were carried out. Based on these projects curricula for physicians, pharmacists, midwives and psychologists were prepared to involve more and more health professionals that smoking cessation treatment will become a generally accepted part of any preventive or therapeutic strategy to control tobacco associated diseases. The target group of the intervention programme is the dissonant smoker, who wants to stop smoking, informing him and providing professional help. Many techniques ranging from self help to sophisticated combined therapeutic approaches including pharmacological interventions are now available to deal with the nicotine addiction problem. For health policy and public health smoking cessation will be one approach within the framework of a comprehensive approach to control the most important modern epidemic, the health damages caused by tobacco consumption.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

[Factors delaying therapy in myocardial infarct].

The timelag from onset of myocardial infarction to beginning of treatment is significantly correlated with prognosis, especially since introduction of thrombolytic therapy. Based on the last case of 967 Austrian physicians (general practitioners and internists, working in an office or in a hospital) we investigated possible factors delaying the beginning of treatment. On the average it took 111 minutes from onset of symptoms until the patient contacted physicians working in offices. The overall mean from onset of symptoms to hospital admission was 136 minutes. Within the hospital almost no delay was reported. Main factors for delay were repression or suppression and misinterpretation of symptoms. Thus, the biggest potential for an early onset of treatment lies within the patients response to onset of symptoms. Measures improving knowledge about mechanisms of the disease of known or possible coronary heart disease patients are most important. Side-effects, such as over-critical or demanding patients should be avoided. In any case they should not distract from the importance of measures improving patients response.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

[Therapy for smoking: consensus in German-speaking countries].

The german speaking countries (Austria, Germany, Switzerland) are not the most advanced in the world when it comes to the control of tobacco related diseases. The medical system in these countries has yet to be convinced that smoking cessation is not only necessary but feasible. In order to provide a basic document for further activities, a consensus development process was initiated. The consensus development process forms part of the activities performed by the UICC (International Union Against Cancer) Project Smoking Cessation, which is a project within the framework of the UICC Tobacco and Cancer Programme. The 1988 Report of the US Surgeon General states very clearly, that the use of tobacco products is not a matter of free choice, but is the result of an addiction as scientifically valid as the addiction to heroin and other narcotics. The scientific literature provides informations on many methods and techniques for a smoking cessation, both pharmacological and non-pharmacological. Many pharmacological approaches have been tried to treat nicotine dependence in man. According to scientific standards and many controlled studies, nicotine has been the only drug found to be effective in treating nicotine dependence. Many techniques, ranging from self help to sophisticated combined therapeutic approaches including pharmacological interventions, are now available to deal with the nicotine addiction. Smoking cessation treatment uses time, effort and other resources and the question of reimbursement for these services has to be considered. As with any other form of treatment, costs needed to be paid either by the individual patient/client and/or by other sources including private and national health insurance systems.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acupuncture Therapy↗
PubMed1992

[Food service in Austrian hospitals: results of a survey].

130 medical and 130 administrative heads were asked to fill in a structured questionnaire to obtain an assessment of meals provided in Austrian hospitals. 62 questionnaires in each group were returned fully completed. Meals: öS 46,--are available per patient and day; whereby the costs of special diets are öS 11,--higher on average per day. Diets on offer: 96.8% of the questioned hospitals offered a diabetes diet; 95.2% a weight-reducing diet, 93.5% a light balanced diet and diet for patients with hyperlipidaemia and 90.3% a reduced salt diet (the worst accepted by the patients). 90.3% of these hospitals would consider dietary recommendations as a preventive measure. In fact, preventive dietary measure are implemented in 75.5% of the hospitals questioned. It was apparent that the staff in charge are aware of the influence of correct-nutrition in hospitals. It is recommended that nutritional advice should be offered more often in all wards (this is at present available in only 8.0% of the hospitals). It should be mentioned that financial resources concerning hospital meals should be increased for the more widespread establishment of "healthy food", too.

Austria↗
PubMed1992

[An alternative to alcohol at the work site. General practice test of an electrolyte beverage in hot work environments].

A survey was performed in 1989 by the Institute of Social Medicine and the Austrian Workers Compensation Board(AUVA) to investigated the alcohol problem in 277 factories in which the workers were exposed to hot and dusty atmospheres. As a result of the findings, a further study was undertaken by the same research team to investigate one possible solution to the problem of alcohol consumption at work in a paper-producing factory, predominantly under hot and dusty conditions. The study was well prepared by many activities in the field of health promotion. In this trial, an electrolyte drink especially suited for heat-burdened work places, was introduced for three months as alternative drink to alcohol. Before and after this period the employees answered a questionnaire regarding their alcohol consumption and any changes in consumption habits. One of the main results of the study was the significant increase in electrolyte drink consumption and decrease in wine consumption although that of beer remained practically unchanged. The offered electrolyte drink was accepted as alternative drink by many workers and represents a practical example of health promotion at the place of work. This study should encourage other factories and businesses to experiment with electrolyte drinks especially suited to their particular conditions in an attempt to overcome the problem of alcohol consumption during working hours.

Accidents, Occupational↗
PubMed1991

[Evaluation of a weight reduction program: slender without diets].

"Schlank ohne Diät" ("Weight-Reduction Without Diet") is a strategy to normalize body weight, by influencing multiple factors that appear to influence and promote obesity. The base line of therapy is the modification of nutritional habits. Self-control, especially monitoring and recording of calorie intake and the loss of energy by physical activities is the key that trains every client to change his nutritional habits and helps to reduce body weight and keep normal body weight stable. In a retrospective study, including 134 persons, 84 clients (62,69%) were able to reduce body weight, 9 clients (6,72%) reached starting point of weight and in 30,60% (41 clients) during the participation in this methods an increase of body weight was seen. On an average 120 clients achieved a weight reduction of 5.98 kg during the participation in this method. The loss of weight ranged from 1 to 31 kg per person.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

[Acceptance and subjective well-being with a norgestimate combination pill].

683 women were assessed in the present study. All study participants were subjected to an overall clinical examination before and after a 4-month regimen of a low-dose norgestimate-containing combination oral contraceptive (Cileste); in addition, their subjective well-being was investigated by an appropriate questionnaire. 63.3% of the study participants rated drug tolerance as 'very good' and 23.0% rated it as 'good' at evaluation in the 4th cycle. Between the first and second evaluation, we observed a significant improvement of the depressive mood and of skin and hair problems. Women with skin and hair problems often suffer from 'severe dysmenorrhea'. This difference was statistically significant only at the first evaluation (i.e. before the combined norgestimate regimen) and was not observed in the 4th cycle (i.e. during the Cileste regimen), while the incidence of menstrual disturbances was generally found to decrease.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

[Evaluation of the weight reduction program "Reducing without Diet"].

"Schlank ohne Diät" ("Weight-Reduction Without Diet") is a strategy to normalize body weight, by influencing multiple factors that appear to influence and promote obesity. The base line of therapy is the modification of nutritional habits. Self-control, especially monitoring and recording of caloric intake and the loss of energy by physical activities is the key that trains every client to change his nutritional habits and helps to reduce body weight and keep normal body weight stable. In a retrospective study, including 134 persons, 84 clients (62.69%) were able to reduce body weight, 9 clients (6.72%) reached starting point of weight and in 30, 60% (41 clients) during the participation in this methods an increase of body weight was seen. On an average 120 clients achieved a weight reduction of 5.98 kg during the participation in this methode. The loss of weight ranged from 1 to 31 kg per person.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

[Accomplishments of health consciousness on nutrition behavior. results of a representative inquiry].

Interviews of 1000 probands - representative of the Austrian population - on the subject of health consciousness/nutrition show the following results: --about a quarter (26%) of the population is health-conscious and acts in accordance with this viewpoint --almost half of the Austrians (47%) characterize themselves as being health-conscious, but do not live according to this attitude --the rest of the population, nearly a quarter (22%), has not developed a health-conscious attitude. Health-conscious persons would welcome the introduction of new "more healthy" foods on the market. They would like to have more products of high-fibre foods (60%), skimmed or semi-skimmed milk (56%), low-fat sausages and cheese (51%), special vegetable fat for cooking (50%), drinks with less sugar/alcohol (48%), low fat spread (43%), special margarines (43%) and cheese, sausages and bread with less salt (40%). Persons lacking a health-conscious attitude do not believe that it is essential for such products to be available. They think that similar effects could be reached if probands modified their eating behaviour accordingly more economic nutrition.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

[Therapy and compliance in angina pectoris--analysis of a physician and patient survey].

Positive compliance is essential for the successful treatment of coronary heart disease. To study the reasons for non-compliance of patients with angina pectoris 50 patients out of a sample of 2000 persons were recruited. Randomized telephone-calls were used. The 50 angina pectoris patients were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire. Another questionnaire was sent to all general practitioners and specialists for internal diseases in Austria. 675 doctors replied. The responding physicians reported a 68.9% positive compliance of the patients to pharmaceutical treatment of angina pectoris. Nevertheless most of the physicians believe that about half of the patients sometimes forget to take their medicine or change their therapeutic scheme or don't take the prescribed drugs if they have no symptoms. Patients suffering from angina pectoris confirm compliance problems, but significantly less often than doctors.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗
PubMed1986

[Myocardial infarct promoting type A behavior--an attempt to modify stress-inducing behavior].

To change some crucial elements of coronary-prone behaviour in cardiac patients is considered an important task of behaviour medicine, to reduce physico-chemical and, in particular, psychosocial "risk factors". The experimental study presented had examined whether the type A behaviour pattern, defined as the essential element of coronary-prone behaviour for its latent provocation of stress reactions, can be positively modified through behaviour therapy-focussed treatment within a clinical setting. A total of 91 persons, i.e. 49 recent-MI patients from an inpatient rehabilitation programme and 42 clients of a smoker counselling centre, were examined to identify type A or type B behaviour patterns (Rosenman u. Friedman, 1964). Of 39 type A post-MI patients, 13 (randomly selected) subjects were included in the "trial group" (VG), and participated, within a 4-8 week inpatient rehabilitation programme, in psychological training of stress management, relaxation, and self-control techniques; 3 patients denied participation; the remaining 23 type A post-MI patients, and the 20 type A smoker counselling clients, served as control group KG (A) and KG (B), who did not receive psychological training. Psychological and physiological parameters were assessed at the beginning (t1), the end (t2), as well as 3 and 6 months (t3 and t4) following completion of the psychological training. The results obtained confirm that the MI group includes significantly more type A persons (80 percent) than the cardiologically inconspicious control group of smokers (48 percent). Analysis of the data obtained at the various measurement points show that, as opposed to KG (A) and KG (B), significant improvements have in fact occurred in the trial group, such as reduced mental and psychovegetative stress reactions, which persisted even 3 months after programme completion.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Arousal↗