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Biomedical subjects

S A Pedersen

Publications and source records attributed to S A Pedersen.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1992

[Ileus of the small intestine during the neonatal period. Treatment and prognosis].

During 13 years, 47 infants were treated for mechanical ileus resulting from intestinal obstruction located proximally to the coecum (duodenal obstruction, malrotation, jejuno-ileal obstruction and meconium ileus). The mortality and morbidity were low. A total of three infants died; all of them in the immediate postoperative period. One infant died on account of rupture of the anastomosis; in two infants, death was caused by pulmonary complications and disseminated intravasal coagulation. Seven reoperations were performed and among these five infants on account of adhesions-/fibrous band ileus. At follow-up examination five infants were slightly underweight and retarded in growth; only one child had troublesome gastrointestinal problems. We recommend the use of antenatal ultrasound in the 30th week of gestation more frequently and always when polyhydramnios is present. This should raise the suspicion of gastrointestinal obstruction. Postnatal screening for associated congenital anomalies should also be done, since these are the most frequent cause of death in this patient category.

Duodenal Obstruction↗
PubMed1992

Causality in medicine: towards a theory and terminology.

One of the cornerstones of modern medicine is the search for what causes diseases to develop. A conception of multifactorial disease causes has emerged over the years. Theories of disease causation, however, have not quite been developed in accordance with this view. It is the purpose of this paper to provide a fundamental explication of aspects of causation relevant for discussing causes of disease. The first part of the analysis will discuss discrimination between singular and general causality. Singular causality, as in the specific patient, is a relation between a concrete sequence of causally linked events. General causation, e.g. as in disease etiology, means various categories of causal relations between event types. The paper introduces the concept of a reference case serving as a source for causal inference, reaching beyond the concept of general causality. The second part of the analysis provides exemplification of a theory of causation suitable for discussing singular causation. The chain of events that induce a disease state can be identified as effective causal complexes, each complex composed of non-redundant components, which separately contribute to the effect of the complex, without the individual component being necessary or sufficient in itself to produce the effect. In the third part of the analysis the theory is elaborated further. Causes, defined as non-redundant components, can furthermore be differentiated according to their avoidability, according to theories about human error or by the potential of eradication. Multifactorial models of disease creates a need for systematic approaches to causal factors. The paper proposes a taxonomical terminology that serves this purpose.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

A double-blind placebo-controlled trial of omeprazole on urinary pH in healthy subjects.

Urinary pH is related to urinary calculus formation as well as urinary infection. Omeprazole is an effective inhibitor of gastric acid secretion through inhibition of the parietal cell H+K+ATPase. In this study we have evaluated a possible effect of omeprazole on urine acidification. Ten healthy male subjects took placebo and omeprazole, 40 mg o.m., for 10 days in a double-blind placebo-controlled trial. Morning fasting urinary pH was measured on day 10 of each treatment course using a pH meter. No effect of omeprazole on urinary pH could be demonstrated. It is thus unlikely that it is necessary to take omeprazole treatment into consideration in stone screening. As omeprazole did not affect urinary pH, no urological side effects related to changes in urinary pH can be expected.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

The influence of induced hyperglycaemia on the characteristics of intestinal motility and bile kinetics in healthy men.

Simultaneous recording of duodenal motility and biliary scintigraphy by continuous infusion of 99mTc-dimethyl-iminodiacetic acid was performed in 16 healthy fasted men, of whom eight had an intravenous glucose bolus injection immediately after the passage of a duodenal phase III of the migrating motor complex (MMC). This was followed by a continuous intravenous infusion of glucose. Characteristics of the time-activity curves from the gallbladder area and intestinal area were related to phase activity of the duodenal MMC. The median duration of the entire MMC cycle was significantly shorter in the glucose group than in the group without glucose. The difference was caused by shortening of phase II. Spontaneous gallbladder emptying appeared in all eight subjects from the group without glucose but in only a single subject from the glucose group. The relative amount of liver bile diverted to the gallbladder in the entire cycle was significantly higher in the subjects who received glucose, and in four subjects all the hepatic bile was diverted to the gallbladder. The results demonstrate that induced hyperglycaemia exerts a pronounced effect on gastrointestinal motility and bile kinetics. Available evidence suggests that the effects are caused by a 'medical vagotomy'.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Postprandial gallbladder emptying is related to intestinal motility at the time of meal ingestion.

The characteristics of meal-induced gallbladder emptying in healthy individuals are subject to wide variation. We hypothesized that some of the observed variation might relate to ingestion of the meal during different phases of the migrating motor complex (MMC). Recording of gastrointestinal pressure was combined with scintigraphic recording of bile kinetics during infusion of 99mTc-HIDA. The material consisted of 12 healthy men. Group 1 (n = 6) had a fat-rich meal in phase I, and group 2 (n = 6) had the meal in a phase II. With the end of the meal ingestion as zero, the following results emerged. The subjects in group 1 had a median (range) lag period before beginning of gallbladder emptying of 13.5 (9.0-22.5) min. In group 2 gallbladder emptying began during the meal ingestion in four subjects, and the median lag period was 0 min (minimum, -9.0; maximum, 13.5 (p = 0.02)). The median percentage change of gallbladder counts during the observation period of 54 min in group 1 was 11.5% (from 19% filling to 25% emptying). The corresponding figures in group 2 were 41% (from 2% to 91% emptying (p less than 0.05)). This difference was due to the difference in duration of lag periods, as the emptying rates measured from the end of the lag periods were equal. In conclusion, the onset of postprandial gallbladder emptying relates to the phase activity of the MMC at the time of ingestion.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Causes of death during the first 5 years of a randomized trial of mass screening for colorectal cancer with fecal occult blood test.

The main purpose of population screening for colorectal cancer is to reduce mortality from the disease. The criteria of death from colorectal cancer are defined in the present randomized trial of 61,938 persons between 45 and 74 years old, and the need for an impartial death review committee was demonstrated. Causes of death within the first 5 years are described within subgroups of the test group and compared with those in the control group. Death rates were higher among non-responders to screening than among controls and among those in whom Hemoccult-II had been performed at least once. Persons with negative Hemoccult-II had a lower death rate than controls. The overall autopsy rate was 32%. Lethal complications from treatment of colorectal neoplasia were evaluated per se. Death from colorectal cancer occurred in 74 persons in the total screening group and in 91 among controls. Sources of bias are discussed. A method of evaluating possible benefit to those being screened is suggested. Final results cannot be expected before 1996.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

The effects of omeprazole on interdigestive motility and early postprandial levels of gastrin and secretin.

Ten healthy men participated in a crossover study, and the experiments took place after 10 days of treatment (40 mg omeprazole every morning). Blood samples were drawn at fixed intervals during a complete migrating motor complex (MMC) cycle. The manometric pressure tube was removed after passage of the second duodenal phase III, and an omelet (1400 KJ) tagged with 99mTc was ingested, followed by 150 ml of water tagged with 111In-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid. Mean plasma gastrin (pmol/l) in phases I, II, and III in the omeprazole group was 18.8, 23.3, 19.9, respectively. The corresponding figures for the placebo group were 9.3, 9.6, 9.5, respectively. All mean values for the omeprazole group were significantly higher (p less than 0.01). Mean plasma gastrin in the omeprazole group was significantly higher in phase II than in phase I (p less than 0.05). Mean plasma secretin (pmol/l) in phases I, II, and III in the omeprazole group was 1.6, 1.4, 1.1, respectively. The corresponding figures for the placebo group were 2.0, 1.7, 2.2, respectively. Mean plasma secretin in the omeprazole group was significantly lower in phases I and III (p less than 0.05). The mean incremental integrated postprandial gastrin response (pmol.30 min/l) was significantly higher in the omeprazole group (475.0 versus 97.5) (p less than 0.05). The immediate postprandial mean value of secretin was significantly lower in the omeprazole group (p less than 0.05). We conclude that 40 mg omeprazole elicits i) a phase-related increase in fasting plasma gastrin, ii) a decrease in secretin in phases I and III, iii) an augmented meal-stimulated gastrin response, and iv) a secretin response characterized by a significantly lower mean in the immediate postprandial period.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

A double-blinded multicenter trial of somatostatin in the treatment of acute pancreatitis.

To evaluate the effect of somatostatin in the treatment of acute pancreatitis, 63 patients were randomly allocated to continuous intravenous infusion for three days of 250 micrograms of somatostatin (Dura Scan, Odense, Denmark) per hour (n = 33), or placebo (n = 30). Patients with a first attack of pancreatitis, serum amylase level of more than 450 units per liter and symptoms for less than 24 hours were eligible for participation in the study. Apart from a slightly significant faster decrease in serum amylase concentrations, we were unable to demonstrate any significant benefit from somatostatin with regard to paraclinical values and clinical course.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1991

Short report: a double-blind placebo-controlled trial of omeprazole on characteristics of gastric emptying in healthy subjects.

The aim of the study was to investigate a possible effect of omeprazole on the characteristics of the gastric emptying of liquid and solid in healthy subjects. The study was performed as a double-blind crossover study and the gastric emptying studies were performed after 10 days of treatment with placebo or omeprazole 40 mg o.m. Omeprazole was without effect on the characteristics of liquid emptying or the lag phase of solid. It does, however, decrease the emptying rate of solid as the omeprazole group had a median half-time duration of the linear emptying period which had twice the duration of the corresponding figure in the placebo group.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

The effect of growth hormone (GH) therapy on urinary pyridinoline cross-links in GH-deficient adults.

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to study the effect of growth hormone (GH) on new markers of bone resorption (fasting urinary excretion of pyridinium cross-links (pyridinoline and deoxypyridinoline)) in GH-deficient adults. DESIGN: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled cross-over study. The treatment periods (GH 2 IU/m2 subcutaneously, or placebo daily for 4 months) were separated by a 4-month washout period. PATIENTS: Twenty GH-deficient adults (aged 18-39). MEASUREMENTS: Blood and fasting urine samples were collected at the end of each 4-month treatment period. Plasma bone Gla protein was measured by radioimmunoassay and urine pyridinoline and deoxypyridinoline were measured by spectrofluorometry after high performance liquid chromatography and corrected for urinary creatinine. RESULTS: GH increased fasting urinary excretion of pyridinoline (287 +/- 123%, P less than 0.001) and deoxypyridinoline (313 +/- 140%, P less than 0.001). The GH-induced increment in these parameters correlated with the increase seen in plasma bone Gla protein (r = 0.83-0.86, P less than 0.001). CONCLUSION: Four months of GH substitution in GH-deficient adults increases bone resorption as well as bone formation. The effect on bone mass has yet to be assessed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

GH-replacement therapy in adults.

Growth hormone (GH) deficiency in adults, whether GH deficient since childhood or patients rendered GH deficient in adult life, is associated with psychosocial maladjustment, reduced muscle strength and reduced exercise capacity. Body composition is significantly altered with increased fat and decreased muscle volume as compared to healthy subjects. Kidney function is subnormal, and so is sweat secretion. Epidemiological data suggest premature mortality due to cardiovascular disease in hypopituitary patients. Short-term GH treatment trials have shown improved psychosocial performance, normalization of body composition, increased muscle strength, improved exercise capacity, increased cardiac performance and increase in bone mineral mass as well as in serum markers of bone turnover, and normalization of kidney function. Thus GH replacement therapy in GH-deficient adults exhibits potential long-term beneficial effects. A number of important questions has to be addressed before long-term GH replacement therapy in GH-deficient adults can be considered on a routine basis.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Long-term growth hormone treatment in growth hormone deficient adults.

Growth hormone treatment in GH-deficient adults has proved beneficial in recent short-term trials, but long-term results have not yet been reported. Thirteen GH-deficient adults (4 females, 9 males; mean (SEM) age 26.4 (1.7) years), who had completed 4 months of GH therapy in a double-blind placebo-controlled cross-over study were followed, for further 16.1 (0.8) months of uninterrupted GH therapy in an open design. A significant mean increase of 1.3 cm in linear height was recorded, whereas body mass index remained unchanged. Mean muscle volume of the thigh, estimated by computerised tomography, increased significantly compared with that of the initial placebo period (p = 0.01), and a slight decrease was recorded in adipose tissue volume of the thigh (p = 0.10) and subscapular skinfold thickness (p = 0.10). Still, the muscle to fat ratio of the thigh was significantly lower compared with that of normal subjects (72.6/27.4 vs 77.9/22.1) (p less than 0.01). The mean isometric strength of the quadriceps muscles increased significantly during long-term GH therapy (p less than 0.01), but remained lower compared with that of normal subjects (1.66 (0.10) vs 2.13 (0.11) Nm/kg body weight). Exercise capacity performed on a bicycle ergometer increased significantly after long-term therapy (p less than 0.05), but still did not reach the values seen in normal subjects (22.5 (3.4) vs 37.4 (4.2) watt.min.kg-1. No adverse reactions were recorded during long-term therapy and hemoglobin A1c remained unchanged. These data suggest that long-term GH replacement therapy in GH-deficient adults has beneficial effects on several physiological features which are subnormal in these patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

[Gastroschisis and omphalocele. Treatment and results].

Between 1976 and 1988, 28 neonates with gastroschisis and 44 with omphalocele were treated. In 44 patients primary closure was achieved, while silastic prostheses were used in 23 patients, and dura implant in three patients. Two patients were not treated. The mortality rate was 8% (4/52) among the patients without serious congenital defects and birth weights over 1,800 g. This mortality was mainly caused by bowel infarction and, in infants with birth weights below 1,800 g, by the respiratory distress syndrome. Our experience suggests that ventilatory assistance with total paralysis is mandatory per- and postoperatively. The handling of these abdominal wall defects demands transport in an incubator with a nasogastric tube in place, a sterile bowel bag and replacement of fluid loss. Bowel stretch at the edge of the defect should be minimized in order to reduce the risk of bowel infarction. The favorable results of treatment of these malformations depend less on birth weight than on the presence of other serious congenital defects which are decisive for the mortality.

Abdominal Muscles↗
PubMed1990

Scintigraphy with 99mTc-HIDA in assessment of the postoperative course after traumatic lesions of the liver and biliary tract.

99mTc-HIDA scintigraphy was used as a diagnostic procedure in five children with liver and biliary tract injuries following blunt abdominal trauma. The method was used in patients after surgical intervention. The children fell into three groups. The first, focal reduction in activity with or without extravasation. The second, normal hepatic parenchymal phase with extravasation. The third, increased focal activity (biloma). We concluded that the use of 99mTc-HIDA scintigraphy supplies important information in the diagnostic work-up and informs about the proper time for removal of T-tube drainage. This method is also recommended preoperatively in children who are clinically stable and in whom trauma to the liver and biliary tract is suspected.

Abdominal Injuries↗
PubMed1990

The influence of growth hormone on sleep in adults with growth hormone deficiency.

Eight patients with isolated growth hormone deficiency (IGHD), 20-30 years old were studied with polysomnography before and after 6 months of treatment with growth hormone (GH). During GH treatment total sleep time decreased and REM sleep time increased significantly. Delta sleep time (stage 3 + 4) did not change significantly. All patients reported improved well-being and none wished to discontinue the treatment with growth hormone. These findings suggest that GH has an effect on sleep. The effect of increased REM sleep in humans is incompletely understood, but sleep recordings may be one way of directly monitoring the effect of GH on the central nervous system.

Adult↗