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Biomedical subjects

S Amir

Publications and source records attributed to S Amir.

148 records · Page 9Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

A multidisciplinary, comprehensive, ambulatory treatment scheme for diabetes mellitus in children.

A study has been carried out on 262 children with juvenile diabetes and their parents, treated up to 10 yr on an ambulatory basis by a multidisciplinary team composed of pediatric endocrinologist, nurse, dietitian, psychologist, and social worker. Comparison of the findings with those of a study performed before inception of the Counselling Center for Juvenile Diabetics revealed the following positive influences: the degree of control attained was both higher and sustained with greater regularity; there were fewer complications with no episodes of coma, brittle diabetes, or severe ketoacidosis and almost no need for hospitalization; the attitude of the affected child, his parents, and his teachers was found to be considerably improved; there was better understanding of the nature of the disease and its requirements; the child's motivation to maintain the diabetic regimen was greater and conflicts within the family circle were markedly reduced; the child's self-concept was much higher; and both scholastic achievements and social adjustment were greater. We concluded that psychological stability is a basic factor in the control of diabetes, and the value of the multidisciplinary approach in the treatment of this chronic disease is indicated.

Ambulatory Care↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Crisis intervention program in newly diagnosed diabetic children.

A group of 223 insulin-dependent diabetic patients, aged 7-24 yr, who had been under the regular care of our clinic up to 15 yr, were rated by two independent judges on a two-level scale of adjustment and maladjustment. The patients were divided into two groups. Group A (N = 107) comprised those who had been under care from diagnosis of the disease and had been subjected to the special crisis intervention program offered to every family upon referral of a newly diagnosed patient. Group B (N = 116) comprised patients who were diagnosed and treated initially in a clinic that had no crisis intervention program. Significant differences between the two groups were found in respect to three of the four aspects studied, i.e., compliance, familial relationships, and sociability, with group A showing a better adjustment than group B. There was no significant difference in the fourth aspect studied, i.e., school achievement and work performance. It was found that it took three times the effort, i.e., the time invested in counseling and psychotherapeutic measures, to bring group B to a good level of adjustment than it did to achieve similar results with group A. It is suggested that the initial period after diagnosis of diabetes in a child should be considered a period of crisis, requiring special multidisciplinary services to reduce future psychosocial maladjustments and improve compliance.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The young diabetic subjects in the Israel Army.

Between 1978 to 1986, 145 of the Type 1 diabetic patients under our care reached the age of 18 (military service recruitment age). Of the 77 (45 men, 32 women) who decided to volunteer for service, 60 (35 men, 25 women) responded to a questionnaire relating to the conditions of their military service following its completion-these comprised Group A. Of the 68 patients who did not volunteer for service (20 men, 48 women), 44 patients comprised Group B (10 men, 34 women). Group A and Group B were compared in regard to their diabetes history and diabetes management and control during two periods, 17-18 years and 18-20 years. Group A was also evaluated regarding military employment, working and accommodation conditions and diabetes management during army service. The patients in Group A came from a higher socioeconomic level (p < 0.009) and had a significantly higher educational level (p < 0.008). The men in Group A achieved significantly better diabetes control, as evaluated by HbA1, in both periods compared to all the others in both groups. During army service the patients in Group A underwent fewer hospitalizations than the others and only two of them developed complications, whereas among those in Group B 5 patients developed complications. Our data demonstrate that youngsters with Type 1 diabetes can maintain satisfactory diabetes management and control and can function not only adequately, but often far beyond, in the stressful situations with which they are confronted within the rigid authoritative system of military service. Our data also indicated that diabetic patients wishing to volunteer for such service constitute a selected group with a higher socioeconomic background and a higher motivation to prove themselves.

Adolescent↗