Closure of the Thurso veterinary investigation centre.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to S Manson.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Little is known about prevention among elderly or urban American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) populations. We reviewed the medical records of 550 older urban AI/AN primary care patients to evaluate how frequently preventive measures were received. Adherence to guidelines was examined by a culturally appropriate (> or =50 years) and standard age threshold (> or =65 years), and by performance of preventive measures at any time ("ever") and in the past year. Lifetime performance was inadequate for the many measures, including mammograms (56%), fecal occult blood testing (37%), audiometry (33%), visual acuity testing (50%), smoking cessation counseling (50%), and pneumococcal (22%) and influenza (49%) vaccinations. Performance of the measures was less frequent in the prior year, but did not differ by age threshold. Predictors of adherence included female gender, having insurance, and having more health problems and medications. Nonadherence infrequently resulted from patients' failure to comply with recommendations. We conclude that use of most preventive services among elderly urban AI/ANs is suboptimal and should be improved.
Twenty five patients with AML who had neither a history of toxic exposure or myelodysplasia were treated with a remission induction regimen consisting of two pulses of chemotherapy separated by 96 hrs. Each pulse consisted of cytarabine 2gm/m(2) (at t=0 and t=12 hrs) with mitoxantrone [30mg/m(2) ] administered immediately after the second cytarabine administration. Amifostine was administered three times a week [on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday] until the outcome of therapy was known. This regimen induced complete remissions in 15 of 17 patients less than 70 years of age and in 5 of 8 patients older than 70 years.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
BACKGROUND: More than 2 million Native Americans (ie, Native Americans and Native Alaskans) live in the United States; 60% reside in cities. This population, especially its elders, is especially susceptible to respiratory diseases; yet, adherence to guidelines for influenza and pneumococcal immunizations is unknown. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate how frequently older and high-risk adults received vaccinations for influenza and pneumococcal infection and to identify patient characteristics associated with adherence to published recommendations. METHODS: Retrospective medical record review of 550 Native American elders seen in an urban primary care practice defined using a culturally appropriate age threshold (> or =50 years) and standard criteria (> or =65 years). Univariate analyses examined demographic and clinical information by vaccination status. Logistic regressions identified factors associated with adherence to immunization guidelines. RESULTS: Among patients aged 50 years and older with any indication according to published recommendations, rates were low for influenza (31%) and pneumococcal (21%) immunizations. Likewise, few subjects at least 65 years of age had been immunized appropriately against influenza (38%) or pneumococcus (32%). Younger age and alcohol use were significantly associated with less frequent immunization; Medicare insurance, depression, and more health problems and taking more medications predicted significantly higher immunization rates. Aged 65 years or older and having cardiovascular disease or diabetes mellitus were specific indications significantly correlated with receipt of influenza and pneumococcal vaccine. CONCLUSIONS: Regardless of age or risk, inadequate vaccination rates were observed in elderly Native Americans. Our findings suggest the need to identify obstacles to immunization and to conduct prospective and elderly intervention studies in Native American populations.
PURPOSE: To investigate the use of two sequential courses of high-dose chemotherapy and peripheral blood progenitor cell (PBPC) transplant as initial therapy for patients with untreated metastatic breast cancer. The goal of the study was to maximize treatment intensity through the use of two non-cross-resistant regimens, each equal in intensity to that used in single transplants. METHODS: PBPC were collected after a course of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) only or of cyclophosphamide, etoposide, and G-CSF. The first transplant regimen consisted of thiotepa (600 mg/m2), cyclophosphamide (6000 mg/m2), and carboplatin (800 mg/m2). After recovery from the first transplant, responding patients received a second course of therapy consisting of busulfan (16 mg/kg) and etoposide (60 mg/kg). RESULTS: Forty-four patients were enrolled. Five patients did not proceed to transplantation due to tumor progression during PBPC mobilization. Five patients achieved complete response after the first transplant, and 14 were in complete remission at the end of the therapy. Six patients remain free of disease after a median followup of 22 months (range 12-27+ months). The 2-year event-free survival for complete responders is 25.4% (standard error 14.4%). Engraftment was prompt, with a median of 8 and 13 days, respectively, to reach a neutrophil count of 500/mm3 and a platelet count of 50,000/mm3. As a result of the gastrointestinal toxicity of the first course, the median interval between transplants was 68 days. The toxicities of the second transplant course were principally hepatic and muco-cutaneous. Hepatic veno-occlusive disease occurred in 12 patients and was a contributor to the death of three. CONCLUSIONS: Rapid hematologic recovery achieved with PBPC made possible the administration of two courses of high-dose chemotherapy without compromising the intensity of either transplant regimen. The adverse effects of the second course, however, were substantially higher than predicted. The outcome of patients achieving a complete response is promising. Overall, the antitumor benefit of this approach in patients with previously untreated metastatic disease was not superior to that achieved with single transplants in patients responding to standard-dose chemotherapy.
Modest success has been achieved with the use of high-dose cytotoxic therapy and bone marrow transplantation in solid tumors. Patient outcome can potentially be improved with further intensification of the therapy. The rapid hematologic recovery achieved with mobilized peripheral blood progenitor cells (PBPC) may reduce the toxicity of transplantation enabling the use of sequential courses of myeloablative therapy. We report on 42 patients with solid tumors enrolled in a tandem transplant protocol involving the use of PBPC mobilized with cyclophosphamide (4 g/m2), etoposide (1 g/m2), and granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF: 10 micrograms/kg/day). This regimen significantly increased the number of circulating progenitor cells; only 1-2 aphereses were sufficient to collect 2.5 x 10(8)/kg mononuclear cells, our goal for each transplant course. The median number of circulating colony-forming units (CFU) and CD34+ cells obtained for each transplant course were 70.3 x 10(4)/kg, and 11.7 x 10(6)/kg, respectively. There was a significant correlation between the numbers of CD34+ cells and CFU measured in the apheresis product (r = 0.49, P = .003). The first transplant regimen given to 38 patients consisted of thiotepa, carboplatin, and cyclophosphamide. The second transplant regimen given to 29 patients consisted of busulfan and etoposide. Hematologic recovery was comparable after each of the two transplant courses. The median time to neutrophil recovery over 0.5 x 10(9)/L and to platelet transfusion independence was 9 and 8 days, respectively. There was no difference in engraftment rates after transplant with PBPC only (n = 28 courses) compared to transplant with PBPC plus bone marrow (n = 39 courses).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
OBJECTIVE: The principal objective of this study was to determine whether a relationship exists between trough cyclosporine concentrations measured by HPLC and the development of acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. DESIGN: A retrospective analysis of 59 consecutive human leukocyte antigen-matched bone marrow transplants. Patients received uniform GVHD prophylaxis with cyclosporine and methotrexate. Whole blood trough cyclosporine concentrations were measured at least twice weekly during hospitalization and weekly after discharge. SETTING: A dedicated bone marrow transplant unit in an academic center. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The means of cyclosporine concentrations were assessed for each patient on a weekly basis during the first 50 days after transplant. These means were compared between patients developing grade 2-4 acute GVHD and patients without significant GVHD. RESULTS: Eighteen patients developed acute GVHD at a median of 25 days after bone marrow transplant (range 10-50). There was no correlation between the development of GVHD and patient age, diagnosis, donor age, donor gender, donor-recipient gender mismatch, and time to neutrophil engraftment (> 1000 x 10(6) cells/L). Although mean weekly cyclosporine concentrations were consistently lower in patients developing acute GVHD, the difference in values compared with those of patients with GVHD was not statistically significant. Mean weekly cyclosporine concentrations at the time of neutrophil engraftment were statistically associated with the development of GVHD. Patients with GVHD had mean +/- SD concentrations of 174 +/- 69 ng/mL, significantly lower than 254 +/- 114 ng/mL in patients without GVHD. Furthermore, the rate of GVHD was 82 percent in patients with mean concentrations < 200 ng/mL at the time of neutrophil engraftment as compared with a rate of 34 percent in patients with concentrations > or = 200 ng/mL (relative risk = 2.4). Also, mean cyclosporine concentrations measured during the week of onset of GVHD were significantly lower compared with mean cyclosporine concentrations of all other patients at risk of GVHD during that week. CONCLUSIONS: Cyclosporine concentrations are associated with the development of acute GVHD. Patients with HPLC whole blood concentrations < 200 ng/mL are at significantly higher risk of developing GVHD, particularly if these concentrations are observed during the week of neutrophil engraftment. More effective GVHD prophylaxis could be achieved by careful monitoring of cyclosporine concentrations after transplant.
This study investigated the toxicity and efficacy of busulfan-containing pre-transplant regimens in patients with solid tumors. The majority of these patients were also treated on protocols involving two transplant courses aiming at further reducing tumor burden. Between October 1984 and November 1993, we treated 44 patients with recurrent breast cancer (n = 28), sarcoma (n = 10) or ovarian cancer (n = 6) with one of two busulfan-containing regimens. All patients except two had measurable disease prior to transplantation. Twenty-one patients had not received chemotherapy for metastatic disease. Of the remaining 23 patients treated with standard-dose chemotherapy, 14 had progressive disease. Busulfan 16 mg/kg was paired with cyclophosphamide 200 mg/kg (BuCY) or with etoposide 60 mg/kg (Bu-Vp). The Bu-Vp combination (32 courses) was used as the second preparative regimen in patients who had received thiotepa, carboplatin and cyclophosphamide for their first transplant. The BuCY regimen was used in 16 courses, either for single or for tandem transplant. Bone marrow cells only were used in 17 transplants and peripheral blood progenitor cells, with or without bone marrow, in 31 courses. Treatments were usually well tolerated. Common toxicities included mucositis, skin rash and veno-occlusive disease of the liver (fatal in two). One patient developed generalized seizures during busulfan therapy. Hematologic recovery was significantly accelerated with peripheral progenitor cells and permitted the administration of closely spaced tandem transplants. Two patients receiving sequential transplants with BuCY experienced severe long-term neurologic and pulmonary toxicity. Objective responses were noted in 26 patients.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) reinfusion appears to hasten hematologic reconstitution following myeloablative therapy. While procurement of PBSC adds apheresis procedures, rapid engraftment could decrease the demand for platelet transfusions. To determine the impact of PBSC collection on workload in our apheresis unit, we studied 3 consecutive groups of patients with metastatic breast cancer given comparable high-dose chemotherapy and autologous bone marrow transplant, with or without PBSC or granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF). Forty-one transplants were performed with bone marrow cells only: 31 patients (Group A) did not receive G-CSF, while the following 10 patients (group B) received daily G-CSF until neutrophil engraftment. Bone marrow cells and PBSC were used for the most recent 11 transplants (group C), followed by daily G-CSF until engraftment. PBSC were mobilized with cyclophosphamide (4 g/m2) and etoposide (1 g/m2), followed by G-CSF, 8 micrograms/kg/day. PBSC collection was carried out on a Fenwal CS3000+ cell collector, using modified procedure 1, to obtain a minimum of 5 x 10(8) mononuclear cells/kg. The times to neutrophil count over 500/microL, platelet count over 20,000/microL, and discharge from the hospital after transplant were significantly shorter for patients in group C (medians of 8, 8, and 21 days, respectively) compared to group A (medians of 14, 14, and 29 days; P = 0.001) or group B (medians of 11, 24, and 32 days; P < 0.001).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
This 1988 study reports the point and lifetime prevalence of psychiatric disorders, using DSM-III-R criteria, of a sample (approximately 25%) of adult members of an Indian village previously studied in 1969. The basic instrument was the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia, augmented by available medical information and administered by experienced psychiatrists. Subjects were interviewed and results were weighed for the age- and sex-distributed population. The results indicated a high point prevalence of alcohol dependence (32.8%), with a lifetime prevalence of 72.8%, among males. The lifetime prevalence of affective disorders among women was also high (36.8%), but less so among men (19.3%). When compared with the DSM-III-R diagnoses of the 1969 study, the point prevalence rates of alcohol dependence and abuse disorders fell from 39% to 21%. Also, fewer subjects were judged to be psychiatrically impaired. Even though the prevalence of psychiatric disorders was lower in the current study, the rates for alcohol disorders and affective disorders were still far higher than those reported in Epidemiologic Catchment Area studies. Alcohol dependence (especially among young men) and affective disorder (among women) were major problems.
We report the results of intensive therapy and autologous bone marrow transplantation (BMT) in 23 patients with malignant lymphoma (eight Hodgkin's disease and 15 non-Hodgkin's lymphoma) who failed primary therapy. All patients had evidence of disease prior to transplant therapy: 10 had never achieved a complete remission and 13 were in relapse. The preparative regimen included involved field radiation followed by fractionated total body irradiation and high dose cyclophosphamide. A complete remission was achieved in 15 patients, 11 of whom continue in unmaintained complete remission from 27 to 72 months after BMT (median follow-up of 52 months). Of the remaining patients, five did not achieve a complete remission and three died of early toxicity. The event-free survival of the entire group is 47%. Disease status at the time of BMT was significantly correlated with patient outcome. The event-free survival of 13 patients in whom there was no objective evidence of tumor growth on conventional dose therapy was 77% compared with only 10% in patients with tumors progressing on conventional dose therapy (p less than 0.002). All six patients transplanted in untreated relapse continue in unmaintained remission, suggesting that debulking chemotherapy may not be necessary before BMT. Alternative approaches are needed in patients whose tumors progress on conventional dose therapy.
The research role of the clinical nurse specialist is often the most difficult to implement. At the masters level, efforts are generally directed at utilization and evaluation of research more than design and implementation. Collaboration between several investigators, however, is an efficient and effective method of pooling the resources of a variety of researchers, allowing the actualization of all aspects of the research process. A collaborative effort to look at the clinical problem of fatigue was undertaken by a group of masters-prepared oncology nurses. Strategies for effective collaboration are outlined. Issues related to gaining group commitment and to delineating roles at the onset, voluntary participation, and timely communication are discussed. A realistic timetable and regular informal meetings helped to sustain the momentum of the study. All members were able to contribute a part of the completed project and to experience the professional and personal satisfaction of "owning" a research project from start to finish.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Fatigue is regarded as a universal and unavoidable side effect of cancer therapy, yet its epidemiology and prevalence in populations of people with cancer have not been well-documented. Using the conceptual framework of Piper, et al., this study examined and described the perception and manifestations of fatigue and its physiological, biochemical, and behavioral correlates. A convenience sample (N = 77) of people with lung (n = 33) or breast cancer (n = 44) completed several instruments: a brief questionnaire, the Rhoten Fatigue Scale, a visual analogue scale (VAS), the Rhoten Fatigue Checklist, and the shortened version of the Profile of Mood States (POMS). Data on other factors thought to influence fatigue were collected via medical record audit. Seventy-five of 76 people (99%) completing the VAS experienced some level of fatigue. Significant correlates of fatigue included level of pain and POMS scores. Preliminary findings suggest that fatigue is a common problem with a complex etiology and that nurses must consider potential contributing factors when assessing fatigue and its impact on the individual.