Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

S R Brazer

Publications and source records attributed to S R Brazer.

34 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Aspiration in bilateral stroke patients: a validation study.

We validated the predictive accuracy of an "old" regression model in a "new" sample of bilateral stroke patients (N = 38). Abnormal gag reflex and impaired voluntary cough accurately predicted radiographically verified aspiration in both samples. A final model, using both samples, grouped patients into three risk strata: low risk of 14% (cough and gag normal), moderate risk of 46% to 51% (one of two behaviors abnormal); and high risk of 87% (cough and gag abnormal).

Adult↗

Aspiration after stroke: lesion analysis by brain MRI.

Aspiration is a common problem following stroke, resulting in feeding difficulties and aspiration pneumonia. Despite past studies using clinical assessments and computed tomographic (CT) scans of the head, the correlation of stroke location with aspiration remains unclear. Since brain magnetic resonance imaging is more sensitive than CT for many stroke types, we have correlated MRI lesions with aspiration in patients who have sustained a stroke. We selected patients with acute stroke who underwent brain MRI and a swallowing evaluation. Aspiration was present in 21 of 38 patients (55%). Patients with just small vessel infarcts had a significantly lower occurrence of aspiration (3 of 14, 21%) compared to those with both large- and small-vessel infarcts (15 of 20, 75%, p = 0.002). Multivariate analysis of several specific brain areas failed to identify a significant association between stroke location and the occurrence of aspiration. These findings suggest that patients who have experienced stroke should be individually evaluated for swallowing dysfunction regardless of stroke location or size, since even small-vessel strokes can be associated with aspiration in greater than 20% of cases.

Adult↗

Inhibition of colonic motility by cholecystokinin.

Distal colonic motor activity was measured in 12 control subjects and seven constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome patients to examine the effects of intravenous administration of cholecystokinin. In the basal state, no significant motility differences were noted between these two groups. Following the intravenous administration of the hormone cholecystokinin, a statistically significant reduction in colonic motility in control subjects and a non-significant decrease in motility in irritable bowel syndrome patients was seen. Our results do not suggest an exaggeration of the colonic motor response to cholecystokinin occurs in irritable bowel syndrome.

Abdominal Pain↗

Using ordinal logistic regression to estimate the likelihood of colorectal neoplasia.

The utility of ordinal logistic regression in the prediction of colorectal neoplasia was demonstrated in a group of 461 consecutive patients undergoing colonoscopy in a community practice. One hundred twenty-nine patients had adenomatous polyps and 34 had colorectal adenocarcinoma. An ordinal logistic regression model developed in a random subset (292 patients) identified five predictors of colorectal neoplasia. Colorectal neoplasia risk could be predicted using the patient's age, sex, hematocrit, fecal occult blood test result and indication for colonoscopy. The risk of colorectal neoplasia in the remaining subset of patients (169) could be reliably estimated from the model. Ordinal logistic regression analysis in this select group of patients can accurately estimate the likelihood of colorectal neoplasia. Because the generalizability of our findings are unknown, the model should not be applied to other patients. However, application of this technique to an unselected group of patients not already referred for colonoscopy could provide unbiased estimates of colorectal neoplasia risk in individual patients.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Cholecystokinin is not a major hormonal regulator of lower esophageal sphincter pressure.

Although injection of cholecystokinin can reduce resting lower esophageal sphincter pressure, the physiological significance of this finding has not been established. The purpose of this double-blind crossover study was to determine the effect of physiological plasma levels of cholecystokinin on resting lower esophageal sphincter pressure. Eighteen normal male volunteers were studied on two separate days. Following a 20-minute baseline period, subjects received infusions of saline or synthetic cholecystokinin-8 at increasing rates. Basal plasma cholecystokinin levels averaged 1.3 +/- 0.2 pmol/L (mean +/- SE) and increased to levels of 7.4 +/- 0.9 pmol/L, 12.1 +/- 2.4 pmol/L, and 23.1 +/- 3.8 pmol/L during cholecystokinin infusion rates of 21, 42, and 84 pmol/min, respectively. Lower esophageal sphincter pressure was recorded continuously with a sleeved catheter. Basal lower esophageal sphincter pressure averaged 19.9 mm Hg and did not change with the first infusion, which produced physiological peak postprandial plasma levels of cholecystokinin. Lower esophageal sphincter pressure declined only during the infusions that produced plasma cholecystokinin levels two to four times greater than normal peak postprandial levels. Since infusion of cholecystokinin to levels that reproduce physiological blood levels does not significantly decrease lower esophageal sphincter pressure, it was concluded that cholecystokinin is not a major hormonal regulator of lower esophageal sphincter relaxation.

Adult↗

Aspiration in bilateral stroke patients.

Seventy patients with bilateral strokes underwent neurologic and videofluoroscopic barium swallowing examinations; 34 (48.6%) aspirated. Patients with aspiration were more likely to have posterior circulation strokes, abnormal cough, abnormal gag, and dysphonia. However, patients likely to aspirate can be identified best by the presence of an abnormal voluntary cough, an abnormal gag reflex, or both. The prediction of patients at risk for aspiration was not improved by additional clinical information (ie, presence of dysphonia or bilateral neurologic signs).

Adult↗

Studies of gastric ulcer disease by community-based gastroenterologists.

A community-based group of gastroenterologists examined 623 patients (541 prospectively and 82 retrospectively) with endoscopically diagnosed gastric ulcer disease during a 12-month period. Patients averaged 60 years of age; the majority were women (62%). Women were less likely to smoke, abuse alcohol, and were more likely to present with abdominal pain (p less than 0.05). Whereas patients presenting with bleeding or requiring transfusion were less likely to complain of pain (p less than 0.05), they were more likely to be taking aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and have prior history of bleeding (p less than 0.05). Patients with a prior history of ulcer disease were more likely to smoke, present with pain and use acetaminophen (p less than 0.05). Patients with large ulcers were more likely to bleed, present with pain, and obstruct (p less than 0.05). Multiple gastric ulcers were seen in patients taking aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (p less than 0.05).

Abdominal Pain↗

Randomized, double-blind comparison of famotidine with ranitidine in treatment of acute, benign gastric ulcer disease. Community-based study coupled with a patient registry.

A multicenter, double-blind, randomized controlled trial comparing the efficacy and safety of famotidine with ranitidine in the treatment of acute, benign gastric ulcer disease was coupled with a community-based gastric ulcer disease registry. One hundred ninety-five patients with endoscopically documented gastric ulcer disease were enrolled in the trial and randomly allocated to treatment with either famotidine 40 mg at bedtime or ranitidine 150 mg twice a day. Healing rates were similar in both groups: at four weeks 49% vs 48%, at six weeks 71% vs 69%, and at eight weeks 83% vs 81% for famotidine and for ranitidine, respectively. Pain relief, antacid tablet use, and adverse experiences were also similar in the two groups. Only 25% of patients entered in the gastric ulcer registry were enrolled in the trial. Given that patients with more severe or complicated gastric ulcer disease should be excluded from controlled trials of new drugs, the screening criteria used in the present study be excluded from findings being representative of a quarter of the patients seen in these practices. Therefore, coupling a patient registry with a clinical trial helps determine the applicability of its results. Famotidine 40 mg at bedtime is an effective and well-tolerated treatment of acute, benign gastric ulcer disease and is comparable in efficacy and safety to ranitidine 150 mg twice a day.

Clinical Trials as Topic↗

Sulfonamide-induced pancreatitis.

While reported cases of sulfonamide-induced pancreatitis meet many criteria for an allergic drug reaction, antibody or lymphocyte recognition of the offending drug or its metabolite has yet to be demonstrated. A patient with sulfonamide-induced pancreatitis is reported in whom lymphocytes were stimulated in vitro by sulfamethoxazole, sulfapyridine, and sulfasalazine. Lymphocytes from a normal volunteer were not stimulated. This in vitro lymphocyte recognition of sulfonamides provides further evidence that sulfonamide-induced pancreatitis is an allergic drug reaction.

Adult↗