Biomedical subjects

V L Beckett

Publications and source records attributed to V L Beckett.

13 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1992

Epidemiology of Lyme disease in Olmsted County, MN, 1975-1990.

Lyme disease has been reported in Minnesota since 1980. Until now, it has not been regarded as endemic in Olmsted County. We reviewed the medical records of all 68 cases of Lyme disease diagnosed in residents of Olmsted County for 1980-1990. Only 17 of the 68 cases met Centers for Disease Control surveillance criteria for definite Lyme disease (13 men, 4 women). Of these 17 cases, 3 were likely acquired in Olmsted County. The age and sex adjusted incidence rate was 2.3/100,000 (95% CI 1.1-3.4). Although reporting of Lyme disease is mandatory in Minnesota, only 7 suspected or definite cases were actually reported to public health officials. Of these, 4 met the case definition. In this population Lyme disease was both over-diagnosed and underreported. This observation questions current data and could have important health policy implications if confirmed nationally.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1985

Use of captopril as early therapy for renal scleroderma: a prospective study.

We conducted a prospective study of captopril therapy in patients with scleroderma and combined hypertension and renal insufficiency. In all seven patients studied during a 1-year period, control of blood pressure was achieved, and in six of the seven, renal function stabilized or improved. The total daily dosage of captopril ranged from 32 to 100 mg, divided into doses taken every 6 to 8 hours. Although one patient had a suspected captopril-induced rash for a short time, none of the other patients had any adverse side effects. Renal biopsies were performed in six patients; in three of them, specimens were obtained both at the beginning and at the end of the study. The initial biopsy specimens showed changes that were similar to those described in other reports. Findings on repeat biopsies were unchanged except for evidence of chronicity. In the six patients with controlled blood pressure and improved or stabilized renal function, the improvement was maintained for 1 1/2 to nearly 3 years on this drug therapy. Using specific measurements of skin compliance and vascular blood flow in the upper extremities, we could detect no evidence, however, of concomitant improvement in these other features of the disease. Although the blood pressure was controlled with captopril, one patient had progressive skin induration, one had progressive pulmonary insufficiency, and another had progressive renal failure.

Adult↗

PubMed1984

Trial of platelet-inhibiting drug in scleroderma. Double-blind study with dipyridamole and aspirin.

In a randomized, double-blind, controlled study, 28 patients with early scleroderma received dipyridamole (225 mg/day) and aspirin (975 mg/day) or placebo for 1-2 years. No significant clinical or objective laboratory improvement was noted in either group. Platelet survival time, plasma renin activity, and coagulation tests were not predictive of disease course. Biomechanical and vascular tests of the hands correlated with clinical extent of skin induration and presence of finger ulcers, respectively.

Aspirin↗

PubMed1984

Scleroderma.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Humans↗

PubMed1983

Objective evaluation of hand function in scleroderma patients to assess effectiveness of physical therapy.

A system was developed to evaluate the hand function of patients with scleroderma objectively in terms of joint contracture, range of movement, dexterity, strength, and skin compliance. Twelve patients with progressive systemic sclerosis were evaluated using this technique to determine the effectiveness of classic physical therapy methods. A statistically significant improvement in hand function was found after a single physical therapy treatment. This conservative mode of treatment may contribute to improved hand function in patients with scleroderma.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗

PubMed1982

Chrysiasis resulting from gold therapy in rheumatoid arthritis: identification of gold by x-ray microanalysis.

A patient with blue-gray discoloration of the skin of her face, neck, and hands is described. She was a patient with rheumatoid arthritis who had received a large total cumulative dose of gold. Light microscopy of skin biopsy tissue from the forehead revealed deposits of heavy metal in macrophages. On electron microscopy, the particles were found in the lysosomes of the cell. X-ray microanalysis confirmed the presence of gold. This condition, which is called chrysiasis, may be incorrectly diagnosed as cyanosis.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗

PubMed1976