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Biomedical subjects

Ada Tamir

Publications and source records attributed to Ada Tamir.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2005

The SaM (Screening and Monitoring) approach to cardiovascular risk-reduction in primary care--cyclic monitoring and individual treatment of patients at cardiovascular risk using the electronic medical record.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention suffers from a major gap between clinical evidence (information) and clinical practice (implementation). Insufficient control risk factor levels and under-utilization of aspirin, statins, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and beta-blockers are well-known examples. METHODS: The SaM (Screening and Monitoring) approach was devised by a family physician in order to facilitate closure of this gap. It does so by providing solutions to problems in the fields of information and implementation. A simple manipulation of the electronic medical record used in the practice serves to facilitate cyclic monitoring of patients with cardiovascular risk factors. Technological and human resources available in the primary care setting are used. The approach is described in the first part of the article. The second part presents results obtained by employing the approach on one family physician's patient population. RESULTS: The final results demonstrate a marked improvement over time in risk factor levels and use of medications in accordance with indications. The values achieved are superior to those reported in the literature. Blood pressure in hypertensive patients 134/75 mmHg; haemoglobin A1c 7.27%; low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol in patients with CVD or diabetes, 97 mg/dl; patients with CVD receiving anti-thrombotic medication, 94%; dyslipidaemic patients with CVD or diabetes receiving lipid-lowering drugs, 90%; post myocardial infarction patients receiving beta-blockers, 76%; hypertensive diabetics or patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) receiving ACE-inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers, 86%. CONCLUSIONS: In this one-practice pilot-study, the SaM approach was employed with marked improvement in risk factor levels and use of appropriate medications. This may translate into reductions in morbidity and mortality in a larger population.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Sonographic biometry of the frontal lobe in normal and growth-restricted neonates.

Assessing the impact of restricted intrauterine growth on neonatal frontal lobe (FL) dimensions is important. We aimed to create a sonographic nomogram of FL dimensions in neonates at different gestational ages (GA) and evaluate the impact of small head circumference (HC) on FL dimensions. We conducted sonographic biometry of the FL at birth. We included 218 newborn infants born at GA of 24-43 wk: appropriate for GA and normal HC (n = 178), and small for GA and small HC (n = 23). Infants with a 5-min Apgar score <7, severe congenital malformations, or chromosomal abnormalities were excluded. Through a coronal ultrasound scan via the anterior fontanelle at the level where the most lateral point of the left Sylvian fissure was best demonstrated, we drew a triangle connecting the most lateral point of the Sylvian fissure, the corpus callosum, and the subcalvarian point of the interhemispheric fissure. We measured the three sides of the triangle, Sylvian-fontanellar distance, Sylvian-callosal distance, and fontanellar-callosal distance, and calculated the frontal triangular area. All four FL dimensions increased significantly between 24 and 43 wk of gestation in both appropriate for GA-normal HC and small for GA-small HC neonates, and were strongly correlated with HC and birth weight. Regression lines of GA against Sylvian-fontanellar distance, Sylvian-callosal distance, fontanellar-callosal distance, and frontal triangular area in the appropriate for GA-normal HC group differed significantly from those of the small for GA-small HC group (p < 0.05). Male neonates had significantly larger Sylvian-fontanellar and Sylvian-callosal distances than females (p < 0.01 and p < 0.015, respectively). In conclusion, FL measures increased significantly between 24 and 43 wk of gestation, and were strongly correlated with HC. We speculate that a sonographically small fetal HC implies growth restriction of the fetal FL.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2004

Primary and secondary vulvar vestibulitis syndrome: systemic pain perception and psychophysical characteristics.

OBJECTIVE: Women with primary and secondary vulvar vestibulitis syndrome (VVS) report similar vulvar pain symptoms; however, it is not clear whether these subsets have similar pain and psychophysical characteristics. This study evaluated systemic pain perception, cardiovascular measures, and anxiety level in women with primary and secondary VVS. STUDY DESIGN: Eighty-nine women were enrolled in the study: 44 had primary vulvar vestibulitis, 45 had secondary vulvar vestibulitis. Their anxiety level was first assessed. Then, heat pain stimuli were applied to the forearm, and pain threshold and pain scores for suprathreshold phasic (44 degrees C-48 degrees C) and tonic (46 degrees C) stimuli were assessed by visual analog scale. Finally, blood pressure was recorded using a volume clamp method before, during, and after a tonic stimulus of 1 minute at 46 degrees C. RESULTS: Women with primary vulvar vestibulitis had higher visual analog scale scores for pain perception at 46 degrees C to 48 degrees C, a higher level of trait anxiety 43.3 +/- 1.5 versus 37.8 +/- 1.5 (P=.010), an increased incidence of dysmenorrhea (chi(2) 8.9, P=.003), and lower resting blood pressure: systolic (108.6 +/- 2.1 vs 118.9 +/- 2.0 mm Hg) (P>.001) and diastolic (59.3 +/- 1.6 vs 64.2 +/- 1.5 mm Hg) (P=.038). Logistic regression revealed that dysmenorrhea and lower systolic blood pressure are associated with primary VVS. CONCLUSION: Women with primary and secondary VVS differ in their systemic pain perception and psychophysical characteristics. The impact of these findings on treatment modalities should be further evaluated.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Selenium concentrations in maternal and umbilical cord blood at 24-42 weeks of gestation: basis for optimization of selenium supplementation to premature infants.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Selenium (Se) deficiency may have deleterious effects on premature infants. Umbilical cord (UC) Se concentrations presumably reflect fetal Se concentrations and represent reference values that should be achieved in premature infants. We aimed to establish reference data of Se serum concentrations in parturient women and their neonates across gestation. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Parturient mothers and their newborn infants born after 24-42 weeks of gestation were enrolled. Only appropriate for gestational age (GA) singleton infants were included. Se serum concentrations were measured by atomic absorption spectrometry, in blood samples from parturient mothers and their infants (umbilical blood). Demographic, perinatal and labor data were obtained, and their correlations with umbilical Se serum concentrations, maternal Se serum concentrations, and the maternal-umbilical Se difference were examined. RESULTS: UC Se serum concentrations increased as gestation progressed (P<0.01). A statistically significant linear relationship was found between UC Se serum concentrations and GA (R=0.341, P<0.0001), birth weight (R=0.237, P=0.002), and 5-min Apgar score (R=0.202, P<0.01). Using multiple regression analysis, only GA was significantly associated with UC serum Se concentration (P=0.012). Maternal Se serum concentration were stable throughout gestation, and maternal-umbilical Se difference was negatively correlated with GA (R=-0.337, P<0.0001) and birth weight (R=-0.369, P<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: UC Se serum concentration increases and the maternal-umbilical Se difference declines with gestation progression, probably reflecting fetal accretion of Se. With the current Se supplementation in premature infants, Se concentrations are lower than those measured in our study. We, therefore, suggest a two-fold increase or more in the recommended Se dosage.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Variables associated with successful vaginal birth after one cesarean section: a proposed vaginal birth after cesarean section score.

The objective of this study was to define the variables associated with vaginal birth after cesarean section (VBAC) and to develop a scoring system for the prediction of successful VBAC. We searched our computerized database for parturients with a history of one low-transverse cesarean section (CS) who were delivered during the year 2000. Variables were categorized according to the time period in which they were obtained: (1) first prenatal visit, (2) at the onset of labor, and (3) during labor. Univariate and multiple stepwise logistic regression models were fitted to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Of the 475 parturients with a history of one previous CS, 136 underwent elective CS and 339 underwent a trial of VBAC, of whom 82% were successful. Of the variables that can be obtained at the onset of labor, five were significantly associated with successful VBAC: abnormal presentation as the indication for the primary CS (OR, 7.4; 95% CI 2.8 to 19.2), a previous VBAC (OR, 7.2; 95% CI, 2.1 to 24.8), cervical dilation (OR, 2.5; 95% CI, 1.3 to 4.9), gestational age < or = 41 weeks (OR, 2.8; 95% CI, 1.1 to 7.1), and lower gestational age at the primary CS (OR, 1.2; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.4). In the proposed VBAC score, each of the four most significant variables was assigned a score ranging between 0 and 3 based on the probability for VBAC. A score < or = 2 was associated with a success rate of 42%, a score between 3 and 6 was associated with a rate of 81%, and a score between 7 and 10 was associated with a 98% successful VBAC rate (p < 0001). The proposed VBAC score may help obstetricians when counseling their patients regarding the individual likelihood of a successful VBAC.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Bone quantitative ultrasound and bone mineral density in children with celiac disease.

OBJECTIVES: Osteoporosis is the most common manifestation of untreated celiac disease (CD). Bone quantitative ultrasound (QUS) has recently emerged as a new modality for bone status assessment. We evaluated bone status in children with CD using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry and quantitative ultrasound. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 41 children (13 girls, 28 boys) aged 11.2 +/- 3.6 years with CD. All children had been diagnosed with CD for at least 1 year (mean, 5.7 +/- 4.3 years). The results of lumbar spine bone mineral density assessed by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry and the measurements of the velocity of ultrasound wave (at distal radius and midshaft tibia sites), expressed as speed of sound in m/s, were compared between children adherent to gluten-free diet (GFD) and non-compliant children. RESULTS: Speed of sound z-scores at tibia were below -2 SD in 20 of 41 children (49%), whereas lumbar spine bone mineral density z-scores were below -2 SD in 4 of 41 (10%) children with CD (P = 0.0002). Only 19 of 41 children were strictly compliant to GFD. The prevalence of tibia speed of sound z-scores <-2 SD was significantly higher in non-compliant children (15 of 22, 68%) compared with children on GFD (5 of 19, 26%), (P = 0.01). Children non-compliant with GFD had significantly worse tibia speed of sound z-scores (-2.3 +/- 1.8, mean +/- SD) compared with children on GFD (-1.2 +/- 1.5, mean +/- SD) (P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Children with CD on a gluten-containing diet had higher prevalence of abnormal tibia bone SOS and lower z-scores compared with children on a GFD. These differences were not detected by spinal dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry or radius speed of sound. The value of quantitative ultrasound for screening and follow-up of children with CD should be further evaluated.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗
PubMed2004

Mal de debarquement and posture: reduced reliance on vestibular and visual cues.

OBJECTIVE: The neural mismatch theory assumes that the intersensory conflicts leading to motion sickness are resolved by changes in the relative weighting of the various senses that contribute to orientation. If this sensory rearrangement persists after disembarkment, it might result in mal de debarquement (MD): ataxia and a rocking sensation sometimes felt after landing. The objective of the present study was to examine possible changes in sensory organization in naval crew members with differing susceptibility to MD with computerized dynamic posturography (CDP). STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional parallel-group design. METHODS: Seventeen subjects susceptible to MD (SMD) and 17 subjects nonsusceptible to MD (NSMD) (healthy male volunteers aged 18-22) participated in the study. CDP was performed twice with each subject, before and immediately after sailing, using the EquiTest system (NeuroCom, Inc., Clackamas, OR). RESULTS: The SMD group showed a significant reduction in their scores on sensory organization tests 3, 4, and 5 after sailing. Sensory pattern analysis revealed reduced use of inputs from the vestibular and visual systems to maintain balance. Prolonged latencies of the motor responses to unexpected pitch perturbations were also recorded in the postsailing CDP of the SMD group. Reduced performance on the presailing CDP task, which presents the greatest challenge to the vestibular system, was found to control for the presence of MD postsailing. CONCLUSIONS: The results show that MD is associated with postural instability, slower motor reflexes, and larger sways in response to abrupt changes in the body's center of gravity. These findings may be explained by under reliance on vestibular and visual inputs and increased dependence on the somatosensory system for the maintenance of balance.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Myocardial stunning demonstrated with rest and post-stress measurements of left ventricular function using dual-isotope gated myocardial perfusion SPECT.

OBJECTIVES: We have evaluated left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) at rest (REF) and after stress (SEF) with dual-isotope gated myocardial perfusion SPECT (GMPS) with 201Tl injected at rest and 99mTc sestamibi (99mTc-MIBI) injected at peak stress, to assess the occurrence of post-stress stunning. METHODS: Two hundred and thirty-six consecutive patients had GMPS at rest and post-stress. The summed stress and rest scores and the summed difference score (SDS) were calculated using a 17-segment model analysis of GMPS. An SDS >3 indicated significant ischaemia. The REF and SEF were automatically generated and the DEF (SEF-REF) was calculated. RESULTS: Significant stress induced ischaemia was observed in 103 patients (44%). REF was 54.72%+/-15.75% and SEF was 55.69%+/-16.65% (P<0.0015). DEF was -2.25+/-5.36 and 3.42+/-5.25 in patients with and without ischaemia, respectively (P<0.001). Post-stress stunning (>5% decrease in LVEF) was present in 68 patients (29%) and in 58/103 (56%) patients with ischaemia, after treadmill exercise or dipyridamole infusion and was more common in patients with severe ischaemia. The single significant predictor of DEF in univariate analysis and of stunning using logistic binary regression was stress induced ischaemia (P<0.0001). CONCLUSION: LVEF increases post-stress in patients with no ischaemia and may decrease in 56% of patients with ischaemia, possibly due to stunning. The best predictor of post-stress stunning is stress induced ischaemia and its occurrence is related to the degree of ischaemia.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

[Reforming the ambulatory care system--attitudes of patients and staff members].

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to examine the attitudes of patients and staff towards the reform the ambulatory healthcare by moving services from the hospital to the community. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional study using a questionnaire was conducted during 2001 to examine the attitudes of patients and staff. The study took place in eight community clinics and eight hospital-based clinics and units where surgical activity took place. Patients' and staff questionnaires were completed in each clinic, researching procedures that until recently had been performed only in hospitals and were then transferred to community clinics. One procedure was chosen for each clinic. FINDINGS: A total of 1000 patients and 78 staff members were interviewed. Most patients expressed their satisfaction with the treatment location to which they were assigned. Prior acquaintance with the physician treating the patients was a factor associated with the preference of the treatment location. Many patients view the hospital as an institution where complications can be better handled than in the community clinic. There is a difference between the attitudes of patients and staff members in the perception of the weight of certain factors on the choice of treatment location. CONCLUSION: Certain variables are significant to the patients in their choice of treatment location. There are differences between the attitudes of staff members and patients, emphasizing the importance of studying the attitude of the patients themselves before choosing the location of treatment.

Ambulatory Care↗
PubMed2004

Evaluation of 18F-FDG uptake and arterial wall calcifications using 18F-FDG PET/CT.

UNLABELLED: Glucose metabolic activity expressed as (18)F-FDG uptake may be increased in active atherosclerotic plaque. Calcium depositions are often increased in mature atherosclerotic plaque. The purpose of the present study was to assess the patterns of vascular-wall (18)F-FDG uptake and CT calcifications using combined PET/CT. METHODS: One hundred twenty-two consecutive patients over the age of 50 (47 women and 75 men; mean age, 66 +/- 9 y) undergoing whole-body (18)F-FDG PET/CT for tumor assessment were retrospectively evaluated. PET, CT, and PET/CT slices were generated for review. Abnormal vascular findings in major arteries in the chest and abdomen were categorized as PET positive (PET+), PET negative (PET-), CT positive (CT+), or CT negative (CT-). The topographic relationship between increased vascular-wall (18)F-FDG uptake on PET and the presence of calcifications on CT was assessed on PET/CT fused images, with abnormal sites further classified as PET+/CT+, PET+/CT-, or PET-/CT+. The presence of CT calcifications and increased vascular-wall (18)F-FDG uptake was correlated with age, sex, presence of cardiovascular risk factors, and cardiovascular disease. RESULTS: Abnormal findings were identified at 349 sites. CT calcifications (CT+) were observed at 320 sites (92%) of 100 patients (82%), more commonly in men (P < 0.03), in older patients (P < 0.0001), in patients with hypertension (P < 0.003) or hyperlipidemia (P < 0.04), and in smokers (P < 0.008). Increased vascular-wall (18)F-FDG uptake (PET+) was observed at 52 sites (15%) of 38 patients (31%), more commonly in men (P < 0.02), in older patients (P < 0.0001), and in patients with hypertension (P < 0.02), and was borderline in patients with cardiovascular disease (P = 0.057). PET+ and CT+ findings correlated in 12 patients, a PET+/CT- pattern was found in 18 patients, and 8 patients had increased vascular-wall (18)F-FDG uptake in sites with and without calcifications (PET+/CT+, CT-). Twenty-two patients (18%) had a PET-/CT- pattern. CONCLUSION: Hybrid PET/CT can be used to identify and to correctly localize vascular-wall (18)F-FDG activity. Increased vascular-wall (18)F-FDG activity was found in 15% of sites and CT calcifications were noted in 92% of sites, with congruent findings in 7%. The clinical significance of the relationship between vascular-wall (18)F-FDG uptake and CT calcifications needs to be assessed by further prospective studies with long-term follow up.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Influence of maternal carbohydrate intake on fetal movements at 14 to 16 weeks of gestation.

OBJECTIVE: Ultrasonographic assessment of fetal movements at 14 to 16 weeks of gestation before and after maternal oral intake of carbohydrate. DESIGN: Thirty consecutive healthy pregnant women between 14 and 16 weeks of gestation were scanned transvaginally. Real-time ultrasound recordings of 20 min duration were performed in the fasting state and after an oral intake of 110 g of glucose. The number of fetal movements, body and limb movements and breathing movements were evaluated. Fetal movements were quantified using a digital chronometer, and the percentage of time spent moving and the rate of movements per minute were then calculated. Data was statistically analyzed using the simple and Wilcoxon paired t-test. RESULTS: Absolute number of fetal movements, body movements, rotation movements, time spent moving and rate of movements per minute showed a statistically significant increase after maternal intake of carbohydrate (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Maternal oral intake of 110 g of carbohydrate significantly increases fetal movements at 14 to 16 weeks of gestation, thus allowing better ultrasonographic viewing of the fetus.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Maternal hypothyroidism may affect fetal growth and neonatal thyroid function.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the pituitary-thyroid axis function in the early neonatal period of newborns to hypothyroid mothers who have been apparently adequately treated. METHODS: Among the 27,386 full-term newborns delivered over a 6-year period, 259 were born to 250 treated hypothyroid mothers (0.9%); 246 of these newborns constituted the study group. Controls were 139 term healthy neonates from healthy group-matched mothers. The study infants and controls underwent thyroid function tests in a prospective design. A single blood sample was collected from each infant at 25-120 hours of life. RESULTS: Compared with the controls, serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels were higher in the study neonates (P <.005), as were those of serum free thyroxine (T4) (P <.03), particularly at 49 hours of life or older (P <.001). At 49-120 hours, 44.7% of the study group newborns had serum free T4 levels greater than the 95th percentile of the controls (P <.001), and 16.8% had significantly higher TSH levels (P <.001). Serum free T4 correlated positively with TSH in the controls (r =.316) but not in the study newborns (r =.062, P =.36). Neonatal TSH at 49 hours or older correlated positively with maternal TSH during pregnancy in the 18 cases where maternal TSH values during pregnancy were available (r =.751, P <.001). Birth weight and head circumference were significantly lesser in the study group (P <.001). CONCLUSION: The impaired intrauterine growth and the unduly elevated serum values of TSH and serum free T4 found in a substantial fraction of the study newborns might reflect an insufficient level of hormone replacement therapy of their hypothyroid mothers during pregnancy, despite an assumed adequate management. Gestational hypothyroidism requires close monitoring.

Case-Control Studies↗
PubMed2003

Total skin electron irradiation: evaluation of dose uniformity throughout the skin surface.

In this study, in vivo dosimetic data of 67 total skin electron irradiation (TSEI) treatments were analyzed. Thermoluminescent dosimetry (TLD) measurements were made at 10 different body points for every patient. The results demonstrated that the dose inhomogeneity throughout the skin surface is around 15%. The homogeneity was better at the trunk than at the extratrunk points, and was worse when a degrader was used. There was minimal improvement of homogeneity in subsequent days of treatment.

Humans↗
PubMed2003

Predominant factors associated with bone loss in liver transplant patients - after prolonged post-transplantation period.

INTRODUCTION: Osteoporosis is a major cause of morbidity in liver transplant recipients and is associated with multiple factors. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate bone mineral density (BMD), bone turnover and calcium-regulating hormones in 29 patients (17 men, 12 women) 2-12 yrs following liver transplantation for non-alcoholic liver diseases. RESULTS: Fifteen patients (52%) were on immunosuppressive treatment with tacrolimus and 14 (48%) with cyclosporine. Eleven patients (38%) were currently on prednisone, 18 patients (62%) had stopped glucocorticoid treatment 6 months to 11 yrs prior to the study. Nineteen patients (65.5%) had decreased BMD according to WHO criteria, 17 (58.2%) at the femoral neck, 13 (44.8%) at the lumbar spine. Nineteen patients (65.5%) had a subnormal (<15 ng/mL) serum level of 25 (OH) D3. These patients had significantly lower BMD at the femoral neck (p = 0.02). Femoral neck BMD negatively correlated with serum parathyroid hormone level (p = 0.06, r = -0.35), length of the post-transplantation period (p = 0.025, r = -0.416) and duration of glucocorticoid treatment (p = 0.029, r = -0.406), regardless of its cumulative dose. Symptomatic fractures were less frequent in tacrolimus treated patients than in cyclosporine users (p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Decreased BMD is frequent following liver transplantation and is affected by vitamin D deficiency, cyclosporine use, and the duration of glucocorticoid therapy, but not by its cumulative dose. Achievement and maintenance of optimal vitamin D status and shortening of glucocorticoid treatment period may have a favorable effect on bone preservation.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗
PubMed2003

Bone density in axial and appendicular skeleton in patients with lactose intolerance: influence of calcium intake and vitamin D status.

BACKGROUND: Lactose intolerance (LI) is a common enzymatic insufficiency, manifesting by poor tolerance of dairy products, leading to low calcium intake and poor calcium absorption from dairy products. These changes might lead to an impairment of bone metabolism [1]. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the impact of LI on quantitative bone parameters in axial and appendicular skeletal sites. To assess the impact of calcium intake from dairy and non-dairy nutritional sources, calcium regulating hormones and bone turnover on quantitative bone parameters in LI patients. METHODS: We evaluated calcium intake and bone status in sixty-six patients with LI, 49 women and 17 men, aged 20 to 78. Bone mass was assessed at the lumbar spine (LS), total hip (TH) and femoral neck (FN) by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) and at the radius, tibia, phalanx by quantitative ultrasound. Serum calcium, albumin, inorganic phosphate, calcium regulating hormones and markers of bone turnover were evaluated. RESULTS: Total daily calcium intake was below the recommended by the American Dietetic Association [2] in all study participants (mean 692 mg/day +/- 162). Elevated level of urinary deoxypyridinoline crosslinks (DPD) was observed in 63 (96%) patients and was negatively correlated with total daily calcium intake (r = -0.998, p = 0.025) and with nondairy calcium intake (r = -0.34, p = 0.015). Parathyroid hormone (PTH) level in the upper third of normal range (45-65 ng/L) was observed in 11 (17%) patients. Parathyroid hormone (PTH) was inversely correlated with total calcium intake (r = -0.4, p = 0.001), dairy calcium intake (r = -0.83, p = 0.05), non-dairy calcium intake (r = -0.29, p = 0.043), 25OHD(3) serum level (r = -0.3, p = 0.007) and positively correlated with bone turnover markers (deoxypyridinoline crosslinks [DPD], r = 0.36, p = 0.01 and bone specific alkaline phosphatase [BSAP] r = 0.36, p = 0.01). Decrease in quantitative bone parameters compared to age-matched controls was observed in the axial and in the appendicular skeleton in men and in postmenopausal women: mean z-score for LS -0.87 +/- 0.22 and -1.32 +/- 0.65, p = 0.004 and 0.015, tibia -1.15 +/- 0.53 and -0.44 +/- 0.044, p < 0.001 and 0.27, phalanx -0.98 +/- 0.22 and -0.52 +/- 0.98, p < 0.001. We observed decrease in bone mass in patients with serum PTH in the upper tertile of normal range in the FN (z-score -0.57 +/- 0.6 versus -0.03 +/- 0.9, p = 0.025), TH (-0.51 +/- 0.96 versus 0.04 +/- 0.9, p = 0.05) and radius (-1.84 +/- 0.27 versus -0.07 +/- 1.61, p = 0.025, respectively). z-scores in FN and TH positively correlated with serum 25OHD(3) level (r = 0.31, 0.29; p = 0.014, 0.019). In postmenopausal women serum 25OHD(3) level correlated also with LS z-scores (r = 0.52, p = 0.004); FN and TH z-scores negatively correlated with DPD level (r = -0.51, p = 0.02 and r = -0.55, p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: LI state may lead to increased bone turnover and decreased bone mass especially in men and postmenopausal women. Impaired vitamin D status and low calcium intake may be deleterious to bone in this condition.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗
PubMed2003

Postcesarean section pain prediction by preoperative experimental pain assessment.

BACKGROUND: Postcesarean section pain is a common cause of acute pain in obstetrics, yet pain relief and patient satisfaction are still inadequate in many cases. The present study was conducted to determine whether preoperative assessment of experimental pain perception by quantitative sensory tests could predict the level of postcesarean section pain. METHODS: Fifty-eight women who were scheduled for elective cesarean section were enrolled in the study. Heat pain threshold and magnitude estimation of suprathreshold pain stimuli at 44 degrees-48 degrees C were assessed for both algosity (the sensory dimension of pain intensity) and unpleasantness 1 or 2 days before surgery. The day after the operation, the women reported the level of pain at the surgical wound on a visual analog scale at rest and during activity. Regression analysis was performed to evaluate the usefulness of preoperative scores in predicting postcesarean section pain. RESULTS: Postoperative visual analog scale scores at rest and during activity significantly correlated with preoperative suprathreshold pain scores at 44 degrees-48 degrees C (r = 0.31-0.58 for algosity and r = 0.33-0.74 for unpleasantness). The stimulus of 48 degrees C was found to be the best predictor of postoperative pain for both conditions (r = 0.434-0.527; P < 0.01). In contrast to suprathreshold pain stimuli, pain threshold was not correlated with postoperative pain. CONCLUSIONS: The results show that a simple and quick preoperative test is useful in identifying those women who will experience greater pain after a cesarean section. This test may be suggested for caregivers to tailor the postoperative treatment to specific patient needs and to improve postoperative outcome and patient satisfaction.

Adult↗