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Amanda Black

Publications and source records attributed to Amanda Black.

10 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Methods of calculating prostate-specific antigen velocity.

OBJECTIVES: Numerous methods of calculating PSA velocity (PSAV) are used and have the potential to produce differing PSAV results from the same PSA data. We calculated PSAV using three common methods and compared differences between the methods and their predictive value for prostate cancer diagnosis. METHODS: From a population-based database of PSA results, men with initial PSA<10.0 ng/ml and a subsequent diagnosis of prostate cancer or benign histology were identified. Those with > or =3 PSA tests before diagnosis carried out over a minimum of 18 mo were included. PSAV was calculated by using three methods: The differences between the methods and test characteristics of each method were compared. RESULTS: Of the 2204 men included, 716 (32.5%) were diagnosed with prostate cancer and 1488 (67.5%) benign histology. PSAV differed markedly in each method of calculation. The LR and FL methods had similar predictive values, which were higher than the AE method. There was strong agreement for cancer diagnosis between LR and FL (kappa=0.85), with weaker agreement between LR/AE and FL/AE (kappa=0.69 and 0.66, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Methods used to calculate PSAV using the same PSA data can produce markedly different results. Linear regression should be the method of choice for calculating PSAV. Using first and last PSA values only may be adequate for everyday clinical use, as long as measurements are separated by a sufficiently long time period.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

Primary dysmenorrhea consensus guideline.

METHODS: Members of this consensus group were selected based on individual expertise to represent a range of practical and academic experience both in terms of location in Canada and type of practice, as well as subspecialty expertise along with general gynaecology backgrounds. The consensus group reviewed all available evidence through the English and French medical literature and available data from a survey of Canadian women. Recommendations were established as consensus statements. The final document was reviewed and approved by the Executive and Council of the SOGC. RESULTS: This document provides a summary of up-to-date evidence regarding the diagnosis, investigations, and medical and surgical management of dysmenorrhea. The resulting recommendations may be adapted by individual health care workers when serving women who suffer from this condition. CONCLUSIONS: Dysmenorrhea is an extremely common and sometimes debilitating condition for women of reproductive age. A multidisciplinary approach involving a combination of lifestyle, medications, and allied health services should be used to limit the impact of this condition on activities of daily living. In some circumstances, surgery is required to offer the desired relief. OUTCOMES: This guideline discusses the various options in managing dysmenorrhea. Patient information materials may be derived from these guidelines in order to educate women in terms of their options and possible risks and benefits of various treatment strategies. Women who find an acceptable management strategy for this condition may benefit from an improved quality of life.

Diagnosis, Differential↗
PubMed2005

Prevalence of primary dysmenorrhea in Canada.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to describe the prevalence, clinical effect, characteristics, and underlying risk factors of primary dysmenorrhea (PD) in Canada. METHODS: A stratified, random sample of 2721 women 18 years and older was identified, and the women were interviewed by telephone. Data about menstrual symptoms and patterns and socio-demographic factors were obtained. The frequency, severity, and effect of menstrual pain were quantified. Logistic regression analysis was performed in order to identify independent risk factors for PD. RESULTS: In the sample, 1546 women were having menstrual periods; of these, 934 (60%) met the criteria for PD. Sixty percent of the women with PD described their pain as moderate or severe. Fifty-one percent reported that their activities had been limited, and 17% reported missing school or work because of PD. The prevalence of PD decreased with increasing age (P < 0.001) and increased with smoking (P = 0.002). Users of oral contraceptives (OCs) tended to have less pain than non-users (P = 0.005). Socio-economic status, nulliparity, and earlier age at menarche were not independently associated with PD. However, nulliparous women, smokers, and women not using OCs were more likely to report disabling symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of Canadian women will suffer from dysmenorrhea at some time during their reproductive years. Available prescription treatments are underused. Young age, smoking, and non-use of OCs are independent risk factors for PD.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

RETIRED: Canadian contraception consensus.

This document has been archived because it contains outdated information. It should not be consulted for clinical use, but for historical research only. Please visit the journal website for the most recent guidelines.

Canada↗
PubMed2004

RETIRED: Canadian contraception consensus.

This document has been archived because it contains outdated information. It should not be consulted for clinical use, but for historical research only. Please visit the journal website for the most recent guidelines.

Canada↗
PubMed2004

SOGC clinical practice guidelines: Canadian contraception consensus.

OBJECTIVE: To provide guidelines for health-care providers on the use of contraceptive methods to prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. OUTCOMES: Overall efficacy of cited contraceptive methods, assessing reduction in pregnancy rate, risk of infection, safety, ease of use, and side effects; the effect of cited contraceptive methods on sexual health and general well-being; and the cost and availability of cited contraceptive methods in Canada. EVIDENCE: Medline and the Cochrane Database were searched for articles in English on subjects related to contraception, sexuality, and sexual health from January 1988 to March 2003, in order to update the Report of the Consensus Committee on Contraception published in May-July 1998. Relevant Canadian Government publications and position papers from appropriate health and family planning organizations were also reviewed. VALUES: The quality of the evidence is rated using the criteria described in the Report of the Canadian Task Force on the Periodic Health Examination. Recommendations for practice are ranked according to the method described in this Report.

Canada↗
PubMed2003

Adolescent pelvic pain.

Chronic pelvic pain is a frequent complaint in adolescent females. It is a complex disorder with multiple causes. The assessment must attempt to differentiate between gynaecological and non-gynaecological sources of pain. An understanding of the physical, cognitive and environmental factors associated with the pain are essential. Laparoscopy has been used in the assessment of CPP but a significant number of patients will have no obvious aetiology at the time of laparoscopy. For the young patient with CPP, a multidisciplinary approach may be essential to facilitate diagnosis and management. Although the symptoms may not always be curable, management that allows the young female to obtain normal or near normal function may be possible. This chapter focuses on the various causes of pelvic pain in the adolescent female with a focus on the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of the different causes.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Electromechanical impedance sensor for in vivo monitoring the body reaction to implants.

A novel sensor for in situ monitoring of the body reaction to implants has been developed. A piezoelectric wafer active sensor was adapted for biomedical applications (bio-PWAS). A number of bio-PWAS sensors have been implanted in rats and left in place up to 64 days. The bio-PWAS were able to oscillate in several resonance modes, radial-wise (in-plane) and thickness-wise (out-of-plane). The electromechanical impedance was measured over a wide frequency band, covering several radial vibration modes and the first thickness mode. The recorded data was processed with impedance spectroscopy methods. Preliminary results indicate a correlation between the electromechanical impedance spectrum of the bio-PWAS and the state of implantation. Quantitative studies have shown that the first radial mode amplitude seems to correlate with the short-time inflammatory and immune response, while the thickness mode amplitude seems to correlate with both the short-term inflammatory response and long-term encapsulation and fibrosis response. Since radial vibrations generate shear waves in the surrounding tissue, while thickness vibrations generate pressure waves, it seems that the shear and pressure wave interactions have specificity in detecting the different stages of the body's reaction response to implants. These observations were supported by histological examinations of the tissue surrounding the bio-PWAS. Though these initial results are encouraging, further experiments need to be conducted and more data needs to be collected in correlation with histological determinations. In-depth impedance spectroscopy studies should be conducted on this extensive data and closely correlated with extensive histological studies.

Animals↗