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Biomedical subjects

Amnon Lahad

Publications and source records attributed to Amnon Lahad.

7 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

A controlled randomized study of the effect of training with orthoses on the incidence of weight bearing induced back pain among infantry recruits.

STUDY DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. OBJECTIVES: To determine if the use of custom shoe orthoses can lessen the incidence of weight bearing-induced back pain. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The scientific basis for the use of orthoses to prevent back pain is based principally on studies that show that shoe orthoses can attenuate the shock wave generated at heel strike. The repetitive impulsive loading that occurs because of this shock wave can cause wear of the mechanical structures of the back. Previous randomized studies showed mixed results in preventing back pain, were not blinded, and used orthoses for only short periods of time. METHODS: A total of 404 eligible new infantry recruits without a history of prior back pain were randomly assigned to received either custom soft, semirigid biomechanical, or simple shoe inserts without supportive or shock absorbing qualities. Recruits were reviewed biweekly by an orthopaedist for back signs and symptoms during the course of 14 weeks of basic training RESULTS: The overall incidence of back pain was 14%. By intention-to treat and per-protocol analyses, there was no statistically significant difference between the incidence of either subjective or objective back pain among the 3 treatment groups. Significantly more recruits who received soft custom orthoses finished training in their assigned orthoses (67.5%) than those who received semirigid biomechanical orthoses (45.5%) or simple shoe inserts (48.6%), P = 0.001. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study do not support the use of orthoses, either custom soft or semirigid biomechanical, as prophylactic treatment for weight bearing-induced back pain. Custom soft orthoses had a higher utilization rate than the semirigid biomechanical or simple shoe inserts. The pretraining physical fitness and sports participation of recruits were not related to the incidence of weight bearing-induced back pain.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Use of complementary medicine in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and epilepsy.

We retrospectively studied use of complementary medicine in children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, epilepsy, and controls. Parents of patients with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (n = 120; mean age 11.0 +/- 3.1 years), epilepsy (n = 115; 10.9 +/- 5.5), and healthy children seen in the emergency room during an acute illness (n = 115; 5.0 +/- 4.9) were individually interviewed regarding past and present use of complementary medicine. We found that 34 children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, 37 with epilepsy, and 24 controls had, at some time during their life, received complementary medicine: diet (n = 50), homeopathy (n = 46), acupuncture (n = 23), and biofeedback (n = 9). Current use was significantly less: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder- 7.5%, epilepsy-14%, and controls-7%. No differences among groups were found for either past use or method of complementary medicine employed. However, the most significant predictor for current use of complementary medicine was past use (OR 3.2, P < 0.001), followed by level of father's education (OR = 1.16, P = 0.01). There was a trend for more children with epilepsy (OR = 1.7) and children from religious families (OR = 1.51) to be currently receiving complementary medicine. In summary, only a small minority of patients with either Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or epilepsy used complementary medicine as part of their current medical regimen, although during their lifetime a third had received complementary medicine. Complementary medicine was more consistently used in children who had previously received complementary medicine, regardless of their medical diagnosis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

The use of accepted preventive medicine practice among elderly patients in community clinics in the Jerusalem area.

BACKGROUND: With the aging of the population and the increase in the number of elderly patients under the care of primary care physicians in the community, it is essential that the physician be aware of the preventive medicine recommendations for this group of patients. Accepted evidence-based guidelines have been developed for the older patient and adherence to these guidelines may play a significant role in decreasing morbidity and mortality in the elderly. OBJECTIVES: To determine whether elderly patients in community clinics are aware of the preventive medicine practices that are relevant and available to them, and to assess which factors influence their decision to use such interventions. Of particular interest was to evaluate the role of the doctor-patient relationship on the degree of patient compliance with preventive procedures. METHODS: Patients attending community clinics of the Clalit Health Services in Jerusalem were interviewed. Background information was obtained and the patients were questioned regarding the use of the following preventive medicine recommendations: screening for occult blood in the stool, testing of vision and hearing, influenza and pneumococcal immunization, thyroid-stimulating hormone testing, digital rectal examination for prostate cancer, and calcium supplementation. The patients were questioned regarding the use of aspirin or oral anticoagulation where relevant. Factors influencing their level of compliance were examined. RESULTS: The study group comprised 205 patients with an average age of 74.5 years. Overall the rates of compliance were high, with 78% undergoing visual assessment, 87% fecal occult blood testing, and 81% influenza immunization. Pneumococcal immunization had been administered to 49% of those interviewed and 56% had their hearing tested. Digital rectal examination had been performed in 45% of patients. Calcium supplementation was used in 60% of patients. Almost all the patients (91-100%) noted that the physician had initiated the procedure and that non-compliance was due to patient preferences. Of the 172 patients who were assumed to benefit from aspirin use, 153 (89%) used the medication, and 87% of 23 patients with atrial fibrillation were on chronic anticoagulation. CONCLUSIONS: A high level of compliance with preventive medicine recommendations was found among this group of elderly patients. The doctor-patient relationship had a positive effect on the patients' compliance.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2002

Principles for planning the teaching of evidence-based medicine/clinical epidemiology for MPH and medical students.

Medical decision-making requires increasing skills in communication, information retrieval, and formulating and answering focused clinical questions. Medical students need increasing exposure to the principles of evidence-based medicine and methodologic training in epidemiology and biostatistics in order to cope with the explosion of medical information and in order to appraise, interpret, and perform clinical research. This review summarizes the principles applied to teaching these subjects to medical students, as well as to students in Master's programs who will pursue careers in public health or clinical research.

Biometry↗