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Biomedical subjects

C L Masson

Publications and source records attributed to C L Masson.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Predictors of medical service utilization among individuals with co-occurring HIV infection and substance abuse disorders.

This study examined factors affecting medical service use among HIV-infected persons with a substance abuse disorder. The sample comprised 190 participants enrolled in a randomized trial of a case management intervention. Participants were interviewed about their backgrounds, housing status, income, alcohol and drug use problems, health status and depressive symptoms at study entry. Electronic medical records were used to assess medical service use. Poisson regression models were tested to determine the effects of need, enabling and predisposing factors on the dependent variables of emergency department visits, inpatient admissions and ambulatory care visits. During a two-year period, 71% were treated in the emergency department, 64% had been hospitalized and the sample averaged 12.9 ambulatory care visits. Homelessness was associated with higher utilization of emergency department and inpatient services; drug use severity was associated with higher inpatient and ambulatory care service use; and alcohol use severity was associated with greater use of emergency medical services. Homelessness and substance abuse exacerbate the health care needs of HIV-infected persons and result in increased use of emergency department and inpatient services. Interventions are needed that target HIV-infected persons with substance abuse disorders, particularly those that increase entry and retention in outpatient health care and thus decrease reliance on acute hospital-based services.

Adult↗

Violent traumatic events and drug abuse severity.

We examined the occurrence of violent traumatic events, DSM-III-R diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and PTSD symptoms, and the relationship of these variables to drug abuse severity. One-hundred fifty opioid-dependent drug abusers who were participants in a randomized trial of two methadone treatment interventions were interviewed using the Diagnostic Interview Schedule, the Addiction Severity Index, and the Beck Depression Inventory. Twenty-nine percent met diagnostic criteria for PTSD. With the exception of rape, no gender differences in the prevalence of violent traumatic events were observed. The occurrence of PTSD-related symptoms was associated with greater drug abuse severity after controlling for gender, depression, and lifetime diagnosis of PTSD. The high rate of PTSD among these methadone patients, the nature of the traumatic events to which they are exposed, and subsequent violence-related psychiatric sequelae have important implications for identification and treatment of PTSD among those seeking drug abuse treatment.

Adult↗

Cardiovascular and mood responses to quantified doses of cigarette smoke in oral contraceptive users and nonusers.

Previous research suggests that the female sex hormones may moderate cardiovascular and mood responses to cigarette smoking and abstinence. To test this possibility, acute effects of cigarette smoking on cardiovascular reactivity and mood were examined in 12 oral contraceptive users and 12 nonusers across two menstrual phases (early and late cycle). After overnight deprivation, each participant attended two sessions in which they first sham-smoked and then smoked two standard cigarettes, via a quantified smoke delivery system. Oral contraceptive users exhibited larger cigarette smoking-induced increases in heart rate compared with nonusers. In addition, cigarette smoking-induced cardiovascular changes varied with both the phase of the menstrual cycle and oral contraceptive use. No menstrual phase-dependent effects were observed for tobacco withdrawal symptoms, premenstrual symptoms, or moods prior to smoking. Cardiovascular hyperreactivity to cigarette smoke in oral contraceptive users may help explain the mechanisms by which smoking and oral contraceptive use contribute to an elevated risk for coronary heart disease.

Administration, Inhalation↗

[Reconstruction of the silhouette after gastroplasty].

The authors report their experience in reconstruction of the silhouette in patients experiencing rapid and marked weight loss after calibrated vertical gastroplasty, usually greater than 50 kg. They present a one-stage strategy for reconstruction of the silhouette, combining repair of the abdomen, waist and thighs. The serious nature of surgical procedure requires a very precise preoperative assessment and, most importantly, very detailed information of the patient concerning this operation and the expected results. Very intensive preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative psychological support is essential.

Cicatrix↗

[Skin flaps and expanded full-thickness skin grafts. Indications in the repair of burn sequelae].

The great majority of sequelae of deep burns concern the skin. Their correction essentially raises problems of replacement of scarred skin by good quality skin. Sequelae of burns logically constitute one of the best indications for progressive mechanical skin expansion by prosthesis, which allows for considerable improvement of the aesthetic results. This improvement is related to the use of skin replacement tissues with the same quality as the original tissue. Local expanded flaps and expanded full-thickness skin grafts are the two essential techniques used. The authors review the general rules concerning the use of expansion prostheses, then describe the various indications for expanded flaps and expanded full-thickness skin grafts in the sequelae of burns of the face, neck, thorax and limbs. The main indications are illustrated by clinical cases.

Burns↗

[Transposition flaps adn full-thickness skin grafts used as interposition tissue: progressive physiological expansion].

The capacity of health skin to expand, which has been known for a long time, has been used in plastic surgery since the work by Radovan. The sequelae of deep burns are sometimes responsible for retraction, particularly in flexion folds of the limbs, which are treated in our department by interposition of healthy skin in the form of local flaps or full-thickness skin grafts. The follow-up of several hundred patients over several years demonstrated that, in addition to the immediate skin gain, expansion or extension of the interposed healthy skin occurs. Nevertheless, only histological examination could confirm the reality of this progressive physiological expansion observed during the follow-up of our patients.

Humans↗

[Treatment of burns in infants].

Because of the potential severity of their residual deformities, burn injuries in infants justify an early management in specialized centres when they cover more than 5% of body surface and in every case when hands, face, or external genitalia are concerned. Cooling with cold water is the first aid treatment to be performed as early as possible after the injury. The treatment in specialized centres must be both general and surgical. General treatment includes fluid and electrolyte therapy, temperature control, appropriate nutrition and pain suppression. Pain suppression is a major part of the treatment and morphine must be largely used. Surgical treatment starts as soon as the patient arrives in the centre and is eventually performed under general anesthesia: all the burned areas are covered with occlusive dressings. Infections are prevented by systematic cultures and adjusted antibiotic therapy. A vigorous rehabilitation program must be instituted as soon as possible: massages, compressive clothes, splints, physical therapy, plastic surgery. Primary prevention by sustained parental education is important in order to reduce the frequency of burn injuries in infants.

Age Factors↗

Cardiovascular responses to a quantified dose of nicotine as a function of personality and nicotine tolerance.

Correlations between cardiovascular effects of a quantified dose of nicotine and personality measures previously shown to predict coronary heart disease were obtained. Thirty male smokers smoked a popular brand of a regular strength cigarette (1.0 mg FTC-estimated nicotine delivery) on one occasion and a nicotine-free cigarette on another occasion by means of a quantified smoke delivery system. Partial correlations controlling for effects of body weight, questionnaire-assessed nicotine tolerance, and cardiovascular responses to the nicotine-free control cigarette showed Jenkins Activity Survey Type A scores to correlate positively with nicotine-induced increase in diastolic blood pressure but negatively with nicotine-induced increase in systolic blood pressure. Partial correlations indicated that trait anxiety and depression were significantly associated with nicotine-induced heart rate increases but not with nicotine-induced blood pressure responses.

Adult↗

[Rapid tissue expansion].

The authors, who already have a wide experience of classical tissue expansion with slow inflation of prostheses over about 8 weeks, now present their experience of very rapid, virtually intraoperative expansion for the treatment of large scars and moderately large cicatricial zones. The operative technique which they use is described and the postoperative results are analysed.

Cicatrix↗