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Biomedical subjects

C Tansey

Publications and source records attributed to C Tansey.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

The Web: friend or foe of the hand surgeon?

Healthcare information contained on the World Wide Web is not screened or regulated and claims may be unsubstantiated and misleading. The objective of this study was to evaluate the nature and quality of information on the Web in relation to hand surgery. Three search engines were assessed for information on three hand operations: carpal tunnel decompression, Dupuytren's release and trigger finger release. Websites were classified and evaluated for completeness, accuracy, accountability and reference to a reliable source of information. A total of 172 websites were examined. Although 85% contained accurate information, in 65% this information was incomplete. Eighty-seven per cent of websites were accountable for the information presented, but only 24% made references to reliable sources. Until an organised approach to website control is established, it is important for hand surgeons to emphasise to their patients that not everything they read is complete or accurate. Publicising sites known to be of high quality will promote safe browsing of the Web.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome↗

Direct costs of coronary artery bypass grafting in patients aged 65 years or more and those under age 65.

BACKGROUND: Over the past 20 years, there have been marked increases in rates of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) among older people in Canada. The objectives of this study were to accurately estimate the direct medical costs of CABG in older patients (age 65 years or more) and to compare CABG costs for this age group with those for patients less than 65 years of age. METHODS: Direct medical costs were estimated from a sample of 205 older and 202 younger patients with triple-vessel or left main coronary artery disease who underwent isolated CABG at The Toronto Hospital, a tertiary care university-affiliated hospital, between Apr. 1, 1991, and Mar. 31, 1992. Costs are expressed in 1992 Canadian dollars from a third-party payer perspective. RESULTS: The mean costs of CABG in older and younger patients respectively were $16,500 and $15,600 for elective, uncomplicated cases, $23,200 and $19,200 for nonelective, uncomplicated cases, $29,200 and $20,300 for elective, complicated cases, and $33,600 and $23,700 for nonelective, complicated cases. Age remained a significant determinant of costs after adjustment for severity of heart disease and for comorbidity. Between 59% and 91% of the cost difference between older and younger patients was accounted for by higher intensive care unit and ward costs. INTERPRETATION: CABG was more costly in older people, especially in complicated cases, even after an attempt to adjust for severity of disease and comorbidity. Future studies should attempt to identify modifiable factors that contribute to longer intensive care and ward stays for older patients.

Age Factors↗

Effect of diagnostic testing for multiple sclerosis on patient health perceptions. Rochester-Toronto MRI Study Group.

BACKGROUND AND METHODS: We examined the effect on health perceptions of a diagnostic workup in 172 patients with suspected multiple sclerosis (MS) using two questionnaires (Mishel, Rand Medical Outcome Study) and three visual analogue scales measuring distress. Patients were categorized into "MS," "not MS," or "still uncertain" groups. RESULTS: Patients with a definitive diagnosis reported a significant decrease in uncertainty (analysis of variance [ANOVA] P = .0004). The Medical Outcome Study showed a slightly worsened perceived current health status (ANOVA P = .02) and future health outlook (ANOVA P = .001) in the MS group compared with the other two groups. Distress over physical symptoms decreased in all three groups and anxiety was more likely to decrease than increase even in those with MS. Prognostic uncertainty distress decreased in the not MS group and still uncertain groups, whereas it remained unchanged in the MS group (P = .9156). CONCLUSION: Significant and generally beneficial changes in patient health perceptions are seen associated with a neurologic workup in suspected MS, irrespective of the final diagnosis.

Adolescent↗

A randomized trial of test result sequencing in patients with suspected multiple sclerosis. Rochester-Toronto MRI Study Group.

BACKGROUND AND METHODS: We performed a randomized trial of the incremental impact of high-volume contrast computed tomographic scan of the brain plus trimodal evoked potentials vs magnetic resonance imaging of the brain on neurologists' diagnostic labeling of patients with suspected multiple sclerosis (MS). Two hundred and four patients with suspected MS (clinically possible 59% or probable 41%-McAlpine criteria) were assessed by two neurologists. Patients were diagnostically categorized after reviewing the results of the tests presented in random order. RESULTS: Most of the change in diagnostic categorization occurred after presenting the first test result irrespective of result sequence (chi 2 = 0.01, P = .99). The diagnoses became more definitive when all test results were available (P < .001). Magnetic resonance imaging and evoked potential were suggestive of MS equally frequently (chi 2 = 0.57, P = .45). CONCLUSION: In suspected MS, there is no difference in diagnostic effect between brain magnetic resonance image scanning and computed tomography plus trimodal evoked potentials.

Adolescent↗

HLA-DR beta, -DQ alpha, and -DQ beta restriction fragment length polymorphisms in multiple sclerosis.

Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) studies were performed on DNA from unrelated Caucasian patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) using cDNA probes to the HLA class II genes DR beta, DQ alpha, and DQ beta. In a study of 34 patients and 34 controls who were not matched for DR type, we found that the DQ beta allele-specific RFLP or allogenotype, termed DQ beta lb, which corresponds at the molecular level to the DQwl serotype, is preferentially associated with MS. A significant disease association with DR2 was demonstrated by serology but this was not confirmed using DR2/Dw2-specific RFLPs. We suggest that DQ beta lb is largely responsible for HLA-associated susceptibility to MS and that the apparent MS-DR2 serological association is due to the strong linkage disequilibrium between DR2 and DQ beta lb. Homozygosity of one of the two allelic bands of the DX alpha gene, usually termed the DX alpha lower (DX alpha L) band (which cross-hybridizes with the DQ alpha probe), correlated with reduced susceptibility to MS. Similarly a 5.3 kb band identified by the DQ alpha probe in Mspl digests showed a negative correlation with MS. In an analysis of 27 DR2+ controls and 26 DR2+ patients it was found that these individuals all had DR2/Dw2-specific RFLPs and all had identical DR2/Dw2-associated DQ beta (DQ beta lb) and DQ alpha (DQ alpha lb) allogenotypes. We detected no polymorphisms of DR beta, DQ alpha, or DQ beta genes among the DR2+ MS patients which distinguished them from normals.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Alleles↗

Treatment of spasticity with tizanidine in multiple sclerosis.

Spasticity is a frequent and often disabling symptom in MS patients. Current drugs used as antispastic agents include Dantrolene Sodium, Baclofen and Diazepam. Tizanidine (5-chloro-4-(2imidazolin-2 yl amino)-2,1,3-benzothialdiazole) is a new antispasticity agent that has purported central action. A double blind placebo controlled trial was performed to study the efficacy of this drug in MS patients. Sixty-six patients entered an eight week therapeutic trial and fifty-nine completed the trial. Patients were assessed at 0, 2, 3 and 8 weeks of therapy for clinical effects. Electrophysiologic tests were performed at 0 and 8 weeks. A statistically significant benefit was noted in spastic muscle groups in the legs with concomitant significant reduction in hyperactive stretch reflexes and ankle clonus. Side effects most frequently cited included dry mouth and drowsiness. Two patients developed elevated liver function test that decreased with cessation of therapy. Other clinical details, side effects and electrophysiologic data will be presented. Tizanidine appears to reduce clinical spasticity and hyperreflexia in MS patients although no change in functional status was detected. Tizanidine may well serve as an alternate antispastic agent, alone or in combination with other agents.

Adolescent↗