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Biomedical subjects

D C Pearson

Publications and source records attributed to D C Pearson.

24 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Resorption beneath silastic mandibular implants. Effects of placement and pressure.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the extent to which silicone rubber mandibular implant (Silastic; Dow Corning, Midland, Mich) pressure and placement (supraperiosteal or subperiosteal) affect underlying mandibular resorption. DESIGN: A randomized, controlled animal trial. SUBJECTS: Ten mixed-breed adult hounds. INTERVENTIONS: Each animal's mandible was implanted with 6 Silastic blocks, 3 inserted supraperiosteally and 3 subperiosteally. Within each grouping of 3 implants, pressure was varied from "minimum" to "moderate" to "maximum" by compressing the implant with titanium miniplates. After 4 months, the animals were killed and their mandibles sectioned for microscopic examination. RESULTS: Mandibular resorption occurred in varying degrees beneath all implants by the end of the study period. The extent of resorption was consistent with retrospective studies in humans. No statistically significant difference was found between supraperiosteal or subperiosteal placement of the implants. However, higher-pressure implants tended to produce less resorption than lower-pressure implants. CONCLUSIONS: While some bone resorption seems inevitable with Silastic mandibular implants, these results would seem to suggest that the placement of implants above or below the periosteum need not be a concern for the surgeon attempting to minimize this consequence. On the other hand, increased pressure may actually decrease resorption, contrary to current assumptions.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Participation in a smoking cessation program: a population-based perspective.

We examined factors associated with participation in an HMO-based, self-help smoking cessation trial by comparing participants with nonparticipating smokers who responded to a prior health survey. Recruitment to the trial was accomplished through the HMO's monthly magazine sent to all enrollee households, and the health survey involved a random sample of the enrollee population. Participants were more likely to be female, older, better educated, and heavier smokers with more attempts to quit in the past. Participants consistently reported poorer levels of health status (self-perceived health and energy, life satisfaction, depression, and symptoms), less healthy lifestyles (exercise and dietary fat), and a greater conviction that smoking cessation would improve how they feel than nonparticipants. These findings confirm previous suggestions that formal cessation programs attract those with a more extensive history of addiction, prior failure, and pathophysiologic effects and may provide clues to increasing motivation among smokers with a greater likelihood of treatment success.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Evaluation of Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound's Senior Influenza Immunization Program.

The goal of this study was to identify areas in which an influenza immunization campaign for seniors, sponsored by a health maintenance organization (HMO), could be improved. This study was conducted at Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound (GHC), serving approximately 470,000 enrollees in Washington State. A survey was administered to two groups of seniors drawn at random--those who received influenza vaccine and those who did not, during the fall and winter of 1991. Immunization rates were almost 75 percent for "well" seniors and 85 percent for "chronically ill" seniors. Bivariant analysis showed that two activities of the influenza campaign were associated with vaccine compliance: a provider-generated recruitment letter and exposure to an immunization article in the enrollee newsletter. Using a broader framework for predicting vaccine compliance, logistic regression showed that vaccine compliance was associated positively with previous immunizations and belief that "my doctor wants me to get a shot," and negatively with fear of adverse reaction and belief that the vaccine is ineffective. There were few suggestions for improving the immunization program, among both vaccinated and unvaccinated enrollees. Approximately two-thirds of unvaccinated enrollees said there was nothing GHC could do to convince them to be vaccinated. These findings suggest high vaccine compliance and satisfaction with an HMO-sponsored influenza campaign. Strategies and potential to further increase vaccination rates are discussed.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Use of behavioral risk factor surveys to predict alcohol-related motor vehicle events.

The relationship between acute alcohol intoxication and increased risk of traffic violations, crashes, and injuries is well known. We designed this study to investigate the usefulness of behavioral risk factor surveys (BRFSs) in identifying drivers at risk for subsequent motor vehicle violations and crashes. We carried out a retrospective cohort study in a random sample of members of a health maintenance organization, who were followed for five years after ascertainment of alcohol use. Reported problem drinking behavior increased the risk of motor vehicle violations or crashes for women drivers and older drivers (older than 65 years of age) of both sexes. Women "binge drinkers" had an age-adjusted relative risk (RR) for violations of 1.7 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.1, 2.8) and an age-adjusted RR for crashes of 1.9 (95% CI = 1.1, 3.2). Older drivers reporting drinking and driving or multiple drinking problems had an increased risk of motor vehicle crashes (sex-adjusted RR = 2.7; 95% CI = 1.2, 5.8, and 3.0; 95% CI = 1.1, 8.4). A CAGE score of 2 or more identified older drivers at increased risk for both violations and crashes. We found no increased risk for male drivers under 65 years of age for any of the problem drinking behaviors. We conclude that BRFSs in a general population can help identify high-risk drivers among women and drivers older than 65 years of age.

Accidents, Traffic↗