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Biomedical subjects

D Osmond

Publications and source records attributed to D Osmond.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Physician responses to a hospital policy allowing them to not offer cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether physicians followed a hospital policy permitting them to not offer cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to patients considered unlikely to benefit from this therapy. DESIGN: Prospective series. SETTING: San Francisco General Hospital, a university-affiliated public hospital. PATIENTS: Attending physicians were interviewed about patients admitted over a period of 5 consecutive months for whom do-not resuscitate (DNR) orders were written. Only the first patient for whom each physician wrote a DNR order was included. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Responses of physicians to questions regarding their initiation of DNR orders for these patients. RESULTS: Sixty-nine physicians responded to questions about DNR orders written for 69 patients. Fifty-seven of these physicians said that they were aware of the hospital policy, and 49 of the 57 physicians said that they generally agreed with it. Thirty-three physicians felt that CPR should be offered only to patients likely to benefit from it. In contrast, 36 physicians said that CPR should be offered to all patients, regardless of benefit. CPR was offered to 41 patients and 15 surrogates; 27 of these patients were considered to be unlikely to benefit from CPR. CONCLUSION: Despite a policy that allows them to do otherwise, physicians usually offered CPR to patients, regardless of benefit. Most physicians believed that CPR should be offered to all patients. These findings suggest that policies such as that of San Francisco General Hospital may not be compelling because physicians hold attitudes that are inconsistent with the policies.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗

Reliability of anergy skin testing in persons with HIV infection. The pulmonary Complications of HIV Infection Study Group.

Testing with antigens that elicit delayed-type cutaneous hypersensitivity reactions is commonly used to evaluate immune competence in persons infected with the human immunodeficiency virus; however, the reliability of such testing has not been determined. We performed serial testing with tuberculin, mumps, and Candida antigens in 491 HIV-infected persons and found that 30% of persons who initially had no reaction (0 mm) to any of the three antigens, and, thus, were considered to be anergic, had reaction to the mumps or Candida antigen when they were retested 12 months later. We also examined the results of mumps antigen tests in 50 subjects who had a negative tuberculin tests after an initial positive test. The mumps antigen test was positive in 39% of the subjects when the tuberculin test was falsely negative. We conclude that tests commonly used to define anergy cannot reliably identify the anergic state. Moreover, using the mumps antigen to aid in the interpretation of the tuberculin test will often lead to erroneous conclusions. These data indicate that the results of anergy testing should not be used to make individual patient decisions concerning preventive therapy for tuberculosis.

Administration, Cutaneous↗

Preventable hospitalizations and access to health care.

OBJECTIVE: To examine whether the higher hospital admission rates for chronic medical conditions such as asthma, hypertension, congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and diabetes in low-income communities resulted from community differences in access to care, prevalence of the diseases, propensity to seek care, or physician admitting style. DESIGN: Analysis of California hospital discharge data. We calculated the hospitalization rates for these five chronic conditions for the 250 ZIP code clusters that define urban California. We performed a random-digit telephone survey among adults residing in a random sample of 41 of these urban ZIP code clusters stratified by admission rates and a mailed survey of generalist and emergency physicians who practiced in the same 41 areas. SETTING: Community based. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 6674 English- and Spanish-speaking adults aged 18 through 64 years residing in the 41 areas were asked about their access to care, their chronic medical conditions, and their propensity to seek health care. Physician admitting style was measured with written clinical vignettes among 723 generalist and emergency physicians practicing in the same communities. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: We compared respondents' reports of access to medical care in an area with the area's cumulative admission rate for these five chronic conditions. We then tested whether access to medical care remained independently associated with preventable hospitalization rates after controlling for the prevalence of the conditions, health care seeking, and physician practice style. RESULTS: Access to care was inversely associated with the hospitalization rates for the five chronic medical conditions (R2 = 0.50; P < .001). In a multivariate analysis that included a measure of access, the prevalence of conditions, health care seeking, and physician practice style to predict cumulative hospitalization rates for chronic medical conditions, both self-rated access to care (P < .002) and the prevalence of the conditions (P < .03) remained independent predictors. CONCLUSION: Communities where people perceive poor access to medical care have higher rates of hospitalization for chronic diseases. Improving access to care is more likely than changing patients' propensity to seek health care or eliminating variation in physician practice style to reduce hospitalization rates for chronic conditions.

Adult↗

Changes in AIDS survival time in two San Francisco cohorts of homosexual men, 1983 to 1993.

BACKGROUND: During the first decade since the recognition of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), new therapies have been introduced and the frequency of clinical manifestations has changed. The impact of these changes on AIDS survival, however, has not been well characterized. DESIGN: A prospective cohort study of the outcomes of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. SETTING: Homosexual and bisexual men residing in San Francisco, Calif, recruited in 1983 and 1984 for two prospective studies and followed up for more than 9 years with clinical examinations. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 761 HIV-positive homosexual and bisexual men. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Survival time from a CD4 lymphocyte count at 0.20 x 10(9)/L (200/microL) and from a clinical AIDS diagnosis to death. RESULTS: Median survival time from a CD4 lymphocyte count at 0.20 x 10(9)/L increased from 28.4 months in the October 1983 to November 1986 period to 40.1 months in the November 1986 to November 1988 period and is estimated at 38.1 months in the November 1988 to February 1993 period. Patients diagnosed with Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) accounted for most of this increase with a gain in median survival time of 9.7 months (P = .0009), compared with a nonsignificant decline in the survival time of those patients without a PCP diagnosis. Multivariate analysis showed that rate of CD4 lymphocyte loss (P < .001) and receipt of both PCP prophylaxis and antiretroviral therapy (P = .04) were significantly associated with longer survival time, whereas antiretroviral therapy alone was not (P = .81). Time to death from a clinical AIDS diagnosis was 14.7 months in the 1983 to 1986 period, 19.1 months in the 1986 to 1988 period, and an estimated 15.7 months in the 1988 to 1993 period. CONCLUSIONS: Survival time from a CD4 lymphocyte count at 0.20 x 10(9)/L has improved significantly by about 1 year; yet survival time using the 1987 AIDS case definition has shown small improvement. The largest increase in survival time from a CD4 lymphocyte count at 0.20 x 10(9)/L was in patients diagnosed with PCP, suggesting that PCP prophylaxis and treatment were more important factors in longer survival time than antiretroviral therapy.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗

HIV seroconversion in intravenous drug users in San Francisco, 1985-1990.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the HIV seroconversion rate, risk factors for seroconversion, and changes in risk behavior over time in intravenous drug users (IVDU) in San Francisco, 1985-1990. DESIGN: Observational study. SETTING: All methadone maintenance and 21-day methadone detoxification programs in San Francisco. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 2351 heterosexual IVDU, of whom 681 were seronegative at first visit and seen at least twice ('repeaters'). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: HIV seroconversion rates, risk factors for seroconversion, and changes in behavior. RESULTS: The HIV seroconversion rate in repeaters was 1.9% per person-year (ppy) of follow-up [2.1% in women versus 1.7% in men (not significant); 4% in African Americans versus 1% in whites (P = 0.006); 3.9% ppy in the first third of the study, 1.2% in the second (P = 0.007), and 1.9% in the last (not significant)]. Risk factors for seroconversion were five or more sexual partners per year [hazard ratio (HR) = 2.6; P = 0.02], use of shooting gallery ever (HR = 2.9; P = 0.02), and less than 1 year (lifetime) in methadone maintenance (HR = 2.7; P = 0.02). Self-reported intravenous cocaine use fell from 33 to 15% over 5 years, shooting gallery use fell from 19 to 6%, and the proportion with five or more sexual partners fell from 25 to 10%. Bleach use rose to 75% of needle-sharers. CONCLUSIONS: The 1985-1990 HIV seroconversion rate in IVDU (1.9% ppy) was comparable to that in San Francisco cohorts of homosexual men (1.4% ppy). A decline in HIV seroconversion coincided with changes in risk behavior. Stable attendance of methadone maintenance was highly protective: the seroconversion rate in subjects with 1 year or more in methadone was 12% ppy.

Adult↗

Circulating HIV-1-infected cell burden from seroconversion to AIDS: importance of postseroconversion viral load on disease course.

The purpose of this study was to characterize quantitative changes in circulating infected cells over the natural history of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease in relation to clinical/immunological outcome. HIV-1 gag DNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) co-cultures were performed on limiting dilutions of cryopreserved PBMC from specimens collected at enrollment and after 5 years of follow-up from nine seropositive subjects classified as rapid progressors, nine intermediate progressors, and 10 nonprogressors. Limiting dilution PCR was also performed on serial pre/postseroconversion specimens from 18 seroconvertors. By quantitative DNA PCR analysis, the infected cell burden was significantly higher at enrollment in the RP [mean of 330 PCR units (PCRU)/10(6) PBMCs] than in the IP (160 PCRU/10(6) PBMCs) and NP (73 PCRU/10(6) PBMCs) groups (p = 0.05). When results were analyzed on an individual level with proportional hazard regression, baseline PCRU (p = 0.05) and CD4 slope (p = 0.0007) were significantly associated with developing acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) in 5 years, but baseline tissue culture infectious units (TCIU) was not. The increase in PCR-positive cells after 5 years was modest in all three groups (two- to fivefold), whereas the proportion of PCR-positive cells that yielded virus in culture increased significantly (21- to 31-fold) over time in all three groups. Infected cell burden in postseroconversion specimens was relatively stable within each subject, but varied greatly (from 1.6 to 1,024 PCRU/10(6) PBMCs) among subjects.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Tuberculin and anergy testing in HIV-seropositive and HIV-seronegative persons. Pulmonary Complications of HIV Infection Study Group.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence and predictors of reactivity to tuberculin purified protein derivative (PPD) and skin test anergy in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and in HIV-seronegative controls. DESIGN: Cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from a prospective, multicenter study of pulmonary complications of HIV infection. SETTING: Community-based cohort of persons with and without HIV infection. PATIENTS: A total of 1171 HIV-seropositive patients without AIDS (841 homosexual men, 274 intravenous drug users, and 56 women with heterosexually acquired infection); 182 HIV-seronegative persons (125 homosexual men and 57 intravenous drug users). MEASUREMENTS: Delayed-type hypersensitivity response to tuberculin PPD, trichophytin, mumps, and Candida antigens; T-lymphocyte subsets. RESULTS: The prevalence of tuberculin PPD reactivity was higher among intravenous drug users than among homosexual men, in both HIV-seronegative (19.1% compared with 6.8%, P = 0.03) and HIV-seropositive persons (15.1% compared with 2.5%, P < 0.001). Among HIV-infected patients, the prevalence of tuberculin reactivity varied directly and that of anergy inversely with the absolute CD4 lymphocyte count. Prevalences were 1% and 72%, respectively, in patients with fewer than 200 CD4 cells/mm3, and 8.4% and 25.5%, respectively, in those with 600 CD4 cells/mm3 (P < 0.001 for both comparisons). Patients with HIV infection and fewer than 400 CD4 lymphocytes/mm3 had a lower prevalence of PPD reactivity than HIV-seronegative controls (2.7% compared with 10.0%, P < 0.001). The strongest predictors of tuberculin reactivity were intravenous drug use, black race, a previous positive PPD test result, and a history of Calmette-Guérin bacillus vaccination. The strongest predictor of anergy was HIV seropositivity. CONCLUSIONS: The response to delayed-type hypersensitivity antigens depends on immune status. The value of PPD and anergy testing in HIV-seropositive patients depends on the ability of such testing to predict subsequent tuberculosis, which is imprecisely known. Until more data or better methods are available, these tests should be done as early as possible in the course of HIV infection.

Adolescent↗

Population-based estimates of antiretroviral therapy and anti-Pneumocystis prophylaxis in San Francisco: 1991.

Using data from the San Francisco Men's Health Study and the San Francisco General Hospital Cohort, we derived partially population-based estimates of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antiretroviral therapy and Pneumocystis carinii prophylaxis use in HIV-infected men in 1991. Zidovudine, didanosine, and dideoxycytidine were the antiretroviral therapies and aerosolized pentamidine, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, and dapsone were the Pneumocystis prophylaxis evaluated. Among 81 men (29 of whom had AIDS) with < or = 200 CD4 cells, 76 (94%) had ever used and 56 (69%) were currently using an antiretroviral drug; 73 (90%) had ever used and 61 (75%) were currently using Pneumocystis prophylaxis. Among 127 men with 201-499 CD4 cells, 95 (75%) had ever used and 81 (64%) were currently using antiretroviral therapy; 49 (39%) had ever used and 36 (28%) were currently using Pneumocystis prophylaxis. Among 122 men with > or = 500 CD4 cells, 29 (24%) were currently receiving antiretroviral therapy. Forty-three men had discontinued antiretroviral therapy, 29 (67%) because of side effects. Thirty-seven men with < or = 500 CD4 cells had never used antiretroviral drugs: 48% because of feeling well and 28% because of possible side effects. Compared with 1987-1989, there were substantial increases in both antiretroviral therapy and anti-Pneumocystis prophylaxis use.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗

Use of T lymphocyte subset analysis in the case definition for AIDS.

Infection with HIV-1 and < 200 CD4+ lymphocytes/mm3 has been proposed as an AIDS-defining condition. We have evaluated the effects of using this and other T-cell subset measurements, in the diagnosis of AIDS in two cohorts of homosexual/bisexual men in San Francisco. Among 762 HIV-1 infected men, 200 CD4+ lymphocytes/mm3 corresponded to 13 percent CD4+ lymphocytes and a CD4+/CD8+ ratio of 0.23. If these AIDS-defining criteria had been implemented in mid-1991, the number of living AIDS cases would have increased by 106 (212%), 133 (266%), and 136 (272%), respectively. When these criteria were first met, either before or in the absence of a clinical AIDS diagnosis, about half of the subjects were asymptomatic and the median clinically AIDS-free interval was approximately 2 years. Using two consecutive tests or pair-wise combinations of criteria reduced the number of cases identified by testing error or transient biological variation, but the number of living AIDS cases would still be increased more than twofold. Finally, any AIDS case definition using a specific T-cell subset value will be compromised by the inherent variability in these measurements and the substantial overlap in the results for those with and without clinical manifestations of HIV infection.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Progression to AIDS in HIV-infected homosexual and bisexual men with hairy leukoplakia and oral candidiasis.

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to assess the significance of HIV-related oral lesions in predicting the rate of progression to AIDS. DESIGN: Cohorts were investigated prospectively, and oral examinations were performed by clinicians trained in the diagnosis of oral lesions. SETTING: We studied three existing cohorts of homosexual and bisexual men in San Francisco, California, USA. PARTICIPANTS: Of the HIV-infected men who received standardized oral examinations (n = 791), 603 were eligible for analysis of baseline examinations and 448 for analysis of follow-up examinations. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: We determined time from presence of oral lesion at baseline or follow-up examination, or from participant self-reported history of the lesion, to diagnosis of AIDS. RESULTS: Using proportional hazard regression and stratifying by CD4 lymphocyte count at the time of baseline oral examination, we found that the rate of development of AIDS was increased among men with hairy leukoplakia [relative hazard, 1.8; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.2-2.7], oral candidiasis (relative hazard, 7.3; 95% CI, 3.1-17.3), and both lesions (relative hazard, 3.1; 95% CI, 1.6-6.1) compared with men with normal findings. On follow-up examination, stratifying for CD4 count, the rate of progression to AIDS was similar for those with hairy leukoplakia compared with those with oral candidiasis. The progression rate from oral candidiasis to AIDS was faster from presence on baseline examination than from presence on follow-up examination or from self-reported history of the lesion. CONCLUSION: The presence of oral candidiasis and/or hairy leukoplakia on baseline examination confers independent prognostic information and should be incorporated into HIV-staging schemes.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Population-based estimates of zidovudine and aerosol pentamidine use in San Francisco: 1987-1989.

From the San Francisco Men's Health Study (SFMHS) and the San Francisco General Hospital Cohort we derived partially population-based estimates of zidovudine (ZDV) use in San Francisco from 1987 to 1989. Data from the SFMHS alone were used to make estimates of aerosol pentamidine (AP) use in 1989. From 1987 to 1989, zidovudine use increased from 36 to 68% in participants with AIDS. In participants with symptomatic HIV infection without AIDS and in those with less than 200 CD4 cells, ZDV use increased initially but then leveled off (from 6 to 25% and 24 to 55%, respectively). Zidovudine use with more than 500 CD4 cells increased from 0.5 to 4%. In 1989 AP use with less than 200 CD4 cells was 42% and with AIDS was 44%. Whereas 50% of participants with AIDS and less than 200 CD4 were using both ZDV and AP, only 14% of those without AIDS but with less than 200 CD4 cells were using both. Surprisingly few members of these cohorts are using therapies proven effective in reducing the morbidity and mortality of HIV infection.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Cocaine use and HIV infection in intravenous drug users in San Francisco.

We assessed risk factors for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in 633 heterosexual intravenous drug users. The HIV seroprevalence was 26% in blacks, 10% in Hispanics, and 6% in whites. Intravenous cocaine use significantly increased the risk of HIV infection, with a seroprevalence of 35% in daily cocaine users (odds ratio, 6.4; 95% confidence interval, 3.0 to 13.3). Black subjects were more likely to use cocaine regularly. Drug use in shooting galleries and sharing of drug injection equipment were also associated with HIV infection and were more common in cocaine users. By multivariate analysis, black race, daily cocaine injection by blacks and Hispanics, all other cocaine injection, heavy use prior to entry into methadone treatment by blacks, and use of drugs in shooting galleries were independent predictors of HIV infection. Methadone therapy was associated with substantial reductions in heroin use and some reduction in cocaine use, but 24% of cocaine users receiving methadone began or increased cocaine injection after entry into treatment.

Black or African American↗

Lymphocyte subset analysis to predict progression to AIDS in a cohort of homosexual men in San Francisco.

A group of 10 leukocyte and lymphocyte subsets were measured by simultaneous dual immunofluorescence and flow cytometry in a group of homosexual men from the San Francisco General cohort. Absolute numbers and percentages of lymphocytes were determined in 30 individuals who progressed to AIDS and 29 who did not over a 44-month period at annual intervals. At entry into the study, all subjects were asymptomatic, HIV seropositive, and had multiple changes in lymphocyte subsets compared to HIV-negative controls. In progressors, large changes occurred from the first visit to the last visit before progression in both absolute numbers and percentages of CD4 cells. The percentage of HLA-DR-bearing CD8 cells also increased. We utilized a proportional hazards model to assign a predictive value for progression to AIDS to lymphocyte subsets in both univariate and multivariate tests. Increased DR-positive CD8 cells, decreased CD4 cells, and increased CD8-positive, Leu 7-positive cells independently predicted progression to AIDS at P less than 0.006 (relative hazard 5.8-4.0). In a multivariate model, the most useful tests were either increased numbers or percentages of DR-positive CD8 cells. These data suggest parsimonious approaches to following HIV-positive individuals and further support the possibility of autoreactive T cells in the pathogenesis of HIV-associated diseases.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Seropositivity for HIV and the development of AIDS or AIDS related condition: three year follow up of the San Francisco General Hospital cohort.

The three year actuarial progression rate to the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) in a cohort of men in San Francisco who were seropositive for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) was 22%. An additional 26 (19%) developed AIDS related conditions. Beta 2 Microglobulin concentration, packed cell volume, HIV p24 antigenaemia, and the proportion and number of T4 lymphocytes each independently predicted progression to AIDS. Beta 2 Microglobulin was the most powerful predictor. The 111 subjects tested who were normal by all predictors (40%) had a three year progression of 7%, and the 68 subjects who were abnormal by two or more predictors (24%) had a progression rate of 57%. Two thirds of all men who progressed to AIDS were in the last group. The median T4 lymphocyte count in subjects who did not progress to AIDS fell from 626 x 10(6) to 327 x 10(6)/l. HIV p24 antigenaemia developed in 7% of the subjects per year. The proportion who were abnormal by two or more predictive variables rose to 41%. At three years an estimated two thirds of the seropositive subjects showed clinical AIDS, an AIDS related condition, or laboratory results that were highly predictive of AIDS. It is concluded from the observed rates and the distribution of predictive variables at three years that half of the men who were seropositive for HIV will develop AIDS by six years after the start of the study, and three quarters will develop AIDS or an AIDS related condition.

AIDS-Related Complex↗

Time of exposure and risk of HIV infection in homosexual partners of men with AIDS.

We interviewed, and tested for HIV antibody, 117 homosexual men who had been regular sexual partners of men who developed acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS); 85 tested seropositive. Receptive anal intercourse with the index AIDS case and number of different sexual partners with whom subjects were anally receptive were both risk factors. Controlling for the number of partners with whom subjects were anally receptive, we found that the odds ratio of receptive anal intercourse with the case was infinite (95% confidence intervals, 3.3-infinity) if sexual contact continued up to or beyond the time of diagnosis, while the odds ratio was 1.0 (95% CI 0.3-3.2) if contact ceased before the case's AIDS diagnosis. Risk was not associated with the duration or frequency of contact. Our data suggest that the potential for sexual transmission from an HIV-infected person may be greater close to or after the onset of disease.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗