PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

D V Jensen

Publications and source records attributed to D V Jensen.

10 recordsLinked to original sources

The internal and external validity of the Major Depression Inventory in measuring severity of depressive states.

BACKGROUND: We have developed the Major Depression Inventory (MDI), consisting of 10 items, covering the DSM-IV as well as the ICD-10 symptoms of depressive illness. We aimed to evaluate this as a scale measuring severity of depressive states with reference to both internal and external validity. METHOD: Patients representing the score range from no depression to marked depression on the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAM-D) completed the MDI. Both classical and modern psychometric methods were applied for the evaluation of validity, including the Rasch analysis. RESULTS: In total, 91 patients were included. The results showed that the MDI had an adequate internal validity in being a unidimensional scale (the total score an appropriate or sufficient statistic). The external validity of the MDI was also confirmed as the total score of the MDI correlated significantly with the HAM-D (Pearson's coefficient 0.86, P < or = 0.01, Spearman 0.80, P < or = 0.01). CONCLUSION: When used in a sample of patients with different states of depression the MDI has an adequate internal and external validity.

Adult↗

[Pregnancy associated pelvic pain. I: Prevalence and risk factors].

With this study, we wanted to determine the incidence of symptom-giving pelvic girdle relaxation during pregnancy and the prevalence post partum, identify predisposing factors, and determine the frequency of sick leave. A total of 1600 pregnant women entered the study. The incidence during pregnancy was 14%, the prevalence two, six, and twelve months post partum was 5%, 4%, and 2%, respectively. Multivariate analysis indicated that the most important predisposing factor was pelvic pain in a previous pregnancy. Other factors were uncomfortable working conditions, lack of exercise, and previous low back and low abdominal pain. At least 37% of the women with symptom-giving pelvic girdle relaxation were on sick leave during pregnancy, on average for twelve weeks. Symptom-giving pelvic girdle relaxation is a considerable problem both in pregnancy and post partum. The occupational risk can possibly be prevented. The syndrome has a great social impact because of the high frequency of sick live.

Adult↗

[Pregnancy associated pelvic pain. II: Symptoms and clinical findings].

Pelvic pain in pregnancy appears to be a problem on the increase. This study was undertaken to describe and analyse the relationship between subjective symptoms, daily disability, and clinical findings in women with symptom-giving pelvic girdle relaxation in pregnancy. Out of 1600 pregnant women, 238 had pelvic pain. After a clinical examination 11 women were excluded due to low back pain. The rest, 227 women, was considered to have symptom-giving pelvic girdle relaxation during pregnancy. Symptom-giving pelvic girdle relaxation in pregnancy seriously interferes with many activities of daily living such as housekeeping, walking, working, and sexual life. The women's statements of pelvic pain are well correlated to the number of positive clinical tests. Symptom-giving pelvic girdle relaxation in pregnancy causes considerable disabilities concerning daily activities.

Adult↗

Symptom-giving pelvic girdle relaxation in pregnancy. I: Prevalence and risk factors.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies concerning symptom-giving pelvic girdle relaxation in pregnancy have to our knowledge been retrospective. We wanted to 1) determine the incidence during pregnancy and the prevalence two, six, and twelve months post partum, 2) identify possible predisposing factors, and 3) determine the frequency and duration of sicklisting, prospectively. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cohort of 1600 consecutive pregnant women filled in a questionnaire. At the routine prenatal examinations they were asked about pelvic pain. Those who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were examined by a rheumatologist to confirm the diagnosis. The affected women were seen again two, six, and twelve months post partum. All participants were asked about sicklisting in pregnancy. RESULTS: The incidence during pregnancy was 14%, the prevalence two, six, and twelve months post partum were 5%, 4%, and 2% respectively. Multivariate analysis indicates that the most important predisposing factor is pelvic pain in a previous pregnancy. Other factors were uncomfortable working conditions, lack of exercise, and previous low back pain and low abdominal pain. At least 37% of the women with symptom-giving pelvic girdle relaxation had been sicklisted in pregnancy due to pelvic pain, on average for twelve weeks. CONCLUSION: Symptom-giving pelvic girdle relaxation is a considerable problem both in pregnancy and post partum. The occupational risk can possibly be prevented. The syndrome has a great social impact because of the frequent sicklisting.

Adult↗

Symptom-giving pelvic girdle relaxation in pregnancy. II: Symptoms and clinical signs.

BACKGROUND: Pelvic pain in pregnancy appears to be a problem that is increasing. This study was undertaken to describe and analyze the relationship between subjective symptoms, daily disability, and clinical findings in women with symptom-giving pelvic girdle relaxation in pregnancy MATERIALS AND METHODS: Out of 1600 pregnant women 238 had pelvic pain. After a clinical examination 11 women were excluded due to low back pain. The rest, 227 women, was considered having symptom-giving pelvic girdle relaxation during pregnancy. RESULTS: Symptom-giving pelvic girdle relaxation in pregnancy seriously interferes with many activities of daily living such as housekeeping, walking, working, and sexual life. The women's statements of pelvic pain are well correlated to the number of positive clinical tests. CONCLUSION: Symptom-giving pelvic girdle relaxation in pregnancy causes considerable disabilities concerning daily activities.

Activities of Daily Living↗

Relaxin is not related to symptom-giving pelvic girdle relaxation in pregnant women.

BACKGROUND: The pregnancy associated hormone relaxin induces loosening of the pelvic ligaments in several species. This study was undertaken to evaluate whether pregnant women with symptom-giving girdle relaxation had increased serum relaxin concentrations during pregnancy. METHOD: Serum relaxin concentrations were measured in 38 pregnant women with symptom-giving pelvic girdle relaxation at the time of diagnosis, in the 30th and 38th week of pregnancy as well as 2 and 6 months after delivery. Fourteen pregnant women without symptoms served as a control group. Relaxin concentrations were measured by a homologous enzyme linked immuno-sorbent assay. All participants were clinically examined including tests for symptom-giving pelvic girdle relaxation. RESULTS: No differences in serum relaxin concentrations were found throughout pregnancy and after delivery. CONCLUSION: The present results do not suggest an important role for relaxin in symptom-giving pelvic girdle relaxation during human pregnancy.

Chronic Disease↗

Improved survival in patients with diabetic nephropathy.

The effect of early antihypertensive treatment on survival of patients with diabetic nephropathy was evaluated by studying two cohorts of Type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetic patients developing persistent proteinuria in I: 1957-1973 (late treatment group n = 49) and II: 1979-1983 (early treatment group n = 71). At onset of nephropathy, the two cohorts were comparable with regard to age (29(8) vs 30(8) years, mean (SD], duration of diabetes (16(6) vs 18(7) years), blood pressure (132(16)/85(11) vs 134(16)/86(8) mm Hg), proteinuria (0.8(0.5-1.2) vs 0.8(0.6-1.2) g x 24 h-1, median (quartiles] and serum creatinine (87(14) vs (85(16) mumol x 1(-1]. The patients were followed frequently at the outpatients' clinic until death or for a median duration of 8 years. In the first cohort antihypertensive treatment was seldom used, whereas, in the second cohort antihypertensive treatment was started when blood pressure reached 144(18)/93(7) mm Hg. The probability of survival with a functioning kidney for more than 8 years was 48% in the first cohort and 87% in the second cohort, p less than 0.001. The improvement of survival was due mainly to a decreased mortality from uraemia. Early antihypertensive treatment is the most likely explanation for this improvement.

Adult↗

Prostaglandins in the menstrual cycle of women. A review.

The changes of concentrations of prostaglandins (PG) are cyclic in the uterine tissues and related to steroid ovarian hormones. The role in normal menstruation is presumably related to a local haemodynamic effect. PGF2 alpha vasoconstricts the endometrial vessels during menstruation and contracts the smooth muscle of the myometrium. PGE2 vasodilates the vessels of the endometrium, and PGI2 relaxes smooth muscle, vasodilates the vessels of the myometrium and inhibits thrombocyte aggregation. The pathological conditions dysmenorrhea and menorrhagia relates to symptoms which seem to be exaggerations of normal activities, probably due to increased PG levels. Prostaglandin synthesis inhibitors (PGSI) in women have not been able to prevent ovulation, but animal experiments have shown that the bursting of the follicle demands prostaglandins. In vitro experiments with human tissue have shown that PG is necessary for the occurrence of dissociation of connective tissue around the apex. Luteolysis is due to PG in several species, but it has not been possible to find this direct effect of PG upon luteolysis in women. However, there are indications that the PG functions as a mediator for or is mediated by catecholamines and/or oxytocin.

Animals↗

Hearing sensitivity in farmers.

Hearing sensitivity was measured for tones from 1,000 through 8,000 hertz (Hz) in 534 males and 278 females who resided in rural Wisconsin and ranged in age from 16 to 85 years. The hearing sensitivity for all subjects decreased with advancing age and at higher frequencies, but hearing loss over the range most susceptible to excessive noise exposure (3,000-6,000 Hz) was much greater for males than for females at all ages. The hearing loss was greater than could be accounted for by age and was similar whether the subject was a farmer or not. The results suggested that approximately 25 percent of the males had a communication handicap due to hearing loss by age 30, and the proportion rose to 50 percent by age 50. Less than 20 percent of farmers reported consistent use of personal hearing protection in their farm-related duties. Overall, the findings suggest that men who live in rural areas, including farmers, demonstrate a high prevalence of hearing loss and associated communication problems due to excessive noise exposure. This, in turn, clearly indicates a need for intensification of educational hearing conservation programs for the rural population.

Adolescent↗