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Biomedical subjects

E A Field

Publications and source records attributed to E A Field.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2002

Burning mouth syndrome and vulvodynia coexisting in the same patient: a case report.

The 'dynias' are a group of chronic focal pain syndromes with a predilection for the orocervical and urogenital regions. This is a case report of stomatodynia (burning mouth syndrome) and vulvodynia coexisting in a middle-aged woman. The dynias are an enigma in terms of aetiology, which is multifactorial, making clinical investigations difficult and often requiring liaison with other specialties.

Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic↗
PubMed2001

Immediate knowledge increase from an oral cancer information leaflet in patients attending a primary health care facility: a randomised controlled trial.

The aim was to determine the immediate influence of a validated patient information leaflet (PIL) on oral cancer and knowledge in primary care attenders. Participants were patients (n=800) attending their primary health care provider from 14 general practices (eight dental and six medical) in the north west of England. Measures were a previously validated knowledge questionnaire (36 dichotomous items), self-reported dental service attendance history and demographic variables. The results showed that patients who had read the oral cancer PIL demonstrated a significant increase in knowledge regardless of clinical setting (F[1,739]=246.24, P<0.0001). Patients showed improvements in selecting the correct signs and risk factors associated with disease. Immediate knowledge gain from a simple PIL about oral cancer was found and independent of the primary care facility, where the PIL was distributed.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Randomised trial of the psychological effect of information about oral cancer in primary care settings.

AIM: To determine the immediate influence of a validated patient information leaflet (PIL) on patient anxiety and intention to have a screen for oral cancer in primary care attenders. PARTICIPANTS: Patients (n=800) attending their primary health care provider. SETTING: Fourteen general practices (eight dental and six medical) in the northwest of England. DESIGN: Randomised controlled trial with two arms: leaflets provided in information group, leaflet was absent in control group. MEASURES: Single item ratings of (1) intention to have an oral cancer screen, and (2) anxiety towards a screen, (3) perceived risk of oral cancer. Knowledge of oral cancer, self-reported dental service attendance history and demographic variables were also collected. RESULTS: Patients who had read the oral cancer PIL demonstrated an increase in their intention to have a screen (Mann Whitney U test: z=-3.67, P<0.001) and reduced anxiety (Mann Whitney U test: z=-2.07, P<0.05). Subjective risk was not elevated by the extra information. Intention to have a screen was predicted by knowledge level and anxiety (odds ratios: 1.10 and 0.70 respectively, both P's<0.001). CONCLUSION: The influence of an information leaflet appeared to have a positive effect on anxiety level and intentions to agree to receive an oral cancer screen.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Acetylcholine-evoked calcium mobilization and ion channel activation in human labial gland acinar cells from patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome.

Recent evidence has indicated that the salivary gland dysfunction associated with Sjögren's syndrome (SjS) is not necessarily due to immune-mediated destruction of acinar tissue. SjS sufferers may possess substantial reserves of acinar tissue but nevertheless be incapable of maintaining salivary flow rates in the normal range. We have investigated the ability of isolated labial gland acinar cells from SjS patients to fluid secrete by measuring agonist-evoked changes in intracellular Ca(2+) ([Ca(2+)](i)) using fura-2 microfluorimetry and activation of K(+) and Cl(-) channels using the patch-clamp whole cell technique. We can confirm that stimulation with a super-maximal dose of acetylcholine (ACh) increased [Ca(2+)]i equally in both control acinar cells and those derived from SjS patients. However, at submaximal concentrations, the dose-response curve for ACh was shifted to the right by approximately one order of magnitude in acinar cells from SjS patients compared to control acinar cells. Patch-clamp measurements consistent with the presence of Ca(2+)-activated K(+) and Cl(-) conductances were obtained from both control acinar cells and those obtained from SjS patients. Dose-dependent activation of the ion channels by acetylcholine was also right-shifted in acinar cells from SjS patients compared to control cells. Our data show that labial gland acinar cells from SjS patients were capable of responding to agonist stimulation by mobilizing [Ca(2+)](i) and activating K(+) and Cl(-) channels consistent with the requirements of fluid secretion. However, the persistent loss of sensitivity to ACh observed in from SjS patients may account for the lack of saliva production observed in these patients in vivo.

Acetylcholine↗
PubMed2001

Age and medication are significant risk factors for xerostomia in an English population, attending general dental practice.

OBJECTIVE: To study the prevalence of xerostomia in an English population, attending general dental practice and relate it to age, medication and gender. DESIGN STUDY: Cross-sectional. SETTING: Five General Dental Practices in Merseyside, North of England. SUBJECTS: 1,103 adult patients attending for routine dental care. INTERVENTION: Questionnaire administered by dentists. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Age, gender, systemic medication, reported oral dryness. RESULTS: 1,103 patients (654 females) were recruited, of whom 427 (39%) were aged 60 years or older. 26% of patients reported taking medication. The overall prevalence of xerostomia was 12.7% (males--10.3%, females 14.4%). Age, medication and female gender were found to be significant risk factors for xerostomia, using logistic regression analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of xerostomia (12.7%) in an English population was lower than reported in previous North American and Swedish studies. Medication was a significant risk factor for xerostomia and a better predictor of risk status, than either age or gender.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Oral signs and symptoms as predictors of salivary gland hypofunction in general dental practice.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the signs and symptoms of oral dryness as predictors of salivary gland hypofunction (SGH) in general dental practice. DESIGN AND SETTING: Prospective study recruiting adult patients attending five general dental practices in Merseyside in 1999. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Patients were screened for subjective symptoms of oral dysfunction and clinical signs of oral dryness. Patients with oral symptoms or signs of SGH were invited to undergo sialometry. Results were analysed using multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: 1103 patients were screened for signs and symptoms of oral dryness, 115 reported continuous xerostomia, of these 65 were also clinically (subjectively) assessed as having a dry oral mucosa. One hundred and one patients attended for sialometry and 73% of these had objective evidence of SGH. Neither the patients' complaints of oral dryness or the assessment of dryness of the oral mucosa were significant predictors of SGH. CONCLUSIONS: Symptoms of oral dysfunction and clinical signs of oral dryness were not significant predictors of SGH in dental practice.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

A comparison of salivary gland hypofunction in primary and secondary Sjögren's syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: A commonly held view by clinicians is that the salivary gland hypofunction associated with primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS-1) is more severe than that associated with secondary Sjögren's syndrome (SS-2). This study aimed to determine if this view could be substantiated, when applied to a large sample group. METHOD: Unstimulated and paraffin wax-stimulated whole salivary flow rates were retrospectively compared for age and gender matched, patients diagnosed with SS-1 or SS-2 according to the preliminary European criteria. The patients had attended the Xerostomia Clinic, in the Oral Medicine Department, at the Liverpool University Dental Hospital. RESULTS: Sixty-seven patients with SS-1 (average age 57.1 years) were matched with 67 patients with SS-2 (average age 57.6 years), according to gender and age, within 5 years. The mean unstimulated whole salivary flow rates (+/- s.d.) for patients with SS-1 and SS-2 were 0.11 (+/- 0.15) and 0.12 (+/- 0.18) mL min-1 respectively. The mean paraffin wax stimulated, whole salivary flow rates (+/- s.d.) for patients with SS-1 and SS-22 were 0.45 (+/- 0.02) and 0.47 (+/- 0.49) mL/min-1 respectively. No significant differences, in either stimulated (P = 0.54) or unstimulated (P = 0.60) whole salivary flow rates were found between individuals with SS-1 or SS-2. CONCLUSION: The severity of salivary gland hypofunction does not appear to be related to the clinical variant of Sjögren's syndrome.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

The clinical assessment of oral dryness is a significant predictor of salivary gland hypofunction.

OBJECTIVES: To compare subjective complaints of xerostomia and salivary gland dysfunction and a clinical assessment of oral dryness with an objective measurement of salivary gland dysfunction, in a group of UK patients attending a Dry Mouth Clinic. The aim of the study was to identify signs and symptoms that may be of predictive value for salivary gland hypofunction (SGH) in clinical practice. METHODS: This prospective study investigated 214 patients who attended a Dry Mouth Clinic, held at Liverpool University Dental Hospital. Patients gave a history of xerostomia for a minimum of 6 months and were asked standardised questions to subjectively assess oral dysfunction. The oral mucosa was then clinically assessed for dryness and sialometry was performed. Unstimulated whole saliva flow rates (UFR) of < 0.2 ml min-1 were considered to be indicative of SGH. RESULTS: One or more symptoms of oral dysfunction were reported in 178 (83%) patients, in addition to xerostomia. The clinician diagnosed oral dryness in 105 patients. Objective evidence of SGH was found in 125 (58%) of patients. The clinicians' subjective assessment of oral dryness was indicative of a reduced UFR (P < 0.0001) and a significant predictor of an UFR < 0.2 ml min-1 using logistic regression analysis (odds ratio 9.6; 95% CI 4.8 and 19.3). The mean UFR of patients who reported symptoms of oral dysfunction was significantly lower than the mean UFR of patients who reported no oral dysfunction. Using logistic and multiple regression analyses, symptoms of oral dysfunction were not found to be significant predictors of either an UFR < 0.2 ml min-1 or a reduced UFR. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical assessment of oral dryness was a significant predictor of SGH, in this selected group of patients. Patients who complain of xerostomia may have additional symptoms of oral dysfunction indicative of a reduced UFR.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

The experimental evaluation of an oral cancer information leaflet.

The aims of our series of studies were: (1) to prepare an information leaflet about oral cancer for the general public; (2) to design a questionnaire to assess the level of knowledge about oral cancer; and (3) to evaluate the newly prepared leaflet. A study was conducted for each aim. For study 1, multiple drafts of oral cancer leaflets were distributed for comment and editing. For study 2, a large number of statements (100) about oral cancer were compiled and judged. Redundant items were withdrawn. The final version was administered to criterion groups (students, dentists and the public) to assess reliability and validity. For study 3, a multigroup pre- and post-test randomised design (comprising an experimental and two control groups) was adopted to evaluate knowledge improvement from exposure to the oral cancer leaflet. The participants in each study were as follows: in study 1, questions were judged by the authors, colleagues (n=2) and a non-patient group (n=10); in study 2, undergraduate psychology students (n=41), medical students (n=60), dental students (n=82), members of the public (n=54) and general dental practitioners (n=22) were respondents for the reliability/validity assessment; and in study 3, the dental students and members of the public from the previous study participated. The measure was a true/false 36-item questionnaire with additional demographic questions. In study 1 the Flesch readability index for the leaflet equalled approximately 80, i.e. 'fairly easy'. In study 2 the Kuder-Richardson 20 reliability coefficient of the questionnaire equalled 0.76. Criterion validity was confirmed with general dental practitioners scoring greater knowledge than members of the public (p<0.05). In study 3 participants who had access to the leaflet showed a significant increase in knowledge at post-test in comparison to pre-test. Control group results were supportive of a positive effect from leaflet exposure. In conclusion, the design of a health information leaflet, the assessment of reliability and validity of an associated knowledge questionnaire and evaluation of the influence of such a leaflet should be conducted in a series of planned steps. This approach can be used for other health-related issues which require dissemination of information. Three studies have demonstrated the successful application of this design and evaluation model to the area of oral cancer education.

Alcohol Drinking↗
PubMed1999

Dental surgeons with natural rubber latex allergy: a report of 20 cases.

Latex allergy is becoming a major occupational health issue and dental surgeons are at risk from becoming sensitized to natural rubber latex. A study was conducted to investigate risk factors and glove-related symptoms reported by dentists with natural rubber latex allergy. Twenty dentists, who had undergone serological or dermatological testing for a Type I allergy to latex, were identified from a questionnaire survey. Risk factors investigated were: gender, years in clinical practice, exposure to latex gloves, atopic history and food allergy. The majority of dentists (75%) gave an atopic history. Glove-related adverse reactions ranged from cutaneous to systemic manifestations. All twenty dentists reported itching of the hands in response to latex gloves. One respondent was unable to continue in dental practice because of her glove-related allergies; nineteen dentists were able to continue by using synthetic, non-latex gloves.

Dentists↗
PubMed1999

The orodental status of a group of elderly in-patients: a preliminary assessment.

OBJECTIVE: To provide a preliminary assessment of the orodental status and dental treatment requirements of a group of elderly in-patients. DESIGN: Cross-sectional. SETTING: Acute Care of the Elderly and Stroke Rehabilitation units at teaching hospitals in Merseyside. SUBJECT: 150 patients aged 58 to 94 years, in which a history could be validated at interview. INTERVENTION: Questionnaire administered by dentist and clinical examination. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Registration with a dentist, prosthetic status and difficulties with dentures, denture hygiene and identification marking, dental treatment needs and evidence of mucosal pathology. RESULTS: Only 27% of patients claimed registration with a dentist. Three quarters of the patients were edentulous and 66 patients wore full dentures; 18 had no prostheses. Difficulties were experienced by one quarter of patients with upper dentures, compared with a half of lower denture wearers. Of the dentures available for inspection, 61% had removable soft debris, 66% were left out at night and 75% were cleaned by the patient, whilst on the ward. No dentures had evidence of identification marking. Of the 39 partially dentate patients, 75% required interventive dental treatment. Denture stomatitis was diagnosed in 29% of patients and 19 had evidence of benign mucosal pathology. CONCLUSIONS: The orodental status of this group of elderly in-patients was poor, with a high proportion being edentulous. Few were registered with a dentist and denture hygiene was inadequate. Lack of identification marking is a matter of concern. Closer liaison between hospital staff responsible for elderly in-patients is required, to improve the orodental health and quality of life of this medically compromised group of patients.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

Hoarseness: a potential role for the dentist in early diagnosis.

A patient who smoked heavily was under regular review by the oral medicine department because of oral keratosis. He subsequently complained of hoarseness of the voice, and was referred to the department of otorhinolaryngology. An early squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx was diagnosed, and the patient was treated with radical radiotherapy. This case highlights the importance of early diagnosis and the potential role of the dentist in the total healthcare of patients.

Carcinoma in Situ↗
PubMed1998

The dental management of patients with natural rubber latex allergy.

Reports of allergic reactions to natural rubber latex have increased during the past two decades with both dental personnel and patients being affected. A dental management protocol is outlined for patients who have latex allergy. This includes: the identification of patients at high risk for developing latex allergy; the creation of a controlled, 'latex free' environment in the dental surgery; and the provision of emergency drugs and equipment that are free from natural rubber latex and may be required for the management of an allergic reaction.

Clinical Protocols↗