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E Hay

Publications and source records attributed to E Hay.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2002

Development of the Knee Standardized Clinical Interview: a research tool for studying the primary care clinical epidemiology of knee problems in older adults.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a standardized clinical interview, incorporating the perspectives of general practitioners (GPs) and rheumatologists, for primary care clinical epidemiological studies of adults aged 50 yr and over with knee problems. METHODS: Two parallel, consensus development studies using a modified nominal group technique involving GPs (n=5) and consultant rheumatologists (n=4) from North Staffordshire with reference panels of GPs (n=28) and rheumatologists (n=11) from selected centres in Great Britain, respectively. A single standardized clinical interview was formed using the clinical history questions identified in the consensus development studies and its feasibility was tested in a small sample of patients. RESULTS: In the GP consensus development study, 115 clinical history questions were identified, of which 71 were of agreed importance following postal rating, face-to-face discussion and re-rating. In the rheumatologist study, 158 questions were identified, of which 47 were of agreed importance. There was considerable overlap in the clinical history questions independently developed by the two studies. A single standardized clinical interview containing 74 questions was formed. It contained questions on the history, onset and recent course of the complaint; nature, location and severity of current knee symptoms; impact of knee problem; past history of knee problems; family history; comorbidity; previous/current investigations and treatment; ideas, concerns and expectations. In preliminary testing it took 20-45 min to conduct and was comprehensible to patients. CONCLUSIONS: A research tool-the Knee Standardized Clinical Interview (KNE-SCI)-has been formed from consensus development studies involving GPs and rheumatologists. In preliminary testing, it is comprehensible to patients, and forms a coherent clinical interview for research data collection. However, further evaluation is required to determine its accuracy and reliability and its usefulness for clinical epidemiological research.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

Fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) increases N-cadherin expression through protein kinase C and Src-kinase pathways in human calvaria osteoblasts.

Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) are important factors regulating osteogenesis. However, the early mechanisms and signaling pathways involved in FGF actions in osteoblasts are unknown. We investigated the effects of FGF-2 on cell-cell adhesion and cadherin expression and the underlying signaling pathways in immortalized human neonatal calvaria (IHNC) cells. These cells express E- and N-cadherins, as shown by immunocytochemical and Western blot analyses. rhFGF-2 increased cell-cell adhesion at 24-72 h, as measured in a cell aggregation assay, and this effect was blocked by specific neutralizing anti-N-cadherin, but not anti-E-cadherin antibodies. Accordingly, ELISA and Western blot analyses showed that rhFGF-2 (10-100 ng/ml) dose dependently increased N-cadherin but not E-cadherin protein levels. RT-PCR analysis showed that rhFGF-2 transiently increased N-cadherin mRNA levels in IHNC cells. The RNA polymerase II inhibitor 5,6-dichloro-1-beta-D-ribofuranosyl benzimidazole prevented the rhFGF-2-induced up-regulation of N-cadherin mRNA, suggesting that transcription is necessary for this effect. Analysis of signaling molecules showed evidence that PLCgamma-PKC, Src, Erk 1/2 and p38 MAPK pathways are activated by rhFGF-2 in IHNC cells. The selective PKC inhibitors calphostin C, Ro-31-8220, Gö6976 and Gö6983 abrogated the stimulatory effect of rhFGF-2 on N-cadherin mRNA levels. The src-family tyrosine kinase inhibitor PP1 also blocked rhFGF-2-promoted N-cadherin expression. In contrast, the p38 MAP kinase inhibitor SB 203580 or the MEK inhibitor PD98059 had no effect on rhFGF-2-induced N-cadherin mRNA levels. Our data indicate that FGF-2 increases N-cadherin expression and function in human calvaria osteoblasts via activation of PKC and src-kinase pathways. This study identifies N-cadherin as a previously unrecognized target gene for FGF-2 signaling pathway that regulates cell-cell adhesion in human osteoblasts.

Cadherins↗
PubMed2001

Quality assurance of nurse triage: consistency of results over three years.

The study objective was to evaluate the capability and the consistency of the triage nurse to categorize correctly emergency patients and its impact on the waiting time for physician examination over a period of 3 years. The study was performed at the emergency department of the Barzilai Medical Center, Ashkelon, Israel. A retrospective review of the medical records was performed. All patients who were examined by a triage nurse during 2 randomly chosen consecutive weeks during the years 1995 and 1998 participated. All the medical records were reviewed by the authors and the following information was extracted from the medical records: nurse triage category, time of initial evaluation by a triage nurse, duration of employment of the nurse in the ED, and her experience as a triage nurse, time of initial examination by a physician, the total length of stay in the ED, the history taken by the triage nurse and the physician, and the physician's urgency category. Patient in urgency category 1 is a patient whose condition may deteriorate if not examined within 1 hour; patient in category 2 is a patient whose condition may deteriorate if not examined within 2 hours; category 3 is all the rest. Any deterioration and or delay of treatment of the patients were also recorded. Data concerning patients with an initial complaint of chest pain were extracted separately. The data were analyzed using the SPSS software and the results were tested by the student t test and chi square test. Interobserver agreement was measured using the kappa value. A total of 2,886 completely full medical records were reviewed by the authors: 1,310 records from period I (1995) and 1576 from period II (1998). Of the patients 92% and 88.2% were classified by the triage nurse as category 3 in periods I and II respectively, 7% and 9.8% as category 2, and 1% and 2% as category 1 respectively. Full agreement of triage category between nurse and physician was found in 90.5% of the cases in period I and 93% in period II (kappa = 0.90 and kappa = 0.93 respectively). In period I, 70% of the patients in category 1 were examined by a physician in 1 hour versus 100% in period II. Almost all the patients in category 2 were examined within 2 hours (98%, 97%), and 98% of those in category 3 were examined within 3 hours. The average waiting time for physician examination in category 1 patients dropped from 43.1 minutes in period I to 18.2 minutes in period II. The average waiting time for the triage nurse was 9 minutes in period I, and 7.42 minutes in period II. The average length of stay in the ED in period I was 1 hour and 24 minutes and 1 hour and 30 minutes in period II. Of the anamneses taken by the triage nurse 91.8% were fully identical with the physicians' anamneses, but in period II this percentage jumped to 98%. Patients with chest pain were categorized correctly by the triage nurse in 76.8% of the cases in period I and 72.4% in period II, with an overtriage of 18.6% and 20.7% respectively (kappa = 0.75, kappa = 0.70 respectively). In our study, nurse triage was safe and effective in classifying patients to urgency categories. The results are consistent and even improved over a 3-year period. The rates of incorrect classification, deterioration, and delay of treatment of patients because of incorrect triage are very low. Most of the patients were examined by the physician within the expected time. Triage nurse predicted correctly the urgency category of patients with chest in most of the cases and the rate of missing acute coronary events was very low.

Chest Pain↗
PubMed2001

Clinical assessment of the osteoarthritis patient.

It is becoming apparent that the disease process of osteoarthritis should be regarded separately from the clinical syndrome of joint pain, use-related stiffness and disability. The latter may best be approached as a chronic regional pain disorder that requires attention to physical, psychological and social factors as well as those related to the disease process. This chapter sets out to look at some of the practical implications of taking this view for the clinical assessment. Starting with the syndrome of hip, knee or hand pain in older adults in the community, we consider what leads people to consult, what the important features to assess might be, the role of imaging in the clinical assessment of osteoarthritis, and finally how a management plan could be formulated. The usefulness of assessing clinical osteoarthritis as a regional pain disorder is uncertain. Even if this were demonstrated, the concept of osteoarthritis as a structural disease should be retained as an integral part.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Suicide by ingestion of a CCA wood preservative.

Chromated-copper-arsenate (CCA) is a compound used worldwide for wood preservation. Occupational hazards from chronic exposure to CCA are well known, but acute ingestion of CCA wood preservative is very rare. We describe a case of suicide by ingestion of a CCA wood preservative. A 33-year-old man attempted suicide by ingesting an unknown liquid, later identified as a CCA wood preservative, 75 min before his arrival in the emergency department. He was in severe respiratory distress, drooling, tachycardic, and hypotensive. There was an orange color on the palms of both hands. Severe, green colored burns of the buccal mucosa were observed. He was intubated shortly after arrival. The larynx was edematous, but a 7-mm endotracheal tube was successfully introduced. Blood tests revealed partially compensated metabolic acidosis. The patient deteriorated rapidly; the systolic blood pressure dropped to 70 mmHg, and he passed bloody diarrhea. He developed multiple premature atrial contractions and supraventricular tachycardia, and later in the intensive care unit, refractory ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation. The patient was declared dead 212 h after his arrival. Unfortunately, postmortem blood levels of heavy metals and autopsy were not performed because of refusal by the family for religious reasons.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Rare Jatropha multifida intoxication in two children.

Two children were admitted to the Emergency Department (ED) after ingesting a large amount of fruit of a plant identified as Jatropha multifida. They were mildly obtunded, had intractable vomiting, and seemed dehydrated. Intravenous fluid replacement and urine alkalinization were initiated. After stabilization, their 5-day hospital stays were uneventful except for a subclinical rise of liver enzymes. Jatropha species contain the toxalbumin ricin, which causes severe vomiting and diarrhea, dehydration, shock, and renal and hepatic impairment. Ricin also has cardiotoxic and hemolytic effects and several deaths have been documented. Children are attracted by the shape and the color of the Jatropha fruits. Mortality can be prevented by immediate fluid and electrolyte replacement.

Child↗
PubMed1999

Effects of bone morphogenetic protein-2 on human neonatal calvaria cell differentiation.

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are factors that promote osteoblastic cell differentiation and osteogenesis. It is unknown whether BMPs may act on human osteoblastic cells by increasing immature cell growth and/or differentiation. We investigated the short- and long-term effects of recombinant human (rh)BMP-2 on cell growth and osteoblast phenotype in a new model of human neonatal pre-osteoblastic calvaria cells (HNC). In short-term culture, rhBMP-2 (20-100 ng/ml) inhibited DNA synthesis and increased alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity without affecting osteocalcin (OC) production. When cultured for 3 weeks in the presence of ascorbic acid and inorganic phosphate to induce cell differentiation, HNC cells initially proliferated, type 1 collagen mRNA and protein levels rose, and then decreased, whereas OC mRNA and protein levels, and calcium accumulation into the extracellular matrix increased at 2 to 3 weeks. A transient treatment with rhBMP-2 (50 ng/ml) for 1 to 7 days which affected immature HNC cells, decreased cell growth, increased ALP activity and mRNA, and induced cells to express ALP, osteopontin, and OC at 7 days, as shown by immunocytochemistry. At 2 to 3 weeks, matrix mineralization was markedly increased despite cessation of treatment, and although OC and Col 1 mRNA and protein levels were not changed. A continuous treatment with rhBMP-2 for 3 weeks which affected immature and mature cells reduced cell growth, increased ALP activity and mRNA at 1 week and increased OC mRNA and protein levels and calcium content in the matrix at 3 weeks, indicating complete osteoblast differentiation. These results indicate that the differentiating effects of BMP-2 on human neonatal calvaria are dependent on duration of exposure. Although long-term exposure led to complete differentiation of OC-synthesizing osteoblasts, the primary effect of rhBMP-2 was to promote osteoblast marker expression in immature cells, which was sufficient to induce optimal matrix mineralization independently of cell growth and type 1 collagen expression.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗
PubMed1999

Prior antihypertensive treatment and admission blood pressure correlated with clinical outcome and early morning presentation in hypertensive ischaemic stroke patients.

Blood pressure (BP) reduction of 5-6 mm Hg reduces the relative risk of stroke by 30-40%. This effect does not appear to depend on the antihypertensive agent used to bring about the required reduction in BP. Patients with acute ischaemic stroke often exhibit an elevated BP. These patients, who previously suffered from hypertension, have significantly higher levels of BP readings on admission with increased incidence of stroke immediately after arising. The aim of this study was to compare antihypertensive agents, especially short and long acting drugs with the measurement of BP on admission, the time of the ischaemic stroke and its clinical severity. This was studied retrospectively in 109 patients (55 females and 54 males). The mean age was 69.7 +/- 10.4 years. All the patients admitted between 1 July 1996 and 30 June 1997 for ischaemic stroke as established by brain CT scan, were studied. Of the stroke subjects not treated or treated with short acting calcium blockers, 40.8% and 44.4% of them respectively appeared to have an ischaemic stroke in the early morning hours in contrast to 20% of those treated with long acting calcium blockers (P < 0.05). The last group of patients also experienced less clinical severity. These results emphasise the need for proper 24-h control of BP and by comparison to other antihypertensive agents, the long acting calcium blockers with these subjects may prevent a sudden early morning rise in BP, which is instrumental in stroke prevention.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

[Violence in the emergency department].

There is an international epidemic of violence in the emergency department (ED) which threatens medical staff daily. The problem is underestimated in Israel and there are as yet no regulations of the Ministry of Health and the Bureau of Security and Safety that deal with the problem. At the beginning of 1997 we conducted a retrospective survey to estimate the extent of this problem and to define its causes and the various options for management. An anonymous questionnaire was given to all permanent workers of our ED: physicians, nurses and reception clerks, as well as physicians who worked in the ED during evening and night shifts at least twice a week. 74% of (questionnaire) responders experienced violent events, most of them 5 or more times during the previous 2 years. Violence was experienced by 90% of nurses, 70% of physicians and 64% of clerks. The main reason for violence was prolonged waiting in the ED. Other causes were dissatisfaction with treatment, refusal to leave the ED, and language that displeased the patient. Most violent patients were middle-aged men, of whom alcohol and drug users were only a small proportion. Most victims of physical violence called hospital security personnel, but only a third of the victims of verbal violence pressed charges. Half of the staff who were physically attacked called the police and most pressed charges. Only 2 attackers were convicted; charges were dropped against 3 because of "lack of public concern." We were unable to ascertain the results of the other charges. Most victims of violence didn't press charges because of fear resulting from threats of the patient and/or family. The violent patient was usually characterized by responders as a middle-aged man, sober, of low socioeconomic level, impatient, with a bad previous hospital experience, dissatisfied with treatment and who insisted on being admitted to hospital. Suggestions for violence management by questionnaire-responders included 24-hour police protection and a training program in violence management for hospital security and medical staff.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

[Investigating chest pain--is there a gender bias?].

Ischemic heart disease (IHD) is women is characterized by a higher morbidity and mortality in the peri-infarction and coronary bypass peri-operative periods. These epidemiological data strengthen our impression that the health system unintentionally "ignores" the high proportion of females with IHD. The process of investigating chest pain, diagnosing IHD, and the subsequent treatment and rehabilitation, seem to differ between the genders. Time elapsed from beginning of chest pain to diagnosis of IHD seems to be longer in women than in men. Personal, educational and social factors are contributory. Although time elapsed between diagnosis and rehabilitation is usually similar in the genders, peri-operative morbidity and mortality are higher in women. It may be that the higher rates in women are caused by delay in diagnosis and treatment, which allows worsening of the disease in women before treatment. This delay can occur during the time needed for evaluation of chest pain, from the door of the physician to diagnosis and treatment. In our retrospective study we determined the difference in referral of men and women with chest pain to the emergency department (ED) and the attitude of physicians in the ED and medical department to chest pain in men and in women, including final diagnosis on discharge. 615 patients over 18 years referred to the ED for chest pain during 3 randomly chosen, consecutive months were studied. We found that women constituted only 39.5% of the referred patients, but the proportion hospitalized was similar to that in men. Hospitalized women were older (57.7 +/- 18.4 versus 49.7 +/- 17.8 years in men), and had more risk factors (4 versus 2 in men). Proportions of specific diagnoses on discharge from hospital were equal in the genders. To bridge the differences and to implement education in prevention, investigation and treatment of IHD in women, we established the "Female Heart" clinic. The objective of this clinic is to reduce differences in the first step, in the process of evaluating chest pain in women, by educating and encouraging them to present early to their physicians, and by changing physicians' attitudes in the investigation of chest pain in women. We plan to determine in a prospective study if these goals are reached.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1998

[Risk of transmission of viral disease by needle punctures and cuts in hospital health care workers].

The accidental exposure of the health care workers (HCW) to blood and blood products constitutes a danger for transmission of blood-borne pathogens and the development of severe diseases. Most attention is focused on exposure to the viruses of hepatitis B, C and human immunodeficiency. The objectives of this prospective study were to determine the rate of exposure of our HCW to blood and blood products; to define the high risk groups; and to establish recommendations to prevent transmission or reduce the risk of exposure to these viruses. During the year 1996, 103 injuries from needle-puncture or other sharp objects were reported to our infectious diseases control unit. Most of those injured were women. 58.4% of the events occurred in the vicinity of the patient. The source of exposure was known in 60% of the cases. 73.8% of those injured had already been immunized against hepatitis B. The departments in which most exposures occurred were the operating theater (12.5%), medical departments A (10.6%) and B (9.6%), and the emergency department (7.7%). Nurses were at highest risk, constituting 47% of those injured. Our recommendations are that a continuous teaching program be established for the high risk groups; that HCW be urged to report every event of exposure; and to encourage HCW to undergo active immunization against hepatitis B.

Accidents, Occupational↗
PubMed1996

The development and initial validation of the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/American College of Rheumatology damage index for systemic lupus erythematosus.

OBJECTIVE: To develop and perform an initial validation of a damage index for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). METHODS: A list of items considered to reflect damage in SLE was generated through a nominal group process. A consensus as to which items to be included in an index was reached, together with rules for ascertainment. Each center submitted 2 assessments, 5 years apart, on 2 patients with active and 2 with inactive disease, of whom 1 had increased damage and the other had stable disease. Analysis of variance was used to test the factors physician, time, amount of damage, and activity status. RESULTS: Nineteen physicians completed the damage index on 42 case scenarios. The analysis revealed that the damage index could identify changes in damage seen in patients with both active and inactive disease. Patients who had active disease at both time points had a higher increase in damage. There was good agreement among the physicians on the assessment of damage in these patients. CONCLUSION: This damage index for SLE records damage occurring in patients with SLE regardless of its cause. The index was demonstrated to have content, face, criterion, and discriminant validity.

Health Status Indicators↗
PubMed1995

[Ultrasound evaluation of acute abdominal pain in the emergency department].

In a retrospective study the value of sonography in the diagnosis of acute traumatic and nontraumatic conditions was evaluated. Records of patients who underwent emergency sonography during 1989 (group A, 159 patients) and 1991 (group B, 415 patients) were reviewed. In nontraumatic cases sonography confirmed the preliminary diagnosis in 43% and 50% of patients in groups A and B, respectively. In cases of acute abdominal pain with fever or leukocytosis, but without initial specific diagnosis, biliary disease was diagnosed in 3 group B patients; in a group A patient an abdominal aortic aneurysm was detected. There were positive sonographic findings in 42% and 17% of cases of blunt abdominal trauma in groups A and B, respectively. Sonographic evaluation of suspected splenic trauma confirmed the diagnosis in only 2 out of 9 patients in group B. Both studies show that sonography is a very effective, complementary, noninvasive method for evaluating patients with suspected acute surgical conditions. Sonography significantly reduced misdiagnosed biliary disease in cases of abdominal pain with fever or leukocytosis. In trauma, sonography obviated invasive diagnostic and surgical interventions in a significant number of cases. We recommend routine sonography in evaluating suspected, acute surgical conditions of traumatic or nontraumatic nature and in cases of undiagnosed abdominal pain with fever or leukocytosis.

Abdominal Injuries↗
PubMed1995

Urinary endothelin and renal vasoconstriction with cyclosporine or FK506 after liver transplantation.

Transplant immunosuppression using either cyclosporine (CsA) or FK506 leads to renal vasoconstriction. To examine the role of endothelin (ET) in this process, we measured plasma and urinary ET before and at intervals for two years after liver transplantation. Urinary prostacyclin (as 6-keto-PG-F1 alpha), thromboxane, glomerular filtration rate and renal plasma flow were also measured. Forty-four patients were treated with CsA-based regimens and 31 patients with FK506-based regimens. Prednisone doses after one year were lower with FK506 (5.5 +/- 0.5 vs. 10.5 +/- 0.5 mg/day) by study design. Circulating plasma ET remained above normal, but not different from pre-transplant levels. Urinary ET was elevated before transplant (24.6 +/- 3.4 ng/day vs. normal 16 +/- 1.5 ng/day, P < 0.05) and rose further after transplantation (48.5 +/- 13 ng/day, P < 0.05), remaining elevated for two years. 6-keto-PG-F1 alpha fell from 2567 +/- 338 ng/day to subnormal levels and remained suppressed (1158 +/- 128 ng/day, P < 0.01). Over the same period GFR fell (84 +/- 3 ml/min to 60 +/- 3 ml/min, P < 0.01) and renal vascular resistance index rose (11,119 +/- 561 to 23,279 +/- 1692 d.s.cm-5.m-2, P < 0.01). Similar changes were observed both with CsA and FK506-based immunosuppression. No changes in ET were attributable to dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers. These results demonstrate that urinary ET changes independently from plasma ET after transplantation. Elevated ET and suppression of endothelium-derived prostacyclin persist with intense renal vasoconstriction for at least two years after transplant.

Cyclosporine↗