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Biomedical subjects

E Madsen

Publications and source records attributed to E Madsen.

12 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Complementary and alternative medicine use in patients with head and neck cancers in Europe.

The aim of the present study was to examine the patterns of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use in a sample of head and neck cancer patients, forming part of a larger study. A cross-sectional survey design was used collecting data through a descriptive 27-item questionnaire in nine countries in Europe. The participants were 75 patients with head and neck cancers. The prevalence rate of CAM use was 22.7%. The most common therapies used were herbal medicine (47%), medicinal teas (23.5%), use of vitamins/minerals (11.8%) and visualization (11.8%). Use of CAM dramatically increased after the diagnosis with cancer (i.e. eightfold increase in the use of herbs). A profile of CAM users was not evident in this sample. Patients used CAM for a variety of reasons together, with counteracting the ill effects from cancer and its treatment being the most common one. Information about CAM was obtained mostly from friends and family. As one in five head and neck cancer patients use CAM it is important that clinicians explore practices with their patients, improve communication about CAM with them and assist those who want to use CAM in using appropriate and safe therapies.

Complementary Therapies↗
PubMed2005

Use of complementary and alternative medicine in cancer patients: a European survey.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to explore the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in cancer patients across a number of European countries. METHODS: A descriptive survey design was developed. Fourteen countries participated in the study and data was collected through a descriptive questionnaire from 956 patients. RESULTS: Data suggest that CAM is popular among cancer patients with 35.9% using some form of CAM (range among countries 14.8% to 73.1%). A heterogeneous group of 58 therapies were identified as being used. Herbal medicines and remedies were the most commonly used CAM therapies, together with homeopathy, vitamins/minerals, medicinal teas, spiritual therapies and relaxation techniques. Herbal medicine use tripled from use before diagnosis to use since diagnosis with cancer. Multivariate analysis suggested that the profile of the CAM user was that of younger people, female and with higher educational level. The source of information was mainly from friends/family and the media, while physicians and nurses played a small part in providing CAM-related information. The majority used CAM to increase the body's ability to fight cancer or improve physical and emotional well-being, and many seemed to have benefited from using CAM (even though the benefits were not necessarily related to the initial reason for using CAM). Some 4.4% of patients, however, reported side-effects, mostly transient. CONCLUSIONS: It is imperative that health professionals explore the use of CAM with their cancer patients, educate them about potentially beneficial therapies in light of the limited available evidence of effectiveness, and work towards an integrated model of health-care provision.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Gastro-oesophageal reflux demonstrated by radiography. A supplement to 24-h pH monitoring.

PURPOSE: Gastro-oesophageal reflux (GOR) is demonstrated by radiography as a supplement to 24-h pH monitoring. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty-two patients (mean age 44 years) with suspicion of GOR disease were assessed according to a standard questionnaire. GOR was investigated by 24-h pH-monitoring and by radiography. Oesophageal emptying and the presence of rings or strictures were registered as well. Mucosal biopsies, classified as normal, light oesophagitis, severe oesophagitis, or Barrett's oesophagus, were correlated to age, gender, symptomatology, pH monitoring, and oesophageal emptying. GOR and morphological changes demonstrated by radiography were correlated to pH monitoring and mucosa biopsies. RESULTS: Based on pH monitoring, patients with severe oesophagitis and Barrett's oesophagus had a significantly higher acid exposure compared to patients with normal mucosa and light oesophagitis, with no difference concerning age, gender, and symptoms. Severe oesophagitis, including Barrett's oesophagus, was found only in patients with a positive test for radiologic GOR. Eleven patients had rings or strictures independent of oesophageal mucosal changes. CONCLUSION: GOR demonstrated by radiography identified patients where complications could be expected, which was not possible by pH monitoring alone.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

T lymphocytes with a normal ADA gene accumulate after transplantation of transduced autologous umbilical cord blood CD34+ cells in ADA-deficient SCID neonates.

Adenosine deaminase-deficient severe combined immunodeficiency was the first disease investigated for gene therapy because of a postulated production or survival advantage for gene-corrected T lymphocytes, which may overcome inefficient gene transfer. Four years after three newborns with this disease were given infusions of transduced autologous umbilical cord blood CD34+ cells, the frequency of gene-containing T lymphocytes has risen to 1-10%, whereas the frequencies of other hematopoietic and lymphoid cells containing the gene remain at 0.01-0.1%. Cessation of polyethylene glycol-conjugated adenosine deaminase enzyme replacement in one subject led to a decline in immune function, despite the persistence of gene-containing T lymphocytes. Thus, despite the long-term engraftment of transduced stem cells and selective accumulation of gene-containing T lymphocytes, improved gene transfer and expression will be needed to attain a therapeutic effect.

Adenosine Deaminase↗
PubMed1989

Clinical efficacy of Kitecko ultrasonic conductor.

A homogeneous synthetic polymer block (Kitecko) was evaluated for ultrasound imaging of small parts, superficial structures, and the pediatric patient. The block is intended to be used as an offset and replaces the traditional way of scanning with water paths, fluid-filled surgical gloves or IV bags. A randomized paired comparison of the Kitecko pad conductor and a water path system (IV bag) was performed. One hundred pediatric and adult patients were scanned using both conductors. The images were encoded and subsequently evaluated for image quality, including artifact, attenuation, resolution, and distortion. A statistical analysis showed significantly higher scores (P less than .01) with the Kitecko substance when compared to water path scanning when evaluating for reverberation artifact, scatter artifact, and spatial resolution.

Humans↗
PubMed1983

Improvements in the spectral difference method for measuring ultrasonic attenuation.

The accuracy of the spectral difference method for measuring ultrasonic attenuation has been investigated using tissue-mimicking phantoms. Attenuation coefficients of the phantom materials were measured using a narrow-band substitution technique and compared with the results of the spectral difference method. Agreement within +/-10 percent was typical for measurements in homogeneous materials. The best agreement between the spectral difference and substitution techniques was obtained when effects due to transducer beam diffraction were taken into account in the analysis. This was found for two types of homogeneous tissue-mimicking materials, both having speed of sound and attenuation properties similar to human liver but each with different backscatter properties. The effects of inhomogeneous tissues interposed between the transducer and the interrogated volume were also studied by simulating these conditions in phantoms. Experimental techniques which minimize the effects of perturbations introduced by these inhomogeneities are suggested.

Adipose Tissue↗