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E Rea

Publications and source records attributed to E Rea.

17 recordsLinked to original sources

Duration and distance of exposure are important predictors of transmission among community contacts of Ontario SARS cases.

We report attack rates and contact-related predictors among community contacts of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) cases from the 2003 Toronto-area outbreak. Community contact data was extracted from public health records for single, well-defined exposures to a SARS case. In total, 8662 community-acquired exposures resulted in 61 probable cases; a crude attack rate of 0.70% [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.54-0.90]. Persons aged 55-69 years were at higher risk of acquiring SARS (1.14%) than those either younger (0.60%) or older (0.70%). In multivariable analysis exposures for at least 30 min at a distance of <or=1 m increased the likelihood of becoming a SARS case 20.4-fold (95% CI 11.8-35.1). Risk related to duration of illness in the source case at time of exposure was greatest for illness duration of 7-10 days (rate ratio 3.4, 95% CI 1.9-6.1). Longer and closer proximity exposures incurred the highest rate of disease. Separate measures of time and distance from source cases should be added to minimum datasets for the assessment of interventions for SARS and other emerging diseases.

Adolescent↗

Outbreak of measles in a highly vaccinated secondary school population.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the factors associated with measles vaccine effectiveness and the effect of two doses of vaccine on measles susceptibility during an outbreak. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: A secondary school in the City of Toronto. SUBJECTS: The entire school population (1135 students 14 to 21 years of age). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Risk of measles during an outbreak associated with age at first measles vaccination, length of time since vaccination, vaccination before 1980 and whether date of vaccination was estimated; vaccine efficacy of one dose versus two doses. RESULTS: Eighty-seven laboratory-confirmed or clinically confirmed cases of measles were identified (for an attack rate of 7.7%). The measles vaccination rate was 94.2%, and 10% of the students had received two doses of measles vaccine before the outbreak. Among those who had received only one dose of vaccine, vaccination at less than 15 months of age was associated with vaccine failure (relative risk 3.62, 95% confidence interval 2.32 to 5.66). There was no increased risk of vaccine failure associated with length of time since vaccination once the relative risk was adjusted for age at vaccination in a stratified analysis. Vaccination before 1980 and an estimated date of vaccination were not associated with increased risk of vaccine failure. Administration of a second dose of vaccine during the outbreak was not protective. Two doses of vaccine given before the outbreak conferred significant protection, and the relative risk of failure after one dose versus two doses was 5.0 (95% confidence interval 1.25 to 20.15). Of the 87 cases, 76 (87%) could have been prevented had all the students received two doses of measles vaccine before the outbreak, with the first at 12 months of age or later. CONCLUSIONS: Delayed primary measles vaccination (at 15 months of age or later) significantly reduced measles risk at later ages. However, revising the timing of the current 12-month dose would leave children vulnerable during a period in which there is increased risk of complications. The findings support a population-based two-dose measles vaccination strategy for optimal measles control and eventual disease elimination.

Adolescent↗

The effect of different dosage schedules of cisapride on gastric emptying in idiopathic gastroparesis.

The aim of this study was to determine the optimal dosage regimen of cisapride for the treatment of idiopathic gastroparesis. We studied 17 patients with documented idiopathic gastroparesis in a three-way, cross-over, double-blind study with three 4-day treatment periods separated by at least 3 days without treatment. In each period, the patients were preloaded with cisapride (10 mg tid) for three days. On the fourth day (the test day) they took either 10 mg or 20 mg before breakfast and placebo before lunch (1 x 10 mg), (1 x 20 mg), or 10 mg before breakfast and 10 mg before lunch (2 x 10 mg). The medications were taken 30 min before meals. Gastric emptying of solids (99mTc-sulphur colloid) was measured at lunch time under basal conditions and during each treatment period. Plasma concentrations of cisapride were determined before the breakfast dose, before the lunch dose, and at 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 h after. The greatest acceleration in gastric emptying occurred with the 2 x 10 mg regimen. Although the single morning dose of 20 mg also significantly accelerated gastric emptying (P = 0.05), the reduction was not as substantial. Plasma concentrations of cisapride were significantly higher after 2 x 10 mg than after 1 x 20 mg or 1 x 10 mg. There was a significant relation between cisapride plasma concentrations and changes in gastric emptying. Peak concentrations of cisapride greater than 60 ng.ml-1 were invariably associated with acceleration of gastric emptying. We conclude that cisapride 10 mg tid before meals is the optimal dose for the treatment of idiopathic gastroparesis.

Adult↗

Adult dental health in the Keewatin.

In 1990, as part of a major health status assessment, a dental survey was carried out on a 20 per cent random sample of the adult population in the Keewatin region of the Northwest Territories. A 73 per cent response rate was obtained. Of the 397 people examined, 334 (88 per cent) identified themselves as Inuit. More than 20 per cent of the respondents were edentulous, including 10 per cent of those 18 to 34 years old. The median DMFT was 24 for all respondents and 21 for dentulous respondents. There was a significant difference between Inuit and non-Inuit respondents, which was most marked in the 18 to 34 year old age group (mean DMFT 22.1 versus 15.6, p < .001). The proportion of filled to decayed and filled surfaces (F/DF) was 50 per cent. Periodontal disease was common and increased with age. More than 73 per cent of the dentate individuals had gingival bleeding at one or more sites. Very few were free of calculus. Mean pocket depth increased with age (1.3 mm at 18-34 years of age, rising to 2.3 at 55 plus, p < .001). Sixty per cent of adults needed at least one restorative procedure, 68 per cent needed prophylaxis, and 45 per cent needed periodontal treatment. Men required more treatment of all types than women. The results of this study confirm the clinical impression that dental disease is rampant among the Inuit population. There are major needs for both preventive and treatment services.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

Effect of chronic administration of cisapride on gastric emptying of a solid meal and on dyspeptic symptoms in patients with idiopathic gastroparesis.

In a double blind crossover comparison with placebo, the effects of cisapride (10 mg tid for two weeks), a non-antidopaminergic gastrointestinal prokinetic drug, on gastric emptying times and on symptoms were evaluated in 12 patients with chronic idiopathic dyspepsia and gastroparesis. Gastric emptying was studied by a radioisotopic gamma camera technique. The test meal was labelled in the solid component (99mTc-sulphur colloid infiltrated chicken liver). Nine symptoms (nausea, belching, regurgitations, vomiting, postprandial drowsiness, early satiety, epigastric pain or burning, heartburn) were graded weekly on a questionnaire. Cisapride was significantly more effective than placebo in shortening the t1/2 of gastric emptying (p2 = 0.04), but no significant difference was observed between the two treatments with regard to the improvement of total symptom score (p2 = 0.09). No side effects were reported during the study.

Adult↗

[Effect of tiropramide on solid gastric emptying time in man].

The influence of Thyropramide, a recently developed spasmolytic on the gastric emptying times of a solid meal was assessed in 10 healthy subjects aged 23-54. Thyropramide (300 mg per diem for 3 days per os) does not significantly modify gastric emptying time compared to the placebo though a slight average increase in T 1/2 was noted. No side effects were noted during the study. Thyropramide therefore appears to have a spasmolytic effect on the large intestine without in any way influence the stomach either proximally or distally.

Adult↗

The role of colloidal bismuth subcitrate in the short-term treatment of duodenal ulcer.

Colloidal bismuth subcitrate (CBS) is a drug used in the treatment of duodenal ulcer; it acts mainly by increasing mucosal resistance against endoluminal aggressive agents, without inhibiting gastric secretion. In previous clinical trials, CBS solution induced healing rates significantly higher than placebo and similar to those observed with cimetidine. In spite of these promising results, the drug has never been widely employed, mainly because of its unpleasant taste, which greatly reduced patient compliance. For this reason, chewing tablets have been introduced. CBS tablets have been reported to induce healing rates significantly higher than placebo and similar to those obtained with CBS solution, cimetidine, and ranitidine. CBS may therefore represent an important alternative to antisecretory drugs in the therapy of duodenal ulcer patients.

Bismuth↗

Fracture of the neck of femur in childhood.

Fractures of the neck of femur under the age of 14 years are so rare that few surgeons have much experience with them. Hamilton (1961) predicted that an orthopaedic surgeon would see one case in a lifetime, Quinlan et al (1980) reviewing the literature from 1885 when the first case was reported, say that it is 130 to 200 times less common than in adults. They found the largest personal series to be that of Lam (1971) in Hong Kong. Quinlan et al review 11 cases seen in Dublin over a period of 18 years, from 1958-77. They state that severe complications are likely in these children, especially avascular necrosis of the head of femur, non-union, coxa vara, and premature closure of the femoral epiphysis.

Child↗

Low blood lead levels in Northern Ontario - what now?

OBJECTIVE: To assess the extent of childhood lead exposure and provide guidance for public health efforts to reduce exposure in Northern communities in Ontario. DESIGN: Population-based cross-sectional survey. SETTING: Northern Ontario, September-October 1992. PARTICIPANTS: 395 children aged 1 to 6 living in Moosonee or Moose Factory (68% of all children in target group). OUTCOME MEASURES: Blood lead levels. RESULTS: The geometric mean lead level was 3.10 micro g/dL (range, 0 to 18.9 micro g/dl); 4% of children had a lead level > 10 mu g/dL, and none had levels over 20 mu g/dL. Two-year-olds and boys had the highest lead levels. CONCLUSIONS: Blood lead levels in this survey are low but unexpectedly close to inner city Toronto children in both non-point-source and point-source neighbourhoods. Population-level rather than individual interventions are required to further reduce exposure. Lead shot is among the important sources of insidious environmental lead exposure in this population and may be very important for some children involved in hunting activities. Results suggest the development of safer alternatives for lead shot.

Child↗