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Biomedical subjects

F Davies

Publications and source records attributed to F Davies.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Patients' understanding of tetanus immunisation.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate patients' understanding of the use of adsorbed tetanus toxoid (ATT) in an accident and emergency (A&E) unit. METHODS: 500 patients attending the minor injuries unit of the Royal Liverpool University Hospital in one calendar month completed a questionnaire under the supervision of the triage nurse. Analysis of results was at the 95% confidence level. Occupation was used as a guide to social class. RESULTS: Analysis of 296 male and 204 female respondents revealed that 50.4% thought that ATT is an antibiotic and 81% thought it protected against wound infection; 35.6% thought that concurrent antibiotic treatment would be rendered unnecessary. There was a significant gradient in accuracy of response from social classes I to V for each question. CONCLUSIONS: While few patients refuse the offer of ATT immunisation, true understanding of its purpose and limitations is lacking. This may reduce awareness of potential wound infection and possibly decrease compliance with concurrent antibiotic prescription. A&E and primary care staff should acknowledge the prevalence of these misunderstandings and assist in patient education.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Results of surgical treatment of renal hyperparathyroidism.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the outcome of parathyroidectomy for renal failure-related hyperparathyroidism. DESIGN: A retrospective analysis with a mean follow-up of 4.34 years of a case series of 67 consecutive patients with renal failure-associated hyperarathyroidism. SETTING: All patients were operated on at the University Hospital of Wales and Cardiff Royal Infirmary between October 1981 and December 1991. PATIENTS: Of the 67 consecutive patients, 35 were receiving hemodialysis and 32 had received a renal transplant. INTERVENTION: Total parathyroidectomy with autotransplantation was performed in 52 patients and subtotal parathyroidectomy was performed in 15. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Symptomatic improvement after parathyroidectomy, the normalization of biochemical parameters, and the rate of recurrent hyperparathyroidism after parathyroidectomy. RESULTS: Symptomatic improvement after parathyroidectomy occurred in 81% of hemodialysis patients and in 72% of transplant patients. The best predictor for successful relief of skeletal pain after parathyroidectomy was an elevated preoperative alkaline phosphatase level. Recurrent hyperparathyroidism developed in four of 38 patients after total parathyroidectomy with autotransplantation and in one of 14 surviving patients after subtotal parathyroidectomy. All five patients with recurrent disease were hemodialysis patients (22%). CONCLUSIONS: Transplant patients usually present with less severe disease, have better normalization of biochemical parameters after parathyroidectomy, and rarely develop recurrent hyperparathyroidism compared with hemodialysis patients. Both total parathyroidectomy with autotransplantation and subtotal parathyroidectomy result in good control of renal hyperparathyroidism with excellent improvement of symptoms.

Chronic Kidney Disease-Mineral and Bone Disorder↗
PubMed1995

The relationship between types of anxiety and depression.

There has been considerable debate about the relationship between anxiety and depression. Most of the research in this area has examined relationships between composite indices of each construct. It has been suggested, however, that social anxiety may be more highly related to depression than are other forms of anxiety. We report the results of a study of the differential relationship of anxiety related to three sources (social evaluation, physical danger, and unfamiliar situations) to both self-report and clinician-rated levels of depression in a sample of 117 psychiatric outpatients. The results indicate that anxiety concerning social evaluation and unfamiliar situations was more highly related to depression than anxiety about physical danger.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Attachment organization and adaptation in sexually-abused women.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the possible associations among attachment organization, current functioning and Axis II personality disorder. METHOD: Attachment organization was assessed using the Adult Attachment Interview in a clinical sample of 40 women with a history of childhood sexual abuse. The Global Assessment Scale yielded measures of current psychosocial functioning and the Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnosis on DSM-III-R was used to assess presence of personality disorder. RESULTS: Preoccupation with attachment issues was evident in 68% of the subjects; 60% of the subjects were unresolved in respect to loss and/or trauma; and 88% of the subjects met criteria for one or more Axis II disorders. A relationship between Borderline Personality Disorder and the Unresolved attachment classification is suggested. CONCLUSIONS: Women who have experienced childhood sexual abuse require intervention that focuses on resolution of trauma and loss and responds to individual differences in attitudes toward attachment issues.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1991

Polycystic kidney disease re-evaluated: a population-based study.

A genetic register of all known cases of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease occurring in South and Mid-Wales has been established. In a population of 2.1 million, 209 families with affected members were identified, 303 of whom are currently alive, 70 on renal replacement therapy. An additional 551 cases would be predicted amongst family members at 50 per cent and 25 per cent risk, giving an apparent prevalence of 1:2459 in the general population. Five possible new mutations were seen where adults with phenotypic autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease had both parents alive, age greater than 55 years with no cysts visible on ultrasound. The take-on rate for renal replacement therapy increased during 1970-79 but has apparently reached a plateau of 4.8 cases per million population per year over the last 8 years, despite a rapidly increasing acceptance of uraemic patients as a whole (72/10(6)/year in 1988-89). Considerably more patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease aged over 50 years were started on treatment in 1980-89 than in 1970-79, but the survival overall improved with time. All cases of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease reaching end-stage renal disease are now being treated, but the apparent clinical prevalence of this condition in our region is less than half the supposed gene frequency, suggesting that undiagnosed cases have a benign prognosis.

Adolescent↗