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Biomedical subjects

Frank Houghton

Publications and source records attributed to Frank Houghton.

13 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Diabetes mellitus in Irish general practice: level of care as reflected by HbA1c values.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the level of care given to people with diabetes by general practitioners and factors affecting it. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of Irish general practitioners, looking at practice characteristics and patient care over the previous 2 years; a nationally representative sample of 27 general practitioners. A total of 1030 people with diabetes were studied, of whom 201 were type 1 and 829 were type 2. RESULTS: The response rate was 27 out of 52 (52%). HbA1c values were not related to the patient's socioeconomic status. The average HbA1c for type 1 people with diabetes was 7.81%, and for type 2 it was 7.1%. HbA1c values were measured 3.02 times for type 1 and 3.16 times for people with type 2 diabetes. This is a good standard of care, especially for type 2 disease. Computerized practices and those patients whose care was shared with the hospital achieved better control, even though HbA1c levels were checked less frequently with computerization. The use of a protocol in the practices also improved care. Those practices employing a nurse had increased frequency of measurement of HbA1c and better control on univariate but not on multivariate analysis. Possible reasons for this are discussed. CONCLUSION: Diabetes Mellitus is treated to a good standard in Irish general practice, especially type 2 disease. This standard appears to be independent of the patient's socio-economic status, is improved by GPs being computerised, in group practices and by providing care according to a protocol. Shared care also improves control. Employing a practice nurse may also improve care.

Cross-Sectional Studies↗
PubMed2003

Buteyko Breathing Technique for asthma: an effective intervention.

AIM: To assess the impact of the Buteyko Breathing Technique (BBT) on medication use in asthma. METHODS: A blinded randomised controlled trial comparing BBT with control was conducted in 38 people with asthma aged between 18 and 70. Participants were followed for six months following the intervention. Medication use and indices of ventilatory function were recorded. RESULTS: No significant change in FEV1 (forced expiratory volume in one second) was recorded in either group. The BBT group exhibited a reduction in inhaled steroid use of 50% and beta2-agonist use of 85% at six months from baseline. In the control group inhaled steroid use was unchanged and beta2-agonist use was reduced by 37% from baseline. Investigator contact between the two groups was equal. There were no adverse events recorded in either group. CONCLUSIONS: BBT is a safe and efficacious asthma management technique. BBT has clinical and potential pharmaco-economic benefits that merit further study.

Administration, Inhalation↗