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Biomedical subjects

G D Summers

Publications and source records attributed to G D Summers.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Excess non-spine fractures in women over 50 years with celiac disease: a cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study.

The association of celiac disease with fracture is controversial. Recent studies may have underestimated the impact by studying patients with low fracture risk. Since postmenopausal women are at greatest risk of fracture, we have investigated non-spine fracture occurrence in women > or =50 years with celiac disease. Patients were recruited from hospital and general practice as well as from volunteers, controls from general practice. All completed a questionnaire detailing fracture occurrence. Three hundred and eighty-three female celiac patients and 445 female controls aged > or =50 years at time of study were compared. Mean age was 61.4+/-7.8 years in celiac patients and 62.7+/-9.9 years in controls. Celiac patients were lighter but not shorter. Celiac patients displayed greater "all fracture" prevalence (odds ratio [OR], 1.51; confidence interval [CI], 1.13:2.02) and fracture after 50 years (OR, 2.20; CI, 1.49:3.25). Wrist fracture was more frequent (OR, 1.65; CI, 1.12:2.41), but significance was lost once height and weight were taken into account. Celiac patients had more multiple fractures (OR, 2.96; CI, 1.81:4.83). To investigate the association of fracture with time from diagnosis, 324 celiac patients were paired with a control by age. No excess fracture risk was found more than 10 years before diagnosis amongst celiac patients diagnosed after age 50 years, but risk increased in the period from 10 years before diagnosis to 5 years after and remained high more than 5 years after diagnosis ( p<0.05). Wrist fracture only increased in the period more than 5 years after diagnosis ( p<0.05). In women diagnosed before 50 years, no excess fracture risk existed. Fracture risk in female celiac patients >50 years is increased overall but is related largely to the peri-diagnostic period. Wrist fracture risk is partly accounted for by height and weight, but is more common more than 5 years after diagnosis. Celiac testing may be indicated in thin women over 50 years with multiple fractures, and after diagnosis adequate calcium and vitamin D intake should be ensured.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2002

Is distal forearm fracture in men due to osteoporosis?

Although widely regarded as a disease of women, osteoporosis does cause considerable morbidity and mortality in men. The lifetime risk of an osteoporortic fracture for a man is 1 in 12 and 30% of all hip fractures occur in men. In women, low-trauma distal forearm fracture is widely regarded as a typical early manifestation of postmenopausal osteoporosis. Traditionally, this has not been thought to be the case for men. We present a case-control study of 147 men with distal forearm fracture compared with 198 age-matched controls. The controls were selected from a pre-existing database of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scans of healthy volunteers. Both groups were sent questionnaires regarding basic demographics, fracture history and risk factors for osteoporosis, and the fracture group was asked to attend for bone densitometry. There were 103 responses from the fracture group (70%), of whom 67 (47%) underwent densitometry. There were 165 (83%) responses from the control group. Secondary causes of osteoporosis could be identified in 51% of the fracture group and 37% of the control group. The fracture group had significantly lower bone mineral density at all sites measured compared with the controls (0.75 g/cm(2) vs 0.85 g/cm(2) at the femoral neck, p<0.0001; 0.95 g/cm(2) vs 1.03 g/cm(2) at the total femur, p = 0.001; and 0.99 g/cm(2) vs 1.06 g/cm(2) at the lumbar spine, p = 0.001). These differences remained after adjusting for age and body mass index ( p<0.0005 at all sites). Overall, 41.8% of the fracture group were osteoporotic in at least one site ( T-score <-2.5 SD below the mean for young men) compared with only 10.3% of controls. This study is the first to demonstrate that men with distal forearm fractures have lower bone mineral density than their peers and a higher risk of osteoporosis.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗
PubMed1989

Nedocromil sodium in adults with asthma dependent on inhaled corticosteroids: a double blind, placebo controlled study.

Eighty nine adults with asthma who were receiving inhaled corticosteroid and bronchodilator treatment took part in a double blind, randomised, placebo controlled trial of nedocromil sodium, 4 mg four times daily by inhalation. During a run in period of two to four weeks corticosteroid treatment was reduced when possible to produce a comparable level of symptoms across the trial population. The test treatment was then taken for four weeks, with the severity of asthma recorded daily by patients and assessed at two weekly hospital visits. There was an improvement in symptoms in the patients taking nedocromil sodium by comparison with those having the placebo, the differences being significant for diary card PEF readings, asthma symptom scores, and bronchodilator usage at night. The mean difference between the two groups was 18 l/min for PEF, 0.42 for daytime asthma score, and 1.73 puffs in 24 hours for bronchodilator usage. These results suggest that asthmatic patients who require inhaled steroids show better control of their asthma with the addition of nedocromil sodium than of placebo over a four week period after reduction of the dosage of their inhaled steroids.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Amputee walking training: a preliminary study of biomechanical measurements of stance and balance.

Biomechanical parameters of stance and balance were recorded in ten unilateral lower limb amputees at the beginning and end of walking training. Measurements were carried out using a Double Video Forceplate (DVF), a machine developed at University College, London, Bioengineering Centre, Roehampton. During free standing on the DVF there was a mean increase in weight-bearing under the prosthetic foot from 32% body weight (1st session) to 41% body weight (final session), p less than 0.01. Maximum weight-bearing during leaning as far as possible onto the prosthesis increased from a mean of 54% body weight to 63% body weight, p less than 0.01. These simple measurements of weight distribution between the feet can be of value during walking training to monitor progress and can accurately record improvement for research purposes.

Aged↗
PubMed1988

Elbow synovectomy and excision of the radial head in rheumatoid arthritis: a short term palliative procedure.

We present the results of synovectomy and excision of the radial head in 65 elbows affected by rheumatoid arthritis. Eighty-four percent of elbows had good pain relief 6 months after operation but after an average of 5 years only 54% remained relatively pain-free. Range of motion remained the same or improved in the majority of patients. Synovitis occurred in 39% of elbows during the followup period and intraarticular steroid injections were frequently given. This undoubtedly modified results of pain relief that might have been attributed to the operation. Destructive changes in the humeroulnar joint were considered the main cause of elbow pain at the time of review.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗
PubMed1987

Foot loading characteristics of amputees and normal subjects.

The foot loading characteristics of 100 consecutively attending amputees wearing their definitive prostheses were studied during their routine visits to the Artificial Limb and Appliance Centre. Results were compared with observations on 100 age and sex matched controls who were free from any locomotor disability. The parameters measured were the percentage of body weight borne on each foot, the positions of the centres of pressure under each foot and the position of the overall centre of foot pressure. The results demonstrate the range of variability of these parameters in normal subjects of different ages and provide preliminary indications of the patterns associated with different types of prostheses and different levels of amputation. The information was collected using the Double Video Forceplate (DVF) a tool developed for the rapid assessment of stance, at University College London Bioengineering Centre. It is proposed that the DVF may be useful in assisting prosthetic alignment, in clinical teaching of prosthetists, physiotherapists and doctors and in monitoring of patients with lower limb amputation.

Amputees↗
PubMed1986

Episodic arthritis in cystic fibrosis: a case report.

Episodic arthritis is an uncommon manifestation of cystic fibrosis. We describe the case of a 21-year-old man with cystic fibrosis who suffered from episodic arthritis associated with vasculitic skin lesions. Aetiology is discussed with reference to the possible role of immune complex disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Effect of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty on arrhythmias complicating angina.

Four patients who had stenosis of a single major coronary artery which was treated by percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty are described. Three had exercise induced myocardial ischaemia complicated by ventricular tachycardia, fibrillation, and sinus bradycardia, respectively. Asystole developed in a fourth patient who had spontaneous chest pain. After successful percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty these arrhythmias did not recur spontaneously or on treadmill exercise testing. Percutaneous coronary angioplasty can be effective in preventing arrhythmias complicating acute myocardial ischaemia secondary to stenosis of a single major coronary artery.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Failure of sera from patients with scleroderma to exhibit cytotoxicity towards human umbilical vein endothelial cells.

Human umbilical vein endothelial cells grew equally well in sera from scleroderma patients and in sera from rheumatic controls. Using two independent methods of assessing cell growth, no evidence of a previously described endothelial cell cytotoxic factor could be found in heat inactivated sera from 23 scleroderma patients. The system used was sensitive in detecting growth inhibition due to five batches of foetal calf serum and low concentrations of homocysteine and 2-mercaptoethanol.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1981

Spontaneous periodic hypothermia with lipoma of the corpus callosum.

A patient with spontaneous periodic hypothermia who had both a lipoma and agenesis of the corpus callosum is described. Spontaneous periodic hypothermia associated with corpus callosum abnormalities is a distinct entity and although the mechanism underlying the hypothermic episodes is unexplained, the term "diencephalic autonomic epilepsy" does not seem appropriate.

Adult↗
PubMed1980

Sequential brush biopsy and conventional biopsy: direct comparison of diagnostic sensitivity in lung malignancy.

One hundred and sixteen patients with suspected lung malignancy who were referred for bronchoscopy were examined using both the flexible fibreoptic bronchoscope and the rigid bronchoscope. Both instruments were used sequentially under the same general anaesthetic. Brush biopsies were obtained through the fibreoptic bronchoscope and conventional biopsies, for histological examination, through the rigid bronchoscope. Both specimens were taken from the same area. Eighty-two per cent of those in whom there was a final clinical diagnosis of malignancy were found to have abnormal cytology via the fibreoptic bronchoscope, while abnormal histology was found in 50% by means of the rigid bronchoscope. For those in whom malignancy was confirmed, 16.9% showed disagreement between the two methods in cell typing. Brush biopsy through the flexible fibreoptic bronchoscope under general anaesthesia is confirmed as a sensitive method for diagnosing lung malignancy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1980

Tuberculosis of superficial lymph nodes.

A retrospective survey of all patients with superficial lymph node tuberculosis in the London Borough of Brent notified between 1972 and 1976 is reported. There were 239 patients, of whom 79% were of Afro-Asian or Indo-Asian origin. The annual number of cases increased from 28 in 1972 to 69 in 1976. Of immigrant patients 75% developed the disease within five years of entry of the country. The nodes affected were overwhelmingly cervical or supraclavicular (93%) and in 80% only the superficial lymph nodes of the neck were involved. Treatment was with chemotherapy, latterly with rifampicin and isoniazid for nine months with initial ethambutol. Initially surgery was commonly used to confirm the diagnosis (85% in 1972), but much less often by 1976 (49%). In no case, when a clinical diagnosis had been made, was that diagnosis found to be wrong on subsequent biopsy. Only four relapses were recorded in a follow up period of up to four years.

Adolescent↗