PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

G Hoff

Publications and source records attributed to G Hoff.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

Recurrence of urogenital Chlamydia trachomatis infection evaluated by mailed samples obtained at home: 24 weeks' prospective follow up study.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the rate of recurrence of genital Chlamydia trachomatis infection after antibiotic therapy in a population of patients drawn from general practice, and to evaluate whether retesting after antibiotic therapy was advisable and, if so, whether it could be based on a strategy involving samples obtained at home and mailed to the laboratory for analysis. METHODS: Prospective follow up study of 42 patients with genital C trachomatis infection drawn from general practice. Patients at or above the age of 18, with a positive urogenital swab sample obtained by a general practitioner were invited to participate. Follow up testing was based on LCR testing (LCx, Abbott diagnostics) of first void urinary and vaginal flush samples taken by the patients at home and mailed to the laboratory at weeks 2, 4, 8, 12, and 24 after antibiotic therapy. RESULTS: Cumulated incidence of recurrent infection was calculated to 29% (95% CI: 12%-46%) during the 24 weeks of follow up. Previous or present sexually transmitted diseases other than C trachomatis were significantly associated with recurrence (OR 6.1, p = 0.03). 89% of patients tested negative at week 2, and all patients tested negative at some point during the first 4-8 weeks. 84% of the test kits mailed to the patients were returned to the laboratory for analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Recurrence of C trachomatis after antibiotic treatment is a substantial problem. Retesting should be carried out, but not sooner than 12-24 weeks after treatment. Requiring patients to take tests at home appears to be a promising method for retesting.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Smoking and colorectal adenomas: a case-control study.

A positive association between tobacco and colorectal adenomas has been suggested. Smoking is, however, also associated with 'poor' dietary habits, which in turn may be related to risk of adenomas. It is therefore of interest to study the relationship between smoking, diet and risk of colorectal adenomas in follow-up studies. We compared 87 adenoma cases to 35 'hospital' and 35 healthy controls (all controls were age- and sex-matched and proven to be free of adenomas). Smoking data were collected by an interview and a self-administrated questionnaire with a time interval of at least one month. After 3 years of follow-up, all polyps were removed. Our data indicate that smoking is associated with adenoma prevalence, but not necessarily with size, multiplicity, growth or recurrence of adenomas. Compared to both sets of controls, cases reported to have smoked more than 15 pack-years, or who are current smokers, had a fourfold increased frequency of adenomas (odds ratios 3.6-5.9). Smokers with adenomas had dietary habits that may also be associated with adenomas. The smoking estimates remained largely unchanged even after adjustments for dietary variables in multivariate analysis. This study lends support to the theory of an initiating role of tobacco smoke in neoplasia formation.

Adenoma↗
PubMed1998

Effect of intravenous anesthetics on spontaneous and endotoxin-stimulated cytokine response in cultured human whole blood.

BACKGROUND: Various anesthetics have been suggested to interfere with the immune system. The ability of leukocytes to express surface receptors and mediators is fundamental to a successful host defense. Therefore, the effects of intravenous anesthetics on cytokine release by leukocytes and expression of surface molecules known to modulate this response were determined. METHODS: Concentration-dependent effects of thiopentone, etomidate, propofol, ketamine, midazolam, and fentanyl on spontaneous and endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide; 1 microg/ml)-stimulated cytokine release were studied in whole blood from volunteers (n = 6) cultured for 25 h. In addition, expression of the lipopolysaccharide-recognition molecule CD14 and the major histocompatibility complex class II molecule human leukocyte locus A system-DR (HLA-DR) on monocytes were assessed using flow cytometry. RESULTS: All anesthetics studied elicited only minor effects on spontaneous cytokine release even at pharmacologic concentrations. However, expression density of CD14 was reduced in the presence of thiopentone, etomidate, and propofol, whereas HLA-DR was unaffected. Lipopolysaccharide-stimulated tumor necrosis factor response was inhibited by thiopentone (12.8% [median]; 7.6-18.8 [25-75 percentile]) of control, and ketamine (46.4% [median]; 44.4-56.4 [25-75 percentile]), at pharmacologic concentrations, whereas it was augmented even in the presence of low concentrations of propofol (172.3% [median]; 120.5-200.7 [25-75 percentile]). Ketamine additionally decreased the concentration of interleukin (IL)-1beta (14.8% [median]; 12.0-18.0 [25-75 percentile]). Release of IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) was inhibited by thiopentone, etomidate, and propofol, whereas the same anesthetics increased IL-10 concentration simultaneously. Midazolam and fentanyl did not alter the concentrations of any cytokine. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest a complex modulation of the cytokine response by the studied anesthetics in cultured whole blood. Although effects on spontaneous cytokine release by leukocytes were negligible, some anesthetics affected their ability to respond to lipopolysaccharide.

Anesthetics, Intravenous↗
PubMed1997

[Long-term result of a life style intervention group program].

156 former participants in a lifestyle modification programme for persons with coronary heart disease, or at high risk of developing this disease, were invited to a follow-up examination. The aim was to evaluate the long-term effect of a lifestyle intervention programme. Median time since completion of the programme was 3 years. The participants' serum cholesterol level at the time of the control examination was lower than before they attended the programme, but slightly higher than at the end of it. The body weight was similar at the control and before participation. The self-reported amount of physical activity of persons with established coronary heart disease was higher at the control examination than before the programme. For persons with no established coronary heart disease, the self-reported level of physical activity was the same before and after attending the programme. The most pronounced effect as regards a reduction of the risk factor profile was seen among the participants with established coronary heart disease. The number of smokers was reduced, but not significantly.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

[Integration of preventive medicine in an emergency department. A pedagogic model for improvement of communication].

At the Medical Department, Telemark Central Hospital, a project has been going on for five years now to evaluate consultations in lifestyle groups in preference to individual consultations for persons with dyslipidemia. 363 persons were recruited to participate in a series of 5 group consultations at intervals of 3 months, each session to last for 2 hours. Altogether 1469 consultations were of this type. After the first session 79% said they preferred lifestyle group consultations, rather than spending their share of the allotted time on personal consultations, and after the fifth session 81%. The concept has been extended to include patients with chronic disease (asthma and chronic inflammatory bowel disease), with the principal aim of improving the patients' understanding of their disease, and showing them how to control it themselves. The project has attracted much attention, and a consultant in preventive medicine has recently been appointed to the staff. We think it important in terms of impact that the initiative to establish local expertise in preventive medicine emerged from a department that deals with emergency admissions due to lifestyle-related diseases.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Polypectomy of adenomas in the prevention of colorectal cancer: 10 years' follow-up of the Telemark Polyp Study I. A prospective, controlled population study.

BACKGROUND: The efficacy of polypectomy in preventing colorectal cancer (CRC) has never been demonstrated in a controlled, prospective study. This must be done by randomization within a population with a high prevalence of colorectal polyps, and the feasibility and safety of endoscopic screening examination is a prerequisite for this type of study. METHODS: The present study is a randomized, controlled study of the feasibility and safety of flexible sigmoidoscopic screening of a normal population sample of 799 men and women aged 50-59 years, findings at 2 and 6 years' colonoscopic follow-up, and the appearance of clinical colorectal cancer (CRC) after 10 years. RESULTS: The attendance rate was high, and there were no complications. After 10 years 1 of 400 in the screening group had developed CRC (in the group of 76 (19%) not attending for screening examination). Four of 399 controls developed CRC. CONCLUSIONS: Poor yield of polyps at follow-up, slow growth of in situ polyps, and no clinical CRC among screenees after 10 years provides support to infrequent or no colonoscopic follow-up after initial polypectomy in individuals with otherwise average risk of CRC.

Adenomatous Polyposis Coli↗
PubMed1992

Drinking water and the prevalence of colorectal adenomas: an epidemiologic study in Telemark, Norway.

This study was based on an endoscopic screening study for detection of polyps in the rectum and sigmoid colon in a randomized, normal population sample of 400 individuals aged 50-59 years. Family disposition for cancer and indicators of lifestyle (including dietary registration) were recorded. The 310 individuals received domestic drinking water from one out of four public water supplies. The participants were categorized according to the water supply connected to their house of residence. Drinking water was analysed monthly during 2 years for chloroform, total organic carbon, colour index, calcium, magnesium and chlorine. The overall prevalence of colorectal polyps was significantly higher in residents receiving chlorinated water with a high organic content when compared with recipients of water with a low organic content. There was no association between polyp prevalence and chloroform concentration in the drinking water. Multivariate analysis revealed that age, male sex, high BMI, smoking, few stools per week, high protein intake and low intake of fibre, iron and cruciferous vegetables were far more important for the presence of polyps than the total organic content in chlorinated drinking water.

Adenoma↗
PubMed1992

A double-blind randomized study of the effect of erythromycin in preventing pelvic inflammatory disease after first trimester abortion.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prophylactic use of erythromycin in prevention of post-abortal pelvic inflammation disease (PID) in first trimester abortion. DESIGN: Double-blind, randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Department of Surgery, County Hospital, Denmark. SUBJECTS: Four hundred and thirty two women who were to undergo induced abortion before 12 weeks gestation were randomized to be treated either with prophylactic erythromycin or a placebo. INTERVENTION: The women were randomized to receive a placebo or erythromycin, 500 mg twice a day for 7 1/2 days starting the evening before the abortion. All the women were investigated for Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoea before the abortion. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Frequency of cervical C. trachomatis and N. gonorrhoea and frequency of PID after abortion. RESULTS: Fifty four women were excluded after randomization. The frequency of PID was 11% (20/189) in the erythromycin group and 16% (30/189) in the placebo group (P = 0.13, chi 2-test). The prevalence of C. trachomatis was 19% (15/78) in women less than or equal to 20 years of age, 13% (14/109) in women between 21 and 25 years and 2% (5/241) in women greater than or equal to 26 years of age. In women positive for C. trachomatis erythromycin prophylaxis significantly reduced the frequency of PID to 8% (1/13) compared with 43% (6/14) in the placebo group (P = 0.051, logistic regression analysis). Erythromycin had no effect on other potential high risk groups (first pregnancy, nulliparous, less than 20 years of age, and women with previous PID). CONCLUSION: Prophylactic erythromycin is not warranted for all women having an abortion. Cervical C. trachomatis is a risk factor for postabortal PID, and prophylaxis with erythromycin significantly reduces the frequency of PID. However, only a few women with PID had cervical C. trachomatis, and the prevention of post-abortal PID remains a major challenge requiring further studies.

Abortion, Induced↗
PubMed1992

Colonoscopic screening examination of relatives of patients with colorectal cancer. I. A comparison with an endoscopically screened normal population.

First-degree relatives (n = 206) of patients operated on for colorectal cancer (CRC) (n = 181) were offered a colonoscopic screening examination; 169 relatives (82%) attended. The findings were compared with those in a normal population sample with no CRC in first-degree relatives (n = 308), aged 50-59 years, who had been screened by means of flexible sigmoidoscopy. Three carcinomas and 176 polyps were found in 56 of 95 male relatives (57%) and 34 of 74 female relatives (46%). The adenoma prevalence rate was 37 (39%) and 26 (35%) for male and female relatives, respectively. In the 50- to 59-year age group, the adenoma prevalence rates for both sexes collectively and for women separately were significantly higher among relatives than among the population without CRC relatives. Hyperplastic polyps were larger, whereas adenomas were similar in size among relatives compared with the normal population. Colonoscopy may be a suitable method of choice for screening first-degree relatives of patients with CRC.

Adenoma↗
PubMed1992

Colonoscopic screening examination of relatives of patients with colorectal cancer. II. Relations between tumour characteristics and the presence of polyps.

Colonoscopy was offered to 206 first-degree relatives of 181 patients operated on for colorectal cancer (CRC). Findings of polyps in relatives correlated with Dukes staging, extent of dedifferentiation and localization of tumour in the operated patient, and type of family relationship. Adenomas in relatives and Dukes staging of carcinoma in the patients were inversely related. Relatives of patients with Dukes stage A tumour had more than twice as many adenomas as and a higher prevalence of multiple adenomas than relatives of patients with advanced cancer at the time of operation. If the patient had polyp(s) in addition to tumour, the number of adenomas per relative was almost doubled. Hyperplastic polyps in relatives were associated with poorly differentiated carcinoma in their related patients. These results support the theory that not all CRC are derived from polyps and that adenoma-derived CRC may have a better prognosis than 'de novo' CRC. An adenoma prevalence risk table is also presented.

Adenoma↗
PubMed1992

Anomalous origin of the left main coronary artery from the right anterior aortic sinus.

Anomalous origin of the left main coronary artery from the right sinus of Valsalva is an uncommon problem, occurring in four distinct patterns. When the left main coronary artery passes between the aorta and the pulmonary trunk, acute myocardial ischemia or sudden death may occur. Angiography is required in establishing a diagnosis. Surgical correction or bypass surgery are sometimes indicated. The authors report two cases of anomalous origin of the left main coronary artery and discuss the anatomic variants, clinical significance, and technical considerations in both diagnosis and management.

Coronary Angiography↗