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Biomedical subjects

H Haefner

Publications and source records attributed to H Haefner.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

[Diagnostics and therapy for invasive fungal infections in an intensive care unit].

Invasive fungal infections are associated with a high mortality and have been increasing in incidence over the last few decades. Candidemia and, less commonly, invasive pulmonary aspergillosis are the most relevant fungal infections in critical care medicine. Risk factors for systemic Candida infections are the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, a prolonged stay in an intensive care unit and gastrointestinal injury or surgery. Invasive aspergillosis usually occurs in immunocompromised patients. The diagnosis of invasive fungal infections remains challenging. The therapeutic spectrum includes fluconazol, conventional and liposomal amphotericin B, and the recently introduced agents caspofungin and voriconazol. For rational and cost-effective use, the clinician requires precise knowledge of the indications and limitations of these agents. This review focuses on the diagnostic and therapeutic options in severe Candida infections and invasive aspergillosis.

Acute Disease↗

Epidemiology of vulvar vestibulitis syndrome: an exploratory case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Vulvar vestibulitis syndrome (VVS) is a chronic, persistent syndrome characterised by vestibular pain, tenderness, and erythema. The aetiology of VVS is unknown and few of the hypothesised risk factors have been tested in controlled studies. METHODS: Using a matched case-control study design, medical, sexual, health behaviour, and diet history of 28 women with VVS were compared with 50 friend controls without VVS to identify possible causal factors. RESULTS: Cases were more likely than controls to report every vaginal and urinary symptom at the time of interview measured, particularly vaginal soreness or pain (60.7%) and pain during intercourse (64.3%). There were no significant differences between cases and controls with respect to sexual behaviour. Cases were more likely than controls to report self reported history of physician diagnosed bacterial vaginosis (OR = 22.2, 95% CI = 2.8, 177.2, p value = 0.0001), vaginal yeast infections (OR = 4.9, 95% CI = 1.4, 18.0, p value = 0.01), and human papillomavirus (OR = 7.1, 95% CI = 0.6, 81.2, p value = 0.08). There were no differences between cases and controls with respect to dietary intake of oxalate. Cases were more likely than controls to report poor health status (OR = 5.7, 95% CI = 1.1, 28.7, p value = 0.02) and history of depression for 2 weeks or more during the past year (OR = 4.4, 95% CI = 1.6, 12.3, p value = 0.002). CONCLUSION: Self reported history of bacterial vaginosis, yeast infections, and human papillomavirus were strongly associated with VVS. An infectious origin for VVS should be pursued in larger controlled studies, using questionnaire and laboratory measures.

Adolescent↗

Perceived vulnerability, relapse risk and coping in schizophrenia. An explorative study.

Patients suffering from schizophrenia are faced with numerous adaptational demands as a consequence of their illness. Both directly perceived vulnerability and knowledge about precipitating factors deducted from the experience of recurrent relapses were assessed in a group of chronic schizophrenics. In addition, self-administered coping with symptoms and attempts to prevent relapses were explored. Most patients were aware of both aspects of vulnerability towards social-emotional and cognitive stressors and took various precautions to avoid relapse or to control symptoms. Results are discussed within the context of a theoretical model of coping with schizophrenia.

Adaptation, Psychological↗