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J A McAllister

Publications and source records attributed to J A McAllister.

9 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1997

Determining neuropsychological impairment using estimates of premorbid intelligence: comparing methods based on level of education versus reading scores.

When inferring brain dysfunction, test scores are typically compared to normative data based on estimates of premorbid intelligence (e.g., by educational level or reading scores). However, these methods are likely to lead to differing results, with important diagnostic and forensic implications. The current study compared estimates of impairment (reported in z-scores) based on educational level versus reading scores in a population with traumatic brain injury. The study included 174 patients (M age = 27.3; M education = 12.3) evaluated as outpatients at a university hospital rehabilitation department. Wilcoxen ranked sign tests indicated that the two methods yielded estimates that were statistically different (p <.0001) for all variables. The education based method yielded greater estimates of impairment than the reading score method for WAIS-R FIQ. Grip Strength, and Finger Tapping, with a pattern of generally consistent impairment across cognitive/motor areas (z-score range = -0.59 to -.97). In contrast, the reading score based method yielded greater estimates of impairment in processing speed (Trails A) and flexibility (Trails B), with a wider range of impairment noted between cognitive and motor domains (z-score range = +0.21 to -2.95). Clinical implications are discussed.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1993

Holmium laser sclerostomy: a clinical study.

A prospective study of 30 glaucoma patients (one eye in each patient) treated by an ab externo holmium laser sclerostomy is presented. An average of 40.2 pulses with an energy of 100 mJ was necessary to produce a filtering bleb. The average pre-operative intraocular pressure was 25.5 +/- 7.4 mmHg, with an average of 14.06 +/- 5.7 mmHg post-operatively at the final follow-up. The mean follow-up was 7.5 months (range 5-12 months) and the mean age of the patients was 71.4 years. Using strict criteria 70% of sclerostomies were considered successful at the final follow-up visit. The main post-operative complication was iris plugging of the sclerostomy. This was dealt with successfully with a 'Q'-switched neodymium:YAG laser in 80% of cases. Our early experience with the laser suggests that it is an easy, quick method of producing a filtering bleb, and may be carried out as an office procedure. As the technique evolves its long-term success remains to be evaluated; however, it shows promise both as an alternative to trabeculectomy as a primary procedure and as an additional technique for more complicated cases of glaucoma.

Aged↗
PubMed1987

Psychiatric disorders in a community sample of adolescents.

The prevalence of psychiatric disorders diagnosed according to DSM-III in adolescents in the general population is not known. The authors address this issue in a community sample of 150 adolescents 14-16 years of age. Structured interviews as well as other instruments were used to collect data. Twenty-eight (18.7%) of the 150 adolescents were identified as having a psychiatric disorder. These 28 adolescents viewed their parents as less caring, had lower self-esteem, and resolved their conflicts through verbal aggression and physical violence more often than did the adolescents who did not have a psychiatric disorder. The authors make recommendations regarding the use of structured interviews in future research.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Depression, depressive symptoms, and depressed mood among a community sample of adolescents.

Using a structured interview, the authors found that the prevalence of major depression and dysthymic disorder was 4.7% and 3.3%, respectively, in a community sample of 150 adolescents. All of the adolescents who met the criteria for major depression and dysthymic disorder had other psychiatric disorders as well; anxiety was the most frequent accompanying DSM-III diagnosis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Laser iridectomy. A controlled study comparing argon and neodymium: YAG.

Laser peripheral iridectomies were performed on both eyes of 38 patients with acute or chronic primary angle-closure glaucoma or with narrow angles capable of closure. The right eye was treated with the neodymium YAG laser (Nd:YAG) and the left eye with the argon laser. Patients were followed for a minimum of eight months. The mean number of applications to produce iris penetration was six with the Nd:YAG laser and 73 with the argon laser. Visual acuity, postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP), corneal changes, and pigment dispersion were similar in the two groups. Microhyphema was more prevalent in the Nd:YAG iridectomy group. Pupillary distortion, iritis, and late failure of patency were more frequent in the argon laser group. Nd:YAG laser iridectomies require fewer applications and produce less inflammation. This controlled study demonstrates that when properly and carefully performed, the Nd:YAG laser is at least as effective and appears to be as safe as the argon laser for performing peripheral iridectomies.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Trabeculodialysis for inflammatory glaucoma in children and young adults.

A modified goniotomy (trabeculodialysis) was performed on 30 eyes of 23 patients with secondary glaucoma due to chronic anterior uveitis. All but two patients also suffered from juvenile chronic arthritis (Still's disease, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis). Trabeculodialysis was unsuccessful in lowering intraocular pressure to below 21 mmHg in 12 (40%) of eyes and successful in 18 (60%) of eyes. Of the 18 successful cases, 5 required no additional medication, but in 13 cases the intraocular pressure could only be maintained at a normal level by concomitant anti-glaucoma therapy. The presence of aphakia, extent of preoperative angle closure, and patient's age had no bearing on the outcome.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Laser peripheral iridectomy comparing Q-switched neodymium YAG with argon.

Twenty-five patients who required bilateral peripheral iridectomies had the right eye treated by the Nd YAG laser and the left eye by the pulsed argon laser. The photodisruption of iris tissued produced by the Nd YAG produces a quicker more efficient iridectomy than the thermal effect of the argon laser with less tendency to healing and inflammation. We conclude that Neodymium YAG laser iridectomy is a safe effective alternative to argon laser iridectomy with no increase in complications during the follow up period and is preferred by the patients.

Argon↗
PubMed1984

[Intracapsular cataract extraction using cyclodialysis. A useful method].

Thirty patients requiring cataract extraction for improved vision, and having concurrent primary open-angle glaucoma controlled with varying success by medication, had combined intracapsular cataract extraction and cyclodialysis performed by one surgeon. The average duration of follow-up was 22 months. Visual acuity deteriorated in one case in whom vision was limited to finger counting preoperatively. This patient had very advanced glaucoma and severe optic nerve damage; loss of vision was due to progression of visual field loss involving fixation. Visual acuity was unchanged in three cases; 2 had fingercounting vision, while one patient could discern hand movement preoperatively. All these patients also had far-advanced glaucomatous field loss and one, in addition, had senile macular degeneration. In all other cases there was a significant improvement in visual acuity. The mean intraocular pressure preoperatively was 22.8 mm Hg; three days post-operatively it was 13.6 mm Hg, after three months 17.6 mm Hg, after one year 17.8 mm Hg, and at the final follow-up visit 14.4 mm Hg. The number of medications required to control intraocular pressure decreased markedly. Combined cataract extraction with cyclodialysis appears to be a satisfactory procedure where there is an indication for combined cataract extraction with a glaucoma procedure. It should not be used in candidates who have had previous inflammatory glaucoma or who are not expected to tolerate long-term usage of echothiophate eyedrops following surgery.

Aged↗