Bulbo-sphincteric reflex latency: technique.
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Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to J Agre.
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Thirty-two middle-aged men with essential hypertension completed a double-blind randomly allocated comparison of the effects of methyldopa versus propranolol on blood lipid levels. After a four-week period on a placebo for each drug, subjects were titrated for the next six weeks with either methyldopa from 500 to 2000 mg/day or propranolol from 80 to 320 mg/day plus a placebo for the other drug until supine diastolic blood pressure was below 90 mm Hg or the ceiling dose was reached. Subjects were then maintained on the achieved drug dose for an additional six weeks and finally switched back to a placebo for each drug for four more weeks. Blood lipid levels were measured twice during each study period and the values averaged and compared. Neither drug significantly affected levels of total plasma cholesterol. However, both drugs reduced high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels about 10 per cent and increased the total cholesterol to HDL cholesterol ratio. In addition, propranolol significantly increased plasma triglyceride levels (28.3 per cent). The changes in lipid levels were not dose related. Whether or not these blood lipid changes persist and their possible clinical implication during prolonged therapy remain to be elucidated.
The long-term psychosocial and physical functioning impact of an outpatient interdisciplinary pain management program was evaluated by comparison of pain management completors and a no-treatment group. Although pain intensity did not change and there were no significant differences between groups in several aspects of daily activity, the group that completed the program reported a greater sense of control over pain, had a more hopeful outlook on the future, perceived pain as interfering less with their life, and used strategies that are considered adaptive for long-term management of pain. The results suggest that patients with chronic, complex pain problems can improve perceptions regarding pain control and reduce the interference of pain in their lives. Outlook regarding the future was identified as a critical assessment and treatment variable. Individuals who were more optimistic about the future perceived a greater control over pain and endorsed coping strategies that involve diverting attention, ignoring pain sensations, and making coping self-statements. Although pain intensity rating did not differ, individuals who had a more pessimistic outlook on life considered pain to interfere with their work activity, mood, relations with other people, and overall enjoyment of life to a greater extent than individuals who were more optimistic.