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Biomedical subjects

J Betteridge

Publications and source records attributed to J Betteridge.

26 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1992

Long-term thyroxine treatment and bone mineral density.

Studies of the effect of thyroxine replacement therapy on bone mineral density have given conflicting results; the reductions in bone mass reported by some have prompted recommendations that prescribed doses of thyroxine should be reduced. We have examined the effect of long-term thyroxine treatment in a large homogeneous group of patients; all had undergone thyroidectomy for differentiated thyroid cancer but had no history of other thyroid disorders. The 49 patients were matched with controls for age, sex, menopausal status, body mass index, smoking history, and calcium intake score; in all subjects bone mineral density at several femoral and vertebral sites was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Despite long-term thyroxine therapy (mean duration 7.9 [range 1-19] years) at doses (mean 191 [SD 50] micrograms/day) that resulted in higher serum thyroxine and lower serum thyrotropin concentrations than in the controls, the patients showed no evidence of lower bone mineral density than the controls at any site. Nor was bone mineral density correlated with dose, duration of therapy, or cumulative intake, or with tests of thyroid function. There was a decrease in bone density with age in both groups. We suggest that thyroxine alone does not have a significant effect on bone mineral density and hence on risk of osteoporotic fractures.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗
PubMed1989

Medical management of hyperlipidaemia.

There is increasing evidence that plasma cholesterol, and particularly low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, has a causal role in atherogenesis. The benefits of cholesterol lowering in terms of reduction of coronary heart disease is well established. This should encourage the identification and treatment of patients with hyperlipidaemia.

Humans↗
PubMed1988

Combination treatment with cholestyramine and bezafibrate for heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia.

Cholestyramine and bezafibrate were compared individually and in combination in the treatment of 18 patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia. The study used a double blind, placebo controlled block design with a placebo run in period of two months followed by three phases of active treatment, each of two months' duration. Patients were randomly allocated to one of the six possible sequences of medication so that three patients would be treated with each sequence. Two patients withdrew from the study before completion. The median concentration of total cholesterol decreased from 9.65 mmol/l (interquartile range 8.62 to 8.72) to 7.24 mmol/l (6.70 to 7.52) with cholestyramine, to 8.09 mmol/l (7.18 to 8.68) with bezafibrate, and to 6.31 mmol/l (5.84 to 7.27) with the combination. This fall was due almost entirely to a decrease in the low density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration, and the combination was significantly more effective than either drug alone. The 98% confidence intervals for the median differences between the combination and cholestyramine and the combination and bezafibrate were 0.04 to 1.49 mmol/l and 0.51 to 2.18 mmol/l respectively. These results suggest that this combination is an effective and useful treatment in heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Catecholamine content of human erythrocytes.

We used high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection to measure the catecholamine content of human erythrocytes. The ratio of free norepinephrine to epinephrine was three to four times lower than that in plasma and four to seven times lower than that in platelets. This suggests differences in uptake, degradation, or conjugation of norepinephrine and epinephrine by erythrocytes, as compared with plasma and platelets. Erythrocyte free norepinephrine was significantly greater (P less than 0.01) in women than in men.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Facilities for the management of patients with lipid disorders in the United Kingdom: results of the British Hyperlipidaemia Association Survey.

A national survey was undertaken by the British Hyperlipidaemia Association to obtain data on the current clinical practice for the investigation and management of patients with hyperlipidaemia. An additional objective of the survey was to establish a United Kingdom register of lipid clinics. The results show a considerable variation in the availability of lipid clinics, and medical practitioners involved in these clinics came from a variety of specialty backgrounds. Some clinics had clearly defined policies with regard to acceptance of referrals. However, deficiencies in clinical services were identified including the lack of dietetic and laboratory support.

Ambulatory Care Facilities↗