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Biomedical subjects

J Groh

Publications and source records attributed to J Groh.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Minimum important difference between patients with rheumatoid arthritis: the patient's perspective.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the point at which differences in clinical assessment scores on physical ability, pain and overall condition are sufficiently large to correspond to a subjective perception of a meaningful difference from the perspective of the patient. METHODS: Forty patients with a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis participated in an evening of clinical assessment and one-on-one conversations with each other regarding their arthritic condition. The assessments included tender and swollen joint counts, clinician and patient global assessments, participant assessment of pain and the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) on physical ability. After each conversation, participants rated themselves relative to their conversational partner on physical ability, pain and overall condition. These subjective comparative ratings were compared to the differences of the individual clinical assessments. RESULTS: In total there were 120 conversations. Generally participants judged themselves as less disabled than others. They rated themselves as "somewhat better" than their conversation partner when they had a (mean) 7% better score on the HAQ, 6% less pain, and 9% better global assessment. In contrast, they rated themselves as "somewhat worse" when they had a (mean) 16% worse score on the HAQ, 16% more pain, and 29% worse global assessment. CONCLUSIONS: Patients view clinically important differences in an asymmetric manner. These results can provide guidance in interpreting results and planning clinical trials.

Aged↗

An experimental model for simultaneous quantitative analysis of pulmonary micro- and macrocirculation during unilateral hypoxia in vivo.

An experimental model was developed for quantitative analysis of pulmonary microcirculation using in vivo fluorescence videomicroscopy during unilateral hypoxia induced by one-lung ventilation (1 LV). In five white New Zealand rabbits, pulmonary arterioles on the surface of the right lung were visualized by means of intra-arterial injection of FITC-labeled erythrocytes and FITC-Dextran. During 1 LV of the left lung, the mean airway pressure in the right lung was kept at the level of two-lung ventilation (2 LV) by means of N2-CPAP. Arteriolar diameters as well as parameters of macrocirculation (AP, CVP, PAP, LAP, CO) and gas exchange (paO2, Qs/Qt) were measured simultaneously during 2 LV and 1 LV. FiO2 was kept constant at 1.0 during both experimental phases. Macrohemodynamic parameters during 1 LV did not differ from those measured during 2 LV. 1 LV induced a significant decrease in paO2 (213 +/- 105 versus 427 +/- 22 mm Hg, P < 0.05) and a significant increase in Qs/Qt (22 +/- 7 versus 13 +/- 2%, P < 0.05). During 2 LV (baseline), the pulmonary arteriolar diameters ranged from 15-120 microns. 1 LV resulted in a significant decrease of arteriolar diameters to 89.0 +/- 9.3% of baseline (P < 0.05). Relative changes in arteriolar diameters were similar for vessels with baseline diameters of 0-40, 40-60, and 60-120 microns (88.4 +/- 9.9%, 89.6 +/- 9.4%, and 88.4 +/- 8.7%, respectively). The present model is the first one allowing in-vivo investigation of HPV during 1 LV and 2 LV on the basis of simultaneous measurement of pulmonary arteriolar diameters and macrocirculatory parameters in vivo. Although PAP and PVR did not change significantly, a reduction of pulmonary arteriolar diameters was proven in response to alveolar hypoxia during 1 LV. We suggest the model to be useful in studying the physiological effects of HPV on macro- and microcirculation as well as investigating pathophysiological and pharmacological influences on HPV.

Animals↗

Effect of interpleural morphine on postoperative pain and pulmonary function after thoracotomy.

We have investigated the effect of interpleural morphine on postoperative pain and pulmonary function after thoracotomy. At the end of surgery, an interpleural catheter was inserted in 17 patients and, in a double-blind and randomized manner, either a bolus of morphine 2.5 mg interpleurally (i.p.) and normal saline i.v. (group I) or, as a control for systemic absorption, morphine 2.5 mg i.v. and i.p. saline (group II) was injected. After the initial bolus, a continuous infusion of morphine 0.5 mg h-1 i.p. and saline i.v. (group I) or morphine 0.5 mg i.v. and saline i.p. (group II) was maintained for 24 h. Postoperative pain was assessed by a visual analogue scale, a numerical rating scale and the McGill Pain Questionnaire. Pulmonary function was assessed by spirometry. Supplementary analgesics, side effects, degree of sedation, vital signs and chest tube drainage were recorded. All variables were assessed on the day before surgery and 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 24 h and 7 days after surgery. Supplementary morphine was given upon request. There was no significant difference in any pain measure or postoperative pulmonary function variable between the groups. We conclude that, after thoracotomy, interpleural morphine does not provide superior analgesia or improve pulmonary function compared with systemic morphine.

Forced Expiratory Volume↗

[Uptake and distribution of hematoporphyrin derivatives (HPD) in arteriosclerotic and normal vessel segments].

Percutaneous treatment of vascular disease is limited by a relatively high long-term restenosis rate. Proliferation of smooth muscle cells may be one of the major reasons for restenosis. Therefore, due to its selective cytotoxic effect, photodynamic therapy (PDT) with HPD-injection and local laser light-application might be a promising therapeutic principle as prophylaxis of restenosis. Up to now, PDT has been used clinically in the treatment of superficial tumors. We studied its potential application as an antiproliferative modality for restenosis prophylaxis. Basic conditions for therapeutic use are: uptake of HPD in arteriosclerotic vessels; arteriosclerotic lesions show a higher photosensitivity than normal vessel after application of HPD. We investigated the uptake of HPD (Photofrin II) in normal (n = 15) and arteriosclerotic (primary lesions n = 52; restenosis n = 10) human vessel segments using quantitative fluorescence detection after incubation with 2.5 micrograms and 5 micrograms HPD/ml cell culture medium. HPD content, as reflected by fluorescence intensity, was measured after 15, 30, 60 min, and 24 h of incubation. Fluorescence intensity was concentration-dependent, with 80% of the maximal uptake reached at 1 h. A preferential uptake of HPD was measured in arteriosclerotic as compared to normal vessel segments (primary lesion: fluorescence-ratio of 3:1 at 1 h; restenosed lesion: fluorescence-ratio of 4:1 at 1 h). In addition, highly cellular plaque segments like restenosed material showed markedly increased fluorescence as compared to acellular matrix. Uptake of HPD was quickly (within 1 h) and preferentially detected in arteriosclerotic segments. A selective cytotoxic effect when combined with laser light may result and could be applied to restenosis prophylaxis.

Arteriosclerosis↗

The effects of comprehensive home physiotherapy and supervision on patients with ankylosing spondylitis--a randomized controlled trial.

Fifty-three patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) were randomly allocated; 26 experimental patients received physiotherapy and disease education, 27 control patients received neither. The primary treatment outcome was change in spinal mobility measured at 4 months by fingertip-to-floor distance. Experimental patients had more improvement in fingertip-to-floor distance (p2 less than 0.004) and in function (p2 less than 0.001) than control patients. Physiotherapy with disease education is effective in the treatment of patients with AS.

Adolescent↗

[Hypovolemic-hemorrhagic shock. Pathophysiology and therapy].

The common features of all different kinds of circulatory shock are a disturbance of the microcirculation and an imbalance between cellular oxygen demand and supply. The pathophysiology is discussed by the example of hypovolemic-hemorrhagic shock, including macrocirculation, humoral regulatory mechanisms, the role of vascular endothelium, and cellular dysfunction. The first aim of therapeutic efforts is the rapid restitution of a normal circulatory volume as a basic requirement for the normalisation of the microcirculation. Actual concepts of volume substitution and transfusion therapy are presented.

Blood Transfusion↗

[Anesthesia for magnetic resonance tomography].

Monitoring of the vital signs and the possibility of respiratory support are necessary conditions for the application of magnetic resonance imaging to infants and geriatric patients as well as during intensive care therapy. Since April 1986, 73 patients have been scanned under general anesthesia with controlled artificial ventilation in the Grosshadern University Hospital. For the first time, the ventilator could be placed in the vicinity of the magnetic resonance imaging scanner. With this system, the anesthesiologist is able to inspect the patient, ventilator, and monitoring unit from one place in the examination room.

Adolescent↗

The total assessment of rheumatoid polyarthritis--evaluation of a training program for physiotherapists and occupational therapists.

We evaluated a training program for physiotherapists and occupational therapists in the total assessment of patients with rheumatoid polyarthritis. Close agreement was seen between the active joint counts of the rheumatologists and 36 therapists (p2 = 0.23). In the 7 quality variables for bedside case workups, a statistically significant learning effect was seen over the 6 week period (p2 = less than 0.005). In the 10 quality variables for the case presentations at Week 6, judged at the graduate medical trainee level, mean global scores achieved were 72.5%. Therapists reported a high level of satisfaction with all components of the program.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗

[Heart dislocation following extensive lung resection with partial pericardial resection].

Cardiac herniation is a rare but dramatic complication of pulmonary resection that demands urgent treatment. About 50 patients have been reported in the literature; 50% of them died. Symptoms vary depending on the location of the pericardial defect. Cardiac output falls, central venous pressure rises, and cyanosis develops that does not respond to oxygen administration. Right-sided herniation is characterized primarily by decreased blood pressure and tachycardia due to kinking or torsion of both superior and inferior venae cavae and subsequent reduction of cardiac filling. Left-sided herniation more often produces ischemic ECG changes and dysrhythmias due to jamming of the ventricles between the edges of the pericardial defect. Without intervention irreversible myocardial damage may rapidly result. Luxation typically arises at the end of the operation or in the early postoperative period. Precipitating factors are suction on the chest tube, changes in the patient's positioning, positive pressure ventilation to expand the remaining lung segments, coughing and extubation. In right-sided luxation an anteroposterior chest X-ray will substantiate the diagnosis without difficulty; in left-sided luxation the chest film may not show a similarly striking finding. Often dramatic deterioration in the patient's status may not allow time for diagnostic procedures. In case of doubt, immediate rethoracotomy is indicated. In the case observed, a 47-year-old woman underwent right pleuropneumonectomy with partial pericardectomy and intrapericardial ligation of the pulmonary vessels.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adenocarcinoma↗