Association between plasma folate and coronary disease independent of homocysteine.
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Case-Control Studies↗
Biomedical subjects
J H Wlodarczyk
Publications and source records attributed to J H Wlodarczyk.
Severe exacerbation of chronic obstructive airways disease: health resource use in general practice and hospital.
The objective of this study is to examine the treatment of exacerbations of chronic obstructive airways disease (COAD) in the hospital and in the community setting using a retrospective study of patients admitted to a major teaching hospital combined with a general practice chart audit. The admission records for 248 admissions from 128 patients were reviewed. Most patients (70%) had visited their GP within 2 weeks of admission, antibiotics were prescribed for 30% of the exacerbations while 51% were treated with ingested corticosteroids. During hospitalization, features of infection were present in 64% (n = 159) of exacerbations and 79% (n = 196) received antibiotics. Patients were also treated with nebulized bronchodilators, oxygen and corticosteroids (82%). The median length of stay was 10 days (range 0-55). There was a high readmission rate (70%) at 1 year for exacerbation of COAD during the study period. Exacerbations of COAD frequently demonstrated the clinical features of infection. Treatment in general practice was less intensive than in hospital, and there is a need to reconcile these differences with studies of early therapy with antibiotics and corticosteroids. Although corticosteroids were used less often in general practice, the literature in this area is not conclusive and the evidence supporting guideline recommendations is not explicit. There are opportunities to examine the role of early therapy and early discharge programmes to minimize the cost burden from exacerbations of COAD.
Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
Development of bronchial hyperreactivity following transient absence of salivary IgA.
In a birth cohort of 114 normal children, this study examined the hypothesis that a transient absence of salivary IgA in the first year of life was associated with an increased risk of developing atopy, asthma, or bronchial hyperreactivity (BHR) later in life. Episodes of transient absence of IgA in saliva, of less than 1 mo, occurred in 18% of the study population in the first year of life. The children were assessed at age 7.5 to 12 yr for the presence of atopy (skin prick test to inhaled allergens), asthma (wheeze in the previous 12 mo), and BHR (histamine provocation). The transient absence of salivary IgA in the first year of life was associated with an increased risk of BHR (adjusted odds ratio [Adj OR]: 11.6; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.2 to 60.9) and a trend toward a lowered risk of atopy to inhaled allergens (raw OR: 0.35; CI: 0.11 to 1.11). There was no relationship between the transient absence of salivary IgA and a clinical diagnosis of asthma (Adj OR: 0.9; CI: 0.2 to 3.6). The inconsistency in the relationships between the transient absence of salivary IgA and atopy, asthma, and BHR supports the concept that atopy, wheeze, and bronchial hyperreactivity are independent clinical outcomes. One possible explanation for the relationships observed in this study is that the transient absence of IgA in saliva in the first year of life identifies a cohort with mucosal hypoimmunity. These subjects are thus less likely to develop atopy and less able to effectively respond to a mucosal infection. Presentation of a mucosal antigen in these subjects may subsequently be associated with an inappropriate inflammatory response, which conditions bronchial hyperreactivity, and which is independent of atopy.
Air Pollutants↗
A clinical evaluation in children of the Pharmacia ImmunoCAP system for inhalant allergens.
BACKGROUND: The Pharmacia ImmunoCAP system (CAP) for assaying serum IgE specific antibodies was evaluated in a clinical setting against skin-prick test (SPT) performed using Dome/Hollister-Steir allergen extracts. The five common inhalant allergens D. pteronyssinus, D. farinae, mould mix, grass mix and cat epithelium were tested concurrently by both methods in 167 children aged 7.5-12 years. The specific SPT for D. pteronyssinus and D. farinae were also tested against the CAP house dust mite (HDM) mix. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to determine the sensitivity and specificity of the Pharmacia ImmunoCAP system for detecting serum IgE specific antibodies to inhalant allergens in a clinical setting, using SPT result as the "gold standard'. METHODS: The SPTs were performed using Dome/Hollister-Steir allergen extracts. The serum IgE specific antibodies were quantitated using the radioimmunoassay version of the Pharmacia ImmunoCAP system. A history of allergic disease was assessed using a validated questionnaire. RESULTS: SPT gave more positive reactions than CAP with the exception of cat epithelium. The concordance between SPT and CAP results was 91% over all the tests. The concordance with SPT was slightly higher for the specific CAP for D. pteronyssinus and D. farinae (93% and 95% respectively) than for the CAP HDM mix (86% and 90% respectively). There was a higher proportion of positive results for both SPT and CAP in the 115 children defined as having a history of allergic disease. Using SPT defined allergy as the gold standard, the sensitivity of the CAP system was 87% for the two specific house dust mites but was lower for cat epithelium (67%), mould mix (59%) and grass mix (46%). The sensitivity of the CAP system improved for D. pteronyssinus (96%) and the HDM mix (91%) when tested in subjects defined as having a history of allergy associated disease. The specificity of the CAP system showed less variation between allergens and ranged from 90-99%. CONCLUSION: The results of this study of children aged 7.5-12 years demonstrate that, for the inhalant allergens tested, the Pharmacia ImmunoCAP system performs well in the setting of known allergic disease.
Allergens↗
Continuity of care by a midwife team versus routine care during pregnancy and birth: a randomised trial.
OBJECTIVE: To compare continuity of care from a midwife team with routine care from a variety of doctors and midwives. DESIGN: A stratified, randomised controlled trial. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: 814 women attending the antenatal clinic of a tertiary referral, university hospital. INTERVENTION: Women were randomly allocated to team care from a team of six midwives, or routine care from a variety of doctors and midwives. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Antenatal, intrapartum and neonatal events; maternal satisfaction; and cost of treatment. RESULTS: 405 women were randomly allocated to team care and 409 to routine care; they delivered 385 and 386 babies, respectively. Team care women were more likely to attend antenatal classes (OR, 1.73; 95% CI, 1.23-2.42); less likely to use pethidine during labour (OR, 0.32; 95% CI, 0.22-0.46); and more likely to labour and deliver without intervention (OR, 1.73; 95% CI, 1.28-2.34). Babies of team care mothers received less neonatal resuscitation (OR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.41-0.86), although there was no difference in Apgar scores at five minutes (OR, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.29-2.57). The stillbirth and neonatal death rate was the same for both groups of mothers with a singleton pregnancy (three deaths), but there were three deaths (birthweights of 600 g, 660 g, 1340 g) in twin pregnancies in the group receiving team care. Team care was rated better than routine care for all measures of maternal satisfaction. Team care meant a cost reduction of 4.5%. CONCLUSION: Continuity of care provided by a small team of midwives resulted in a more satisfying birth experience at less cost than routine care and fewer adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. Although a much larger study would be required to provide adequate power to detect rare outcomes, our study found that continuity of care by a midwife team was as safe as routine care.
Adult↗
Exercise, stress and mucosal immunity in elite swimmers.
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Adolescent↗
Drug delivery in asthma: a comparison of spacers with a jet nebuliser.
BACKGROUND: Although spacer devices are frequently used for aerosol therapy in asthma, the commonly used spacers have undergone little controlled evaluation, and their relation to nebuliser therapy is unclear. AIMS: The aims of this study were to compare three delivery methods (Breath-A-Tech spacer, Volumatic spacer and jet nebuliser) for the administration of salbutamol to reverse acute histamine induced airway narrowing in asthma (Study 1); and to assess asthma control during two weeks use of inhaled therapy via Volumatic or Breath-A-Tech spacer (Study 2). METHODS: A randomised double-blind cross-over comparison was conducted. In Study 1, 27 adults with stable asthma who were currently using pressurised metered dose inhaler therapy attended for three study days. On each study day subjects inhaled doubling doses of histamine and were randomised to receive: (a) salbutamol 200 micrograms via Breath-A-Tech spacer and placebo 200 micrograms via Volumatic spacer; (b) placebo two puffs via Breath-A-Tech spacer and salbutamol 200 micrograms via Volumatic spacer; or (c) salbutamol 1 mg in 2 mL saline via jet nebuliser. FEV1 and FEF 25-75% were measured at two minute intervals for 20 minutes. In Study 2, subjects were randomised to use regular asthma medication by Volumatic or Breath-A-Tech spacers and recorded symptoms and peak expiratory flow (PEF) in a daily diary. RESULTS: Lung function improved from a baseline FEV1 of 51% predicted to 72% after salbutamol inhalation from each of the delivery systems. The spacers and nebulisers produced the same maximum improvement in FEV1, however, lung function improved more rapidly when salbutamol was delivered by spacer. There was no difference in asthma control comparing inhaler use via Breath-A-Tech with Volumatic spacer over two weeks use. Subject preference favoured the Breath-A-Tech spacer (72% vs 4%). CONCLUSIONS: The Volumatic and Breath-A-Tech spacer devices are effective delivery systems in asthma and may offer a more rapid response than jet nebulisation at a lower cost.
Adult↗
The significance of transient mucosal IgA deficiency on the development of asthma and atopy in children.
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Asthma↗
Acquired IgA deficiency.
During a prospective study of the ontogeny of the mucosal immune system using saliva, one subject acquired a selective IgA deficiency at 3 years 6 months of age. Prior to this time the infant had normal ontogeny patterns for salivary immunoglobulins and the salivary IgA was confirmed to be dimeric IgA containing secretory component. Two respiratory tract infections at 3 years 4 months and 3 years 5 months were reported prior to the collection of a saliva sample which was deficient in IgA. All subsequent saliva collections remained IgA deficient. Serum and saliva collected at 11 years of age confirmed persistent IgA deficiency. There was a family history of organ-specific autoimmune disease. The prospectively collected data indicate in this subject that the IgA deficiency was not congenital, but was acquired closely associated with two episodes of respiratory tract infections, against a genetic background of disturbed immune regulation.
Adolescent↗
Use of the fistula assessment monitor to detect stenoses in access fistulae.
Twenty-three unselected hemodialysis patients with functioning access arteriovenous fistulae were studied prospectively to determine the best technique for detecting stenoses within the fistulae. Combined clinical assessment and fistula assessment monitoring were compared with transbrachial angiography. Fistula assessment monitoring was more accurate (96%) than combined clinical assessment (accuracy, 52%) in stenosis detection. Complications of angiography occurred in 17% of patients; there were no complications of fistula assessment monitoring. Fistula assessment monitoring was better than combined clinical assessment in predicting clinical outcome for arteriovenous fistulae over 6 months and was as good as angiography. Routine fistula assessment monitoring could reduce inappropriate angiography and detect clinically significant silent stenoses. It is an ideal method for monitoring arteriovenous access fistulae.
Angiography↗
The variability of immunoglobulins and albumin in salivary secretions of children.
The variation of concentrations of immunoglobulins and albumin in consecutive daily collections of saliva was studied in 33 infants, aged 6 months to 5 years, for periods ranging from 16 to 26 days. The concentration and the within-child variability of IgA and albumin and the detection of IgG and IgM in saliva increased with age. Between-child variances were greater than the within-child variances by a factor of 2.8 for log (IgA) and 1.3 for log (albumin). The geometric mean IgA levels were consistently higher and IgG was detected more frequently during upper respiratory tract infections compared with periods of non-infection. There were no changes in albumin levels between infection and non-infection periods, suggesting a local immune response rather than serum leakage. There were significant within-child correlations (autocorrelations) between levels of IgA in saliva collected on consecutive days and samples collected up to 3 days apart. The autocorrelations between levels of albumin were significant for samples collected up to 2 days apart. The autocorrelation for IgA was significantly greater during infection periods compared with non-infection periods for samples collected on consecutive days.
Age Factors↗
Evaluation of a new asthma questionnaire.
The new International Union Against Tuberculosis (IUAT) bronchial symptoms questionnaire was completed by 827 subjects participating in a prospective study of respiratory symptoms and lung function in aluminum smelter workers. A modified Medical Research Council (MRC) questionnaire was also administered. Bronchial reactivity (BR) was measured in 809 subjects by methacholine challenge using a rapid method. Factor analysis demonstrated sensible clustering of responses to items unique to the new questionnaire such as nocturnal, spontaneous, and postexertional dyspnea, dust-induced dyspnea and tightness, and breathing difficulty. Responses to IUAT questions concerning past asthma, wheeze, chest tightness, morning cough and sputum, and asthma medication agreed well with corresponding items from the MRC questionnaire. Questions concerning asthma, medication, dust-induced, nocturnal, and spontaneous dyspnea, chest tightness, wheeze, nocturnal cough, postexertional dyspnea and breathing difficulty also had high validity against the criterion of concurrently measured bronchial reactivity. It is concluded that the IUAT questionnaire is a valid asthma questionnaire.
Asthma↗
Ureteral stenosis in renal transplantation.
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Constriction, Pathologic↗
Does aluminum smelting cause lung disease?
The evidence concerning a relationship between work in the aluminum industry and lung disease has been reviewed using epidemiologic criteria. Adequate data on environmental exposure are rarely presented. Case series on aluminum potroom workers over the past 50 years have identified an asthmalike syndrome that appears to be due to an irritant rather than an allergic mechanism. These studies have been supported by evidence of within shift variability of measures of lung function. However, to date, there is inadequate evidence to resolve the question of whether potroom exposure initiates asthma or merely precipitates asthmalike symptoms in a predisposed individual. Cross-sectional studies have demonstrated evidence of reduced lung function, consistent with chronic airflow limitation. In exposed aluminum smelter workers compared to unexposed control subjects. Cigarette smoking, the major potential confounding variable, has been measured and accounted for in multivariate analyses. To date, evidence is lacking from longitudinal studies about the development of disabling chronic obstructive lung disease. Exposure to coal tar pitch volatiles in the production and consumption of anodes has biologic plausibility for an association of lung cancer with work in an aluminum smelter. Although retrospective mortality studies have failed to account for the probable high prevalence of smoking in blue collar workers, the relative risk of lung cancer is very low if present at all. Pulmonary fibrosis has not been shown to be a significant problem in aluminum smelter workers. Future research in the aluminum industry needs to concentrate on longitudinal studies, preferably with an inception cohort for the investigation of potroom asthma.
Aluminum↗
Efficacy of oral immunization against non-typable Haemophilus influenzae in man.
An oral polybacterial vaccine containing 1.5 X 10(9) killed Haemophilus influenzae per tablet stimulated salivary IgA anti H. influenzae antibody compared to placebo control groups according to statistical analysis using parameter estimates for the logistic model of best fit. Significant antibody secretion could only be demonstrated when three-monthly courses were taken, and when the H. influenzae were combined in a polybacterial mix. This latter form of H. influenzae is functionally defined as adjuvenated. Increasing the immunising dose 60 fold in the absence of the non H. influenzae bacterial species did not stimulate a detectable increase in salivary antibody.
Administration, Oral↗
IgD in infant saliva.
The ontogeny patterns of IgD in saliva were studied prospectively in 27 healthy full-term infants. The concentrations and the proportion of samples with detectable levels of IgD were higher near birth. After 6 months of age IgD was rarely detected in saliva. There was an inverse association between the detection of IgD and IgA in saliva. There were no correlations between IgD and IgG or albumin. These observations support the theory that IgD synthesis and secretion at mucosal sites reflects a 'physiological' deficiency in IgA synthesis.
Child, Preschool↗
The development of IgA-specific antibodies to Escherichia coli O antigen in children.
One hundred and sixty-five infants were studied longitudinally from birth to 5 years of age. One hundred and twenty-three school-age children and 27 adults were examined cross-sectionally. Total salivary IgA levels and IgA antibodies against Escherichia coli O antigens were measured. Total IgA levels were low (less than 20 mg/l) from birth to 4 years of age. At 5 years of age there was a dramatic increase in the total IgA level (geometric mean = 100.7 mg/l), after which the levels fell to values similar to those observed in adults (adult geometric mean = 53.2 mg/l). Low levels of IgA-specific E. coli antibodies were observed for the first 4 years of life (less than 1.0 ELISA units). There was a gradual increase in specific antibodies between 5 and 9 years of age (geometric men at 9 years = 4.66 ELISA units) to levels similar to those observed in adults (adult geometric mean = 8.20 ELISA units). It is suggested that the patterns of development for these variables reflect a balance between antigenic exposure and immune control mechanisms.
Adolescent↗