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Biomedical subjects

J Sperber

Publications and source records attributed to J Sperber.

11 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

The GLBT Health Access Project: a state-funded effort to improve access to care.

The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender (GLBT) Health Access Project is a unique public-private collaboration working to eliminate barriers to health care for the GLBT community, foster development of comprehensive, culturally appropriate health promotion policies and health care services for GLBT people and their families, and expand appropriate data collection on GLBT health. Funded by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, the project developed community standards of practice for provision of quality health care services to GLBT clients. A health access training curriculum was developed and technical assistance was offered to health care providers implementing the standards, which cover personnel, clients' rights, intake and assessment, service delivery and planning, confidentiality, and community outreach and health promotion. Training participants (324 individuals from 89 agencies) reported positive though not statistically significant changes in attitude.

Community Health Planning↗
PubMed1989

Psychological components and the role of adjunct interventions in chronic idiopathic urticaria.

A psychological assessment (Symptom Checklist-90) was performed on 19 patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria. Compared to the control group, the urticaria patients had significantly higher scores on the scales of somatization, obsessive-compulsive, interpersonal sensitivity, depression, and anxiety. In general, the urticaria patients were quite anxious and experienced significant discomfort in interpersonal relationships. Based on the results of this study and other similar reports in the literature, it is suggested that adjunctive treatment of urticaria patients should focus primarily on stress management training aimed at relieving anxiety and group therapy which focuses on an exploration of interpersonal issues.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Episodic twice-daily treatment for recurrent genital herpes.

A new dosage regimen of orally administered acyclovir, 800 mg twice daily for five days, for the treatment of recurrent genital herpes was compared with the standard dosage of 200 mg given five times per day. A double-blind study of 157 patients was used to evaluate the safety and efficacy of both regimens. The new regimen was well tolerated, more convenient, and as effective as the standard dosage. In male patients, the new regimen may be more effective than the standard regimen of 200 mg given five times per day to treat lesions that are already present.

Acyclovir↗
PubMed1988

Fatal varicella in an adult.

Chickenpox (varicella) is generally considered a childhood disease. Although adults account for only 1.5 percent of patients affected, they account for 27.6 percent of total deaths. We report on a 25-year-old white man who died of varicella. We hope that this report will alert the physician to the serious nature of primary varicella infection in adults.

Acyclovir↗
PubMed1987

Treatment of pediculosis pubis. Clinical comparison of efficacy and tolerance of 1% lindane shampoo vs 1% permethrin creme rinse.

Pediculosis pubis (PP) is a common sexually transmitted disease. Current therapy with 1% lindane or various synergized pyrethrins as a single dose has been accepted as adequate by the medical community. We treated 53 men with the diagnosis of PP with either 1% lindane (Kwell) shampoo for four minutes or 1% permethrin (Nix) creme rinse for ten minutes, according to random assignment. All patients combed with fine-toothed combs immediately after therapy. They were examined for tolerance and efficacy at 24 to 48 hours and again at ten days (eight- to 12-day range). In the lindane group, ten (40%) of 25 subjects were infested at the final assessment. In the permethrin group, 12 (43%) of 28 subjects were infested at the final assessment. The difference was not statistically significant. Both treatments were well tolerated, with one mild adverse reaction in each group. We concluded that both agents were equivalent in the treatment of PP. On the basis of the high failure rate, we propose that the therapy of PP with any agent should include a second treatment at ten days.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Comparison of cosmesis following healing by surgical closure and second intention.

When deciding on whether to surgically close a wound or allow granulation and epithelialization to occur, it is necessary to evaluate each patient individually. The patient's needs and desires, along with cost effectiveness, immediate versus delayed gratification, and convalescent time must all be considered. Also, the skill of the surgeon and the resources available to both the surgeon and the patient must be taken into consideration.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Genital white piedra: epidemiology, microbiology, and therapy.

The epidemiology of genital white piedra was investigated in 166 young men with a variety of genital complaints. Trichosporon beigelii was isolated from sixty-six (40%) of the cultured scrotal hairs. Infection was more common among black patients--54% of those examined, compared to 16% of white patients and 30% of "others" (p less than 0.001). There was no relationship between infection and foreign travel. White piedra was also found in young women, but less frequently than in young men (14% vs 40%, respectively). Transmission rarely occurred from person to person. Occasionally multiple body sites were simultaneously infected. A relationship may exist between T. beigelii and Corynebacterium concurrently infecting genital hair shafts. Eradication of infection was extremely difficult, despite in vitro sensitivity to antifungal agents. Spontaneous remissions occurred, however, in some patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Oral acyclovir for episodic treatment of recurrent genital herpes. Efficacy and safety.

This multicenter double-blind study of 157 patients was designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a new dosage regimen of oral acyclovir (800 mg twice a day for 5 days) for the treatment of recurrent genital herpes. The new regimen was compared with the standard dosage of 200 mg given five times a day to patients treated for three consecutive episodes (one episode with physician-initiated therapy and two with patient-initiated therapy) and followed up for three untreated episodes. The new regimen was well tolerated and effective. In male patients it may be more effective than the standard regimen of 200 mg given five times a day to treat vesicles that are already present.

Acyclovir↗
PubMed1986

Erythema multiforme due to herpes simplex: treatment with oral acyclovir.

We have reported a case of severe erythema multiforme caused by outbreaks of recurrent HSV-2 infection. The EM was debilitating and responded to the treatment of HSV with oral acyclovir. On stopping the oral acyclovir, the HSV and the EM both recurred. We recommend a trial of oral acyclovir in cases of severe EM caused by recurrent HSV.

Acyclovir↗