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Biomedical subjects

J T Demopoulos

Publications and source records attributed to J T Demopoulos.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1986

Diabetic neuropathy: electrophysiologic abnormalities of distal lower extremity sensory nerves.

Electrophysiologic parameters of the medial dorsal cutaneous (MDC) and the sural nerves were analyzed in 119 diabetic patients with clinical signs and symptoms of neuropathy. Fifty-five patients were insulin dependent (ID), mean age 47.4, and 64 were non-insulin dependent (NID), mean age 55.2. Using age-adjusted criteria for the sensory nerve action potential (SNAP) amplitude and for conduction velocity (CV), the relative sensitivity of each parameter and the extent of concordance between them within each diabetic group were investigated. In mild neuropathy it was found that: 1) 43% (ID group) and 39% (NID group) had abnormalities of both parameters in both nerves; 2) 10% of MDC nerves and 12% of sural nerves were normal; 3) only 48% of the nerves studied had abnormalities of both parameters; 4) single parameter abnormalities were found with equal frequency. It is concluded that: 1) there is a high degree of concordance between corresponding parameters of the two nerves within each diabetic group; similar abnormalities occur within each group but are manifested at an earlier age in the ID group. 2) In mild diabetic neuropathy, (A) greater than 10% of sensory nerves studied may be normal; (B) less than 50% of nerves studied will have abnormalities of both parameters; (C) since single parameter abnormalities occur with almost equal frequency, both parameters should be taken into account for correct interpretation; (D) the evaluation of both parameters in two lower extremity sensory nerves increases diagnostic sensitivity.

Action Potentials↗
PubMed1985

Distal sensory nerves of the lower extremity in peripheral neuropathy: comparison of medial dorsal cutaneous and sural nerve abnormalities.

This study investigates the sensitivity and usefulness of medial dorsal cutaneous nerve (MDCN) conduction studies in patients with peripheral neuropathy. Two hundred twenty-three patients with clinical signs and symptoms of peripheral neuropathy in their lower extremities were evaluated. Nerve conduction velocity studies of the MDCN were compared to those of the sural and peroneal motor nerves. Fifty-eight percent of the patients had no measurable sensory nerve action potential (SNAP) from either the MDCN or sural nerve or both, indicating moderate to severe neuropathy. Of the remaining patients with mild neuropathy, 12% had a normal sural nerve and an abnormal MDCN, whereas 7% had a normal MDCN and an abnormal sural nerve. Fifty-one percent of the mild cases had normal peroneal motor nerve studies. It is concluded that the MDCN is equal to the sural nerve as a sensitive indicator in all stages of peripheral neuropathy; in mild or early neuropathy approximately 12% of patients will have normal sural nerve studies; and it is important to examine both distal sensory nerves of the leg. Addition of the MDCN study to the standard sural study increases diagnostic accuracy in mild peripheral neuropathy from 88% to nearly 100%.

Action Potentials↗
PubMed1985

Medial and lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerves: standardization of technique, reliability and age effect on healthy subjects.

Techniques for performing antidromic conduction velocity studies on forearm sensory nerves were evaluated in 157 healthy subjects from 17 to 80 years of age. The lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve (LABCN) and the medial antebrachial cutaneous nerve (MABCN) were studied in the same upper extremity at a distance of 14 cm. The mean values for LABCN were amplitude 18.9 microV, latency to peak 2.8 ms and conduction velocity (CV) 61.5 m/s; for MABCN, amplitude 11.4 microV, latency to peak 2.7 ms and CV 62.7 m/s; and for median nerve, CV 62.3 m/s. SNAPs were obtained in 98% of subjects for each forearm sensory nerve. Age-related changes in the MABCN and LABCN were small, but included a decreased number of high value SNAP amplitudes and CVs with advancing age, whereas values for the median nerve showed a slight overall decrease with age. Sex effects were negligible. It is concluded that: LABCN and MABCN conduction studies can be performed with equal and high reliability using standard techniques and the same constant distance; The amplitude of the LABCN tends to be larger than that of the MABCN (76% of subjects); In some subjects MABCN studies are technically more difficult to perform than LABCN studies; Forearm sensory nerve studies may be used in addition to median nerve sensory studies in the evaluation of peripheral neuropathy, brachial plexopathy and local neuropathic conditions.

Action Potentials↗
PubMed1984

Exercise programs for asthmatic children.

The role of exercise in the management of the asthmatic child is now understood to be essential for the child's overall health. With the medications available today, a child, even with complicating EIA, can expect to perform as well as his nonasthmatic peers. In fact, with appropriately set expectations, adequate medical management, and supportive parents, coaches and teachers, the asthmatic child can hope to achieve a physical fitness level compatible with a high quality of life. The physician's role is a key one requiring basic knowledge of medical management, as well as supervising the overall effort. One cannot overlook the satisfaction a doctor experiences when assisting the patient in functioning normally, despite underlying disease.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

Stroke rehabilitation: correlation and prognostic value of computerized tomography and sequential functional assessments.

In a 13-month period, 41 selected patients with cerebrovascular accidents were studied utilizing computerized tomography of the brain and the Barthel index in an attempt to correlate findings with final rehabilitation outcome. Parameters that were studied included age, sex, lesion size and location, and functional status on admission, during hospitalization, and at discharge. Multiple regression analysis assessed impact of the five independent variables on functional outcome as measured by predischarge Barthel scores. Initial Barthel scores emerged as the most reliable predictor factor, explaining 64% of the variability. The study suggested that computerized tomography scans of the brain are presently not as reliable predictors as sequential functional assessments and should be considered as an adjunct measure.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1984

Continuing health professional education: objectives and instructional strategies.

The efficacy of continuing health professional education (CHPE) depends upon both the learner and the teacher. The goals of CHPE activities are to improve, enhance, and maintain the learner's professional competence. This article, third in a series of six on CHPE, focuses on two essential components of CHPE program planning: (1) the establishment of clear and concise educational objectives in the learner's language, and (2) the formulation of appropriate instructional strategies for the learner to achieve those objectives.

Behavior↗
PubMed1977

Experience with an all-plastic patellar tendon-bearing orthosis.

Forty-three patients were fitted with a new all-plastic PTB orthosis over a period of 42 months. The diagnostic categories were primarily musculoskeletal impairments of the tibia and the ankle, with some instances of injury or disease of the plantar surface of the foot. Improvement in cosmesis, orthotic weight-reduction, ease of donning, marked relief of pain, and functional gains in ambulation were reported. No product failures occurred except for minor cracks in the distal plantar surface; replacements were provided to children within 11 to 14 months, and to adults within 19 to 24 months. Of the entire study population, only four preferred their previous long-leg braces that felt more secure after many years of use.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1975

Prosthetic restoration in congenital lower limb deficiency. A case study.

We presented a synopsis of a young girl with congenitally deficient limb who underwent seven corrective surgical procedures and fabrication of a specially designed and constructed prosthesis. The surgical procedures are detailed as in the total rehabilitation approach. We have provided plastic laminated orthoses and prostheses to many patients with congenitally deficient upper and lower limbs. An additional paper will detail our experience with a series of plastic laminated orthoses and prostheses in patients with congentally deficient upper and lower extremities.

Amputation, Surgical↗