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K L Rathmann

Publications and source records attributed to K L Rathmann.

4 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1988

Documenting the activity and effectiveness of a regional drug information center.

The methods of data collection, storage, and retrieval used by the Rocky Mountain Drug Consultation Center (RMDCC) are described. To substantiate that drug information services provided by RMDCC are clinically useful and have a beneficial effect on therapy, data on medication-related problems and case outcomes, as well as demographic data, are stored in an IBM PC-XT using a system that allows searching and linkage of any number of recorded categories. Data were compiled on 28,081 inquiries from health-care professionals and consumers during 1985 and 1986. Analysis revealed that (1) medication-related problems are common (involving 34% of consumer inquiries), especially among the elderly; (2) a positive effect on therapy was made in the majority (76%) of problem cases; and (3) consumers were given drug information by their physician or pharmacist in fewer than half of the cases in which medications were prescribed and dispensed. A computer-based system to assist in analyzing information can be an important asset in documenting the activity and effectiveness of a regional drug information center.

Colorado↗
PubMed1984

Alzheimer's disease: clinical features, pathogenesis, and treatment.

Alzheimer's disease is an insidious degenerative disease of the brain and is the leading cause of dementia in the U.S. Numerous etiologies have been postulated, including a large body of evidence suggesting a slow viral infection, possibly in genetically predisposed individuals, but this remains to be proven. Differential diagnosis is based primarily on exclusion of other treatable forms of dementia. Neurochemical studies suggest a cholinergic deficit; thus primary emphasis in treatment has been directed at enhancing cholinergic activity. Choline and lecithin supplementation generally has been ineffective. Results with physostigmine are encouraging and further studies with this drug prototype are needed. Physostigmine's clinical usefulness is limited, however, due to peripheral side effects and its short duration of action. Other pharmacological approaches, such as naloxone, neural metabolic enhancers, stimulants, and vasopressin analogs, have been investigated. The clinical features and pathology of the disease are reviewed.

Acetylcholine↗
PubMed1984

Chelation therapy of atherosclerosis.

Chelation therapy with intravenous injections of edetate disodium is being promoted to the public as a nonsurgical means to treat coronary or other arterial atherosclerosis. The rationale for use, clinical efficacy, and safety are reviewed. Acceptable evidence supporting chelation therapy for atherosclerotic vascular disease is lacking.

Adult↗