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Biomedical subjects

K Mulpeter

Publications and source records attributed to K Mulpeter.

6 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1993

Changes in levels of IgM RF and alpha 2 PAG correlate with increased disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis during the puerperium.

In this prospective study of 24 pregnant patients with rheumatoid arthritis, quiescent disease activity in 21 patients (88%) during gestation was followed by more active disease in the puerperium in 19 patients (79%). Increased disease activity was reflected in a deterioration in manual dexterity and this was found to correlate with a post-partum rise in IgM rheumatoid factor (IgM RF) (r = 0.86) and a post-partum decline in pregnancy associated alpha-2 glycoprotein (PAG) (r = 0.44). The increase in IgM RF also correlated with increased disease activity measured by a visual analogue scale (r = 0.44). Changes in IgA RF were not observed. These results suggest that PAG and IgM RF could contribute to the modulation and pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis during pregnancy.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Drug-drug interactions in hospital.

Drug prescription charts of 200 randomly selected general medical patients in two Dublin hospitals were examined for potential drug-drug interactions. Using the Stockly Interaction alert, 37% of these patients had potential interactions but in only three was there clinical evidence that an interaction occurred. In an analysis of 150 spontaneous (yellow card) adverse drug reactions reports interactions contributed to only 8%. These results suggest that the importance of interactions as a cause of drug toxicity is commonly over-estimated.

Aged↗
PubMed1990

Hospital formularies: need for continuous intervention.

The effects of introducing a hospital formulary alone and with active intervention were compared prospectively with regard to drug costs and the quality of prescribing. Intervention comprised feedback on prescribing habits, peer comparison, and information on drugs. Aspects of prescribing that were not subjected to intervention did not alter. In the year in which intervention occurred generic prescribing rose by 50%; inappropriate prescribing and overall use of third generation cephalosporins fell; and compliance with the recommended list of drugs was good. Overall, drug costs remained static, compared with a projected increase of 0.25 m pounds; in a comparative control hospital drug costs rose by 18%. During the next year, when no form of intervention took place, previous gains were eroded and drug costs rose. Continuous intervention, review, and feedback are required if a formulary is to continue to achieve its objectives.

Costs and Cost Analysis↗
PubMed1985

Laparoscopic diagnosis of ascites in Lesotho.

In a prospective study of 98 consecutive patients with undiagnosed ascites examined by laparoscopy a correct immediate diagnosis was made in 76 (78%) and a final diagnosis in 92 (94%) of those who underwent laparoscopy. Visual diagnosis was highly accurate in patients with tuberculous peritonitis but only moderately accurate in those with carcinomatosis and liver disease. When the laparoscopic findings were compared with histological and microbiological results visual diagnosis was found to be the most accurate diagnostic method. Laparoscopy may readily be used in rural hospitals for diagnosing ascites.

Ascites↗