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Biomedical subjects

K Petersen

Publications and source records attributed to K Petersen.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Changes induced in serum protein profiles by ovarian stimulation during in-vitro fertilization--embryo transfer treatment: a comparison between conception and non-conception cycles.

The profiles of plasma protein concentrations during the follicular phase in unstimulated women and in women undergoing ovarian stimulation for in-vitro fertilization--embryo transfer (IVF-ET) treatment are described. Plasma protein concentrations are correlated with those of total oestradiol (protein-bound and free) and total progesterone. In addition, 10 conception cycles and 18 non-conception cycles are compared in an attempt to identify predictors of successful treatment. Ovarian stimulation caused a significant increase in follicular phase in serum concentrations of sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), cortisol binding protein (CBP) and insulin-like growth factor binding protein 1 (IGFBP1). In contrast no increase was observed in unstimulated cycles. Serum levels of endometrial protein PP14 decreased significantly during the follicular phase in both stimulated and unstimulated cycles. Levels of pregnancy zone protein (PZP) were more than doubled at the time of oocyte aspiration compared to the unstimulated cycles. Albumin concentrations were unchanged by the stimulation. Throughout the follicular phase, levels of SHBG were significantly higher, and total oestradiol significantly lower in women who became pregnant, than in those who did not. Therefore, a low concentration of free, biologically active oestradiol seemed to favour pregnancy, as the concentration of albumin is similar in the two groups. The endometrial protein PP14 was significantly lower during the follicular phase in conception than in non-conceptional cycles. On day 2 of the treatment cycle, the PP14 concentration showed a 75% correct prediction of conception and non-conception cycles. These results suggest that levels of PP14 may predict successful IVF cycles even before hormonal treatment is commenced.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

The family v. the family court: sterilisation issues.

Parents as guardians of minor children have the right and duty to give and withhold consent to medical treatment when the treatment is neither routine nor urgent. Parental authority, however, is not absolute and dwindles as the child gradually matures. In general, teenagers can give consent to medical treatment if they understand the nature and consequences of the proposed treatment. The diminution of parental authority is based on the premise that the child will eventually become autonomous. In cases where a sterilisation or hysterectomy procedure is being considered for a severely intellectually disabled teenager the question of consent is most contentious. Should this power belong to parents or the state? This paper examines some recent Family Court cases concerning this issue and also addresses questions about human rights, medical autonomy and the role of the Family Court. Finally, a proposal for an alternative means of decision-making in these cases is briefly outlined.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Lipoptena cervi (Diptera), a potential vector of Megatrypanum trypanosomes of deer (Cervidae).

In three different areas in northern Germany, hippoboscids were collected from red deer (Cervus elaphus). Typanosomatids were demonstrated in the midgut and hindgut of 9/37 Lipoptena cervi. The trypanosomatids were morphologically similar to vector forms of the subgenus Megatrypanum that had been found in tabanids at the same location 5 years previously. Hippoboscids are therefore potential vectors of Trypanosoma (Megatrypanum) spp. that infect red deer.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Thyroid disease in middle-aged and elderly Swedish women: thyroid-related hormones, thyroid dysfunction and goitre in relation to age and smoking.

The prevalence of thyroid disease and the concentration of thyroid hormones and thyrotropin were studied in a random population sample of 1154 women, aged 50-72 years, with special reference to the effect of age and smoking. The prevalence of spontaneous hypothyroidism was 3.3% (previously unknown overt and mild disease 1.3%) and the prevalence of hyperthyroidism was 2.5% (previously unknown disease 0.2%). Clinically suspected hyper- or hypothyroidism (very weak to strong) was recorded in 288 women, but was only verified in three cases. The prevalence of visible and palpable thyroid enlargement was 2.1% and 13-14%, respectively. Total thyroxine concentrations increased and free tri-iodothyronine levels decreased significantly with age (P less than 0.001). The serum thyrotropin concentrations were lower in smoking women than in non-smokers in the 50- and 58-year age groups (P less than 0.05). There was no increase in the prevalence of thyroid disease or goitre in the women who were smokers at the time of the study.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1991

Does treated essential hypertension result in renal impairment? A cohort study.

To determine how frequently essential hypertension results in significant renal impairment we undertook a follow-up study of 176 patients with well documented essential hypertension first seen in 1975-1977. Six patients were Asian, two Negro, and the remainder Europid. Follow-up was achieved in 92% of the cohort at five years and in 87% at 12-14 years. At five years 13 (7%) patients had moved away or were lost, and 15 (9%) patients had died (11 cardiovascular deaths). Treated blood pressure was greater than 160/95 mmHg in 60/148 patients and greater than 200/100 mmHg in 16 patients. Despite this, no significant change in serum creatinine was detected in the group as a whole. Increments in serum creatinine of at least 35 mumol/l occurred in six patients. Over the ensuing 6-9 years serum creatinine had returned to normal in three of these patients and stabilized in two; the sixth patient died from myocardial infarction. No patient reached end-stage renal failure. We conclude that progressive deterioration in renal function in essential hypertension is rarely a significant problem in Caucasian patients. A decline in renal function should prompt a search for underlying primary renal disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

[Retrograde zygote intrafallopian transfer in the treatment of unexplained infertility].

The first Scandinavian pregnancy after retrograde zygote intrafallopian transfer is reported. The individual stages in the treatment are described. These consist of hyperstimulation, oocyte aspiration and fertilising of the oocytes and, finally, transfer through the cervix and uterus and retrogradely to the salpinx under ultrasonic guidance. Zygote intrafallopian transfer (ZIFT) is suitable only for couples with unexplained infertility in contrast to in vitro fertilisation (IVF) which is employed in cases in which the fallopian tubes have been removed or do not function in the female partner. The principles and the expenses involved are, by and large, similar for ZIFT and IVF.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Morbidity, mortality, and quality of life for patients treated with levothyroxine.

In a population study of 1462 middle-aged women initiated in 1968 and 1969 we identified 29 women treated with levothyroxine from 1 to 28 years. In a 12-year follow-up in 1980 and 1981 we investigated the subjects for end-point myocardial infarction, diabetes mellitus, stroke, cancer, and death (the status of 99.7% of the initial participants was established). The women treated with levothyroxine showed no increase in morbidity or mortality. Of the 24 women still receiving levothyroxine in 1980 and 1981, 22 had serum thyrotropin and triiodothyronine concentrations with-in reference limits. These individuals were compared with the 968 women from the population study having no history of thyroid disease, and appeared identical as to laboratory and clinical data, with the exception of a slightly higher body mass, taller stature, and lower serum cholesterol concentration. The treated group did not differ in a life quality estimate based on 19 questions regarding life satisfaction and sensory function. We conclude that the levothyroxine-treated woman suffers no side effects from her life-long therapy.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

[In vitro fertilization and embryo transfer. 1. The first 100 pregnancies].

The results of treatment of infertility by in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) in Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, are reviewed for 143 patients in whom treatment was completed during the period 1.9.1985-21.2.1988 and for 100 pregnancies during the period 1.9.1985-15.11.1988. Among the 143 patients in whom treatment was completed, 48 became pregnant on one or more occasions as pregnancy occurred in 53 cycles. A total of 44 women delivered 55 infants. There were 35 singleton deliveries, seven twin deliveries and two triplet deliveries. One woman became biochemically pregnant, four aborted before the 12th week of pregnancy an one woman aborted on two occasions in the second trimester. Three women were treated operatively for extrauterine pregnancies. A total of 33.6% of the patients became pregnant, the baby-take-home rate per patient was 30.8%, the pregnancy rate per ET was 23.5% and the delivery rate per transplantation was 19.6%. Non-completed pregnancies per pregnant woman were 20.8%. Only preliminary account of the 100 pregnancies can be given as treatment has not been completed in all of these patients. Among the 100 pregnancies, there were 59 singleton pregnancies, ten twin pregnancies and three triplet pregnancies and 29 pregnancies which were not completed. The age distribution of the pregnant and non-pregnant women (23% over 34 years became pregnant and 53% under 29 years became pregnant) emphasizes the importance of commencing treatment as early as possible.

Denmark↗
PubMed1989

[In vitro fertilization and embryo transfer. 2. The first 44 deliveries of 55 infants].

During the period 1.9.1985-21.2.1988, 143 patients commenced and completed treatment with in vitro fertilization and embryo-transfer (IVF-ET) in Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen. Forty-four out of the 143 patients were delivered of a total of 55 infants. There were 35 single deliveries, seven twin deliveries and two triplet deliveries. Seven women were admitted with threatened abortion and three women developed preeclampsia, one of these was severe. On an average, the deliveries occurred in the 38th week of pregnancy and the average weight of the singletons was 3,020 g. Ten women were delivered preterm and seven of the singletons had birth weights under 2,500 g. The frequency of caesarean section was 34% for singleton deliveries and 43% for all of the deliveries. Thirty-one boys and 24 girls were delivered, all of whom had normal karyotypes. One infant had a cleft lip but no other malformations. Three premature infants required brief respirator treatment. All of the infants were thriving on discharge. This material is still too limited to permit drawing of definite conclusions but it suggests, however, just as in other IVT-ET investigations, that the infants are born slightly earlier and weigh slightly less than average neonates, but that they are otherwise normal. In order to illustrate these problems further, the authors have commenced a more extensive prospective investigation with matched control persons.

Denmark↗
PubMed1989

Evidence for a slow tissue adaptation to circulating thyroxine in patients with chronic L-thyroxine treatment.

We measured serum procollagen-III-peptide in 67 women with long-term L-thyroxine treatment and compared the results with age-matched controls. The strong correlation between serum free thyroxine and procollagen-III-peptide concentrations previously found after 6 months of L-thyroxine treatment was not found after long-term treatment. There were slightly higher procollagen-III-peptide concentration values in those chronically treated patients who had high free thyroxine levels but this increase was less marked than in patients previously studied after short-term treatment. An increase in procollagen-III-peptide concentration reflects an increased biosynthesis of collagen III, which is present in connective tissues throughout the body, and our findings may be explained by slow tissue adaptation to increased levels of thyroxine. We conclude that the increased thyroxine levels found in L-thyroxine-treated patients are of less clinical importance than thought previously. We also conclude that peripheral markers of thyroid hormone peripheral effects such as procollagen-III-peptide may be of less use than thought previously due to this slow tissue adaptation to changes in thyroxine concentration.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed1988

Screening for thyroid disease in a primary care unit with a thyroid stimulating hormone assay with a low detection limit.

In a study at a primary care centre in a predominantly rural area of Sweden the records of all patients with established thyroid disease were scrutinised and 2000 consecutive adult patients screened with an immunoenzymometric thyroid stimulating hormone assay. The aims of the study were fourfold: firstly, to assess the total burden of thyroid disease in primary care centres in Sweden; secondly, to assess the efficacy of clinical diagnosis of the disease in unselected populations of patients; thirdly, to assess the efficacy of clinical evaluation of treatment with thyroxine; and, lastly, to see whether a single analysis of the serum thyroid stimulating hormone concentration by recent methods would be enough to identify an abnormality of thyroid function. Of the roughly 17,400 adults in the study community, 111 women and 10 men were being treated for thyroid disease. Screening detected 68 patients (3.5%) not receiving thyroxine who had a serum thyroid stimulating hormone concentration of 0.20 mU/l or less, all of whom were followed up clinically. Fifty of these patients were also studied biochemically during follow up. Only nine of the 68 patients had thyroid disease (three with thyrotoxicosis requiring treatment), no evidence of the disease being found in the remainder. Sixteen patients had spontaneous hypothyroidism requiring treatment, and neither these nor three patients with thyrotoxicosis had been detected at the preceding clinical examination. Of 35 patients in whom thyroid disease was suspected clinically at screening, none had laboratory evidence of thyroid dysfunction. In this series 1.3% of all women in the study community (2.6% of all 50-59 year olds) and 0.1% of the men were being treated for thyroid disease at the primary care centre, roughly 1.0% of adults subjected to screening were found to have thyroid disease requiring treatment, and most patients with a thyroid stimulating hormone concentration of 0.20 mU/l or less did not have thyroid dysfunction. It is concluded that measuring the basal serum thyroid stimulating hormone concentration by present methods is insufficient for the biochemical assessment of thyroid dysfunction in unselected populations.

Cross-Sectional Studies↗
PubMed1988

Lower extremity vasospasm associated with ischemic neuropathy, dermal fibrosis, and digital gangrene in a patient with carcinoid syndrome.

Bilateral lower extremity vasospasm associated with severe pain and hyperesthesias in the legs, and digital gangrene in both feet developed in a 50-year-old man with carcinoid syndrome. Nifedipine and chemical lumbar sympathectomy were partially effective in relieving the vasospasm. Electromyographic findings were consistent with ischemic neuropathy. A skin biopsy specimen showed striking dermal fibrosis. Serotonin and other vasoconstrictor substances released from the tumor may be responsible for the vasospasm, the dermal sclerosis, and the ischemic neuropathy. The early use of lumbar sympathectomy in patients with lower extremity vasospasm may prevent these irreversible ischemic complications.

Bronchial Neoplasms↗
PubMed1988

Life-threatening hemorrhage due to uterine vascular abnormality.

A case is reported of a 25-year-old woman stricken with prolonged and life-threatening menorrhagia from abnormal uterine vessels resembling hemangioma cavernosum. The condition was suspected at ultrasonic investigation. Hysterectomy was performed as an emergency operation.

Adult↗