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Biomedical subjects

L Thomson

Publications and source records attributed to L Thomson.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

Toward a quantitative characterization of patient-therapist communication.

The efficacy of psychotherapy, in its many and varied forms, is one of the most intensely contested issues in clinical practice. Though many theories have been advanced, quantitative evidence in their defense is limited. This contribution is directed to relatively unambitious objectives. Rather than establish yet another qualitative theory of psychotherapeutic practice, we wish to contribute to the construction of research methodologies that can quantitatively characterize the dynamic patterns of patient-therapist communication. It is hoped that a theoretical understanding of psychotherapy might eventually emerge naturally from a growing body of quantitative data.

Communication↗
PubMed1991

Menstrual symptoms in women with pelvic endometriosis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate menstrual symptoms in relation to pelvic pathology. DESIGN: A prospective questionnaire-based study. SETTING: Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Scotland. SUBJECTS: 1250 questionnaires were sent out prior to planned admission and 1200 women (96%) brought the completed questionnaires. They comprised 598 women undergoing laparoscopic sterilization, 312 having laparoscopy because of infertility, 156 having laparoscopy because of chronic pelvic pain and 134 women undergoing abdominal hysterectomy for dysfunctional uterine bleeding. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The occurrence of dysmenorrhoea, menorrhagia, menstrual regularity, premenstrual spotting, deep dyspareunia and pelvic pain in women with either endometriosis and post infective pelvic adhesions or a normal pelvis. RESULTS: Menorrhagia, menstrual irregularity and premenstrual spotting occurred with equal frequency in all groups. Deep dyspareunia, pain after intercourse and recurrent pain unrelated to menstruation or coitus was more common in women with endometriosis and those with post infective pelvic adhesions than in those with a normal pelvis. Dysmenorrhoea appears to be more prevalent among women having endometriosis. CONCLUSIONS: Menstrual symptoms, while raising a high index of suspicion for endometriosis, are not entirely reliable as indicators of disease. Dysmenorrhoea is the most common reported symptom in endometriosis sufferers. Diagnostic laparoscopy should be considered before institution of treatment in women complaining of pelvic pain and menstrual symptoms.

Dysmenorrhea↗
PubMed1990

Luminol chemiluminescence using xanthine and hypoxanthine as xanthine oxidase substrates.

Luminol chemiluminescence induced by the xanthine or hypoxanthine-O2-xanthine oxidase system is analyzed and compared. Characteristics of the light emission curves were examined considering the conventional reaction scheme for the oxidation of both substrates in the presence of xanthine oxidase. The ratio of the areas of the rate of superoxide production during substrate oxidation to uric acid. The O2-. to uric acid ratio for each substrate can account for differences in xanthine and hypoxanthine-supported light emission, since uric acid is a strong inhibitor of O2-.-dependent luminol chemiluminescence. These results are consistent with a free radical scavenging role for uric acid. A similar but weaker scavenging effect of xanthine may also contribute to the observed differences in chemiluminescent yields between both substrates.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

PRUFILE: a clinical and laboratory database for the genetics centre.

The growing complexity and volume of workload in a Clinical Genetics Centre can rapidly swamp the available clerical facilities. The multiuser database described gives facilities not only for administrative control and documentation but also for the production of data for clinical and scientific analysis. The close link between clinical and laboratory databases gives great versatility and easy expansion as new tests and disciplines are applied to clinical genetic problems.

Clinical Laboratory Information Systems↗
PubMed1977

Intra-hospital transfer: effects on chronically ill psychogeriatric patients.

Since the Vermont State Hospital was approaching a major transition period, it was decided to study systematically the effects of intra-unit and inter-unit transfer on its psychogeriatric patients. Ten patients were assessed by means of four standardized measures in the intra-unit study, specifically investigating the effects of integrating wards previously devoted either to chronic or to acute psychiatric illness. Twenty-five patients from a specialized geriatric unit were evaluated, by separate investigators, with respect to changes occuring as a result of their transfer to regional mixed units. The critical incident log, the problem classification form, and the clinical global impression showed some changes, for which there were several possible explanations. None of the changes was as dramatic as predicted by staff members holding divergent views prior to the study. The optimists predicted a "blossoming" of the psychogeriatric patients in the mixed, regional units, whereas the pessimists prophesied dire consequences. The group of patients studied was not completely homogeneous with respect to the effect to transfer. Clinical assessment after transfer could be relied on to detect improvement in some of these psychogeriatric patients and deterioration in others. Some understanding of the complexity of the multifactor determinants of change developed along with increased cooperation among the investigators and the nursing staff. A middle ground of mutual respect for fresh ideas and an appreciation for years of experience was reached.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1976

The rate of initiation of treatment for hypertension in a community, 1971--1975.

In 1971 persons aged 50-59 in a community were screened for hypertension and those with diastolic BP greater than or equal to 110 mmHg were notified. On reviewing the sample in 1975 the treatment rate had doubled to 22%. Screening in 1971 was followed by an immediate rise in numbers starting treatment, most being notified cases. Thereafter initiation of treatment at a rate of 3-8 cases per 100 persons per year chiefly reflected identification of subjects deemed to need treatment in the ordinary course of medical practice. Of those starting treatment during the four years 25% had stopped it by 1975. The influence of screening and other factors on the rate of initiation of treatment and adherence to it are discussed. With an already high attendance rate at doctors, regular screening of this whole age group seems feasible within the framework of general practice. The high treatment rate found in 1975 underlines the urgent need for the indications currently used for starting treatment to be validated.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗