Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to L Wermuth.
The case-history of a man aged 31 years with systemic lupus erythematosus and cerebral infarction is presented. Although patients with active disease are young, cerebral infarcts are strikingly frequent among them.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
A retrospective study of the treatment of 148 patients with severe parkinsonism is reported. After dopa preparation was introduced as a treatment for Parkinson's disease the progress of the disease has changed. More patients with first signs after 1970 had mild progression of disease compared to patients with a debut before 1970. In addition, the population with manifestations after 1970 had fewer cases of severe progression. Adverse effects of dopa treatment had been observed in 70% of the patients. After 5 years of treatment with dopa preparation, 62.1% of the patients had momentary peak-dose dyskinesia. After 2 years of treatment 14.2% of the patients had on-off effects with higher incidence after further treatment. One hundred and fifteen patients have been treated with bromocriptine, 27 patients for more than 5 years.
The problems of patients with dual diagnoses (substance abuse and psychiatric disorders) have only recently come under study. While attempting to assess the feasibility of offering services to family members of dual-diagnosis patients, the authors encountered problems in delivering services to the patients themselves. These problems included inadequate reporting methods, lack of a combined treatment approach, lack of family involvement, and inadequate referral resources. This paper discusses some of the impediments to treatment and areas of needed research.
During the period April 1984-February 1985, 4 test samples of totally 380 young Danish women aged 16-20 years old were invited to interview about contraception and sexual behaviour. The response rate was 75.3%. There were 208 (74.0%) who had had sexual debut. Median age was estimated to 16.8 years. At first intercourse 168 (80.8%) used contraception, 36.5% used condom and 36.1% oral contraception (OC). Among teenage-girls with sexual debut before 15 years old 32.5% were unprotected against pregnancy. At the time of the interview 64.4% did use contraception. The most frequently used contraceptive device was OC (46.6%). Teenage-girls changed the contraceptive method from condom to OC after sexual debut. A small proportion of sexually active girls (8%) did not use contraception neither at first intercourse nor at the moment.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Clinical issues are described in opiate addicts attempting to taper off methadone maintenance, and techniques are suggested to help this patient population. The observations were generated in an experimental "Tapering Network" project, in which opiate addicts on methadone maintenance had the opportunity to receive individual and group counseling, relapse prevention training, self-help groups, and other services. Vignettes illustrate clinical problems with intimacy and social isolation, identity as a former addict, and a "post methadone syndrome" characterized by vulnerability, dramatic swings in mood, and disordered thinking for a period of up to six months after detoxification. To counteract these barriers to recovery, a program model is suggested that uses curricula available in the emerging literature on treatment of substance abuse. These techniques can provide bridges to recovery.
Ample evidence documents the tendency of research subjects to attribute to themselves socially desirable traits and to deny having socially undesirable qualities. This tendency is particularly marked among subjects who are defensive, lacking in self-esteem, or sensitive to status differences. Drug addicts often have all of these characteristics. This paper examines the extent to which need for social approval is reflected in methadone patients' and family members' self-reports of personal and family functioning. Results demonstrate the importance of taking the approval motive into account when conducting research with this population. Addicts tend to deny negative things about themselves and their families, while family members tend to exaggerate their own and their families' positive qualities. Implications for drug treatment programs and researchers are discussed.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Drug abuse programs often experience difficulties involving clients' families in treatment. This article describes general principles and specific techniques for recruiting family members in drug abuse programs and in other treatment settings. Stanton and Todd's principles of recruiting for family therapy in drug programs generally apply, adapted to a project that involves only one family member in multifamily groups and provides psychoeducational training rather than therapy. Additional principles include: focusing on family members who live with the client, tailoring recruitment to the needs of individual families, emphasizing how the family member will benefit, addressing resistance directly, helping families to build a support network, and informing family members of what is expected of them. The psychoeducational approach shows promise as a beneficial adjunct to client-focused treatment and as a gateway to more extensive family treatment.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.