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Biomedical subjects

M J Harrison

Publications and source records attributed to M J Harrison.

368 records · Page 21Linked to original sources
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Arteriographic comparison of amaurosis fugax and hemispheric transient ischaemic attacks.

The results of carotid angiography were compared in 53 patients with amaurosis fugax and 92 with hemispheric transient ischaemic attacks (TIAs). Evidence of extracranial disease was found in 71% of those with retinal ischaemia and these patients rarely had evidence of intracranial disease (11%) or normal angiograms (15%). By contrast patients with hemispheric symptoms less frequently showed disease of the cervical carotid artery (36%) and more often had intracranial disease (27%) or normal angiograms (35%). It is suggested that amaurosis fugax is usually due to emboli originating in the internal carotid artery but that the pathogenesis of cerebral TIAs in the carotid territory is more heterogeneous. These conclusions have implications for the design and interpretation of both medical and surgical trials.

Adult↗
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Clinical identification of TIAs due to carotid stenosis.

A retrospective case note survey of 139 cases of carotid territory TIAs was carried out. Angiographic evidence of carotid stenosis was more frequently encountered when the patient's attacks consisted of symptoms suggestive of ischemia of small cortical territories with involvement restricted to the arm or leg or to dysphasia. Attacks of hemiparesis affecting face, arm and leg, or arm and leg were less often associated with carotid stenosis. If patients described any attacks of a restricted nature the chance of finding carotid stenosis was 47%, if not 16%. It is argued that these findings are a reflection of the varied pathogenesis of TIAs, and the relevance of this heterogeneity to the interpretation of clinical trials is briefly mentioned.

Arterial Occlusive Diseases↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Public perceptions of the relationship between poverty and health.

The public's view on how poverty and health are related will influence support for different policies and programs. The purpose of this study was to examine public perceptions of the relationship between poverty and health and to identify demographic variables that predict support for the four explanations of the relationship between poverty and health (artifact, drift, behavioural, and structural) first identified in the Black Report in the United Kingdom. A telephone survey of a representative sample of Albertans (N = 1,216) was conducted. The majority of respondents believed that poverty leads to poor health. The explanation that health is influenced by the context in which individuals live (structural) received the most support. Demographic variables (sex, age, education, occupation, income, residence, conservatism) explained less than 10% of the variance for each of the four explanations, with conservatism the most consistent predictor.

Age Factors↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Methotrexate use in rheumatoid arthritis is associated with few clinically significant liver function test abnormalities.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of liver function tests (LFT) abnormalities associated with methotrexate (MTX) use in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: A retrospective chart review for demographic information, RA-specific history, medication history, complications of therapy, results of all available blood tests (specifically aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), complete blood count (CBC), albumin, creatinine), and liver biopsy reports was conducted for RA patients, who were currently using or have used MTX in the past. RESULTS: A total of 2791 LFTs were performed among 182 RA patients with 94 abnormal results. 152 patients (83.5%) with 2007 LFT evaluations demonstrated no abnormal results, compared with 30 patients (16.5%) who had at least one abnormal LFT in 784 tests. Twenty-two of the 30 patients with at least one LFT abnormality (73.3%) continued treatment despite the elevation without further evaluation or change in therapy, and subsequent LFT assessments were within normal limits. 128 patients (70.3%) remained on MTX at the time of our study. The most common reason for discontinuation was inadequate response. CONCLUSIONS: MTX appears to be associated with very few clinically significant hepatic side effects. In view of these data, consideration as to revision of the current MTX monitoring guidelines in the direction of less frequent monitoring, especially in patients with no risk factors for liver disease, may be considered.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Progressive multifocal leucoencephalopathy.

Progressive multifocal leucoencephalopathy (PML) is a progressive, usually fatal, demyelinating disease of the CNS that is associated with infection of oligodendrocytes by the papovavirus JC. The incidence of PML is rising as a consequence of the AIDS epidemic.

Brain↗