Biomedical subjects

O A de León

Publications and source records attributed to O A de León.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1997

Cerebral perfusion SPECT imaging in epileptic and nonepileptic seizures.

Patients with epileptic and nonepileptic seizures are commonly encountered in clinical practice, and they can pose a difficult diagnostic problem. We present two cases that show the difficult task of differentiating between true epileptic and nonepileptic or psychogenic seizures in some patients. The clinical presentations were complex and the use of video-monitored EEG alone was insufficient to make definitive diagnoses. Ictal and interictal Tc-99m HMPAO brain perfusion SPECT imaging examinations were used to help establish the correct diagnoses. This report describes the advantage of using the brain perfusion SPECT imaging examination. The injection of stabilized Tc-99m HMPAO during an ictal event followed by appropriate medical therapy provides a method of obtaining a reasonable image of relative perfusion (activity) during the seizure. These images can then be compared with interictal examinations and an epileptic or nonepileptic focus may be localized. The Tc-99m HMPAO brain perfusion SPECT imaging study was helpful in establishing the correct diagnosis in both cases.

Adult↗

PubMed1991

[Community intervention during economic disasters].

A political conflict forced banks to close down in Panama during March 1988. Thus, thousand of families were unable to meet their most basic needs during that lapse of time. This paper describes a community intervention program that was set up in the midst of such an economic disaster. That program emphasized mental health consultation techniques to help devising an effective organizational action as well as developing standards to determine needs, and a clear-cut two-way communication with the affected families. The incidence of emotional disorder was assessed with the Self Report Questionnaire, and crisis intervention was offered to any people who should apply for it. Cognitive responses, coping behaviors, and social supports were also assessed. Results showed that those individuals excluded from a full participation in their culture were much more likely to develop emotional disorders. Finding that affected people showed a scarce self-help behavior was interpreted as a feature of the transcultural transaction between affected people, and professionals.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMed1985

[Family interactions and adherence to lithium pharmacotherapy].

A random sample of thirty families containing a member with a bipolar disorder were interviewed by a psychiatrist and two clinical psychologists with training in family evaluations and therapy. During the interview the family was given the task of discussing the possible causes of the patient's illness and to consider specific steps to help prevent relapses. The raters independently scored the Beavers Timberlawn Family Evaluation Scale and the Family Response to the Illness Scale. The patients were also evaluated using the Social Support Network Inventory, and a number of clinical and demographic indicators were routinely recorded. The research team showed good interrater reliability with the instruments, and evidence of validity is presented for the FRIS. A Cluster Analysis was performed and a two clusters solution was found. The first cluster contained twelve patients and the second is composed of eighteen patients. The clusters seem to differentiate patients along clinical outcome measures, drug compliance and cultural background. Family variables related to the structural dimensions of the system were found to cut across both clusters. Family variables measuring empathy, affect and expression of feelings were found to predict medication compliance and clinical outcome. The findings are discussed in the light of the concept of underorganization of family structures.

Bipolar Disorder↗