Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to O J Clemmensen.
The nickel content of water specimens from consecutive stages during the cleaning process in a Danish hospital was analyzed. Statistically significant increases of the nickel concentrations were found from step to step of the cleaning, eventually exceeding the theoretical sensitizing safety limit. The relevance of the findings in relation to hand eczema is discussed.
The nailfold capillaries of 35 patients with psoriatic arthritis and 30 with rheumatoid arthritis were studied by capillary microscopy and the findings compared. Seventy healthy subjects served as controls. The pronounced subpapillary plexus visibility, greater number of vessels and their elongation are indicative of rheumatoid arthritis, while shorter, fewer capillaries and especially characteristic psoriatic capillaries, when present, suggest psoriatic arthritis. Sluggish blood flow, higher number of hemorrhages and higher subpappillary plexus visibility are common to both patient groups as opposed to the controls.
Twenty-four patients suffering from psoriatic arthritis participated in a double blind cross-over trial of peroral zinc sulphate versus placebo (Trial I). Eleven patients continued an open trial of peroral zinc sulphate for an additional 24 weeks (Trial II). Remission was assessed by the disappearance of symptoms (overall condition, morning stiffness, functional capacity of the joints and joint pains), and signs (mobility and swelling of the joints). Reduction of joint pains as well as increase of mobility and decrease of swelling of several joints were observed. the clinical signs of reduced inflammation were accompanied biochemically by reduction of serum immunoglobulins and an increase of serum albumin. The need for analgesics was diminished. Severe side-effects and changes in the psoriatic skin involvement were not seen. Oral zinc sulphate seems to be valuable in the treatment of psoriatic arthritis.
Symptoms compatible with the diagnosis of eosinophilic fasciitis (morphea-like changes of the skin, restricted joint movement, eosinophilia, elevated immunoglobulin levels in serum) in a 13-year-old girl and the response to systemic corticosteroid treatment are reported. The literature is reviewed.
Seventeen euthyroid patients with non-toxic goiter were studied, 7 had diffuse goiters and 10 had nodular goiters. The TSH response to TRH and the 99mTc-uptake were measured before and after T3 suppression. The uptake, measured with a gamma camera, was calculated for the whole gland and for a maximum of 6 regions within the thyroid gland. The suppressibility of 99mTc-uptake (percent change of uptake) ranged from 0 to 95%, it was significantly greater in patients with diffuse than in those with nodular goiters, and was alike in nodular and internodular tissue. The patients with diffuse goiter were significantly younger than those with nodular goiter. Abolished TSH response to TRH was seen in 2 patients with negative T3 suppression tests. In another 2 patients impaired TSH response was associated with impaired suppressibility. In 13 patients with normal TRH tests, the suppression of uptake was normal in 8 and subnormal in 5. The results suggest that nodularity and functional autonomy may develop in non-toxic goiters. In some of these goiters the mass of autonomous tissue may be large enough to cause negative TRH tests, probably indicating hypersecretion of thyroid hormones, although not necessarily above the normal range.