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Biomedical subjects

P T James

Publications and source records attributed to P T James.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

The worldwide obesity epidemic.

The recent World Health Organization (WHO) agreement on the standardized classification of overweight and obese, based on body mass index (BMI), allows a comparable analysis of prevalence rates worldwide for the first time. In Asia, however, there is a demand for a more limited range for normal BMIs (i.e., 18.5 to 22.9 kg/m(2) rather than 18.5 to 24.9 kg/m(2)) because of the high prevalence of comorbidities, particularly diabetes and hypertension. In children, the International Obesity Task-Force age-, sex-, and BMI-specific cutoff points are increasingly being used. We are currently evaluating BMI data globally as part of a new millennium analysis of the Global Burden of Disease. WHO is analyzing data in terms of 20 or more principal risk factors contributing to the primary causes of disability and lost lives in the 191 countries within the WHO. The prevalence rates for overweight and obese people are different in each region, with the Middle East, Central and Eastern Europe, and North America having higher prevalence rates. In most countries, women show a greater BMI distribution with higher obesity rates than do men. Obesity is usually now associated with poverty, even in developing countries. Relatively new data suggest that abdominal obesity in adults, with its associated enhanced morbidity, occurs particularly in those who had lower birth weights and early childhood stunting. Waist measurements in nationally representative studies are scarce but will now be needed to estimate the full impact of the worldwide obesity epidemic.

Adolescent↗

Change counselling in diabetes: the development of a training programme for the diabetes team.

Skills in counselling for behaviour change may help staff working in diabetes care to facilitate self management in people with diabetes. A feasibility study was conducted to define the essential competencies (attitudes, knowledge and skills), training methods, and assess whether this approach was practicable in a diabetes resource centre. Semi structured interviews with staff were routinely conducted throughout the duration of the study. The findings suggest that the stages of change model, motivational interviewing and behavioural techniques are relevant to work in this area. Acquiring the competencies was harder to achieve than anticipated, though most were evident after one years training. The most valued training methods were individual supervision and video examples. However, the competencies were difficult to apply in the clinical setting given time constraints, the strength of existing staff routines and the patients' readiness to change. The lessons learned and suggestions for future work are presented.

Competency-Based Education↗

Vertebral aneurysmal bone cyst. A case report and review.

The case of a 16-year-old boy with an aneurysmal bone cyst of the fourth lumbar vertebra and a herniated nucleus pulposus of the L4-5 disc is presented. Symptoms included progressive lower back pain and bilateral lower extremity weakness. Roentgenographic studies were consistent with a vertebral aneurysmal bone cyst with an expansile lesion that compromised the neural canal and an L4-5 herniated nucleus pulposus. Surgical treatment included tumor excision, L4-5 discectomy, lumbar decompression, and posterolateral and anterior lumbar fusion. Postoperatively, the lower back pain and lower extremity symptoms resolved. The patient continues to do well at 1-year follow-up.

Adolescent↗

Four-year average follow up of cemented PCA total knees: clinical and roentgenographic analysis.

Twenty patients with 25 consecutive primary-cemented Howmedica PCA total knee prostheses were clinically and roentgenographically reviewed. Twenty implants were placed in 16 women and five in four men. The average patient age at surgery was 68.0 years (range, 53 to 82), and average follow up was 51 months. Total knee replacement indication was degenerative joint disease in 21 knees and rheumatoid arthritis in four. Excellent or good results were seen in 22 of 25 knees (88%) at the early follow up examination and 18 of 25 knees (72%) at the most recent follow up examination.

Aged↗

Psychological intervention in civilian flying phobia. Evaluation and a three-year follow-up.

Thirty-eight people with a moderate to severe degree of aerophobia self-referred themselves to a course designed to help them travel by air. The course involved three long sessions based on giving information, graded exposure without avoidance, and group support with natural coping models. Measures of self-reported anxiety levels were taken at regular intervals. The results showed that being given information or undergoing a simulated flight had little effect on perceived anxiety. Prolonged exposure to flying had a marked effect on reducing anxiety and anticipated apprehension about future flying. At one-year and three-year follow-up, 40% and 60% of participants had flown commercially, although there was some minor restoration of anticipated anxiety associated with flying; 84% showed less anxiety about flying. Psychological intervention, in collaboration with airlines, may have marked benefits in reducing fear of flying.

Adult↗

A monozygotic twin pair discordant for anorexia nervosa.

This case study describes a female monozygotic twinship in which one of the twins presented with anorexia nervosa. The case supports the suggestion from the few such discordant pairs previously reported that the affected twin tends to have been relatively disadvantaged from an early age and to be the less dominant of the pair. A review of previously reported cases suggests a concordance rate for anorexia nervosa of about 50% in female MZ twin pairs. Some methodological problems associated with the derivation of such estimates are noted.

Adult↗