Biomedical subjects

Pamela L Ferguson

Publications and source records attributed to Pamela L Ferguson.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Experiences of persons with epilepsy and their families as they look for medical and community care: a focus group study from South Carolina.

Epilepsy affects a larger number of individuals than previously thought-up to 2% of the population-and its effects reach further. Yet epilepsy, with its associated lingering stigma and fear, has remained in the background in terms of services and research. Traditional quantitative research often falls short when trying to describe the impact of epilepsy on the lives of individuals and their families. In the present study, focus groups were held throughout South Carolina to discuss individuals' experiences with accessing epilepsy-related services and health care, and what life with epilepsy is like. Following qualitative data analysis, findings included two themes. One theme focuses on the ongoing search for services and help. The second theme concerns the experiences of living life with epilepsy. Also highlighted are recommendations for potential improvements in public awareness and professional training, and helpful interventions.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Why pulmonary tuberculosis recurs: a population-based epidemiological study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the factors associated with recurrent pulmonary tuberculosis using a well-defined, population-based tuberculosis registry system. METHODS: A case-control study of persons with recurrent pulmonary tuberculosis cases (n=437) and systematically sampled nonrecurrent controls (n=442) matched by year of initial diagnosis in South Carolina. Data were acquired from the tuberculosis registry and medical chart reviews. Conditional logistic regression was used to model the relationship between recurrent disease and clinical and demographic characteristics in a multivariable analysis. RESULTS: From 1970 through 2002, there were 15,464 pulmonary tuberculosis patients, of which 2.9% were recurrent disease. After adjusting for the covariates, odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) for suboptimal therapy was 6.4 (3.9-10.5), alcoholism 3.9 (2.5-6.1), interaction between treatment duration exceeding 24 months and poor compliance 3.8 (2.4-4.3), and age older than 65 years 1.9 (1.2-2.9). Our study noted an interaction between poor patient compliance and duration of treatment. CONCLUSION: Treatment regimen, duration of treatment, compliance, alcoholism, and older age are strong predictors of recurrent disease. Reinforcing the tuberculosis treatment guideline and applications of directly observed therapy have to remain integral components of tuberculosis control and elimination program.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Patterns of alcohol use 1 year after traumatic brain injury: a population-based, epidemiological study.

This study delineated patterns of alcohol use 1 year after traumatic brain injury (TBI) in a large, population-based, epidemiological, nonclinical sample, and identified predictors of heavy alcohol use in these individuals. Participants were 1,606 adults identified by review of a South Carolina statewide hospital discharge data set, on the basis of satisfying the Centers for Disease Control case definition of TBI, and were interviewed by telephone 1 year after TBI-related discharge. Alcohol use in the month prior to interview was classified according to categories from the Quantity-Frequency-Variability Index; heavy drinking was defined as nearly daily use with > or = 5 drinks at least occasionally, or at least three occasions with > or = 5 drinks. A polychotomous logistic regression with 3 response levels (heavy, moderate, and abstinent/infrequent/light drinking) was used to identify predictors of heavy drinking. Heavy drinking in the month prior to interview was reported by 15.4% of participants, while 14.3% reported moderate drinking and 70.3% reported abstinence or light/infrequent drinking. Risk factors for heavy drinking included male gender, younger age, history of substance abuse prior to TBI, diagnosis of depression since TBI, fair/moderate mental health, and better physical functioning. There was no association between drinking patterns and TBI severity.

Adolescent↗