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Biomedical subjects

R Hierholzer

Publications and source records attributed to R Hierholzer.

8 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Spatial test for agricultural pesticide "blow-in" effect on prevalence of Parkinson's disease.

The current study used Department of Veteran's Affairs (VA) clinical records, State of California pesticide application records, spatial maps of distribution of Parkinson's disease patients, and pesticide applications to determine if there was evidence for "blow-in" of pesticides as a factor in explaining the prevalence of Central Valley Parkinson's disease. The results did not support the hypothesis of increasing prevalence of Parkinsonism attributable to wind drift.

Agriculture↗
PubMed2004

Use of a VA pharmacy database to screen for areas at high risk for disease: Parkinson's disease and exposure to pesticides.

The purpose of this study was to assess whether pharmacy database information from US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers could be used to screen for areas of higher Parkinson's disease prevalence in patients exposed to pesticides. The authors used pharmacy data sets and compared the use of antiparkinsonian medications at 2 VA medical centers in California: one in Palo Alto, near the ocean, and one in Fresno, downwind from extensively farmed parts of the Central Valley. They found that patients at Fresno had higher odds ratios (1.5-1.8) for the use of Parkinson's disease medications than patients at Palo Alto. These data are consistent with the observations of prior epidemiologic studies and suggest that VA pharmacy databases can prioritize locations for further epidemiologic research. However, a thorough exploration of alternative explanations is needed to reach definitive conclusions regarding the findings suggested by this method.

Antiparkinson Agents↗
PubMed1992

Clinical presentation of PTSD in World War II combat veterans.

Clinicians have increasingly recognized posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among Vietnam veterans, but the disorder may be easily overlooked among World War II combat veterans. The authors review recent studies of PTSD in older veterans and describe five cases that illustrate the diverse clinical presentations of PTSD in this population. Symptoms included anxiety, cognitive and somatic complaints, depression, alcohol dependence, and amnestic periods. Despite the varied presentations, a fairly consistent patient profile emerged. Patients avoided reminders of war, showed an exaggerated startle response, and experienced restless sleep and chronic anxiety. Factors associated with exacerbations of symptoms were retirement and reminders of war experiences. Although past studies have emphasized resuppression of the trauma, the authors encourage a flexible approach to treatment, including exploratory techniques.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1986

Recent trends in cocaine abuse in a VA psychiatric population.

An anonymous questionnaire completed by 473 patients seeking psychiatric treatment at a metropolitan Veterans Administration medical center indicated that 23 percent were currently using cocaine and 46 percent had used the drug at least once in their lifetime. Typically current users were black males in their early thirties who favored the freebase method of drug use and who were similar to nonusers in occupation, education, and low income. Analyses of freebasers, intravenous users, and intranasal users indicated that freebasers were more likely to be black, to have used more cocaine in the preceding 30 days, to be seeking treatment specifically for cocaine abuse, and, along with intravenous users, to have experienced a greater number of psychosocial disruptions. Freebasers were also least likely to have changed to other methods of cocaine use.

Adult↗