PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

R Madhok

Publications and source records attributed to R Madhok.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Coping with an upper limb fracture? A study of the elderly.

Upper limb fractures in the elderly, usually managed by immobilisation of the arm, limit activities to an unknown extent. Fifty-one patients in Middlesbrough, aged over 60 years and who had upper limb fractures, were interviewed in the fracture clinic. Most patients had difficulty in performing various activities of daily living (ADL) following their injury. Difficulties with ADL were significantly associated with shoulder immobilisation (P = 0.03) and age (P = 0.01) but not with life satisfaction (P = 0.18) or existing poor health (P = 0.39). Relatives and friends provided most of the necessary help, the contribution of the health and social services being relatively small. Patients received more help with activities like shopping, laundry and housework than personal activities such as bathing, using the toilet and dressing. The injury increased demands on the GPs, meals on wheels, home help, nursing and warden services. Unmet demand was mostly for chiropodists, bath attendants and physiotherapists. Most patients (95%) were satisfied with the help they received from their relatives and friends. Despite difficulty with the activities of daily living most patients coped well with support following their fracture. Demographic changes and the increasing incidence of fractures mean that the burden on both carers and health and social services will increase.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1992

Perceptions about blood donation, transfusion and the risk of HIV infection: implications for the blood transfusion service.

To assess perceptions of risk of AIDS/HIV infection from donation to, and receipt of, blood from the British Blood Transfusion Service, we undertook self completion surveys (n = 1874, response rate 74%) and an interview survey (n = 300, response rate 77%) of students in three higher/further education establishments in the North East of England. In the postal survey 20.9% perceived a risk of acquiring HIV/AIDS after blood donation, and 4.8% perceived the risk to be moderate or high. Explanations for the perceived risk were usually inaccurate. Most people (62.3%) perceived that blood transfusion had a risk of HIV infection, and 13.4% reported this risk to be moderate or high. The explanations for the risk were generally correct. The interview survey largely confirmed the results of the postal survey. The perceived risk of contracting HIV infection on blood donation is not an artefact of survey method; a substantial minority perceive a risk where there is none. Some people remain unaware of the risk of HIV infection after blood transfusion and among others the risk is perceived as higher than is realistic. Further research and educational initiatives to help safeguard the efficient gathering and use of blood are warranted.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Sex and the risk of HIV infection: the role of alcohol.

To investigate sexual behaviour under the influence of alcohol and the relationship between drinking habits and unsafe sex we carried out a postal and interview survey of 2174 students in the North East of England. Drinking habits were classified as non, light, medium and heavy, and cross-tabulated against sexual and other risk taking behaviour. Response rates of 74% and 77% were obtained in the postal and interview surveys respectively. In the postal survey, heavier drinkers were more likely to have unsafe sex such as casual sex without a condom, and sex with someone know to have many partners. Respondents associated alcohol with sexual risk taking; because of drinking too much, in the last year, 19% had not taken contraceptive precautions during sex. The interview survey largely confirmed postal survey results. There are three possible explanations of the association between drinking habits and unsafe sex: alcohol might disinhibit safer sex; young risk-takers may also drink more; or, drinking might be associated with unsafe sex by coincidence because sexual encounters often begin in licensed premises. Drinking habits should therefore be a priority issue for future HIV/AIDS related research, policy debate, and health education endeavour.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Prospective trial comparing the use of sulphasalazine and auranofin as second line drugs in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Two hundred patients with rheumatoid arthritis were studied in a prospective open trial comparing treatment with sulphasalazine and auranofin in patients with active disease over 12 months. The two drugs improved many parameters of disease activity at 12, 24, and 48 weeks. At 12 weeks, the group treated with sulphasalazine had a lower platelet count (Mann-Whitney U test), erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and articular index, with a greater decrease in erythrocyte sedimentation rate (Students t test) and C reactive protein between 0 and 12 weeks. There were no significant differences between sulphasalazine and auranofin treatment after 24 and 48 weeks. Life table analysis showed no significant differences in the rate of side effects which caused treatment to be stopped. Sulphasalazine works more rapidly, may be a more effective disease modifying antirheumatic drug, and is as well tolerated as auranofin.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Increased interleukin 6 concentrations in the absence and presence of HIV-1 infection in haemophilia.

AIMS: To measure IL-6 concentrations in asymptomatic HIV-1 antibody positive and negative haemophilic patients and to correlate these with IgG concentrations and CD4 positive cell numbers. METHODS: IL-6 concentrations were measured by bioassay in stored serum from a prospective cohort of haemophilic patients in whom immunoglobulins and T cell subsets had been determined. Values of IL-6 and immunoglobulins were also correlated with severity of liver disease. RESULTS: IL-6 concentrations were raised in haemophilic patients independent of HIV-1 antibody status. In HIV-1 antibody positive patients there was no correlation between IL-6 concentrations and CD4 positive cell numbers, but there was a correlation with IgG (r = 0.4; p = 0.05). In HIV-1 antibody negative patients there were no significant correlations. CONCLUSIONS: Haemophilic patients have increased IL-6 concentrations; in HIV-1 positive patients this is independent of the decline in CD4 cell count. The raised concentrations do not correlate with the clinical severity of liver disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Quality of hospital service: a study comparing 'Asian' and 'non-Asian' patients in Middlesbrough.

To compare 'Asian' and 'non-Asian' patients' experience of and satisfaction with non-clinical aspects of their hospital care, and to evaluate the effect of subsequent provision of 'Asian' food, we undertook interview surveys of recently discharged adult patients in Middlesbrough. Fifty-two 'Asians' and 52 'non-Asians' matched for sex, age, specialty of admission and hospital reported similar experiences in regard to the amount of information received, the presence of medical students during examination, and satisfaction with privacy and visiting arrangements. The main differences between the groups related to the receipt of written information in the patients' first language, 'Asian' patients' inability to communicate because of lack of English and their dissatisfaction with existing interpreting arrangements, 'Asian' women's attitudes to examination by male doctors, and provision of and satisfaction with hospital food. For example, 47 (90 per cent) 'Asians' and 14 (27 per cent) 'non-Asians' required a special diet but 19 per cent and 86 per cent, respectively, received it; and 'Asians' were less satisfied with the food overall. Despite being disadvantaged 'Asian' patients seldom complained. Following the provision of 'Asian' food, 'Asian' patients reported satisfaction levels comparable with those of 'non-Asians'. Equitable health care provision for ethnic minorities requires a level of service comparable with that enjoyed by the majority community. Written information in minority languages, professional interpreters, examination of female patients by women doctors and culturally suitable food were confirmed as priority needs. Staff training and community education may ensure successful implementation of policy on health care of ethnic minorities. Finally, the quality of non-clinical care in hospital needs to be raised for all groups of patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Tattoos.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Choice Behavior↗