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Biomedical subjects

R Schoberberger

Publications and source records attributed to R Schoberberger.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1998

[Vienna standard in diagnosis of nicotine dependence: Vienna Standard Smoking Inventory].

The Standard Vienna Smokers' Inventory (VSSI) ("Wiener Standard Raucher-Inventar" [WSR]) is based on the authors' experience and was designed to optimize primary and additional diagnostic procedures associated with smoking cessation treatment. The aim of this inventory is to enable therapists interested in smoking cessation interventions to initiate diagnostic procedures as well as to use efficient therapeutic modalities. The study also highlights those areas of the patient's history which should be given special attention and the theoretical background of these areas. The various comprehensive sections of the WSR include general data pertaining to the patient's life, the basic situation (basic rate), especially with regard to nicotine dependence, pre-abstinence syndrome and "tar" exposition values, follow-up of smoking habits, earlier attempts to give up smoking, and possible barriers to cessation of smoking--such as insufficient motivation, "nocturnal sleep disturbing nicotine craving" or carbohydrate dependence. Furthermore, previous illnesses, pre-existing risk factors and regular intake of drugs are also discussed. Finally, the study emphasizes that the WSR should be used by the therapist according to his/her level of training and experience, thus providing the possibility to use specific, individual approaches to deal with specific individuals and situations.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

[Diagnosis and therapy of nicotine dependence].

The 1988 Report of the US-Surgeon General states very clearly, that the use of tobacco products is not a matter of free choice, but is the result of an addiction as scientifically valid as the addiction to heroin and other narcotics. Using the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND) to assess nicotine dependence in a population 6,000 randomly selected Austrians were interviewed. 42% of men and 27% of women were found to be smokers. 3 groups of smokers differing in dependence can be described: 36.5% are nicotine addicted; 30.2% must be psychosocial dependent because they show nearly no sign of nicotine dependence; and there is a group between. The scientific literature provides informations on many methods and techniques for a smoking cessation, both pharmacological approaches have been tried to treat nicotine dependence in man. According to scientific standards and many controlled studies, nicotine has been the only drug found to be effective in treating nicotine dependence. Many techniques, ranging from self help to sophisticated combined therapeutic approaches including pharmacological interventions, are now available to deal with the nicotine addiction.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

[Health monitor (SERMO study)--concept, methodology and a paradigmatic result on subjective morbidity in headache].

In Austria, microcensus surveys on self-reported morbidity are carried out at regular intervals every ten years, generally by the Federal Statistic Centre. In the following, we describe an epidemiological observational service which could be regarded as an additional public health instrument. This service is termed "health monitor", and the SERMO (self-reported morbidity) study is the scientific project associated with it. The "health monitor" data provide information on the prevalence of various illnesses and impairment, characteristics and variables of background morbidity by repeated short-term representative surveys on self-reported morbidity. The health monitor permits continual observation of the background morbidity of an entire population, while scientific questions pertaining to the SERMO study can be investigated via the health monitor data base. Self-reported morbidity data provide important information about the health of a general population, in addition to clinical and mortality data, and help to make decisions in health policy. By collecting informations (e.g. nearly every month) on background morbidity, "health monitor" and SERMO project could complement other Austrian public health systems to measure the overall health of the population in general.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

[Prevalence and significance of carbohydrate craving in Austria].

Among disorders of appetite and eating frequent craving of carbohydrate containing snacks between meals is well known. Excessive carbohydrate consumption causes increased caloric intake and may lead to overweight and risks of obesity regarding metabolism and vascular remodelling. Up to now prevalence and consequences of that disorder have never been studied in the Austrian population. Hence we investigated by questionnaires and interviews eating habits in samples of 1058 women and 942 men of the Austrian population. Evaluation showed that carbohydrate craving is a more or less serious problem for about 30% of Austrians. Women, especially those with overweight, were affected more frequently than men. In the whole population sample investigated there was a seasonal variation with a tendency to increased carbohydrate craving in fall and winter. This was, however, not significant for overweight women, they probably eat their snacks over the whole year. A subgroup of males reported craving of snacks containing sausage or meat instead of carbohydrate. Craving of carbohydrate is considered the consequence of a decrease of serotonin in appetite regulating neurons and centers of the brain. Treatment of craving by drugs inhibiting the re-uptake of serotonin into afferant neurons is discussed. Medication of this type is, however, hampered by cardiovascular side effects observed with fenfluramines.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Nicotine dependence versus smoking prevalence: comparisons among countries and categories of smokers.

OBJECTIVES: To collect available international data on nicotine dependence as defined by the Fagerström Test of Nicotine Dependence, and to compare levels of dependence among countries and categories of smokers. DATA SOURCES: Published and unpublished studies known to the authors and a search of EMBASE from 1985-1995. STUDY SELECTION: Studies included were those based on a nationally representative sample of a country's population, or a sample of smokers seeking cessation assistance. DATA SYNTHESIS: Smokers who seek help in stopping smoking are much more dependent than the average smoker. Men consistently score higher on dependence than women. Ex-smokers appear to have lower dependence than current smokers. A country with low smoking prevalence, the United States, seems to have smokers with higher dependence scores than countries where smoking is more prevalent (such as Austria and Poland). CONCLUSIONS: Successful tobacco control may result in a higher dependence among the remaining smokers (due to selective quitting by low-dependent smokers). The remaining highly dependent smokers may need more intensive treatment.

Culture↗
PubMed1995

[Psychological and physiological dependence in smokers and there effect on motivation for smoking cessation].

The typical onset of cigarette smoking is determined on various psychological and social factors. The period of experimental smoking may be followed by habituation. Habituation involves development of skill in inhalation and regulation of nicotine dose, becoming accustomed to the mood-altering and other pharmacologic effects of nicotine, and development of a pattern of conditioned reinforcement from smoking. Many smokers continue to smoke because nicotine helps them to regulate mood. The nicotine intake leads promptly and noticeable to pleasant, desired psychotropic effects. In the event of physical dependence, the occurrence of withdrawal symptoms results in renewed nicotine intake. Psychological and physiological dependence could be very different among smokers and this has important implications on the motivation for smoking cessation. Using the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND) to assess nicotine dependence in a population 6.000 randomly selected Austrians were interviewed. 42% of men and 27% of women were found to be smokers. 3 groups of smokers differing in dependence can be described: 36.5% are nicotine addicted; 30.2% must be psychosocial dependent because they show nearly no sign of nicotine dependence; and there is a group between, difficult to classify them as more psychological or more nicotine addicted.

Austria↗
PubMed1995

[Women and smoking].

Of the 300,000 deaths attributable to smoking among women in developed countries in 1985, 21% were coded to lung cancer, for example, 41% to cardiovascular diseases, primarily coronary heart disease and stroke, and 18% to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Overall, female deaths rates from lung cancer in developed countries increased by almost 200% between 1957 and 1987. Smoking and tobacco consumption is a health risk for women at all ages. All women, regardless whether they are pregnant, performing oral contraception or estrogen replacement should not smoke; if they are not able to stop on their own, appropriate counselling and therapy should be provided according to the state of the art. Women who smoke typically go through the menopause 2 or 3 years earlier than non-smokers. Cigarette smoking to increase the risk of estrogen-deficiency diseases, as cardiovascular risk and postmenopausal osteoporosis. Many women want to give up smoking for a number of reasons, such as health, freedom from smoking dependence, financial worries and of course pregnancy. Women find it more difficult to quit than men because of lack of social support, more reliance on cigarette to cope with stress and anxiety and fear of weight gain. Although many women manage to refrain from smoking for a long, they may relapse in situations involving negative emotions, such as conflicts, stress, loss. Men however, tend to relapse in positive situations, such as social events. Smoking cessation programmes have to cover specifically women's need including basic health education, discussion of withdrawal symptoms, strategies to maintain non-smoking and prevent relapse, continuing group support, stress management, advice on weight management, nutrition, fitness and exercise.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Cardiovascular Diseases↗
PubMed1995

[Effect of dexfenfluramine on eating behavior and body weight of obese patients: results of a field study of Isomeride in Austrian general practice].

In a multicenter study by 243 practicing physicians in Austria 819 severely obese subjects of both sexes without overt disease were encouraged to keep a calorie-restricted diet to reduce weight. After a run-in period of more than two weeks of dieting patients started taking 15 mg dexfenfluramine (Isomeride) twice daily for three month. While their weight was fairly stable during the run-in period progressive weight loss occurred during taking dexfenfluramine due to obvious changes in eating habits and appetite allowing to keep the reducing diet more strictly. Females lost 7.7 +/- 3.9 kg while obese men lost 9.32 +/- 4.6 kg. Laboratory tests obtained before starting dexfenfluramine and after 3 months at termination of medication showed blood glucose, cholesterol, LDL and triglycerides to decrease while HDL-cholesterol increased moderately. Dexfenfluramine was well tolerated by the majority of patients. Side effects such as fatigue, sedation, flatulence or diarrhea occurred in only 7.9% of the probands initially and dropped to 2.1% during the third month of the medication. It is concluded that Dexfenfluramine modifies eating habits and appetite thus making weight reducing diets easier acceptable and resulting in weight loss. It is suggested that Dexfenfluramine has a role in treatment regimes for morbid and refractory obesity.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Factors delaying treatment of acute myocardial infarction.

The study was set up to investigate factors delaying treatment of acute myocardial infarction. Nine hundred and sixty-seven Austrian physicians submitted data on their most recent case of myocardial infarction in a cross-sectional study. Mean time for seeking medical care was 111 min from onset; mean admission time to the hospital was 136 min. The degree of anxiety and fear perceived by the patient was positively associated with an earlier decision. Adjusted means of decision time according to degree of fear ranged from 29 to 133 min, adjusted means of admission time from 77 to 153 min. Decision time and admission time were negatively associated with the presence of typical symptoms and a history of myocardial infarction. Adjusted means of decision time according to symptom-history category ranged from 75 to 134 min, adjusted means of admission time from 110 to 151 min. Admission time was also higher in men when patients lived alone, and if the journey to the hospital was a 40 min or more car drive (i.e. 90th percentile). We conclude that measures that increase awareness in patients at risk are vital to reduce delays in seeking medical care and hospital admission, and thus to improve the prognosis of acute myocardial infarction.

Aged↗
PubMed1994

[Smoking intervention program].

For promoting health the "Fonds Gesundes Osterreich" worked out an "Intervention Programme Against Smoking". In cooperation with different institutions as "Osterreichische Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Volksgesundheit", "Ludwig-Boltzmann Institut für Gesundheitspsychologie der Frau" and "Institute of Social Medicine, University of Vienna" a report on smoking and health, an update on smoking in pregnancy and associated health hazards, report and overview of smoking cessation in Austria and state of the art of smoking cessation therapy were carried out. Based on these projects curricula for physicians, pharmacists, midwives and psychologists were prepared to involve more and more health professionals that smoking cessation treatment will become a generally accepted part of any preventive or therapeutic strategy to control tobacco associated diseases. The target group of the intervention programme is the dissonant smoker, who wants to stop smoking, informing him and providing professional help. Many techniques ranging from self help to sophisticated combined therapeutic approaches including pharmacological interventions are now available to deal with the nicotine addiction problem. For health policy and public health smoking cessation will be one approach within the framework of a comprehensive approach to control the most important modern epidemic, the health damages caused by tobacco consumption.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

[Factors delaying therapy in myocardial infarct].

The timelag from onset of myocardial infarction to beginning of treatment is significantly correlated with prognosis, especially since introduction of thrombolytic therapy. Based on the last case of 967 Austrian physicians (general practitioners and internists, working in an office or in a hospital) we investigated possible factors delaying the beginning of treatment. On the average it took 111 minutes from onset of symptoms until the patient contacted physicians working in offices. The overall mean from onset of symptoms to hospital admission was 136 minutes. Within the hospital almost no delay was reported. Main factors for delay were repression or suppression and misinterpretation of symptoms. Thus, the biggest potential for an early onset of treatment lies within the patients response to onset of symptoms. Measures improving knowledge about mechanisms of the disease of known or possible coronary heart disease patients are most important. Side-effects, such as over-critical or demanding patients should be avoided. In any case they should not distract from the importance of measures improving patients response.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

[Therapy for smoking: consensus in German-speaking countries].

The german speaking countries (Austria, Germany, Switzerland) are not the most advanced in the world when it comes to the control of tobacco related diseases. The medical system in these countries has yet to be convinced that smoking cessation is not only necessary but feasible. In order to provide a basic document for further activities, a consensus development process was initiated. The consensus development process forms part of the activities performed by the UICC (International Union Against Cancer) Project Smoking Cessation, which is a project within the framework of the UICC Tobacco and Cancer Programme. The 1988 Report of the US Surgeon General states very clearly, that the use of tobacco products is not a matter of free choice, but is the result of an addiction as scientifically valid as the addiction to heroin and other narcotics. The scientific literature provides informations on many methods and techniques for a smoking cessation, both pharmacological and non-pharmacological. Many pharmacological approaches have been tried to treat nicotine dependence in man. According to scientific standards and many controlled studies, nicotine has been the only drug found to be effective in treating nicotine dependence. Many techniques, ranging from self help to sophisticated combined therapeutic approaches including pharmacological interventions, are now available to deal with the nicotine addiction. Smoking cessation treatment uses time, effort and other resources and the question of reimbursement for these services has to be considered. As with any other form of treatment, costs needed to be paid either by the individual patient/client and/or by other sources including private and national health insurance systems.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acupuncture Therapy↗
PubMed1992

[Food service in Austrian hospitals: results of a survey].

130 medical and 130 administrative heads were asked to fill in a structured questionnaire to obtain an assessment of meals provided in Austrian hospitals. 62 questionnaires in each group were returned fully completed. Meals: öS 46,--are available per patient and day; whereby the costs of special diets are öS 11,--higher on average per day. Diets on offer: 96.8% of the questioned hospitals offered a diabetes diet; 95.2% a weight-reducing diet, 93.5% a light balanced diet and diet for patients with hyperlipidaemia and 90.3% a reduced salt diet (the worst accepted by the patients). 90.3% of these hospitals would consider dietary recommendations as a preventive measure. In fact, preventive dietary measure are implemented in 75.5% of the hospitals questioned. It was apparent that the staff in charge are aware of the influence of correct-nutrition in hospitals. It is recommended that nutritional advice should be offered more often in all wards (this is at present available in only 8.0% of the hospitals). It should be mentioned that financial resources concerning hospital meals should be increased for the more widespread establishment of "healthy food", too.

Austria↗
PubMed1992

[An alternative to alcohol at the work site. General practice test of an electrolyte beverage in hot work environments].

A survey was performed in 1989 by the Institute of Social Medicine and the Austrian Workers Compensation Board(AUVA) to investigated the alcohol problem in 277 factories in which the workers were exposed to hot and dusty atmospheres. As a result of the findings, a further study was undertaken by the same research team to investigate one possible solution to the problem of alcohol consumption at work in a paper-producing factory, predominantly under hot and dusty conditions. The study was well prepared by many activities in the field of health promotion. In this trial, an electrolyte drink especially suited for heat-burdened work places, was introduced for three months as alternative drink to alcohol. Before and after this period the employees answered a questionnaire regarding their alcohol consumption and any changes in consumption habits. One of the main results of the study was the significant increase in electrolyte drink consumption and decrease in wine consumption although that of beer remained practically unchanged. The offered electrolyte drink was accepted as alternative drink by many workers and represents a practical example of health promotion at the place of work. This study should encourage other factories and businesses to experiment with electrolyte drinks especially suited to their particular conditions in an attempt to overcome the problem of alcohol consumption during working hours.

Accidents, Occupational↗
PubMed1991

[Evaluation of a weight reduction program: slender without diets].

"Schlank ohne Diät" ("Weight-Reduction Without Diet") is a strategy to normalize body weight, by influencing multiple factors that appear to influence and promote obesity. The base line of therapy is the modification of nutritional habits. Self-control, especially monitoring and recording of calorie intake and the loss of energy by physical activities is the key that trains every client to change his nutritional habits and helps to reduce body weight and keep normal body weight stable. In a retrospective study, including 134 persons, 84 clients (62,69%) were able to reduce body weight, 9 clients (6,72%) reached starting point of weight and in 30,60% (41 clients) during the participation in this methods an increase of body weight was seen. On an average 120 clients achieved a weight reduction of 5.98 kg during the participation in this method. The loss of weight ranged from 1 to 31 kg per person.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

[Acceptance and subjective well-being with a norgestimate combination pill].

683 women were assessed in the present study. All study participants were subjected to an overall clinical examination before and after a 4-month regimen of a low-dose norgestimate-containing combination oral contraceptive (Cileste); in addition, their subjective well-being was investigated by an appropriate questionnaire. 63.3% of the study participants rated drug tolerance as 'very good' and 23.0% rated it as 'good' at evaluation in the 4th cycle. Between the first and second evaluation, we observed a significant improvement of the depressive mood and of skin and hair problems. Women with skin and hair problems often suffer from 'severe dysmenorrhea'. This difference was statistically significant only at the first evaluation (i.e. before the combined norgestimate regimen) and was not observed in the 4th cycle (i.e. during the Cileste regimen), while the incidence of menstrual disturbances was generally found to decrease.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

[Evaluation of the weight reduction program "Reducing without Diet"].

"Schlank ohne Diät" ("Weight-Reduction Without Diet") is a strategy to normalize body weight, by influencing multiple factors that appear to influence and promote obesity. The base line of therapy is the modification of nutritional habits. Self-control, especially monitoring and recording of caloric intake and the loss of energy by physical activities is the key that trains every client to change his nutritional habits and helps to reduce body weight and keep normal body weight stable. In a retrospective study, including 134 persons, 84 clients (62.69%) were able to reduce body weight, 9 clients (6.72%) reached starting point of weight and in 30, 60% (41 clients) during the participation in this methods an increase of body weight was seen. On an average 120 clients achieved a weight reduction of 5.98 kg during the participation in this methode. The loss of weight ranged from 1 to 31 kg per person.

Adult↗