Biomedical subjects

R Thackeray

Publications and source records attributed to R Thackeray.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1995

The Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study: retention after 9 1/2 years.

In a longitudinal, multicenter study of 4,954 men at risk for human immunodeficiency virus infection and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, data from the first 9.5 years of follow-up (April 1984 through September 1993) were used to determine differences between those who remained in the study and those who dropped out. Demographic variables (age, race, education, employment, and study center), health status (human immunodeficiency virus type 1 serostatus and depression), and behavioral characteristics (alcohol drinking, drug use, and anal-receptive intercourse) were analyzed. Strategies for promoting retention included having frequent contact with participants, generating trust, keeping participants well-informed, utilizing multiple resources for follow-up, and providing flexible methods of participation. After 9.5 years of follow-up, vital status was known for 4,385 (88.5%) of the participants. Results from multiple logistic regression showed that race, age, education, and smoking were each significantly associated with nonparticipation (p < 0.001). A high level of retention was maintained in this well-educated and highly motivated cohort of homosexual/bisexual men. Extensive follow-up methods may improve case-finding. Nonwhite race, younger age, less education, and smoking were important predictors of dropping out. These findings identify specific groups for targeting follow-up efforts to reduce potential bias due to dropout.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

PubMed1995

Incidence of human immunodeficiency virus-related and nonrelated malignancies in a large cohort of homosexual men.

PURPOSE: To determine if the rates of malignancies other than Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) are increased in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected homosexual men. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: From 1984 through 1993, 1,199 homosexual men were studied in the Pittsburgh component of the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study (MACS), an examination of the natural history of HIV infection. The cohort consisted of 769 HIV-seronegative (SN) participants and 430 seropositive (SP) members who were either seroprevalent at the time of enrollment or who seroconverted during the study. Cancer incidence data were collected through semiannual visits, phone interviews, medical records, and death certificates. Five thousand seven hundred eight person-years and 2,344 person-years were contributed to the study by the SN and SP men, respectively. RESULTS: In addition to 44 cases of KS, 13 NHLs, and 3 CNS lymphomas (CNSLs), 27 other malignancies occurred (three nonmelanoma skin cancers and eight other malignancies in the SP group, eight nonmelanoma skin cancers, and eight other malignancies in the SN group). Age-adjusted rates were calculated for both groups and compared with each other and with rates for the general male population in Pennsylvania. There were no differences between the SN group and the general population. Among the SP group, the combined frequency of all cancers other than KS, NHL, CNSL, and nonmelanoma skin cancers was statistically significantly increased in comparison to both the SN group and the general population. This increase was secondary to an unusually increased frequency of both seminoma and Hodgkin's disease. CONCLUSION: These findings support the hypothesis that the incidences of cancers other than KS and lymphoma are moderately increased in the setting of HIV infection and immunosuppression.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1991

Perceptions of nurses' uniforms.

Patients (N = 100), nurses (N = 30), and administrators (N = 15) in a regional medical center were surveyed about the professional image inherent in different styles of nurses' uniforms. The Nurse Image Scale (NIS) was used as the data-gathering tool with pictures of the same nurse in a variety of uniforms. Results showed that patients rated some uniforms significantly differently for professional image than did nurses and administrators. There was general agreement among all respondents on the nurse they would most like to have care for them (dress with stethoscope) and the nurse they would least like to have care for them (white pants with colored top).

Administrative Personnel↗