Biomedical subjects

René Ecochard

Publications and source records attributed to René Ecochard.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Effect of latency period after premature rupture of membranes on 2 years infant mortality (DOMINOS study).

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of a short latency period after preterm premature rupture of the membranes (PPROM) on infant mortality. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective cohort study of women with PPROM between 24(0/7) and 33(6/7) weeks' in singleton gestation was performed in all maternity wards of the Rhône-Alpes Region. Neonatal and infant outcomes were compared according to the latency period (<48 h and > or =48 h). The primary outcome was the mortality rate and the secondary outcome was a composite variable of significant neurological disorders at 2 years of age. Outcomes was stratified according to gestational age at rupture. Univariate and multiple logistic regression analyses were used with SAS statistical software. RESULTS: Out of 471 women recruited in the study at a mean gestational age of 30.5+/-0.2 weeks, 170 (37%) presented with a <48-h latency period, and 301 (63%), a > or =48-h latency period. While prior to 30 weeks' gestation, the mortality rate was higher in neonates with a short latency period (16.3% versus 7.3%, p < 0.01) with pulmonary disease being the major cause of death, a short latency period was associated with a lower mortality rate after 30 weeks' gestation (0% versus 3.7%, p=0.02). After adjusting for confounding factors, a <48-h latency period remained an independent factor associated with infant mortality prior to 30 week's gestation (odds ratio 3.8, 95% confidence interval 1.3-11.7). Significant neurological disorders were not modified by the length of the latency period. CONCLUSION: For PPROM that occur before 30 weeks' gestation, a short latency period was associated with a higher infant mortality rate. Inversely, it was associated with a lower mortality rate after 30 weeks'. There is an urgent need for a thorough evaluation of expectant management of PPROM after 30 weeks' gestation.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Initial and late prognostic factors to predict survival in adult acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.

Factors able to predict overall survival in adult patients with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia were assessed according to the period since initiation of the treatment using a Cox proportional hazards model. This period covers successively an initial period during the induction treatment and a consolidation period during the postinduction treatment. From 1994 to 2002, 922 patients with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (excluding French-American-British L3 subtype) were enrolled in a multicentre protocol and followed, with a mean follow up of 58 months. A multivariate time-segmented analysis was performed on 658 patients. Analyses of the initial (before 100 d) and the late phases were realised after stratification on the type of induction treatment and on the different treatment strategies respectively. Age was the sole factor that influenced survival during the initial phase (hazard ratio 1.48 per 10-yr increase; P < 0.01). Factors that predicted survival during the late phase were age (hazard ratio 1.12, P = 0.02), white blood cells count (hazard ratio 1.01 per 10(10) cells/L increase; P < 0.05), lactic dehydrogenase level (hazard ratio 1.001 for 10 IU/L increase; P < 0.01) and t(9;22) karyotype or miscellaneous others vs. normal karyotype (hazard ratios 1.40; P < 0.01 and 1.06; P = 0.04 respectively). This analysis suggests that predictive factors may be split into tolerance factors and haematological factors. Determination of such factors is crucial to adapt postremission therapeutic strategies in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Fluoride exposure and bone status in patients with chronic intestinal failure who are receiving home parenteral nutrition.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Metabolic bone disease is frequent in chronic intestinal failure. Because fluoride has a major effect on bones, the status of both fluoride and bone was studied in long-term home parenteral nutrition (HPN) patients. DESIGN: We studied 31 adults aged (x +/- SD) 56.3 +/- 15.1 y, mainly patients with short-bowel syndrome, who had been receiving HPN for >1 y. Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured by absorptiometry, and serum fluoride was measured by using a fluoride-sensitive electrode. All patients ate and drank ad libitum. HPN (3.4 +/- 1.2 times/wk) complemented oral nutrition. Potential explicative factors were estimated by using a linear regression model (mixed-effects model). RESULTS: Of 120 fluoride dosages (2-6/patient), 102 were above the upper normal limit (1.58 micromol/L) at the laboratory. Mean (+/- SD) daily fluoride supply was 8.03 +/- 7.71 mg (US adequate intake: 3.1 mg/d for women and 3.8 for men; tolerable upper normal limit: 10 mg/d); intravenous fluoride varied from 0.06 to 1.45 mg, and oral fluoride varied from 0.09 to 27.8 mg. Serum fluoride concentrations were correlated with creatinine clearance and fluoride supply. BMD was significantly lower in the femoral neck than in the spinal area. After adjustment for sex and the duration of HPN, only the effect of serum fluoride on spinal BMD was significant. Two patients had symptoms of fluorosis, eg, calcaneum fissures, interosseous calcifications, or femoral neck osteoporosis. CONCLUSIONS: In chronic intestinal failure, high intakes of fluoride are frequent because of the beverages ingested to compensate for stool losses. Hyperfluoremia has an effect on bone metabolism and may increase skeletal fragility. The consumption of fluoride-rich beverages for extended periods is therefore not advisable.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Heterogeneity in fecundability studies: issues and modelling.

Modelization of fecundability stepped recently from demography and population-based contexts to reproductive biology and treatment of infertility. This created a strong call for flexibility and robustness. Indeed, explained and unexplained heterogeneities are non-negligible sources of bias that result in false conclusions as to the determinants of fertility or to the success rates of reproductive techniques, among other examples. There are two main sources of heterogeneity: biological heterogeneity and heterogeneity of sexual behaviour. A uniform presentation of time-to-pregnancy and Barrett-Marshall models is proposed to enlighten their similarities and differences in modelling heterogeneity of fecundability. Mixed models for fecundability studies are presented as tools to allow for unexplained heterogeneity and to quantify heterogeneity of the effect of observed factors and variability of size of this unexplained heterogeneity between subpopulations. Some criteria for the modelling strategy in fecundability studies are suggested with emphasis on the unit-treatment additivity criterion. The strong and complex selection process resulting from heterogeneity is described as well as the selection and cross-selection processes of observed and unobserved fecundability factors. Consequences regarding data collection and statistical inference are discussed. In the current context, a consensus setting general rules for data collection and statistical analysis would be useful to compare the results and increase the reliability of these results in medical practice.

Female↗

PubMed2006

Age at which HIV infection can be detected in infants: place of the Yakovlev model.

The Yakovlev parametric cure rate model was used to study the age at which HIV-1 infection can be detected in nonbreast-fed infants and the independent predictors of transmission. Blood samples from 145 HIV-1-negative at birth infants born to HIV-1-positive untreated mothers were tested until 15 months. The age at actual detection and at potential detection providing daily tests was studied. The former was described using the Yakovlev model, and the cumulative probabilities of detection along time were calculated. Comparison of observed and predicted delays to positivity revealed the best representation of the age at which HIV becomes detectable among 8 Yakovlev models. Cumulative positive tests were as follows: 3 at 7 days, 10 at 15 days and 1 month, 17 at 3 months, and 18 at 15 months. The log-logistic model was the best-fitting one. The probability of onset of HIV-1 detectability was maximal at day 4. The mean and median age at which HIV becomes detectable were 12 and 6 days, respectively. Maternal CD4(+) cell count was associated with the risk of contamination [hazard ratio of low vs. high count 2.44; 95% (confidence interval): 1.15-6.67]. The model may explain HIV viremia dynamics and define the optimal antiretroviral regimens before randomized trial confirmation.

Age Factors↗

PubMed2005

A prospective population-based study of 598 cases of PPROM between 24 and 34 weeks' gestation: description, management, and mortality (DOMINOS cohort).

OBJECTIVE(S): Description of mothers' characteristics, obstetricians' practices, and PPROM-linked mortality in all 81 maternity hospitals in the Rhône-Alpes Region, over a period of 2 years. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cohort study of 598 women with PPROM between 24 and 34 weeks' gestation, leading to 680 births. At time of PPROM, collection of mothers' socio-economic characteristics, medical and obstetric histories and PPROM circumstances. Collection of perinatal management, neonates' medical status and postnatal referral. RESULTS: The birth rate after PPROM between 24 and 34 weeks' gestation was 0.47% (95% CI: 0.42-0.48). Sixty percent of PPROM occurred before 32 weeks' gestation and 98% of births before 37 weeks. The incidence of previous PPROM was 14.3%. Antibiotics, corticosteroids, and tocolytics were given to 82, 78, and 52% of women, respectively. The rate of antibiotics and antenatal corticosteroids varied with gestational age (lower rates for antibiotics just after the limit of viability (23-24 weeks) and after 32 weeks, higher rates of corticosteroids between 26 and 30 weeks). The PPROM-birth interval became shorter as gestation advanced. The incidence of C-section was 58.7% (n = 270), C-section before labour being the most frequent mode of delivery. Sixty-seven percent of neonates were born in Level-3 hospitals. The overall neonatal mortality rate at 28 days decreased with gestational age at PPROM, and was 17.2% (16/93), 3% (6/200), and 0.41% (1/241) at 24-27, 28-31 and 32-33 weeks of PPROM, respectively. CONCLUSION(S): After PPROM, antibiotics and antenatal corticosteroids were widely used in our cohort, and C-section rates were elevated. With that up-to-date management, the perinatal mortality rate was less than 3% following PPROM after 28 weeks' gestation.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

Influence of perinatal care regionalisation on the referral patterns of intermediate- and high-risk pregnancies.

OBJECTIVE(S): To use the delivery site according to the birth weight as a marker of changes in the referral practices after regionalisation of perinatal care. STUDY DESIGN: Analysis of the distribution of low birth weight infants according to the level of care in Rhone-Alpes from 1998 to 2000 and analysis of the birth rate heterogeneity according to the delivery site characteristics. RESULTS: The distribution of infants<or=1500 g remained constant at all levels (60% at level 3). That of infants 1500-2000 g born at level 3 dropped in 2000 but raised at levels 1 and 2. For both weight categories, the lower birth rates corresponded to the private, the lower-flow, and the more distant from neonatal intensive care units facilities. For infants<or=1500 g, the level 3 birth rate was four times the level 2 (P=0.0006) and five times the level 1 (P<0.0001) rates. For infants 1500-2000 g, level 3 birth rate was twice the level 2 (P=0.0096) and 3.6 times the level 1 (P<0.0001) rates. Birth rates were always significantly higher in university than in private facilities. CONCLUSION(S): Supervising level 3 is insufficient to show the effect of regionalisation. A more accurate analysis of intermediate-risk referral determinants is needed to reach a more demand/supply adequacy.

Birth Rate↗

PubMed2005

Atypical forms of isolated partial atrioventricular septal defect increase the risk of initial valve replacement and reoperation.

OBJECTIVE: We consider the short- and long-term outcomes of the repair of the isolated partial atrioventricular (AV) septal defect to determine the role played by the atypical forms on the initial AV valve replacement and on the risk of reoperation. METHODS: Two hundred and eight patients underwent an operation for this malformation between 1974 and 2001. Clinical and echocardiographic examinations were performed on all patients, the AV valve regurgitation was graded from 1 to 4 and a residual interatrial shunt was sought. Median age at the intervention was 5.8 years (3 months to 67 years). RESULTS: Median follow-up time was 7.5 years (range 0-22.6 years). The cumulative 30-day, 5- and 20-year survival rates were 96.5, 95.4 and 94.6%, respectively. AV valve replacement was associated with a high mortality (P<0.001). A reoperation was performed on 12 patients (5.7%) including six patients within less than a 30-day period, especially to repair residual AV valve regurgitation. We performed four AV valve repairs by annuloplasty and six AV valve replacements. Two patients who had initially undergone an AV valve replacement underwent a reoperation for valve thrombosis. The cumulative 30-day, 5- and 20-year rates of freedom from reoperation were 96.5, 93.6 and 83%, respectively. An atypical form was present in 24 patients (11.5%) and was a risk factor for initial AV valve replacement (P<0.001) and for reoperation (P<0.001). A complete AV block occurred in 13 patients (6.2%), all of them within a 30-day period. The AV valve replacement was a high risk factor for a complete AV block (P<0.001). At the end of our study 180 patients (96%) were in NYHA I and 8 in NYHA II. CONCLUSIONS: The morbi-mortality of the isolated partial AV septal defect is primarily perioperative and is linked with the presence of an atypical form of the lesion. This atypical form was the main reason for reoperation for AV valve regurgitation. The AV valve replacement was associated with a high mortality and with the occurrence of complete AV block. Using a standardized technique, the AV septal defect can be repaired with excellent long-term clinical and echographic results.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

Mitral valve repair for commissural prolapse: surgical techniques and long term results.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to describe the pattern of lesions responsible for commissural prolapse, the techniques of valve repair and their long-term results. METHODS: Between 1992 and 2004, 128 mitral valve repairs were consecutively performed for commissural prolapse. There were 86 males and 42 females, the median age was 57.5 years (range 14-84 years). Forty-six percent of patients were in NYHA III or IV, mean ejection fraction was 61+/-9.4%. The diagnosis of commissural prolapse was recognized by preoperative echocardiography in 32% of the patients and was revealed by intraoperative inspection of the valve in the other cases. The site of the prolapse was the posteriomedial commissure (n=94), the anterior commissure (n=30) or both (n=4). The aetiologies were: infective endocarditis (n=56), degenerative (n=46), ischemic (n=25), congenital mitral regurgitation (n=1). The commissural prolapse was associated with another mitral valvular lesion requiring a specific treatment in 61 cases (47.7%). An associated procedure was carried out in 45 patients. RESULTS: The operative treatment of the commissural prolapse included: commissural closure 65 (50.8%), leaflet resection 31 (24.2%), transposition or shortening of chordae 19 (14.8%), reimplantation or shortening of papillary muscles 3 (2.3%), and replacement of the commissural area by a partial mitral homograft 10 (8%). In-hospital mortality included three deaths (2.3%) and four patients (3.1%) were reoperated: three pericardial drainages for hemopericardium and one for mediastinitis. During the follow-up, one patient died (0.8%) from myocardial infarction and eight patients (6.3%) were reoperated including six (4.7%) for recurrent mitral regurgitation. After a median follow-up time of 76.9 months (range from 15 days to 160 months), 116 patients (90.1%) were in NYHA I. Echocardiographs showed no or minimal insufficiency in 112 patients (87.5%) and mild or moderate insufficiency in 10 patients (7.8%). CONCLUSIONS: The diagnosis of commissural prolapse is difficult by preoperative echocardiography. The aetiology of the mitral disease is variable (endocarditis, degenerative or ischemic mitral regurgitation). Using a variety of techniques, commissural prolapse can be repaired with excellent clinical and echographic long-term results.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

Can color doppler predict the uniformity of HIFU-induced prostate tissue destruction?

BACKGROUND: Tissue blood perfusion influences the results of some hyperthermia and thermotherapy procedures, but its role in the outcome of prostate cancer treatment by high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) has not been evaluated yet. We evaluated preoperative prostate color Doppler as a predictor of the efficacy of HIFU treatment. METHODS: Thirty-five patients underwent pre- and post-contrast color Doppler examination of the prostate before HIFU treatment. Specific software was used to calculate, on color Doppler images, the color pixel density (CPD), and the specific flow (SF, i.e., mean velocity x CPD) in different regions of interest. Post-treatment sextant biopsies were obtained in 31 patients, 5.8 +/- 2.8 months after HIFU treatment. RESULTS: No significant correlation was found between the uniformity of HIFU-induced tissue destruction observed on control biopsies and the pre-treatment CPD/SF values in any region of interest, either before or after contrast injection. On the other hand, history of radiation therapy was significantly associated with homogeneous tissue destruction and history of hormone therapy was significantly associated with incomplete tissue destruction. CONCLUSIONS: Color Doppler cannot predict the uniformity of HIFU-induced tissue destruction. History of radiation therapy was found to be a factor of favorable prognosis and history of hormone therapy was found to be a factor of poor prognosis in our population.

Aged↗

PubMed2004

Mucus observations in the fertile window: a better predictor of conception than timing of intercourse.

BACKGROUND: Intercourse results in a pregnancy essentially only if it occurs during the 6-day fertile interval ending on the day of ovulation. The strong association between timing of intercourse within this interval and the probability of conception typically is attributed to limited sperm and egg life times. METHODS: A total of 782 women recruited from natural family planning centres in Europe contributed prospective data on 7288 menstrual cycles. Daily records of intercourse, basal body temperature and vaginal discharge of cervical mucus were collected. Probabilities of conception were estimated according to the timing of intercourse relative to ovulation and a 1-4 score of mucus quality. RESULTS: There was a strong increasing trend in the day-specific probabilities of pregnancy with increases in the mucus score. Adjusting for the mucus score, the day-specific probabilities had limited variability across the fertile interval. CONCLUSIONS: Changes in mucus quality across the fertile interval predict the observed pattern in the day-specific probabilities of conception. To maximize the likelihood of conception, intercourse should occur on days with optimal mucus quality, as observed in vaginal discharge, regardless of the exact timing relative to ovulation.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Surveillance of duodenal adenomas in familial adenomatous polyposis reveals high cumulative risk of advanced disease.

PURPOSE: The development of high-grade dysplasia (HGD) on duodenal or jejunal adenomas and of late-stage (stage IV) duodenal polyposis are major clinical events for familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) patients. Our aim was to determine their respective frequency, risk factors, and cumulative risk. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective, optimized, endoscopic surveillance protocol was applied to 58 FAP patients in a university hospital. The number, size, and histology of duodenojejunal polyps were assessed, and the Spigelman's score was calculated at each endoscopy. Cox regression and linear regression analysis were used to determine risk factors for HGD development and the cumulative risk of stage IV duodenal polyposis, respectively. RESULTS: During a median (+/- standard deviation) follow-up of 47.9 +/- 15.6 months, 35 patients with at least two consecutive examinations had 107 duodenojejunal examinations. The Spigelman's score increased in 21 patients (60.0%), and HGD developed in 12 patients (34.2%). High initial Spigelman's score (> 7 points), but not age or APC mutation site, was a risk factor for HGD development. Estimated cumulative risk of developing stage IV duodenal polyposis was of 42.9% at age 60 (95% CI, 35.7% to 50.0%) and 50.0% at age 70 (95% CI, 42.9% to 57.1%). CONCLUSION: This prospective series shows a higher duodenal polyposis progression rate and cumulative risk of late-stage (stage IV) duodenal polyposis in FAP patients compared with previous series. These results suggest that current modalities for surveillance and management of these patients need revision.

Adenoma↗

PubMed2004

Longitudinal study of oxidative status in 312 cystic fibrosis patients in stable state and during bronchial exacerbation.

In cystic fibrosis (CF), there is an imbalance in the oxidant/antioxidant system, leading to oxidative damage. The aim of this study was to assess antioxidant-scavenger deficiencies and lipid peroxide variations in three clinical situations (stable status, acute exacerbation, and after intravenous antibiotic treatment). The objective was also to correlate oxidative stress with age, nutritional status, and respiratory function. The study included prospectively 312 consecutive patients and 53 controls. Antioxidants (vitamin A, vitamin E, carotenoids, and glutathione) and oxidative markers (malondialdehyde and lipid peroxides) were measured in plasma. Regression analyses were performed. Antioxidant levels were lower in CF patients than in controls. These levels decreased during acute exacerbation and increased after antibiotic treatment. Carotenoid levels were not modified by infection or age. Only vitamin A and carotenoid levels were positively correlated to body mass index. Antioxidant levels were correlated to forced expiratory volume at 1 sec. Lipid peroxidation markers were lower in patients than in controls. Their levels decreased during infection, and increased after antibiotic treatment. Impaired lung function was correlated with elevated malondialdehyde levels. In conclusion, this study demonstrates antioxidant deficiency in a very large cohort of CF patients. Carotenoid and vitamin E deficiencies occur early in the course of the disease. Antioxidants decrease with bronchial infection. By contrast, nutritional disorders did not modify antioxidant levels during acute exacerbations. Thus, pulmonary disorders rather than nutritional disorders seem to be essential in the imbalance of the oxidant/antioxidant system. Results concerning glutathione and oxidative-marker levels highlighted the fact that their plasma values do not reflect oxidative stress in the respiratory tract.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

Suicide in the French armed forces.

Several states, of whom France, have been alarmed about suicide in the military. An observational longitudinal cohort study was conducted to check whether the suicide risk in the French army was higher than in the general population and to find out the more prone to self-harm destruction personnel categories. From 1997 to 2000 inclusive, 230 suicides occurred among 315,934 person.years; i.e., the overall annual crude suicide rate was 18.2 per 100,000 active-duty personnel. With the National data for 1999 as reference, army men had a lower suicide risk than men in the overall population of similar age categories (standardised mortality ratio = 67). A Poisson regression model showed that the incidence rate in the Gendarmerie was twice as high as in the Land Forces (incidence rate ratio = 2.15), that the incidence relative risk increased threefold over 4 years, and that the incidence rate ratio amongst under 25 and from 40 to 44-year-old personnel was almost twice as high as in the 25-29-year-old category. The main suicide methods were use of a firearm (51%) and hanging (28%). Despite a global lower risk than in the general population, certain army categories, i.e., Gendarmerie personnel and young men, deserve specific surveillance and preventive measures.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Is coronary angiography performed in the appropriate patients after acute myocardial infarction? Clinical and angiographic findings and one-year mortality in a large unselected cohort of 2493 consecutive patients in a French region (the PRIMA study).

OBJECTIVE: Rates of coronary angiography (CA) after myocardial infarction (MI) vary widely between institutions. Furthermore, the indications for CA are often in conflict with recognized guidelines. The present study sought to determine the characteristics and the one-year mortality in patients with MI, regardless of age and hospital facilities, according to the use of CA after MI. METHODS AND RESULTS: Data were prospectively collected in all patients with MI admitted to all hospitals in three departments in the Rhône-Alpes region. Among 2493 patients, 1117 (45%) underwent CA. In multivariate analysis, CA rate was lower with increasing age, female sex, in patients with comorbidity or heart failure. CA was performed in 49% of patients admitted to hospitals with on-site CA vs. 32% in hospitals without on-site CA (OR: 3.54, after adjustment for patients' characteristics). One-year mortality rate was 6.5% for the CA group and 36.9% for the no-CA group. In multivariate analysis, age, history of angina pectoris, presence of Q waves, Killip class at admission II, III, or IV and CPK ratio > or = 9 were significant predictors of a higher one-year mortality, but performance of CA did not significantly influence it: RR: 0.79 (95% CI 0.58 to 1.07). CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with MI in a large unselected cohort in a French region, the one-year mortality was significantly lower in those referred for angiography. However, after correction for the confounding effects of simple baseline clinical indicators of risk, this apparent benefit reflected the fact that angiography was performed in those at lowest risk.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Characterization of time-enhancement curves of benign and malignant prostate tissue at dynamic MR imaging.

Our objectives were to determine time-enhancement curves of prostate cancer, peripheral zone, and adenoma at gadolinium-enhanced MR imaging, and to determine if a high-spatial/low-temporal dynamic imaging could be accurate in depicting prostate cancer, or if a higher temporal resolution (and a lower spatial resolution) should be favored. Thirty-nine patients with prostate cancer underwent MR imaging before radical prostatectomy by using T1- and T2-weighted axial images and a single-slice dynamic gadolinium-enhanced sequence (40 images; one image per 6 s; injection of 20 ml at 2 ml/s). After analysis of the pathologic specimens, four region-of-interest (ROI) cursors (cancer, peripheral zone, adenoma, and muscle) were retrospectively placed on dynamic images. Time-enhancement curves of the ROIs were obtained. The theoretical accuracy of a 30-s dynamic multislice MR sequence in depicting cancer within peripheral zone and adenoma (ROC curves) was calculated from these curves. On average, prostate cancer enhanced more and earlier than peripheral zone and adenoma, but there were great interindividual variations. For start delays ranging from 12 to 84 s, the areas under the ROC curves ranged from 0.602 to 0.698 for the depiction of cancer within adenoma and from 0.614 to 0.827 for the depiction of cancer within peripheral zone. The best results were obtained with a 36-s start delay. In conclusion, we found a 30-s scanning window which seems to allow a good depiction of cancer within peripheral zone. Because of largely overlapping enhancement patterns, cancer will probably not be depicted within adenoma by dynamic imaging, at least by using low temporal resolution.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed2002

Cannabis use correlates with schizotypal personality traits in healthy students.

The literature suggests that cannabis use and schizotypal traits both constitute risk factors for the later development of schizophrenia. However, their interrelationships remain to be evaluated. The present study examined the association between cannabis use and schizotypal traits in 232 healthy students who ranged in age from 18 to 25 years. All the students had completed the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire and four of the Chapman Psychosis Proneness Scales: the Magical Ideation Scale; the Perceptual Aberration Scale; the Revised Physical Anhedonia Scale; and the Revised Social Anhedonia Scale. Subjects were divided into three groups according to cannabis use typology: those who had never used cannabis, those who were past or occasional users, and those who were regular users. Higher scores on the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire and the Magical Ideation Scale characterized the regular and past or occasional users compared with those who had never used cannabis. The co-occurrence of cannabis use and schizotypal traits appeared to be independent of anxiety and depression dimensions. These data suggest that cannabis use and schizotypal traits have to be jointly considered in further longitudinal studies of schizophrenia risk factors.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2002

Relationship between sleep and secretion of gonadotropin and ovarian hormones in women with normal cycles.

OBJECTIVE: To monitor gonadotropin and ovarian hormone levels in relation to sleep duration in normally cycling women. DESIGN: Observational and cross-sectional study. SETTING: Multicentric collaborative study. PATIENT(S): One hundred six healthy and normally cycling women, aged 19 to 44 years, with cycle lengths of 24 to 34 days. INTERVENTION(S): Follow-up during one to four consecutive cycles with daily urine collection. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Urine concentrations of LH, FSH, estrone-3-glucuronide (E1-3-G), and pregnanediol-3-alpha-glucuronide (Pd-3alpha-G). Ultrasound determination of day of ovulation and estimation of sleep duration. RESULT(S): We found a significant association between FSH levels and sleep duration (P=.008). Follicle-stimulating hormone levels were 20% higher in long-time sleepers than in short-time sleepers. This association persisted whatever the age or the body mass index. There was no significant association between belonging to any group and LH, E1-3-G, or Pd-3alpha-G levels. CONCLUSION(S): Our results suggest that sleep duration could be related to FSH levels, although the study design did not allow us to establish a causal relationship nor to explain the physiological basis of the observed relationship.

Adult↗