PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

S Greenfield

Publications and source records attributed to S Greenfield.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Range of self-tests available to buy in the United Kingdom: an Internet survey.

We aimed to describe the availability in the United Kingdom of self-tests that are used to diagnose or screen for conditions without involving a health professional. A systematic Internet search identified 104 unique self-tests related to 24 named conditions including cancers, chronic conditions and infections. These self-tests require various samples including blood obtained using a lancet. The samples are processed at home with results available in minutes or sent to a laboratory for processing with results returned to the individual by e-mail or post. Prices per self-test and condition range from < Pounds 1 to Pounds 76. Self-tests are readily available, and further work is needed to assess their impact.

Diagnostic Equipment↗
PubMed2006

Systematic review: the effectiveness of hypnotherapy in the management of irritable bowel syndrome.

AIM: To systematically review the literature evaluating hypnotherapy in the management of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). METHODS: Electronic databases were searched (Cochrane Library, Medline, CINAHL, AMED, Embase, PsycINFO, CISCOM, TRIP and the Social Science Citation index), bibliographic references scanned and main authors contacted. No restrictions were placed on language or publication year. Eligible studies involved adults with IBS using single-component hypnotherapy. All studies, except single case or expert opinion, were sought and all patient-related outcomes eligible. RESULTS: Out of 299 unique references identified, 20 studies (18 trials of which four were randomized, two controlled and 12 uncontrolled) and two case series were eligible. These tended to demonstrate hypnotherapy as being effective in the management of IBS. Numbers of patients included were small. Only one trial scored more than four out of eight on internal validity. CONCLUSION: The published evidence suggests that hypnotherapy is effective in the management of IBS. Over half of the trials (10 of 18) indicated a significant benefit. A randomized placebo-controlled trial of high internal validity is necessary to establish the effectiveness of hypnotherapy in the management of IBS. Until such a trial is undertaken, this form of treatment should be restricted to specialist centres caring for the more severe forms of the disorder.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Predictors of patients' preferences for treatments to prevent heart disease.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the relationship between expressed preferences for drug treatment to prevent coronary disease and several participant and general practitioner characteristics among patients attending coronary risk screening. DESIGN: Face-to-face interviews with patients. At the first interview, a researcher asked participants to imagine six scenarios representing different levels of pretreatment five-year coronary risk. In each case they were asked whether they would choose treatment that would reduce their coronary risk by 30% of pretreatment risk. At the second interview participants were told their coronary risk and asked whether they would choose treatment. Sociodemographic variables were collected to investigate their relationship to patients' treatment preferences. PARTICIPANTS: Patients identified as likely to be at high coronary risk were invited to attend for risk screening and to participate in the study. SETTING: 13 practices in the West Midlands. RESULTS: Participants' preferences varied widely: at the first interview 112 (55.2%) of 203 participants preferred treatment at 3% five-year coronary risk but 31 (15.3%) preferred no treatment even at 30% five-year coronary risk. Age, sex, education and drug treatment history did not affect preferences, but lower social class was associated with preferring treatment at lower risk. Preferences expressed at the second interview were generally consistent with preferences at the first interview (kappa = 0.510, 95% CI 0.380 to 0.639). CONCLUSIONS: Patients attending for coronary risk screening express stable preferences for drug treatment to prevent coronary heart disease. Their preferences vary widely and may be associated with social class.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Preliminary psychometric evaluation of the Child Health Ratings Inventory (CHRIs) and Disease-Specific Impairment Inventory-Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (DSII-HSCT) in parents and children.

PURPOSE: To describe the initial results of the Child Health Ratings Inventory (CHRIs), 20-item generic health-related quality of life (HRQL) instrument and the 10-item disease-specific (DS) module, the Disease Specific Impairment Inventory-Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (DSII-HSCT), for children and adolescents, ages 5-18 years and their parents following HSCT. STUDY DESIGN: Using cross sectional design, 122 children with a median age of 11 years (range 5.0-18 years) completed the questionnaire (CHRIs + DSII-HSCT) with research assistance. Seventy-four parents independently completed a parallel version of the questionnaire; health care providers assigned a global clinical severity rating. RESULTS: The generic core includes four domains: physical, role, and emotional functioning, and energy. The DS module has three domains: worry, hassles, and body image. The Cronbach's alpha for parents and for older children (8 years and over) exceeded 0.70 for all generic and DS domains. While the range of alpha coefficients was lower for younger children, ages 5-7 year, only the alpha coefficient for one domain (energy) was less than 0.70. The instrument satisfactorily discriminated between clinically important groups: those early in the transplant process (< 6 months) versus those later (> 12 months) and by provider-assigned clinical severity ratings. CONCLUSION: results suggest that the CHRIs generic core and its DSII-HSCT module is a promising measure of HRQL after pediatric HSCT. Although parent and child reports were moderately correlated and revealed complementary results, the unique perspectives of both raters provide a more complete picture of HRQL. Longitudinal application is underway to further characterize the measurement properties of the CHRIs and to determine the instrument's responsiveness and sensitivity to change over time in this vulnerable population.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Factors influencing clinicians' decisions to prescribe medication to prevent coronary heart disease.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: There are variations between individual clinicians as to the thresholds at which preventive treatment for coronary heart disease (CHD) should commence. Patients' decisions may be influenced by clinicians' recommendations. Free text comments added by respondents to closed questionnaires may identify areas which are of real concern to them about the topic being studied. The study aimed to identify issues voluntarily raised by clinicians surrounding the decision to prescribe preventive treatment for CHD. METHODS: An analysis was undertaken of the free text comments made by cardiologists, general practitioners and practice nurses who responded to a closed question postal questionnaire in which they were asked to identify at which level of pretreatment risk they would offer treatment. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: A similar percentage of respondents in each professional group provided free text comments. Clinicians' concerns centred on five main themes around prescribing decisions: the risks and benefits of treatment, the patient's role in treatment decisions, patient characteristics, costs to patients, and costs to the health services. Different issues may be of more concern to some professional groups than others. CONCLUSION: In addition to the use of risk assessment tools and guidelines, clinicians' actual prescribing behaviour may be influenced by more subjective factors. Patients at similar risk may receive different advice depending on the individual clinician they consult.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed2005

Self-monitoring of blood glucose in non-insulin-treated diabetic patients: a longitudinal evaluation of its impact on metabolic control.

AIMS: In the framework of a nationwide outcomes research programme, we assessed the impact of self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) on metabolic control over 3 years in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) not treated with insulin. METHODS: The study involved 1896 patients who completed, at 6-month intervals for 3 years, a questionnaire investigating SMBG practice. Clinical information was collected by participating clinicians at the same time intervals. The predictive value of SMBG frequency on long-term metabolic control was estimated using multilevel analysis. The impact of SMBG on metabolic control was also evaluated in distinct and homogeneous subgroups of patients showing different likelihood of performing SMBG, identified using a tree-growing technique (RECPAM). RESULTS: Overall, 22% of the patients were on diet alone and 78% were treated with oral agents; 41% practiced SMBG > or = 1/week (10.3% > or = 1/day). The analysis of metabolic control according to the frequency of SMBG failed to show any significant impact of this practice on HbA1c levels over 3 years. Similarly, changes in SMBG frequency during the study were not related to significant changes in HbA1c levels. RECPAM analysis led to the identification of eight classes, characterized by substantial differences in the likelihood of performing SMBG with a frequency of at least 1/week. Nevertheless, in none of the RECPAM classes identified, did SMBG predict a better metabolic control over 3 years of follow-up. In those RECPAM classes indicating that SMBG was mainly performed to avoid hypoglycaemic episodes, SMBG was associated with a decrease in the frequency of hypoglycaemic episodes during the study. CONCLUSIONS: In a large sample of non-insulin-treated Type 2 diabetic patients, the performance and frequency of SMBG did not predict better metabolic control over 3 years. We could not identify any specific subgroups of patients for whom SMBG practice was associated with lower HbA1c levels during the study.

Algorithms↗
PubMed2002

Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease and motor neurone disease: identifying a common mechanism.

Although Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and motor neurone disease are distinct disorders, there could be a common neurodegenerative mechanism that characterises the death of selective neurone populations in each case. We propose that this mechanism could be an aberrantly activated, developmental process involving a non-classical, non-enzymatic action of acetylcholinesterase mediated via a short linear motif near the C-terminal end of the molecule. Since this motif has a highly conserved homology with part of the amyloid precursor protein, it may be particularly attractive as a target for novel therapeutic strategies in neurodegeneration.

Acetylcholinesterase↗
PubMed2001

Patients' role in the use of radiology testing for common office practice complaints.

BACKGROUND: Radiological studies are an important component of ambulatory medical costs, and guidelines often focus on their appropriate use. However, little is known about the correlates of the use of those services, particularly the influence of patients' preferences on physicians' utilization decisions. OBJECTIVES: To study patients presenting for outpatient treatment of respiratory problems and low back pain, and to examine the magnitude of the effect of the patients' perceived need for radiological studies (radiology preference score) on use of those services. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. SETTING: Office practices of generalist physicians in predominantly rural areas of 8 states. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 52 generalist physicians agreed to enroll consecutive Medicare-eligible patients making office visits for respiratory problems or low back pain. Of 1785 eligible patients invited to participate, 132 (7%) refused and 1137 (69%) of 1653 returned questionnaires. MEASUREMENTS: Radiology utilization rates (plain film, computed tomographic scan, or magnetic resonance image scan) were determined by patient self-report. To assess perceived need for radiological studies, we asked patients how necessary they believed an x-ray film was in the evaluation of 4 common complaints (respiratory problems, low back pain, knee pain, and knee swelling). A summary radiology preference score was created from 3 of the 4 items, excluding the item referring to the patients' index complaint. RESULTS: Six hundred fifteen respiratory and 522 low back pain patients were enrolled; mean ages were 69 and 64 years, respectively. Radiology utilization rates were 37% for respiratory and 26% for low back pain patients. In multiple logistic regression models, for respiratory patients radiology utilization was related significantly to the radiology preference score (odds ratio [OR] for fourth quartile compared with first quartile, 1.94; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.11-3.37; P = .02), to having a physician who owned radiology equipment (OR, 1.81; 95% CI, 1.23-2.66; P = .002), and current smoking (OR, 1.58; 95% CI, 1.04-2.41; P = .03). For low back pain patients, radiology utilization was significantly related to the radiology preference score (OR for fourth compared with first quartile, 2.55; 95% CI, 1.29-5.06; P = .007), bothersomeness of the pain (OR for fourth compared with first quartile, 3.74; 95% CI, 1.74-8.04; P<.001), and a diagnosis of osteoporosis (OR, 1.67; 95% CI, 1.01-2.75; P = .04). CONCLUSIONS: Patients' perceived need for radiological studies was significantly associated with use of those services for outpatients with respiratory problems and low back pain. These findings suggest that patients communicate their wishes to physicians, either directly or indirectly, regarding services they think are necessary. Differences in physicians' adherence to guidelines regarding radiology utilization may in part reflect variations in patients' perceived need for those services. Efforts to educate patients about when radiological studies are medically indicated may be an important complement to practice guidelines or other utilization-related financial incentives.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

The anxieties of male and female medical students on commencing clinical studies: the role of gender.

CONTEXT: Many medical students experience considerable anxiety when starting hospital experiences. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the role of gender in this transitional experience. METHOD: A questionnaire study was conducted in 1992 and 1995 to compare female and male anxieties about clinical situations they anticipated encountering. The 31-item questionnaire listed potential anxiety-provoking situations and requested the respondents' ratings of their reactions (from 1=not anxious to 4=very anxious). RESULTS: Differences in rankings between males and females were consistent between 1992 and 1995. More detailed analysis of 1995 data showed females had significantly higher totals; for 16/31 situations the difference was statistically significantly higher. For 4/31 situations male score was statistically significantly higher. Males ranked clinical situations involving intimate contact with patients significantly higher. Females scored situations involving interactions with consultants significantly higher than other situations and higher than did males. Females compared to males ranked 6/31 situations over five places different. CONCLUSIONS: Customisation of clinical introductory courses should be introduced. Earlier community-based clinical experience may help reduce non-productive anxiety.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2001

The impact of blood glucose self-monitoring on metabolic control and quality of life in type 2 diabetic patients: an urgent need for better educational strategies.

OBJECTIVE: The role of self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) in type 2 diabetes is still a matter of debate. In the framework of a nationwide outcomes research program, we investigated the frequency of SMBG and its association with metabolic control and quality of life (QoL). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: The study involved 3,567 patients with type 2 diabetes who were recruited by 101 outpatient diabetes clinics and 103 general practitioners. Patients completed a questionnaire investigating SMBG practice and QoL (diabetes-related stress, diabetes health distress, diabetes-related worries, and Centers for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression scale). RESULTS: Data on SMBG were available for 2,855 subjects (80% of the entire study population). Overall, 471 patients (17%) stated that they tested their blood glucose levels at home > or =1 time per day, 899 patients (31%) tested their blood glucose levels > or =1 time per week, and 414 patients (14%) tested their blood glucose levels <1 time per week, whereas 1,071 patients (38%) stated that they never practiced SMBG. A higher frequency of SMBG was associated with better metabolic control among subjects who were able to adjust insulin doses, whereas no relationship was found in all other patients, irrespective of the kind of treatment. Multivariate analyses showed that an SMBG frequency > or =1 time per day was significantly related to higher levels of distress, worries, and depressive symptoms in non-insulin-treated patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that SMBG can have an important role in improving metabolic control if it is an integral part of a wider educational strategy devoted to the promotion of patient autonomy. In patients not treated with insulin, self-monitoring is associated with higher HbA(1c) levels and psychological burden. Our data do not support the extension of SMBG to this group.

Ambulatory Care Facilities↗
PubMed2001

The relationship between physicians' self-reported target fasting blood glucose levels and metabolic control in type 2 diabetes. The QuED Study Group--quality of care and outcomes in type 2 diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between beliefs of physicians relative to intensive metabolic control in type 2 diabetes and levels of HbA1c obtained in a sample of their patients. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Physicians' beliefs were investigated through a questionnaire sent to a sample of self-selected clinicians participating in a nationwide initiative aimed at assessing the relationship between the quality of care delivered to patients with type 2 diabetes and their outcomes. At the same time, physicians were asked to collect clinical data on a random sample of their patients, stratified by age (<65 vs. > or = 65 years). Mean HbA1c levels in the study population were thus evaluated according to target fasting blood glucose (FBG) used by their physicians. RESULTS: Of 456 physicians, 342 (75%) returned the questionnaire. Among the responders, 200 diabetologists and 99 general practitioners (GPs) recruited 3,297 patients; 2,003 of whom were always followed by the same physician and 1,294 of whom were seen by different physicians in the same structure on different occasions. Only 14% of the respondents used target FBG levels < or = 6.1 mmol/l, whereas 38% pursued values >7.8 mmol/l, with no statistically significant difference between diabetologists and GPs. The analysis of the relationship between FBG targets and metabolic control, restricted to those patients always seen by the same physician, showed a strong linear association, with mean HbA1c values of 7.0 +/- 1.6 for patients in the charge of physicians pursuing FBG levels < or = 6.1 mmol/l and 7.8 +/- 1.8 for those followed by physicians who used target values >7.8 mmol/l. After adjusting for patients' and physicians' characteristics, the risk of having HbA1c values > 7.0% was highly correlated with physicians' beliefs. Patients followed by different physicians in the same unit showed a risk of inadequate metabolic control similar to that of patients followed by physicians adopting a nonaggressive policy. CONCLUSIONS: Doctors adopt extremely heterogeneous target FBG levels in patients with type 2 diabetes, which in turn represent an important independent predictor of metabolic control. To improve patient outcomes, physicians-centered educational activities aimed at increasing the awareness of the potential benefits of a tight metabolic control in patients with type 2 diabetes are urgently needed.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

Optimal methods for guideline implementation: conclusions from Leeds Castle meeting.

BACKGROUND: Quality problems in medical care are not a new finding. Variations in medical practice as well as actual medical errors have been pointed out for many decades. The current movement to write practice guidelines to attempt to correct these deviations from recommended medical practice has not solved the problem. OBJECTIVE: In order to gain greater acceptance of these guidelines and to change the behavior of health care providers, the science of guideline implementation must be understood better. RESEARCH DESIGN: A group of experts who have studied the problem of implementation in Europe and the United States was convened. This meeting summary enumerates the implementation methods studied to date, reviews the theories of behavioral change, and makes recommendation for effecting better implementation guidelines. RESULTS: A research agenda was proposed to further our knowledge of effective evidence-based implementation.

Europe↗
PubMed2000

What can we do to improve physical function in older persons with type 2 diabetes?

BACKGROUND: Older persons with type 2 diabetes are at higher risk for functional impairment than are their age-matched counterparts without-diabetes. We therefore sought to identify factors associated with impaired physical function in older persons with type 2 diabetes by using a cross-sectional study design. METHODS: We studied 1238 persons with type 2 diabetes who were 55 years of age or older and enrolled in the Type II Diabetes Patient Outcomes Research Team (PORT) project. Subjects were primary care patients at a large staff model health maintenance organization who had completed a mailed survey that collected information about demographics (age, race, marital status, income, education, gender, and body mass index [BMI]), health behaviors (exercise, smoking, and alcohol), care and control of diabetes (therapy, self-reported glucose control, home glucose monitoring, and disease duration), mood (Center for Epidemiologic Studies--Depression Scale [CES-D]), comorbidity, and the Short-Form-36 health survey (SF-36). We evaluated the bivariate relationships between the PFI- 10, a 10-item measure of physical function from the SF-36, and candidate independent variables from the domains described previously. Variables that were significant at an a level of .10 were entered into a multiple linear regression model. RESULTS: There were eight independent predictors of impaired physical function (all p < .05, R2 = .40). Factors associated with impaired function in order of their relative importance were as follows: a higher comorbidity score, older age, obesity, lack of regular exercise, CES-D score higher than 20, taking insulin, lower formal education, and abstinence from alcohol. CONCLUSIONS: Increased comorbidity and older age are associated with poorer function, as is the severity of diabetes and less formal education. Exercise, lower BMI, and better mood are associated with better function. Therefore, promoting regular exercise and weight loss, in addition to treating depression, are likely to preserve or even improve the functional status of older persons with type 2 diabetes. Moderate alcohol use may be beneficial as well. The extent to which these relationships persist in prospective studies or clinical trials remains to be evaluated.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed2000

Controlling blood glucose levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. An evidence-based policy statement by the American Academy of Family Physicians and American Diabetes Association.

OBJECTIVE: To review evidence about the benefit of intensive glycemic control for patients with type 2 diabetes and to develop practice recommendations. PARTICIPANTS: A 9-member panel composed of family physicians, general internists, endocrinologists, and a practice guidelines methodologist was assembled by the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Diabetes Association, and the American College of Physicians. EVIDENCE: Admissible evidence included published randomized controlled trials and observational studies regarding the effects of glycemic control on microvascular and macrovascular complications and on adverse effects. We followed systematic search and data abstraction procedures. Greater weight was given to clinical trials and to evidence about health outcomes. CONSENSUS PROCESS: Interpretations of evidence and approval of documents were finalized by unanimous vote, with recommendations linked to evidence and not expert opinion. The full report was prepared by the chair and 2 panel members, representing each of the 3 organizations. The initial draft underwent external review by 14 diabetologists and family physicians and changes consistent with the evidence were incorporated. CONCLUSIONS: The evidence demonstrates that the risk of microvascular and neuropathic complications is reduced by lowering glucose concentrations. Whether glycemic control affects macrovascular outcomes is less clear. The potential benefits of glycemic control must be balanced against factors that either preempt benefits (eg, limited life expectancy, comorbid disease) or increase risk (eg, severe hypoglycemia). The magnitude of benefit is a function of individual clinical variables (eg, baseline glycated hemoglobin level, presence of preexisting microvascular disease). Appropriate targets for treatment should be determined by considering these factors, patients' risk profiles, and personal preferences.

Aged↗