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Biomedical subjects

T Curtis

Publications and source records attributed to T Curtis.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Occupational respiratory diseases in South Africa--results from SORDSA, 1997-1999.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the nature and extent of work-related respiratory diseases reported to the national Surveillance of Work-related and Occupational Respiratory Diseases in South Africa (SORDSA) reporting scheme. The causative agents and industrial categories in which they occurred are also characterised. DESIGN: Voluntary monthly reporting of newly diagnosed cases by pulmonologists, occupational medicine practitioners and occupational health nurses. SETTING: Medical and occupational health referral centres in the nine provinces of South Africa. SUBJECTS: Cases were workers from non-mining industries or ex-miners, suffering from a newly diagnosed occupational respiratory disease, reported to SORDSA between October 1996 and December 1999. OUTCOME MEASURES: Frequencies of reported occupational respiratory disease by year, reporting source, province and sex. Frequencies of short- and long-latency diseases by industry and causative agent. RESULTS: There was incomplete reporting coverage of the nine provinces in the first 3 years. Reporting was most comprehensive from Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape. Diseases with long latency periods made up 76.2% of the cases. Pneumoconiosis, even in non-mining industries, was the most frequently reported disease, followed by inhalation accidents. Occupational asthma was the fourth most reported disease. Apart from the prominence of pneumoconiosis, the results obtained by SORDSA are similar to those from a British occupational lung disease surveillance scheme. This study showed that newly diagnosed cases of occupational lung disease occurred in many industries and were caused by a variety of agents. CONCLUSION: SORDSA has contributed insight into the nature, extent and distribution of occupational respiratory diseases in South Africa. It has also highlighted important causes of occupational respiratory diseases in South Africa, as well as hazardous industries. The data indicate that South Africa has a widespread occupational lung disease problem, and provide a platform for targeted prevention strategies.

Accidents, Occupational↗
PubMed2000

Changes in reports and incidence of child abuse following natural disasters.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this research was to investigate if there is a higher incidence of child abuse following major natural disasters. METHODOLOGY: Child abuse reports and substantiations were analyzed, by county, for 1 year before and after Hurricane Hugo, the Loma Prieta Earthquake. and Hurricane Andrew. Counties were included if damage was widespread, the county was part of a presidential disaster declaration, and if there was a stable data collection system in place. RESULTS: Based on analyses of numbers, rates, and proportions, child abuse reports were disproportionately higher in the quarter and half year following two of the three disaster events (Hurricane Hugo and Loma Prieta Earthquake). CONCLUSIONS: Most, but not all, of the evidence presented indicates that child abuse escalates after major disasters. Conceptual and methodological issues need to be resolved to more conclusively answer the question about whether or not child abuse increases in the wake of natural disasters. Replications of this research are needed based on more recent disaster events.

Child↗
PubMed1999

[Health, life style and living conditions in Greenland. The 1993-1994 Greenland health survey].

Existing knowledge about the disease pattern in Greenland does not include the Greenlanders' own perception of their health. Consequently, the Greenland Home Rule Government initiated a countrywide health interview survey which was carried out during 1993-1994. A total of 1728 adults were interviewed and filled in a questionnaire. Self-rated health varied with age, gender and socioeconomic conditions. Only few of those bothered by symptoms had contacted the health care services. Musculoskeletal diseases were by far the most frequent cause of symptoms. Suicidal thoughts were frequent; 48% had experienced the suicide of a relative or friend. The life style is characterized by a high consumption of marine mammals and fish, a decreasing but still high alcohol consumption and an 80% prevalence of smoking among both men and women. The health care services are often staffed by Danish physicians and nurses. Occasionally this gives rise to communication problems and dissatisfaction.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Family pattern and family care in Greenland.

Information on household and family patterns from the 1993-94 Health Interview Survey in Greenland is described. The average size of households is 3.5, and almost three-fourths of the Greenlandic population live in families with children. The pattern of these families with children covers a variety of single-parent families (6% of the total Greenlandic population), nuclear families (42%), extended families (14%), and other types of families (11%).

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Social and cultural factors as determinants of self-rated health in Greenland.

In 1993-94, a countrywide health interview survey was performed in 38 towns and villages throughout Greenland. Information was collected on self-rated health and self-reported disease, social and cultural factors, lifestyle, and living conditions. A total of 1,580 adult Greenlanders and 148 Danes was interviewed (57% of the sample). Respondents were classified according to ethnic self-identification and job category, but these customary classifications were not satisfactory. An alternative classification according to exposure to traditional Greenlandic hunting culture and Danish culture during childhood was tested. The population fell into three subgroups, each with its own socioeconomic, ethnic, and occupational pattern, and with different health and health behavior. The new classification has distinct advantages as a supplement to the usual classification according to ethnicity and job category. The aim of the present paper is to present a comprehensive health interview survey from Greenland and to discuss some considerations regarding sociocultural classification of the population.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

The role of hunting in a socioeconomic classification for Greenland.

The socioeconomic classification used in Western societies is not directly applicable to Greenland where other factors, such as success as a hunter, participation in community life, and raising children, also convey status and must be included in a status coding. In the 1993 Greenland Health Interview Survey the participants' hunting activities were estimated through a number of questions. Nineteen percent of male Greenlanders classified themselves as hunters when asked about their primary occupation, but in another question an additional 10% stated that they relied on hunting for a living. When asked about their job, hunters were confused as to whether hunting was considered a job by the researchers. This uncertainty may explain the difference between the two questions regarding classification of individuals as hunters. For future research it is necessary to develop a socioeconomic status classification which is culturally sensitive and suited to contemporary Greenlandic society.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

AIDS theories.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

AIDS Vaccines↗
PubMed1993

Challenges in medical staff credentialing.

This article addresses the challenges faced by medical staffs in conducting their medical staff appointment and reappointment activities, including credentialing, privileging, establishing criteria for new procedures, crossover privileging, and creating credentialing systems for new facilities. In order to satisfy legal scrutiny, the cornerstone of all these activities must be quality patient care.

Credentialing↗
PubMed1992

Vertical dimension increases in the adult rhesus monkey: a pilot study.

Tooth impaction, increased muscle activity, and histologic changes in the bone of the temporomandibular joint have been reported following attempts to increase the vertical dimension of occlusion. The purpose of this research was to study the effects of increases in the vertical dimension of occlusion on bone density at five levels of the mandible in the adult rhesus monkey, and to assess dentoalveolar changes by lateral cephalometric radiographs and mounted diagnostic casts. Mandibular cobalt chromium splints measuring 3 mm in height at the first molar, providing even occlusal contact to the maxillary anterior and posterior teeth, were cemented in place on two monkeys. Five similar monkeys without splints were used as controls. Computed tomograms were completed to evaluate bone density bilaterally at five levels of the mandible after 3 months of splint wear. Pretreatment and posttreatment lateral cephalometric radiographs and mounted diagnostic casts were completed to assess tooth impaction. Periodontal ligament (PDL) thickening and mobility of molars and premolars were evaluated before splint placement and after splint removal. There was no statistically significant difference in the bone density levels of the animals with splints compared with the controls. Minimal dentoalveolar changes were observed.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Fair hearings for physicians denied participation in managed care plans.

As a result of the imminent application of the doctrine of corporate negligence to health maintenance organizations and other providers of managed care, those entities are likely to become much more active in the credentialing processes they undertake. Adversely affected physicians should be entitled to the same procedural protection currently afforded by hospitals, a "fair hearing" that at least provides a notice of charges and an opportunity to respond to the charges.

Credentialing↗
PubMed1987

The Health Care Quality Improvement Act of 1986--what it means to the physician.

Despite the valid purpose of the Health Care Quality Improvement Act of 1986--to restrict the practice of incompetent physicians through effective peer review--the author believes the Act will increase the number of unfair disciplinary hearings, while eliminating a physician's remedies for such wrongful conduct.

Clinical Competence↗
PubMed1985

Chylous ascites in infants and children: a case report and literature review.

Successful treatment of an infant with chylous ascites secondary to "congenital leaky lymphatics" is described, followed by a literature review of cases of pediatric chylous ascites. The infant was placed on home total parenteral nutrition for 10 weeks, during which time the chylous ascites resolved and did not recur with the introduction of a normal diet. Forty cases of pediatric chylous ascites have been reported since 1960, with an age range from birth to 18 years. The presenting signs and symptoms were secondary to abdominal distension in over 80% of cases. The chylous ascites was secondary to trauma, which included child abuse (19%), obstruction (27%), or lymphatic abnormalities (54%). Most studies described were not helpful in making the diagnosis, except for lymphangiography and exploratory laparotomy. Many patients were treated with a high-protein, low-fat diet, with or without medium-chain triglycerides, with variable success. Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) was the primary therapeutic modality in five patients, and in all but one of the cases there was complete resolution of the chylous ascites over 3 to 10 weeks with no significant side effects. Total parenteral nutrition, including home TPN, is a safe and effective therapeutic modality for some cases of chylous ascites.

Adolescent↗