Comments on Hulse's "Australia's public health response to HIV and HCV: a role for 'affected' communities".
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Comment↗
Biomedical subjects
T Rhodes
Publications and source records attributed to T Rhodes.
Age-related differences in internal prostatic architecture on transrectal ultrasonography: results of a community based survey in Japan.
PURPOSE: We determined age-related differences in prostate internal architecture and prostate volume by transrectal ultrasonography in Japanese men 40 to 79 years old. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The 287 study participants were categorized by transition zone disease: group 1-not visible (normal prostate), group 2-visible, borders unclear (diffusely enlarged hyperplasia) and group 3-visible, border clear (nodularly enlarged hyperplasia). RESULTS: Group 1 comprised 40% of men 50 to 79 years old and showed slightly decreased median prostate volume with age. Prostate volume and its variance increased with age in group 3 but differed little across age in group 2. CONCLUSIONS: In a community sample the prostatic internal architecture relationship with age and prostate volume suggested differing growth patterns.
Adult↗
Re: Japanese men have smaller prostate volumes but comparable urinary flow rates relative to American men: results of community based studies in 2 countries.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Humans↗
Natural history of prostatism: longitudinal changes in voiding symptoms in community dwelling men.
PURPOSE: We report the results of 3 contacts during 42 months of The Olmsted County Study of Urinary Symptoms and Health Status Among Men, a longitudinal cohort study of men 40 to 79 years old that was initiated in 1990 to describe changes in lower urinary tract symptom severity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: At baseline and followup, men completed questionnaires that elicited urinary symptom severity with questions nearly identical to those of the American Urological Association symptom index: RESULTS: Overall, there was an average increase in American Urological Association symptom index of approximately 0.18 (95% confidence interval 0.13 to 0.24) points per year of followup. The average annual symptom score slope and variability in slope increased with patient age at baseline from a mean of 0.05 +/- 1.06 (standard deviation) per year among men in the forties to 0.44 +/- 1.35 per year for men in the sixties, and decreased to 0.14 +/- 1.42 per year for men in the seventies. The age-related changes in symptom severity mirror previous estimates of prostatic growth from autopsy prevalence studies. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate a slow but measurable progression in urinary symptom severity among community dwelling men for 42 months of followup.
Adult↗
Acceleration of MRP-associated efflux of rhodamine 123 by genistein and related compounds.
Multidrug resistance (MDR), caused by overexpression of either P-glycoprotein or the multidrug resistance protein (MRP), is characterised by a decreased cellular drug accumulation due to an enhanced drug efflux. In this study, we examined the effects of genistein and structurally related (iso)flavonoids on the transport of rhodamine 123 (Rh123) and daunorubicin in the MRP-overexpressing MDR lung cancer cell lines COR-L23/R and MOR/R. Genistein, genistin, daidzein and quercetin showed major differences in effects on Rh123 vs daunorubicin transport in the MRP-mediated MDR cell lines: the accumulation of daunorubicin was increased, whereas the accumulation of Rh123 was decreased by the flavonoids. The depolarisation of the membrane potential caused by genistein might be involved in the acceleration of the efflux of Rh123 measured in the MRP-overexpressing cell lines. These observations should be taken into account when using fluorescent dyes as probes for determination of transporter activity as a measure of MDR.
Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic↗
Prevalence of markers for hepatitis B virus and HIV-1 among drug injectors in London: injecting careers, positivity and risk behaviour.
Concerns about the risks of HIV infection among drug injectors have eclipsed concerns about the prevalence and transmission of hepatitis, and in particular hepatitis B virus infection. Findings are reported from surveys undertaken with two separate community-recruited samples of drug injectors in London collected in 1992 (n = 505) and in 1993 (n = 507). Anonymized confirmed testing of saliva shows 51.5% of drug injectors in 1992 and 47.9% in 1993 to be antibody positive to the core antigen of hepatitis B virus (anti-HBc). Approximately half of the drug injectors confirmed as anti-HBc positive were unaware that they had been infected with hepatitis. Anti-HIV-1 prevalence was considerably lower at 7.0% in 1992 and 6.9% in 1993. Multivariate analyses showed anti-HBc positivity to be most likely among older injectors with longer injecting careers who had a history of having shared used needles and syringes. HIV-1 positivity was also associated with a history of having shared injecting equipment as well as with recent sharing (i.e. in the last 6 months). Unlike anti-HBc positivity, there were no associations between HIV-1 positivity and age or length of injecting career. Younger injectors with shorter injecting careers were more likely to report recent sharing of used injecting equipment than older injectors with longer injecting careers. We note the potential for continued transmission of HBV and HIV-1, particularly among younger injectors. We recommend an integrated strategy to maximize the health of drug injectors, of which HIV and HBV prevention is a part. There is a need to widen the availability of HBV vaccinations for HBV negative drug injectors and their sexual partners and for clear guidelines to drug injectors about the relative efficacy of bleach to disinfect injecting equipment of HBV and HIV.
Adolescent↗
HIV-1 prevalence in community-wide samples of injecting drug users in London, 1990-1993.
OBJECTIVE: To provide time-trend estimates of HIV-1 prevalence among injecting drug users (IDU) in London. DESIGN: HIV-1 prevalence and HIV testing behaviour were measured in four serial point prevalence surveys of IDU recruited at multiple sites in community-based non-treatment and drug treatment settings between 1990 and 1993. METHODS: Community subjects were recruited through social network sampling by trained indigenous interviewers; treatment subjects were interviewed at agencies. With informed consent, subjects responded to a structured questionnaire covering risk behaviour. Volunteered saliva samples were tested anonymously for anti-HIV-1. Statistical comparisons across years were examined using mixed binomial logistic and log-linear models. Pearson's chi 2 and Fisher's exact tests were also used for some two-group comparisons. RESULTS: Similar samples were recruited each year. HIV-1 prevalence rate declined from 12.8% in 1990, 9.8% in 1991, 7.0% in 1992, to 6.9% in 1993. The statistical modelling suggested that the overall trend in prevalence rates was one of decelerating decline. There was no difference in prevalence rate by gender and length of injecting. Less than one-half (46%) had received a named HIV test. Over one-half of the HIV-positive IDU were unaware of their status. CONCLUSIONS: The pattern of decline in HIV prevalence rate is attributed to changes in risk behaviour following HIV prevention interventions.
Adult↗
Culture, drugs and unsafe sex: confusion about causation.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Alcohol Drinking↗
Sex, drugs, intervention, and research: from the individual to the social.
Epidemiological estimates of the sexual risk behavior of drug users have provided essential indicators to the current and future prevalence of HIV transmission. An overview of recent research shows the majority of drug injectors to be sexually active, low levels of reported condom use, a significant minority of female injectors to be involved in prostitution, relatively high levels of sexual mixing between drug injectors and noninjectors, and only scant indications of sexual behavior change. Epidemiological studies of risk, however, are unable to yield the data required to understand the interaction between individual risk behavior and social relationships. This is required if obstacles to safer sex compliance and sexual behavior change are to be overcome, and demands recognition of the influence and importance of social context on the production of sexual risk behavior in future research and intervention designs. In response, the paper explores the future role of qualitative research in understanding the social relations of "risk" and in contributing toward theoretical advancements in explanations of risk perception and risk behavior. The paper concludes by discussing the implications of this analysis for developing interventions which aim to target social relationships as agents of social network and community change.
Condoms↗
Japanese men have smaller prostate volumes but comparable urinary flow rates relative to American men: results of community based studies in 2 countries.
PURPOSE: We compared prostate volume and peak urinary flow rate in Japanese and American men 40 to 79 years old. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prostate volume and peak urinary flow rate were measured in eligible Japanese men and results were compared to those of a randomly selected American cohort. RESULTS: Mean prostate volume plus or minus standard deviation averaged 20.3 +/- 10.6 ml. in Japanese and 29.6 +/- 13.4 ml. in American men, while predicted cross-sectional increases with age decade were 1.5 and 5.5 ml., respectively. Peak urinary flow rate was higher but the decrease with increasing age was greater in Japanese men. CONCLUSIONS: Prostate volume is larger and the increase with age is more pronounced in American than in Japanese men. However, Japanese men may have a higher peak urinary flow rate and greater cross-sectional decrease with age.
Adult↗
Serum prostate specific antigen levels after transurethral resection of prostate: a longitudinal characterization in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia.
PURPOSE: We studied the long-term effects of adenomectomy on serum levels of prostate specific antigen (PSA) in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A consecutive series of 82 men undergoing adenomectomy for BPH between 1990 and 1992 was studied. PSA levels were determined before and serially after operation for as long as 5 years. RESULTS: Mean PSA decreased from 4.6 ng/ml. preoperatively to 0.7 ng./ml. 6 months postoperatively. These low levels were maintained throughout the 5-year observation period. The PSA decrease correlated with grams of tissue removed (r = 0.54, p < 0.001) and averaged 0.11 ng./ml./gm. Postoperatively mean PSA velocity was 0.01 ng./ml. per year, that is essentially flat, and it was not influenced by patient age, race, type of operation, grams of tissue removed, baseline PSA, PSA density of T1a lesions (7). One to 5 years after adenomectomy 6 of the 82 men had invasive prostatic carcinoma, and PSA levels and velocities remained low. CONCLUSIONS: These data support the concept of transition zone primacy in determining serum PSA. Furthermore, they suggest a possible need for a modified reference range when using PSA to screen for prostatic carcinoma in the estimated 3 million men alive in the United States who previously underwent adenomectomy for BPH.
Adult↗
Localisation of the multidrug resistance-associated protein, MRP, in resistant large-cell lung tumour cells.
The drug transport protein, P-glycoprotein, confers multidrug resistance (MDR) by expelling drugs across the cell surface. The structurally similar multidrug resistance-associated protein, or MRP, is also involved with drug efflux. In MDR variants of the human lung tumour cell line COR-L23 that overexpress MRP, there are also changes in intracellular drug distribution. To ascertain whether MRP could be involved in either process, experiments were performed to identify where MRP was located in these cells. Following separation of membranes by sucrose gradient centrifugation, MRP was found predominantly in the lighter membrane fractions containing plasma membrane enzyme activity. Immunofluorescent staining with a monoclonal antibody raised against MRP confirmed that MRP is present at the cell surface of these MDR lung tumour cells.
ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters↗
Association between family history of benign prostatic hyperplasia and urinary symptoms: results of a population-based study.
Baseline measurements for a population-based prospective cohort study were used to assess the association between family history of enlarged prostate and urinary symptoms. Between December 1989 and March 1991, a group of randomly selected men aged 40-79 years from Olmsted County, Minnesota, was administered a previously validated questionnaire that included questions with wording close to that of the American Urological Association's Symptom Index. A detailed family history of an enlarged prostate was obtained by personal interview, and peak urinary flow rates were measured for each participant. Of the 2,119 men, 440 (21 percent) reported a family history of an enlarged prostate. The age-adjusted odds of having moderate or severe urinary symptoms were elevated among those with a family history relative to those without (odds ratio = 1.3, 95 percent confidence interval 1.1-1.7). With simultaneous control for effects of age and worry about urologic function, the odds ratio remained at 1.3 (95 percent confidence interval 1.0-1.6). Furthermore, this risk was greater for men with relatives diagnosed at a younger age (odds ratio = 2.5, 95 percent confidence interval 1.5-4.3). Men with a family history were also 1.3 times as likely to have an impaired peak urinary flow rate. These findings suggest that men with a family history of an enlarged prostate may be at increased risk for development of symptoms and signs suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia and that this risk is greater in men with relatives diagnosed at a younger age. Recognition of this association may help to target early interventions and may lead to further clues about the causes of benign prostatic hyperplasia.
Adult↗
Does the mode of questionnaire administration affect the reporting of urinary symptoms?
OBJECTIVES: To assess the effect of modes of administration (self-administered questionnaires, oral face-to-face interview, and telephone interview) on responses to the American Urological Association Symptom Index (AUASI) in randomly selected community men. METHODS: An age-stratified random sample of 475 white male residents of Olmsted County, Minnesota, aged 40 to 79 years, without prior prostate surgery or prostate cancer were queried about urinary symptom frequency twice at baseline and twice approximately 2 years later using questions with wording similar to the AUASI: At baseline and first follow-up, questionnaires were self-administered initially, followed by a structured interview by a female urology nurse within 2 to 28 weeks. A subset of 200 randomly selected men received a telephone interview by a female research assistant following the self-administered questionnaire given at a second follow-up approximately 4 years after baseline. RESULTS: Mean symptom scores obtained by oral interview were 1 to 2 points lower than those from self-administered questionnaires (P < 0.01). In a random subset (n = 200) interviewed by telephone, mean AUASI scores were as much as 4 points lower than those from self-completed questionnaires. CONCLUSIONS: Values of the AUASI obtained by interviewer administration may be lower than those obtained by self-administered questionnaires. When assessment of change in urinary symptoms over time is of interest, the same standardized method of questionnaire administration should be used at baseline and follow-up evaluations to avoid introducing artifactual differences related to the mode of administration.
Adult↗
Prevalence of prostatism in Japanese men in a community-based study with comparison to a similar American study.
PURPOSE: We estimate the prevalence of urinary symptoms in Japanese men. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 289 eligible residents 40 to 79 years old completed a questionnaire with questions worded similarly to those of the international prostate symptom score (response rate 42%). RESULTS: The ratio of moderate-to-severe symptoms was 41%, 29%, 31% and 56% for each age decade from ages 40 to 79 years, respectively, after adjusting for nonresponse. Within each age decade the median international prostatic symptom score was higher for Japanese men than for United States men with little difference in rates of increase with participant age or bother. CONCLUSION: Lower urinary tract symptoms were common in Japanese men, with age-related increases similar to those of United States men.
Adult↗
Sexual function of men ages 40 to 79 years: the Olmsted County Study of Urinary Symptoms and Health Status Among Men.
OBJECTIVES: Knowledge of male sexual function is somewhat limited because of a lack of current population-based data. This study provides information on sexual function and satisfaction in a population-based sample of men. METHODS: Men aged 40 to 79 years (n = 2115) were selected randomly from the Olmsted County population for the baseline component of a prospective cohort study (the Olmsted County Study of Urinary Symptoms and Health Status Among Men) during 1989-1990. The men completed a self-administered questionnaire that included questions about sexual concerns, performance, satisfaction, drive, and erectile dysfunction. RESULTS: For all five sexual parameters queried, the prevalence of problems and dysfunction increased with age. A comparison of men aged 70 to 79 years with men aged 40 to 49 years suggested that older men were more worried about sexual function (46.6% vs 24.9%), had worsened performance compared with a year ago (30.1% vs 10.4%), expressed extreme dissatisfaction with sexual performance (10.7% vs 1.7%), had absent sexual drive (25.9% vs 0.6%), and reported complete erectile dysfunction when sexually stimulated (27.4% vs 0.3%). Logistic regression analyses suggested that sexual dissatisfaction was significantly associated with erectile dysfunction, decreased libido, and the interaction between erectile dysfunction and libido, but not age. CONCLUSIONS: These population-based cross-sectional data corroborate the previously reported age-related decrease in sexual function. The age-related increase in dissatisfaction could, however, be accounted for primarily by the age-related increase in erectile dysfunction, decreased libido, and the interaction between erectile dysfunction and decreased libido.
Adult↗
Changes in the injecting risk behaviour of injecting drug users in London, 1990-1993.
OBJECTIVE: To describe changes in the injecting risk behaviour of injecting drug users (IDU) in London between 1990 and 1993. DESIGN: Injecting risk behaviour was measured over 4 years (1990-1993) in a serial point HIV prevalence study of 2062 IDU recruited in both drug treatment and non-treatment community-based settings within greater London. The study used a structured questionnaire and common sampling and interview strategy developed by a World Health Organization technical group and implemented in 13 cities. METHODS: Log-linear models were used to assess patterns of change over years and of differences in injecting risk behaviour, including syringe sharing and syringe hygiene between 1990 and 1993. The log likelihood chi 2 statistic, G2, was used to test statistical significance. Changes in the mean values were assessed first using parametric tests assuming normality and the results were compared with Kruskal-Wallis (non-parametric) tests. Pearsons chi 2 was used to measure differences in frequency of sharing occasions and partner selectivity. RESULTS: An overall reduction in injecting risk behaviour was observed during the first 2 years of this study, including a decline in syringe sharing (both accepting and passing on used syringes), the number of sharing partners and the frequency of sharing occasions. Most sharers restricted sharing to sexual partners and close friends. The majority of sharers reported always cleaning injecting equipment. Main source of sterile equipment was pharmacies and syringe exchanges. Indirect sharing (of spoons, filters, and by front- or backloading) was reported. Since 1991 there has been a stabilization in risk behaviour. CONCLUSIONS: The data indicate that IDU in London have made positive reductions in risk behaviour. Levels of syringe sharing were substantially lower than those reported up to 1987 before AIDS awareness and the introduction of HIV prevention measures. The majority did not share syringes or confined their sharing to close friends and sexual partners, and if shared, cleaned their syringes. Continuation of indirect sharing indicates the need for more detailed prevention messages. While the initial decline in syringe-sharing rates may be attributed to the wide availability of sterile injecting equipment and other preventive measures, it may now be necessary to look beyond current intervention initiatives to develop interventions which seek to change the social etiquette of sharing and move towards the long-term maintenance of low levels of injecting risk behaviour.
Adult↗
Cigarette smoking and prostatism: a biphasic association?
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between cigarette smoking and prostatism in a community-based setting using standardized urinary symptom scores, peak urinary flow rates, and prostatic volume as indicators of disease. METHODS: A population-based cohort of 2,115 Caucasian men aged forty to seventy-nine years from Olmsted County, Minnesota, was administered a previously validated questionnaire that elicited information on frequency of urinary symptoms (approximating the American Urological Association's symptom index), and a detailed history on cigarette smoking, including both amount and pack-years of smoking. Peak urinary flow rates were measured by a standard uroflowmeter (Dantec 1000). The prostatic volume was measured for a subsample of 471 men by transrectal ultrasound. RESULTS: Compared to never-smokers, smokers were less likely to have moderate to severe urinary symptoms (age-adjusted odds ratio 0.82; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.61 to 1.08). This varied by smoking intensity, however; in men who smoked less than 1 pack a day the age-adjusted odds ratio was 0.53 (95% CI 0.33 to 0.83) and among men smoking 1 to 1.4 packs a day, the odds ratio was 0.87 (95% CI 0.56 to 1.36). For men who smoked 1.5 packs or more a day, the odds ratio was elevated at 1.32 (95% CI 0.84 to 2.07). Smokers were less likely to have peak flow rates less than 15 mL/sec compared with never-smokers (age- and voided volume-adjusted odds ratio 0.48; 95% CI 0.35 to 0.66), or prostatic volume greater than 40 mL (odds ratio 0.54; 95% CI 0.19 to 1.55). CONCLUSIONS: These data from a community-based sample suggest that light or moderate smokers are less likely to have moderate to severe prostatism, whereas heavy smokers are at least as likely to have moderate to severe prostatism compared with never-smokers.
Adult↗