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Biomedical subjects

V M Stevens

Publications and source records attributed to V M Stevens.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

Psychosis and nonadherence in an HIV-seropositive patient.

While adherence to antiretroviral therapy is of paramount importance in the treatment of HIV-infected patients, optimal adherence can be challenging to achieve. Furthermore, the presence of comorbid psychiatric illness can potentially compromise treatment adherence. This Case Report highlights the difficulties encountered in the care and treatment adherence of an HIV-seropositive patient who presented with psychotic symptoms. Treatment, ethical, and legal issues are discussed.

Adult↗

Cigarette smoking and the intention to quit among pregnant smokers.

Research has demonstrated that smoking during pregnancy has deleterious effects on the health of the unborn child as well as the mother. The present study examined whether pregnant smokers would have a greater intention to quit smoking, whether the stage of pregnancy would influence the intention to quit, and whether variables which have predicted cessation among pregnant smokers would also predict intention to quit. The results indicated that pregnant women did not have a significantly greater intention to quit smoking compared to nonpregnant smokers, despite the health risks to their child. Women who were further along in their pregnancy and women who smoked more cigarettes on a daily basis demonstrated the least intention to quit. Notably, women in the first trimester showed the greatest intention to quit, suggesting that pregnant women may be most receptive to quitting during their first trimester.

Adolescent↗

How compliant is compliant? Evaluating adherence with breast self-exam positions.

The present study examined compliance with the three recommended breast self-examination (BSE) positions over a 6-month follow-up period. An ongoing behavioral measure that provided information about the type of exam performed during each BSE occasion was employed. Results indicated that adherence to all three position types was obtained in only 40% of the exams. Forty-two percent of exams were comprised of only one position, with the supine position being the most frequently practiced exam type. Implications of these results with regard to BSE research and current breast cancer screening recommendations are discussed.

Adult↗

The impact of cigarette smoking on headache activity in headache patients.

The present study was designed to explore the relationship between cigarette smoking and headache activity in a sample of patients presenting for treatment. Subjects completed various self-report measures and monitored headache activity four times per day over a 4-week period. Analyses revealed that smokers experienced greater weekly peak headache intensity, and reported higher levels of depression and general physical symptoms. Among smokers, nicotine content of the preferred brand was associated with mean headache index and weekly headache-free days, as well as depression and anxiety scores. Daily smoking rate and pack-year history were related to level of general physical symptoms only. Thus, both smoking status and the nicotine content of the preferred cigarette appear to adversely impact headache activity. Further, smokers who are more anxious or depressed may increase their headache activity via their preference for higher nicotine-content cigarettes. These results are discussed in the context of possible mechanisms underlying these effects, and implications for the clinical management of headache suffers who smoke.

Adolescent↗