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Biomedical subjects

V S Ringsdal

Publications and source records attributed to V S Ringsdal.

8 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1997

[Epidural glucocorticoid injection in lumbago sciatica].

Within the past decades, epidural steroid injections have been used in the treatment of severe low back pain and sciatica. In reviewing papers for this article an effort is made to concentrate on those that meet commonly accepted research design criteria, such as being blinded, randomized and prospective. The risks and the advantages of the procedure are discussed. Some of the studies report an efficient reduction in low back pain and sciatica for a longer period. Risks of more serious complications are low using the right technique. However, the results are to some extent conflicting. Future correctly designed studies are necessary to clarify whether the injection should be a supplement to the established treatment of low back pain and sciatica.

Glucocorticoids↗
PubMed1996

Anticardiolipin antibodies and lipoprotein (a) levels in patients with chronic renal failure treated with dialysis: associations with atherothrombotic disease.

The present study evaluated the importance of anticardiolipin antibodies (ACA) and lipoprotein (a) (Lp(a)) as markers of atherothrombotic disease in a retrospective study of patients on maintenance hemodialysis (HD) or peritoneal dialysis (PD). ACA and Lp(a) were measured in 22 patients on PD, and 64 on HD. Three patients were ACA IgM seropositive, whereas none were ACA IgG seropositive. The mean number of previous atherothrombotic events was 2.0 (1-3) in ACA seropositive patients, as compared to 0.7 (0-4) in ACA seronegative patients. The mean Lp(a) level was 56.7 mg/dl (3.0-217.7) in PD patients and 38.8 mg/dl (2.0-255.6) in HD patients (n.s.). Levels of Lp(a) greater than 30 mg/dl were not significantly associated with a history of atherothrombotic events, but all patients who had suffered a myocardial infarction or cerebrovascular insult had Lp(a) levels above 30 mg/dl. We conclude that ACA seropositivity is rare. All ACA seropositive patients had suffered atherothrombotic disease in the current study, whereas all patients with myocardial infarction or cerebrovascular insult had Lp(a) levels above 30 mg/dl.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

No signs of Campylobacter jejuni/coli-related antibodies in patients with active ankylosing spondylitis.

Twenty-two patients with active ankylosing spondylitis were investigated to assess the levels of specific serum IgG, IgA and IgM titres against Campylobacter jejuni/coli before and during treatment with sulfasalazine. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used, and the results were compared with the antibody levels in 300 healthy blood donors. Three patients had elevated levels of serum anti-Campylobacter-IgA before treatment, and a two-fold decrease in the antibody titre was observed during treatment. Three patients had elevated anti-Campylobacter-IgG titres before treatment. One of these patients also had elevated anti-Campylobacter-IgA and IgM titres. Elevated IgM titres were not seen in any other patient. The results do not support the hypothesis that C. jejuni/coli plays an important role in the pathogenesis of active AS.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Ankylosing spondylitis--education, employment and invalidity.

Two hundred forty-eight patients suffering from ankylosing spondylitis (AS) completed a questionnaire about the social impact of the disease. Of the 84% who replied to the questions about employment status, 118 patients were employed full-time. The ability to manage full-time employment was reduced in 41 patients. Eighty-five patients indicated that they had changed occupation or educational status as a cause of AS; 46 of these later experienced a more progressive course, which reduced their working capacity, and 31 retired as invalids. Despite the long-term morbidity with gradual loss of functional capacity, 85% were still able to work after more than 20 years of illness. If we pay more attention to initial symptoms related to AS, delay in the diagnosis of AS could be decreased and social instability avoided by guidance in education and light occupations.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

[Socio-medical consequences of patients with Bechterew's disease in Denmark].

During the period 1972-1985, 179 patients with Bechterew's disease replied to a questionnaire based on the age at commencement of the disease, treatment and the patient's experience of this and the working capacity related to the duration of the disease inter alii. The distribution of patients who were capable of working was constant regardless of the duration of the disease. 40% were completely fit for work, 35% partially fit for work and 25% were unfit for work. 63% sought alternative forms of treatment which were without clinical effect. Regular training and employment of non-steroid, anti-inflammatory agents resulted in clinical improvement. During the latest five years of the period of investigation, a tendency was observed for reduction in the delay in establishing the diagnosis. Despite early onset and varying clinical course, the prognosis in patients with Bechterew's disease is good.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

[Antibacterial treatment of Campylobacter pylori-associated gastritis and peptic ulcer].

On the basis of possible etiological or pathogenetic significance of Campylobacter pylori for the development, maintenane og recurrence of gastritis and peptic ulceration, a review based on the literature is presented for the sensitivity of the bacteria in vitro and in vivo to antibiotics and preparations employed in the medicinal treatment of gastritis and peptic ulceration. The bacterium is sensitive in vitro to a long series of antibiotics and all of the anti-ulcer agents have, similarly, antibacterial activity in vitro, but, apart from bismuth, only in high concentrations. Among the anti-ulcer agents, only bismuth and, similarly, amoxycillin are capable of eliminating the bacteria from the stomach and this is associated with healing of any gastritis present. Recurrence of infection is observed in more than 50% of the patients after the conclusion of treatment regardless of whether this was antibiotic or bismuth treatment. High in vitro activity of a substance is not synonymous with in vivo activity. A correlation was demonstrated between recurrence of duodenal ulcer and recurrent/persistent infection with Campylobacter pylori. The optimal antibacterial therapeutic strategy is not established and, similarly, no generally accepted indication for specific antimicrobial treatment of Campylobacter pylori associated gastritis or peptic ulceration exists.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1989

Ankylosing spondylitis--experience with a self administered questionnaire: an analytical study.

A questionnaire drafted by the president of a self help group of patients suffering from ankylosing spondylitis (AS), the Danish Ankylosing Spondylitis Society (DASS), was completed by 179 of 184 (97%) consecutive patients with AS. The following results were found. The diagnosis of AS was delayed an average of 12.6 years for women and 9.5 years for men. No differences were found in age at onset of the disease. A comparison of juvenile and adult onset showed a higher incidence of initial peripheral articular manifestations in patients with juvenile ankylosing spondylitis. Stiffness progressed significantly in both sexes during the illness. Two men still had stiffness localised only to the lumbar spine after more than 20 years of illness. Twenty four of 47 women (51%) and 36/121 (30%) of the men had experienced extra-articular disease. Fifteen of 46 women (33%) and 18/121 (15%) of the men had iritis and conjunctivitis before the diagnosis of AS was established and later, in the course of the illness. The results of this study agreed with those of previous investigations. The advantage of using a questionnaire as a screening test is that many patients may be studied and information brought up to date in a simple and inexpensive way.

Conjunctivitis↗