Biomedical subjects

Z H Abramson

Publications and source records attributed to Z H Abramson.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2000

Factors associated with performance of influenza immunization among the elderly.

BACKGROUND: Influenza is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the elderly. While immunization has been shown to reduce these complications, many of the elderly are not immunized. OBJECTIVE: To identify correlates for under-utilization of influenza immunization among the elderly. METHODS: A telephone survey was conducted among a random sample of patients aged 65 and over registered at a Jerusalem primary care community clinic. The 626 questionnaires were analyzed for associations of immunization receipt for the latest influenza season. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify independent correlates. Respondents were also asked what factors had influenced their decision about immunization. RESULTS: The most frequently reported influence on getting immunized was a physician's recommendation. Immunization was independently associated with the identity of the primary care physician (P < 0.0001) and with having visited the physician during the previous 3 months (P = 0.0006). Immunization was more likely among persons who believed that it provides complete protection from influenza (P < 0.0001) and less likely among those who believed immunization can cause influenza (P < 0.0001). Higher immunization rates were also associated with being married (P = 0.0031). CONCLUSION: Through their influence on patient knowledge and the effect of their recommendation, primary care physicians play a pivotal role in determining immunization rates. Physicians should routinely discuss the effects of immunization and recommend it to the elderly.

Age Factors↗

PubMed1994

Obstructive prostatic symptoms: a community survey in Jerusalem.

BACKGROUND: Benign prostatic hypertrophy has a high prevalence in men aged > or = 50, but there is little information on the correlates of obstructive symptoms. METHODS: The prevalence and correlates of reported prostatic symptoms in men aged > or = 50 years were studied in a community survey in the Kiryat Hayovel neighbourhood of Jerusalem in 1985-1987. Five prostate-related questions were asked. Two indices of emotional health were used: the Psychiatric Epidemiology Research Interview demoralization scale and a scale based on the Cornell Medical Index. Associations with sociodemographic, behavioural, emotional, biochemical and physical variables and with self-appraised health were examined both controlling for age only and by multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: The prevalence rates in the 839 respondents were 20.4% for hesitancy, 41.1% for weak stream, and 26.7% for terminal dribbling; the rates tended to increase with age. The associations between the symptoms (controlling for age) were significant, the strongest being between hesitancy and weak stream. All three of the urinary symptoms were associated with indices of emotional distress. In the multivariate analysis, the odds ratios when men in the highest and lowest quartiles of emotional ill health were compared were 3.0 for hesitancy, 2.2 for weak stream, and 3.8 for dribbling. Specific symptoms were associated with blood pressure, social class and educational level. CONCLUSION: The striking associations with emotional ill health underline the importance of appropriate attention to the emotional health of patients who complain of prostatic symptoms.

Age Factors↗

PubMed1985

Serum cholesterol and primary brain tumours: a case-control study.

The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that a positive relationship exists between high levels of serum cholesterol and primary brain tumours. A record-based case-control study was performed on male Jewish residents of Israel who were hospitalized at the Hadassah Ein Karem hospital in the years 1978-1982. A record check identified 37 cases of brain tumour who fulfilled the criteria for inclusion in the study and whose hospital files included the necessary data. For each case two controls were chosen randomly from all patients with inguinal hernia who met the respective matching criteria of age and year of hospitalization. The mean cholesterol value of the cases with brain tumours was 22 mg dl-1 higher than that of the controls. This difference was statistically significant (P = 0.007). Controlling for weight, region of birth, season of year, social class, medications and length of hospitalization before the measurement of cholesterol did not reduce the cholesterol difference, and in some instances increased it.

Adult↗