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At least 1,099 records · Page 61Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

[A databank on Russian families with hereditary neuromuscular diseases].

The information about 5 thousands Russian families with hereditary neuromuscular disorders (HNMD) was collected by means of both different genetic epidemiological methods and authors' own observations. On the basis of this material a computer database MYODYS in Excel 5.0 format was created, which included information about 30 different signs concerning 1920 families from 70 regions of Russia. The study of the data, included in MYODYS, revealed several problems in practical diagnosis of HNMD in Russia. It is necessary to resolve these important problems for correct genetic consulting and treatment. MYODYS database may serve as a basis for elaboration of a special complex programme for long-term support of the families with NNMD in Russia.

Commonwealth of Independent States↗
PubMed1999

Relationship between pterygium/pinguecula and sunlight exposure among postmen in central Taiwan.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to investigate outdoor hazards and their relationship to conjunctival disorders experienced by postmen. METHODS: Three hundred and ninety-four employees (248 postmen and 146 officers) working in 11 post offices in central Taiwan were recruited and participated in the 1994 annual labor health examination. Pinguecula and pterygium were diagnosed by an ophthalmologist. Meanwhile, detailed personal and occupational information was obtained using a structured questionnaire. The cumulative occupational sunlight exposure was calculated for each postman by considering the duration of their employment as postmen, the average working hours per day and their spectacle use (sunglasses and eyeglasses). A logistic regression was used to analyze the relationship between cumulative occupational sunlight exposure and pinguecula. RESULTS: Among the postmen, the prevalences of pinguecula and pterygium were 62.9% and 7.3%, respectively. The outdoor nature of postal work was significantly associated with the occurrence of pinguecula as well as pterygium (p < 0.05). When the cumulative occupational sunlight exposure increased by one unit (one year x hour/day), the risks of developing pinguecula and pterygium were raised by 2.1% and 0.8%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that conjunctival disorders were associated with the cumulative occupational sunlight exposure of postmen working outdoors. This study reinforces the importance of ocular protection from sunlight.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Down syndrome clinic in a semi-rural setting.

We established a multidisciplinary clinic for Down syndrome patients and their families. Over a 20-month period, we saw 49 patients for a total of 79 patient visits. We were able to address health care, psychosocial, educational, and financial issues for these individuals with a diverse team of professionals and parent advocates. Some of these issues would probably not be identified during routine health care. The success of the clinic demonstrates the ability to establish such a venture in a semi-rural, nonacademic medical center setting.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Postal urine specimens: are they a feasible method for genital chlamydial infection screening?

BACKGROUND: A United Kingdom (UK) screening programme for Chlamydia trachomatis has recently been announced. Pilot projects involving the opportunistic testing of women attending health facilities are due to commence in several sites. There is a danger that this approach will fail to obtain adequate population coverage. The alternative--true systematic population screening--is generally assumed to be unfeasible. Studies in Denmark using postal urine specimens have challenged this assumption. No such studies have been reported from the UK. AIM: To assess the potential of urine specimens sent by post as the basis for a UK population screening strategy for genital chlamydial infection. METHOD: Two hundred patients (100 men, 100 women) aged 18 to 45 years were randomly sampled from the list of one urban group practice. Subjects were mailed an explanatory letter, a urine sample container, a sexual lifestyle questionnaire, and a prepaid return envelope. Non-responders were contacted by telephone; persistent non-responders were visited at home. Samples were tested for Chlamydia by DNA amplification and enzyme immunoassay. RESULTS: Sixty-four (32%) subjects were no longer living at their GP registered address. Of the remaining 136, 126 (93%) responded to the survey and 113 (83%) accepted the request for a urine sample and completed a questionnaire. Acceptance rates were similar for men and women and across age groups. Four samples (3%) were Chlamydia positive. CONCLUSION: Home mailed urine specimen collection in conjunction with a self-completed postal questionnaire is feasible. This could provide a viable basis both for determining population Chlamydia prevalence and for a UK Chlamydia population screening strategy. Overall cost effectiveness of such a strategy will depend on the cost of the test used. Comparative performance characteristics of the different currently available tests in this setting have yet to be fully determined.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Using mailed patient reminders to increase influenza immunization rates among older adults in a primary care office.

PURPOSE: To examine the impact of mailed patient reminders on the rate of influenza immunizations for older adults in a large family medicine office in Delaware. METHODS: In October 1996, all patients ages 65 years and older who were established patients of the Christiana Care Foulk Road Family Medicine Center were sent a mailing urging them to receive an influenza immunization. Medical records were abstracted for each patient to determine receipt of an influenza immunization in 1995, 1996 and 1997. The proportion of patients who received an influenza immunization in the year prior to the reminder (1995) was compared to the proportion who received an immunization the year the reminder was sent (1996). A secondary analysis examined influenza immunization rates in the subsequent year (1997), when no reminder was sent. RESULTS: Of the 289 patients in the main study population, 41.8 percent received an influenza immunization in 1995, while 55.4 percent received an immunization in 1996 (p < 0.0001). Immunization rates in 1997 did not change significantly from 1996, and continued to be significantly higher than in 1995. Rates were somewhat lower for persons ages 85 years and older compared to younger groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that a mailed patient reminder had a positive impact on influenza immunizations for older adults in a large family practice office. This is a relatively simple strategy that, if widely used, could have a major impact on the health of older adults in Delaware.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Patient self-report tender and swollen joint counts in early rheumatoid arthritis. Western Consortium of Practicing Rheumatologists.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the correlation between patient self-report joint counts and standard physician joint counts, and to compare pictorial (Mannequin) and text (Rapid Assessment of Disease Activity in Rheumatology, RADAR) formats for obtaining patient self-reports. METHODS: Baseline patient self-report joint counts were mailed and completed by 60 patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) one day before and one day after being examined by a physician. Twenty-seven were randomized to the Mannequin tender and Mannequin swollen joint counts; 33 were randomized to the RADAR tender and swollen joint counts. Agreement between patient and physician self-report joint counts, diagnostic characteristics, and test-retest reliability of patient self-report joint counts was computed. Stepwise regression analyses were performed to identify predictors of patient-physician differences in total joint count. RESULTS: Means and standard deviations of paired patient and physician total joint counts were not different for Mannequin or RADAR forms. Spearman correlations were moderate (0.58 to 0.69 for Mannequin, 0.37 to 0.58 for RADAR). Agreement (intraclass correlations) was 0.65 for the Mannequin and 0.56 for the RADAR forms. Patient test-retest reproducibility was moderate for RADAR tenderness (0.58) and high (r>0.90) for RADAR swollen and both Mannequin forms. Level of patient education predicted patient-physician differences on the RADAR swollen joint counts (p = 0.003), but was not significant in Mannequin forms, suggesting that education was not a factor in accurate completion of Mannequin forms. CONCLUSION: Both pictorial and text format patient self-report joint counts are significantly correlated with physician joint counts. In addition to moderately high patient test-retest reproducibility, this suggests that patient self-reports in both formats may yield accurate measures of improvement in disease activity.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

[Prevalence and intensity of smoking among adult urban population of Tiumen': data of population mail questionnaire survey].

AIM: To estimate prevalence and intensity of smoking among adult Tyumen citizens by mail questionnaire survey. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A representative sample of adult population of Tyumen (central district) was randomly selected using the list of the electors. The questioning covered a total of 3200 citizens (8 groups per 400 age- and sex-matched subjects). The response reached 71.5%. Smoking in the population was studied in three aspects: prevalence, intensity and passive smoking. RESULTS: Overall prevalence of smoking was not great (28.8%), but smoking was frequent in women, especially young, was intensive in males of all the age groups. The number of smokers who had quit smoking was small. Passive smoking at jobs was prevalent. CONCLUSION: The data of the survey indicate difficulties of social adaptation for the studied population who fall under risk to develop cardiovascular diseases.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Outpatient satisfaction: validation of a French-language questionnaire: data quality and identification of associated factors.

OBJECTIVES: Following 1996 legislation requiring French hospitals to assess patient satisfaction, this study developed and validated a brief French-language multidimensional questionnaire designed to measure outpatient satisfaction with hospital visits and compared data quality for two patient-satisfaction survey methods. DESIGN: Authors developed a 19-item questionnaire following a strict procedure (identification of dimensions to explore, formulation, and selection of items). SETTING: Validation data were obtained from patients of six outpatient clinics in a teaching hospital. PARTICIPANTS: 586 consenting eligible patients were randomized to receive the questionnaire 2 weeks after their visit with one of two survey methods: a mailed self-administered questionnaire or a telephone interview. RESULTS: The response rate (79%) was not significantly different between the two survey methods. The risk of having one or more missing values was higher in the mail survey group (odds ratio, 1.65; 95% confidence interval, 1.03-2.63), but mail respondents were less likely to use the "extremely positive" response category. Principal component analysis identified four factors that accounted for 56% of the variance: interpersonal skills and information transfer, physical surroundings, convenience, and appointment delay. Patients' comments on open-ended questions validated the semantic content of the factorial construct. The internal consistency coefficient was greater than 0.70 for three of four subscales. Patient background characteristics accounted for less than 10% of the factorial score variance. Patient satisfaction was correlated with age, type of visit, and, to a lesser extent, gender and education level. CONCLUSION: This easily administered, multidimensional out-patient-satisfaction questionnaire provided encouraging preliminary psychometric characteristics.

Adolescent↗