How obstetricians in the United Kingdom manage preterm labour

A questionnaire survey was conducted in order to establish how obstetricians in this country manage preterm labour. The results indicate that the majority of obstetricians would use beta sympathomimetic agents to inhibit premature labour; most would use corticosteroids in some circumstances to accelerate pulmonary surfactant production, while the use of prophylactic antibiotics seemed variable. The findings and implications of the survey are discussed.     

The symptoms of patients treated for Parkinson's disease

One hundred and eighty-one patients with treated Parkinson's disease completed a self-administered questionnaire on symptoms, and their responses were compared with those of 263 control subjects randomly selected from a general practice population. Nine symptoms were reported by the patients with more than a fivefold excess when compared with the controls. These included jerking of the limbs, shaking of the hands, excessive salivation, poor mental concentration, grimacing, being frozen or rooted to the spot, and hallucinations. Compared with the general control population, the patients did not have an excess of stomach or limb pain, indigestion, headache, or any decrease of interest in sex. This observational survey, unlike a randomised controlled trial, could not ensure that the different treatment groups were comparable in important respects. However, certain associations were apparent; for example, patients receiving both a decarboxylase inhibitor and levodopa tended to report fewer attacks of being frozen to the spot, fewer problems with salivation, and a reduced frequency of defaecation. Patients receiving anticholinergic drugs reported an excess of dry mouth, faintness, and dyskinesia, and fewer hot flushes.     

Development and evaluation of a patient self-report case-finding method for rheumatoid arthritis

OBJECTIVE: To describe the development and evaluation of a patient self-report case-finding method for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) not dependent on direct contact with the treating physicians. METHODS: The American College of Rheumatology criteria for RA diagnosis were adapted for patient self-report using a questionnaire, and alternative scoring algorithms were evaluated to balance case-finding sensitivity and specificity. Positive rheumatoid factor tests were used to identify 1053 individuals in 2 large healthcare organizations; 440 agreed to receive study materials. Case-finding results were validated by medical record review (MRR) for a random sample of 90 patients. Three scoring algorithms were compared with MRR for likelihood of RA diagnosis. Cases not classifiable by algorithm were flagged and reviewed by 2 expert physicians for likelihood of RA diagnosis. RESULTS: Pilot testing demonstrated that patients comprehended the questionnaire and were willing to answer the questions. Completed questionnaires were returned by 265 (60%) of the 440 patients contacted. Following expert physician review of 16 flagged cases in the 90-patient MRR subsample, the most accurate scoring algorithm demonstrated 80% sensitivity, 67% specificity, 74% accuracy, and 77% positive predictive value for detecting early RA. CONCLUSION: The case-finding method represents a promising tool for identifying RA patients, with potential application in research and quality-assurance activities. RELEVANCE: This case-finding method should be useful in research and quality-assurance efforts requiring identification of RA patients treated by all types of providers in healthcare organizations in which centralized laboratory data are available.     

Results of the pilot study for the Hypertension in the Very Elderly Trial

BACKGROUND: The risks and benefits of treating hypertension in individuals older than 80 years are uncertain. A meta-analysis has suggested that a reduction in stroke events of 36% may have to be balanced against a 14% increase in total mortality. OBJECTIVES: To report the results of the pilot study of the Hypertension in the Very Elderly Trial (HYVET), which is in progress to address these issues. METHODS: The HYVET-Pilot was a multicentre international open pilot trial. In 10 European countries, 1283 patients older than 80 years and with a sustained blood pressure of 160-219/90-109 mmHg were allocated randomly to one of three treatments: a diuretic-based regimen (usually bendroflumethiazide; n = 426), an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor regimen (usually lisinopril; n = 431) or no treatment (n = 426). The procedure permitted doses of the drug to be titrated and diltiazem slow-release to be added to active treatment. Target blood pressure was < 150/80 mmHg and mean follow-up was 13 months. RESULTS: In the combined actively treated groups, the reduction in stroke events relative hazard rate (RHR) was 0.47 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.24 to 0.93] and the reduction in stroke mortality RHR was 0.57 (95% CI 0.25 to 1.32). However, the estimate of total mortality supported the possibility of excess deaths with active treatment (RHR 1.23, 95% CI 0.75 to 2.01). CONCLUSIONS: The preliminary results support the need for the continuing main HYVET trial. It is possible that treatment of 1000 patients for 1 year may reduce stroke events by 19 (nine non-fatal), but may be associated with 20 extra non-stroke deaths.     

Evaluation of the Sheffield system for identifying children at risk from unexpected death in infancy. Results from Birmingham and Newcastle upon Tyne

The "at birth" system which is used in Sheffield to identify children likely to die unexpectedly in infancy, was tested retrospectively in Birmingham (83 cases) and in Newcastle upon Tyne (56 cases). The discrimination between cases and age-matched controls was poor in both cities. Analysis of the 8 factors used in the system showed that only 2 maintained significant case/control differences in Birmingham and Newcastle. Further investigation showed that other factors from maternity records showed significant case/control differences in these cities. Although the system used in Sheffield would not be of use in a prospective prevention programme in either Newcastle or Birmingham, the possibility of evolving an "at risk" system which might apply more widely is discussed.     

Head injury in child abuse: evaluation with MR imaging

To evaluate the usefulness of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in the diagnosis of head injury in child abuse, the authors compared the findings at head MR imaging and computed tomography (CT) in 19 abused children. Subdural hematomas (15 cases), cortical contusions (six cases), and shearing injuries (five cases) were demonstrated to particular advantage with MR imaging. CT remained superior in the detection of subarachnoid hemorrhage. MR imaging appears to be valuable in the assessment of patients with suspected intracranial injury due to child abuse.     

Progesterone for the prevention of preterm birth in women with multiple pregnancies: the AMPHIA trial

Background

Adequate vitamin D concentrations during pregnancy are necessary to neonatal calcium homeostasis, bone maturation and mineralization. The aim of study is to evaluate serum vitamin D concentrations in mothers and their newborns and effect of vitamin D deficiency on pregnancy outcomes.

Methods

552 pregnant women were recruited from Tehran University educating hospitals in the winter of 2002. Maternal and cord blood samples were taken at delivery. The serum was assayed for 25-hydroxyvitamin D3, calcium, phosphorus and parathyroid hormone.

Results

The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in maternal and cord blood samples were 66.8% and 93.3%, respectively (<35 nmol/l). There was significant correlation between maternal and cord blood serum concentrations of vitamin D. In mothers with vitamin D deficiency, cord blood vitamin D concentrations was lower than those from normal mothers (P = .001). Also, a significant direct correlation was seen between maternal vitamin D intake and weight gain during pregnancy.

Conclusion

Consideration to adequate calcium and vitamin D intake during pregnancy is essential. Furthermore, we think it is necessary to reconsider the recommendation for vitamin D supplementation for women during pregnancy.