The effect of ageing on the pharmacokinetics of dihydrocodeine

Summary Although poor renal function reduces clearance of dihydrocodeine in man, and renal impairment occurs with ageing, no significant differences occurred in the handling of single doses of dihydrocodeine between elderly patients and young, normal subjects.After multiple dosing, the maximum concentration was significantly different between the groups, being higher in the elderly. The increase in the area under the curve in the elderly was 25% greater than in the young on chronic therapy. This difference was not statistically significant, but was likely to be of clinical significance.The elderly patients' mean creatinine clearance (61.8 ml per min) was significantly lower than that in the young (137 ml per min), and there was a significant correlation between the half-life at single dosing and the blood urea concentration.Variability in all measurements was marked in both groups, and hence no clear guidelines can be given on therapeutic dosing. The small initial dose with alterations thereafter depending on clinical effect is the best advice.     

内固定和人工关节置换治疗老年人股骨颈骨折的临床疗效观察

目的比较人工关节置换术与AO加压空心螺钉术治疗老年人有移位股骨颈骨折的疗效。方法将1995年5月～2004年11月我院收治的78例年龄在65周岁以上的有移位的新鲜股骨颈骨折患者进行回顾性研究，将病例分为A、B两组，A组为人工关节置换组，B组为AO加压空心螺钉治疗组。AO加压空心螺钉治疗组（内固定组）随访12～91个月，平均41．7个月，随访人工关节置换组12～96个月，平均40．3个月。结果按Harris评分标准，A组术后优良率达到82．9％；B组内固定组优良率57．1％。术后远期并发症的发生率A组为19．5％；B组为42．9％。结论人工关节置换术和A0加压空心螺钉均是治疗老年股骨颈骨折的有效方法，但人工关节置换术可提高老年人的生活质量，减低术后并发症的发生率，所以人工关节置换的效果优于AO加压空心螺钉。     

精神分裂症患者及家属、医生对知情同意具体程序态度的初步分析

目的分析精神科医生、精神分裂症患者及其家属对知情同意具体程序的态度，以指导今后知情同意的实施。方法所有样本均来自中南大学湘雅二医院，共计55名患者，46名家属，61名医生。采用知情同意态度问卷，来调查精神科医生、精神分裂症患者及其家属对知情同意具体程序的态度。结果患者、家属、精神科医生非参数检验结果表明，共计有17项条目存在显著性差异。比如条目4“签写一份接受医疗服务的知情同意书，其目的是”，67．4％的家属，59．2％的患者，90．2％的医生选择第3项“既保护医生又保护患者”，仅21．7％的家属，26．5％的患者，1．6％的医生选择第2项“保护患者”。结论目前精神分裂症患者、家属以及精神科医生对知情同意具体程序的态度存在明显差异。     

Reviewing the definition of "elderly"

Conventionally, "elderly" has been defined as a chronological age of 65 years old or older, while those from 65 through 74 years old are referred to as "early elderly" and those over 75 years old as "late elderly." However, the evidence on which this definition is based is unknown. We have attempted to review the definition of elderly by analyzing data from long-term longitudinal epidemiological studies, and clinical and pathological studies that have been accumulated at the Tokyo Metropolitan Geriatric Hospital and the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology. Our recommendation might be a starting point in developing a strategy for a successful society by reviewing the definition of elderly based on comprehensive evidence in all aspects of social, cultural and medical sciences.     

Neuropsychological test for the detection of dementia in elderly individuals: the Nishimura Dementia Test

Background: Progression of the core and accessory symptoms of dementia can be slowed if drug therapies and psychosocial interventions are administered at an early stage. The aim of this study was to develop and standardize a neuropsychological test for the elderly that can detect dementia at an early stage with high sensitivity and can evaluate a wide range of severities of dementia based on assessments of various cognitive functions. Methods: A preliminary test consisting of 23 items and the Nishimura Mental State Scale for the Elderly (NM Scale), which evaluates the mental functions of elderly individuals by observing their actual behaviors in daily life, were administered to 448 elderly subjects. After applying Hayashi’s quantification theory type I to the results, we revised the preliminary test to construct a neuropsychological test for the elderly, which we named the Nishimura Dementia Test (ND Test), and standardized it. Then, we examined its validity and test–retest reliability. Results: Among the 448 subjects, there was a strong correlation between the ND Test scores and NM Scale scores. The ND Test showed a good general agreement rate for the discrimination of the severity of dementia, and good sensitivity and specificity of discrimination of dementia when compared with the actual NM Scale. Using different groups of elderly subjects, the ND Test showed validity and test–retest reliability, and the ND Test scores showed strong correlations with the Revised Hasegawa Dementia Scale scores and the Mini‐Mental State Examination scores. Conclusions: The ND Test is based on assessment of a variety of cognitive functions and can evaluate a wide range of severities of dementia with good validity and reliability.     

三级医院病人就诊流向探讨

研究通过对包括专科医院在内的多家三级医院住院病人资料的分析，将疾病种类按ICD－9编码分为19类，研究各类疾病应往低级别医院分流的比例。结果表明：各大类疾病的分流比例不同，分流比例较高的主要是常见病和多发病，总的分流比大约在60％左右。     

住院精神病人院内感染的部位及高峰时间分析

目的　探讨精神科住院病人院内感染的部位及高峰时间。方法　采用圆形统计法对 1997年 1月～2 0 0 2年 12月间每月院内感染人数作圆形统计分析。结果　精神科住院病人院内感染以呼吸系统最多见 ,占5 6 4 8% ;感染高峰时间具有显著性差异 (Y =0 14 5 ,P <0 0 5 ) ,高峰时间约为 12月 17日 (按季节为初冬 )。结论　在感染高峰季节应加强对院内感染的监控和防治     

阴道毛滴虫与沙眼衣原体共生关系的初步探讨

目的 :为了探讨阴道毛滴虫与沙眼衣原体共生、协同致病的关系 ,对南通市公安局收容教育所非淋菌性阴道炎、尿道炎 (后称非淋患者 )患者以及本市某国营纺织厂同龄纺织女工阴道毛滴虫的寄生情况进行了 6个月以上的连续性观察。方法 :对 2 0 0 1年到 2 0 0 3年期间南通市公安局收容教育所非淋患者 1983例女性和随机抽样国营纺织厂纺织女工 2 84人分别采用生理盐水涂片法镜检阴道毛滴虫滋养体。结果 :非淋患者阴道毛滴虫滋养体的平均阳性检出率为 2 0 .6 8% (41/1983) ,明显高于正常对照组 (1.0 6 % ,3/2 84 ) ,差异显著 (X2 =2 5 .2 9,P <0 .0 0 1) .其中沙眼衣原体感染者 ,阴道毛滴虫滋养体的阳性检出率有增高趋势。结论 :非淋患者中沙眼衣原体感染时 ,其阴道毛滴虫阳性检出率高于其他患者。同时选择部分病例采用单纯抗非淋病治疗和抗非淋病与抗滴虫同时治疗进行比较并跟踪追访 6个月 ,缓解和消除症状后者明显优于前者 ,少数不规范治疗或擅自放弃治疗的人 ,延误病情或使病程迁延而转为慢性 ,给根治来一定的难度。建议注意阴道毛滴虫与沙眼衣原体共同感染协同致病的情况 ,要鉴别病原体 ,联合用药 ,提高疗效。