Ankle-brachial index and extent of atherothrombosis in 8891 patients with or at risk of vascular disease: results of the international AGATHA study.

AIMS: AGATHA (a Global Atherothrombosis Assessment) was designed to assess the extent of atherothrombosis and the use of the ankle-brachial index (ABI) in vascular patients. The principal hypotheses were that (1) in diseased patients, a low ABI was related to the number and site of vascular beds affected and (2) in at-risk patients without disease, a low ABI was related to the number of risk factors present. METHODS AND RESULTS: Patients were recruited consecutively by 482 clinicians in 24 countries and the ABI measurement was performed at a single visit. Of 8891 patients recruited, 1792 were defined as at risk and 7099 as with disease. Of the with-disease patients, 65.2% had one arterial bed affected, 27.6% two and 7.1% all three. Abnormal ABI (< or =0.9) was present in 30.9% of at-risk and 40.5% of with-disease patients. A lower ABI was weakly associated with an increasing number of risk factors in at-risk patients (r=-0.056, P=0.02) and with the site and number of arterial beds affected in with-disease patients (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: This large international study confirms that atherothrombotic disease often occurs at more than one site. The ABI is related to the risk factor profile and to the site and extent of atherothrombosis.     

Unemployment and health impairments: Longitudinal analyses for the Federal Republic of Germany

In recent years many studies of unemployment and health haveshown that unemployed persons are in poorer health. However,one question remained unanswered: is the poorer health of theunemployed caused by unemployment Itself (causation hypotheses)or is it a result of selection processes, whereby people inpoor health are more likely to lose their job and less likelyto be re-employed (selection hypothesis)? Findings from a studybased on the longitudinal data of the German Socio-economicPanel (1984–1988, N=5, 516 persons, 18–64 years)are presented. All health indicators (health satisfaction, chronicillness, handicaps in fulfilling daily life tasks, disability)showed poorer outcomes for the unemployed persons, even aftercontrolling for the possible confounding effects of sodo-demographicvariables. Unemployed persons also consulted a physician morefrequently and were hospitalized more often. But longitudinalanalyses (of becoming unemployed and of re-employment) did notlend much support to the causation hypothesis. Instead, a constantlevel of health satisfaction for persons losing their job andfor the re-employed compared to their initial ratings supportedthe selection hypotheses. This means that in the Federal Republicof Germany persons in poorer health are more likely to losetheir jobs and persons in better health are more likely to bere-employed.     

特需医疗服务机构中护士工作满意度的调查分析

目的：了解目前从事特需医疗服务工作的护士对自身工作的满意程度及其影响因素，探讨提高护士工作积极性及护理管理效率的途径和方法，为护理人力资源的有效管理提供依据，方法：采用自行设计的问卷对61名相关的临床护士进行问卷调查。结果：被调查护士的工作满意度为中等水平，影响满意度的原因由强到弱依次为个人发展机会少、福利待遇低、工作负荷过重、专业交流机会少等。此外，针对特需医疗服务的特点，对如何提高该领域护士工作满意度提出了建议。     

Predictors of Maternal Responsiveness

PURPOSE: To explore maternal responsiveness in the first 2 to 4 months after delivery and to evaluate potential predictors of maternal responsiveness, including infant feeding, maternal characteristics, and demographic factors such as age, socioeconomic status, and educational level. DESIGN AND METHODS: A cross-sectional survey design was used to assess the variables of maternal responsiveness, feeding patterns, and maternal characteristics in a convenience sample of 177 mothers in the first 2 to 4 months after delivery. The 60-item self-report instrument included scales to measure maternal responsiveness, self-esteem, and satisfaction with life as well as infant feeding questions and sociodemographic items. An online data-collection strategy was used, resulting in participants from 41 U.S. states. FINDINGS: Multiple regression analysis showed that satisfaction with life, self-esteem, and number of children, but not breastfeeding, explained a significant portion of the variance in self-reported maternal responsiveness scores. In this analysis, sociodemographic variables such as age, education, income, and work status showed little or no relationship to maternal responsiveness scores. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides additional information about patterns of maternal behavior in the transition to motherhood and some of the variables that influence that transition. Satisfaction with life was a new predictor of maternal responsiveness. However, with only 15% of the variance explained by the predictors in this study, a large portion of the variance in maternal responsiveness remains unexplained. Further research in this area is needed.     

Does the health status of chronically ill patients predict their judgements of the quality of general practice care?

Patients' health status as well as patients' judgements of care are used for assessing patients' perspectives, but the relation between those two concepts is unclear. In this study we explored whether health status predicts patients' judgements of the quality of general practice care. Hand-distributed and mailed surveys were performed by 28 general practitioners in The Netherlands. Chronically ill patients were approached when visiting the general practice or drawn from the practice registers. Health status was measured by WONCA/COOP charts, and patients' judgements by the CEP, a previously validated questionnaire. The response rate was 63% (n=762). When controlled for other patient characteristics, a poor overall health predicted less positive judgements of medical care, information, counselling, relation and communication, continuity of care and the organization of appointments (p[lessthan]0.01). Poor mental well-being predicted less positive judgements of the cooperation between care providers and a stronger need for more care (p[lessthan]0.001). The four other aspects of health status did not predict the patients' judgements. Judgements about the premises and the availability for emergencies were not predicted by health status. It can be concluded that a multidimensional approach should be used for interpreting the relations between patients' health status and their judgements of general practice care.     

A Study of Fluoxetine in Obese Elderly Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

In order to establish the safety and efficacy of fluoxetine in subjects over 60 years of age with Type 2 diabetes, a randomized, double-blind, parallel study of 30 obese subjects was undertaken, comparing the use of fluoxetine 60 mg daily with placebo. Subjects were diet controlled with an HbA₁ < 14% (reference range 6–9%) and BMI > 29 kg m². Those taking fluoxetine had a median weight loss of 2.6 kg at 3 months (p < 0.001) and 3.9 kg at 6 months (p < 0–02), compared with weight loss in the placebo group of 0.1 kg and 0.0 kg at 3 and 6 months, respectively. Improved glycaemic control was also demonstrated in the fluoxetine group compared with placebo, initial HbA₁ levels of 8.0% vs 8.7% (NS) falling at 4 months by 0.9% (p < 0.02) and at six months by 0.9% (p < 0.02). No sustained improvement in fasting blood glucose levels was demonstrated. Reporting of adverse events was similar in both groups. Fluoxetine in the short term aids weight loss and improves glycaemic control without a significant increase in adverse events in elderly Type 2 diabetic subjects.     

儿科毕业生中儿科从业者与非儿科从业者的职业满意度及职业发展比较

目的：了解儿科毕业生对儿科职业认同度,从事儿科职业满意度及职业发展等情况,为儿科医师的培养和发展提供参考依据。方法：选择温州医科大学2007届至2017届的儿科专业（方向）毕业生、35岁及以下群体共210 名作为研究对象,采用自编问卷开展调查,并对儿科从业者和非儿科（其他临床科室）从业者在职业满意度、职业发展进行对比分析。结果：男性儿科毕业生儿科就职率（49.52%）低于女性（53.80%）,在2007—2014 年期间毕业年份越晚选择儿科职业的比例越低。儿科从业者的职业满意率（66.36%）低于非儿科从业者（85.84%）,且性别、医院等级、工作城市等级对两组之间的满意率无影响（均P 交互＞0.05）。儿科从业者的出国进修率（1.92%）低于非儿科从业者（13.20%）。工作8 年及以上的儿科毕业生中,儿科从业者的中级及以上职称率（54.28%）低于非儿科从业者（84.38%）,且医院等级、学历对两组之间的中级及以上职称率无影响（均P 交互＞0.05）。结论：35岁以下青年儿科毕业生儿科职业认同度不稳定,儿科从业者的职业满意度相对较低、职业发展相对较慢。     

Profile of etodolac: Pharmacokinetic evaluation in special populations

The pharmacokinetics of etodolac, a new nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, were compared in normal subjects, in patients with renal and hepatic disease, and in elderly patients. In 28 normal subjects, orally administered etodolac was rapidly absorbed. By 1.2 hours after ingestion of a 200 mg dose, the maximum serum concentration (C_max) averaged 15.9 g/ml, with more than 99% of the drug bound to serum protein. Clearance was primarily hepatic. The mean half-life (t_1/2) was 6 to 7 hours. There were no apparent differences in C_max, the time at which C_max occurred (t_max), area under the serum concentration/time curve (AUC_0–24), or t_1/2 between groups of young men (n=20), elderly men (n=24), and elderly men with osteoarthritis (n=20), after a single dose of etodolac or after 7 days of subchronic administration. Moreover there was no evidence of accumulation. There also were no differences in C_max, t_max, AUC_0–24 or t_1/2 between groups of normal subjects (n=10) and patients with mild-to-moderate renal impairment (n=10). Patients with end-stage renal disease who were receiving chronic hemodialysis had the same mean serum concentration of free drug as normal subjects, even though mean serum levels of protein-bound etodolac were slightly lower than those in the normal subjects. The only significant (p<0.05) difference between patients with stable hepatic cirrhosis and normal, age-matched subjects was a slightly shorter t_max in the cirrhotic subjects (1.1 vs. 1.4 hours). These findings suggest that no alteration of etodolac dosage would be necessary in these high-risk groups.Die pharmakokinetischen Parameter von Etodolac, einem neuen, nichtsteroidalen entzündungshemmenden Therapeutikum, wurden an gesunden Probanden, an Patienten mit Leber- und Nierenleiden und an Älteren Patienten untersucht. Orale Etodolac Gaben wurden von den 28 gesunden Probanden schnell resorbiert. Nach einer einmaligen Dosis von 200 mg betrug nach 1,2 Stunden die durchschnittliche maximum Serumkonzentration (C_max) 15,9 g/ml, wobei mehr als 99% des Medikaments an das Serumprotein gebunden war. Clearance erfolgte hauptsÄchlich über die Niere. Die mittlere Eliminationshalbwertszeit (t_1/2) variierte zwischen 6 und 7 Stunden. In Bezug auf C_max, dem Zeitpunkt an dem C_max auftrat (t_max), FlÄche unter der Serumkonzentrationskurve (AUC_0–24) und t_1/2 wurden keine offensichtliche Unterschiede festgestellt zwischen der Gruppe junger MÄnnern (n=20), Älterer MÄnner (n=24) und Älteren MÄnnern mit Osteoarthritis (n=20) nach einer einmaligen Etodolac-Gabe oder nach 7 tÄgiger subchronischer Dosierung. Es bestanden auch keine Anzeichen einer Kumulation. ZusÄtzlich wurden auch keine Unterschiede in C_max, t_max, AUC_0–24 und t_1/2 zwischen der Gruppe gesunder Probanden (n=10) und der Patientengruppe mit leichten bis mÄigen NierenfunktionsschÄden (n=10) beobachtet. Im mittleren Serumspiegel des nicht gebundenen Medikaments in Patienten im Endstadium der Nierenerkrankung, die mit Langzeitdialyse behandelt wurden, konnte kein Unterschied im Vergleich zu gesunden Probanden festgestellt werden, obwohl der mittlere Serumspiegel für proteingebundenes Etodolac in den Patienten etwas niedriger lag als in gesunden Probanden. Der einzige signifikante Unterschied (p<0.05) zwischen Patienten mit stabilisierter Leberzirrhose und gleichaltrigen Probanden war eine etwas kürzere t_max in den Zirrhosepatienten (1,1 versus 1,4 Stunden). Diese Ergebnisse beweisen, dakeine Notwendigkeit vorliegt, die Etodolac-Dosierung für diese Risikogruppen zu modifizieren.Se comparó la farmacocinética de etodolac, un fármaco antiinflamatorio no esteroide nuevo, en sujetos normales y en pacientes con enfermedad renal y hepática y en pacientes ancianos. Etodolac administrado por vía oral a 28 sujetos normales fue rápidamente absorbido. A las 1,2 horas siguientes a la administración de una dosis de 200 mg, la concentración sérica máxima (C_max) alcanzó un promedio de 15,9 g/ml, con más del 99% del fármaco unido a la proteína sérica. La eliminación fue principalmente hepática. La vida media (t_1/2) fue 6–7 horas. No se observaron diferencias en C_max, en el tiempo en el cual se produjo C_max, en el área bajo la curva de concentración sérica/tiempo (ABC_0–24) ni en t_1/2 entre los grupos de hombres jóvenes (n=20), de hombres ancianos (n=24) y de hombres ancianos con osteoartritis (n=20), después de la administración de una dosis Única o después de 7 días de administración subcrónica de etodolac. Además, no hubo evidencia de acumulación. Tampoco se registraron diferencias en C_max, t_max, ABC_0–24 o t_1/2 entre los grupos de sujetos normales (n=10) y los pacientes con insuficiencia renal leve a moderada (n=10). Los pacientes con nefropatía terminal que estaban recibiendo hemodiálisis crónica tuvieron las mismas concentraciones séricas medias de fármaco libre que los sujetos normales, a pesar de que las concentraciones séricas medias de etodolac unido a proteina fueron levemente inferiores que en los sujetos normales. La Única diferencia significativa (p<0,05) entre los pacientes con cirrosis hepática estable y los sujetos normales de edad similar fue t_max ligeramente inferior en los sujetos cirróticos (1,1 vs 1,4 horas). Estos hallazgos sugieren que no es necesario modificar la dosis de etodolac para su uso en estos grupos de alto riesgo.La pharmacocinétique de l'étodolac, un anti-inflammatoire non stéroÏdien, a été comparé chez des sujets normaux et des patients présentant des affections rénales et hépatiques, et chez des malades âgés. Chez 28 sujets normaux, la résorption d'étodolac administré par voie orale a été rapide. Dès 1,2 heure suivant l'absorption d'une dose de 200 mg, la moyenne des concentration sériques maximales (C_max) était de 15,9 g/ml, plus de 99% pour cent du médicament étant liés aux protéines sériques. La clairance se fait surtout par voie hépatique. La demivie moyenne (t_1/2) était de 6 à 7 heures. Il n'y avait aucune différence apparente en ce qui concerne C_max, le temps d'apparition de C_max (t_max), l'aire sous la courbe concentration sérique/temps (AUC_0–24) ni t_1/2 entre les groupes d'hommes jeunes (n=20), d'hommes âgés (n=24), et d'hommes âgés atteints d'arthrose (n=20) à la suite d'une dose unique d'étodolac ou après 7 jours d'administration subchronique. De plus, aucune accumulation n'a été constatée. D'autre part, aucune différence de C_max, t_max, AUC_0–24 ni t_1/2 n'a été notée entre les groupes de sujets normaux (n=10) et de malades présentent des altérations rénales légères ou modérées (n=10). Les malades en insuffisance rénale terminale soumis à l'hémodialyse chronique ont présenté une concentration sérique moyenne de médicament libre analogue à celle des sujets normaux, mais la moyenne des taux sériques d'étodolac lié aux protéines était légèrement inférieure à celle observée chez les sujets normaux. La seule différence significative (p<0.05) entre les malades présentant une cirrhose hépatique stable et des sujets normaux appariés quant à l'âge était représentée par un t_max légèrement plus court chez les cirrhotiques (1,1 contre 1,4 heure). Ces données permettent de penser qu'aucune modification posologique de l'étodolac ne serait nécessaire pour ces groupes à haut risque.La farmacocinetica dell'etodolac, un nuovo farmaco anti-infiammatorio non steroidale è stata messa a confronto in gruppi normali, in pazienti affetti da malattia rénale ed epatica ed in pazienti anziani. In 28 soggetti normali l'etodolac somministrato oralmente è stato rapidamente assorbito. Dopo 1.2 ore dall'ingestione di una dose di 200 mg la massima concentrazione di siero (Cmax) presentava un valore medio di 15,9 mg/ml, con più del 99% del farmaco legato alla proteina del siero. La clearance era soprattutto a livello epatico. L'emivita media (t1/2) era di 6–7 ore. Non vi sono state evidenti differenze medie nei valori di concentrazione massima (Cmax), tempo (Tmax) al quale si aveva la Cmax, nella curva dell'area sotto concentrazione di siero/tempo (AUCo-24) oppure nel valore dell'emivita media (t1/2) tra gruppi di uomini giovani (n=20), uomini anziani (n=24) e anziani con osteoartrite (n=20), dopo una dose singola di etodolac o dopo 7 giorni di somministrazione subcronica. Inoltre non vi sono stati segni di accumulo. Per di più non vi sono state differenze nei valori di Cmax, tmax, AUCo-24 o t1/2 tra gruppi di soggetti normali (n=10) e pazienti con alterazioni renali da leggere a moderate (n=10). I pazienti con malattia renale all'ultimo stadio che ricevevano emodialisi cronica presentavano la stessa concentrazione media di siero di farmaco libero dei soggetti normali, anche se i livelli medi di siero di etodolac legato alle proteine erano leggermente inferiori a quelli di soggetti normali. L'unica differenza significativa (p<0.05) tra pazienti con cirrosi epatica stabile e soggetti normali della stessa età era nei tmax leggermente più brevi nei soggetti cirrotici (1.1. contro 1.4 ore). Questi risultati suggeriscono che nessuna alterazione del dosaggio di etodolac sarebbe necessaria in questi gruppi ad alto rischio.     

Cell-Growth Kinetics and Karyotype Analysis of Human Memory Lymphocytes Responding to Alloantigen and Mitogen

Peripheral-blood lymphocytes were primed in vitro with the mitogen phytohemagglutinin (PHA) or with allogeneic cells and their memory responses studied following sequential restimulation with either mitogen or alloantigen. Chromosome preparations were made every 12 hours following exposure to the stimulating agents. Cultures were labeled with BUdR for sister-chromatid staining of the chromosomes which provided information about the kinetics of cell growth and rates of sister chromatid exchange. Cultures containing no BUdR were used for the investigation of cell karyotypes after chromosome-banding.Following PHA as well as alloantigen restimulation, an earlier reaction of the responding cells was observed. The peak response after the first stimulation was found at 120 h with allogeneic stimulation and at 60 h with mitogen stimulation. In the second round of stimulation, the peak occurred after 48 h (allogeneic) and 36 h (PHA) and following the third stimulation after 36 h (allogeneic) and 24 h (PHA). The speed of cell growth was decreased following restimulation with either alloantigen and mitogen. In contrast to the allogeneic restimulation, the number of cells responding after PHA restimulation was decreased.No systematic numerical or structural aberration of the karyotype was detected following repeated stimulation with either alloantigen or mitogen. In this sense, the lymphocyte subpopulations selected by repeated stimulation did not differ from the starting material. On the other hand, the sister-chromatid exchange (SCE) frequency was increased following allogeneic restimulation, whereas it remained constant with PHA restimulation.     

The effects of oestrogen therapy on the sex life of post-menopausal women

The literature concerning sexual behaviour around the time of the menopause is reviewed. Mentioned is a decline in sexual activity and satisfaction in women which is attributed to the changes in the women themselves, and not merely a reaction to the decline in the sexual capacity of their husbands.

Forty women were treated during 1 yr with oestrogens. The eventual effect of this treatment on sexual activity and satisfaction was investigated and compared with a group who had undergone partial treatment only. The results show that in the completely treated Group A, symptoms such as hot flushes and depression diminished, and the pain of sexual relations was relieved. As a consequence of this improvement, coital activity and satisfaction were more gratifying. The partially treated Group B showed a clear decline in sexual activity and in sexual satisfaction.