Familial risk of cancer among randomly selected cancer probands

Several investigators have reported that relatives of lung cancer probands have a greater-than-normal likelihood for developing some form of cancer. To evaluate whether this familial risk is general for probands with cancer at any site or limited to lung cancer probands, we did a case-control study in which probands having cancer affecting any body site were identified and their pedigree data were tabulated. Telephone interviews and a mailed questionnaire were used to obtain cancer histories and environmental exposures on the families of 41 lung cancer probands, 105 probands with cancer other than lung, and 127 spouse families. Cumulative tobacco exposure (P less than .05), occupational hazards (P less than .005), and age of the family relatives (P less than .0001) were found to be statistically significant predictors of cancer risk. With consideration given for these variables, we determined that siblings of lung cancer probands were at slightly greater risk of cancer of any kind (odds ratio [OR] = 1.43, P = .06) than siblings in the control group. Much of the elevated risk was attributable to an excess of lung cancer (OR = 2.49, P = .06). Siblings of non-lung/non-breast cancer probands were also determined to be at increased risk of lung cancer as well (OR = 1.61, P = .06). For parents, the risk was lower, although parental information may have been underreported.     

PSEUDOHYPERPHOSPHATAEMIA AND MONOCLONAL GAMMOPATHY

SUMMARY A case is reported of pseudohyperphosphataemia in association with a monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance.     

Comparative efficacy of Hanifin and Rajka''s criteria and the UK working party''s diagnostic criteria in diagnosis of atopic dermatitis in a hospital setting in North India

BACKGROUND: Diagnosis of atopic dermatitis (AD) depends on clinical features because no definitive diagnostic test exists. Criteria proposed by Hanifin and Rajka (Acta Derm Venereol (Stockh) 1980; Suppl 92: 44-47) were acceptable for hospital-based studies but were found not to be suitable for field studies. A UK working party formulated clinical diagnostic criteria that could be used in both hospital and epidemiological settings. Validation studies of the criteria showed widely variable results, probably due to different clinical settings and ethnicity. AIM AND OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to validate Hanifin and Rajka's criteria and to assess the comparative efficacy of their criteria and the UK working party's diagnostic criteria in the diagnosis of AD in a hospital setting in North India. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This study serially included 101 patients with AD and 48 controls of paediatric age group. The study period was from July 2003 to December 2004. RESULTS: Hanifin and Rajka's criteria (sensitivity 96%, specificity 93.75%, positive predictive value 97% (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) 91.84%) had a statistical advantage over the UK working party's diagnostic criteria (sensitivity 86%, specificity 95.83%, PPV 97.75% and NPV 76.67%), with a P-value < 0.005.     

IMPOTENCE AND ITS NON-SURGICAL MANAGEMENT

SUMMARY Impotence is a common symptom which can cause considerable distress to both the sufferer and his partner. The use of pharmacotherapy to improve erectile function will continue to increase as safe and effective drugs are developed. However, restoring erectile function should not be the only treatment objective. It is also essential to address personal and emotional factors in the sufferer, conflicts in his relationship with his partner, and sexual problems in his partner, all of which may be instrumental in causing or maintaining the presenting impotence. We advocate a combined approach with appropriate medical treatment and sex and couple therapy