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Medical Morbidity (medical + morbidity)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Medical Sciences	75%

Selected Abstracts

Individualized developmental care for a large sample of very preterm infants: health, neurobehaviour and neurophysiology

ACTA PAEDIATRICA, Issue 12 2009
G McAnulty
Abstract Aim:, To assess medical and neurodevelopmental effects of Newborn Individualized Developmental Care and Assessment Program (NIDCAP) for a large sample of very early-born infants. Methods:, One hundred and seven singleton inborn preterm infants, <29 weeks gestational age (GA), <1250 g birth weight, enrolled in three consecutive phases, were randomized within phase to NIDCAP (treatment, E) or standard care (C). Treatment extended from admission to the Newborn Intensive Care Unit to 2 weeks corrected age (wCA). Outcome included medical, neurobehavioural and neurophysiological status at 2 wCA, and growth and neurobehavioural status at 9 months (m) CA. Results:, The C- and E-group within each of the three consecutive phases and across the three phases were comparable in terms of all background measures; they therefore were treated as one sample. The results indicated for the E-group significant reduction in major medical morbidities of prematurity as well as significantly improved neurodevelopmental (behaviour and electrophysiology) functioning at 2 wCA; significantly better neurobehavioural functioning was also found at 9 mCA. Conclusion:, The NIDCAP is an effective treatment for very early-born infants. It reduces health morbidities and enhances neurodevelopment, functional competence and life quality for preterm infants at 2 w and 9 mCA. [source]

An exploratory open-label trial of aripiprazole as an adjuvant to clozapine therapy in chronic schizophrenia

ACTA PSYCHIATRICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 2 2006
D. C. Henderson
Objective:, We conducted this 6-week open-label trial to examine the effects of adjunctive aripiprazole in clozapine-treated subjects on weight, lipid and glucose metabolism, as well as positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia. Method:, Ten clozapine-treated subjects received aripiprazole augmentation; eight completed the 6-week trial and two ended at week 4. Eighty percent were male, the mean age was 38.7 ± 8.9 years and the mean clozapine dose was 455 ± 83 mg daily. Results:, There was a significant decrease in weight (P = 0.003), body mass index (P = 0.004), fasting total serum cholesterol (P = 0.002) and total triglycerides (P = 0.04) comparing baseline to study endpoint. There was no significant change in total Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale scores. Conclusion:, This combination may be useful for clozapine-associated medical morbidity and must be studied in placebo-controlled double-blind randomized trials to determine efficacy and safety. [source]

Staging anorexia nervosa: conceptualizing illness severity

EARLY INTERVENTION IN PSYCHIATRY, Issue 1 2008
Sarah Maguire
Abstract In recent years, there has been increasing attention to the conceptualization of anorexia nervosa (AN) and its diagnostic criteria. While varying levels of severity within the illness category of AN have long been appreciated, neither a precise definition of severity nor an empirical examination of severity in AN has been undertaken. The aim of this article is to review the current state of knowledge on illness severity and to propose a theoretical model for the definition and conceptualization of severity in AN. AN is associated with significant medical morbidity which is related to the ,severity' of presentation on such markers as body mass index, eating and purging behaviours. The development of a functional staging system, based on symptom severity, is indicated for reasons similar to those cited by the cancer lobby. Improving case management and making appropriate treatment recommendations have been the primary purpose of staging in other fields, and might also apply to AN. Such a standardized staging system could potentially ease communication between treatment settings, and increase the specificity and comparability of research findings in the field of AN. [source]

Relationships between features associated with vomiting in purging-type eating disorders

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EATING DISORDERS, Issue 4 2005
Lauren Reba BA
Abstract Objective Vomiting is a pernicious symptom of eating disorders. We explored the relation between the symptom of vomiting and features of eating disorder course and severity, personality traits, and Axis I and II comorbidity in individuals with purging-type eating disorders. Method The sample included participants from the multisite, international Price Foundation Genetic Studies, who had an eating disorder diagnosis (anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or eating disorder not otherwise specified) and had data available for the frequency of purging behaviors (n = 1,048). Axis I disorders, personality disorders, trait anxiety, perfectionism, and temperament and character dimensions were included as possible correlates. Results The presence of vomiting was associated with less regular laxative use, lower self-directedness, organization, personal standards, and higher novelty seeking. Conclusion Vomiting remains a prevalent and potentially destructive symptom of eating disorders, with significant dental and medical morbidity. Our findings suggest that certain clinical and personality variables distinguish individuals with purging-type eating disorders who vomit from those who do not, although there were no marked differences in Axis I or II comorbidity. Specifically targeting treatment to decrease duration of exposure to this dangerous symptom continues to be an important clinical objective. © 2005 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source]