The association between violence victimisation and common symptoms in Swedish women.
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STUDY OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between violence and abuse suffered by women during childhood or adult life, and the manifestation of a high level of common physical and mental symptoms. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: A questionnaire was sent to a random population of women, 40 to 50 years of age, living in a rural Swedish community. The response rate was 81.7 per cent (397 women). Odds ratios were used to estimate bivariate associations between the experience of violence/abuse and common symptoms. Multiple logistic regression analyses were used to test for confounding and effect modification. MAIN RESULTS: The experience of violence or abuse during childhood was reported by 32.2 per cent of the women, while 15.6 per cent reported being abused as an adult. In both cases, these experiences reached statistical significance in their association with a high level of common symptoms (OR=1.67; 95% CI 1. 08, 2.49 and OR=2.26; 95%CI 1.30, 3.92, respectively). The associations between childhood and as well adult experience of violence or abuse and common symptoms were largely independent of potential confounders such as unemployment, job strain, social support, and sense of coherence. The combined exposure to adult violence/abuse and low psychosocial coping resources, such as low social support or a low level of sense of coherence, considerably increased the odds ratio for common symptoms and a synergistic effect seemed to exist. CONCLUSION: Violence or abuse experience is an important factor when considering illness manifestations in terms of common symptoms in women 40 to 50 years of age. (+info)
Extent of fussing and colic type crying preceding atopic disease.
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In a prospective follow up of 116 high risk infants, a 24 hour behavioural chart on seven consecutive days was analysed at seven and 12 weeks of age. Of children who manifested atopic disease at 2 years, 44/116 (38%), had shown significantly more fussing during the seventh, and colic type cry during the twelfth week than those who remained healthy (72/116, 62%). (+info)
Candidate physiological measures of annoyance from airborne chemicals.
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Annoyance due to short-term exposure to airborne chemicals is a key factor in modern environmental research. Unpleasant odors or those that are believed harmful can annoy us. Since annoyance is modulated by the psychological and physiological states of the exposed persons, it is essential that we understand how these factors interact with environmental stimuli to yield a given level of this response. A potentially fruitful approach in this effort may be to treat annoyance as an emotion induced by the odor, and possibly irritation, resulting from chemical exposures. In this way, methods applied to assess induced emotions will likely be of value in elucidating annoyance. A rationale is presented for use of the startle reflex to elucidate the motor component of annoyance, which is manifest as a redirecting of attention towards the annoying odor (or irritant). Although evidence supporting the use of breathing changes to assess the vegetative component of annoyance is somewhat more scattered and indirect, this approach seems likely to be the most fruitful for future research. Experiments to enhance our understanding of annoyance using these two non-verbal end-points are outlined. (+info)
Signs and symptoms of illness in early infancy: associations with sudden infant death.
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AIMS: to describe a pattern of illness in "normal" infants, and to assess to what extent this may differ in infants who die suddenly and unexpectedly. METHODS: All infants are on the CONI (Care of the Next Infant) scheme in which mothers record symptoms and signs of illness prospectively, on a daily basis from birth to approximately age 6 months. The symptoms of infants who die suddenly and unexpectedly are compared with those of a consecutive sample of infants who survive. Twenty one babies died suddenly, of whom 11 were cot deaths and 10 had "known causes" of death. Ninety eight infants who survived were used as consecutive controls. Prospective daily records of the presence or absence of 26 signs and symptoms were kept by all of the mothers, commencing at birth and lasting an average of 176 days in survivors; 84 days in SIDS; and 93 days in infants who died of known causes. RESULTS: Standardised for age and the time of year, on any given day, the mothers of the SIDS infants were over eight times more likely to record their child as being pale, six times more likely to be sweating, and twice as likely to be irritable. Other signs and symptoms which were three times more likely to be recorded were sore gums, dry stools, and coldness. Infants who died of known causes generally had fewer symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Cot death infants have a range of symptoms which appear to be of a general nature, and not related to any one system. Symptoms are seen throughout life and not related to the time of death. (+info)
Severe irritability associated with statin cholesterol-lowering drugs.
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BACKGROUND: As use of a drug becomes widespread, the full spectrum of its effects becomes clearer. Although a link has been suggested between low or lowered cholesterol and irritability/aggression, less is known about possible links between irritability and statins. AIM: To assess the possible connection of statin usage to severe irritability. DESIGN: Case series. METHODS: Six patients referred or self-referred with irritability and short temper on statin cholesterol-lowering drugs completed a survey providing information on character of behavioural effect, time-course of onset and recovery, and factors relevant to drug adverse effect causality. RESULTS: In each case the personality disruption, once evident, was sustained until statin use was discontinued; and resolved promptly with drug cessation. In four patients, re-challenge with statins occurred, and led to recrudescence of the problem. All patients experienced other recognized statin adverse effects while on the drug. Manifestations of severe irritability included homicidal impulses, threats to others, road rage, generation of fear in family members, and damage to property. DISCUSSION: Case series invariably raise more questions than they can answer. These case reports suggest that severe irritability may occur in some statin users. Although this adverse effect may be rare, potentially life-threatening adverse effects of drugs must be taken seriously. (+info)
Investigation of regurgitation and other symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux in Indonesian infants.
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AIM: To evaluate the incidence of regurgitation and other symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux in Indonesian infants. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study at the University Outpatient Clinic for vaccination in Jakarta, 138 mothers of healthy infants less than 12-mo old were prospectively asked to report the frequency of regurgitation. RESULTS: Whatever the age was, some infants did not regurgitate (from 10% during the first month of life to 67% in 1-year-old infants). Regurgitation of at least once a day was reported in 77% of infants younger than 3 mo. Daily regurgitation decreased to 12% in the 9-12 mo old group. Reported peak prevalence was 81%(26/32) during the first month of life. Regurgitation decreased sharply between the 4-6 and 7-9 mo old groups (from 44% to 9%). The longer the regurgitation persisted, the more frequently the mother perceived regurgitation as a problem. Volume and frequency of regurgitation, back arching, irritability, crying and refusal of feeding were the symptoms causing maternal anxiety. The longer the regurgitation persisted, the more frequently the mothers viewed it as a health problem. CONCLUSION: Regurgitation occurs frequently in Indonesian infants, and is a frequent cause of concern to mothers. (+info)
US features of transient small bowel intussusception in pediatric patients.
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OBJECTIVE: To describe the sonographic (US) and clinical features of spontaneously reduced small bowel intussusception, and to discuss the management options for small bowel intussusception based on US findings with clinical correlation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: During a five years of period, 34 small bowel intussusceptions were diagnosed on US in 32 infants and children. The clinical presentations and imaging findings of the patients were reviewed. RESULTS: The clinical presentations included abdominal pain or irritability (n = 25), vomiting (n = 5), diarrhea (n = 3), bloody stool (n = 1), and abdominal distension (n = 1), in combination or alone. US showed multi-layered round masses of small (mean, 1.5+/-0.3 cm) diameters and with thin (mean, 3.5+/-1 mm) outer rims along the course of the small bowel. The mean length was 1.8+/-0.5 cm and peristalsis was seen on the video records. There were no visible lead points. The vascular flow signal appeared on color Doppler images in all 21 patients examined. Spontaneous reduction was confirmed by combinations of US (n = 28), small bowel series (n = 6), CT scan (n = 3), and surgical exploration (n = 2). All patients discharged with improved condition. CONCLUSION: Typical US findings of the transient small bowel intussusception included 1) small size without wall swelling, 2) short segment, 3) preserved wall motion, and 4) absence of the lead point. Conservative management with US monitoring rather than an immediate operation is recommended for those patient with typical transient small bowel intussusceptions. Atypical US findings or clinical deterioration of the patient with persistent intussusception warrant surgical exploration. (+info)
Omega-3 fatty acids decreased irritability of patients with bipolar disorder in an add-on, open label study.
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This is a report on a 37-patient continuation study of the open ended, Omega-3 Fatty Acid (O-3FA) add-on study. Subjects consisted of the original 19 patients, along with 18 new patients recruited and followed in the same fashion as the first nineteen. Subjects carried a DSM-IV-TR diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder and were visiting a Mood Disorder Clinic regularly through the length of the study. At each visit, patients' clinical status was monitored using the Clinical Monitoring Form. Subjects reported on the frequency and severity of irritability experienced during the preceding ten days; frequency was measured by way of percentage of days in which subjects experienced irritability, while severity of that irritability was rated on a Likert scale of 1-4 (if present). The irritability component of Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) was also recorded quarterly on 13 of the 39 patients consistently. Patients had persistent irritability despite their ongoing pharmacologic and psychotherapy. Omega-3 Fatty Acid intake helped with the irritability component of patients suffering from bipolar disorder with a significant presenting sign of irritability. Low dose (1 to 2 grams per day), add-on O-3FA may also help with the irritability component of different clinical conditions, such as schizophrenia, borderline personality disorder and other psychiatric conditions with a common presenting sign of irritability. (+info)