ABSTRACT
1. The antispasmodic effect of some official drugs were studied in dogs using balloons appropriately placed on the intact enteric tract. Intestinal contractions were kymographically recorded2. Comparable doses (threshold relaxing doses) of the pharmacologic agents were determined and tested under uniform experimental conditions3. Tested against spontaneous, Barium-stimulated and Pilocarpine-stimulated intestinal contractions, Methantheline and Atropine were shown to be the most potent agents. Aminophylline, Papaverine and Glyceryl trinitrate follow in the order named. This comparison is on the basis of the average duration of their respective inhibiting effect on the intestine4. The experimental findings in this method of study appear to be in close agreement with clinical observations5. It is postulated that in certain gastro-intestinal conditions characterized by hyperperistalsis, spasm and pain, these antispasmodics will prove clinically effective, if wisely administered. (Summary and Conclusions)
ABSTRACT
This survey which was conducted for a period of 24 months on 4,088 subjects was designed to identify some epidemiologic characteristics of rheumatoid arthritis, gout and SUA levels among Filipinos. Familial aggregation for rheumatoid arthritis and gout was borne out by the survey and that a familial history was found to be 2 to 5 times higher among identified cases when compared with the total population studiedBased on the familial aggregation and the identified cases, no conclusive statements could be made regarding the geographical distribution of the diseases except that when based on the total for all regions, they appear to be more prevalent in Regions I (Manila and Suburbs), IV (Central Luzon) and V (Southern Luzon and Islands). To some degree the geographic distribution of the two diseases differ from one anotherOn the assumption of a representative sample, the prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis was found to be 1.345/1,000 (or 0.81 per cent based on total subjects examined) and 1.835/1,000 (or 1.1 per cent based on the total examined) for gout. The observation on the prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis very closely approximate the prevalence of 0.92 per cent found in Puerto Rico. Our results further substantiate the low prevalence of RA in the tropical region and a predisposition for the females. On the other hand, gout was found to be predominantly among the males. Rheumatoid arthritis was found to be more prevalent in the age group 15-39 years and gout in the age group 40-60+ yearsAmong the identified cases of RA, 21.2 per cent gave a positive result to the RA test while among the apparently "normal" subjects, the false positive reactions accounted for 6.1 per cent. From the foregoing figures it could be gleamed that the RA test is sensitive but has a low specificityThe means SUA values among the apparently "normal" subjects (3943) were 6.25 mg% for males and 4.61 mg.% for the females. The male excess of 1.64 mg.% when subjected to a "t" gave a "t" value for 146.64 and P<.001. The mean values for males very closely approximate the values obtained by Decker, Healey, and Steuermann (Hawaii). Also, statistically significant differences were seen between apparently "normal" males (6.25 mg.%) and gouty cases (7.19 mg.%) with P<.001, female "normal" subjects (4.6 mg.%) vs. female hypertensives (5.26 mg.%) with P<.02, and male gouty cases (7.19 mg.%) vs. hypertensives (6.41 mg.%) with P<.02. "Normal" male subjects vs. male hypertensives did not reveal a statistical difference. (Summary)
ABSTRACT
Goiter was found to be endemic in Bos. Bitin (upland), Calo (lowland), Dila (lowland) and San Antonio (lakeside) with the following respective prevalence rates: 47.5%, 23.8%, 19.5% and 25.9%. On the assumption of a completely randomized sample, the province of Laguna may be considered endemic and Bo. Bitin as a hyperendemic area. Female prevalence exceeded that of the males with a ratio of 1.8:1 to 5:1. The peak of prevalence among males fall under the age group 10-19 years while in females it follows a decade later (20-29). For the 4 barrios combined 11.3% of the males were found with Grade I goiter, 2.3 with Grade 2 and 0.2% with Grade 3. The females showed a higher proportion 23.6% with Grade I goiter, 12.2% with Grade 2 and 1.8% with Grade 33.8% of the surveyed households without any identified case of goiter had a familial history of thyroid enlargement as compared to 16.0% of the households with identified cases of goiter. Among the subjects tested for thyroid function, PBI values within the accepted normal range were maintained by a higher proportion of normal males in Bos. Bitin (55.0%), Calo (47.8%), Dila (55.2%) and San Antonio (73.2%) as compared to females (10.7%, 40.7%, 38.6% and 50.9% respectively). Reactors to the TA-Test were noted mostly among normal males in Bos. Dila 15.0%, Calo 37.5% and San Antonio 11.1% and also among normal females in Calo (20.0%). In contrast, a higher proportion of abnormal males and females in Co. Bitin reacted to the test. Normal RAIU values were seen in a greater proportion of normal males in the 3 lowland barros of Calo (61.3%), Dila (55.2%) and San Antonio (73.3%) as compared to normal females (52.5%), 32.6% and 50.9% respectively)The results show that the prevalence of goiter is definitely correlated with the female sex in the reproductive age groups and strongly suggests the possibility of low autoimmune proces which is accentuating the environmental differences of the surveyed population. On the assumption that our sampling is randomized, Bay, Laguna is endemic for goiter and Bo. Bitin is a hyperendemic area. (Summary)