ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: a) determine the prevalence of accurate perceptions of body weight status; b) assess awareness of risk and willingness to change; c) assess physicians' documentation of a weight problem. DESIGN: cross-sectional survey of 356 clinic patients. MEASURES: patient questionnaire; data extracted from charts. RESULTS: BMI averaged 34 for females, 31 for males. Twenty-five percent were overweight, 35% obese and 22% morbidly obese. Fifty-seven percent underestimated their weight status. Most obese and morbidly obese patients recognized the increased risk and wanted to change. Only the overweight patients who were accurate considered themselves at risk and wanted to change. Only 17% of office charts included the weight problem in the cumulative problem list. CONCLUSION: Despite the high prevalence of inaccurate perception of weight status, most patients were aware of risk and willing to change, except for the overweight patients. This subgroup would be a good target for an intervention to increase awareness.
Subject(s)
Awareness , Body Weight , Family Practice/statistics & numerical data , Health Behavior , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Overweight , Adult , Body Mass Index , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Health Surveys , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Obesity/epidemiology , Obesity/psychology , Oklahoma/epidemiology , Prevalence , Risk , Surveys and QuestionnairesSubject(s)
Blood Pressure/drug effects , Cardiotonic Agents/therapeutic use , Dopamine/therapeutic use , Natriuretic Agents/therapeutic use , Natriuretic Peptide, Brain/therapeutic use , Shock/physiopathology , Adult , Cardiography, Impedance/methods , Diphenhydramine/poisoning , Drug Therapy, Combination , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Hypnotics and Sedatives/poisoning , Shock/chemically induced , Shock/drug therapyABSTRACT
The current world literature estimates the incidence of appendicitis in pregnancy at approximately 1 case per 1500 normal deliveries. Observations of one physician and review of records from Saint Anthony Hospital in Oklahoma City have suggested potential benefit to routine examination of the appendix at the time of cesarean section and removal if it appears pathologic. The medical literature was reviewed regarding appendicitis in pregnancy and incidental or indicated appendectomy at the time of cesarean section. Many authors have described difficulties with diagnosis, as well as potential complications of appendicitis in pregnancy. Studies have confirmed the safety of performing incidental appendectomy at the time of cesarean section. The authors, therefore, propose that clinicians visualize and palpate the appendix at all cesarean sections, and remove those with evidence of inflammation or disease.
