Subject(s)
Disease Outbreaks , Tomography, X-Ray Computed , Tuberculosis , Child , Humans , Tuberculosis/diagnosisABSTRACT
Addressing the high utilization of medications among the elderly, this study explored the degree of knowledge of polypharmacy and its consequences, as well as the pattern of utilization by a group of elders 65 years of age and over in the San Juan metropolitan area of Puerto Rico. A dual technique was utilized: focus groups and a survey. Two focus groups were performed in order to explore issues pertaining the following domains: quality of life, doctor-patient and pharmacist-patient relationships, degree of knowledge of polypharmacy, and need of information. A questionnaire was administered to obtain information regarding their pattern of drug utilization. Results of focus groups indicated that the elderly have learned how to cope with their chronic conditions and be able to continue with quality of life. Additionally, results suggested a need form the elderly to develop more assertiveness and closeness with their health care providers, both doctor and pharmacist; as well as a lack of sufficient knowledge of the serious implications that polypharmacy brings. Results from the survey revealed and confirmed their inappropriate utilization of medications, and suggest that this segment consults multiple physicians, all of which may bring potential problems of adverse drug interactions. Further investigation is needed to examine fully the issue of polypharmacy, as well as the need of education that results in empowerment of patients, families and communities.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Drug Therapy, Combination , Surveys and Questionnaires , Cross-Sectional Studies , Puerto Rico , Urban PopulationABSTRACT
Nine thousand three hundred and twenty three children and adolescents from different parts of the Spanish State have been studied, with the purpose of identifying blood pressure normal values and determining its correlation with anthropometric variables and age. We have found, according to what has already been stated in the literature, a statistically significant (p less than 0.001) correlation with age, weight, height, and body surface. The values obtained have been compared with the results of the two Task Force's Reports (USA) and with Andre's (France), finding similar values to those presented in the Task Force Second Report. It is stated that age is the most suitable parameter for establishing blood pressure normal values in childhood, because of its availability and also for having a slightly better correlation than the other investigated parameters.
Subject(s)
Blood Pressure , Adolescent , Age Factors , Anthropometry , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Infant , Male , Reference Values , SpainABSTRACT
2,069 children of both sexes (1,172 males and 897 females) with ages between two and fifteen years old, from Majadahonda (Madrid) have been studied. We registered the age, weight, height and arterial pressure of all of them, as well as their parents' occupation. The percentage of initial high blood pressure (2.41%) was similar to that reported so far in the literature, with a higher incidence within the males, and also higher values recorded in the levels of blood pressure among the four socioeconomic groups in which the children were classified, but we did find a higher percentage of initial high blood pressure in the group defined as high-middle class (p less than 0.05). The correlation indexes between arterial pressure and weight, body surface, height and years of age, were studied being all of them statistically significant, with values ranging from higher to lower in this same order (p less than 0.001). No statistically significant difference was found between the correlation indexes of blood pressure/height and blood pressure/age. We conclude that this last variant is the most useful one to establish the normal values of blood pressure in childhood.
Subject(s)
Anthropometry , Blood Pressure , Adolescent , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Hypertension/epidemiology , Male , Socioeconomic Factors , SpainABSTRACT
We have studied 932 high school and professional institute students aged fifteen to eighteen in Madrid, of which 406 were males and 526 females. Blood pressure measurements were taken on all the individuals on three separate occasions. The recorded values are expressed in percentiles for age and sex. We have found lower diastolic blood pressure levels than those reported so far in the literature, in agreement with the values recorded by us in children between two and fourteen years old. The prevalence of hypertension in the population studied was 3%, higher in males than in females (4.67% and 1.61%, respectively). We assume the idea that the measurement of blood pressure in teenagers is mandatory because of the high prevalence of arterial hypertension in this age group.
Subject(s)
Hypertension/epidemiology , Adolescent , Age Factors , Blood Pressure , Female , Humans , Hypertension/diagnosis , Male , Sex Factors , SpainABSTRACT
Authors study 2,953 children with a range of age between 2 and 14 years, of both sexes, from schools in Madrid, Zaragoza, Lugo, Andújar, Archena and in rural areas of Guadalajara and Segovia. Blood pressure was measures three times in every child according to recommendations of the Expert Committee of WHO in respect to the method. Results are expressed in percentiles according to age and sex. Their findings indicate that both diastolic and systolic blood pressures were lower than those reported by Task Force (USA), Cassimos (Greece) and Andre (France) (p less than 0.001) with higher differences being present in the diastolic blood pressure.
Subject(s)
Blood Pressure , Adolescent , Age Factors , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Male , Reference Values , Sex Factors , SpainABSTRACT
Authors report three cases of Kawasaki disease who were admitted to hospital during the period of November 1981 and January 1982. Two of these patients had an excellent evolution while the third one died in the second stage of the disease due to an anterior-external and septal myocordial infarction. They could not find etiological factors nor could establish a relationship to histocompatibility antigen. All the three patients were females.
