ABSTRACT
Studies have shown the importance of social support for health, and the value of patient support groups. Today we are seeing a further development of the idea of the patient meeting: online discussions on the internet and other computer networks. This paper reports on the online activities of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The paper explores key questions in the evaluation of online patient meetings, such as the ability of patients to discuss their problems frankly, the availability and accuracy of advice, the spread and control of rumours.
Subject(s)
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis/psychology , Computer Communication Networks/trends , Self-Help Groups/trends , Humans , Microcomputers , Sick RoleABSTRACT
Auditory and vestibular functions were investigated in a patient with atypical Cogan's Syndrome. The brainstem auditory evoked response revealed bilateral severe distortion of morphology and voltage diminution after potential I, greater in right ear recordings. Interwave latency I-III was increased bilaterally. Electronystagmographic studies showed nonfatigable direction changing positional nystagmus greater with right ear undermost and bilateral failure of optic suppression. Findings suggested bilateral pontocerebellar dysfunction. Correlation was found with the side of greater clinical manifestations. The patient had excellent recovery of auditory and vestibular functions with administration of corticosteroids within 2 weeks of the onset of hearing impairment. She was followed up with auditory and vestibular studies for 30 months.
Subject(s)
Auditory Diseases, Central/diagnosis , Hearing Loss, Sensorineural/diagnosis , Vestibular Diseases/diagnosis , Adult , Audiometry , Auditory Diseases, Central/drug therapy , Azathioprine/therapeutic use , Drug Therapy, Combination , Electronystagmography , Evoked Potentials, Auditory , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Hearing Loss, Sensorineural/drug therapy , Humans , Keratitis/diagnosis , Keratitis/drug therapy , Prednisone/therapeutic use , Syndrome , Vestibular Diseases/drug therapyABSTRACT
A comparison was made of serum isoniazid concentrations and the time course of isoniazid elimination in rhesus monkeys given the drug im, orally on sugar cubes, or in a commercially medicated diet. When the drug was administered orally on sugar cubes or im, peak serum concentrations were usually reached within 2 hr. A threefold individual variation in the rate of elimination was noted, and in most animals the serum concentration at 6 hr approached zero. Isoniazid was not detected in the serum of any animal receiving the commercially medicated diet. Others using this medicated food in their tuberculosis prophylaxis programs should be aware that the diet probably does not provide therapeutically effective dosage to the animals.
