Preliminary investigation of associations of illness schemata and treatment-induced reduction in headaches.

This study examined how illness schemata-ways people organize information about illness-change over the course of cognitive-behavioral treatment of chronic headache and the extent to which such changes predict reduction of headache. 73 subjects with chronic migraine, mixed migraine and tension, or tension headache were classified on the basis of outcome from imagery-based treatment as Treatment-responders (n = 24). Treatment nonresponders (n = 27), and Monitoring Controls (n = 22). Self-reported illness schemata related to the seriousness and changeability of headache were assessed at pretreatment and 8-wk. follow-up. While groups did not differ on pretreatment measures of illness schemata, at follow-up the Treatment responder group reported higher Changeability scores than Treatment-nonresponders and Control subjects and lower Seriousness scores than Control subjects. Headache reduction at follow-up was related to follow-up Changeability scores, in-session changes in systolic blood pressure and reported posttreatment expectations of headache activity, but not pretreatment measures of illness schemata. Findings indicate that improvements in headache activity are not influenced by the severity of headaches and may change prior to cognitive-behavioral treatment. Rather, among individuals who show decreases in headache activity, changes in beliefs about illness and headache reduction may have reciprocal relations both of which result from cognitive behavioral treatment.

Asthma management preceding an emergency department visit.

BACKGROUND: The burden of illness from asthma in North America has not decreased despite advancements in understanding disease pathogenesis and improved pharmacotherapeutics. This study examined the adequacy of preventive measures applied to asthma. METHODS: Using a standardized self-administered questionnaire, 111 consecutive patients presenting to the emergency department because of asthma were surveyed about their "usual" level of disability from asthma, usual medications, self-management plans to deal with an asthma attack, and environmental control measures. RESULTS: Twenty-five percent of subjects suffered sleep disturbance more than 15 days per month, had work/school attendance affected more than 14 days per year, and previously visited an emergency department twice in the past year. Thirty-seven percent had no effective plans to deal with an attack and another 32% had plans that were never discussed with a physician. Although 78% reported that cigarette smoke aggravated their asthma, one third of these were exposed at home. CONCLUSIONS: For a significant proportion of adults requiring emergency health services for asthma, preexisting management was poor by current standards. We recommend that patients be screened by emergency physicians and those with identifiable inadequacies in usual care be referred to physicians with expertise in asthma management.

Spiral tibial fractures of children: a commonly accidental spiral long bone fracture.

Pediatric training in child abuse has consistently emphasized a strong association between nonaccidental injuries and spiral fractures of long bones. Isolated spiral tibial fractures of childhood have previously been recognized by the orthopedic specialty to most frequently be accidental in etiology. The authors present evidence that supports a predominantly accidental etiology for isolated spiral tibial fractures of young children. This article presents a series in which 9 of 10 such spiral fractures were most likely the result of an accident and not child abuse or gross neglect. Additionally, almost all of these fractures presented as a gait disturbance and should be included in the differential of this complaint.

Tibial fractures of young children.

Tibial fractures are relatively frequent injuries of young children. These fractures are occasionally the cause of a childhood gait disturbance. Additionally, tibial fractures may be the result of child abuse. Consequently, the pediatrician should have knowledge concerning these injuries. In this paper, we present a review of tibial fractures in hospitalized children and describe their associations with nonaccidental trauma (NAT). Finally, we provide suggestions for improving nonmenclature clarity for isolated spiral fractures of the tibia.