Correlation of quantitative ultrasound parameters of the calcaneus with bone density of the spine and hip in women with prevalent hypovitaminosis D.

Quantitative ultrasound (QUS) of the calcaneus correlates modestly with axial dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Because bone mineral density (BMD) might be influenced by vitamin D status, we assessed the correlation between both techniques in 56 Arabian women, a population with high prevalence of hypovitaminosis D. The speed of sound (SOS), broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA), and estimated BMD of the right calcaneus were determined by QUS. Spine and right hip BMD were measured by DXA scan. The serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) level was measured by radioimmunoassay. The correlations of QUS parameters (estimated calcaneal BMD, BUA, and SOS) with spine and hip BMD were modest (r = 0.50, r = 0.53, r = 0.41 for the spine and r = 0.54, r = 0.56, and r = 0.46 for the hip, respectively; p < 0.01 for all comparisons), but stronger in postmenopausal women. All postmenopausal women with low estimated calcaneal BMD (T-score pound -1) had a T-score pound -1 by DXA of the spine or hip. Of the 21 premenopausal women with spine or hip T-score pound -1 who had 25OHD measurements, 20 (95.2%) had levels below 50 nmol/L and 12 (57%) had levels below 30 nmol/L. The subgroup with 25OHD < 30 nmol/L had significantly lower spine (p < 0.01) and hip BMD (p < 0.05) than the subgroup with 25OHD >/= 30 nmol/L. QUS parameters were not significantly different between the two subgroups. The QUS and DXA correlated modestly well in women with prevalent hypovitaminosis D. QUS could be used in postmenopausal women with hypovitaminosis D to identify those at risk for osteoporotic fracture.

Quantitative ultrasound of the calcaneus in Arabian women: relation to anthropometric and lifestyle factors.

OBJECTIVES: To determine factors influencing quantitative ultrasound (QUS) parameters of the calcaneus in a population-based sample of United Arab Emirates (UAE) women, and to compare QUS parameters of the calcaneus for healthy young UAE women with the manufacturer's reference ranges for other populations. METHODS: All subjects completed a questionnaire on reproductive and life style factors. Height and weight were measured, and body composition was determined by bioelectric impedence. Estimated bone mineral density (BMD), Speed of sound (SOS), broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA) and quantitative ultrasound index (QUI) of the right calcaneus were determined by Sahara ultrasound. RESULTS: In premenopausal women (n=330), age, weight, body mass index (BMI), lean weight, fat weight, education, age at menarche, and number of pregnancies, correlated significantly with QUS parameters. Multiple regression analysis showed that age at menarche, number of pregnancies, and BMI, were the best predictors of QUS parameters although these factors explained only small amounts of the variance (R(2)=0.05). In postmenopausal women (n=81), age, BMI and physical activity were the best predictors of BUA (R(2)=0.35), SOS (R(2)=0.39), and QUI (R(2)=0.43). Mean estimated BMD, QUI and SOS for healthy young UAE women were significantly lower than the manufacturer's reference ranges for U.S. Caucasian, European Caucasian, and Chinese Asian healthy young women of the same age range (P<0.001 for all comparisons). Mean BUA was not significantly different, however. CONCLUSIONS: Menopausal status, age, BMI and physical activity are strong predictors of QUS parameters of the calcaneus in Arabian women. Healthy young Arabian women have lower estimated calcaneal BMD compared with the manufacturer's reference ranges for other populations.

Comparison of growth and performance in upland and lowland switchgrass types to water and nitrogen stress.

The objective of the study was to examine lowland (Alamo and Kanlow) and upland (Blackwell and Caddo) cultivars of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) for differences in response to water deficit and nitrogen fertilizer. Cultivars were grown in pots with fritted clay at two water levels: well watered and deficit conditions (-0.1 and -1.0 MPa) and two nitrogen levels (10 and 100 kg ha(-1)). Nitrogen determined growth potential of the cultivars more than water availability. The lowland cultivars produced greater biomass yields than upland cultivars. However, upland cultivars showed a smaller response to drought stress. Under water stress conditions all cultivars exhibited a higher leaf percentage of total dry matter (DM), with the upland cultivars having the highest leaf percentage of total DM. Nitrogen proved to have more of an effect on single-leaf photosynthesis rates than water. Alamo demonstrated the greatest biomass production among all cultivars. The differences found between the two lowland cultivars suggest that Alamo would be better suited for forage and biomass production in central Texas, being a higher producer under drought and non-drought conditions than Kanlow as well as upland cultivars.

Improving diabetic patients' outcomes in family medicine in the United Arab Emirates.

We evaluated a diabetic mini-clinic by assessing adherence to American Diabetes Association guidelines and changes in glycosylated haemoglobin levels. Of 1063 patients, 721 were multiple attenders. Single and multiple attenders showed no significant differences in age, sex, time since diagnosis or body mass index. Female and male multiple attenders showed significant declines in glycosylated haemoglobin levels over the first 12 and 18 months respectively. After 2 years, these levels were similar to those at entry to the clinic. The clinic's compliance with standard measurement guidelines was high. The diabetic mini-clinic model, which is effective in industrialized countries, was equally effective in this setting.

Changing use of the emergency department by the elderly in the United Arab Emirates, 1989 and 1999.

Changes in use by the elderly of the emergency department of a major hospital in Al-Ain in the years 1989 and 1999 were examined. All patients aged 65 years or older who attended the emergency room were included in this cross-sectional survey. Patient numbers rose from 321 in 1989 to 1347 in 1999 with no significant change in the female to male ratio of 0.78 or the mean age of the elderly attendees 72.9 +/- 7.4 years. Attendance rose 5.4 fold while non-urgent attendance rose 14.7 fold, demonstrating rising use but falling illness severity over time.

Improving diabetic patients' outcomes in family medicine in the United Arab Emirates

We evaluated a diabetic mini-clinic by assessing adherence to American Diabetes Association guidelines and changes in glycosylated haemoglobin levels. Of 1063 patients, 721 were multiple attenders. Single and multiple attenders showed no significant differences in age, sex, time since diagnosis or body mass index. Female and male multiple attenders showed significant declines in glycosylated haemoglobin levels over the first 12 and 18 months respectively. After 2 years, these levels were similar to those at entry to the clinic. The clinic's compliance with standard measurement guidelines was high. The diabetic mini-clinic model, which is effective in industrialized countries, was equally effective in this setting

Changing use of the emergency department by the elderly in the United Arab Emirates, 1989 and 1999

Changes in use by the elderly of the emergency department of a major hospital in Al-Ain in the years 1989 and 1999 were examined. All patients aged 65 years or older who attended the emergency room were included in this cross-sectional survey. Patient numbers rose from 321 in 1989 to 1347 in 1999 with no significant change in the female to male ratio of 0.78 or the mean age of the elderly attendees 72.9 +/- 7.4 years. Attendance rose 5.4 fold while non-urgent attendance rose 14.7 fold, demonstrating rising use but falling illness severity over time

Institutionalized older adults in a health district in the United Arab Emirates: health status and utilization rate.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the rate of institutionalization and health status of nursing home (NH) type patients living in the Middle East. This study was set in the Al-Ain Medical District, a geographically discrete region of the United Arab Emirates, a country with a developing economy located on the shores of the Arabian Gulf. NH-type patients were defined as people aged 60 years and older who were admitted to a hospital or a long-term institutionalized setting for at least 6 weeks and with no evidence of an expectation of discharge at the time of the evaluation. OBJECTIVE: To determine the clinical, functional, cognitive, and nutritional status of NH-type patients living in a defined community within a developing country. METHOD: Cross-sectional survey. RESULTS: All NH-type patients were identified, and all were included in this study (n = 47, 100% participation rate). All were located within three public institutions, none of which was a dedicated NH facility. The rate of institutionalization was 7.0-14.0 per 1,000 people aged 65 or older. The age distribution was 30% (60-74 years), 49% (75-84 years), and 21% (85+ years). The length of stay was 3.8 years. The female:male ratio was 1.6. All except 1 had a neurological disorder, and 89% had dementia. The cognitive deficits were severe with only 61% alert, 41% able to speak, 17% orientated in place, and 15% orientated in time. The functional status was also poor: 98% received assistance with all instrumental activities of daily living, 85% received assistance with five activities of daily living, and 94% were bed bound. The nutritional status was also impaired with a mean body weight of 45 +/- 14 kg and a mean albumin level of 3.1 +/- 0.6 g/dl. When compared with the USA data from the National Center for Health Statistics, the study population was younger, had a longer length of stay, a lower female:male ratio, a higher rate of neurological diseases and dementia, and were far more dependent and disoriented. The rate of institutionalization was one sixth to one third of that in the USA. CONCLUSION: From these data we concluded that this region has a distinctly different population of institutionalized older people who demonstrate greater impairments in all domains of health status.

Carotid thromboendarterectomy for recent total occlusion of the internal carotid artery.

BACKGROUND: The efficacy of emergency carotid thromboendarterectomy (CTEA) for acute internal carotid artery (ICA) thrombosis has been questioned. We evaluated the use of CTEA in patients with recent ICA occlusion. METHODS: From August 1989 to December 1999 patients who underwent urgent CTEA for recent ICA thrombosis were retrospectively evaluated. Patient data analyzed included age, sex, comorbid risk factors, diagnostic evaluation, operative procedure, and long-term follow-up with clinical assessment and carotid duplex scan. Neurologic status was evaluated with the Modified Rankin Scale (MRS) before the operation, immediately after the operation, and at 3- to 6-months' follow-up. RESULTS: Twenty-nine patients underwent emergency ipsilateral CTEA for acute ICA thrombosis over the last 10 years. The average age of the patients was 69.9 +/- 1.7 years, and 66% were men. Patient risk factors included diabetes (7 [24%]), hypertension (21 [72%]), coronary artery disease (8 [29%]), and history of tobacco abuse (20 [69%]). Presenting symptoms included cerebrovascular accident (7 [24%]), transient ischemic attack (nonamaurosis) (10 [34%]), crescendo transient ischemic attack (7 [24%]), stroke in evolution (2 [7%]), and amaurosis fugax (3 [10%]). Diagnostic evaluation included computed tomographic scan (29 [100%]), magnetic resonance imaging/magnetic resonance angiography (4 [14%]), duplex scan evaluation of the carotid arteries (23 [79%]), and cerebral angiography (18 [64%]). Antegrade flow in the ICA was successfully established in 24 (83%) of 29 patients and confirmed with intraoperative angiography or duplex sonography. Postoperative morbidity included 2 hematomas (7%), 4 transient cranial nerve deficits (14%), and 1 conversion to hemorrhagic stroke (3.6%), which resulted in the only death (3.6%). MRS scores averaged 3.4 +/- 0.2 preoperatively. Follow-up averaging 74.1 +/- 21 months (range, 3-140 months) was obtained in 27 (93%) patients. Improvement or deterioration was defined as a change in MRS +/- 1. Immediately postoperatively, 14 (48%) patients were improved, 2 (7%) deteriorated, and 13 (45%) had no change. At 3 to 6 months, 20 (74%) of 27 patients were improved, seven (26%) had no change, and none deteriorated. Of patients with successful CTEA, 23 (96%) of 24 had a patent ICA on follow-up duplex scan evaluation, and there was no evidence of recurrent ipsilateral neurologic events at an average of 49 months. CONCLUSION: These data support an aggressive early surgical intervention for acute ICA thrombosis in carefully selected patients. In the previous decade we reported a 46% success rate for establishing antegrade flow in the ICA long term. Data from this decade show a 79% (P =.0114) success rate for establishing antegrade flow long term in all patients undergoing emergency CTEA. New and improved imaging modalities have allowed better patient selection, resulting in improved outcomes.

Nutrient movement and removal in a switchgrass biomass-filter strip system treated with dairy manure.

Manure use on cropland has raised concern about nutrient contamination of surface and ground waters. Warm-season perennial grasses may be useful in filter strips to trap manure nutrients and as biomass feedstock for nutrient removal. We explored the use of 'Alamo' switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) in a biomass production-filter strip system treated with dairy manure. We measured changes in extractable P in the soil, NO3 -N in soil water, and changes in total reactive P and chemical oxygen demand (COD) of runoff water before and after a switchgrass filter strip. Five rates of dairy manure (target rates of 0, 50, 100, 150, and 200 kg N ha(-1) from solid manure in 1995; 0, 75, 150, 300, and 600 kg N ha(-1) from lagoon effluent in 1996 and 1997) were surface-applied to field plots of switchgrass (5.2 by 16.4 m) with a 5.2- by 16.4-m switchgrass filter strip below the manured area. Yield of switchgrass from the manured area increased linearly with increasing manure rate in each year. Soil water samples collected at 46 or 91 cm below the soil surface on 30 dates indicated < 3 mg L(-1) of NO3-N in all plots. Concentrations of total reactive P in surface runoff water were reduced an average of 47% for the 150 kg N rate and 76% for the 600 kg N rate in 1996 and 1997 after passing through the strip. Manure could effectively substitute for inorganic fertilizer in switchgrass biomass production with dual use of the switchgrass as a vegetative filter strip.

Bone density estimates and risk factors for osteoporosis in young women.

The bone mineral density (BMD) of the calcaneus was estimated in 185 young women from the United Arab Emirates, using SAHARA ultrasound. All participants completed a questionnaire on factors potentially associated with osteoporosis. In all, 29 (15.7%) of the women were classified as having osteopenia and none as having osteoporosis. Participants with osteopenia were more likely to have had a later onset of menarche, irregular periods, lower body mass index, and a positive family history of osteoporosis. Only late menarche and low body mass index, however, were independent predictors of osteopenia.

A clinical trial of chronic care diabetic clinics in general practice in the United Arab Emirates: a preliminary analysis.

Control of diabetes mellitus is a high priority for primary health care systems. One innovative method of diabetes care delivery is the use of structured diabetes care in primary care. This includes the use of chronic care diabetes clinics or mini-clinics operated by general practitioners in primary care. There is limited experience with this model in non-Western settings. This study sought to evaluate a multi-component structured approach to diabetes care in primary care including chronic care diabetes clinics in a newly developed country in the Arabian Gulf. The study design used was a controlled before-after methodology. Three primary health centers were chosen for the intervention with six of the remaining clinics in a Health District being used as controls. A multifaceted intervention was initiated in the intervention clinics composed of chronic care diabetes clinics, a diabetic flow chart, and educational programs for clinic nurses and doctors and patients. The study intervention took place over a period of 18 months with three diabetic outcomes (fasting blood glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol) and adherence to seven diabetes guidelines being compared for the year prior to the intervention and during the last 12 months of the intervention period. Knowledge and satisfaction questionnaires were also administered to intervention and control subjects at the end of the study. In this study, 219 subjects were enrolled (130 males and 89 females). They had a mean age of 51.6 years and a mean of 3.1 years of formal education. Of these 109 were enrolled in one of three clinics that had a chronic care diabetes clinic and 110 were enrolled in one of the six control clinics. Subjects had diabetes for a mean of 7.8 +/- 4.8 years and the majority was treated with pharmacological therapy. Baseline characteristics in the intervention and the control clinics were similar with the exception of younger age (p = 0.01) and a trend for more males (p = 0.06) in the intervention clinics. There was a statistically insignificant change noted with the intervention in the three clinical outcomes studied (fasting blood glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol) both in comparison to the control group before and after and within the intervention group. However most changes noted were in the expected direction of improvement; six of the seven guidelines were statistically improved in the intervention group when compared with the control group. Within the intervention group, adherence with five of seven guidelines was also statistically significantly increased with the remaining guidelines showing a trend in favor of improvement (fasting blood glucose measurements (p = 0.07) and urine determinations for protein (p = 0.07)). Knowledge questionnaire scores were similar between the intervention and control groups on completion of the study but 2 of 4 items on a satisfaction scale were statistically significantly higher in the intervention group. The intervention described in this setting was successful in improving adherence to diabetes guidelines and increased some aspects of satisfaction with diabetes care. The intervention did not result in a statistically significant improvement in clinical outcomes but changes noted were in the expected direction of improvement. The significant improvement in adherence to diabetes guidelines suggests that this intervention is a promising model for diabetes care for newly developed countries.

Bone density estimates and risk factors for osteoporosis in young women

The bone mineral density [BMD] of the calcaneus was estimated in 185 young women from the United Arab Emirates, using SAHARA ultrasound. All participants completed a questionnaire on factors potentially associated with osteoporosis. In all, 29 [15.7%] of the women were classified as having osteopenia and none as having osteoporosis. Participants with osteopenia were more likely to have had a later onset of menarche, irregular periods, lower body mass index, and a positive family history of osteoporosis. Only late menarche and low body mass index, however, were independent predictors of osteopenia

Contemporary issues with bacterial infection in the intensive care unit.

Nosocomial infection in the critically ill results from defects in the intrinsic barriers to microbial invasion. The diagnosis is complicated by an inability to perform an adequate physical examination in a patient with several compounding findings, usually necessitating sophisticated technologies to aid in the diagnosis. Pneumonia, line sepsis, urosepsis, sinusitis, endocarditis, peritonitis, and acalculous cholecystitis are the more common infections that challenge the care of the critically ill. Antibiotic therapy is adjunctive to efforts to preserve the barrier, but should be started early, should be targeted as specifically as possible to the offending organisms, and should be dosed adequately to ensure an effective concentration in the infected tissue.

Managed care for older people: a primer for the geriatrician.

Managed care for older people is growing at a very rapid rate. Many geriatricians and primary care providers are interested in this area but have limited sources of information to guide their decision-making about whether to participate in these programs. This review provides a basic overview of managed care for older people, including plan types and roles that geriatricians may choose in participating in these programs. Risk and value are central concepts that impact managed care of this population. Several changes in Medicare Managed Care have occurred with the passage by Congress of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997. Geriatricians are strongly encouraged to participate in managed care as it offers the potential for improved models of care delivery for older adults.