International Journal of Risk & Safety in Medicine - Volume 13, issue 2-3

Article Type: Research Article

Citation: International Journal of Risk and Safety in Medicine, vol. 13, no. 2-3, pp. 77-79, 2000

Article Type: Research Article

Citation: International Journal of Risk and Safety in Medicine, vol. 13, no. 2-3, pp. 81-86, 2000

Article Type: Research Article

Citation: International Journal of Risk and Safety in Medicine, vol. 13, no. 2-3, pp. 87-90, 2000

Authors: Goddard, Ian Williams

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The antianxiety drug buspirone is favored for anxious patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) because it is less sedating that the benzodiazepine tranquilizers, which may worsen cognitive impairment. But how safe is buspirone for AD patients? A review of medical research finds several prominent similarities between AD pathology and buspirone pharmacology, raising concerns that buspirone could significantly augment cognitive decline in AD.

Citation: International Journal of Risk and Safety in Medicine, vol. 13, no. 2-3, pp. 91-94, 2000

Authors: Spivak, B. | Mester, R. | Reznik, I. | Shohat, B. | Kitain, L. | Weizman, A.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: A high prevalence of human T‐cell lymphotrophic virus type I (HTLV‐I) infection has been identified in Israel among the Mashhadi Jewish community originating from northern Iran. In the present study we screened and examined Iranian‐born psychiatric outpatients for the presence of HTLV‐I infection. The presence of HTLV‐I antibodies was determined by the gelatin particle agglutination test, and simultaneously by the Western blot method. Screening of 50 (26 males, 24 females) Iranian‐born Israeli Jewish psychiatric outpatients showed 2% (one of 50) prevalence of HTLV‐I seropositivity. This low rate of HTLV‐I virus carriers in the study population indicates that there is no …association between HTLV‐I infection and psychiatric morbidity in non‐Mashhadi Iranian‐born Jewish psychiatric patients. Show more

Keywords: HTLV‐I virus, infection, patients, Iranian origin, psychiatric disorders

Citation: International Journal of Risk and Safety in Medicine, vol. 13, no. 2-3, pp. 95-98, 2000

Authors: Levi, N. | Gebuhr, P.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Background: The treatment of subtrochanteric and unstable pertrochanteric fractures by operative methods is technically demanding and presents a surgical challenge to the orthopedic surgeon. Fixation failure rates of 5–33% have been reported. However, outstanding results (98% healing) have recently been reported in a large series of 90 fractures treated by one surgeon using an intramedullary Gamma nail. In our department, these fractures are treated by many different surgeons with different levels of surgical training. The aim of this study was therefore to assess our experience with intramedullary fixation of peritrochanteric fractures. Methods: Between January 1998 and December 1999, a …total of 37 peritrochanteric fractures were treated with intramedullary fixations. There were 25 women and 12 men. The average age of the patients was 79 years. The 37 operations were performed by 18 different surgeons! (9 registrars and 9 senior registrars or consultants). Results: Two patients were lost to follow‐up. The overall 6 months fixation failure rate was 8/37=22%. The fixation failure rate among survivors at 6 months was 8/20=40%. The 6 months mortality rate was 17/37=46%. Conclusions: It may be wise to refer patients requiring intramedullary peritrochanteric surgery to a specialist. Show more

Keywords: Peritrochanteric fractures, hip, subtrochanteric, intramedullary nail

Citation: International Journal of Risk and Safety in Medicine, vol. 13, no. 2-3, pp. 99-101, 2000

Authors: Kaufmann, Tara

Article Type: Research Article

Citation: International Journal of Risk and Safety in Medicine, vol. 13, no. 2-3, pp. 103-107, 2000

Authors: Joseph, Jay | Baldwin, Steve

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: This paper discusses unresolved key problems in social sciences research and publishing. Researcher bias can lead to the publication of studies with highly questionable conclusions, which can impact adversely on important social topics (e.g., the influence of heredity on intelligence, criminality). Outright fraud occurs in science, and social sciences in particular [30]. To help counter the prevailing publication bias in research, four editorial suggestions for scientific reporting are proposed: (1) Before the work starts, investigators would be required to submit a written description of their research methodology. An international social sciences evaluation registry would be created to monitor research activity. …(2) The Editor's decision about whether to publish a research study would be based on a paper that omitted the results and conclusions sections. These sections would be included in the published paper after an editorial decision was made. (3) With these appropriate scientific safeguards, researchers would also be required to provide raw data to other interested scientists, especially when the study is socially important, or is difficult to replicate. (4) Journal Editors who greenlight socially relevant studies would provide extra publishing space to people whose views differ significantly from the principal investigators. Bias and distortion cannot be completely eliminated from the scientific publication process. Adoption of these four proposals, however, would reduce scientific reporting problems such as data dredging and the dissemination of unsupported conclusions, and would also help to reduce fraud. Such adoption would eventually lead to the publication of improved scientific research in the social sciences. Show more

Citation: International Journal of Risk and Safety in Medicine, vol. 13, no. 2-3, pp. 109-116, 2000

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: An international meeting with wide multidisciplinary participation was convened to define the case for direct reporting by consumers of suspected, supposed or proven adverse reactions to medicines; the meeting was structured to provide participants with the tools and the inspiration needed to establish systems that capitalise on user experiences. Participants included experts from the medical and pharmaceutical professions, drug regulatory authorities, the consumer movement and the World Health Organization. The participants examined experience with such schemes in various countries to date, and the role of such approaches in complementing existing professional‐based systems for the reporting of supposed adverse drug …reactions. Show more

Citation: International Journal of Risk and Safety in Medicine, vol. 13, no. 2-3, pp. 117-127, 2000

Authors: Berniker, Jessamyn S.

Article Type: Research Article

Citation: International Journal of Risk and Safety in Medicine, vol. 13, no. 2-3, pp. 129-133, 2000