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HICNet Medical News Digest Tue, 01 Feb 1994 Volume 07 : Issue 01
Today's Topics:
[MMWR 7 Jan 94] Vaccination Coverage of 2 year old Children
[MMWR] HIV Prevention Practices of Primary-Care Physicians
[MMWR] Occupational Pesticide Poisoning in Apple Orchards
Need Clinical Test for Kidney Function
+------------------------------------------------+
! !
! Health Info-Com Network !
! Medical Newsletter !
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Editor: David Dodell, D.M.D.
10250 North 92nd Street, Suite 210, Scottsdale, Arizona 85258-4599 USA
Telephone +1 (602) 860-1121
FAX +1 (602) 451-1165
Compilation Copyright 1994 by David Dodell, D.M.D. All rights Reserved.
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Date: Tue, 01 Feb 94 06:52:47 MST
From: mednews (HICNet Medical News)
To: hicnews
Subject: [MMWR 7 Jan 94] Vaccination Coverage of 2 year old Children
Message-ID: <o3m3gc1w165w@stat.com>
Current Trends
Vaccination Coverage of 2-Year-Old Children --
United States, 1991-1992
Protecting children against vaccine-preventable diseases is a national
priority in public health. Because approximately 80% of childhood vaccine
doses are recommended for administration during the first 2 years of life,
vaccination coverage among children must be continuously monitored. National
estimates of vaccination coverage were calculated annually from 1959 through
1985 but not for 1986-1990. Beginning in 1991, national estimates of
vaccination coverage of preschool children have been available through the
National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), a national survey of the civilian
noninstitutionalized population conducted by CDC's National Center for Health
Statistics (1). This report presents 1992 national estimates of vaccination
coverage for 2-year-old children and describes changes from 1991 to 1992.
The NHIS collects vaccination information during household interviews. If
vaccination records are available, data are abstracted from the record. If
such records are not available, information is based on parental recall. For
data measurement, 2-year-old children are defined as persons aged 19-35
months. The proportion of children vaccinated were separately analyzed by
poverty classification and place of residence. In addition, to assist in
targeting vaccination activities based on cultural differences, data were
analyzed by race. Limitations in sample size precluded collection of data on
ethnicity and analysis of data for races other than black and white.
Coverage for measles-containing vaccine was similar in 1991 and 1992
(82.0% and 82.5%, respectively) (Table 1). In contrast, coverage in 1992 was
substantially higher than that in 1991 for diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and
pertussis vaccine (DTP) and poliovirus vaccine. From 1991 to 1992, coverage
for three or more doses of DTP increased from 68.8% to 83.0% and for three or
more doses of poliovirus vaccine, from 53.2% to 72.4%.
Children living below the poverty level* were less well vaccinated than
others. Differences between children living below the poverty level and those
living at or above the poverty level ranged from a low of 4.1 percentage
points for measles (80.2% vs 84.3%) to a high of 8.1 percentage points for
polio (66.6% vs 74.7%). Vaccination levels in urban, suburban, and rural areas
were similar in 1992. In general, vaccination levels were lower in black
children than in white.
In 1992, 71%-72% of children at or above the poverty level were in need
of at least one vaccine (Table 2). Among white children, 72%-75% were in need
of at least one of the recommended vaccines. Overall, an estimated 1 million
2-year-olds required a single dose of measles-containing vaccine, and 1.6
million 2-year-olds required one or more doses of poliovirus vaccine.
Approximately 1 million children had not received at least three doses of DTP
vaccine.
Reported by: National Immunization Program; Div of Health Interview
Statistics, National Center for Health Statistics, CDC.
Editorial Note: The findings in this report summarizing NHIS data document the
overall continuing problem of undervaccination of children in the United
States. However, vaccination coverage for some antigens has improved in some
age groups--particularly for vaccination against measles in the preschool
population. Estimated measles vaccine coverage for 2-year-olds in 1985 was
61%, compared with 82% in 1991 and 1992; before 1991, the highest previously
documented level was 67% in 1982 (CDC, unpublished data, 1993). The recent
increase in coverage reflects the national response to increased vaccination
levels following the measles resurgence during 1988-1991; as a result of these
efforts, the incidence of measles decreased to a historic low in 1993 (2).
This report also documents a substantial increase in poliovirus and DTP
vaccination levels from 1991 to 1992. At least two factors may account for
these increases. First, many state and local public health agencies, in
collaboration with national and local private voluntary organizations, have
intensified their efforts to vaccinate preschool children, especially since
the 1989-1991 measles resurgence. Second, changes in survey methodology
between 1991 and 1992 have simplified data collection from parental recall. In
1991, respondents were required to specify the exact ages at which
vaccinations were administered for the full number of doses to be credited;
however, some parents had difficulty recalling the exact ages at which their
child received vaccinations. As a consequence, in 1992, a parental response
that the child had received all doses of a particular antigen was accepted;
retrospective studies have shown this methodology has enhanced the accuracy of
data (CDC, unpublished data, 1993). Because of difficulties in determining
vaccination status from parental recall (3), in 1994, the NHIS will include a
check of provider records for all children aged 19-35 months, thus allowing
for adjustment of overall survey results. In addition, health-care providers
will encourage parents to maintain home vaccination records (4).
Despite ongoing and substantial efforts to improve the vaccine delivery
system in the United States, vaccination levels for 2-year-olds remain below
90%. In addition, coverage varies by and are substantially lower in some
population groups, especially those underserved by the health-care system.
Differences in vaccination levels among racial/ethnic groups may be
influenced by social and cultural phenomena and require special interventions.
For example, during 1992 in Los Angeles, 42% of Hispanic preschool children
were fully vaccinated by age 24 months, compared with 25% of black children,
even though Hispanic parents reported lower mean annual family incomes ($3218
vs. $4596) and lower mean years of education (8.6 years vs. 12.5 years) (CDC,
unpublished data, 1993).
Limitations in the sample size of the 1992 NHIS preclude estimation of
vaccination coverage of Hispanic populations; however, the increased incidence
of measles among Hispanics before and during the measles resurgence suggests
that overall vaccination coverage is also substantially lower in Hispanics
than in white non-Hispanics (5-7). The prevention of vaccine-preventable
diseases in the United States will require that uniformly high vaccination
levels for preschool children be achieved and sustained in all communities.
References
1. Massey JT, Moore TF, Parsons VL, et al. Design and estimation for the
National Health Interview Survey, 1985-94. Hyattsville, Maryland: US
Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, CDC, 1989.
(Vital and health statistics; series 2, no. 110).
2. CDC. Measles--United States, first 26 weeks, 1993. MMWR 1993;42:813-6.
3. Goldstein KP, Kviz FJ, Daum RS. Accuracy of immunization histories provided
by adults accompanying preschool children to a pediatric emergency department.
JAMA 1993;270:2190-4.
4. CDC. Standards for Pediatric Immunization Practices [Standard 9], 1993:15.
5. Orenstein WA, Atkinson W, Mason D, Bernier RH. Barriers to vaccinating
preschool children. J Health Care Poor Underserved 1990;1:315-30.
6. CDC. Measles vaccination levels among selected groups of preschool-aged
children--United States. MMWR 1991;40:36-9.
7. Gindler JS, Atkinson WL, Markowitz LE, Hutchins SS. Epidemiology of measles
in the United States in 1989 and 1990. Pediatr Infect Dis J 1992;11:841-6.
*Poverty statistics are based on definitions developed by the Social Security
Administration that include a set of income thresholds that vary by family
size and composition.
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 01 Feb 94 06:53:33 MST
From: mednews (HICNet Medical News)
To: hicnews
Subject: [MMWR] HIV Prevention Practices of Primary-Care Physicians
Message-ID: <y4m3gc2w165w@stat.com>
Effectiveness in Disease and Injury Prevention
HIV Prevention Practices of Primary-Care Physicians --
United States, 1992
Primary-care physicians can be important providers human immunodeficiency
virus (HIV)-prevention services to their patients. In 1991, 15% of U.S. adults
reported having been tested for HIV antibody; of these, 55% reported their
most recent HIV test had been in a physician's office or a hospital (1).
During 1992, CDC and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)
commissioned a national survey to characterize the types of HIV prevention
services provided by primary-care physicians and barriers to the provision of
these services. This report summarizes the results of the survey.
In October 1992, a questionnaire was mailed to 4011* primary-care
physicians who were randomly selected from the American Medical Association
(AMA) Physician Masterfile, which comprises all physicians in the United
States. The sample was stratified by location, race/ethnicity, and specialty.
Two categories of location were defined on the basis of the prevalence of
acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in metropolitan statistical areas
(MSAs): 1) physicians practicing in the 20 MSAs with the highest prevalence
and 2) those practicing in the remaining MSAs. Physicians were asked about
their risk assessment of new patients; HIV counseling, testing, and treatment
practices; and basic understanding of and attitudes about HIV infection and
persons with HIV disease. The data were weighted to adjust for unequal
probabilities of selection and for the variability of response rates among the
strata.
Of the 3735 eligible** physicians, 2545 (68%) responded; of these, 802
were general/family practitioners; 360, pediatrician/adolescent medicine
physicians; 683, obstetrician/gynecologists (OB/GYNs); and 700, general
internal medicine physicians. Of the 2545 respondents, 1931 (76%) were men.
Three hundred eighty (15%) were aged less than 35 years; 1042 (41%), 35-44
years; and 1123 (44%), greater than 44 years. Of 2496 respondents for whom
primary practice was known, 1487 (60%) were based in private, single-specialty
practices; 442 (18%), in private, multispecialty practices; 299 (12%), in
hospitals, public clinics, and community health centers; and 267 (11%), from
academia and other institutions. Six hundred two (24%) of the physicians were
located in areas with high prevalences of AIDS.
Almost all (94%) respondents indicated they "usually" or "always" asked
new adult (aged greater than or equal to 19 years) patients about cigarette
smoking; however, sexual history-taking was less frequently reported (Table
1): 49% asked about sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), 31% about condom
use, 27% about sexual orientation, and 22% about number of sex partners. In
comparison, 84% of all physicians asked new adolescent (aged 13-18 years)
patients about cigarette smoking, 56% about STDs, 52% about condom use, 34%
about number of sex partners, and 27% about sexual orientation. One fourth
(25%) of all physicians believed their patients would be offended by questions
about their sexual behaviors.
The percentage of physicians who indicated they would "likely" or "very
likely" encourage HIV testing varied by patient risk category (Table 2) and
ranged from 95% (homosexual men with multiple partners and injecting-drug
users) to 40% (sexually active adolescent patients).
Most physicians (66%) indicated that if HIV testing were indicated for a
patient, they would probably provide the test counseling themselves. Factors
that either "moderately" or "strongly" influenced physicians to refer for
counseling and testing rather than provide it themselves were that counseling
was too time consuming (55%), information was insufficient to enable
counseling (45%), and they preferred anonymous testing for their patients
(42%). Most respondents indicated that their decision to refer was not
influenced by inadequate reimbursement (86%) or discomfort with counseling
(85%).
Ninety-two percent of physicians indicated that they would counsel an
HIV-positive patient to reduce the risk for transmitting HIV. In addition,
76%-81% indicated they would counsel the patient to notify sex partners, refer
the patient to the local health department for assistance with the
notification, or both.
Of physicians in OB/GYN practices, 85% indicated they would provide
contraceptive services and 47% would provide prenatal care to all women,
regardless of their HIV status (Table 3). In comparison, 73% would provide
contraceptive services and 29% would provide prenatal care to women with HIV.
Physicians who reported they would refer patients with HIV for medical
services indicated the primary reasons for referring were their lack of
experience with HIV (83%) and the availability of other providers with more
expertise in treating HIV infection (94%). Overall, 68% of physicians
indicated they believed they had an obligation to take care of someone
infected with HIV, and 87% indicated that professional training could help
"increase their comfort in caring for AIDS patients."
Reported by: J Loft, PhD, W Marder, PhD, Abt Associates, Inc., Chicago. L
Bresolin, PhD, R Rinaldi, PhD, American Medical Association. Div of Medicine,
Bureau of Health Professions, Health Resources and Svcs Administration.
National AIDS Information and Education Program, Office of HIV/AIDS; Women's
Health and Fertility Br, Div of Reproductive Health, National Center for
Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion; Div of Sexually Transmitted
Diseases and Human Immunodeficiency Virus Prevention, and Behavioral Studies
Section, Behavioral and Prevention Research Br, Div of Sexually Transmitted
Diseases and HIV Prevention, National Center for Prevention Svcs, CDC.
Editorial Note: Although primary-care physicians may contribute to the
prevention of HIV transmission by counseling patients who are at risk, the
findings in this report underscore the substantial number of physicians who
are missing opportunities to counsel during encounters with patients. To more
effectively use these encounters as a means of prevention, physicians first
must be knowledgeable about HIV infection and its transmission (2). In
addition, they should be made aware of the importance of assessing patients'
risk for HIV infection and prepared to counsel patients, based on their risk
(3). Therefore, medical schools and professional organizations should continue
to emphasize HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment as priorities in training new
and practicing physicians.
The findings in this report can assist in the development of HIV
prevention policies and programs. For example, the reluctance of some
physicians to assess the risky sex practices of patients underscores the
importance for public health agencies to assist physicians in improving risk
assessment and risk-reduction counseling efforts for their patients and
patients' partners. These findings may be used by HRSA to improve training
strategies and programs for health-care professionals and AMA and other
professional organizations to develop training objectives for primary-care
physicians.
Finally, these findings can assist in efforts to achieve the national
health objectives for the year 2000 regarding HIV prevention (4). These
objectives include increasing to at least 80% the proportion of persons with
HIV infection who have been tested (objective 18.8); increasing to at least
75% the proportion of primary-care and mental health-care providers who
provide age-appropriate counseling on the prevention of HIV and other STDs
(objective 18.9); and increasing to at least 50% the proportion of primary-
care clinics who screen, diagnose, treat, counsel, and provide (or refer for)
partner notification services for HIV infection and bacterial STDs (objective
18.13).
References
1. Hardy AM. Advance data--AIDS knowledge and attitudes for 1991: data from
the National Health Interview Survey. Hyattsville, Maryland: US Department of
Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, CDC, 1993. (Advance data no.
225).
2. Gerber AR, Valdiserri RO, Holtgrave DR, et al. Preventive services
guidelines for primary care clinicians caring for adults and adolescents
infected with the human immunodeficiency virus. Archives of Family Medicine
1993;2:969-79.
3. Valdiserri RO, Holtgrave DR, Brackbill RM. American adults' knowledge of
HIV testing availability. Am J Public Health 1993;83:525-8.
4. Public Health Service. Healthy people 2000: national health promotion and
disease prevention objectives--full report, with commentary. Washington, DC:
US Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, 1991; DHHS
publication no. (PHS)91-50212.
*Represents 3% of the total primary-care physician population.
**Physicians who were not practicing in one of the primary-care specialties,
were practicing out of the country, retired, or deceased were deemed
ineligible.
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 01 Feb 94 06:54:13 MST
From: mednews (HICNet Medical News)
To: hicnews
Subject: [MMWR] Occupational Pesticide Poisoning in Apple Orchards
Message-ID: <35m3gc3w165w@stat.com>
Epidemiologic Notes and Reports
Occupational Pesticide Poisoning in Apple Orchards --
Washington, 1993
During July-December 1993, the Washington Department of Health (WDOH)
received and conducted follow-up investigations of 26 reports of occupational
illness related to exposure to mevinphos (Phosdrin [Registered]*), an
organophosphate (OP) insecticide. The reports involved illnesses during June
13-August 18, 1993, in persons working in 19 different apple orchards; all
involved use of mevinphos to control apple aphids. This report summarizes the
results of these investigations by WDOH.
All the affected workers were men ranging in age from 19 to 72 years
(median: 35 years). Eighteen (69%) were Hispanic; eight (31%) were non-
Hispanic whites. Twenty-three (88%) of the workers were exposed during
mixing/loading or application of mevinphos. The other three (12%) were exposed
to mevinphos residues (two while working in close proximity to a recently
treated orchard and one after reentering an orchard within 24 hours after it
was sprayed).
Of the 23 workers exposed during mevinphos mixing/loading or application,
22 had worked on ground applications and used an airblast** system; one worked
on an aerial application. All 23 sought medical attention in emergency
departments. Twenty-one workers had systemic manifestations characteristic of
OP poisoning, including nausea (81%), vomiting (62%), dizziness (43%), visual
disturbances (43%), muscle weakness (38%), abdominal pain (29%), headache
(24%), sweating (24%), and excessive salivation (5%). Two persons had
conjunctivitis only, which was attributed to direct ocular exposure to
mevinphos.
Of the seven workers who were hospitalized, four required intensive care.
Plasma and/or red blood cell cholinesterase activity was depressed to at least
25% below the lower limit of normal in 14 (88%) of the 16 workers tested; for
one worker, the level of activity was depressed 97%, and for three, 75%-90%.
Atropine was administered to all seven hospitalized workers and to four of the
14 workers with systemic illness who were treated in the emergency department
and released. Eighteen (86%) of the 21 workers with systemic effects were
exposed to mixtures of mevinphos and less toxic OP pesticides.
WDOH investigation of all the poisoning incidents determined that
personal protective equipment had been available to all mixers/loaders and
applicators, but that in 78% of the incidents, U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) requirements regarding use of protective equipment*** had not
been followed (e.g., respirators, gloves, or goggles had been removed during
pesticide handling or leather [instead of rubber] footwear had been used).
On August 19, 1993, in response to these reports, the Washington State
Department of Agriculture (WSDA) prohibited mixing/loading or application of
mevinphos by unlicensed applicators. On August 30, use of mevinphos on apples
and pears was temporarily suspended. WSDA will determine before the 1994
pesticide application season (i.e., late spring through late summer) whether
this suspension will be permanent.
Reported by: C Sagerser, V Skeers, MN, L Baum, MS, M Magana, MD, B Morrissey,
MS, B Mason, Pesticide Section; JM Kobayashi, MD, State Epidemiologist,
Washington Dept of Health. Surveillance Br, Div of Surveillance, Hazard
Evaluations, and Field Studies, National Institute for Occupational Safety and
Health, CDC.
Editorial Note: Mevinphos is an acutely toxic (oral LD[subscript]50 3.7-6.1
mg/kg, dermal LD[subscript]50 4.2-4.7 mg/kg [rats]) broad-spectrum OP
insecticide (1). EPA classifies mevinphos in its highest toxicity category
(Class I), restricts its use to certified applicators or to persons directly
supervised by certified applicators, and requires use of protective equipment
and mandatory reentry intervals (i.e., time between mevinphos application and
safe reentry onto treated fields without use of personal protective
equipment). Toxicity of mevinphos is similar to that of ethyl parathion, an OP
insecticide that in 1991 was removed from the market for most uses because of
its high hazard potential. Like other OPs, mevinphos is readily absorbed
through the lungs, gastrointestinal tract, and skin. Typical manifestations of
poisoning include nausea, vomiting, miosis, dizziness, headache, muscle
weakness and twitching, bradycardia, and generalized hypersecretion. Use of
mevinphos is particularly hazardous for apple orchard workers because apples
generally require ground (rather than aerial) application of pesticide, hand
cultivation, and hand harvesting.
In May 1992, sale of phosphamidon, a less toxic OP insecticide used to
control apple aphids, was discontinued by the manufacturer. When growers in
Washington subsequently began to consider use of mevinphos for aphid control,
the manufacturer of mevinphos recommended in early 1993 that WSDA institute
additional restrictions on its use. WSDA issued emergency rules for the use of
mevinphos on June 14, 1993, which included the requirements that an observer
be present during all mixing/loading activities, the EPA-mandated reentry
interval be extended from 48 to 96 hours, and warning signs be posted at all
treated orchards. Despite these requirements, all but one of the poisonings
described in this report occurred after these emergency rules were issued; 22%
of the incidents apparently occurred despite reported adherence to all
application requirements.
The detection of this outbreak and the resulting public health actions by
WDOH and WSDA highlight the role of state-based surveillance systems in the
recognition and prevention of occupational pesticide-related illness. The
cases described in this report represent the first reported hospitalizations
of workers in Washington associated with agricultural use of any OP
insecticide since implementation of the WDOH pesticide surveillance system in
1990. Although mevinphos was mixed with other OP insecticides in most of the
reported incidents, there were no reports to WDOH of severe occupational
illness associated with individual use of other compounds. The magnitude of
the risk for mevinphos poisoning among Washington agricultural workers cannot
be estimated because the total number of workers who may be at risk for
exposure to this pesticide is unknown.
Occupational poisonings with mevinphos (including fatalities) have been
reported in California (2,3) and Florida (4). During 1982-1990, agricultural
use of mevinphos in California was associated with 495 (43%) of 1154 reported
cases of OP poisoning--more than for any other OP pesticide (5)--and during
1974-1982, mevinphos was among the six leading causes of hospitalization
resulting from occupational pesticide poisoning nationally (6,7). As
demonstrated by the Washington cases, even when use of mevinphos is strictly
regulated and mandated precautions apparently are followed, poisonings occur.
Surveillance data have identified a high proportion of Hispanics among
cases of agriculturally related pesticide poisoning. This most likely reflects
Hispanic prevalence in the U.S. farmworker population (70% of U.S. farmworkers
[8]), as well as previously documented risk factors for occupational disease
and injury among migrant farmworkers (9), who are predominantly Hispanic (8).
In April 1993, EPA identified mevinphos as a pesticide warranting
"immediate attention and the implementation of risk-reduction measures" and
requested that manufacturers provide information to assist in characterizing
the risks for U.S. agricultural workers (10). EPA will continue to assess the
risks associated with exposure to mevinphos and the need for additional
regulatory measures.
References
1. Hayes WJ Jr, Laws ER Jr. Handbook of pesticide toxicity. Volume 2. San
Diego: Academic Press, Inc, 1991:1007.
2. Coye MJ, Barnett PG, Midtling JE, et al. Clinical confirmation of
organophosphate poisoning of agricultural workers. Am J Ind Med 1986;10:399-
409.
3. Peoples SA, Maddy KT, Edmiston S. Human health problems associated with
mevinphos (Phosdrin) in California for the years 1975-1977. Sacramento,
California: California Department of Pesticide Regulation, Worker Health and
Safety Branch, 1978; publication no. HS-373.
4. Penzell D. Testimony: hearing before the Select Committee on Aging, House
of Representatives. Washington, DC: US Congress, House of Representatives,
April 24, 1990; committee publication no. 101-770.
5. O'Malley M. Addendum report: mevinphos illness cases 1982-1990 compared to
other organophosphate insecticides. Sacramento, California: California
Department of Pesticide Regulation, Worker Health and Safety Branch, 1993;
publication no. HS-1626A.
6. Savage EP, Keefe TJ, Wheeler HW, Helwic LJ. National Study of Hospitalized
Pesticide Poisonings, 1974-1976. Washington, DC: US Environmental Protection
Agency, July 1980; report no. EPA-540/9-80/001.
7. Keefe TJ, Savage EP, Wheeler HW. Third National Study of Hospitalized
Pesticide Poisonings in the United States, 1977-1982. Fort Collins, Colorado:
Colorado State University, Epidemiologic Studies Center, 1990.
8. Mines R, Gabbard S, Samardick R. US farmworkers in the post-IRCA period.
Washington, DC: US Department of Labor, Office of the Assistant Secretary for
Policy, Office of Program Economics, March 1993; research report no. 4.
9. US General Accounting Office. Hired farmworkers: health and well-being at
risk. Washington, DC: US General Accounting Office, February 1992; report no.
GAO/HRD-92-46.
10. US Environmental Protection Agency. Notification to pesticide
manufacturers of data call-in for immediate action on five pesticides.
Washington, DC: US Environmental Protection Agency, Special Review and Re-
registration Division, April 6, 1993.
*Use of trade names is for identification only and does not imply endorsement
by the Public Health Service or the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services.
**This application technique involves the use of a tractor-drawn sprayer with
oscillating nozzles that are oriented in a flat plane and direct the spray
mixture into the canopy of the trees for complete coverage.
***Protective suits, chemical-resistant gloves and shoes, goggles or face
shields, and an approved respirator are required for ground application.
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 01 Feb 94 06:54:43 MST
From: mednews (HICNet Medical News)
To: hicnews
Subject: Need Clinical Test for Kidney Function
Message-ID: <w6m3gc4w165w@stat.com>
Please respond directly to: C_Reyes@rumac.upr.clu.edu
My 13 years old son, after a slight throat infection spent more than necessary
time in a pool and the bacterial infection went to his kidney. That was 4
months ago. He feels fine but his kidney function is still around 40-50%. The
kidney function is measured using the creatinine levels in serum and urine.
The creatinine levels are measured using a colorimetric reaction (Jaffe's
method) that is not very reliable, according to the book of Clinical Chemistry
i have (Tietz).
My question is this: Does anybody know of any place were a more reliable
method is used than Jaffe's? Is there such a method? Would not it be proper
for medical labs to run a control at the same time with the sample to make
sure everything is in order(including buffers,etc.), since the diagnosis will
be based in results that might differ by 0.1 or 0.2 units?
The doctor has prescribed a biopsy in two weeks, followed by corticosteroids
or some other immnuno depresant drugs.
Any other suggestion is also welcomed.
Thanks to all.
Cesar Reyes
Chemistry Dept
Univ. of Puerto Rico
Mayaguez, Puerto Rico 00680
(809)-851-0678
Internet: C_Reyes@rumac.upr.clu.edu
------------------------------
End of HICNet Medical News Digest V07 Issue #01
***********************************************
---
Editor, HICNet Medical Newsletter
Internet: david@stat.com FAX: +1 (602) 451-1165
Bitnet : ATW1H@ASUACAD
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