Identification of comatose patients at high risk for death or severe disability

Article Abstract:

A scoring system applied to patients in a coma not caused by trauma may identify those patients whose chance of survival is poor. Researchers studied 596 comatose patients whose condition was caused by cardiac arrest, stroke, brain hemorrhage, or sepsis. Five clinical factors were successfully linked to 2-month mortality: age of 70 or older, abnormal brain stem response, no verbal response, no withdrawal response to pain, and creatinine levels of 1.5 mg/dl or more. Abnormal brain stem functioning was determined by testing corneal and pupillary response and roving eye movements. Patients lacking these responses or movements were most likely to die. This approach will help identify patients who can benefit from intensive treatment.

Mortality, Patient outcomes, Risk factors, Coma, Coma (Medicine)

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Trends in Alternative Medicine Use in the United States, 1990-1997: Results of a Follow-Up National Survey

Article Abstract:

More Americans are using alternative medicine than ever before. Researchers analyzed use of alternative medicines and the associated costs in surveys of 1,539 Americans in 1991 and 2,055 in 1997. Forty-two percent used at least one alternative therapy in 1997, compared to 34% in 1991. Herbal medicine, massage, megavitamins, self-help groups, folk remedies, energy healing, and homeopathy were most often used and most were used for chronic conditions such as back problems, anxiety, depression, and headaches. Generalizing the data to all Americans, the estimated out-of-pocket cost of these therapies was equal to out-of-pocket expenses for all US physician services.

United States, Statistics, Alternative medicine

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