60 research outputs found
Non-specific symptoms as clues to changes in emotional well-being
Background: Somatic symptoms are a common reason for visits to the family physician. The aim of this study was to examine the relation between non-specific symptoms and changes in emotional well-being and the degree to which the physician considers the possibility of mental distress when faced with such patients.
Methods: Patients who complained of two or more symptoms including headache, dizziness, fatigue or weakness, palpitations and sleep disorders over one year were identified from the medical records of a random sample of 45 primary care physicians. A control group matched for gender and age was selected from the same population. Emotional well-being was assessed using the MOS-SF 36 in both groups.
Results: The study group and the control group each contained 110 patients. Completed MOS questionnaires were obtained from 92 patients, 48 patients with somatic symptoms and 44 controls. Sixty percent of the patients with somatic symptoms experienced decreased emotional well being compared to 25% in the control group (p =0.00005). Symptoms of dizziness, fatigue and sleep disturbances were significantly linked with mental health impairments. Primary care physicians identified only 6 of 29 patients (21%) whose responses revealed functional limitations due to emotional problems as suffering from an emotional disorder and only 6 of 23 patients (26%) with a lack of emotional well being were diagnosed with an emotional disorder.
Conclusions: Non-specific somatic symptoms may be clues to changes in emotional well-being. Improved recognition and recording of mental distress among patients who complain of these symptoms may enable better follow up and treatment
Sedativeâhypnotic prescription in an outâpatient mental health service in the northâwest
Modelling post-failure behaviour of chalk cliffs with the Material Point Method
This work evaluates the use of the Material Point Method (MPM) with continuum damage plasticity to model fracture for the use of a combined pre- and post-failure simulation. MPM is used to allow for large deformations and geometry changes without mesh distortion and damage diffusion. An integral non-local continuum damage model is used to model brittle fracture, which avoids the mesh dependency issues exhibited by local models. The modelling approach is demonstrated on chalk cliff collapse problems, where the final state of the rock formation after the failure is of importance and critically linked to further failure processes
Facial talon cusp: A rarity, report of a case with one year follow up and flashback on reported cases
Talon cusp is a relatively uncommon developmental anomaly characterized by cusp-like projections, usually presenting on palatal/lingual surface of the anterior teeth. This cusp resembles an eagle's talon, and hence the name. Normal enamel and dentin covers the cusp, which may or may not contain an extension of pulp. Presence of this anomalous cusp on the facial surface of an anterior tooth is a rare finding and very few cases have been reported in the literature. In most instances, such cusps are associated with clinical problems such as poor esthetics and caries susceptibility. Management of such cases requires a comprehensive knowledge of the clinical entity as well as the problems associated with it. This case report presents a facial talon cusp on the maxillary left central incisor of a 10 year old boy, which was conservatively treated. Vitality of the affected tooth was maintained and followed up for a period of 1 year
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