Comparison of NovoPen 3 and syringes/vials in the acceptance of insulin therapy in NIDDM patients with secondary failure to oral hypoglycaemic agents.

This open, randomised, cross-over study compared the acceptance and safety of NovoPen 3 with that of conventional syringes and vials when initiating insulin treatment in 96 NIDDM patients with secondary failure to oral hypoglycaemic agents. These patients had not previously been treated with insulin. All patients used each insulin administration system for 12 weeks.

Psychological factors influencing the surgical patients' consent to regional anaesthesia.

To investigate the preoperative attitude of surgical patients to regional anaesthesia, 162 subjects scheduled for elective surgery were studied. On the day before operation, patients were interviewed by an anaesthesiologist, using a semi-structured schedule. Topics investigated were sociodemographic variables and clinical correlates, such as past anaesthetic experience, information about anaesthesia and surgery, as well as questions and fears related to anaesthesia.

Biogenic amine metabolites in plasma of drug-naive schizophrenic patients: associations with symptomatology.

The main metabolites of dopamine, noradrenaline, and serotonin, homovanillic acid, methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG), and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), were estimated in plasma of 20 drug-naive young male schizophrenic patients and 21 healthy controls. Although there were no significant differences between the two groups, multiple regression analysis revealed strong associations of the patients' 5-HIAA and MHPG plasma levels to their scores in the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale items. 5-HIAA levels were mainly related positively to hostility and negatively to somatic concern, and MHPG positively to disorientation and negatively to emotional withdrawal and uncooperativeness.

AIDS-related behavior and attitudes among i.v. drug users in Greece.

Risk-taking behavior was investigated in 140 intravenous drug users to identify possible factors accounting for the low HIV seroprevalence rate in Greek intravenous drug users (IVDUs). High-risk drug using and sexual practices were reported by the majority. Awareness of the risk of HIV infection was low.