Prevalence of hepatitis C in an ethnically diverse HIV-1-infected cohort in south London.

Objectives: There is limited information on the prevalence of and risk factors for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among HIV-1-infected patients in the UK. Our objective was to determine the prevalence of HCV infection among an ethnically diverse cohort of HIV-infected patients in south London, and to extrapolate from these data the number of co-infected patients in the UK.

Methods: A total of 1017 HIV-1-infected patients who had attended King's College Hospital HIV clinic between September 2000 and August 2002 were screened for HCV antibody using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

The impact of matching the patient's vocabulary: a randomized control trial.

Background: Research in general practice emphasizes the importance of matched models, beliefs and vocabulary in the consultation.

Objective: The present study aimed to explore the impact of matched and unmatched vocabulary on patient satisfaction with consultations.

Methods: The study took place in one inner city general practice.

"I want more time with my doctor": a quantitative study of time and the consultation.

Background: Although consultations have increased in length, patients still express dissatisfaction with how much time they spend with their doctor.

Objectives: This study aimed to explore aspects of consultation time and to examine the correlates of patients' desire for more time.

Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional design was used.

Children's eating attitudes and behaviour: a study of the modelling and control theories of parental influence.

The present study compared the modelling and control theories of parental influence on children's eating attitudes and behaviour with a focus on snack foods. Matched questionnaires describing reported snack intake, eating motivations and body dissatisfaction were completed by 112 parent/child pairs. Parents completed additional items relating to control in terms of attempts to control their child's food intake and using food as a tool for controlling behaviour.

Expectant or surgical management of miscarriage: a qualitative study.

Objective: To explore women's reasons for selecting either expectant or surgical management of first trimester miscarriage and to examine the impact of treatment upon them.

Design: A qualitative study using interviews.

Setting: The Early Pregnancy and Gynaecology Assessment Unit at a London hospital.

Hepatitis B vaccine -- do we need boosters?

This review analyses the cumulated data from a number of long-term follow-up studies among infants, children and adults vaccinated against hepatitis B in industrialised and developing countries. Despite low or undetectable antibody responses years after vaccination, the development of HBsAg was a rarity and, if present, only transient. Some vaccinees developed anti-HBc responses but none developed an HB carrier state or clinical manifestations of disease.

Doctors expressions of uncertainty and patient confidence.

Although recent work has encouraged doctors to express their uncertainty to patients as a means to improve communication the potential impact of this on patients remains unclear. The present study first explored the impact of the way in which uncertainty was expressed (behaviourally versus verbally) on doctor's and patient's beliefs about patient confidence. Second the study examined the role of the patient's personal characteristics and knowledge of their doctor as a means to address the broader context.

Placental transfer of lactate, glucose and 2-deoxyglucose in control and diabetic Wistar rats.

Placental transfer of lactate, glucose and 2-deoxyglucose was examined employing the in situ perfused placenta. Control and streptozotocin induced diabetic Wistar rats were infused with [U-14C]-glucose and [3H]-2-deoxyglucose (2DG). The fetal side of the placenta was perfused with a cell free medium and glucose uptake was calculated in the adjacent fetuses.

A questionnaire study of GPs' and patients' beliefs about the different components of patient centredness.

Much research has explored the interaction between doctor and patient in the consultation and patient centredness has generally emerged as the preferred mode of consultation style. The present study aimed to examine and compare general practitioners' (GPs) and patients' beliefs about the importance of the different aspects of patient centred behaviour in a consultation. Matched questionnaires were completed by 410 patients (response rate=76.