The Medical journal of Australia
-
Ten thousand self-referred Sydney inhabitants were screened for major coronary risk factors over one year. Individual "problems" were referred to general practitioners for further assessment and treatment. Seventy-four per cent of subjects have attended a general practitioner where relevant. ⋯ Considering hyperlipidaemia, hypertension and cigarette smoking in subjects under 40 years of age, 10.4% of males and 4.9% of females had two or more coronary risk factors. Three hundred and fifty-four subjects selected at random, who claimed to be receiving treatment as a result of initial screening were invited for retesting eight and 15 months later. Significant falls were noted in body weight, blood pressure, and plasma cholesterol readings.
-
Thirteen patients with Parkinson's disease, whose disability was increasing and on long-term levodopa therapy (both with and without carbidopa), had the levodopa fully replaced by bromocriptine. At three months, eight of the 13 patients (62%) were less disabled on bromocriptine and none became worse. The present indications for the use of bromocriptine are discussed.
-
The response of Parkinsonism to three ergot derivatives which modify dopaminergic transmission was studied. CF 25-397 behaved more as an antagonist than an agonist. ⋯ Bromocriptine is an effective anti-Parkinsonian agent, particularly useful in patients with prominent dyskinesia or "on-off" reactions to levodopa; in most patients optimal results have been obtained by combining from 40 to 90 mg of bromocriptine daily with approximately 60% of the previous maximal dose of levodopa. Unfortunately, only some 50% of patients tolerate long-term bromocriptine therapy, but all adverse reactions have been dose dependent and reversible.