South African medical journal = Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir geneeskunde
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Comparative Study
A new povidone-iodine cream for the treatment of burns. Comparison with a standard topical regimen.
A remarkable improvement in the rate of burn healing has been achieved with a mixture of povidone-iodine ointment (Betadine) and malic, benzoic and salicylic acids (MBS) (Aserbine). A study was undertaken to compare the effects of a new povidone-iodine formulation (Betadine cream) with and without MBS with povidone-iodine ointment plus MBS. All preparations were easy to apply and were readily removed, causing only mild discomfort on application in the majority of cases. ⋯ This applied to both superficial and deep burns. No skin sensitivity reactions were reported with any of the preparations. The addition of MBS to povidone-iodine cream did not produce as significant an improvement in results as its addition to povidone-iodine ointment.
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A door-to-door survey to identify the locomotor-disabled was carried out on 8.5% of the population of a black residential area of the Cape Peninsula (2072 people). The prevalence rate of locomotor disability was 18.3/1000; causes of disability related to illness (36.8%), trauma (31.6%) and congenital factors (23.7%). The main illnesses described were cerebrovascular accidents (26.1%) and poliomyelitis (21.7%). ⋯ Although many of the disabled individuals identified could move about independently, the proportion bedridden was high (15.8%). At the time of the survey 13.3% of adults were working and 51.1% of children over 6 years old attended school. Eighty per cent had no contact with health services.
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A door-to-door survey to identify the locomotor disabled was carried out on 33.35% of the so-called coloured population in a low socio-economic area of the Cape Peninsula (9112 people). The prevalence rate of locomotor disability was 11.2/1000. ⋯ Of those in the working-age group 15% were employed. Few of the unemployed had hobbies or interests or had any contact with health or social services.
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A door-to-door survey to identify the locomotor-disabled was carried out on 24.2% of the population living in a white middle-class residential area of the Cape Peninsula (2391 people). This coastal resort is a popular place for retirement and has a large elderly population (23.3%). The prevalence rate of locomotor disability was 13/1000. ⋯ Most of the disabled were aged 60 years or more (77.4%), while 22.6% were 16-59 years old. Fifty per cent of those in the working-age group were employed; one-third competed in the open labour market and the rest were in sheltered employment. Few people were in contact with health, geriatric or social services.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Tenoxicam in soft-tissue rheumatism.
A randomized double-blind trial with tenoxicam 10 mg/d and 20 mg/d and placebo was carried out for 2 weeks in 90 patients suffering from various extra-articular inflammatory conditions. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences in favour of tenoxicam as regards improvement of all parameters with an intensity which was moderate or severe at baseline, e.g. tenderness, mobility pain, functional limitation. The efficacy of tenoxicam at both dosages was similar (no statistically significant difference). Tenoxicam was well tolerated but some mild adverse reactions were observed in all three treatment groups.