Browsing by Author "Maritz, F. J."

Now showing 1 - 8 of 8
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    Abnormal serum lipoprotein levels as a risk factor for the development of human lenticular opacities
    (Clinics Cardiv Publishing, 2003-04) Meyer, D.; Parkin, D.; Maritz, F. J.; Liebenberg, P. H.
    Aim: To determine whether an association exists between the different plasma lipoprotein constituents and the prevalence of lenticular opacities in dyslipidaemic subjects. Methods: Adult patients (n = 115) of both genders were included if their fasting total serum cholesterol concentrations exceeded the 95th percentile of normal or their serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL) : high-density lipoprotein (HDL) ratios exceeded 5. Patients were excluded if they suffered from any condition known to cause, or predispose them to, elevated lipoprotein levels or lenticular opacification. Lenticular changes were assessed by means of a slit-lamp through the fully dilated pupil. Results: An extremely strong association (p < 0.0001) was found to exist between HDL cholesterol levels and the development of lens opacities. Below an HDL-C level of 1.5 mmol/l subjects had a seven-fold higher calculated probability of falling in the lens opacity subgroup than those with HDL-C levels above 1.5 mmol/l [odds ratio = 7.33 (95% CI = 2.06–26.10; p = 0.001)]. An equally strong association was found between high (>5) LDL:HDL ratios and the development of lens opacities (p < 0.0003). The risk of falling into the cataract subgroup if the individual’s LDL:HDL ratio exceeded 5 was 2.35 (95% CI = 1.09–5.04; p = 0.014). Conclusions: This study strongly suggests that an association exists between low levels of HDL cholesterol and high LDL:HDL ratios on one hand and the development of adult lens opacification on the other.
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    Adenosine deaminase estimations in the differentiation of pleural effusions
    (Health & Medical Publishing Group, 1982-10) Maritz, F. J.; Malan, C.; Le Roux, I.
    Adenosine deaminase (ADA) estimations were performed on the pleural fluid from 368 effusions. The mean (±SD) ADA concentration in tuberculous effusions was 92.11 ± 37.05 U/l, and these values were found to be highly statistically different from the 23.3 ± 13.15 U/l in secondary malignant tumours of the pleura, the 34.86 ± 14.2 U/l in mesotheliomas, and the 23.81 ± 15.07 U/l in pulmonary embolism. The ADA values of 64.3 ± 44.95 UlI in lymphoproliferative disorders were less significantly different. No statistical difference could be found between values in the tuberculous group and the ADA levels of 97.57 ± 82 U/l found in para-infective effusions, but these could be distinguished from each other by microscopic examination of the pleural fluid. The importance of ADA estimations in the diagnosis and differentiation of tuberculous effusions is discussed and the role of microscopy is emphasized.
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    Aspects of dyslipidaemia in diabetes mellitus
    (Health & Medical Publishing Group, 1997) Maritz, F. J.
    Dyslipidaemia in diabetes was referred to by Joslin as early as 19271 and has been the subject of numerous articles.2.... Very often little attention is paid to dyslipidaemia, which plays a major role in the premature development of atherosclerosis in diabetes. It is now increasingly recognised that diabetes is not only a disorder of carbohydrate metabolism but also of lipid and protein metabolism, and attention should be given to these other metabolic aspects and not only the glycaemic control of the diabetic patient. This article is not intended to be exhaustive, but aims rather to focus attention on the importance of dyslipidaemia in the management of diabetic patients. An overview is given of some of the pathophysiological processes that lead to dyslipidaemia in diabetes, the changes in lipids and lipoproteins that are seen are briefly described, and an outline of the management is presented.
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    Cortical lens opacities in the young patient - an indication for a lipogram?
    (Health & Medical Publishing Group, 2001) Meyer, D.; Maritz, F. J.; Liebenberg, P. H.; Parkin, D. P.; Burgess, L. J.
    Aim. To determine the characteristics and prevalence of lenticular opacification in patients with underlying dyslipidaemia. Methods. Eighty patients of both genders and all ages (18 - 90 years) were enrolled in the trial if they met the inclusion criteria for dyslipidaemia. Patients were included if their fasting serum cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations were > 5.2 mmol/1 and > 2.3 mmol/1, respectively, when measured on three separate occasions over a 1-month period. Patients were excluded if they suffered from any condition known to cause or predispose them to elevated lipid levels or lenticular opacification. Lenticular changes were assessed by means of a slit-lamp through the fully dilated pupil and other physical signs were documented subsequent to thorough physical evaluation. Results. In addition to the classic clinic signs of dyslipidaemia, 31% of patients had cortical lens opacities. Cortical opacities were twice as prevalent as Achilles tendon thickening (16.3%) in our study, the second most prevalent sign of elevated lipid levels. In the subgroup of patients aged under 50 years, 55% had lenticular opacities, predominantly cortical (80%). Conclusions. Cortical lens opacification was the most prevalent sign of dyslipidaemia and it occurred at a relatively young age in our trial population in those patients who were affected. Cortical lenticular opacification should be regarded as an indication for blood lipid profile evaluation.
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    The differentiation of pleural effusions
    (Health & Medical Publishing Group, 1982) Maritz, F. J.
    The causes and pathophysiology of pleural effusions are briefly discussed. A method for staining pleural effusions is described and the importance of side-room microscopy in the evaluation of pleural fluids is emphasized. The value of various investigations in the differentiation of pleural effusions is reviewed.
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    Haemophilus influenzae lobar pneumonia with underlying multiple myeloma : a case report
    (Health & Medical Publishing Group, 1980) Maritz, F. J.; Joubert, J.
    Haemophilus influenzae is an uncommon but important cause of lobar pneumonia, specifically in patients whose host defence mechanisms are impaired by unrecognized underlying diseases. A case of H. influenzae lobar pneumonia in a patient with underlying multiple myeloma is presented. The clinical features, treatment and procedures which aid in making the diagnosis are briefly discussed.
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    A rapid screening test for pleural exudates
    (Health and Medical Publishing Group (HMPG), 1999-01) Burgess, L. J.; Taljaard, J. J. F.; Maritz, F. J.
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    Serum lipid parameters and the prevalence of corneal arcus in a dyslipidaemic patient population
    (Clinics Cardiv Publishing, 2004-08) Meyer, D.; Liebenberg, P. H.; Maritz, F. J.
    Aim: To determine whether an association exists between plasma lipoprotein constituents and the prevalence of corneal arcus in dyslipidaemic patients. Methods: Adult patients (n = 115) were included if their fasting total serum cholesterol concentrations exceeded the 95th percentile or their serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL) : high density lipoprotein (HDL) ratios exceeded 5. Slit-lamp assessment of the corneas was performed. Results: The study group divided into a subgroup with arcus 37% (43) and a subgroup without arcus 63% (72). Total serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels were not associated with corneal arcus. A significant difference was found (p < 0.05) between the mean levels of LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) in the group without arcus (5.61 ± 1.74 mmol/l) and the group with arcus (5.96 ±1.71 mmol/l). The mean serum HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) in the group with corneal arcus was 1.04 ± 0.30 mmol/l as opposed to 1.31 ± 0.38 mmol/l in the group without arcus (p < 0.005 for difference). The mean LDL-C : HDL-C ratio in the group without arcus was 4.28 (SD: 1.99), and 5.73 (SD: 2.09) in the group with a corneal arcus (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Low HDL-C levels, high LDL-C levels and LDL-C : HDL-C ratios > 5 have been implicated as risk factors of numerous circulatory diseases. The observations in this study suggest that the presence of corneal arcus in the dyslipidaemic patient correlates strongly with these same risk indicators.