Cold agglutinin levels were determined in 120 individuals ranging in age from 1 to 64 years using untreated and ficin-treated group O erythrocytes. The geometric mean titer for untreated cells was 5.7 +/- 1.1 SEM and for ficin-treated cells 18.7 +/- 1.1 SEM. The mean titers and scores for various blood groups were not significantly different. Titers and scores correlated significantly to total serum IgM concentration (p less than 0.001). Females had significantly higher cold agglutinin levels than males (p less than 0.001). A significant decrease of cold agglutinins occurred in the 26- to 64-year age group as compared to the 11- to 25-year age group (p less than 0.01). The data should contribute to a clearer understanding of the biological impact of cold agglutinins.
This study investigated pediatrician-parent communication by content, analyzing medical encounters in a setting providing continuity of care. Thirty-eight encounters between middle class families and three senior pediatricians were audio-taped, transcribed, and analyzed for content. The categories of medical communication coded from the interactions were related to each family's medical and demographic characteristics. Five patterns of results emerged: (1) There was a highly stylizied active-passive role relationship, with doctors asking twice as many questions and making twice as many commands as the parent did. (2) A strong reciprocity norm existed between pediatricians and parents for the communication of affect. (3) The higher the experience, income, and educational levels of the parents, the shorter the encounters were, the less frequently symptoms were discussed, and the more frequently medication and professional treatment were mentioned. (4) Parents discussed health more in terms of organicity of causes than did pediatricians who, more frequently, raised environmental factors. (5) The more the family had a history of past illnesses, the more frequently the doctors made affect comments during the encounters. Comparing the results to findings drawn from an emergency clinic documented the importance of sustained relationships between practitioners and patients.
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