天津市2004-2014年HIV/AIDS生存时间及影响因素

目的 了解天津市HIV/AIDS生存时间及影响因素。方法 统计2004-2014年全国艾滋病防治信息系统中天津市报告的全部HIV/AIDS,运用寿命表法和Kaplan-Meier方法计算生存时间及各年生存率,运用单因素及多因素Cox回归方法对生存时间的影响因素进行相关分析。结果 2 775例HIV/AIDS病例1年、3年、5年、10年、11年累计生存率分别为91%、88%、86%、79%和79%;AIDS患者的死亡风险高于HIV感染者（χ²=107.622,P<0.001）;多因素Cox比例风险回归分析发现,感染途径、病例来源、抗病毒治疗和首次CD₄⁺T淋巴细胞（CD₄）计数均是影响AIDS患者生存时间的因素。结论 早发现和早治疗能够明显降低HIV/AIDS的死亡风险,提高生存时间,应加强HIV/AIDS早发现和早治疗工作。     

甘肃省1997-2018年HIV/AIDS生存时间及影响因素分析

目的 了解1997-2018年甘肃省HIV/AIDS生存时间与影响因素。方法 利用国家艾滋病防治基本信息系统1997-2018年甘肃省疫情资料,采用回顾性队列研究方法,用寿命表法计算生存率,用Kaplan-Meier法绘制生存曲线并计算平均生存时间,用Cox比例风险回归模型分析HIV/AIDS的艾滋病相关死亡的影响因素。结果 6 813例HIV/AIDS中,715例（10.5%）死于艾滋病相关疾病,平均生存时间为195.9（95%CI：189.7~202.2）个月,12、60、120和180个月的累积生存率分别为91.5%、86.1%、79.9%和73.8%。Cox比例风险回归模型分析结果显示,在艾滋病相关死亡风险方面,诊断时的年龄≥ 51岁组是≤ 25岁组的1.906倍（95%CI：1.353~2.685）;其他传播途径病例是同性性传播病例的1.593倍（95%CI：1.226~2.069）;通过入院就诊、受血/血制品及术前检测发现的病例是通过出入境、婚/孕前检测及新兵体检发现病例的5.113倍（95%CI：2.083~12.547）;诊断时病程阶段为艾滋病的病例是HIV感染病例的4.012倍（95%CI：3.401~4.732）;未检测CD₄⁺T淋巴细胞（CD₄）的病例是首次CD₄值≥ 350个/μl病例的5.446倍（95%CI：3.835~7.732）;未接受抗病毒治疗的病例是已接受抗病毒治疗病例的12.019倍（95%CI：9.861~14.648）。结论 1997-2018年甘肃省HIV/AIDS平均生存时间超过16年。诊断时年龄≥ 51岁、通过入院就诊、受血/血制品及术前检测发现、诊断时病程阶段为艾滋病、未检测CD₄、未接受抗病毒治疗的HIV/AIDS死亡风险更高。应早发现、早诊断、早治疗,提高CD₄检测率及治疗率,延长HIV/AIDS的生存时间。     

2010年全国新报告HIV感染者/AIDS病例生存时间及其相关因素分析

目的 分析全国2010年新报告HIV感染者/AIDS病例（HIV/AIDS）生存时间及影响因素。方法 使用艾滋病综合防治数据信息系统截至2015年12月31日的病例报告历史卡片和随访定时数据库,筛选出2010年新报告HIV/AIDS并整理出随访结局数据,以寿命表法计算其生存率,采用Kaplan-Meier法拟合不同状态下的生存曲线,Cox比例风险模型分析HIV/AIDS生存时间的影响因素。结果 40 335例HIV/AIDS中,11 975例因艾滋病及相关疾病死亡;截至观察终点时,中位生存时间为63.1（95%CI：63.0~63.2）个月,1年和5年生存率分别为81.2%和69.9%;多因素Cox比例风险模型分析结果显示,艾滋病死亡的风险随年龄增加而增加,25~34、35~44、45~54和≥55岁组因艾滋病死亡的风险分别是15~24岁组的1.41倍（95%CI：1.29~1.54）、1.90倍（95%CI：1.74~2.07）、2.24倍（95%CI：2.04~2.46）和2.81倍（95%CI：2.57~3.08）;HIV/AIDS首次检测CD₄^＋T淋巴细胞（CD₄）值≥500个/μl是CD₄值<200个/μl 的0.12倍（95%CI：0.11~0.13）;接受抗病毒治疗者是未接受治疗者的0.11倍（95%CI：0.10~0.12）。结论 确诊时年龄、确诊时CD₄值水平、是否接受抗病毒治疗是HIV/AIDS生存时间的主要影响因素,应及早进行艾滋病检测、接受抗病毒治疗,以延长HIV/AIDS生存时间。     

北京市1995-2015年艾滋病病例诊断后生存时间与影响因素分析

目的 分析1995-2015年北京市HIV感染者/AIDS患者（HIV/AIDS）诊断后生存时间及影响因素。方法 运用回顾性队列研究方法,对1995-2015年中国艾滋病综合防治信息系统中报告的12 874例HIV/AIDS的数据资料进行分析,应用寿命表法计算生存率,采用Cox比例风险模型分析生存时间的相关因素。结果 12 874例HIV/AIDS中,303例（2.4%）死于艾滋病及相关疾病,接受抗病毒治疗9 346例（72.6%）。平均生存时间为226.5个月（95% CI：223.0~230.1）,1、5、10、15年生存率分别为98.2%、96.4%、93.2%、91.9%。Cox比例风险模型分析结果显示,艾滋病死亡风险较高的因素包括诊断时为艾滋病患者（比HIV感染者,HR=1.439,95% CI：1.041~1.989）;异性传播（比同性传播,HR=1.646,95% CI：1.184~2.289）;现有或曾有配偶（比未婚,HR=2.186,95% CI：1.510~3.164）;诊断时年龄≥ 60岁（比≤ 30岁,HR=6.608,95% CI：3.546~12.316）;诊断后首次CD₄⁺T淋巴细胞计数（CD₄）<350个/μl（比≥ 350个/μl,HR=8.711,95% CI：5.757~13.181）;未抗病毒治疗（比抗病毒治疗,HR=18.223,95% CI：13.317~24.937）。结论 1995-2015年北京市HIV/AIDS诊断后的平均生存时间为226.5个月。诊断为HIV感染、同性传播、未婚、≤ 30岁、首次CD₄ ≥ 350个/μl、接受抗病毒治疗的HIV/AIDS生存时间较长。相反,诊断为AIDS、异性传播、现有或曾有配偶、年龄≥ 60岁、CD₄<350个/μl、未抗病毒治疗的死亡风险较高。     

贵州省1996－2015年注射吸毒人群HIV/AIDS死亡率及其影响因素分析

目的 了解贵州省注射吸毒人群中HIV/AIDS死亡情况及其影响因素,为降低HIV/AIDS死亡率提供参考依据。方法 采用回顾性队列研究方法,以我国艾滋病防治基本信息系统中1996－2015年贵州省注射吸毒人群HIV/AIDS为研究对象,应用Cox比例风险回归模型分析其死亡的影响因素。结果 共有3 958例注射吸毒HIV/AIDS纳入分析,全死因的死亡比例为44.01%（1 742/3 958）,总死亡率为7.80/100人年,生存时间M=8.08年;抗病毒治疗（ART）组死亡率为3.57/100人年,美沙酮维持治疗（MMT）组死亡率为4.08/100人年。多因素Cox回归分析结果显示,研究对象的死亡与性别、民族、确认HIV阳性时年龄、确认HIV阳性后首次CD₄⁺T淋巴细胞计数（CD₄）、ART和MMT有关;女性的死亡风险是男性的0.82倍（95% CI：0.69～0.98）;少数民族的死亡风险是汉族的1.39倍（95% CI：1.21～1.60）;确认HIV阳性时年龄≥50岁的死亡风险是<20岁的2.44倍（95% CI：1.07～5.56）;确认HIV阳性后首次CD₄≥500个/μl组的死亡风险是CD₄<200个/μl组的0.27倍（95% CI：0.22～0.32）;未参加ART的死亡风险是参加者的2.83倍（95% CI：2.45～3.26）;未参加MMT的死亡风险是参加者的1.35倍（95% CI：1.15～1.59）。结论 1996－2015年贵州省注射吸毒人群HIV/AIDS中,男性、确认HIV阳性时年龄较大者、确认HIV阳性后首次CD₄较低、未参加ART和MMT的病例,死亡风险较高。     

宁波市2004-2015年抗病毒治疗HIV/AIDS患者生存分析

目的 了解2004-2015年宁波市接受抗病毒治疗的HIV/AIDS患者流行病学特征及生存情况。方法 采用回顾性队列研究方法,对研究对象的流行病学特征进行描述性分析,利用寿命表法计算生存率、Kaplan-Meier法绘制生存曲线、Cox比例风险回归模型分析影响死亡的危险因素。结果 2 347例研究对象中,接受抗病毒初始治疗的年龄中位数为35（IQR：27～45）岁,以男性、本地、已婚或同居、异性性传播、基线CD₄⁺T淋巴细胞计数（CD₄）≤200个/μl、WHO分期Ⅰ期为主。第1、5、7、10年的累计生存率分别为96.75%、92.36%、91.87%、90.02%。多因素Cox比例风险回归模型分析显示,年龄越大死亡危险度越高,接受抗病毒治疗的>60岁HIV/AIDS患者是≤20岁组的17.34倍（95% CI：2.11～142.71）;基线WHO临床分期Ⅳ期患者死亡危险是Ⅰ期的2.83倍（95% CI：1.67～4.80）;耐药患者死亡风险是不耐药患者死亡风险的3.26倍（95% CI：1.77～6.01）;相较于同性性传播途径,血液传播是患者死亡的危险因素;CD₄值越低,死亡风险越大;BMI<18.5 kg/m²、未婚是患者死亡的独立危险因素。结论 宁波市HIV/AIDS患者抗病毒治疗效果显著,生存率较高。关爱老年人群,针对流行病学特征加强宣传教育,扩大监测范围,早发现早诊断早治疗,提高抗病毒治疗者的依从性是降低病死率的有效措施。     

贵州省1995－2018年HIV/AIDS生存时间及其影响因素分析

目的 了解1995-2018年贵州省HIV/AIDS生存时间及影响因素。方法 采用回顾性队列研究的方法,从"艾滋病防治基本信息系统"中下载1995-2018年贵州省报告的所有现住址为贵州省的HIV/AIDS报告卡。进行统计分析,运用寿命表法计算生存率、Kaplan-Meier法计算生存时间、Cox比例风险模型分析HIV/AIDS生存时间的影响因素。结果 纳入研究对象HIV/AIDS 53 232例,死亡率为8.53/100人年(14 210/166 679.18);生存时间中位数为10.20(95%CI:9.91~10.48)年,第1、5、10、20年的累积生存概率分别为0.85、0.68、0.51、0.36、0.19;多因素Cox比例风险模型分析结果显示,男性(与女性相比,aHR=0.757,95%CI:0.727~0.788)、未接受过抗病毒治疗(与接受过抗病毒治疗相比,aHR=0.173,95%CI:0.165~0.181)、首次CD₄⁺T淋巴细胞(CD₄)<200个/μl(与首次CD₄ ≥ 200个/μl者相比,aHR=0.410,95%CI:0.387~0.435)、≥ 45岁 (与<45岁者相比,aHR=1.506,95%CI:1.193~1.901)、文盲(与高中及以上学历者相比,aHR=0.904,95%CI:0.832~0.982)、未婚(与离异或丧偶者相比, aHR=0.896,95%CI:0.848~0.946)、异性性传播(与同性性传播者相比,aHR=0.555,95%CI:0.487~0.632)、苗族等少数民族(与汉族相比,aHR=1.185,95%CI:1.114~1.262)、农民/民工(与家政/待业者相比, aHR=0.874,95%CI:0.834~0.916)均是影响病例生存时间的因素。结论 贵州省HIV/AIDS死亡率较高,近年来并未出现明显的下降趋势,男性、≥ 45岁、文化程度较低、少数民族、首次CD₄检测<200个/μl等是影响HIV/AIDS生存时间的因素。应该针对具有这些特征的病例加强治疗和随访管理,以提高其生存质量。     

四川省1991-2017年HIV/AIDS生存分析

目的 分析1991-2017年四川省HIV/AIDS生存时间及其影响因素。方法 运用回顾性队列研究方法,对全国艾滋病综合防治数据信息系统中1991-2017年四川省新报告的143 988例HIV/AIDS的资料,采用寿命表法计算生存概率,用Cox比例风险模型分析生存时间的影响因素。结果 143 988例HIV/AIDS中,30 420例死于艾滋病及相关疾病（21.1%）,平均生存时间为11.51年（95% CI：11.39~11.64）;多因素Cox比例风险模型分析结果显示,HIV/AIDS生存的相关影响因素包括性别（男比女：HR=1.35,95% CI：1.32~1.40）、文化程度（小学及以下比初中及以上：HR=1.15,95% CI：1.12~1.18）、民族（汉族比其他：HR=1.46,95% CI：1.41~1.52）、职业（农民比其他：HR=1.26,95% CI：1.22~1.29）、诊断时年龄（≥ 55岁比15~24岁：HR=3.18,95% CI：3.02~3.36）、诊断时疾病状态（艾滋病比HIV感染：HR=1.44,95% CI：1.39~1.48）、抗病毒治疗（ART）（接受ART者比未接受ART者：HR=0.20,95% CI：0.19~0.20）、首次CD₄⁺T淋巴细胞计数（CD₄）（>500个/μl比<200个/μl：HR=0.42,95% CI：0.40~0.45）。结论 1991-2017年四川省HIV/AIDS诊断后平均生存时间为11.51年。男性、小学及以下文化程度、汉族、农民、诊断时较大年龄、诊断时为艾滋病状态是HIV/AIDS生存的危险因素,接受ART、首次CD₄水平高是HIV/AIDS生存的保护因素。     

四川省凉山州2004－2012年接受抗病毒治疗的艾滋病患者生存状况分析

目的 分析四川省凉山州首次接受抗病毒治疗艾滋病患者的生存时间及其影响因素.方法 运用回顾性队列研究方法,分析2004－2012年中国艾滋病抗病毒治疗信息管理系统中的凉山州艾滋病患者资料,应用寿命表法计算生存率,采用Cox比例风险模型分析生存时间的影响因素.结果 5 525例研究对象平均年龄(34.5±9.0)岁,男性占73.9%,经静脉吸毒感染占65.8%;从确认HIV抗体阳性到接受抗病毒治疗平均时间为(23.0±20.1)个月.死于艾滋病相关疾病的287例治疗平均时间为(12.7±10.6)个月,其中32.8%是在治疗开始后的6个月内病死.接受抗病毒治疗第1、2、3、4、5 年的生存率分别为97%、93%、89%、88%、84%.Cox比例风险回归模型分析显示,女性艾滋病患者病死的风险低于男性(HR=0.556,95%CI:0.367～0.872);静脉吸毒感染艾滋病的患者病死风险高于异性性传播感染(HR=1.569,95%CI:1.061～2.321);首次CD₄⁺T淋巴细胞计数检测结果<50 cell/mm³(HR=11.996,95%CI:6.714～21.435)、50～200 cell/mm³(HR=2.481,95%CI:1.620～3.798)的患者病死风险均高于≥350 cell/mm³的患者;治疗前最近1年无肺结核的艾滋病患者病死风险低于患有肺结核的患者(HR=0.511,95%CI:0.330～0.791).结论 凉山州艾滋病患者接受抗病毒治疗延长了生存时间,提高了生存率;艾滋病患者应定期进行随访和CD₄⁺T淋巴细胞检测,及时接受抗病毒治疗.     

河南省2008-2015年15岁及以上HIV/AIDS生存状况回顾性队列研究

目的 了解河南省HIV感染者/AIDS患者（HIV/AIDS）确诊AIDS后生存状况及其影响因素。方法 从国家艾滋病综合防治信息系统下载河南省相关数据库，筛选出2008-2015年间确诊为AIDS且≥15岁患者，进行回顾性研究。结果 纳入25 525例研究对象，观察期内病死率为24.9%，其中接受高效抗反转录病毒治疗（HAART）为14.4%。治疗比例从2008年的72.1%上升到2015年的92.8%，同期病死率从21.2%下降到4.1%，其中接受HAART者从9.2%下降到2.6%。多因素分析显示，确诊AIDS时CD₄⁺T淋巴细胞（CD₄）计数<50个/μl的患者死亡风险大（aHR=2.45）；接受HAART的患者死亡风险低（aHR=0.13）。在接受HAART患者中，有复方磺胺甲恶唑（TMP-SMZ）服用史的患者死亡风险低（aHR=0.76）；确诊AIDS时CD₄计数50~个/μl组和<50个/μl组死亡风险高（aHR值分别为1.26和1.97）；基线CD₄计数50~个/μl、<50个/μl组死亡风险高（aHR值分别为1.44和1.84）。结论 抗病毒治疗是影响HIV/AIDS生存时间的重要因素，加强HIV/AIDS的CD₄检测，尽早纳入HAART，同时及时开展TMP-SMZ预防治疗，是减少患者AIDS相关疾病死亡的有效途径。     

The human drama of genetics: 'hard' and 'soft' media representations of inherited breast cancer

This paper examines media coverage of 'breast cancer genetics', and explores its implications for public understanding. We present a content analysis of coverage in British newspapers and look at a variety of popular forms, including women's magazines, television soap opera and radio drama. Genetic/inherited risk receives a great deal of coverage across a wide range of media formats and outlets. Much of this attention has focused on individuals from 'high risk families' and dilemmas around prophylactic mastectomies. Through examining media coverage, combined with interviews with media personnel and their sources, we show why this story proved so attractive to the media and highlight the different production values which influence coverage. Finally, we introduce preliminary findings from focus group discussions to demonstrate how such 'human interest' framing has engaged audience attention and influenced public understandings. The paper concludes by highlighting the implications for analysing, predicting, and engaging with, media representations of science.     

Worker education in the primary prevention of occupational dermatoses

This paper reports the evaluation of a skin care education programmeconducted on a fine chemicals manufacturing site where over1,000 employees are located. Approximately 60% are involvedin chemical manufacture. Over a 12 month period production staffreceived training in prevention of occupational dermatoses linkedto a site-wide poster initiative. The incidence of new casesof occupational dermatoses fell from 0.055 (70 cases in 1,277employees) to 0.021 (27 cases in 1,277 employees) before andafter the intervention respectively (p<0.0001). After otherfactors such as chemicals handled, observer bias and changesin reporting related to socioeconomic climate were taken intoaccount it is concluded that this study demonstrates the importanceof worker education as a tool for primary prevention of disease.Training materials such as video and poster presentations maybe effectively used in the chemical manufacturing industry asan adjunct to prevention and control of exposure to substanceshazardous to the skin. Such methods may also be used in otherindustries where there are significant risks of dermatoses.     

Regional Variation in Travel-related Illness acquired in Africa,March 1997–May 2011

To understand geographic variation in travel-related illness acquired in distinct African regions, we used the GeoSentinel Surveillance Network database to analyze records for 16,893 ill travelers returning from Africa over a 14-year period. Travelers to northern Africa most commonly reported gastrointestinal illnesses and dog bites. Febrile illnesses were more common in travelers returning from sub-Saharan countries. Eleven travelers died, 9 of malaria; these deaths occurred mainly among male business travelers to sub-Saharan Africa. The profile of illness varied substantially by region: malaria predominated in travelers returning from Central and Western Africa; schistosomiasis, strongyloidiasis, and dengue from Eastern and Western Africa; and loaisis from Central Africa. There were few reports of vaccine-preventable infections, HIV infection, and tuberculosis. Geographic profiling of illness acquired during travel to Africa guides targeted pretravel advice, expedites diagnosis in ill returning travelers, and may influence destination choices in tourism.     

The design of hazard risk assessment matrices for ranking occupational health risks and their application in mining and minerals processing

Two hazard risk assessment matrices for the ranking of occupational health risks are described. The qualitative matrix uses qualitative measures of probability and consequence to determine risk assessment codes for hazard-disease combinations. A walk-through survey of an underground metalliferous mine and concentrator is used to demonstrate how the qualitative matrix can be applied to determine priorities for the control of occupational health hazards. The semi-quantitative matrix uses attributable risk as a quantitative measure of probability and uses qualitative measures of consequence. A practical application of this matrix is the determination of occupational health priorities using existing epidemiological studies. Calculated attributable risks from epidemiological studies of hazard-disease combinations in mining and minerals processing are used as examples. These historic response data do not reflect the risks associated with current exposures. A method using current exposure data, known exposure-response relationships and the semi-quantitative matrix is proposed for more accurate and current risk rankings.     

Psychopathological features of a patient population of targets of workplace bullying

BACKGROUND: A strong association between workplace bullying and subsequent anxiety and depression, indicated by empirical research, suggests that bullying is an aetiological factor for mental health problems. AIMS: To evaluate levels of stress and anxiety-depression disorder developed by targets of workplace bullying together with outcome at 12 months and to characterize this population in terms of psychopathology and sociodemographic features. METHODS: Forty-eight patients (36 women and 12 men) meeting Leymann Inventory of Psychological Terror criteria for bullying were included in a prospective study. Evaluations were performed at first consultation and at 12 months using a standard clinical interview, a visual analogue scale of stress, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HAD) scale, the Beech scale of stress in the workplace and a projective test (Picture-Frustration Study). RESULTS: At first consultation, 81% of patients showed high levels of perceived stress at work and 83 and 52% presented with anxiety or depression, respectively. At 12 months, only 19% of working patients expressed a feeling of stress at work. There was a significant change in symptoms of anxiety while there was no change in symptoms of depression. Stress at work and depression influenced significatively capacity to go back to work. At 12-month assessments, workers showed a significantly better score on the HAD scale than non-workers. Over half the targets presented a neuroticism-related predominant personality trait. CONCLUSION: Workplace bullying can have severe mental health repercussions, triggering serious and persistent underlying disorders.     

The rise and fall in incidence of malignant mesothelioma from a British Naval Dockyard, 1979-1999

BACKGROUND: The incidence of malignant mesothelioma in Britain is predicted to rise over the next 15-25 years because of past failure to protect the workforce against inhalation of asbestos. In British Naval dockyards, alternative insulation materials and respiratory protection were introduced from the mid-1960s. Aims This study was carried out to investigate the effects of these control measures on mesothelioma deaths in dockyard workers. METHODS: Cases of mesothelioma of the pleura and peritoneum between 1979 and 1999 in workers from the Devonport Naval Dockyard, south-west England, were sought from coroners' and medico-legal records. RESULTS: Three hundred and one cases were identified, 7% peritoneal. The peak incidence occurred in 1991 with 25 cases per annum (quadratic model fit R(2) = 74.2%, P < 0.001) and we predict that by 2003 the incidence will fall to fewer than five cases per annum. The mean time between first exposure and presentation was 48.5 years [95% confidence interval (CI) = 47.3-49.8], but this was significantly shorter in the more heavily exposed trades, when compared with the less heavily exposed (42 years, 95% CI = 39.0-45.0, versus 49.5 years, 95% CI = 48.2-50.9). Those with higher exposure were also at significantly greater risk of peritoneal disease (P < 0.023, Fisher's exact test). CONCLUSION: The reduction in incidence of mesothelioma is greater than can be accounted for by reduction in numbers of dockyard workers over the last 50 years. Changes in insulation materials and improved industrial hygiene measures introduced into the Devonport Dockyard from the mid-1960s have resulted in an earlier decline in the incidence of malignant mesothelioma than that predicted for the British workforce as a whole.     

Die sogenannte Vinylchlorid-Krankheit—eine berufsbedingte Systemsklerose?

Zusammenfassung Es wurden 13 Arbeiter untersucht, die zwischen 1 3/4 und 18 Jahren in einem PVC-herstellenden Betrieb beschäftigt waren. 8 von ihnen wiesen sklerodermieartige Hautveränderungen (Abb. 2) auf, die histologisch charakterisiert sind durch Verbreiterung und Homogenisierung der kollagenen Faserbündel (Abb. 3 u. 4) sowie Fragmentation und Rarefizierung der elastischen Fasern (Abb. 5). Bei 7 Patienten bestanden trommelschlegelartige Auftreibungen einzelner Fingerendphalangen (Abb. 1). 11 Patienten zeigten Durchblutungsstörungen der Extremitäten (4 von diesen ein Raynaud-Syndrom) und 6 Patienten Acroosteolysen einzelner Fingerendphalangen (Abb. 6, Tabellen 1–3).Darüber hinaus bestand bei allen Patienten eine Thrombocytopenie, bei 12 Patienten eine Splenomegalie, bei 11 Patienten eine Einschränkung der Leberfunktion (erhöhte BSP-Retention). An der Leber ließ sich histologisch bei den 5 laparoskopierten Patienten eine deutliche Fibrosierung der Portalfelder nachweisen. Bei 4 Patienten bestanden Oesophagusvaricen (Tabellen 4 u. 5). 8 Patienten zeigten eine Partialinsuffizienz mit Hinweisen für vorwiegend restriktive Veränderungen.Die hier beschriebenen Veränderungen gehen weit über das bisher bekannte Acroosteolysesyndrom hinaus. Es wird der dringende Verdacht geäußert, daß langfristige Vinylchlorid-Exposition dieses komplexe Krankheitsbild verursacht. Daher wird für diese systemische Krankheit die Bezeichnung Vinylchlorid-Krankheit vorgeschlagen.Wir danken Frau E. Voigtländer für die Herstellung der klinischen und histologischen Abbildungen.     

Organophosphate toxicity and occupational exposure

The ubiquitous organophosphates present a continuing health hazard in agriculture, public health eradication programmes and as chemical warfare agents. Despite significant progress in understanding the potential mechanisms of toxicity far beyond the commonly accepted mechanism of cholinesterase inhibition in intentional exposures, the precise health effects following occupational exposures are yet to be completely defined. A much greater understanding exists of the clinical features of organophosphate poisoning. These are characterized by a triphasic response involving an initial acute cholinergic phase, an intermediate syndrome (both associated with high mortality) and a disabling but non-lethal delayed polyneuropathy. The delayed polyneuropathy may occur in the absence of the cholinergic or intermediate phases. However, progress is still required in order to improve the quantification and assessment of occupational exposures and the implementation of appropriate preventive measures. Finally, evidence-based guidelines for appropriate or optimal therapeutic interventions following poisoning are required urgently and collaborative work with colleagues in developing countries, where the occurrence of organophosphate exposures is more frequent, may provide the answers.     

Miliaria rubra of the lower limbs in underground miners

This report documents a case series of miliaria rubra of the lower limbs in miners at a deep underground metalliferous mine in tropical arid Australia. During the summer months of February and March 1999, all cases of miliaria rubra of the lower limbs in underground miners seen at the mine's medical centre were clinically examined and administered a questionnaire. Twenty-five patients were seen, an incidence of 56.4 cases per million man-hours. Miliaria rubra was most often located between the ankle and knee (88% of cases). Twenty-four percent had concurrent folliculitis and 20% had concurrent tinea. Thirty-two percent had a personal history of asthma. Walking through ground-water and splashing of the legs was common. Three to 4 weeks of sedentary duties in air conditioning was generally required to achieve resolution of miliaria rubra. The incidence of miliaria rubra of the lower limbs is 38% of the incidence of heat exhaustion at the same mine. The length of disablement is greater, however. Atopics may be at increased risk of miliaria rubra. Control measures are discussed.     

Planning research

The starting point for any research project should be a question.Once this has been defined and the relevant scientific literaturereviewed, a protocol should be drawn up. This will be used notonly as a guide to the conduct of the study and in the preparationof the final report, but also in seeking any financial supportand approvals that are required for the investigation. A protocolis normally arranged in sections covering the background tothe study, the question(s) that it will address, the methodsthat will be used for the collection and analysis of data, thestatistical power of the investigation (where relevant), anyethical considerations, and the financial input that will beneeded. A pilot study is often helpful where aspects of thestudy method are untried or of uncertainvalidity.