Reflection on the geographic distribution of multiple sclerosis in France

The geographic distribution of multiple sclerosis within the 95 Départements and the 21 Régions of France was defined from a 1986 nationwide prevalence series derived from questionnaires. This indicated a significant clustering of high frequency regions in the northeastern part of the country with most significantly low areas in the south and west. Distributions were similar to those for MS death rates by Département and Région for 1968–1977, indicating geographic stability over time; but there was also evidence of diffusion over time. The 1986 prevalence distribution was also compared with all published prevalence rates for communities of France. From all these resources we conclude that all of France falls within the "high frequency zone" for MS, that the nationwide prevalence rate is at least 50 per 100000 population, and that there is evidence of geographic clustering of the disease with temporal spread of the cluster.     

Relocation mortality in dementia: The effects of a new hospital

Relocation mortality has been cited as an important factor when considering the placement of elderly patients. This study describes the fate of dementia patients relocated to facilitate the move to a new hospital. Some wards were moved as intact units—that is, the patients were kept together and there was little change in the nursing or medical staff. Two other wards were closed, and these patients were dispersed to several existing and new wards and experienced changes of nursing and medical staff. All patients underwent prerelocation and postrelocation orientation programmes. The mortality figures for the total patient group before and after the relocation do not show any statistically significant increase in mortality postrelocation. However, for wards that were closed and where the patients suffered maximum disruption to patient group and nursing staff, there was a significant increase in mortality rates.     

Cancer mortality among northern Georgia carpet and textile workers

Proportionate cancer mortality was analyzed among white male carpet and textile workers in five northwest Georgia counties for the years 1970-1984. Compared with other Georgians, carpet and textile workers had higher proportions of lymphocytic leukemia (proportionate cancer mortality ratio [PCMR] = 2.9; 95% CI = 1.4-5.4]) and testicular cancer (PCMR = 3.2; 95% CI = 1.0-7.5). The excess mortality from lymphocytic leukemia was even higher when the analysis was limited to workers deemed most likely to work directly in production areas (PCMR = 4.2; 95% CI = 1.7-8.7). Further studies are needed to determine if the observed excesses are the result of workplace exposures.     

标化比例死亡比分析在筛检恶性肿瘤高发人群中的应用

在筛检肿瘤高危险人群过程中,应用标化比例死亡比(SPMR)的分析方法,研究了两个工厂全肿瘤和肺癌的发生状况,并用标化死亡比(SMR)的方法验证SPMR的结论。结果表明,两种方法分析结果均一致性显示全肿瘤和肺癌在两工厂中的死亡率显著高于当地居民。由于SPMR分析资料极易获得,分析方法又较SMR简便易行,适用于基层实际工作中对各种疾病死亡状况进行病因学分析。     

抗蚊媒中肠抗体对冈比亚按蚊生殖率和死亡率影响的研究

目的探讨冈比亚按蚊中肠抗原抗媒介免疫的作用,进一步研究抗媒介疫苗抗原. 方法解剖室内饲养的冈比亚按蚊雌蚊中肠,立即置于冷的pH 7.4 PBS溶液中,用SDS-PAGE方法获得分子质量为43 ku中肠蛋白抗原,皮下注射免疫大白兔3次,获得的免疫血浆膜饲冈比亚按蚊成蚊,与对照组比较,观察其对冈比亚按蚊死亡率和生殖率的影响. 结果膜饲免疫血浆的冈比亚按蚊的死亡率与对照组相比显著增高,死亡率增加56%;生殖率明显下降,实验组蚊虫平均产卵率为71.4个,对照组为88.1个,下降18.7%. 结论采用有效的方法分离蚊媒中肠的关键性抗原-中肠蛋白抗原可能成为抗蚊媒和其它抗媒介疫苗的靶抗原.     

REOPERATION FOR RECURRENT CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE: RESULTS OF 200 CONSECUTIVE CASES

Background : It is well known that reoperation for recurrent coronary artery disease is more difficult than primary coronary artery bypass grafting. However, it is possible to reduce the morbidity and mortality of reoperation to the same level as the initial procedure with careful surgical technique. Methods : A retrospective study of the first 200 patients who underwent redo coronary bypass grafting was undertaken. Results : In the first 200 cases of redo coronary bypass grafting at St George Hospital, Sydney (August 1986–January 1995), there were five in-hospital deaths (2.5%). There was one case of sternal infection (0.5%), which required surgical debridement, three cases of stroke (1.5%), one case of postoperative bleeding (0.5%), which required a return to theatre and six cases (3%) required mechanical ventilation for more than 24h. The need for major postoperative support (such as intra-aortic balloon pumping/adrenaline infusion) was significantly affected by the degree of urgency and the degree of pre-operative ventricular impairment. Conclusions : The mortality rate of redo coronary artery bypass grafting in this series is similar to that of primary surgery described in other reports.     

Research on severe maternal morbidities and near-misses in Brazil: what we have learned

The occurrence of complications during pregnancy depends less on the degree of human development than differences in the way complications in pregnancy are detected and managed. It is the quick diagnosis and correct management that really contribute to the enormous differences in maternal mortality ratios between countries and regions. Understanding of the determinants of maternal mortality may be improved by studying cases of severe maternal morbidity. In this paper, various approaches to the concept of severe maternal morbidity and near-misses are discussed, and the relationship between these and maternal deaths. Although no consensus has been reached on a strict definition of near-miss or severe maternal morbidity, we show that the definitions used may be tailored to support diverse objectives, including monitoring progress, epidemiological surveillance and auditing of health care. We conclude that the versatility of the concept, the greater frequency of cases available for study and the possibility of interviewing the survivors of severe complications all support the value of studying severe maternal morbidity to help guide local efforts to reduce maternal mortality. Although this may almost be a reality in developed countries, it continues to represent an important and difficult challenge to overcome in places where its benefits would be most evident.     

Meeting health care needs of women experiencing complications of miscarriage and unsafe abortion: USAID's postabortion care program

Each year, an estimated 210 million women become pregnant. Worldwide, more than one fourth of these pregnancies will end in abortion or an unplanned birth. While many abortions may result from the desire to delay or avoid pregnancy, 15% to 20% of pregnancies will end in miscarriage or stillbirth with some causative agents being malaria, HIV/AIDS, and physical violence. Postabortion care (PAC) is needed to provide treatment for complications caused by incomplete or spontaneous abortion and critical family planning counseling and services to prevent future unplanned pregnancies that may result in repeat abortions. In 2003, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) initiated a 5-year strategy wherein seven countries were provided financial funding and technical assistance. Since 2003, more than 3000 women have been seen in health centers and health posts for PAC services; more than 14,000 community members have received messages on unsafe abortion; family planning, and complications of unsafe abortion and miscarriage; and more than 600 documents were reviewed for inclusion in a global PAC resource package. This package has been used for developing Cambodia's national PAC policy and for developing patient education materials and provider job aids in Cambodia and Tanzania. These promising methodologies will be replicated in other countries.     

Maternal mortality and maternity care from 1990 to 2005: uneven but important gains

Maternal mortality continues to be the major cause of death among women of reproductive age in many countries. Data from published studies and Demographic and Health Surveys show that gains in reducing maternal mortality between 1990 and 2005 have been modest overall. In 2005, there were about 536,000 maternal deaths, and the maternal mortality ratio was estimated at 400 per 100,000 live births, compared to 430 in 1990. Noteworthy declines took place in east Asia (4% per year) and north Africa (3% per year). Maternal deaths and mortality ratios were highest in sub-Saharan Africa and southeast Asia and low in east Asia and Latin America/Caribbean. In 11 of 53 countries with data, fewer than 25% of women had had at least four antenatal visits. About 63% of births were attended by a skilled attendant: from 47% in Africa to 88% in Latin America/Caribbean. In 16 of 23 countries with data, less than 50% of the recommended levels of emergency obstetric care had been fulfilled. Only 61% of women who delivered in a health facility in 30 developing countries received post-partum care, and far fewer who gave birth at home. Countries with maternal mortality ratios of 750+ per 100,000 live births shared problems of high fertility and unplanned pregnancies, poor health infrastructure with limited resources and low availability of health personnel. The task ahead is enormous.     

武汉市人口死亡率季节变动规律的分析

本文运用百分率趋势检验和逐步回归等统计方法,测定和分析了武汉市江岸区居民死亡的季节变动规律。结果表明:月死亡、心血管病和呼吸系病死亡都有明显的冬季高峰,意外死亡多半在夏季;婴幼儿和老年人死亡的季节波动性较大;心脏病、呼吸系病在寒冷月份上升成为第二、第四位死因;逐步回归分析的结果表明:温度是对死亡影响较大的气象因素,肿瘤死亡与季节变化的关系不大。