The comparison of trends in perinatal mortality in small areas

Year to year changes in perinatal mortality rates for small populations are difficult to interpret. Because local rates are based on small numbers of events, they are subject to apparently large fluctuations. A technique for analysing trends in mortality, for detecting changes in trends and comparing variations in trends between areas is described. It is illustrated by an analysis of perinatal mortality rates for Area Health Authorities in the West Midlands Region of England from 1974-1981, but the same techniques could be used to analyse trends at other times and in other places.     

Repair of large midline incisional hernias with polypropylene mesh: Comparison of three operative techniques

Polypropylene mesh is widely used for the reconstruction of incisional hernias that cannot be closed primarily. Several techniques have been advocated to implant the mesh. The objective of this study was to evaluate, retrospectively, early and late results of three different techniques, onlay, inlay, and underlay. The records of 53 consecutive patients with a large midline incisional hernia — 25 women and 28 men, mean age 60.4 (range 28–94) — were reviewed. Polypropylene mesh was implanted using the onlay technique in 13 patients, inlay in 23 patients, and underlay in 17 patients. Either the greater omentum or a polyglactin mesh was interponated between the mesh and the viscera. The records of these 53 patients were reviewed with respect to: size and cause of the hernia, pre- and postoperative mortality and morbidity, with special attention to wound complications. Patients were invited to attend the outpatient clinic at least 12 months after implantation of the mesh for physical examination of the abdominal wall. Postoperative complications occurred in 14 (26.4%) patients. The onlay technique had significantly more complications, as compared to both other techniques. Reherniation occurred in 15 (28.3%) patients. The reherniation rate of the inlay technique was significantly higher than after the underlay technique (44% vs 12%, P=0.03) and tended to be higher than the onlay technique (44% vs 23%, P=0.22). Repair of large midline incisional hernias with the use of a polypropylene mesh carries a high risk of complications and has a high reherniation rate. The underlay technique seems to be the better technique.     

Mortality in patients with diabetic neuropathic osteoarthropathy (Charcot foot).

OBJECTIVE: To determine the mortality of a population of patients diagnosed with Charcot neuropathic osteoarthropathy managed by a single specialist unit and to compare the results with a control population. METHODS: We have undertaken a retrospective analysis of all cases of Charcot foot on the comprehensive database which has been maintained at the specialist diabetic foot clinic at the City Hospital, Nottingham since 1982. Survival and the incidence of amputation (major and minor) was compared with a control population referred with uncomplicated neuropathic ulceration. Controls were individually matched for gender, age (+/-2 years), disease type, disease duration (+/-2 years) and year of referral (+/-3 years). RESULTS: Forty-seven cases (21 female, 26 male) of Charcot foot were identified, of whom 18 (38.3%) had Type 1 diabetes. Mean age and disease duration at presentation were 59.2 +/- 13.4 (sd) and 16.2 +/- 11.2 years, compared with 59.7 +/- 12.6 and 16.3 +/- 11.2 years, respectively, in the controls. Twenty-one (44.7%) of those with Charcot had died, after a mean interval of 3.7 +/- 2.8 years. This compared with 16 (34.0%) after a mean 3.1 +/- 2.7 years in the control group. Mean duration of follow-up in the survivors was 4.7 +/- 4.9 years (Charcot) and 5.3 +/- 3.9 years (controls). A total of 11 (23.4%) Charcot patients had had a major amputation on the side of the index lesion, compared with five (10.6%) controls. There was no difference between the two groups (P > 0.05, Chi-square). CONCLUSIONS: The mortality in this group of patients with Charcot foot was higher than expected. Nevertheless, there was no difference between those with Charcot and those with uncomplicated neuropathic ulceration. It is possible that it is neuropathy, rather than Charcot osteoarthropathy, which is independently associated with increased mortality in diabetes. The mechanism underlying any such association is not known. There is a need for a formal, prospective, multicentre study to investigate the life expectancy and cardiovascular risk of those with Charcot osteoarthropathy.     

Intravenous drug abuse and Type 1 diabetes: financial and healthcare implications.

AIMS: To determine the morbidity, mortality and healthcare costs of intravenous drug-abusing patients with Type 1 diabetes (IVDA-DM), who are admitted to hospital. METHODS: Retrospective case note analysis of admissions, complications and cost estimation over a 6-year period. Each drug-abusing patient (IVDA-DM) (n = 9) was compared with two controls (n = 18) with Type 1 diabetes but without a history of intravenous drug abuse (DM-controls). Admissions were also analysed for patients with intravenous drug abuse, but without Type 1 diabetes (IVDA-controls) (n = 198). Admissions were at a University teaching hospital in Liverpool, UK. DM-controls were drawn from a population attending diabetes outpatient clinics between 1997 and 2002 at the same hospital. The main outcome measures were: the duration and healthcare costs of hospital admissions per year, outpatient attendances per year, glycated haemoglobin (HbA(1c)), weight, micro- and macrovascular complications and mortality. RESULTS: Multiple admissions, mainly related to ketoacidosis, led to marked differences in mean (95% CI) inpatient days per year per patient [IVDA-DM 28.1 (13.6-42.7) vs. DM-control 1.1 (0.2-1.9); P < 0.0001], mean inpatient days per year per patient in critical care bed (IVDA-DM 1.7 (-0.7-4.2) vs. DM-control 0; P < 0.02) and mean costs of admission, per patient per year (pound sterling 7320 vs. pound sterling 230). The IVDA-DM group frequently omitted insulin, were underweight, failed to attend as outpatients and five had died by the end of 2002. The IVDA-controls spent considerably less time in hospital [3.4 (2.8-3.9) days per patient per year]. CONCLUSION: IVDA-DM patients have higher rates of diabetes complications, are admitted more frequently and have a high mortality compared with DM and IVDA-controls. The cost of inpatient care of this small group of patients was considerable.     

Clinical and radiological diagnosis of Crohn's disease in children

Diagnosis of Crohn's disease in children may be delayed because of obscure presentation and inappropriate investigation. The clinical and radiological features in 35 children with Crohn's disease were reviewed retrospectively. The distal ileum and proximal colon were the most common sites of disease. Intestinal symptoms and signs were often overshadowed by nonspecific complaints. Proximal small bowel disease was characterised by oedema, clubbing, anaemia, and stunting of growth. The delay in diagnosis was less than in other series, although most prolonged in the group with proximal disease. We have identified a group of clinical features that strongly suggests Crohn's disease. In these patients, we believe a small bowel enema is justified. Small bowel enema, although invasive, is more effective than barium meal and follow-through for demonstrating Crohn's disease. Severity of radiological changes did not correlate with clinical assessment. Neither bowel stricture nor fistula was found. Radiology of the colon was insensitive and colonoscopy is better for assessing colonic disease.