Age‐specific direct healthcare costs attributable to diabetes in a Swedish population: a register‐based analysis

Aims The aim of this population‐based study was to explore the age‐specific additional direct healthcare cost for patients with diabetes compared with the non‐diabetic population. Methods In 1999–2005, patients with diabetes in the Swedish county of Östergötland (n = 20 876) were identified from an administrative database. Cost data on the healthcare expenditure in primary healthcare, out‐patient hospital care and in‐patient care for the entire county population (n = ~415 000) in 2005 were extracted from a cost per patient (CPP) database, which includes information on all utilized healthcare resources in the county. Data on drug sales were obtained from the Swedish Prescribed Drug Register. Results The cost per person was 1.8 times higher in patients with diabetes than in the non‐diabetic population, 7.7 times higher in children and 1.3 times higher in subjects aged > 75 years. The additional cost per person for diabetes was €1971; €3930 and €1367, respectively, for children and subjects aged > 75 years. The proportion of total additional diabetes costs attributable to in‐patient care increased with age from 25 to 50%; in‐patient care was the most expensive component at all ages except in children, for whom visiting a specialist was most expensive. The diabetes‐related segment of the total healthcare cost was 6.6%, increasing from 2.0% in children to 10.3% in the age group 65–74 years, declining to 6.2% in the oldest age group. Conclusions The direct medical cost of diabetes varies considerably by age. Knowledge about the influence of age on healthcare costs to society will be important in future planning of diabetes management.     

Complications of non-compaction of the left ventricular myocardium in a paediatric population: a prospective study.

AIMS: Non-compaction of the left ventricular myocardium (NCVM) is reportedly exceedingly rare and associated with a high morbidity and mortality. A different genetic background has been suggested for NCVM with [non-isolated NCVM (ni-NCVM)] and without [isolated NCVM (i-NCVM)] other congenital heart defects. We prospectively evaluated both the NCVM subgroups regarding frequency of occurrence and cardiovascular complications in a paediatric population. Results In a prospective, single-centre study, 66/5220 consecutive patients (1.26%) were diagnosed (25 i-NCVM, 41 ni-NCVM). The median age was 4 years (range 0-21), the median follow-up 12 months (range 0-51). The occurrence of congestive heart failure (CHF) at follow-up was 68.0%. CHF was as frequently seen in i-NCVM and ni-NCVM patients (77.5 vs. 62.1%, P = 0.322). The occurrence of arrhythmias (20.0%) and thrombo-embolic events (13.9%) was not different between subgroups. The cardiomyopathy related mortality was 7.1%, with three and one deaths in the i-NCVM and ni-NCVM groups, respectively (P = 0.126). CONCLUSION: When prospectively evaluated, NCVM appears to have been previously under-diagnosed. Whereas arrhythmias and thrombo-embolic events were rare, CHF was frequently found. An equally aggressive anticongestive treatment regimen would seem indicated for both the NCVM subgroups.     

Barrett's oesophagus: results from a 13-year surveillance programme

OBJECTIVES: To review the results of a 13-year surveillance programme of patients with Barrett's oesophagus to determine the incidence of adenocarcinoma. Although the risk of cancer in Barrett's oesophagus is well established, the magnitude of this risk is still controversial. DESIGN: Records of all patients with histologically confirmed Barrett's oesophagus in our 13-year surveillance programme were examined retrospectively. SETTING: Integrated gastroenterology and gastrointestinal surgical service in a large teaching hospital. PARTICIPANTS: During the study period, 597 patients had a diagnosis of Barrett's oesophagus; of these, 357 entered a yearly endoscopy and biopsy surveillance programme. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The development of oesophageal adenocarcinoma. RESULTS: After a mean follow-up of 43 months, 12 patients, all with specialized epithelium, developed adenocarcinoma (11 men), an incidence for men of one cancer per 69 patient-years; and for women, one cancer per 537 patient-years follow-up (P < 0.01). If only patients with specialized mucosa were included the incidence of cancer was one per 95 patient-years of follow-up (men, one per 61 patient-years; women, one per 468 patient-years). CONCLUSIONS: Whilst the role of screening patients with Barrett's oesophagus remains controversial, this study supports the routine surveillance of male patients with specialized epithelium.     

1991-2005年全国地方性氟中毒监测结果分析

目的掌握全国地方性氟中毒(地氟病)防治措施落实进度和病情变化动态,为政府部门制定地氟病防治策略提供科学依据。方法数据来源于1991-2005年全国地氟病各年度监测数据,全部监测工作按国家地氟病重点监测方案执行。结果①饮水型地氟病病区降氟改水率增长34个百分点,但水氟≤1．0 mg／L改水降氟工程数量则减少了近5个百分点;②燃煤污染型地氟病病区改炉改灶完成率增长了28个百分点,到2005年改炉改灶完成率达到47．22％;降氟炉灶合格率增长了26个百分点,达到92．54％;③饮水氟≤1．0 mg／L的监测点数量呈下降趋势,与水氟≤1．0 mg／L的改水工程数量减少一致;④玉米氟≤1．5 mg／kg的监测点数量总体趋势表现为减少, >1．5 mg/kg的监测点数量总体趋势表现为增加;辣椒氟≤1．0和>1．0 mg／kg的监测点数量增减变化甚微,但92％以上监测点辣椒含氟量超标:⑤饮水型病区儿童氟斑牙检出率≤30％和>30％～60％的监测点数量增加,而>60％～80％和>80％的监测点数量减少;燃煤污染型病区儿童氟斑牙检出率≤30％的监测点数量增加,而>80％的监测点数量减少。结论①饮水型地氟病病区降氟改水率增加,但≤1．0 mg／L改水工程减少和水氟回升;②燃煤污染型地氟病病区改炉改灶完成率年度递增,降氟炉灶合格率达到90％以上;玉米和辣椒含氟量下降,但幅度不大;③无论饮水型地氟病还是燃煤型地氟病,其病情被控制的监测点数量均增加,重病区监测点数量则明显减少。     

Barrett's oesophagus: an audit of surveillance over a 17-year period

OBJECTIVE: To audit whether our patients with Barrett's oesophagus (BO) enter into our endoscopic surveillance programme and whether they continue with it after entry. We have determined the incidence of oesophageal adenocarcinoma among our surveyed patients. DESIGN: We retrospectively audited prospectively collected data from our BO surveillance programme over the years 1987-2003. SETTING: An inner city teaching hospital. RESULTS: During these years, 466 patients with BO were diagnosed (392 long segment, >or=3 cm), 29 had oesophageal adenocarcinoma at diagnosis, 232 [195 with intestinal metaplasia (IM) on biopsy] had at least one follow-up endoscopy, and 205 have not been re-endoscoped. In 27 out of 205 no IM was present. Of the remaining 178 out of 205 with IM, 30 were within 2 years of diagnosis and 148 have not been re-endoscoped for the following reasons: age (51), non-attendance (35), not referred back by general practitioner (30), non-oesophageal cancer (14), severe concurrent illness (12), death (three), refused follow-up (two), left the area (one). The 195 patients with IM who entered endoscopic surveillance consisted of 108 men and 87 women (aged 62.9 years, range 31-96), were followed for a total of 1068 patient-years (average 5.5 years), and had 556 endoscopies (average 2.9 per patient). Ninety-seven out of 195 patients remain under active endoscopic surveillance but 98 discontinued for the following reasons: age (31), non attendance (21), death (21 including one from oesophageal adenocarcinoma), refused follow up (seven), concurrent illness (six), left the area (four), no IM on repeat biopsies (three). Of the 195 patients with IM, four developed low-grade dysplasia, two high-grade dysplasia and four adenocarcinoma (incidence 0.37%); 178 out of 195 have been maintained on proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of patients with BO either do not enter or do not continue in an endoscopic surveillance programme. This needs to be acknowledged when the workload and cost of BO surveillance programmes are considered. The incidence of adenocarcinoma was low compared with many published series, and we speculate whether this is the result of maintenance PPI therapy.     

Social and medical risk indicators for 8-year mortality in a Swedish urban elderly population

The aim of this study was to identify and evaluate social and medical risk indicators for mortality in an urban elderly population. Altogether 217 subjects (144 women and 73 men, mean age 78 years, range 69-96 years of age) participated in an examination 1990/91. Eighty-eight persons (55 women and 33 men) had died, and 129 subjects (89 women and 40 men) were alive January 1, 1999. Several risk indicators were found and those with the highest statistical explanatory power to predict mortality were: tremor, inability for heavy housework, a pathological second heart sound, low triceps skinfold, low diastolic blood pressure and decreased appetite. A multivariate model (MVM) utililizing both social and medical risk indicators, and a clinical model (CM) based on the judgement of a registered nurse identified 49 and 34%, respectively, of those who died during the 8-year period (n = 88). A third risk group, the intervention group, comprising individuals selected by either the MVM or CM models, identified 56% of those who died. The latter procedure could be used to define risk groups for mortality in future intervention studies. The combination of social and medical risk indicators in MVM, and a CM might be used in studies with larger sample sizes in order to increase the knowledge in this field.     

Hemoglobin E disease in North Indian population: a report of 11 cases

Hemoglobin E (beta26Glu --> Lys) is the most common hemoglobin (Hb) variant in Southeast Asia and the second most prevalent worldwide. However in India, it is prevalent in Bengal and the north-eastern region, but relatively rare in the rest of the country. Identification of this Hb variant is important, because the doubly heterozygous state for HbE and beta-thalassemia is characterized clinically by thalassemia major, a situation different from other compound heterozygous states for structural beta-chain variants and beta-thalassemia. Thus, the affected individual may be symptomatic and transfusion dependent at an early age. This paper reports four cases with Hb E trait, three cases with hemoglobin E disease and another four cases with Ebeta-thalassemia. Laboratory investigations are based on RBC indices and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). A negative correlation has been found to exist between levels of HbA(2) and RBC indices including the MCV and MCH. A similar correlation has been seen between levels of HbF with Hb, RBC count, and MCV. The main aim is to increase the awareness of this relatively rare disorder, so that it can be included in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting clinically like thalassemia intermedia or thalassemia major. This awareness may also help in prenatal diagnosis, genetic counseling and clinical management. The clinical, hematological and laboratory features of this disorder are also discussed.     

Sleep complaints predict coronary artery disease mortality in males: a 12-year follow-up study of a middle-aged Swedish population

OBJECTIVES: Only a few prospective surveys have been performed to investigate the relationship between sleep complaints and coronary artery disease (CAD) mortality. This study was conducted to determine whether sleep complaints in a middle-aged population predicted total mortality and CAD mortality. DESIGN: A population-based prospective study. Setting. The County of Dalarna, Sweden. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In 1983, a random sample of 1870 subjects aged 45-65 years responded to a postal questionnaire (response rate 70.2%) including questions about sleep complaints and various diseases. Mortality data for the period 1983-95 were collected, and Cox proportional hazard analyses were used to examine the mortality risks. RESULTS: At 12-year follow-up 165 males (18.2%) and 101 females (10.5%) had died. After adjustment for a wide range of important putative risk factors, difficulties initiating sleep (DIS) were related to CAD death in males [relative risk (RR), 3.1; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.5-6.3; P < 0.01], but not in females. Short or long sleep duration did not influence risk of CAD mortality or total mortality for either gender. Depression in males increased the risk of death attributed to CAD (RR, 3.0; 95% CI, 1.1-8.4; P < 0.05) and total mortality (RR, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.1-4.5; P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: These results provide evidence that there is an association between difficulties falling asleep and CAD mortality in males.     

Trends of asthma in Mexico: an 11-year analysis in a nationwide institution

STUDY OBJECTIVES: Asthma prevalence is increasing in many countries. Some recent articles, however, claim that this tendency is ending. Our aim was to investigate asthma trends in Mexico. DESIGN: Annual data on health services provided to asthmatic patients were retrospectively analyzed from 1991 to 2001. SETTING: The Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, the largest nationwide medical institution in Mexico (approximately 24 to 32 million insured subjects). PARTICIPANTS: Health services provided to subjects of any age. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Asthma-associated health services, either expressed as absolute number or as rate per insured subjects, progressively increased until 1997 in family physician office visits (FPOVs) [newly diagnosed cases only], emergency department visits (ERVs), and hospital discharges (HDs). From that year onward, the number and rates of asthma-associated health services decreased. The same trends were observed for age groups 0 to 4 years, 5 to 14 years, 15 to 44 years, and 45 to 64 years. Using a different approach, asthma was diagnosed each year in approximately 0.4% of all FPOVs, but a decrease in this percentage was observed from 1997 onward. Likewise, asthma caused increasing percentages of all ERVs and HDs until 1997, followed by a sharp decline thereafter. CONCLUSIONS: A decline in absolute and relative numbers of asthma-associated health services occurred over recent years in all medical settings, suggesting that the epidemic of new asthma cases is ending and/or that better control of the disease has been achieved.     

Functional ability in the elderly Swedish population from 1980 to 2005

Statistics Sweden has interviewed representative samples of the population annually since 1980. This study looks at ages 65–84 (n ≈ 3,000 per year) and presents prevalence rates for functional ability (walking and running ability, vision and hearing, and disability) for different age groups and for men and women. Prevalence rates of functional problems increase with age, for all indicators and for men and women. With the exception of hearing, women have poorer function than men. Different function indicators showed different trends over time. For example, vision (reading text) improved over the studied time period, while hearing (a conversation between two or more people) showed a clear worsening over the time period. Seen over the entire time period 1980–2005, mobility items (running, walking) and disability indicators showed improvement. However, figures suggested that most of this improvement occurred during the 1980s and early 1990s. Regression analyses of the estimated trends up until 1996 show for the most part significant improvement, but this positive development seems to cease after 1996 and in some cases there seems to be a significant upswing in problems. On other hand, for hearing, the negative trend of increased problems seems to have been broken after 1996. Results emphasize the necessity to follow population trends over long periods of time with multiple waves and multiple indicators.

ELISA as an alternative tool for epidemiological surveillance for dengue in mosquitoes: a report from Thailand

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Dengue fever (DF), dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) and dengue shock syndrome (DSS) are the re-emerging infectious diseases caused by the four serotypes of dengue (DEN) virus, type 1 to 4, belonging to the family Flaviviridae and genus Flavivirus. In the absence of a safe and effective mass immunisation, the prevention and control of dengue outbreaks depend upon the surveillance of cases and mosquito vector. The aim of this work is to test enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) tool for the virological surveillance of dengue. METHODS: Virus-infected Aedes mosquitoes were collected from the field in order to serve as an early warning monitoring tool for dengue outbreaks. In a prospective field study conducted from April to September 2000, female adult Aedes mosquitoes were caught from selected dengue-sensitive area in Chombung district, Ratchaburi province and assayed by ELISA. RESULT: Approximately 18.3% were found positive for dengue virus. CONCLUSION: This can imply that ELISA can be an alternative tool for epidemiological surveillance for dengue in mosquitoes.     

IgG antibodies to cytomegalovirus in a normal urban Swedish population

Sera from 1251 individuals in a normal urban Swedish population were investigated with the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for IgG antibodies to cytomegalovirus (CMV). The age of the individuals was from 1-87 yr. The percentage of seropositives increased from 40 in the age group 1-4 yr to 51, 64, 77 and 83 at the ages of 10-19, 20-29, 30-39 and 40-49, respectively. In the older groups 80-100% were seropositive.     

Surgical site infections in cardiac surgery: an 11-year perspective

BACKGROUND: A surgical site infection (SSI) develops in 2% to 5% of patients undergoing operation. We report SSI surveillance at Baystate Medical Center, Springfield, Mass, in coronary artery bypass operation between 1991 and 2001, and demonstrate a substantial decline in SSI rates accomplished with use of multiple intervention strategies. METHODS: Infection documentation used Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) criteria and a postdischarge questionnaire. Infections were stratified by risk class. Strategies used to lower SSI rates included active surveillance and provision of authenticated SSI rate plus surgeon-specific rates. Interventions included outbreak analyses and targeted nasal mupirocin plus chlorhexidine showering. RESULTS: The rate of coronary artery bypass-related SSIs declined from >8% to <2%, comparing extremely favorably with CDC national data. Percentage of infections documented by postdischarge questionnaire was variable and did not change during the study period. Most SSIs were at the harvest site. Routine implementation of nasal mupirocin plus chlorhexidine preoperative showering effectively disrupted an outbreak of Staphylococcus aureus, and statistically decreased rates of postoperative infections with this organism. CONCLUSION: Regular provision of authenticated and verified data, use of postdischarge questionnaires, and careful attention to adverse trends and outbreaks with appropriate actions can substantially decrease rates of infections in coronary artery bypass operation.     

Complications of pediatric EGD: a 4-year experience in PEDS-CORI

BACKGROUND: Available estimates of the incidence and type of complications during pediatric EGD are inconsistent. OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency and the determinants of immediate complications during EGD in children. DESIGN: We conducted a cross-sectional database study. SETTING: The study involved 13 pediatric facilities that use the PEDS-CORI (Pediatric Endoscopy Database System Clinical Outcomes Research Initiative). PATIENTS: Children (0-18 years) who underwent EGD at 13 facilities between November 1999 and December 2003. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: We identified complications (recorded shortly after the procedure) and analyzed their occurrence with respect to procedure indication, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class, sex, age, anesthesia type, and unplanned interventions. RESULTS: We analyzed 10,236 procedures performed in 9234 patients. Immediate complications were reported in 239 procedures (2.3%, 95% confidence interval 2.0%-2.6%). The most common complications were hypoxia (157 [1.5%]) and bleeding (28 [0.3%]). Complication rates were significantly higher in the youngest age group, highest ASA class, female gender, intravenous (IV) sedation group, and in the presence of a fellow. LIMITATIONS: The study is limited by a lack of specific details and explicit criteria for reported complications. CONCLUSIONS: The overall immediate complication rate of pediatric EGD is 2.3%. All complications were nonfatal, and most were hypoxia related (157/239 [66%]) and reversible. Young age, higher ASA class, female sex, and IV sedation are risk factors for developing complications.     

Fungal peritonitis episodes in a peritoneal dialysis centre during a 10-year period: a report of 11 cases

Fungal peritonitis is a rare cause of peritonitis, but it is associated to poorer prognosis and higher mortality than bacterial peritonitis. Until now, predisposing factors and treatment have not been well established. We retrospectively reviewed all the cases of fungal peritonitis diagnosed for ten years in 218 patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis. In all we detected 11 episodes of fungal peritonitis in 11 patients, that means the 4% of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis peritonitis. All the cases of fungal peritonitis were caused by Candida species. As a result of fungal peritonitis 36% of the patients died, 55% had to change to long-term hemodialysis because of failure in peritoneal dialysis technique. Only one case (9%) managed to continue peritoneal dialysis. The factors associated with the development of fungal peritonitis were: the presence of antibiotic use within 1 month before fungal peritonitis, patient older than 70 years old, low levels in albumine plasmatic and long permanence in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis. The treatment consisted in intraperitoneal fluconazol combined with oral 5-flucytosine for 4 to 6 weeks. In the two last cases we associated intravenous caspofungine too. Given that no improvement was seen within 72 hours of treatment, the catheter must be removed in all the cases.     

Contributions of a regional approach to document hematologic disease in Mexico: a 10-year experience in an open population

ABSTRACT

Objectives: To demonstrate the importance of regional efforts to register features and report frequency of hematology diseases in the context of incomplete national registries.

Methods: Frequencies and salient characteristics of hematologic diseases in Northeast Mexico were documented in a reference center at a tertiary care university hospital during the decade 2005–2015. Disease categories were grouped by age, sex and diagnosis. Age group distribution followed WHO guidelines in years as children (0–17), adults (18–64) and elders (+65).

Results: 2406 patients were included: 1239 (51.5%) were females and 1167 (48.5%) males; F:M ratio was 1.06:1; median age was 35 years (0–95). The frequency by age group included adults, 1370 cases (56.9%), children, 695 cases (28.9%), and elderly, 341 (14.2%). Most frequent diagnoses were acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) 18.2% (n?=?438), anemia 15.9% (n?=?383), non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) 15.7% (n?=?378), immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) 9.8% (n?=?235) and Hodgkin’s lymphoma (HL) 6.5% (n?=?156). Median age for the whole cohort was 35 years; for children, was 6 years, for adults 40 and for the elderly 73. Results for ALL, anemia and ITP were comparable to high-income countries; NHL, HL and chronic myeloid leukemia presented a decade earlier.

Discussion: Complete, opportune reliable information on the number of cases, age and sex distribution with the potential to influence strategies for timely diagnosis and treatment options for important hematologic diseases can be accrued by regional centers.

Conclusion: Information on hematology diseases derived of regional registries in low-middle income countries is a reasonable alternative to complement and update national registries.     

Choice of drainage procedure in paediatric pyopericardium: a 30-year experience

Although there is general agreement on the necessity of draining pyopericardium, debate continues as to the safe and effective method of drainage. Studies describing head-to-head comparison of various drainage procedures are very few and are disadvantaged by small numbers of cases. In this observational study, we review our 30-years experience with different techniques of pericardial drainage. Between 1972 and 2003, the authors have personally treated 39 children who suffered from pyopericardium. Among the 22 children who underwent early partial pericardiectomy, 20 were alive. In contrast to this, 12 out of 15 children treated with repeated pericardiocentesis or sub-xiphoid tube drainage were dead. The median hospital stay for pericardiectomy group was 18 days (range 11-32) and that for the non-thoracotomy group was 34 days (range 18-55 days).With regard to immediate survival and early convalescence in the pyopericardium, partial pericardiectomy is superior to pericardiocentesis and sub-xiphoid tube drainage. Pericardiocentesis can be used for diagnostic or temporizing purposes, but not as the definitive drainage procedure. Partial pericardiectomy can be done even in small hospitals where heart-lung machines are not available.     

Obesity and myocardial infarction--vulnerability related to occupational level and marital status. A 23-year follow-up of an urban male Swedish population

BACKGROUND: People, who are single, have a blue-collar job or low income have an increased cardiovascular risk. This study on myocardial infarction sought to explore whether the socio-economic pattern of disease has any relationship with obesity. METHODS: In the cohort are 20,099 middle-aged men of whom 9,150 were manual and 9,190 nonmanual workers and 1,759 were self-employed. A total of 4,081 were single, 16,018 cohabiting. The body mass index (BMI) cut-off values for overweight and obesity were 25-30 and >/=30 kg m-2, respectively. Local and national registers were used to monitor incidence of events over 18 years. RESULTS: Obesity was associated with an increased incidence of coronary events and deaths in each occupational group. Being single significantly increased the risk associated with obesity. After stratification for civil status the risk associated with obesity was limited to those who were single and who either had a blue-collar job or were self-employed. The multivariate-adjusted relative risk (RR) of coronary events and deaths in obese manual workers who were single was 1.91 (95% confidence interval: 1.21-3.02) and 2.54 (1.74-3.69), respectively, times higher than it was amongst those who were cohabiting. Amongst those who were self-employed, the corresponding age-adjusted RRs were 4.79 (1.69-13.57) and 3.80 (1.62-8.93). CONCLUSIONS: Adjusted for lifestyle and biological risk factors, the increased risk of coronary events and death for obese men with manual jobs was applicable only to those who were single. It is concluded that being single significantly increases the cardiovascular risk associated with obesity.