An epidemiological study of haemagglutination in hepatitis

An epidemiological study of 36 U.S. Marines living in a barracks and exposed to infectious hepatitis was made, and the ability of their sera to agglutinate day-old chick erythrocytes was found to be abnormally high in 52.8% of the group. The other groups of American Servicemen similarly exposed showed no such deviation from the normally expected incidence of raised titres. An unexplained, abnormally high incidence of raised titres was found in several control groups. The titres appeared to be unaffected to any significant degree by gamma globulin prophylaxis or yellow fever immunization.     

An epidemiological study of atopy in children

A sample of 930 children, between 9 years and 15 years old from six Italian towns, were studied. Their family history of allergy, personal allergy and medical history, current allergy symptoms, exposure to environmental allergens, feeding as infants, and their parents' occupations were recorded. They were skin-prick tested (SPT) with a range of common allergens. A subject was defined as atopic if at least one SPT caused a weal greater than 3 mm diameter. The association between the recorded information and atopy was investigated by logistic multiple regression. Atopy was positively associated with: high density housing; medium or high exposure to environmental allergens; a history of rhinitis, asthma or atopic eczema; male gender; and a history of breast-feeding. It was independent of infectious diseases, vaccinations and operations, social class and family history. Thus, there was no evidence of a genetic factor in atopy, other than sex.     

北京地区部分人群痛风的流行病学调查

目的调查北京地区部分人群中痛风的患病率并对其相关因素进行分析。方法对2005年9~12月在北京协和医院参加年度体检的国家机关和事业单位人群进行横断面调查,了解该人群中痛风的患病率,并通过logistic多元回归模型分析痛风的相关因素。结果该人群中痛风的患病率为1.0%,其中男性的患病率为1.5%,女性为0.3%。双变量分析和logistic多元回归分析发现男性(OR15.07,95%CI1.79~127.19)、饮用白酒(每周≥7个单位酒精饮品OR4.93,95%CI1.41~17.31)、使用利尿剂(OR6.72,95%CI2.34~19.34)、腹部肥胖(OR4.38,95%CI1.33~14.43)、高胆固醇血症(5.17~6.21mmol/LOR3.63,95%CI1.23~10.67)者痛风的患病率较高,经常食用豆制品(OR0.21,95%CI0.07~0.59)者痛风的患病率较低。结论男性、饮用白酒、使用利尿剂、腹部肥胖、高胆固醇血症可能与痛风的危险性升高相关;经常食用豆制品可能与痛风的危险性降低相关。     

An epidemiological study of histrionic personality disorder

In conjunction with the Epidemiological Catchment Area (ECA) survey conducted in Baltimore, MD, a two-stage probability sample of community subjects was developed with a full psychiatric examination employing DSM-III criteria. This report details the observations on those subjects diagnosed with the DSM-III diagnosis Histrionic Personality Disorder. The results indicate that this condition can be diagnosed reliably and that it is a valid construct. It has a prevalence of 2.1% in a general population. Males and females are equally affected, suggesting that prior reports of an increased prevalence in females was an expression of ascertainment bias found in hospital-based studies. The diagnosis is associated with clear evidence of disturbance in the emotional, behavioural, and social realms. Individuals with this disorder tend to use health care facilities more frequently than others.     

Neuronal ceroid-lipofuscinoses in Italy: An epidemiological study

To establish the incidence of neuronal ceroid-lipofuscinoses (NCL) in Italy, we sent a questionnaire to all Neuropediatric and Child Neuropsychiatric Departments (answer rate 15/34 = 44%). Diagnoses were accepted only when based on firm clinical and/or electron microscopic criteria. We collected 58 cases born between 1966–1991 (2 infantile NCL, 37 late infantile NCL, and 19 juvenile NCL). The incidence was calculated only on patients born between 1974–1984. In this period, the incidence of overall NCL in the Italian population was calculated to be 0.56 per 100,000 live births (0.36 for late infantile NCL, and 0.20 for juvenile NCL). Our data show that infantile NCL is very rare in Italy, and that late infantile seems to be the most frequent form of NCL. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Toxoplasmosis in the Central African Republic. Complementary study in a rural area

The epidemiological survey on the incidence of toxoplasmosis in rural areas of Central African Republic was carried out on a healthy population. The 814 samples came from 5 regions with 4 different climates. About 40% of the adults had IgG antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii except in pre-desert area where only 25% were positive. Girls became positive earlier than boys, but there was no difference between adult men and women except in pre-desert zone where men were more positive.     

An epidemiological study of facial clefting in Manitoba.

The results of an epidemiological survey of facial clefting in the province of Manitoba which covered the years 1964 to 1977, inclusive, are reported. The mean annual incidence of total facial clefts was 2 in 1000 births; the incidence of cleft lip +/- cleft palate (CLP), and of cleft palate (CP), unassociated with a syndrome or two or more major malformations, was 1.05 in 1000 and 0.46 in 1000, respectively. Mennonite infants were over-represented in the CLP group and Amerindian infants in both the CLP and CP groups. These ethnic groups also had more familial cases and showed higher average coefficients of inbreeding. Recurrence rates among sibs were found to be influenced by the presence or absence of additional affected relatives and by the presence of malformations in the proband. It is possible that these latter two variables may not be independent.     

An epidemiological study of digoxin prescribing in general practice

The epidemiology of prescribing long-term digoxin was studied in 241 patients from six group general practices. Each patient was assessed for the initial reason for prescribing digoxin and present clinical status, and the serum digoxin concentration was measured between six and 12 hours after the previous dose.

The results show that digoxin was most commonly prescribed for elderly patients; 90% of patients were aged 60 years or more. The reasons for prescribing digoxin were considered adequate in only 55% of the total group; 71% of the patients were judged to be clinically well and 75% of the 95 patients with atrial fibrillation had ventricular rates of less than 90 beats per minute. `Therapeutic' serum digoxin concentrations (0.8—2.0 ng ml^-1) were observed in only 48% of patients; the level was sub-therapeutic in 46% and potentially toxic in 6%. No clear-cut relationship was found between clinical well-being and serum digoxin concentration. The type of supervision (whether hospital or general practice) did not affect appropriateness of prescribing, clinical well-being or likelihood of achieving a therapeutic serum digoxin level.

This study would suggest the need for critical review of digoxin therapy in all patients who are taking it long-term. In some patients its continuance would appear unnecessary; in others, efficacy may be improved either by dose adjustment or by ensuring compliance. On occasions, particularly in patients with sinus rhythm, measurement of serum digoxin concentrations may prove helpful in this evaluation.

     

An epidemiological study of hepatitis C virus infection in a local district in Japan

Mass screening of anti-HCV in Iyo city, Japan was performed. Sera from 136 subjects were tested for anti-HCV by ELISA (Ortho Diagnostic Inc.). Anti-HCV was positive in 13 subjects (9.6%). The familial study for anti-HCV revealed 2 persons positive for anti-HCV in 2 families each, while only 1 person was positive in each of the 8 other families. Two females were positive for both anti-HCV and HBsAg, and all of their 3 children were negative for anti-HCV and positive for HBsAg. Positive rate of anti-HCV was higher in subjects who had a history of blood transfusion or "Chinese acupuncture" than that in those who did not. These results indicate that not only blood transfusion but also "Chinese acupuncture" and intrafamilial transmission are possible routes of HCV infection. The rate of vertical transmission of HCV is definitely lower than that of HBV.     

Role of branch surgeries in a rural area

Surveys of general practitioners and rural residents were conducted in Norfolk to establish the characteristics of branch surgeries in the district and the patients who use them. The branch surgeries tend to serve an unrepresentative section of patients, predominantly those disadvantaged both in health and personal mobility—those from manual social classes, the elderly and those without cars. While doctors and patients were agreed that lower standards of care are provided in most branch surgeries compared with main surgeries, the evidence suggests that branch surgeries nevertheless meet a social need.     

Rotavirus electrophoretypes in infantile gastro-enteritis. An epidemiological study

From January first 1978 to September 30, 1981, 93 fecal samples from children hospitalized with a rotavirus gastro-enteritis were tested after RNA extraction and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. 14 electrophoretypes (TI--T14) were identified by this technique. They were studied in relation with epidemiological as well as clinical symptoms. No electrophoretype correlated well with age or living area. The electrophoretype T3 was found only in male infants and the electrophoretype T7 was 3 times more frequent in boys than in girls. The electrophoretype T4 was prevailing during the winter 1980-1981 and the electrophoretype T5 prevailed during the summer 1981. 19 infants were probably contaminated during their stay in the hospital, 9 of them with the electrophoretype T4 prevailing at that time. The prevalence of associated otitis and rash was significantly higher with the electrophoretype T3. The polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis technique appears to be a simple, and reliable epidemiological tool to evaluate rotavirus infection in communities.     

Hymenolepis diminuta in a child from rural area

We report a rare case of Hymenolepis diminuta infection in a 12-year-old girl from a rural area of Devghar.     

Trachoma in the Sabou area (Burkina Faso). An epidemiological investigation]

Little is known about the epidemiology of trachoma in the Mossi plateau of Burkina Faso and the recent drought could have modified the transmission of the disease. A study population of 82,187 was surveyed using a cluster sample technique. A total of 1,841 people in 108 compounds were included in 18 villages. Data concerning trachoma were collected during six weeks of fieldwork in July 1991, during which local health workers were trained in trachoma and primary health care in ophthalmology. Active trachoma prevalence rises in infancy to reach a peak of about 13% (95% CI 3-23) in the 2 to 5 years old age groups, and then falls to less than 2% prevalence in 30 to 49 age group. Trachoma scarring is almost non-existent and trichiasis was not seen. Active disease was significantly more prevalent in female (prevalence ratio = 1.97, 95% CI: 1.34-2.90) and this difference was present from the age of 3 years. Active trachoma above the age of 30 was more likely to be intense than follicular (p < 0.001, Fisher's exact test). Because of a low prevalence of active disease and because trichiasis is absent, trachoma is not a major health problem in the Sabou area, Burkina Faso. Girls are more affected by active disease than boys and inflammatory trachoma in adults are usually intense in this setting.