Risk factors of type 2 diabetes among Korean adults: The 2001 Korean national health and nutrition examination survey

This study aimed to identify risk factors for type 2 diabetes (T2D) in Korea, a rapidly changing country. Data of 5,132 adults aged 20-85 were used from the 2001 Korean Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Multiple logistic regression was carried out to identify risk factors for T2D. Three models were specified: (i) socioeconomic and demographic factors (model 1: age, gender, education, poverty income ratio, employment), (ii) behavioral risk factors and covariates (model 2: obesity, physical activity, smoking, alcohol drinking, dietary quality, family history of T2D, co-morbidity) and (iii) socioeconomic, demographic, and behavioral factors (model 3). The prevalence of T2D was 7.4%. Less education (OR 1.41, 95% CI 1.08-1.84), age (OR 2.19, 95% CI 1.56-3.08 in 40-59 yrs, OR 4.05, 95% CI 2.76-5.95 in 60 yrs + comparing to 20-39 yrs) and abdominal obesity (OR 2.24, 95% CI 1.79-2.82) were risk factors for T2D even after controlling for other factors simultaneously. There was a significant association of T2D with ever smoking (OR 1.34, 95% CI 1.06-1.67). The relationship of age with T2D was modified by gender in model 1 and the relationship of smoking with T2D was modified by obesity in model 2. Less educated, older, obese or ever smokers were more likely to have T2D. Gender mediated the relationship of age, and obesity mediated the relationship of smoking, with T2D. Intervention programs for T2D in Korea should take the interactions among risk factors into account.     

Practice of orthokeratology by a group of contact lens practitioners in Hong Kong

Purpose: The aim of the study was to provide information about the characteristics of three main types of orthokeratology (ortho‐k) lenses used in Hong Kong and to report on their performance based on the clinical impressions of a group of ortho‐k practitioners. Method: Twelve ortho‐k practitioners were interviewed between 1 March and 30 June 2001. Results: Most ortho‐k lenses were ordered from three manufacturers: DreimLens, Fargo and Contex. The median maximum myopia reduction reported for DreimLens, Contex and Fargo lenses were 6.25 D, 6.00 D and 4.50 D respectively. The time to reduce myopia by up to 4.00 D could be up to three weeks for Contex and DreimLens and up to four weeks for Fargo. For reduction of myopia by up to 4.00 D, the treatment usually required only one or two lenses per eye for all three types of lenses. The incidence of lens binding and lens tightening after achieving the optimal reduction was reported to be higher with the DreimLens design. Good centration, less lens binding, relatively lower incidence of complications and lens tightening after achieving the optimal reduction were reported with the Fargo lenses. Conclusions: DreimLens tended to be more effective for myopia reduction. However, some practitioners were concerned with the aggressiveness of myopia reduction using this lens design and the higher potential for ocular complications. Selection of the lens design is dependent on various factors, in particular, practitioners need to be comfortable with the design they choose and to consider the needs of their patients and the final goal of the treatment.     

广东省输精管绝育技术应用状况调查

为分析影响输精管结扎术推广应用技术因素,了解基层手术点的手术质量,1994年～1995年对23个基层手术点作现场调查,发现影响男性结扎手术质量的一些因素,例如部分基层手术点操作不规范,未能按《节育手术常规》操作,手术管理制度不够严格。建议:①加强男性结扎术操作规范化的培训。②推广新型的手术消毒剂和先进的操作方法。③重视心理咨询和心理护理。④强调节育效果是手术质量的主要指际。⑤完善手术管理制度。     

Nationwide investigations of intestinal obstruction in Japan

Two nationwide questionnaire surveys of intestinal obstruction in Japan were undertaken, covering two two-year periods, from January, 1975 to December, 1976 and from January, 1985 to December, 1986, respectively. The findings of a comparative review of these two surveys indicated that although the overall mortality of intestinal obstruction had not changed between 1975/76 and 1985/86, being 6.8 per cent and 6.5 per cent, respectively, simple adhesive obstruction had decreased from 3.2 per cent in 1975/76 to 2.0 per cent in 1985/86. The main cause of adhesion was laparotomy and in cases of both simple adhesive obstruction and strangulated adhesive obstruction, the rate of adhesion secondary to laparotomy of the upper gastrointestinal tract and colon and rectum had increased between 1975/76 and 1985/86. Obstructions caused by neoplasms had increased from 8.2 per cent in 1975/76 to 10.0 per cent in 1985/86, while those caused by adhesions had incresed further still, from 42.5 per cent in 1975/76 to 60.8 per cent in 1985/86. Among the latter group, nonoperatively treated cases had increased, which may be accounted for by the fact that facilities which adopt non-operative treatment using intestinal decompression as the first choice for simple adhesive obstruction cases have increased. In both surveys, the mortality of cases receiving nonoperative treatment was lower than that of operative cases.     

我国丙型和戊型肝炎人群流行病学调查及流行因素的研究

为阐明丙型和戊型肝炎在我国的流行严重度和流行规律，采用描述流行病学、血清流行病学和分子流行病学相结合的研究方法，对两型肝炎的流行特征和流行因素进行了研究。结果发现；一般人群调查近９万人丙型肝炎和戊型肝炎的流行率各为２．２％和９．７％，散 生病毒性肝炎感染比率各为２．１５％和１６．４％。丙型肝炎在我国主要经血传播，与血液接触密切人群中ＨＣＶ感染率高达５０－７０％，慢性化比比例高达４０－６０％，目前供     

0～5岁儿童睡眠时间流行病学调查

目的:了解成都市0～5岁儿童不同年龄阶段的睡眠时间及其影响因素。方法:采用随机抽样的方法抽取成都市2个城区1276例儿童,对其家长或看护人进行睡眠状况的问卷调查。结果:成都市0～5岁儿童白天睡眠时间和总的睡眠时间随年龄增加逐渐减少,不同性别间睡眠时间无显著差别;影响睡眠时间的主要因素有儿童年龄、喂养方式、入睡方式以及母亲年龄和睡眠总时间等。结论:目前成都市小年龄阶段儿童睡眠时间较少,需引起重视;对儿童睡眠时间影响较大的主要是社会环境因素,从小培养良好的睡眠习惯和良好的睡眠环境是保证儿童充足睡眠的重要前提。     

Development and reproducibility of a tool to assess school food-purchasing practices and lifestyle habits of Australian primary school-aged children

Objective: To describe the development and reproducibility of a self‐report instrument, for use with children in years 4–6, to identify sources of food eaten during the day, and type and frequency of food purchases at school. Design: Tool development stages included formulation of content and format, expert review, piloting and a test–retest study. Subjects/setting: The pilot study included school students (n = 20) in years 4 and 5 (seven girls, mean age 9.7 ± 0.7 years) attending an Australian public primary school. The test–retest study was performed in a large metropolitan public primary school (n = 245 children, 52% female, mean age 10.7 ± 0.91 years) including children from years 4 (n = 88), 5 (n = 84) and 6 (n = 73). Statistical analysis: A Kappa statistic was used to assess level of agreement between the two time periods separated by 1 week. The results were analysed using SAS version 8.2 with each question compared at time 1 and 2. Results: The mean kappa was 0.529 using pairings from 17 questions. Values ranged from 0.18 to 0.71 (CI 0.46–0.60). Conclusions and applications: The School Eating Habits and Lifestyle Survey has been developed and pilot‐tested in primary school‐aged children and shown to have moderate stability over time. The results show that each phase of development, particularly those spent in consultation and testing, led to progressive improvement of this instrument. This process improved the quality of information produced and gave insights to self‐report of dietary intake and behaviours among children.     

卵巢浆液性肿瘤几种形态测量指标的比较

应用体视学方法对卵巢浆液性肿瘤进行研究，从定量的角度对卵巢良性、交界性及恶性肿瘤的五项指标进行比较，包括（１）细胞核长短轴之比；（２）结缔组织间质与上皮细胞体积密度之比；（３）细胞核与细胞浆体积密度之比（核浆比）；（４）细胞核平均直径；（５）乳头的上皮厚度。结果表明恶性肿瘤核浆体积密度比明显高于交界性及良性肿瘤（ｐ＜０．０１）；恶性肿瘤结缔组织间质与上皮细胞体积密度之比明显小于交界性及良性肿瘤（Ｐ＜０．０１）。     

AIDS: Awareness and blood handling practices of health care workers in Lagos,Nigeria

A questionnaire survey of 260 health care workers from 13 randomly selected health care facilities was undertaken. Their knowledge, attitude, belief and blood handling practices regarding HIV/AIDS were enquired about. Virtually all (99.0%) respondents had heard about AIDS but only 57.0% had seen an AIDS patient before. Although 83.0% knew that AIDS is caused by a virus, a high proportion still confuses mode of transmission with causative agent. Deficient knowledge was exhibited when asked about groups of people who were at a higher risk of contracting HIV and AIDS: Only 54.6% and 51.5% identified homosexuals and IV drug users as being at a higher risk. Almost all (97.0%) of our respondents claimed to have been more careful in their blood handling practices since the emergence of AIDS, 68.5% wore gloves for all procedures involving handling of blood and 28.5% sometimes although as many as 30.4%, 40.4% and 18.1% do not wear gloves for cleaning up blood stained materials, nursing procedures and taking obstetric delivery respectively. It was evident from their responses that not all the health workers knew the correct method for disposing of used bloodstained instruments and left-over blood samples and neither were they all adhering to the safety guidelines recommended for handling these materials. Education of all health care workers in Nigeria on the Universal Precautions Guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in 1987 regarding blood, body fluids and contaminated instruments' handling precautions is urgently recommended.     

The'Lightspeed'preparation technique evaluated by Swiss clinicians after attending continuing education courses

This survey evaluated acceptance of the Lightspeed canal preparation (LS) technique by Swiss practitioners. The technique was introduced to Switzerland inJune 1994and 10 other continuing education (CE) courses were held at the Zurich Dental School by July 1995. Acceptance was assessed by posting questionnaires to the CE course attendees. Of the 305 questionnaires posted, 177 (58%) were returned. Of the CE participants 80% had used the technique with 60% finding the method easier and 43% finding it quicker than their usual preparation techniques. Of the respondents 58% used the technique on all tooth types and 76% of the LS users had fractured an instrument at least once. Amongst others, fractures were caused by too much pressure (25%), incorrect insertion angles (17%) and by a complicated root morphology (15%). Fractures occurred high up on the instrument shaft (74%) and near the tip (7%). Working lengths were claimed by 62% to be easier to maintain by LS than their usual preparation techniques. Among the respondents 52% obturated LS prepared canals more easily and quickly compared with their usual preparation techniques. Only 10% of LS users would not recommend the technique, but those who would suggested that proper tuition was necessary to minimize the risk of instrument fracture. The LS technique was positively assessed by clinicians who attended the CE courses in Switzerland where endodontics is not accepted as a speciality