Smoking behavior among participants in the nurses' health study.

We analyzed smoking behavior of 91,651 married female nurses, aged 30-55 years in 1976. The prevalence of smoking was similar among all birth cohorts. The largest percentage increase in starting to smoke occurred between ages 15 and 25 years; by age 25, 50 per cent had started smoking. The cessation rate was lowest in earlier birth cohorts and among nurses starting to smoke at earlier ages. The cessation rate increased substantially between 1963-73 compared with the period 1948-58.     

Clustering of autoimmune disease in parents of siblings from the Type 1 diabetes Warren repository.

AIMS: Autoimmune disorders co-exist in the same individuals and in families, implying a shared aetiology. The aim of this study was to compare the prevalence of the common autoimmune diseases in the parents of siblings from the Type 1 diabetes Warren repository with the general population. METHODS: Between 1989 and 1996, 505 British families with at least two siblings affected by Type 1 diabetes were recruited. Clinical information was collected regarding the presence of autoimmune disease in the parents and the prevalence of disease in the parents was compared with that expected in the general population. RESULTS: The prevalence of autoimmune disease in the parents was significantly higher in the repository compared with that expected in the general population [P-value = 1.98 x 10(-5) (female), P-value = 1.1 x 10(-8) (male)]. Type 1 diabetes was recorded in 63/1010 (6.2%) parents with a marked paternal preponderance (9.5 vs. 3%P = 0.002). Other autoimmune diseases affected 27% of parents with diabetes and 13.2% of parents without diabetes (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: These data confirm the importance of family history as a significant risk factor for the development of Type 1 diabetes and support the hypothesis that the common autoimmune diseases share at least some aetiological mechanisms.     

Diabetes in sex offenders

Thirteen diabetic male sex offenders were compared to 13 nondiabetic sex offenders matched on age, education and offense type. A standard battery of tests administered in the assessment of sex offenders was used to compare the two groups. The tests examine sexual history and preference, substance abuse, violence, personality, and neuropsychological impairment. Results showed that diabetics more often than controls complained of impotence and were nonresponders during phallometric testing. Diabetics, as adults, tended to have less sexual experience with adults and more with pubescent females. The two groups did not differ in number of sexual or nonsexual offenses. The diabetics reported more problems controlling their emotions and more often than controls presented in assessment with inappropriate and/or aggressive behavior and poor cooperation. MMPI results showed diabetics to have more overall clinical disturbance than controls including anxiety, health concerns, family problems, authority problems, criminality, confused thinking and ruminating. Diabetics and controls did not differ in reported frequency of violent behavior but the diabetics responded more extremely, given the circumstances. Diabetics tended to show more violence to their own children. The role of diabetes in the relapse cycle model of offending is discussed.     

Neonatal mortality amongst Scottish preterm singleton births (1985–1994)

Objective To provide a valid estimate of singleton neonatal mortality based on birthweight and gestational age at delivery.
Design Record linkage of maternity data and neonatal mortality data.
Setting Scotland, UK.
Population All singleton preterm deliveries from 24 to 36 weeks inclusive between 1985 and 1994.
Main outcome measure Neonatal death.
Results There were 625,646 liveborn singleton deliveries over the study period, of which 33,912 were preterm (5.4%). The overall neonatal mortality in the preterm group was 41/1000 and the data have been presented by both gestational age and birthweight. The neonatal mortality rate fell with advancing gestation from 795/1000 live births at 24 weeks to 9/1000 live births at 36 weeks and was higher at the extremes of birthweight for a given gestational age. There was a significant increase in the proportion of babies delivered iatrogenically over the study period (χ test for trend   P < 0.001  ).
Conclusion This is the largest recent series to consider neonatal mortality using both birthweight and gestational age. These figures will be of use in obstetric management when elective preterm delivery is considered, and for providing prognostic guidance following preterm delivery.