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Biomedical subjects

G Axelsson

Publications and source records attributed to G Axelsson.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Shift work, nitrous oxide exposure, and spontaneous abortion among Swedish midwives.

OBJECTIVES: To study the relation between irregular work hours, nitrous oxide (N2O) exposure, and the risk of spontaneous abortion. METHODS: All 3985 female members of the Swedish Midwives Association in 1989, born in 1940 or later, received a questionnaire on exposure before and during all of their pregnancies. Questions on work conditions covered occupation, extent of employment, workplace, work schedules, use of anaesthetics, and work load. The association between exposure variables and spontaneous abortion was analysed by logistic regression models. RESULTS: Night work and three shift schedules among midwives showed increased odds ratios (ORs) (95% confidence intervals (95% CI)) 1.63 (0.95-2.81) and 1.49 (0.86-2.59), respectively. The ORs of late spontaneous abortions (after the 12th week of pregnancy) was increased for night work 3.33 (1.13-9.87). Use of N2O (> 50% of the deliveries) was not associated with increased risk of spontaneous abortion OR 0.95 (0.62-1.47). Frequent or permanent shortage of staff was related to an increased risk of spontaneous abortions before the 13th week of pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS: The results support the hypothesis that night work and high work load increase the risk of spontaneous abortion.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗
PubMed1995

Comparison of oral health data from self-administered questionnaire and clinical examination.

In order to assess the validity of self-reported oral health data 319 subjects randomly selected from the respondents to an oral health survey were examined clinically. The level of agreement between the two methods of examination was estimated by the kappa statistic. Substantial agreement (kappa = 0.65) was found between the reported and observed number of remaining teeth and the difference between underreporting and overreporting was small. The results indicate that valid data for planning purposes and for monitoring changes in such oral health indicators as the proportion of individuals having 28 or more teeth, the proportion of subjects having a minimum of 20 functional teeth, the level of edentulousness and the presence of complete and partial dentures, can be obtained from postal questionnaires.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Edentulousness in Iceland in 1990. A national questionnaire survey.

Levels of edentulousness were established for seven age groups by means of self-administered questionnaires. The percentage of edentulousness in the Icelandic adult population (18 years and over) was 20.7%. Edentulousness was first reported in the 35- to 44-year-olds and increased rapidly with age. Women had a higher level of edentulousness than men, and the percentage of edentulous people in Reykjavík was significantly lower than in towns, villages, and rural areas. The proportion of edentulous 35- to 44-year-olds and those 65 years old or older was significantly lower than in a similar study in 1985. The percentage of 18- to 79-year-old edentulous Icelanders in 1990 decreased considerably from the results of a national survey on oral health performed in 1962, mainly as a result of a major reduction of edentulousness in the younger age groups and among women.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Reduced mite allergen levels in dwellings with mechanical exhaust and supply ventilation.

Seventy similar bungalows constructed between 1968 and 1970 in the same suburban area of Stockholm were investigated regarding the content of house dust mite allergen, absolute indoor humidity, type of ventilation and basement construction. Houses with mechanical exhaust and supply ventilation had an indoor humidity above 7 g/kg less often than houses without this type of ventilation (Odds ratio 0.1, 95% confidence interval 0.0-0.2). Furthermore, only five of the 24 houses with exhaust and supply ventilation contained mattress dust mite allergen concentrations exceeding the median value (98.5 ng/g) compared with 30 of 46 hours which did not have such ventilation (odds ratio = 0.1, C.I. 0.0-0.5). Houses with both natural ventilation and crawl space basement harboured significantly less mattress mite allergen than houses having the same type of ventilation, but with a concrete slab basement. In a cold temperature climate, type of building construction and ventilation seem to be important for the occurrence of house dust mite allergens in dwellings. Our results indicate that modern energy-efficient houses should be equipped with mechanical exhaust and supply ventilation to reduce indoor air humidity during the dry winter months and the risk of mite infestation.

Air Pollution, Indoor↗
PubMed1993

Serum C-reactive protein in the differential diagnosis of acute meningitis.

The ability of serum C-reactive protein (S-CRP) to differentiate between acute bacterial and viral meningitis was evaluated in 235 patients, both children and adults. The patients underwent lumbar puncture due to suspected central nervous system (CNS) infection. In patients with bacterial meningitis, 7/60 (12%) had S-CRP concentrations below 50 mg/l. Of these patients, 4 were children below 6 years of age, all with symptoms of meningitis for less than 12 h before admission and 3 adults of whom 1 had symptoms of meningitis for less than 12 h. In patients with viral meningitis, 15/146 (10%) had S-CRP concentrations above 50 mg/l. Only 3 children below 6 years of age with viral meningitis had S-CRP concentration above 20 mg/l, but none exceeded 50 mg/l. An S-CRP value above 50 mg/l in patients with CSF pleocytosis usually indicates bacterial etiology. However, S-CRP values above 50 mg/l may occasionally be seen in viral meningitis. In children younger than 6 years of age a discriminatory level for S-CRP of 20 mg/l can be used to distinguish between bacterial and viral meningitis, but for older patients a discriminatory level of 50 mg/l is more appropriate. If the duration of the illness is less than 12 h, S-CRP concentrations below the discriminatory levels are of limited diagnostic value.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1991

[The ability of elderly institutionalized pensioners in Reykjavik in maintaining and carrying out oral hygiene procedures in 1984].

In 1984 a random sample of 400 institutionalized old-age pensioners, 67 years and older, was interviewed on oral hygiene habits. Complete denture cleanliness was also studied by using a plaque detector to disclose plaque on the fitting surface of the maxillary denture. Based on the distribution of plaque a grading system using three categories (excellent, fair, poor) was applied to indicate complete denture cleanliness. About 94% of dentulous and 88.7% of edentulous respondents claimed that they were able to take care of their oral hygiene themselves. The proportion of dentulous subjects that cleaned their teeth at least once a day was 66.7%. A great majority (92.4%) of edentulous pensioners reported that they cleaned their complete dentures once a day or more often and women cleaned their dentures more frequently than men. Nevertheless cleanliness was graded excellent in only 14.4% of the complete dentures. This seems to indicate a need for increased education on the importance of a good oral hygiene and that institutionalized pensioners should receive more help with their daily oral hygiene.

Aged↗
PubMed1991

[Institutionalized elderly in Reykjavik in 1984. Their opinions of dental visits, need for dental service and possible changes in dental service and third party payments].

In 1984 an investigation was done among a random sample of 400 old-age pensioners, 67 yrs, and older, who were either inmates of old people's residential or nursing homes or long-term patients in geriatric departments at the hospitals in Reykjavík. A dentist asked all participants standardised questions, among which were: questions concerning dental visiting habits; opinion on the dental public health system; subjective estimation on own need for dental services; opinion on the services rendered by the dental profession; and refunds of dental fees by the public health system. During the last twelve month period only 16.6% had visited a dentist and 34% had not gone to a dentist for more than 20 years. Of those who had made use of dental services during the last 5-10 years, 79.6% said they were satisfied. Barely 75% considered themselves in need of dental services, and 67.6% claimed that they would not seek dental services more frequently if they were made available in the institution, or if free transportation were available to the dentist's office. Only 35.9% said that they would make use of free dental checkups, while 82.2% however were in favour of free health services for old age pensioners. For statistical analysis chi-square at 5% level was used, comparing the answers by sex, age, and institution. There was no statistically significant difference with the exception of difference between institutions with regard to a question of free dental services (0.005 less than p less than 0.01). This question however did not give a significant difference between the sexes or the two different age groups.

Aged↗
PubMed1990

Use of questionnaires in a study of spontaneous abortion in a general population.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: The aim was to evaluate the appropriateness of postal questionnaires in studies of spontaneous abortion in a general population. DESIGN: Survey of spontaneous abortions by comparing diagnoses reported in questionnaires to information collected from hospital records and a discharge register. SETTING: The study took place in the general community. PARTICIPANTS: The study involved a random sample of 1400 women born between 1935 and 1960, living in two towns in the south west of Sweden. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: 9% of spontaneous abortions among respondents were not reported in the questionnaire, and 31% were missing in the register; 80% of the spontaneous abortions reported in the questionnaire could be verified in hospital records, and a further 7% were mentioned in the records but not certified by a doctor; 97% of the diagnoses received by the women who had answered affirmatively to two complementary questions on spontaneous abortions could be found in the records. CONCLUSIONS: Postal questionnaires can be used in epidemiological studies of spontaneous abortions, among a general population as well as among occupational groups.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗
PubMed1990

[Incidence and estimated need for complete dentures in elderly inhabitants in nursing homes and long-term patients in hospital geriatric units in Reykjavik in 1984].

In 1984 prevalence and objective and subjective need for complete dentures was investigated in a random sample of 400 old-age pensioners, 67 years and older, who were either inmates of old people's residential or nursing homes or long term patients in geriatric departments of the hospitals in Reykjavík. Complete upper and lower dentures were worn by 80.5% of the inmates, a complete maxillary denture alone by 7.5% and a complete mandibular denture alone by 0.5%. Prevalence of denture wearing was significantly higher in females than males and higher in those who, before admission to the institutions, lived in Reykjavík or other towns and villages rather than in inmates coming from rural districts. The difference between estimated objective (58%) and subjective (19.2%) need for complete dentures was great.

Aged↗
PubMed1989

Outcome of pregnancy in women engaged in laboratory work at a petrochemical plant.

The aim of the investigation was to study whether laboratory work or other types of chemical work at one petrochemical plant were associated with an increased risk for miscarriage or reduced birthweight. The study was based on questionnaire data for 95% of the women working at the plant between 1973 and 1987. A statistically significant difference between observed and expected number of miscarriages (p less than 0.05) was seen during the period 1970-1974 among women working in one of the laboratories during the first trimester. No suspicions could be raised against any specific chemical as a cause of the unsuccessful pregnancies. The results do not indicate the presence of an increased risk today.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗
PubMed1989

Outcome of pregnancy in relation to irregular and inconvenient work schedules.

The relation between irregular and inconvenient working hours and the outcome of pregnancy was studied among women employed at a hospital in Sweden some time between 1980 and 1984. A questionnaire was distributed to 807 women; 81% replied. The pregnancies were divided into six groups with respect to work schedules during pregnancy. A slightly, but not significantly, increased risk of miscarriage was found in women who worked irregular hours or rotating shifts compared with women who worked only during the day (RR = 1.44, 95% confidence interval 0.83-2.51). Infants of non-smoking mothers who worked irregular hours had significantly lower birth weights than infants of non-smoking women working day time only. This difference was largest at birth order 2+. Similar results were found for infants of this birth order whose non-smoking mothers worked evenings or rotating shift.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗