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Biomedical subjects

G Haidinger

Publications and source records attributed to G Haidinger.

47 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

[Effect of dexfenfluramine on eating behavior and body weight of obese patients: results of a field study of Isomeride in Austrian general practice].

In a multicenter study by 243 practicing physicians in Austria 819 severely obese subjects of both sexes without overt disease were encouraged to keep a calorie-restricted diet to reduce weight. After a run-in period of more than two weeks of dieting patients started taking 15 mg dexfenfluramine (Isomeride) twice daily for three month. While their weight was fairly stable during the run-in period progressive weight loss occurred during taking dexfenfluramine due to obvious changes in eating habits and appetite allowing to keep the reducing diet more strictly. Females lost 7.7 +/- 3.9 kg while obese men lost 9.32 +/- 4.6 kg. Laboratory tests obtained before starting dexfenfluramine and after 3 months at termination of medication showed blood glucose, cholesterol, LDL and triglycerides to decrease while HDL-cholesterol increased moderately. Dexfenfluramine was well tolerated by the majority of patients. Side effects such as fatigue, sedation, flatulence or diarrhea occurred in only 7.9% of the probands initially and dropped to 2.1% during the third month of the medication. It is concluded that Dexfenfluramine modifies eating habits and appetite thus making weight reducing diets easier acceptable and resulting in weight loss. It is suggested that Dexfenfluramine has a role in treatment regimes for morbid and refractory obesity.

Adult↗

[Epidemiologic development of AIDS in Austria].

AIDS statistics as released by the Austrian Health Authorities refer to the notification date of the disease, but not the time of diagnosis which is essential for descriptive analysis. We present for the first time data on the exact time of diagnosis of, and death from AIDS. Between 1981 and 1992 altogether 899 AIDS cases were registered (747 men, 152 women), of whom 547 persons have already died (462 men, 85 women). At present there are 352 patients with AIDS in Austria (285 men, 67 women). The incidence, prevalence, and mortality rates of AIDS in Austria, both in absolute and relative (per 100,000 men/women 1990) figures are presented in a table.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

[Perspective in the incidence of Alzheimer's disease in Austria by the year 2050].

Population projections of the Austrian Central Statistical Office show a dramatic increase in the proportion of people of 65 years of age and over in Austria by the year 2050. Since this population group is at higher risk to develop Alzheimer's disease (AD/SDAT), it will be necessary to modify the currently available facilities for social and medical care to meet this increasing demand. Based on official demographic data and epidemiological findings of the "Eurodem" group, our computations show that the number of persons with AD/SDAT aged 65 or over will rise from 48,000 at present to over 113,500 in 2050 (1990: 614/100,000, 2050: 1505/100,000 persons of the total population), equivalent to an increase of 140%. By forecasting the number of persons affected, it should be possible to intensify (and in some areas introduce) long-term health planning with respect to the social, financial and medical care of aged, demented people in Austria.

Aged↗

[Smoking rooms in Austrian schools--results of 2 questionnaires in the years 1987 and 1989].

To determine the number of schools offering smoking facilities to the attending pupils, questionnaires concerning smoking-rooms were sent to all schools with pupils over 16 years of age. The study was conducted in 1987 and 1989 to get information on changes, as well as on the present state of affairs. In 10.2% of Austrian schools smoking-rooms are offered. This number has increased substantially since 1987 (6.0% of all schools). The percentage of schools offering such facilities is highest in Vienna (smoking-rooms for pupils in 29.7% of schools). The type of school with most smoking-rooms is the high school known as "Allgemeinbildende höhere Schule, AHS" (28.3% of AHS offer smoking-rooms). Independent of the presence of smoking facilities, 80% of Austrian schools take action against smoking, predominantly by organizing information campaigns.

Adolescent↗

[Epidemiologic progression of dementia diseases in Austria until the year 2050].

Population projections of the Austrian Central Statistical Office show a dramatic increase of the proportion of people of 65 years of age and over in Austria until the year 2050. Since this population group is at higher risk to develop dementia, it will be necessary to suitably modify the presently available facilities for social and medical care to meet this increasing demand. Based on official demographic data and epidemiological findings of the "Eurodem"-group (12) our computations show that the number of demented persons, aged 65 or over, will rise from presently 80,000 to over 189,000 in 2050 (1990: 1,023/100,000, 2050: 2,509/100,000 persons of the total population), equivalent to an increase by 140%. By forecasting the number of persons affected, it should be possible to intensify (and in some areas introduce) long-term health planning in respect of aged people, dementia and social, financial and medical care in Austria.

Aged↗

[Cholesterol screening in schools--initial results].

Screening for cardiovascular risk factors was performed in November 1988 among 236 school children in Sölden (Tyrol/Austria). 77.5 per cent of the children had a raised blood cholesterol (greater than or equal to 160 mg/dl = 4.14 mmol/l), and 36.4 per cent a high cardiovascular risk (cholesterol greater than 190 mg/dl = 4.91 mmol/l). The mean cholesterol level for boys was 175.4 mg/dl (4.54 mmol/l), and for girls 186.9 mg/dl (4.83 mmol/l). All children with cholesterol greater than or equal to 160 mg/dl were sent to their general practitioner for follow up.

Adolescent↗

The prevalence of smoking in Austria.

BACKGROUND: A population-based cross-sectional study was performed to assess smoking prevalence in Austria and to compare the results with data from 1986. METHODS: A representative sample of Austrians (n = 2,400) who in 1995 were > or = 15 years of age was obtained. A total of 2,065 respondents were interviewed about their smoking habits. RESULTS: Approximately 31% of the population age > or = 15 are regular cigarette smokers, 12% are former smokers, 6% smoke occasionally, and 51% have never smoked. Among males, the prevalence of regular smoking increases with age and reaches its highest level between the ages of 25 and 34. The age distribution among female regular smokers shows a similar pattern, peaking in the same age group (35.7% smokers). No significant differences in smoking prevalence were found according to monthly household income, years of school, and number of inhabitants at place of residence. At the time of interview 45.7% of male and 20.9% of female regular smokers consumed > 20 cigarettes per day. Compared with data from 1986 the prevalence of regular smokers increased from 18.1 to 24.2% among females and from 35.5 to 38.9% among males. CONCLUSIONS: Smoking prevalence increased in Austria between 1986 and 1995 by 33.7% among females and by 9.6% among males. Patterns of smoking among females (prevalence and cigarettes per day) are approaching those of males.

Adolescent↗

[Therapy of cancers from the viewpoint of the Austrian population].

The aim of this study was to survey the level of knowledge of the Austrian population about cancer treatment and to explore the ratings of the respondents concerning the importance of different modalities of treatment. A representative sample of Austrians > or = 15 years of age (n = 2073) was interviewed. Out of the respondents 94% claim that they have heard or read about chemotherapy. With regard to surgery and radiotherapy, this is stated by 83% and 73%, respectively. Hormonal therapy, immunotherapy and complementary therapy are known by a much smaller percentage (34% and less), whereas 52% claim that they have heard about homeopathy as a form of cancer treatment. The self-assessment of knowledge shows that 64% of all respondents state to have some knowledge about chemotherapy (surgery: 45%, radiotherapy: 26%). Persons with limited formal education report to have a lower level of knowledge. Surgery is rated to be the most important regimen, followed by chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Respondents with some knowledge about a certain treatment give higher ratings concerning the importance of this modality. The survey shows that a high percentage of the Austrian population has heard or read about chemotherapy and claims to have some knowledge about it. Especially the latter is not found for other treatments. Surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy are seen as the most important modalities of treatment. Individuals with a low level of education constitute an especially important target group for information about cancer treatment.

Adolescent↗

Genetic polymorphisms of CYP1A1 and GSTM1 and lung cancer risk.

Susceptibility to lung cancer may, in part, be determined by interindividual differences in the cytochrome P450-catalysed bioactivation and the glutathione S-transferase-catalysed detoxification of procarcinogens. Therefore a lung cancer case-control study was set up to investigate the association of three polymorphisms of the CYP1A1 gene (CYP1A1*2A, CYP1A1*2B, CYP1A1*4) and GSTM1*0 genotype with lung cancer risk in Austrian Caucasians. Genomic DNA was isolated from the peripheral blood lymphocytes of 134 male lung cancer patients and 134 age-matched controls with nonmalignant conditions and PCR-based analyses were performed. There was no significant difference in risk between cases and controls, either for the CYP1A1*2A (OR=1.09, 95%CI=0.46-2.58), CYP1A1*2B (OR=1.09, 95%CL=0.46-2.58) or for the CYP1A1*4 polymorphism (OR=0.49, 95%CL=0.20-1.16). The prevalence of the GSTM1*0 genotype in the lung cancer group (47.8%) was comparable to that found in the control group (49.3%) and also had no effect on lung cancer risk (OR=0.94, 95%CL=0.54-1.57). Further, in a subgroup of male ever-smokers (n=126), no significant influence on the relative risk was found for these polymorphisms. Our results suggest that these investigated polymorphisms can not be considered as genetic susceptibility markers for lung cancer within the Austrian Caucasian population.

Adenocarcinoma↗