PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

H L Rieder

Publications and source records attributed to H L Rieder.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

[Hospitalization of tuberculosis patients in Swiss hospitals in 1990].

Despite a wide spectrum of efficient chemotherapies, tuberculosis patients even today are often given inpatient treatment. This fact is shown by the MSV, the Medical Statistics of VESKA (Association of Swiss Hospitals), which is coded according to the ICD key and numbers tuberculosis forms from 010 to 018. The MSV figures for the year 1990 in its associated clinics are: total diagnoses 685,204, principal diagnoses 346,671, number of nursing days 4,613,737 and average stay 13.3 days. At the same time, the following data were registered: total of 1009 hospitalizations with a tuberculosis diagnosis, including 555 patients with a principal diagnosis of tuberculosis. Hospitalizations due to tuberculosis as the principal diagnosis account for 13,995 nursing days, which corresponds to 0.3% of the total. The average hospital stay lasts 25.2 days. In both diagnosis groups, first place is occupied by pulmonary tuberculosis (011) with 67.0% and 70.5% respectively, and among the extrathoracic forms 013-018, urogenital tuberculosis (016) with 6.3% principal diagnosis. The cases with the principal diagnosis of tuberculosis generate (partly calculated, partly estimated) hospital costs of approximately Sfr. 4.9 million and a paid wage total of some Sfr. 1.5 million. In the case of secondary tuberculoses of the 2nd and 3rd position in the statistics, analogous sums of an estimated total of Sfr. 2.4 million are added. It is therefore safe to say that tuberculosis is still not without financial significance in Switzerland.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

[Current tuberculosis mortality world-wide].

The mortality rate still is an important index for assessment of tuberculosis. Statistical records are kept on the mortality rate on a worldwide basis--more than in the case of other tuberculosis parameters. They allow us to make valuable comparisons. They are also useful because the mortality is closely related to the morbidity. The present thesis is based on comparative figures from the 1989 volume of the WHO Health Statistics Annual. Various countries have been specially selected by the publisher--and subsequently also by us--for sake of clarity. The figures vary strongly within these countries, which was to be expected. The mortality rate varies in Europe (for each 100,000 residents) e.g. from 0.2 in the Netherlands to 8.15 in the Soviet Union. In the Americas the rates vary from 0.4 for Canada to 12.9 for Ecuador. In the Western Pacific region the mortality rates vary from 0.35 for Australia to 14.65 for China. On a worldwide basis, the share of deaths from tuberculosis among all causes of death varies from 0.02% in the Netherlands to 2.10% in the Republic of Korea. The relation of tuberculosis deaths with regard to sexes in Switzerland: 75.7% men, 24.3% women, which is more or less the European average. The lower the mortality rate for tuberculosis are, the lower the difference between the sexes appears to be. Similar facts are found with regard to the distribution of tuberculosis deaths according to age groups: the lower the tuberculosis rate, the more tuberculosis is found in older age groups. The tuberculosis deaths are percentage-wise similarly distributed to the respiratory organs and the other tuberculosis forms.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1992

10-year assessment of treatment outcome among Cambodian refugees with sputum smear-positive tuberculosis in Khao-I-Dang, Thailand.

Tuberculosis control among displaced persons is fraught with difficulties to ensure adherence of patients to treatment for a prolonged period of time. In the Khao-I-Dang camp for Cambodian refugees an approach with daily, directly observed treatment throughout the course of 6 months duration was chosen to address the problem. Of a total 929 patients with sputum smear-positive tuberculosis who were enrolled from 1981 to 1990, 5.0% died, 75.5% completed treatment and were bacteriologically cured with a day-to-day adherence of more than 98%, none failed bacteriologically, 19.2% were transferred to another camp where continuation of treatment was guaranteed, and only 0.4% absconded from treatment. These data suggest that the approach to tuberculosis control in this refugee camp was very effective in cutting the chain of transmission of tuberculosis in a highly mobile population and in reducing substantially unnecessary morbidity and mortality.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Completeness of AIDS reporting in Switzerland: a study based on deaths between December 1987 and June 1990.

OBJECTIVES: To assess completeness and determinants of reporting to the AIDS registry of the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health. DESIGN AND METHODS: Death certificates indicative of AIDS or HIV for deaths occurring between December 1987 and June 1990 were reviewed and compared with reports to the AIDS registry. RESULTS: The completeness of the AIDS registry was 68%. However, almost all cases have now been ascertained, because more than 90% of unreported AIDS cases are detected when death certificates are reviewed. Thus, the ongoing review of death certificates adds to the total case ascertainment. The most important determinant of reporting was the reporting source: specialized AIDS clinics reported 85% of their cases, while all other sources reported only 48%. CONCLUSION: The investigation of the heterogeneity of reporting is important. It can wrongly suggest regional and national differences in the epidemic and lead to a decrease in completeness of reporting over time without actual changes in reporting behavior.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1991

Interface-area-to-volume ratio of interstitial fluid in humans determined by pharmacokinetic analysis of netilmicin in small and large skin blisters.

Human pharmacokinetics of netilmicin during multiple dosing were studied in serum and in the fluid of skin blisters with two different ratios of interface area to fluid volume. The kinetics in the blisters followed the serum concentration-time curve with a delay but with a similar elimination half-life of 2.4 h. The kinetics in the 40-microliters blisters followed closely the theoretically calculated concentrations of the peripheral compartment of a two-compartment model. In contrast, the concentrations in the 120-microliter blisters increased less rapidly, lower peaks were achieved, and concentrations decreased with a significantly longer delay. A very similar area-specific flow or clearance rate of 1.6 microliters.h-1.mm-2 was calculated for the interface area between the serum compartment and either the small or large blisters. The observed rapid mass transfer between serum and blister fluid suggests similar oscillations of concentrations in serum and in small interstitial fluid compartments.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Tuberculosis diagnosed at death in the United States.

From 1985 through 1988, 5.1 percent of TB cases reported in the United States were diagnosed at death. Differences in the proportions diagnosed at death by race/ethnicity, sex, and place of birth (United States vs foreign-born) were relatively small. The proportion of cases diagnosed at death increased with age, from 0.7 percent in patients less than 5 years old to 18.6 percent among patients 85 years and older. Only 26.0 percent of cases diagnosed alive were among those 65 years and older, but 60.3 percent of those diagnosed at death were in this age group. Eighteen percent of cases with miliary, meningeal and peritoneal TB were diagnosed at death, compared with 4.8 percent among those with pulmonary TB. These data indicate that TB too often remains unrecognized and that, to prevent continuing deaths from this curable disease, a high index of suspicion of TB remains important, particularly among the elderly and among persons with extrapulmonary sites of disease.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Tuberculosis elimination in the countries of Europe and other industrialized countries.

The working group summarized the conclusions of the workshop with the intention of providing a guide for the preparation of national plans for tuberculosis elimination. The basic strategies that appear consistently effective are: 1. Direct government responsibility for diagnosis, treatment and prevention of tuberculosis (the government is responsible by law for assuring that tuberculosis is identified early, and that cure of the patients is achieved). 2. Maintenance (or development) of properly designed disease surveillance and a programme monitoring system. 3. Availability of specialized tuberculosis personnel at regional and provincial level, responsible for close monitoring of the diagnostic skills and patient prioritization in general health institutions. Regarding research it was felt that no immediate practical applications of new techniques in the diagnosis of mycobacterial diseases, in treatment, or in vaccination can be recommended, but that further basic research in the field of mycobacteria should be pursued and supported.

Communicable Disease Control↗
PubMed1990

[Epidemiology of tuberculosis in Switzerland].

Mortality for tuberculosis declined from an average of 7.5% per year in 1952 to 1.7 in 1988, tuberculosis incidence declined by 5 to 6% per year since 1945 to 17.4% in 1988, and the annual risk of infection declined by 11.4% per year since 1945 to 10.9 per 100,000 inhabitants respectively. The crude prevalence of tuberculous infection in the Swiss population is estimated to be 22.3% for the year 1990. The age-specific prevalence of infection is mirrored in age-specific morbidity. Among Swiss citizens, tuberculosis has become a disease of the elderly and is on the brink of elimination. In contrast, tuberculosis among foreigners (40% of cases in 1988) occurs mainly among the young who experience a more than 10-fold elevated risk compared to their Swiss age peers. These data suggest that case-finding and contact investigations are the major intervention tools against tuberculosis in the Swiss population. The increased tuberculosis risk among foreigners and the young age of these patients suggest that identification of those at high risk and their preventive treatment will have to be pursued actively.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Extrapulmonary tuberculosis in the United States.

From 1963 to 1986, the number of reported cases of pulmonary tuberculosis in the United States declined an average of 5.0% annually, and the number of cases of extrapulmonary tuberculosis declined an average of 0.9% annually over the same period. In 1986, 17.5% of all cases of tuberculosis were extrapulmonary. Of pulmonary cases, 63.0% occurred among racial ethnic minorities and the foreign-born, whereas of extrapulmonary cases, the respective proportion was 71.2%. After adjustment for other variables, the proportion of extrapulmonary tuberculosis among all patients with tuberculosis by age was found to be largest in children and generally to decrease with increasing age, larger among black, Asian, and American Indian than among non-Hispanic white patients, larger among female than among male patients, and larger among the foreign-born than among patients born in the United States. The smaller decline in extrapulmonary tuberculosis over the years may be partially due to changes in the demographic characteristics of patients with tuberculosis. Considerable differences in susceptibility to different sites of extrapulmonary tuberculosis by age, race/ethnicity, sex, and country of origin were found. The reasons for these differences remain largely unexplained.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1990

[Medical examination of asylum seekers at entry].

It was the purpose of this analysis to summarize the salient findings made with the initial medical examination of asylum seekers in Switzerland. The evaluation covered the period from 1984 to 1987. The epidemiologic impact of diseases discovered by this screening and the logistic problems encountered with the decentralization of the program have required a modification and a reassessment of the necessary measures. As a consequence, indiscriminate stool examinations for bacteria and parasites have been abandoned. These examinations had required a considerable investment which is not considered to be justified by the limited epidemiologic significance of these intestinal pathogens. More emphasis is being placed on improved tuberculosis control measures, by providing concise guidelines for screening, prevention, and treatment. A simplified procedure for hepatitis B screening is to be maintained for the time being, conditional upon special emphasis on children, adolescents and adults of reproductive age groups. Hepatitis B vaccination of seronegative persons is a part of the standard basic immunization program. The core of the screening program and the delivery of initial preventive measures is to be carried out in the federal registration and transit centers for asylum seekers.

Communicable Diseases↗
PubMed1989

Tuberculosis control in refugee settlements.

Tuberculosis and its management in refugees and other displaced persons in temporary settlements poses a challenge to organisations coordinating and providing care in refugee emergencies. This paper offers a consensus of the co-sponsoring agencies on practical recommendations for implementing measures aimed at both interrupting transmission of tuberculosis and treatment of individual patients.

Humans↗
PubMed1989

Epidemiology of tuberculosis in the United States.

Over the past 30 years, the risk of tuberculous infection is estimated to have declined by approximately 8.3 per cent annually. Over that period, the incidence of tuberculosis declined between 5 and 6 per cent annually, and the mortality rate has declined by about 7.3 per cent annually. However, tuberculosis has not receded uniformly among all segments of the population. The steepest decline has been observed in children five to 14 years of age, and the smallest decline has been observed in the elderly. Among adults, the decline has been steeper among whites than among other racial groups. In the 1980s, the annual risk of tuberculous infection in the general population is estimated to be as low as or lower than one in 10,000. It is narrowly concentrated among contacts, particularly close contacts, of known cases. The risk is highest among those who are exposed to sputum smearpositive cases. The incidence of tuberculosis in 1987 was 9.3 per 100,000 in the general population, but varied widely among different segments of the population. Although incidence increases with age among all race and ethnic groups, cases in minorities are concentrated among young adults, while cases in non-Hispanic whites are concentrated among the elderly. These differences are mostly attributable to differences in the risk of tuberculous infection, because, once a person is infected, the risk of progression to tuberculosis is similar among blacks and whites and among males and females (although two age groups, young children and adolescents, appear to be especially prone to progression). This suggests that with the passage of time, succession of new generations experiencing lower risk of infection will reduced the prevalence of tuberculous infection much more rapidly in the non-Hispanic white population than in minority populations. Among factors that modify the risk of progression from subclinical infection to tuberculosis are recency of infection and infection resulting from transmission by a sputum smear-positive source case. Only a few of the many risk factors that have been identified as promoting progression can be considered major contributors to morbidity, because most are not highly prevalent. A major exception may be HIV infection, which, although not yet highly prevalent in the US population, appears to be the strongest factor yet identified that is capable of promoting progression to tuberculosis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Humans↗
PubMed1989

The epidemiology of tuberculosis in the United States. Implications for diagnosis and treatment.

Tuberculosis in the United States is primarily and increasingly a disease of minorities and the foreign-born. Tuberculosis among non-Hispanic whites is predominantly a disease of the elderly, whereas among minorities and the foreign-born, it is primarily concentrated in young adults. In the past few years, tuberculosis has increased among young adults, especially those who are black or Hispanic. Available data support the hypothesis that the spread of human immunodeficiency virus infection has increased the risk of tuberculosis. A substantial proportion of tuberculosis in the United States is potentially preventable through the administration of preventive therapy to high-risk populations.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1989

The epidemiology of tuberculosis in the United States.

Tuberculosis (TB) in the United States is primarily and increasingly a disease of minorities and the foreign-born. TB among non-Hispanic whites is predominantly a disease of the elderly, while among minorities and the foreign-born, it is primarily concentrated in young adults. In the past few years, TB has increased among young adults, especially those who are black or Hispanic. Available data support the hypothesis that the spread of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection has increased the risk of TB. A substantial proportion of TB in the United States is potentially preventable through the administration of preventive therapy to high-risk populations.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1989

Tuberculosis and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome--Florida.

Florida reported 1858 cases of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and 8455 cases of tuberculosis from January 1, 1981, through October 31, 1986. Of the patients with AIDS, 159 (8.6%) also had tuberculosis, and 154 (1.8%) of the patients with tuberculosis also had AIDS. Among patients with both diagnoses, tuberculosis was diagnosed before AIDS by more than 1 month in 50%, was diagnosed within 1 month before or 1 month after the diagnosis of AIDS in 30%, and was diagnosed more than 1 month after the AIDS diagnosis in 20%. Compared with patients with AIDS only, patients with both diagnoses were also more likely to be Haitian, black (other than Haitian), or Hispanic. Compared with patients with tuberculosis only, patients with both diagnoses were more likely to be younger, male, Haitian, black (other than Haitian), and Hispanic, have extrapulmonary tuberculosis and negative tuberculin skin tests, and have noncavitary chest roentgenograms. These data suggest that patients with AIDS may have an increased risk of tuberculosis and that patients with both diagnoses differ in important demographic and clinical characteristics from patients with AIDS only or tuberculosis only.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗