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Biomedical subjects

J F Kraus

Publications and source records attributed to J F Kraus.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed1983

Serum cholesterol and cancer in the Hypertension Detection and Follow-up Program.

The relation between serum cholesterol and cancer incidence was investigated in the population of the Hypertension Detection and Follow-up Program. During the 5 years of follow-up, 286 new cancer cases were documented among the 10,940 participants. Overall, age-adjusted cancer incidence rates, computed by baseline serum cholesterol quartiles, showed a small, but statistically significant, inverse relation between serum cholesterol and cancer incidence. No evidence suggested that the observed relationship was primarily due to confounding by other cancer risk factors, association of low serum cholesterol with incipient but undiagnosed cancer, or problems of competing risks. However, the relationship is weak and a causal interpretation of these immediate results cannot be argued persuasively. Examinations of specific cancer sites and factors related to serum cholesterol are suggested as important lines of research toward clarification of the complex relationships observed.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Comparison of male and female suicides in a defined community.

During the past 20 years, suicide rates in the United States have risen consistently. The upward trend has been particularly pronounced for adolescents and males. The availability of a complete data set on all suicides that occurred between 1925 and 1979 in Sacramento County, California, allowed us to compare trends in suicide rates by sex. Our objective is to describe existing differences and similarities between males and females in age-at-death, demographic characteristics, and evidence of presuicide disintegration. We found that female suicide rates in Sacramento County were significantly lower than males and there were significant differences in presuicide characteristics and behaviors between males and females who committed suicide. Except for the youngest age groups, suicide rates for males have remained stable over the last 20 years, while female rates have increased slightly. The fact that this increase coincides with a period of rapid change in the employment and familial roles of women is of particular interest. Male and female suicides differ in important respects, but as female rates rose the characteristics of female suicides increasingly resembled those of male suicides.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

Attributes of suicide in females.

Long-term trends in suicides among females were investigated using data from Sacramento County, California. Of the 3,741 cases, 3,398 were Caucasian and 952 (25.4 percent) were females. These analyses focus on 837 Caucasian and Hispanic females. Female suicide rates in Sacramento County have increased gradually since 1925 with a corresponding decline in the male/female sex ratio. The suicide data suggest that a minimum of three types of female suicides can be identified and that the incidence of each type varies with the age of the women. Indicators that help in identifying cases and in tentatively describing an etiology include marital status, employment status and occupation, physical ill health, familial loss or disruption, and psychiatric symptoms.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1982

Relationship of demographic characteristics of interviewers to blood pressure measurements.

This report describes findings from the Hypertension Detection and Follow-Up Program (HDFP) on the relationship between traits of interviewers and outcome of blood pressure measurements taken during home interviews. Mean diastolic blood pressure readings and prevalence data for 137,417 respondents taken by 617 interviewers are analyzed. Findings from regression analysis show that the magnitude of the absolute or relative difference in outcome of blood pressure measurements is associated much more positively with the characteristics of race and sex of the respondent than these characteristics in the interviewer.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

The utility of regional cancer mortality data for identifying occupations at high risk.

Mortality rates by geographic areas have been used successfully in the past to identify occupations with a high risk of cancer. The 1975 Atlas of Cancer Mortality for U.S. Counties: 1950-1969 for white males showed that mortality rates in three California counties (Alameda, Sacramento, and San Francisco) were significantly elevated compared to other US counties, and in Sacramento County the lung cancer death rate was significantly high also. This current study was to determine if the excess in the cancer mortality rate found in Sacramento County was possibly related to specific occupational categories. Death certificates for all white males dying of cancer were retrieved, Last occupation, industry, and length of service were coded according to the Index of Industries and Occupations prepared by the US Bureau of the Census. Observed frequencies of cancer deaths were compared to an expected number which was based on US census data by occupation for Sacramento County. Elevated standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) for cancer deaths were found for technicians, metal craftsmen, nonfarm laborers, construction workers, and drivers. SMRs were high for cancer of the esophagus, pancreas, respiratory tract, skin, and central nervous system.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

Suicide among adolescents in Sacramento County, California 1950-1979.

Suicide is one of the three leading causes of death among adolescents. More importantly, the rate of suicide is on the increase among both male and female adolescents (Tischler, McKenry, & Morgan, 1981). Data from the United States show that approximately 25,000 persons commit suicide each year (Coleman, 1976), and almost one-fifth of these are in the 15 to 24 year age group (Hendin, 1975). More disturbing is that a large number of adolescent suicides go unreported and that up to 50% of all these unreported suicides are categorized as "accidents" (Toolan, 1964). Utilizing suicide data collected in Sacramento County, California between 1925 and 1979, we analyzed suicides among persons aged 10 to 24 to determine if there are sociodemographic factors or presuicide behaviors which discriminate between male and female suicides, suicides of different ages, or explain the increase in suicide rates, and to compare adolescent suicide rates in Sacramento County with national findings.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1982

A comparative study of the morbidity associated with sickle cell anemia among patients in Ibadan (Nigeria) and Oakland (U.S.A.).

A cohort of 60 matched pairs of sickle cell anemia patients from Ibadan (Nigeria) and Oakland CA., USA, were compared in a follow up study. The null hypothesis tested was that there was no significant difference in the morbidity associated with sickle cell anemia among Ibadan SS patients receiving antimalaria prophylaxis, and Oakland SS patients. Proportions of outpatient clinic visits due to "crisis"; "SS-associated-infections"; "infections not associated with sickle cell anemia"; "routine follow up"; and "others" were used as measures of morbidity. The results showed that the proportion of clinic visits due to "crisis" and "SS associated infections" were not significantly different (p greater than 0.05) among both groups of patients. Occasional variations were found between mean proportions of the clinic visits due to "infections not associated with SS"; "follow up" and "others".

Anemia, Sickle Cell↗
PubMed1981

Monitoring of grape harvesters for evidence of cholinesterase inhibition.

This report describes the results of a long-term monitoring study of 36 grape harvesters who were occupationally exposed to organophosphate pesticide residues following reentry into vineyards during September and October 1976. The study was designed to evaluate biochemical parameters associated with organophosphate pesticide residues. Insignificant changes in blood cholinesterase activity were found. Some workers had very low levels of organophosphate metabolites in the urine during the entire 6 wk of study. Ethion dioxon was the only pesticide residue detected on the grape leaves. The harvesting of wine grapes involves numerous work crews of four to six people each, requiring a highly mobile monitoring staff. A single stationary location for collecting blood and urine samples will result in massive losses to follow-up since the workers cannot be relied on to report on their own. It is recommended that, to maximize worker cooperation, future monitoring studies rely more on analyses of urine specimens and less on venipuncture for evidence of pesticide exposure.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1980

Pet ownership in rural Northern California (El Dorado County).

Demographic and economic aspects of pet ownership were studied in 488 households in El Dorado County, California, from May to July 1971. About 60% of households owned dogs or cats, and pet ownership was most prevalent (75%) in two small residential communities in the western end of the county. Among dogs, Poodle and German Shepherd Dog were the most popular breeds; about 36% of the females in the sample were spayed, but only 6% of the males were castrated. Approximately one third of all cats had been neutered. Reported use of veterinary services was higher for dogs (79%) than for cats (53%). The results of the survey indicated pet ownership is most likely to be found in households with children, where the head of household is employed, generally confirming findings from earlier surveys in Yolo, Alameda, and Contra Costa Counties (all in northern California) and later surveys in Champaign County, Illinois, and Garland, Tex. Some community health findings were included for El Dorado County and nearby Yolo County. In these two counties, cancer was reported more frequently by adults without pets (3.9% of those greater than or equal to 65 years old) than by pet owners (1.8% of those greater than or equal to 65 years old). Among children less than 5 years old, "frequent diarrhea" was reported more commonly in homes without pets (9.5% vs 2.6%; P less than 0.01). On the other hand, pet-owning adults, 16 to 64 years of age, living in rural areas or areas with generally lower than average incomes reported "frequent headaches" (21%) more frequently than did adults without pets (17%; P less than 0.025%) who resided in the same areas.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1980

Acute spinal-cord lesions in a pediatric population: epidemiological and clinical features.

The occurrence of acute spinal-cord lesions in children has been reported to be rare, comprising from less than one to 3.3 per cent of all cases of spinal-cord injuries (Audic & Maury, 1969; Burke, 1971; Melzak, 1969). To our knowledge, the epidemiological features of all cases of acute spinal-cord lesions in a pediatric population have not been previously reported. The objective of this communication is, therefore, to describe the incidence and selected epidemiological and clinical features of acute spinal-cord lesions in children, aged 1 to 15 years.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMed1980

Socioeconomic status, ethnicity, and risk of coronary heart disease.

This report focuses on the relationship of socioeconomic status (SES), race/ethnicity, and risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) in a large group of employed men. The authors determined the risk of CHD using the factors of blood pressure, cholesterol, and cigarette smoking in a multiple logistic model for 19,141 men aged 35--57 years, residing and employed in the Sacramento, CA, Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area. SES was measured by the modified two factor (education and occupation) Hollingshead Index. Information on education, occupation, race/ethnic group, and number of cigarettes smoked was derived from self-administered questionnaires. The data indicate an inverse relationship between SES and risk of CHD and the relationship persisted for whites, Asians, and Spanish Americans but not for blacks. Age adjustment did not significantly alter this finding.

Adult↗
PubMed1980

Mortality surveillance in collaborative trials.

The Hypertension Detection and Follow-Up Program (HDFP) carried out two pilot surveillances covering the enumerated population to test procedures to be used in assessing the ability of the program to influence life expectancy in the total population. A rigorously sequenced pilot survey of 2,611 households was conducted and carefully monitored through two mailings, telephone contacts, home visits, and communication with "contact" persons. The response rates at each stage varied among the 13 centers. Overall, there was a 42.7% yield from the first mailing; 42.5% of those receiving a second mailing was completed; 78.0% for telephone 61.3% for the home visits and 55.2% from the "contact" persons. Overall, 97.4% of all persons had vital status ascertained. The second phase relaxed the rigorous sequential survey requirements and reduced the reporting requirements from every ten days to monthly. Overall, 93.3% were successfully ascertained. Reduced survey structure, slightly increased mobility (from 12% to 13%), increased workload from 200 to 400 households per center, and a longer time interval between initial enumeration and the mortality ascertainment are among the reasons for performance decline.

Adult↗
PubMed1980

Injury to the head and spinal cord. The epidemiological relevance of the medical literature published from 1960 to 1978.

This article reviews the English language medical literature published from January, 1960, through June, 1978, on selected morbidity measures and economic costs of injury to the head or spinal cord. Most of the reports discussed here come from outside the United States. Regardless of the source of the report, however, one of the most conspicuous shortcomings in the published reports was the lack of uniformity of terms, definitions, and research methods used. Because of severe variations as to source of data, year of study, and methods of investigation, general observations about the occurrence of injury to the head or spinal cord in the United States are limited, and must be regarded with caution.

California↗
PubMed1980

A comparison of recent studies on the extent of the head and spinal cord injury problem in the United States.

Several recent studies that provide estimates on the occurrence of new cases and the frequency of existing cases of injury to the head or spinal cord in the United States are compared. These studies include the National Head and Spinal Cord Injury Survey, the Health Interview Survey, the Hospital Discharge Survey, and separate investigations of spinal cord injury in Northern California and Connecticut. The comparison made of methodological approaches between the studies will enable the reader to better understand the estimates and why they differ.

Adolescent↗