Thirteen cases of amyloidosis are reported from Vanuatu between 1983 and 1985. There appears to be a high incidence of the disease similar to that found in Papua New Guinea. The role of malaria as an aetiological agent is discussed although most cases had a history of past or active tuberculosis. Most patients presented as either nephrotic syndrome or a syndrome of abdominal pain, diarrhoea, weight loss and proteinuria.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1985

Effects of mitral valve surgery on static lung function and exercise performance.

Lung function at rest was assessed in 50 patients before and six months after mitral valve surgery. There were small increases in spirometric volumes (FEV1 and vital capacity) with decreases in total lung capacity and residual volume, but no change in carbon monoxide transfer factor or transfer coefficient (KCO). Progressive exercise tests performed before and after operation in 19 of the patients confirmed an improved exercise capacity after surgery. The patients with the greatest symptomatic improvement in breathlessness were also those who achieved the greatest increase in maximum work load and the greatest decrease in ventilation for a given oxygen consumption. Depression of the ST segment of the electrocardiogram and frequent ventricular ectopic beats on exercise remained common after surgery and may have been due to digoxin treatment.

Adult↗

PubMed1982

Guillain-Barre syndrome associated with Campylobacter infection.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Campylobacter Infections↗

PubMed1982

Relation between severity of mitral valve disease and results of routine lung function tests in non-smokers.

The effects of mitral valve disease on lung function have been studied in 26 non-smoking patients by relating values for lung volumes and carbon monoxide transfer factor (TLCO) to various indices of cardiac function measured at catheterisation. In general, more severe mitral disease was associated with greater abnormalities of lung function. Reductions of the one-second forced expiratory volume, vital capacity, TLCO and transfer coefficient, and increase in residual volume were all significantly related to the severity of mitral valve disease. In addition, the cardiothoracic ratio, measured radiographically, showed an inverse correlation with both vital capacity and total lung capacity. Although some of the consequences of mitral valve disease on lung function resemble those of primary airway disease, useful distinguishing points are the relative normality of the forced expiratory ratio and the absence of an increase in total lung capacity.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Malaria in Vanuatu.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Fiji↗