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Biomedical subjects

O Olafsson

Publications and source records attributed to O Olafsson.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1988

A survey of primary health services in rural Iceland.

This article describes the results of a follow-up study of primary health services in rural Iceland during one week in October 1981. The initial study, which was conducted in September 1974, was the first major study in Iceland of medical services outside hospitals. The aims of the present study were to collect data on primary health services, and to compare results with the study in 1974. Data from 58 doctors and other personnel in 31 health centres are included in the analysis. The annual average number of contacts with the health centres was estimated at 4.9 per inhabitant, median 4.8. Comparable figures in 1974 were 4.6 and 4.5, respectively. Each doctor on average served 1,303 inhabitants, range 674 to 2,051. The most common reasons for contacts were: preventive measures, respiratory diseases, and diseases of the musculoskeletal system. The most common actions taken were, in order of frequency: prescriptions, advice, and minor examinations. Referrals to specialists, measured as the percentage of all contacts, were 2.8% in 1981, compared to 3.1% in 1974. Referrals to hospitals and other health institutions were also less frequent in 1981. On average, physicians worked more than 50 hours per week, and over half of them carried out additional hospital duties.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Unemployment-related lifestyle changes and health disturbances in adolescents and children in the western countries.

According to official statistics 11 million under 25's, thereof 5-6 million under 20's in the 12 OECD member states are unemployed at any given time. In depth studies show that this figure is at least 40-50% higher. In many countries a systematic under-reporting exists in the registration of unemployed. Surveys used to show more relevant figures. Unemployment hits mainly adolescents, school leavers, young adults (unskilled male and female) immigrants and then, indirectly, those who are in need of familial and social support, i.e. the frail, sick, disabled children and old people. In many cities in Europe 40-50% of 18-25 year olds are unemployed and figures as high as 90% have been reported (inner cities). Unemployment is endangering the socio-economic status of people, in spite of short-time unemployment benefits and is creating inequalities in health and serious social misfits. Loss of job or the mere prospect of becoming jobless have, in follow-up studies on an individual level, been found to cause elevated blood pressure and serum cholesterol, increased concentration of blood catecholamine and elimination of noradrenaline, an increase in the frequency of stress and psychosomatic diseases. After regaining employment, these values have normalized. Unemployment is therefore considered by many as a real source of stress. Chronic stress is now considered as a major contributor to cardiovascular diseases, ulcers, asthma and some other diseases. According to several well designed and controlled studies on the individual level in the developed countries, the majority of young people do not learn to cope with unemployment. It fosters isolation, loss of self-esteem, frustration and hopelessness.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Prevention of congenital rubella in Iceland by antibody screening and immunization of seronegative females.

A programme to eradicate congenital rubella from Iceland was started in 1979, based on (1) screening of all females aged 12-45 years for rubella antibodies and (2) vaccination of all seronegative persons with the RA/27/3 rubella vaccine, given free of charge. Thus, individual protection was offered to all who needed it. The collection of serum samples was planned to last for 2 years while, simultaneously, the already established rubella screening and immunization programmes for 12-year-old schoolgirls and pregnant women continued.During assessment in 1983, 95.2% of females in the first 7 age groups (by now aged 14-20 years) participating in the school programme had been tested and 80.4% of them were found to be naturally immune. Of the seronegatives, 93.7% were subsequently vaccinated, thus giving an overall immunity rate of 98.8%. Among the women in the peak of the childbearing period (by now aged 21-35 years), 84.4% had been tested and 92.7% were found to be naturally immune; vaccination of 61.4% of seronegative individuals then gave an overall immunity rate of 97.2% for this age group.If it is assumed that the natural immunity rate of females still untested is like that of the above groups, then the percentage of non-immune persons is at present 2.1% in the younger group and 3.4% in the older.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

A medical record and information system for primary health care in Iceland. The Egilsstadir Project.

In Iceland a problem oriented medical record system for primary health care has been developed. A contact-form is used to record data on all contacts between the inhabitants in a district and the health center. A minicomputer is used for retrieval and analysis. One rural health center using this system has been successful in recording a basic set of data on all contacts taking place since 1976 and linking these data to the national register data for the population in the district. Most health centers in Iceland are now adopting this system, because it seems to be: A valuable aid in the treatment of patients, which improves the quality of the treatment. A useful source of information of the health of the population, which among other things makes possible the identification of those at special risk. A good instrument for research and teaching. A useful source of statistics on the primary care services.

Humans↗
PubMed1984

Distribution of haematological, serum and urine values in a general population of middle-aged men. The Reykjavik Study.

In the first stage of a prospective cardiovascular health survey, 2955 males aged 34-61 years were invited for examination during a 12-month period. The response was 75%. Appointments were arranged in such a way that all age groups would be equivalent with respect to time of day, weekday and time of year on which appointments were given. In fasting blood and urine samples the following quantities were estimated: s-alkaline phosphatase (AP), s-bilirubin (Bil), s-creatinine (Cre), s-uric acid (UA), haemoglobin (Hb), haematocrit (Hct), mean cell haemoglobin content (MCHC), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and urine specific gravity (USG). The approximate 5% and 95% centiles were as follows: (table; see text) No indication of seasonal variation was found in these results.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Screening for health risks. How useful is a questionnaire response showing positive family history of myocardial infarction, hypertension or cerebral stroke?

The participants in a community health survey in the Reykjavik area answered the question whether a first-degree relative had had myocardial infarction (MI), hypertension (HT) or cerebral stroke. The mean total serum cholesterol level was 5-10 mg/dl higher in the group with a positive history of MI than in the negative group. The frequency of hyperlipidaemia and the levels of other risk factors measured (blood pressure and body mass index) were similar in both groups. The group with a positive family history (FH) of HT had a mean systolic blood pressure 6-8 mmHg higher and diastolic hypertension (greater than 105 mmHg) on a single measurement twice as frequently as the negative group. The mean systolic blood pressure in the group with positive FH of stroke was 8-10 mmHg higher than in the negative group. The study thus suggests that positive FH of HT or stroke among first-degree relatives is a worthy indication for blood pressure measurements, at least after the age of 40.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1981

Dobutamine in the rejecting transplanted heart.

Dopamine is commonly used to improve cardiac output and to maintain peripheral perfusion after myocardial injury. It has several advantages over other catecholamines. At effective inotropic dose levels, dopamine produces less peripheral vasoconstriction than norepinephrine. Dopamine also causes fewer arrhythmias than isoproterenol. This is a case report of a heart transplant patient who began rejecting and developed heart failure. In addition to the immunosuppressive agents, dopamine was used initially as the vasopressor with marked deterioration in the patient's condition. Dobutamine, a new inotropic agent, was substituted for dopamine with subsequent improvement in cardiac function. The authors concluded that dobutamine may be the most appropriate agent to use in the rejecting transplanted heart because of the former's direct action on the heart. Dobutamine may also be preferred for support of the cardiac outputs of patients with chronic heart failure.

Cardiotonic Agents↗
PubMed1981

Community screening for glucose intolerance in middle-aged Icelandic men. Deterioration to diabetes over a period of 71/2 years.

A number of 2203 middle-aged Icelandic men (aged 34-61 years) participated in a health survey in Reykjavik in 1967-68. Blood glucose in the fasting state and during an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) showed a unimodal distribution with a slight skewness towards higher values. A positive age gradient was established, which showed an increment of about 7 mg/dl per decade in capillary blood sugar values at 11/2 hours after a 50 g oral glucose load. The age gradient was mostly independent of age-related changes in body weight. A 71/2 year followup of the eligible participants (response rate 80%) showed an overall 1% incidence of metabolic deterioration to "overt diabetes" during this period. Those with positive screening tests (50 g OFTT) at baseline were at greater risk of developing diabetes, but the incidence of deterioration in this group was low, about 1% per year. The progression to diabetes was significantly related to body weight at baseline, suggesting that weight reduction might be beneficial in individuals showing impaired glucose tolerance at medical examination. This study, however, lends support to recent reports showing that mildly impaired glucose tolerance cannot be equated with early diabetes.

Adult↗
PubMed1980

Control of addictive drugs in Iceland 1976--78.

During the years 1972--76 drug prescriptions and sales of drugs were surveyed in Iceland. Compared with the other Nordic countries, except Denmark, sales of the psychotropic drugs which may lead to addiction were highest in Iceland, as previously reported. Here we explain the efforts of the Icelandic health authorities to reduce the legitimate consumption of psychotropic drugs. These efforts are mainly directed towards doctors' prescriptions to outpatients. A survey of prescriptions and sales of drugs in Iceland in 1976--78 revealed that (1) the number of individuals receiving drugs subject to reporting in Iceland decreased by 40% between 1976 and 1978; (2) the prescribed amount of hypnotics and sedatives subject to reporting decreased by 45% in the same period; (3) the prescribed amount of narcotic analgesics decreased by 20%; (4) the prescribed amount of amphetamines and related drugs decreased by 40%; and (5) the amount sold of diazepam and related drugs decreased by 20%. The available data suggest that EDB-registration of prescriptions subject to recording and feedback to doctors about their prescribing habits contributes to a reduction in the use of the drugs recorded.

Anti-Anxiety Agents↗
PubMed1979

The cost of treatment of dermatological disorders in hospital versus health centre.

Well-run outpatient services and reasonable charges to patients for drugs have led to reduced hospitalisation of dermatological patients and hence a reduction in the total cost of nursing and treating such patients in comparison with previous years, when there was greater emphasis on hospital treatment. There is at present no waiting list for dermatological beds at the National Hospital.

Ambulatory Care Facilities↗
PubMed1977

Drug prescription in Iceland.

Two ad hoc surveys on drugs prescribed in Reykjavik during November 1972 and November 1974 were made. After the first survey a publicity campaign was launched and doctors were encouraged to change their prescribing habits; only minor changes in docotors' prescribing habits were noticed, although it is realised that this type of programme will require a longer period to prove its effectiveness. The surveys showed that benzodiazepines are more widely prescribed than chlorodiazepoxide. Doctors have been warned of the probable addictive effect of benzodiazepines (Grimsson et al., 1974). Drug addicts who used to go from one surgery to another have now been identified and they can only receive drugs on prescription from their own family doctor or his deputy.

Anti-Anxiety Agents↗
PubMed1977

Survey of serum lipid levels in Icelandic men aged 34-61 years. An epidemiological and statistical evaluation.

This report presents the results of serum beta-lipoprotein, total cholesterol and triglycerides determinations in a male population surveyed 1967--'68. This was the first stage (stage I) in a prospective health survey conducted by the Icelandic Health Association. The area of study was the city of Reykjavík with adjacent suburbs and communes. The population invited was 1/3 of each of 16 year-groups of males in the age-interval 34-61 years. The population was selected from the National Roster according to birthdays i.e. the 1st, 4th, 7th,.. of each month, the total number being 2.955. The response was 75.1%. B-lipoproteins were determined with the Hyland Beta-L Test, total cholesterol and triglycerides on Technicon AutoAnalyzer (i) according to Technicon Methodology N-24a, and a modification of the method of Kessler and Lederer respectively. Control sera were run in connection with cholesterol- and triglycerides determinations. Serum cholesterol levels were similar to the highest reported from other countries contrary to the triglycerides levels which are in the low range. The mean values and lower centiles are practically independent of age whereas the higher centiles are markedly age-dependent. A seasonal variation for the cholesterol weekly mean values was found. These values were highest in winter and lowest in summer, the difference estimated to be 30-40 mg%. No seasonal variation of triglycerides was found. Centile-flowdiagrams for these blood lipids are presented and the use of similar flowdiagrams is suggested as an aid to bridge a gap between the interpretation of cross-sectional and longitudinal studies.

Adult↗
PubMed1976

[Eduction in community medicine in Iceland].

Instruction at health centres and in the home environment, which are important features of the psychological and social sections of medical education, has been neglected. Students are prepared for good relations with the patient only by means of a few isolated lectures and through the example provided by organ-centred hospital specialists.

Community Medicine↗