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Biomedical subjects

S Fretland

Publications and source records attributed to S Fretland.

10 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1998

[Femoral neck fractures in Nord-Trøndelag 1988-95. Incidence differences between winter and sommer months].

The incidence of hip fractures among the elderly is high. Previous studies have revealed considerable geographical differences in Norway with the highest incidence of hip fractures in Oslo. Using hospital registers, we found there was an annual incidence of first-time hip fractures of 583 per 100,000 inhabitants 50 years and older in the county of Nord-Trøndelag. This incidence is about the same as in Troms county in Northern Norway. The number of fractures almost doubled in the winter months of December and January compared to June and July. This study was not designed to explain these seasonal differences, but some of the reasons may be explained as follows: during the light, summer months elderly people are at less risk when moving about, both indoors and out, whereas they are at greater risk in the winter when roads and pavements are slippery. Preventive measures in the community may reduce the incidence of hip fractures.

Accidental Falls↗
PubMed1997

[Are preventive measures against suicide efficient? A literature review].

The increasing frequency of suicide in Norway from 1970 to 1990 has called attention. This paper raises the question of whether any controlled studies have been conducted on prevention of suicide. A search was made in Medline; the criteria for including articles were: controlled studies concerning the effects of suicide-preventive intervention by measuring the number of suicides, parasuicides or suicidal thoughts/ideation. The result of our search was 13 randomised controlled trials and two case-control studies. Most of the studies were unable to confirm any effect of suicide-preventive intervention. In most studies the experiment and control groups were far too small to arrive at significant conclusions. Prior to starting prevention programmes, it is necessary for the health service to know the potential effects. This systematic review revealed that few good controlled studies have been conducted on suicide prevention. For the time being we have to accept the suggestive evidence for certain types of intervention, and use these as a basis for action.

Female↗
PubMed1997

[Differences in diagnostic criteria for acute myocardial ischemia at Norwegian hospitals].

In the present study medical departments at 57 (83%) of all hospitals in Norway answered a questionnaire about the criteria used to diagnose acute myocardial infarction. One hospital specified a period of chest pain lasting over 30 minutes; 14 hospitals worked on 30 minutes and 36 hospitals based their diagnosis on a period of less than 30 minutes. Six hospitals did not use any particular duration of pain in order to make a positive diagnosis. There were no important differences over the electrocardiogram criteria. Information on the type of enzymes used for diagnosis, enzyme combinations, and threshold values of the different enzymes, did reveal inequalities between the hospitals. In the 46 hospitals using creatine kinase (CK) the threshold for a positive diagnosis varied between 170 and 500 IE/1 for men and 150 and 400 IE/I for women. For aspartate dehydrogenase (ASAT) the variation was between 40 and 100 and 35 and 75 IE/I for men and women respectively. Unequal criteria for the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction may lead to differences in treatment, variations in the assessment made by the health insurance scheme and could complicate follow-up studies of this disease.

Emergency Service, Hospital↗
PubMed1997

Regional differences in hospital admission rates for suspected and verified myocardial infarction in Nord-Trøndelag county, Norway.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate differences in the occurrences of hospitalized suspected and verified acute myocardial infarction (AMI) between the two hospital regions, Namdal and Innherred, within a single county in Norway. DESIGN: A descriptive epidemiological study. SETTING: The county of Nord-Trøndelag in the central part of Norway (131,000 inhabitants). SUBJECTS: Patients admitted for suspected AMI 13 March-11 June 1995. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Proportion of verified AMI among patients admitted. Regional incidence rates for AMI. RESULTS: Among 347 patients admitted to hospitals with suspected AMI, AMI was verified in 120 (35%), corresponding to an annual incidence rate of 509 and 294 per 100,000 (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Among patients admitted with suspicion of AMI, approximately one third had AMI. The study revealed substantial differences for AMI between two neighbouring hospital regions within one county in Norway. This difference may have implications for the planning and cost of hospital care.

Aged↗
PubMed1991

[Referral from general practitioner to specialist. A study from Nord-Tröndelag].

Out of 4,892 patients who visited general practitioners during a four-week period, 307 were referred to specialists (6.3%). The main reason for referral seemed to be lack of necessary knowledge. There was no connection between the frequency of referral and the general practitioner's experience, how many years he/she had worked in the community, sex, or previous hospital experience, or distance to the specialist.

Clinical Competence↗
PubMed1990

[Opinion of patients with back pain about the treatment received. A questionnaire study].

6 1/2 years after hospitalization for low back pain 364 patients answered a questionnaire on their opinion of the help they had received. 53.5% were satisfied with the help and support provided by their general practitioner and 78.7% were satisfied with the hospital treatment. We discuss possible reasons for this difference. It seems difficult for many patients to accept the conservative treatment prescribed by the general practitioner.

Adult↗