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Biomedical subjects

U Ackermann-Liebrich

Publications and source records attributed to U Ackermann-Liebrich.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1992

Air pollution and respiratory symptoms in preschool children.

A diary study on a random sample of 625 Swiss children aged 0 to 5 yr was conducted in two cities in Switzerland to investigate the association between air pollution and respiratory symptoms. Total suspended particulates (TSP), SO2 and NO2 were measured by city monitor. In addition, passive samplers inside and outside the home measured NO2 concentration during the 6 wk each child was on the diary. Diaries were filled out by parents, and 20% were validated with the attending pediatrician's case notes. Incidence and duration of symptom episodes were examined separately. The study included any episode, episodes of coughing without runny nose, upper respiratory episodes, and episodes of breathing difficulty. In regressions using 6-wk average pollution that controlled for medical history, NO2 measured outdoors but not indoors was associated with the duration of any symptom. Total suspended particulates were a more significant predictor of duration of any symptom than NO2. The 6-wk average TSP was significantly associated with incidence of coughing episodes and marginally significant as a predictor of upper respiratory episodes. Previous day's TSP was a significant predictor of incidence of upper respiratory symptoms. Annual average of NO2 was associated with the duration of any episode and of upper respiratory episodes. We conclude that the incidence and duration of respiratory symptom episodes are likely associated with particulate concentrations and duration may be associated with NO2.

Air Pollution↗
PubMed1991

[Meat consumption and serum cholesterol concentration].

In a representative cross-sectional study of the population of Basel, Switzerland (252 men, 281 women, mean age 48 [25-74] years), there was a significant association between the consumption of meat and sausages, determined from a questionnaire, and the total serum cholesterol concentration. In subjects who ate meat or sausages daily, the mean cholesterol concentration was 6.29 mmol/l (242 mg/dl) (95% confidence interval 6.06-6.52 mmol/l) for men, and 6.63 mmol/l (255 mg/dl) (95% confidence interval 6.35-6.91 mmol/l) for women. In subjects who consumed meat or sausages at most once per week, the mean cholesterol concentration was 5.66 mmol/l (218 mg/dl) (95% confidence interval 4.99-6.33 mmol/l) for men, and 5.33 mmol/l (205 mg/dl) (95% confidence interval 4.98-5.68 mmol/l) for women. The association remained significant (P less than 0.001) using multiple linear regression (taking age, sex, social grouping, body mass index and consumption of whole-grain bread, yoghurt or cottage cheese, eggs and alcohol as possible confounding factors). The HDL-cholesterol fraction was not influenced by consumption of meat and sausages. These results support the nutritional advice concerning, among other things, a reduction in the intake of animal fats.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

The environmental accident at 'Schweizerhalle' and respiratory diseases in children: a time series analysis.

During an investigation concerned with the relationship between air pollution and respiratory diseases in children, the 'Schweizerhalle' accident occurred when unknown amounts of pollutants were discharged into the environment. In that investigation, two series of medical data were collected during one year: (a) The daily relative number of preschool children, exhibiting diseases of the respiratory tract, who either came to the outpatients' clinic of the Children's Hospital or were reported by paediatricians in Basle; (b) The daily number of respiratory symptoms per child, observed in a group of randomly selected preschool children. The purpose of the present time series analysis is the assessment of possible change in these series after the environmental accident. The nature of the change is studied by complementary approaches. First, a forecast arising from models identified in the preaccident period is compared with the actual data. Thereafter, intervention models which adequately and parsimoniously represent the change are identified. Finally, an identification of a change-point is performed.

Accidents↗
PubMed1990

[Social differences in the prenatal and postnatal mortality: Switzerland 1979-1985].

The influence of social factors on birthweight and fetal and infant mortality was investigated in the Swiss birth cohort from 1979-85 (N = 519,933). The proportion of newborns with low-birthweight (less than 2500 g) was higher in lower social classes. Stillbirth-rate, neonatal and postneonatal mortality were higher in lower social classes, too. When controlling for birthweight, the increase in mortality in the lower social classes became somewhat less striking. Marked social differences in perinatal mortality were found in the newborns with normal weight, whereas almost no difference could be detected in the low-birthweight-group.

Birth Weight↗
PubMed1990

[Reasons for athletic activity versus inactivity of urban population of Basel-Stadt 1988].

A representative sample of 778 inhabitants of Canton Basel-Stadt aged 16 to 75 years were asked about their exercise habits and reasons for participating in or abstaining from sports (Response rate: 81%). 56% of the responders took part in a sport more than once a month; the percentage was higher among younger adults and markedly lower among obese subjects. For 27% of the "active" respondents, the most important single motivation for sports was "fun, pleasure und well-being", in 20% of the cases "fitness", in 16% "health" and in 12% "compensation for work and relaxation". For 32% of the "inactive" group, the main reason for abstaining from sports was "lack of time", for 22% "no interest" and in 16% of the cases "sickness or disability"; "no clubs or sports-facilities" was hardly ever mentioned as a reason for being physically inactive (1%). Some significant differences were found when sociodemographic subgroups were analysed. For example, "health" was more often given as a reason for sports by the elderly, and "compensation for work and relaxation" was more often mentioned as the level of education rose. "Lack of time" was a more frequent reason for being physically inactive among young adults, whereas "sickness" was more important among the elderly. A better knowledge of the relative importance of the motivation for leisure time physical activity is likely to be significant for effective sports-promotion.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

[Air pollution--consequences for the general practitioner].

Air pollution can also be considered a health risk for those living in Switzerland. During short episodes of high pollution (smog), protection from exposure can be recommended. The continuous air pollution problem, however, implies for the physician a complex educational task with regard to his patients. As the patient does not perceive a direct improvement in his personal health, it is difficult to promote ecologically acceptable behaviour. In view of the long term effects of continuous exposure to air pollution on the health of the population, such preventative activity is considered necessary.

Air Pollution↗
PubMed1989

[Effects of air pollutants on the respiratory system in young children].

A one year study on a random sample of 1225 Swiss children aged 0-5 years was conducted in four different areas (two urban, one suburban and one rural) of Switzerland to investigate the relationship between air pollution and respiratory symptoms. For each child daily symptoms over a six week period were recorded by their parents in the form of a standard diary and air pollution was assessed by personal NO2-samplers. 20% of the diaries were validated by comparison with the attending pediatrician's case-notes and showed good agreement (87%). The frequency of respiratory symptoms per child per day was found to increase with increasing levels of NO2 measured outdoors, but not with NO2 concentration indoors (when other indoor sources for NO2 where present). Possible other factors were accounted for by multiple regression analysis and the variables "season" and "child's susceptibility to colds" also showed a significant association with respiratory symptoms. But the relationship between NO2 outdoors and respiratory symptoms per child per day remained statistically significant. The multiple regression model explains 7% of the total variability. The result indicates that air pollution is a contributory factor in the development of respiratory symptoms in children.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed1988

[Reproductive mortality in Switzerland between 1952 and 1982].

Reproductive mortality includes mortality attributable to pregnancy and childbirth and its sequelae, termination of pregnancy and contraception. The latter is mainly due to an increase of cardiovascular diseases in oral contraceptive users. An estimate of reproductive mortality in Switzerland is based on available figures on cardiovascular mortality, smoking and use of oral contraceptives. The reproductive mortality has been steadily declining since 1952 in the age group of 15-34, a stagnation of this risk can be observed for women over 35 since 1962. Theoretically this stagnation might be due to the use of oral contraceptives and an increase in smoking.

Abortion, Illegal↗
PubMed1988

[Sex differences in health and health behavior].

The higher life expectancy of women is contrasting with the higher female morbidity known from health interview surveys and statistics on use of health services. In the Swiss Health Survey SOMIPOPS, women report higher rates of complaints, diagnoses, chronical impairments and psychic illness, more frequent restrictions of their daily activities for health reasons and a worse overall health status. In men, only higher rates of indicators related to respiratory diseases and accidents were found. On the other hand, women have a stronger health orientation in daily life habits, seem to differ from men in health perception, are more willing to treat symptoms and use health services more often for preventive reasons. Comparison of survey and examination data reveal a different health perception and a higher female willingness to treat symptoms. The question is arised whether the different health behaviour have long-term effects, especially on life-expectancy.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

[Neonatal respiratory distress syndrome in Switzerland. Data for 1984 and comparison with 1974].

In a retrospective study (questionnaire) covering all the neonatal special care units of Switzerland, information was obtained on, the problem cases in 84% of all babies born in 1984. 8.3% were hospitalized. Clinical respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) was diagnosed in 31% of these infants and hyaline membrane disease (HMD) in 6.3%. Mortality in clinical RDS was 7.1% and in HMD 19%. Mortality showed a high degree of correlation with birth-weight. Comparison of the 1984 data with a similar study in 1974 showed no significant change in the incidence of clinical RDS. The incidence of HMD (diagnosis by the same criteria) has fallen from 10.1% to 6.3%. Overall mortality in hospitalized newborns in Switzerland has decreased from 8.8% in 1974 to 4% in 1984.

Cross-Sectional Studies↗
PubMed1987

[Neonatal respiratory distress syndrome in Switzerland--a comparison of a survey and official statistics].

A survey in all neonatal intensive care units in Switzerland showed that most children with a birth weight below 2000 g (identified in the birth statistics) are hospitalised in those units. Also comparison with the official neonatal mortality statistics shows that most neonatal deaths occur in these units. High agreement was found between diagnosis in hospitalised children and those recorded on death certificates. 40% of neonatal mortality in Switzerland are still due to neonatal respiratory distress syndrome.

Cross-Sectional Studies↗
PubMed1986

[Influences on neuromotor development of 5 to 10-year-old children in Basel].

In a longitudinal study concerning somatic, psychic, and social development of children in Basle, the neuromotor development at the age of 5 and 10 years was examined. Motor retardation shows significant correlations with psychic and social development. The way 5 year old children of working mothers have been taken care of showed a significant influence on motor development. A retardation in motor development of kindergarten children indicates an increased probability for further retardations in school age, too.

Child↗
PubMed1986

[Nutrition education in kindergarten: results of an intervention study].

The nutrition intervention in the case of the 3 target groups (children, kindergarten teachers and parents) with regard to knowledge, awareness of nutrition problems, efforts to make changes and the achieved improvement in eating habits met with partial success. Six months after the intervention, this partial success was already in some cases declining, a factor which with an extension of the programme to all kindergartens in the canton of Basel-Stadt will have to be taken into account.

Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena↗