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PubMed2004

Gender differences in epidemiological factors associated with treatment completion status of leprosy patients in the most hyperendemic district of Nepal.

The introduction of multidrug therapy (MDT), recommended by WHO, has been a major advance in the treatment of leprosy because of its relatively short treatment course and low rate of relapse. Although leprosy treatment is provided to both sexes equally, in most parts of the world significant differences have been found in treatment status. The main objective of the study was to investigate gender differences in epidemiological factors associated with treatment status of leprosy patients. An analytic cross-sectional study was carried out in the most hyperendemic Dhanusa District, Nepal. Stratified random sampling was applied for selection of the patients. Statistical analysis of the differences in treatment status, between males and females, and among other epidemiological factors of interest was carried out using multiple logistic regression. Chi-square/Fisher's exact test were also used to assess significant differences in values between males and females. There were 580 leprosy patients (385 male and 195 female) aged >15 years registered for MDT between April 1, 2001 to March 31, 2002 in the 16 main health centers of the district. Of the 580 patients, a total of 273 (183 male and 90 female) were included in the study, to collect data on clinical type of leprosy, patterns of physical deformity/disability, site of skin lesions, and socio-demographic information. There were 183 male (68.3% on MB-MDT) and 90 female (61.1% MB-MDT) leprosy patients. We found that 79.2% of male patients completed treatment, while 34.4% female patients did not complete within the given time frame. Significant gender differences among leprosy patients were found in the distribution of disability grades and treatment completion status. However, there was no significant gender difference in the distribution of leprosy types and skin lesion sites. The study also found significant associations between treatment completion status and gender (adjusted OR 2.05, 95% CI: 1.07-3.94), educational status (adjusted OR 2.37, 95% CI: 1.12-4.99), disability grade I (adjusted OR 3.14, 95% CI: 1.23-8.04), and disability grade 0 (adjusted OR 2.92, 95% CI: 1.14-7.47) after adjustment for all other leprosy/demographic factors.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Investigation on the epidemiological factors of Clonorchis sinensis infection in an area of south China.

To detect the epidemiological factors of Clonorchis sinensis infection in Hengxian County, one of counties in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region where Schistosoma japonicum was endemic but eliminated in the late 1980s, a questionnaire was designed with 37 questions covering socioeconomic conditions and human behavior, contamination of the environment and fish ponds, inadequate farming/fishery practices; and the formalin-ether sedimentation technique was used to examine the feces of cats, dogs and pigs for the eggs of C. sinensis. Fresh fish was sliced and digested to detect the metacercariae of C. sinensis under a stereomicroscope. Of 1,521 people interviewed, 64% of the interviewees did not know about fluke disease or its transmission route, 46% of those who knew about the fluke believed that the infection caused no harm or only slight harm to their health. More than half of the interviewees (51%) ate raw fish at least 1-2 times per month, more among the middle-aged males. Eight percent of them used the same utensils for both raw fish and cooked food. When advice was given not to eat raw fish, 73% of the interviewees thought it was not feasible. In relation to pisciculture, 25% and 9% of the owners of fish ponds fed their fish with feces of domestic animals and human feces, respectively. The prevalences of C. sinensis infection in cats, dogs and pigs were 70, 50 and 27%, respectively, and the infection rate in fish was 40%. These results indicate the poor knowledge, and beliefs, and unhealthy behaviors in the human population. They also show poor environmental hygiene and inappropriate farming/fishery practices are important in the increase of C. sinensis prevalence in humans. Combined interventions, including health education, environmental modification, reform of traditional farming/fishery practices, mass screening and chemotherapy for humans, and the management of domestic animals are needed in developing control strategies to decrease C. sinensis infection in the human population.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Environmental and social factors in rheumatoid factor epidemiology.

The effect of social and environmental conditions on the epidemiology of Rheumatoid Factor (RF) in healthy population was studied. For this purpose 2 sample of 828 subject was studied using 5 tests for RF. Our sample included: 419 randomized subjects from a quarter at the outskirts of Bologna (high rate immigration, non homogeneous habits and health background; 409 randomized subjects from one rural small town on the Romagna's hills (no immigration, no change in residence or profession for generations, uniform, habits and health background). These tests included: three on slide with binded human (2) and rabbit (1) IgGs and sheep-cells tests-one on slide (Scat) and the other in tube (W.-Rose by Mizuoka). The most frequent positive test was Scat test, in urban population and one human IgG latex-test in the rural population. No urban subject reacted at the same time to 4 or 5 tests. Associated positive results for 2, 3 or 4 tests are usually observed in rural subjects. These results are the expression of the different and more uniform social and biological background acquired by rural people.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Incidence and epidemiological factors of hepatocellular carcinoma in Valencia during the year 2000.

AIM: to ascertain the incidence and epidemiological factors of hepatocellular carcinoma in the Province of Valencia, Spain. DESIGN: a prospective study was made of hepatocellular carcinoma during the year 2000 collecting all diagnosed cases from four hospitals during that year. RESULTS: a total of 64 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma with a male predominance (42/22) and a mean age of 73.4 years (range of 42-90) were diagnosed. Incidence rate was 8.2 per 100,000, and cirrhosis was known to pre-exist in most cases, half of which were Child-Pugh A. Anti-VHC positive, alone or alcohol or virus B related was detected in 3 of every 4 cases. In the majority of the cases the tumours were located in the right hepatic lobe and the size at first diagnosis was less than 3 cm in 37.3% of the cases. Alpha-fetoprotein levels only exceeded 200 mg/ml in 37.3% of the patients and bore a good size relation to the tumour (R=0.245, p=0.003. No relation vis-à-vis aetiology with age, sex, tumour location or Child-Pugh stage was found. CONCLUSIONS: the incident rate of hepatocellular carcinoma in Valencia province during 2000 was 8.2 per 100,000 individuals. This lesion appeared more frequently in men between the ages of 60-80. Hepatitis C virus was the main etiologic agent found. Key words: Hepatocellular carcinoma. Incidence. Hepatitis C virus. Epidemiology. Child-Pugh grade. Alpha-fetoprotein.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Never smokers and lung cancer risk: a case-control study of epidemiological factors.

We performed an analysis of potential epidemiological risk factors for lung cancer using data from 280 cases and 242 hospital-based controls, all lifetime never smokers (those who had smoked <100 cigarettes in their lifetimes) and frequency matched on age, gender and ethnicity. The data on demographic characteristics, medical history of respiratory diseases (asthma, emphysema, pneumonia and hay fever), weight and height, family history, female characteristics and environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) and dust exposure were derived from personal interviews. We performed a logistic regression analysis of these variables adjusting for age, gender, ethnicity, income and years of education. Exposure to ETS (OR = 2.08, 95% CI [1.25-3.43]) and dusts (OR = 2.43, 95% CI [1.53-3.88]) were associated with significantly increased risk. In the analysis for joint effects, exposure to both ETS and dusts conferred a higher risk (OR = 3.25, 95% CI [1.58-6.70]) than exposure to either alone. Family history of any cancer with onset before age 50 in at least 1 first degree relative was a significant risk predictor (OR = 1.70, 95% CI [1.10-2.64]). Individuals with a self-reported physician-diagnosed history of hay fever, but not asthma, had a decreased lung cancer risk (OR = 0.57, 95% CI [0.35-0.92]). In the multivariate analysis, exposure to ETS and dusts, and family history of cancer with onset before age 50 were significant risk factors, while a history of hay fever (occurring without asthma) was significantly protective.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

The influence of epidemiologic factors on drug resistance rates in tuberculosis.

We evaluated the relationship between drug resistance rates and various epidemiologic factors in 376 hospitalized adults with culture-proved tuberculosis, studying 356 cases prospectively, 20 retrospectively. The patient was interviewed in 332 cases. Patients born in the United States, Canada, or Europe were considered to belong to Group I. Group II consisted of patients born in Latin America, Asia, or Africa and was subdivided into II(a), immigrants living in the United States for more than 10 yr, and II(b), those living here less than 10 yr. Of the 70 patients who had received antituberculosis therapy in the past, resistance rates in Group II (n = 31) to isoniazid (INH), streptomycin (SM), and rifampin (RIF) were extremely high: 39, 29, and 19%, respectively. Nineteen percent showed resistance to both INH and RIF. In Group I (n = 39), INH, SM, and RIF resistance rates were 8, 5, and 8%, respectively. Of 283 patients who gave no history of prior antituberculosis therapy, those in Groups I and II(a) (n = 170) rarely showed INH or RIF resistance. Among recent immigrants from Latin America or Asia [Group II(b), n = 113], 11.5% showed INH or RIF resistance and 14% harbored organisms resistant to SM. Thus, the 3 variables that are most helpful in estimating the likelihood of drug resistance are a history of prior antituberculosis therapy, country of origin, and duration of residence in the United States.

Antitubercular Agents↗
PubMed1988

Epidemiological factors in acute infectious infantile diarrhoea in Cape Town.

The results of a year-long prospective study of the epidemiological factors associated with acute infectious infantile diarrhoea in Cape Town are reported. Many coloured infants had a low birth weight, which was a risk factor for subsequent malnutrition. The parents were young, often unmarried, had 1-3 children and below average living conditions. However, coloured parents were better educated and had smaller families than their black counterparts. The incidence of breast-feeding was low, especially in the coloured population group. Black families originated from a largely migrant population and generally came from a squalid environment and had a higher incidence of sibling deaths. A hypothesis is advanced: coloured infants with infectious diarrhoea come from a deprived subgroup of their community while black patients come from a society that is generally disadvantaged and impoverished. In both groups financial pressures exacerbate the situation. Priorities are an improvement in living conditions--particularly for the black community--and the promotion of breast-feeding among coloured mothers. Oral rehydration programmes are advocated for both groups.

Black or African American↗
PubMed1986

[Epidemiologic factors in cervical cancer--investigation on 306 pairs of partners. Jiangxi Co-operative Group of Cervical Cancer].

To investigate the epidemiologic factors in Jingan and Tonggu counties, high incidence areas of cervical cancer, the 306 patient-control pairs were studied in 1980. These patients with various stages of cervical cancer were pathologically diagnosed in mass screening. The controls were healthy women of the same tribe and occupation, living in the same village as the patients. The age difference between the patients and the controls were not over 2-3 years. The ratio of the patients to the controls was 1:1. 36 doubtful factors were investigated by direct inquiry with uniform tables. After statistical analysis, it was found that sexual activity, smegma and cervical erosion are the high risk factors in causing cervical cancer. These three factors coexist, the relative risk was 11.2. It suggests that these factors have a comprehensive effect in causing cervical cancer. In view of the above, we suggested a preliminary plan for preventing and blocking of the development of cervical cancer and experiments in Jingan county are being carried out.

China↗
PubMed1997

Projectile metallic foreign bodies in the orbit: a retrospective study of epidemiologic factors, management, and outcomes.

PURPOSE: Intraorbital projectile metallic foreign bodies are associated with significant ocular and orbital injuries. The authors sought to evaluate epidemiologic factors, the incidence of associated ocular and orbital injury, and the nature and necessity of surgical intervention in these cases. METHODS: Charts of all patients with projectile intraorbital metallic foreign bodies seen at our institution (27) over the preceding 7 years were evaluated with respect to age, sex, type of injury, associated ocular and orbital injuries, location of the projectile (anterior, epibulbar, or posterior), postinjury visual acuity, and surgical intervention. RESULTS: The majority of patients were male, between the ages of 11 and 30, and had BB pellet injuries. Thirteen projectiles were lodged anteriorly, 4 were in an epibulbar position, and the remaining 10 were posterior to the equator. Twelve of 13 anterior, and 4 of 4 epibulbar foreign bodies were removed surgically, whereas only 2 of 10 posterior foreign bodies required surgery. No case of surgical intervention resulted in a decrease of visual acuity. Associated ocular injuries were both more common and severe in patients with posteriorly located foreign bodies. Final visual acuity was better at presentation and at discharge in patients with anteriorly located foreign bodies. CONCLUSION: Intraorbital projectile metallic foreign bodies can be a source of significant ocular morbidity. Management of these cases is dependent on the location of the projectile. Ancillary radiographic studies can be helpful. Surgery to remove the projectile should be considered in each case, but foreign bodies that are not readily accessible often may be left safely in place. Closer regulation of the pellet gun industry, with an emphasis on education and protective eyewear use, would be helpful in reducing these injuries.

Accidents, Occupational↗
PubMed1986

Comparison of knowledge on filariasis and epidemiologic factors between infected and uninfected respondents in a Malay community.

A study to identify the knowledge of infected and uninfected respondents on filariasis and epidemiologic factors in one endemic community in Malaysia to determine their role in the transmission and control of filariasis was carried out. The data were collected by non-participant observations and interviews using semi-structured schedules. The majority of respondents in both groups had knowledge of filariasis. There was no marked difference between male and female respondents, and similarly, there was fair distributions of knowledgeable respondents with and without some years of schooling. On filarial transmission, 9.2% of the infected said that filariasis was contacted through mosquito bites, while among the uninfected it was 7.4%. Within the infected, 14.8% thought that filarial worms entered the human body through the consumption of unhygenically prepared foods and drinks while, among the uninfected it was 20.4%. Both groups were aware of the presence of mosquitoes in their village. However, the majority did not associate this factor with host's susceptibility to filarial infections. Rather, they were of the opinion that personal hygiene and proper meals had something to do with filariasis. The findings showed there was general awareness of filariasis in the community which might indicate that the health campaigns had reached various levels of the population. Yet, they still lacked knowledge on disease transmission. Also, they did not make direct association between environment and exposure to mosquitoes bites though they were aware of their presence but which they regarded as not directly harmful to their health.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Histopathology of chronic hepatitis C in relation to epidemiological factors.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To evaluate the clinicopathological features of chronic hepatitis C, 170 liver biopsies were studied and histological grade and stage (degree of fibrosis) of hepatitis were correlated with epidemiological features and characteristic histological findings. METHODS/RESULTS: Normal liver was found in 3 (1.8%), minimal chronic hepatitis in 40 (23.5%), mild chronic hepatitis in 104 (61.2%) and moderate chronic hepatitis in 23 (13.5%) cases. Cirrhosis was observed in 24 (14.1%) patients and was more frequently encountered among patients more than 40 years old (34.4% vs 2.8%, p < 10(-6) and rarely among intravenous drug users in comparison with post-transfusion and sporadic cases (3% vs 25% and 20% respectively, p < 0.005). Minimal chronic hepatitis was more frequently observed among patients 40 years old or younger (30.3% vs 11.5%, p < 0.01)), while moderate chronic hepatitis was significantly more common in older age groups (24.6% vs 7.3%, p < 0.005). Multiple regression analysis revealed that only age was statistically related to histological grade and stage of hepatitis (p < 10(-5). The frequency of the histological features more likely seen in chronic hepatitis C, including steatosis (57.6%), lymphoid follicles and/or aggregates (F/A) (47.1%) and bile duct lesions (22.9%), increased with hepatitis grade and the latter two features were more often encountered in moderate chronic hepatitis (p < 0.005); in addition, both lesions statistically coexisted (p < 0.005). No correlation was found between histological findings and possible source of infection. CONCLUSIONS: More than half of the chronic hepatitis C patients presented mild histological lesions. Age was proven to be the only independent epidemiological factor related to histological grade and stage of hepatitis. Lymphoid F/A and bile duct damage are important diagnostic findings associated with hepatitis activity.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Hepatocellular carcinoma without cirrhosis in the West: epidemiological factors and histopathology of the non-tumorous liver. Groupe d'Etude et de Traitement du Carcinome Hépatocellulaire.

BACKGROUND/AIM: In the West, hepatocellular carcinoma rarely occurs in patients without cirrhosis. In these patients, epidemiological factors and the histopathology of the non-neoplastic liver are not well known. The aim of this study was to clarify these points. METHODS: We studied 30 patients (26 men, 28-87 years) with hepatocellular carcinoma and histologically-proven non-cirrhotic livers. Serological markers of HBV and HCV infection, as well as alcohol and tobacco consumption were evaluated. Pathological changes in the non-tumorous liver (fibrosis, inflammation, steatosis, alcoholic hepatitis lesions, iron overload, and large cell dysplasia) were systematically assessed using semi-quantitative scores. RESULTS: Twenty patients had alcohol intake > or =30 g/d and 16 were smokers. Serological HBV or HCV markers were positive in 10 patients. Only four patients had no exposure to alcohol or tobacco and no serological markers of HBV or HCV Histological examination showed that all livers had pathological changes. Seventeen patients (57%) had clearly-identified chronic liver disease: chronic hepatitis (n = 10) or alcoholic liver disease (n = 7). Non-specific and moderate pathological changes were observed in the 13 other patients (43%), with different degrees of fibrosis, activity, steatosis, and iron overload. Large cell dysplasia was present in 12 patients (40%). CONCLUSIONS: In our study, all patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and non-cirrhotic livers had non-tumorous pathological liver changes, especially iron overload and large cell dysplasia. These results suggest that hepatocellular carcinoma originates from an abnormal histological background, even in non-cirrhotic liver.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Streptococcus suis infection in swine: a retrospective study of 256 cases. Part I. Epidemiologic factors and antibiotic susceptibility patterns.

A retrospective study of 256 cases of naturally acquired Streptococcus suis infections in swine submitted to the Indiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory from 1985 to 1989 was performed to determine the epidemiologic factors and antibiotic susceptibility patterns associated with S. suis serotypes 1-8 and 1/2. A standardized computer form was used to record the history, signalment, and clinical signs obtained from the records of selected cases and the microscopic lesions identified after review of the histopathology slides for each case. A computer statistics package (SAS) was used to evaluate the data. Although the number of recovered S. suis isolates increased in the fall and winter months, most serotypes were readily isolated throughout the year; only serotypes 1, 4, 7, and 1/2 increased in frequency of isolation in the fall, winter, and spring months. The majority (61.1%) of infected pigs in this study were < 12 weeks of age. More than 75% of pigs infected with serotypes 1, 6, 7, and 1/2 were < 12 weeks of age. There was extensive overlap in the age distributions for pigs with each serotype, and statistically significant differences for most serotypes were not observed. Fifty percent of pigs infected with S. suis serotypes 1 and 1/2 were 3-10 weeks of age, 50% of pigs infected with serotype 2 were 6-14 weeks of age, and 50% of pigs infected with serotypes 3, 4, 5, 7, and 8 were 2-16 weeks of age. Isolates of S. suis were not uniformly susceptible to penicillin, and a large percentage of isolates were resistant to many antibiotics in common usage.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Age Factors↗
PubMed2000

Assessment of oral health status and its association with some epidemiological factors in population of Nagpur, India.

Present cross sectional study was undertaken in field practice area of Urban Health Training centre, Bapunagar, Nagpur to assess oral health status of community and to study the relationship of some epidemiological factors with it. Observations of the present study reveal that dental caries (43.2%) and periodontal diseases (34.8%) were the most common dental disorders. Other disorders were dentofacial anamoly (24.2%), opacities and enamel disorders (18.7%) and oral mucosal lesions 7.1%). Oral precancerous lesions (2.4%) also found to be an important problem. Prevalence of oral cancer was 0.1%. In general oral problems were more common in lower socioeconomic group and in habiters i.e. ghutka chewers, pan, tobacco eaters, candies eaters. Also use of tooth brush and tooth powder for cleaning teeth were found to be associated with lower prevalence of oro-dental disorders. Most of the problems were common in younger and middle aged population except cancer and precancerous lesions which were common in middle and older population. But oral submucous fibrosis was exclusively found in younger and middle aged subjects.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

[Epidemiological factors, treatment and prognosis of uterine sarcomas: 14 cases at the Cancer Institute of Dakar].

The study of uterus sarcoma took in interest because these tumors were unrecognized and sat nowadays many questions. The purpose of this study is to review the epidemiological factors, the problems of treatment and prognostic of uterus sarcoma. It's a retrospective study of 14 sarcomas of uterus reported from 1959 to 1997. The mean age of the patients was 54 years and they were on menopause in 78.6%. The clinical investigation found according the FIGO staging: 6 stage I (42.6%), 4 stage II (28.4%), 1 stage III (7.1%) and 3 stage IV (21.4%). The leiomyosarcoma (42.6%) appeared as the more frequent histologic lesion. Surgery was the principal treatment: it was alone on 3 cases (24.9%), associated with chemotherapy on 8 cases (66.8%) and one patient had an association surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The global survival was 21.4% at 2 years and all the patients were dead at 5 years and it seemed that it would be better when the patients were treated by radical surgery associated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Adult↗