SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “HOLIDAYS”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

PubMed1996

Incidence of malignant melanoma of the skin in Norway, 1955-1989: associations with solar ultraviolet radiation, income and holidays abroad.

BACKGROUND: Norway has the highest incidence of melanoma in Europe. This study analyses geographical variations in melanoma incidence within Norway and their association with possible aetiological factors. METHODS: Data on melanoma incidence from the Norwegian Cancer Registry were used to calculate standardized incidence ratios (SIR) for the 19 counties in Norway for each 5-year period from 1955 to 1989. Multiple regression analysis was used to examine the associations between these SIR and local UVB levels, holidays abroad and income. Similar methods were also used to analyse changes in SIR between 1955-1969 and 1985-1989. RESULTS: There was a highly significant association between melanoma incidence and UVB in each of the time periods studied. Income showed a significant positive association in the 1960s and early 1970s but not later. Foreign holidays showed a significant positive association in the 1980s, but not earlier. Changes in melanoma SIR between 1955-1969 and 1985-1989 were significantly positively associated with holidays abroad and negatively with income levels. CONCLUSIONS: Melanoma incidence in Norway is closely related to local levels of UVB radiation independently of other factors suggesting that local exposures carry significant risk. Risks would probably increase if ozone depletion led to enhanced UVB flux (estimated as 1.6% rise in incidence for each 1% increase in UVB). By the end of the study period income was no longer a significant factor but holidays abroad had started to have a detectable effect on melanoma incidence.

Environmental Exposure↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The psychodynamics of the "holiday syndrome".

The holiday season is clearly a time of great emotional conflict, especially for schizophrenics. Both the occurrence of the holiday season and the psychoanalytic group process itself stimulate regression in the schizophrenic which uncovers the frustration and anger associated with dependency needs. The therapist who understands the pychodynamics set in motion by the holidays and by psychoanalytic group pschotherapy can utilize the content of group interaction during the holiday season to stimulate group process, the expression of mutual concerns, and cohesion among the members.

Anger↗

PubMed2004

Seasonality of type 1 diabetes mellitus in children and its modification by weekends and holidays: retrospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: Diagnoses of type 1 insulin dependent diabetes mellitus are generally more common in winter, although this seasonal pattern has not been observed in children of preschool age (0-4 years) or in all countries. AIMS: To confirm the persistence of seasonality and the influence of age, holidays, and weekends. METHODS: We extracted data on date of birth, date of presentation, age, and sex of children diagnosed with diabetes and registered with the Scottish Study Group for the Care of Diabetes in the Young. Cosinor analysis was applied to monthly and mid-monthly data. Two sample Z tests were used to compare the epochs 1984-1992 and 1993-2001. RESULTS: Some 4517 children between 0 and 14 years of age (2407 male and 2110 female) presented with IDDM between 1 January 1984 and 31 December 2001. Seasonality was evident in children above 4 years of age with amplitudes of 19.5-25.7% and peaks between mid December and mid January. Presentation was strongly influenced by weekends and holiday periods, with reduced presentations in December compared with November and January, and with the lowest presentations in July (the main Scottish holiday month). Using mid-month to mid-month data did not change the overall seasonality but did improve the fits for cosinor analysis. Mondays and Fridays were the most common days for presentation. CONCLUSION: Initial presentation of IDDM in Scotland follows a stable seasonal pattern in all but the youngest children with lower rates of presentation in holiday periods and at weekends for all age groups.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1989

School holidays and admissions with asthma.

The admission rate for asthma at a children's hospital was studied over an 11 year period. Admissions varied unpredictably over periods of a few days, but there was a repeated yearly pattern of peaks and troughs with an interval of several weeks. The short term variation could be attributed to chance effects alone, excluding any important role for short term influences--for example, weather changes--in precipitating asthma admissions. There was a definite association between the longer term variation and school holidays. The admission rate fell during holidays and there were two or more peaks during terms. The pattern is consistent with a largely viral aetiology for asthmatic attacks throughout the year. We postulate that school holidays disrupt the spread of viral infections in a community, with synchronisation of subsequent attacks. Travel during holidays may facilitate acquisition of new viral strains by the community.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Mood changes in homesick persons during a holiday trip. A multiple case study.

BACKGROUND: Homesickness is generally studied with respect to rather uncommon long-lasting situations such as a (forced) move, while short stays away from home, like holidays, are much more common homesickness situations. Furthermore, little is known about the development and course of homesickness feelings. Therefore, the present multiple case study was designed in order to obtain a better insight into the onset and course of homesickness and patterns of mood changes, as well as saliva cortisol levels during a short stay away from home. METHODS: Several times before, during and after their holiday, 10 adult homesick-prone females completed the Profile of Mood States (POMS), the Homesickness Decision Tree (HDT) and a Subjective Homesickness Rating. In addition, saliva samples were obtained. Data were analyzed individually. Furthermore, days with and without homesickness were compared across individuals using t tests. RESULTS: Using the HDT, the following typology, based upon four different reaction patterns, emerged: (1) no homesickness, (2) anticipation homesickness, (3) holiday homesickness, and (4) a combination of anticipation and holiday homesickness. POMS scores demonstrated significantly worsened mood when experiencing homesickness. Cortisol levels, however, failed to differ between days with and without homesickness. CONCLUSIONS: Homesickness is characterized by negative mood which is not necessarily reflected in significantly changed salivary cortisol levels. Feelings of homesickness are not only experienced during absence from home, but may occur also in anticipation to a leave. Future studies need to focus upon the prevalence, causes and consequences of the different types of homesickness.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

(Not) a Hallmark holiday. Experience of family caregivers of a relative with Alzheimer's disease.

1. The holiday season may be an especially difficult time for families that have a relative with a dementia. 2. The three themes identified in interviews with family caregivers of a relative with Alzheimer's disease concerned becoming aware of the relative's symptoms, trying to have one last normal holiday, and deciding how to handle the holidays when the relative was in an assisted living facility. 3. Health care providers can help families by planning interventions to decrease stress during the holiday season.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMed2004

Fall-related injuries during the holiday season--United States, 2000-2003.

Although fall-related injuries occur throughout the year, few studies have analyzed seasonal patterns, and none have examined the extent of such injuries associated with holiday decorating. To characterize nonfatal fall injuries associated with decorating or related activities, CDC analyzed data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System All Injury Program (NEISS-AIP) for three winter holiday seasons. This report summarizes the results of that analysis, which indicated that, during 2000-2003, an estimated 17,465 persons were treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments (EDs) for holiday-decorating-related falls. Approximately 62% of those injured were aged 20-49 years; approximately 43% of injuries were caused by falls from ladders; and males were 40% more likely than females to be injured. Prevention strategies should focus on raising awareness about falls and promoting safety practices during the holiday season.

Accidental Falls↗

PubMed1996

Alcohol and rhythm disturbance: the holiday heart syndrome.

The association between alcohol use and rhythm disturbances, particularly supraventricular tachyarrhythmias in apparently healthy people is called "holiday heart syndrome". The syndrome was first described in persons with heavy alcohol consumption, who typically presented at weekends or after holidays, but it may also occur in patients who usually drink little or no alcohol. The most common rhythm disorder is atrial fibrillation, which usually converts to normal sinus rhythm within 24 hours. The incidence of the holiday heart syndrome depends on the drinking habits of the studied population. The holiday heart syndrome should be considered particularly as a diagnosis in patients without overt heart disease presenting with new onset atrial fibrillation. Though recurrences occur, the clinical course is benign and specific antiarrhythmic therapy is usually not warranted.

Alcohol Drinking↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Parkinson's disease: follow-up after "drug holiday".

Long-term management of patients with Parkinson's disease includes close monitoring and frequent dose adjustment. In a small selected group of patients, complete withdrawal of L-dopa (drug holiday) and slow reintroduction of lower doses of this drug assured continued benefit for six to 24 months. We studied 45 drug holidays in 45 patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease. Average preholiday L-dopa dose was 2,970 mg/d; at 24 months, it was 263 mg/d. The drug holiday resulted in reduced adverse drug effects (dyskinesias, "on-off" phenomenon, hallucinations, and confusion), and improved functional ratings at one, six, 12, and 24 months after the drug holiday.

Aged↗

PubMed1981

Effects of a six-week drug holiday on symptom status, relapse, and tardive dyskinesia in chronic schizophrenics.

We have conducted a 6-wk drug withdrawal study in a group of chronic schizophrenic outpatients who had been maintained on injectable fluphenazine decanoate for at least 2 yr prior to the study. After two baseline assessments, patients were randomly assigned to two groups. The first group (holiday) received a placebo injection from a nurse who was not involved in the assessment (N = 17). The second group continued on their regular medication (N = 14). The assessment was done in a double-blind fashion at 3 and 6 wk using the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia (SADS) and the Global Assessment Scale (GAS) inventories to assess symptom status. Tardive dyskinesia was measured using the Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS). Community adjustment was assessed by means of the self-rated Weissman Social Adjustment Scale. We found that there were no relapses of any kind in either group of patients using the instruments mentioned above. The prevalence of tardive dyskinesia as measured by the AIMS was low, with only one patient having severe tardive dyskinesia. There was no significant worsening of the tardive dyskinesia during the drug holiday. Our study concludes that a 6-wk drug holiday was safe in this group of chronic schizophrenic patients maintained on fluphenazine decanoate. In contrast to other studies, no cases of covert tardive dyskinesia were detected during the drug holiday.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Restoration of oral all-trans retinoic acid bioavailability after a brief drug holiday.

We evaluated the utility of a 7-day drug holiday in the restoration of chronic dosing all-trans-retinoic acid (tRA) blood levels in 11 non-small cell lung carcinoma patients. Baseline kinetic studies (day 1) were compared to postchronic dosing (day 7) and drug holiday kinetics (day 14). High levels of baseline pharmacokinetic variability and variability in response to prolonged tRA therapy were evident. Median area under the curve (AUC) decreased from a baseline level of 1.2 to 0.69 microg/ml/h (p = 0.03). t (1/2) showed no significant alterations. A near-significant increase in T (lag) (p = 0.08) was noted, which suggests modulation of absorbance parameters. Trends in AUC were strongly correlated with C (max) as was T (max) with T (lag). After a 7-day drug holiday the median AUC significantly increased from the day 7 value to 1.8 microg/ml/h p = 0.01). Since post-drug holiday values for parameters were not statistically different from baseline pharmacokinetic values, this suggests a complete restoration of tRA bioavailability.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

PubMed1988

British Diabetic Association holidays--what are they worth?

A postal survey among families of 63 children attending two BDA educational holidays studied their expectations before (Questionnaire 1) and experiences 3 months afterwards (Questionnaire 2). Of 47 families replying to both questionnaires (22M, 25F; mean age 8.4 years, range 5-13.8 years), expectations expressed by parents for their children were that they gain in confidence and independence (n = 36), mix with other diabetic children (n = 32), learn to self-inject (n = 27), improve diet (n = 23), and have a good holiday (n = 10). Thirty-five families subsequently reported that their expectations had been met. After the holiday, although there was no change in frequency of blood or urine testing, there was an increase in children doing tests on their own (Q1: 15, Q2: 28, p = 0.003); more parents reported confidence in their child recognizing a hypoglycaemic episode (Q1: 29, Q2: 39, p = 0.001); and there was a sustained increase in independence with insulin injections (Q1: 29, Q2: 35, p = 0.042). This study provides evidence that BDA holidays benefit parents and their children, and do so mainly by increasing the children's confidence and independence in diabetic care.

Anxiety, Separation↗

PubMed1981

Complications of chronic levodopa therapy: long-term efficacy of drug holiday.

Chronic use of levodopa may be complicated by dyskinesias, on-off effect, or hallucinosis. Transient levodopa withdrawal (drug holiday) may increase motor responsiveness and decrease levodopa-induced side effects, and the improved state may persist for as long as 9 months. After 1 year, parkinsonian signs approached pre-holiday levels, and two of the patients required a second drug holiday; side effects began to reappear 9 to 12 months after the holiday. Four of six patients with psychiatric complications remained free of hallucinations for the entire year.

Aged↗

PubMed2004

Holidays, birthdays, and postponement of cancer death.

CONTEXT: Articles in the medical literature and lay press have supported a belief that individuals, including those dying of cancer, can temporarily postpone their death to survive a major holiday or other significant event, but results and effects have been variable. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether, for the patient dying of cancer, a "death takes a holiday" effect showing a reduction in deaths in the week before a significant event was associated with Christmas, the US holiday of Thanksgiving, or the date of the individual's birthday. DESIGN, SETTING, AND SUBJECTS: Analysis of death certificate data for all 1,269,474 persons dying in Ohio from 1989-2000, including 309,221 persons dying with cancer noted as the leading cause of death. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: We measured the total number of cancer deaths in the 2 weeks centered on the event of interest and the proportion of these deaths that occurred in the week before the event to determine whether this proportion was significantly different from 0.5 by using an exact binomial test. RESULTS: The proportion of persons dying of cancer in the week before Christmas, Thanksgiving, and the individual's birthday was not significantly different from the proportion dying in the week after the event (P = .52, .26, and .06, respectively). However, among black individuals there was an increase in cancer deaths in the week before Thanksgiving (P = .01), whereas women showed an increase in cancer deaths in the week before their birthday (P = .05). There was no statistically significant excess of deaths in the postevent week in any subgroup. CONCLUSION: We found no evidence, in contrast to previous studies, that cancer patients are able to postpone their deaths to survive significant religious, social, or personal events.

Anniversaries and Special Events↗

PubMed1988

Death takes a holiday: mortality surrounding major social occasions.

To determine whether death can be postponed until after an important social occasion the number of deaths before and after the Jewish holiday of Passover (1966-84) were compared. Passover was chosen for study because it allows comparison of the participating and non-participating (control) groups, and it moves around the calendar (thus allowing separation of the effects of the holiday from the effects of the seasons). In the total Jewish sample (n = 1919), the number of deaths was lower than expected in the week before Passover and higher than expected in the week after (p = 0.045). This dip-peak pattern of mortality was concentrated among people with unambiguously Jewish surnames (p = 0.003) and did not appear in various control groups, including Blacks, Orientals, and Jewish infants. The pattern was most pronounced in the years when the holiday fell on a weekend, when it is most likely to be celebrated by the largest number of people (n = 183; p = 0.001). This pattern was statistically significant by binomial tests and by regression analyses of the data. The Passover pattern of mortality was found in each of the three leading causes of death.

Black or African American↗

PubMed1994

Emergency department patterns in psychiatric visits during the holiday season.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of psychopathology during the holiday season and which subpopulations are at greatest risk for holiday decompensation. DESIGN: A retrospective analysis of emergency department records. SETTING: ED of a university-affiliated hospital located in a mixed urban-agricultural catchment area in North Carolina. PARTICIPANTS: Eight thousand seven hundred fifty-six patient visits to the ED, with subsequent triage for psychiatric evaluation, for a 6-year period (1987 to 1993), were analyzed. RESULTS: We observed seasonal patterns in visits, with a general decrease in visits preceding holidays followed by an increase afterward. Substance abusers, men, and black patients were more likely to visit the ED than expected, particularly during the weeks surrounding Christmas. CONCLUSION: These results support the existence of a "Christmas effect" on ED visitations by patients with psychiatric symptoms. Understanding of these patterns may help emergency physicians predict the seasonal variation of such patient visits and apply preventive measures accordingly.

Emergency Service, Hospital↗

PubMed1999

The contribution of 'holiday deaths' to seasonal variations in asthma mortality in England and Wales.

BACKGROUND: In younger age groups there is a summer peak in asthma deaths, but whether this is due to social or environmental factors is not known. One suggested social factor is a summer holiday away from home during which there may be a lack of compliance with medication or greater difficulty in getting medical help. In older age groups there is a winter peak in asthma deaths. OBJECTIVE: To study the contribution of 'holiday deaths' to seasonal variations in asthma mortality in England and Wales. METHODS: Routinely collected mortality statistics were used (all asthma deaths of persons dying in England and Wales, 1991-93 and 1995). Deaths occurring 40 miles or more from home were estimated using the District Health Authority in which the person was usually resident; the registration district of death; and the 'transferability code' (derived by the Office for National Statistics). RESULTS: There were 484 asthma deaths in people aged 0-34 years, and 6337 asthma deaths in people aged 35 years or more. Deaths estimated to occur 40 miles or more from home contributed little (16%) to the summer peak in asthma deaths age 0-34 years, and nothing to the winter peak in asthma deaths age 35 years or more. CONCLUSIONS: Holidays away from home do not play an important part in explaining the seasonal variation of either young or old asthma deaths. Other social or environmental factors are more important.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2003

Food and waterborne infections associated with package holidays.

The surveillance and prevention of food and waterborne infections in package holiday tourists relies more on common sense and experience rather than evidence based scientific facts. In spite of the major economic value to both sending and receiving countries it is a problem that is largely ignored by health departments at both local and national levels. Package holiday tourism is a growing industry with over 20 million holidays sold every year in the UK. Destinations are in every continent including countries with poorly developed, as well as those with an advanced, public health infrastructure. The incidence of gastrointestinal infection is not reflected in official surveillance programmes as they largely fail to capture information on travel associated infections. Outbreaks of food and waterborne infections in these resorts are largely not investigated. Major British tour operators have responded by developing a crude but effective continuous surveillance system for subjective travellers' diarrhoea. The importance of food and water hygiene is, however, not ignored and proactive preventative programmes are being developed and implemented in some resort as well as by the tourist industry and international agencies. There is a need for further cooperation and partnership between workers in different countries, different disciplines and between the public and private sectors.

Commerce↗