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PubMed1999

[Realm and goals of social epidemiology. A contribution to determining current status in relation to German language discussion].

A first approach to the word "social epidemiology" is provided by the two components social and epidemiology. They suggest that the social dimension of the distribution of morbidity and mortality should be analysed by means of epidemiological methods. The interest in this topic has risen considerably in recent years, but it is difficult to exactly specify the questions "social-epidemiologists" are analysing or should be analysing. That is why the "Social Epidemiology Working Group" is now reviewing the state of the art of social epidemiology discussions in the German-speaking countries. The overview shows the broad spectrum of social epidemiology topics, but also the difficulties in providing a clear definition. In a brief description of the Anglo-American discussion it is pointed out that social epidemiology have to deal with similar problems there, and that they classify their work as epidemiology rather than social epidemiology. The paper concludes with recommendations by the Working Group concerning the main topics and objectives of current socio-epidemiological research.

Epidemiologic Factors↗

PubMed2004

Molecular biological analysis of genotyping and phylogeny of severe acute respiratory syndrome associated coronavirus.

BACKGROUND: SARS-CoV is the causative agent of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) which has been associated with outbreaks of SARS in Guangdong, Hong Kong and Beijing of China, and other regions worldwide. SARS-CoV from human has shown some variations but its origin is still unknown. The genotyping and phylogeny of SARS-CoV were analyzed and reported in this paper. METHODS: Full or partial genomes of 44 SARS-CoV strains were collected from GenBank. The genotype, single nucleotide polymorphism and phylogeny of these SARS-CoV strains were analyzed by molecular biological, bioinformatic and epidemiological methods. RESULTS: There were 188 point mutations in the 33 virus full genomes with the counts of mutation mounting to 297. Further analysis was carried out among 36 of 188 loci with more than two times of mutation. All the 36 mutation loci occurred in coding sequences and 22 loci were non-synonymous. The gene mutation rates of replicase 1AB, S2 domain of spike glycoprotein and nucleocapsid protein were lower (0.079% - 0.103%). There were 4 mutation loci in S1 domain of spike glycoprotein. The gene mutation rate of ORF10 was the highest (3.333%) with 4 mutation loci in this small domain (120 bp) and 3 of 4 loci related to deletion mutation. By bioinformatics processing and analysis, the nucleotides at 7 loci of genome (T:T:A:G:T:C:T/C:G:G:A:C:T:C) can classify SARS-CoV into two types. Therefore a novel definition is put forward that according to these 7 loci of mutation, 40 strains of SARS-CoV in GenBank can be grouped into two genotypes, T:T:A:G:T:C:T and C:G:G:A:C:T:C, and named as SARS-CoV Yexin genotype and Xiaohong genotype. The two genotypes can be further divided into some sub-genotypes. These genotypes can also be approved by phylogenetic tree of three levels of 44 loci of mutation, spike glycoprotein gene and complete genome sequence. Compared to various strains among SARS-CoV Yexin genotype and Xiaohong genotype, GD01 strain of Yexin genotype is more closely related to SARS-CoV like-virus from animals. CONCLUSION: The results mentioned above suggest that SARS-CoV is responding to host immunological pressures and experiencing variation which provide clues, information and evidence of molecular biology for the clinical pathology, vaccine developing and epidemic investigation.

Evolution, Molecular↗

PubMed2001

Epidemiology and etiology of reported cases of child physical abuse in Zimbabwean primary schools.

OBJECTIVE: There were two objectives: First, to determine the nature and extent of physical abuse perpetrated on primary school pupils by their teachers; second, to determine why some teachers physically abuse their primary school pupils in Zimbabwe. METHOD: Epidemiological data of reported physical abuse by teachers in Zimbabwe between January 1990 and December 1997 were analyzed using information in their files. RESULTS: The study found that 78.9% of the perpetrators were male while 21.1% were female; 92.1% of the perpetrators were trained teachers while 7.9% were untrained; 58.7% of the victims were male while 41.3% were female; 91.4% of the cases were reported by the pupils themselves and 8.7% by the school head; 73.9% of these cases were reported to the Ministry of Education and 26.1% to the police. In this study, 80.4% of the victims were beaten, whipped or hit by their perpetrators; 10.9% were clapped or slapped; 4.3% were punched with fists; 2.2% each were kicked and pinched, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The findings indicate that teachers perpetuate various forms of physical abuse and that this form of abuse is now on the increase. The findings indicate that some perpetrators use corporal punishment on female pupils against the stipulated Public Service (Disciplinary) Regulations. What is clear is that the Public Service (Disciplinary) Regulations seem not to be deterrent enough because the majority of the perpetrators are merely fined or reprimanded while only a very small percentage is discharged from the teaching service.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2003

Injuries experienced by infant children: a population-based epidemiological analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Injuries to infant children are an important health concern, yet there are few population-based analyses from which to develop prevention initiatives. This study describes the external causes, natures, and disposition from an emergency department of infants with injuries for a geographically distinct population in Eastern Ontario. METHODS: Epidemiologic analysis of emergency-based surveillance data (1994-2000) for infants (<12 months old) from the Kingston sites of the Canadian Hospitals Injury Reporting and Prevention Program. RESULTS: A total of 990 cases of injury to infants were identified, of which 217 (21.9%) required significant medical intervention. Leading causes of injury were falls (605/990; 61.1%), ingestion injuries (65/990; 6.6%), and burns (56/990; 5.7%). Common types of falls experienced were: from furniture (229/605; 37.9%), being dropped (92/605; 15.2%), in car seats (73/605; 12.1%), down stairs (63/605; 10.4%), or in a child walker (42/605; 6.9%). The observed patterns of injury changed according to the ages of the children. Vignettes are used to illustrate recurrent injury patterns (falls, physical vulnerability, burns and ingestions, equipment injuries). CONCLUSION: The results indicate the relative importance of several external causes of injury and how these vary by age group. This population-based information is also useful in establishing rational priorities for prevention, and the targeting of interventions toward responsible authorities.

Accidental Falls↗

PubMed1999

The emerging importance of genetics in epidemiologic research. I. Basic concepts in human genetics and laboratory technology.

PURPOSE: To define a general framework of current approaches to the discovery of disease-associated genes and the role of genetic factors in influencing disease risk through the integration of genome technology and traditional epidemiologic methods. METHODS: An overview of basic concepts in human genetics, laboratory methodology for measuring genetic variation believed to influence common diseases, and issues concerning preparation and utilization of genetic materials is provided as a foundation for genetic epidemiologic research. RESULTS: Identification and characterization of human genetic variation is providing new risk factors for disease in the form of DNA sequence variation. The availability of genetic material from participants in large epidemiologic studies and appropriate informed consent represents an invaluable resource for exploring genetic and environmental influences on disease risk. CONCLUSIONS: Advances in genome technology coupled with vast amounts of genetic data resulting from the Human Genome Project are broadening the scope of epidemiologic research and providing tools to identify individuals at increased risk of disease. Combining diverse expertise from the fields of epidemiology and human genetics provides unique opportunities to localize disease-susceptibility genes and examine molecular mechanisms of complex disease etiology.

DNA↗

PubMed1983

Use of epidemiology in primary care.

There is increasing interest in developing a stronger relationship between epidemiology and primary care. The practice of primary care, either individual-, family- or community-oriented, goes from examination and definition of health problems through planning, intervention, surveillance and evaluation. In individual-oriented primary care, the use of epidemiology is mainly based on the application of knowledge and principles. Community-oriented primary care requires, in addition, the application of epidemiological methods to perform surveys designed to quantify health problems in the community, thus allowing for planning of preventive and curative services.

Adult↗

PubMed1993

[Epidemiology of traveler's diarrhea in Spanish tourists travelling in developing countries].

BACKGROUND: Travellers' diarrhea (TD) is the most frequent problem in travellers going to the developing countries. This paper analyses the prevalence of the syndrome by geographical areas as well as the risk factors in 2209 Spanish travellers to 3 continents. METHODS: Epidemiological data were gathered through a personnel interview filled by the travellers during their return trip. Those were introduce in a DbaseIII plus computer program and were evaluated through the Epi Info program. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of TD found was 41%. The Indian subcontinent, the Middle East and Moghreb countries showed a higher prevalence of TD. Trekkers and people on boat cruises (Nile and Amazon) had the highest prevalence of TD. The consumption of non-carbonic drinks and ice creams was significantly associated to TD. Travellers with previous gastrointestinal illnesses suffered more TD than others. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the fact that Spain in considered an area of intermediate risk for TD we found no significant differences in the prevalence of TD in Spanish travellers when compared with other published series from developed countries.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

Tuberculosis transmission based on molecular epidemiologic research.

Molecular genotyping techniques developed during the past decade and conventional epidemiological methods have been used synergistically in studies of the transmission and pathogenesis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Research studies assessing contacts and outbreaks, risk factors for ongoing transmission, and exogenous reinfection with M. tuberculosis have advanced with applied molecular epidemiologic techniques. In addition, molecular epidemiologic approaches have enabled scientists to assess the impact of drug resistance on the transmission and pathogenesis of M. tuberculosis and to identify strains with broad temporal and spatial distributions. In the near future, the intersection of molecular epidemiology, bacterial population genetics, comparative genomics, immunology, and other disciplines will further our understanding of tuberculosis transmission and pathogenesis, contributing to the development of effective drugs and a vaccine against this important human pathogen.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2000

Dental caries prevalence and dental health behaviour in HIV infected children.

OBJECTIVES: To determine dental caries prevalence in a group of HIV positive children and their reported dental health behaviour. DESIGN: Standardized epidemiological dental examination and structured interview. SETTING: Paediatric HIV outpatient department in a South London hospital. STUDY POPULATION: HIV-positive children attending the above outpatient clinic over a 6-month period (30 subjects) and parents (20 informants). METHODS: Epidemiological examination of children was undertaken by one trained and calibrated examiner to determine caries prevalence using dmft/DMFT. Parents were interviewed to obtain information on their children's dental health behaviour: toothbrushing, diet, fluoride; oral medication and dental attendance were explored. RESULTS: Sixty-three per cent (n = 19) of children had dental caries experience, much of it untreated. Mean dmft/DMFT was 4.4. Sixty per cent (n = 18) of all children presented with active or untreated caries and the care index for those at/under age 5 years was low (10%). Unfavourable dental health behaviour included: consumption of nonmilk extrinsic sugars at night, use of sugar-based medications, low fluoride intake, late commencement of toothbrushing and poor dental attendance. Dental health was not considered a priority for many of these children. Parents did not necessarily disclose their child's HIV status on dental attendance. CONCLUSION: Caries prevalence was high, much of the disease untreated, and unfavourable dental health behaviour, including the use of sugar-based medicines was common. HIV infected children should be considered a high caries risk and receive appropriate dental care, in terms of both treatment and preventive services, following confirmation of seropositivity.

Child↗

PubMed1998

[French system of drug surveillance].

The French drug surveillance system is characterized by: a network of thirty one regional drug surveillance centres, located to provide convenient proximity to health care professionals; a causality assessment method, compulsory for all persons involved in drug surveillance, to assess the causal relationship between an adverse effect and one or more drugs; if necessary, an additional evaluation of the causal relationship will be performed using pharmaco-epidemiology methods; a Technical committee and a National Commission of Drug Surveillance which centralize and assess all the data in order to provide a consensual advice to the relevant authorities on necessary measures, to prevent, or reduce a drug related adverse effect; in the case of an inquiry, the drug surveillance department of the pharmaceutical company and the network of regional drug surveillance centers will pool their data with the aim to exchange information and ideas.

Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Systems↗

PubMed2000

Special feature for the Olympics: effects of exercise on the immune system: overview of the epidemiology of exercise immunology.

The application of epidemiological methods to exercise immunology is reviewed briefly, with particular reference to the possible influences of physical activity, exercise and training on susceptibility to upper respiratory infections. Available reports are arbitrarily rated in terms of limiting factors: the quality of the assessment of physical activity, the precision of diagnosis of upper respiratory infection and overall methodology. The pattern of physical activity has often been clearly established but, in part because of the problems associated with the competitive environment, assessments of infection and overall methodology have often been less than optimal. Although there is some evidence that susceptibility to infection is increased by either a single bout of very heavy activity or a period of heavy training, reports are far from unanimous, and in certain respects fail to meet the classical epidemiological criteria of a causal relationship. The issue is important to both the health and the success of the international competitor, and merits definitive investigation, using optimal methods to assess both activity patterns and infection.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2001

[Endemic incidence of Mycobacterium kansasii infection in Karvina District 1968-1999; overview of the descriptive characteristics].

The objective of the submitted work was to present a summary of basic epidemiological data in a group of 1034 subjects from whom during the period between 1968-1999 Mycobacterium kansasii was isolated. In the analysis of the group principles of the descriptive epidemiological method were used. In the first years, when diseases were recorded and the number of cases increased, epidemiologists of the District Hygiene Station in Karviná made an investigation. The objective was to describe the clinical aspect and based on epidemiological investigations to analyze data and to find an answer to basic links of the spread of infection, i.e. source, route of transmission to susceptible subjects and based on the assembled findings, to suggest the necessary epidemiological provisions. Interhuman transmission was not proved in any of the patients. The causal agent of the infection is most probably transmitted through water (by the aerogenic route). The Karviná district belongs to the largest investigated endemic areas in the world.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1982

Common units for clotting factors assayed against different standards.

There are no generally accepted units for clotting factors except factor VIII. Results are usually expressed as percentages of the standards used in the assays and standards vary in their potency. Over a six year period, factors V, VII and VIII were measured in over 3000 participants in the Northwick Park Heart Study. Six different standards had to be used. For comparative purposes, all results were expressed in terms of the first standard (71/11). This paper describes how appropriate conversion values were derived. Three different methods were compared. One consisted of the assay of each standard against its replacement. Another was based on the use of a reference plasma spanning the use of two successive standards. The third was a population-based, or epidemiological method using the data from all the participants in the study. This method is based on the assumption that results would be the same in comparable groups of study participants. In order to ensure comparability, personal characteristics which affect clotting factor levels, such as age and degree of obesity, were taken into account. The three methods gave similar results but the population method was, in general, the most satisfactory for factor VIII as well as factors V and VII, and has been adopted for routine use.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1997

Hospital epidemiology--1997.

Selected issues for hospital epidemiology are presented. The issues of infection control, employee health and quality assessment cross the traditional department and reporting lines and require a multidisciplinary approach utilizing the epidemiological method. Programs seeking enhanced value--high quality outcomes per dollar cost--will likely support such an approach.

Epidemiology↗

PubMed1995

Novel pattern of P53 mutation in breast cancers from Austrian women.

Since mutagens produce an extraordinary diversity of mutational patterns, differential mutational exposures among populations are expected to produce different patterns of mutation. Classical epidemiological methods have been successful in implicating specific mutagens in cancers such as those of lung and skin in which one mutagen predominates. In breast cancer, however, no mutagens have been implicated in an unequivocal manner. In an attempt to facilitate epidemiological studies, we have been studying the pattern of p53 gene mutations in breast cancers from multiple populations with high and low breast cancer incidences. We previously reported that breast cancers from Midwest United States, predominantly rural Caucasian women, have a different pattern of p53 gene mutation from populations of Western European women. Herein, we analyze patterns of p53 mutations from Graz, Austria, another population with a high incidence of breast cancer. Among the 60 Austrian breast cancers analyzed, 14 (23%) have a p53 gene mutation in exons 5-9 or in adjacent splice junctions. Analysis of the patterns of mutation shows differences between the "Western European" profile and the Austrian and Midwest United States groups (P = 0.027 and 0.024, respectively). The Austrian pattern is characterized by a high frequency of A:T-->T:A transversions (P = 0.006). The presence of distinct patterns of mutation among the limited number of analyzed populations of Western European origin supports the idea that differential mutagenic exposure and/or genetic differences contribute to breast cancer mutagenesis among geographically distinct Caucasians of Western European origin.

Aged↗

PubMed2002

The Noise/Stress Concept, Risk Assessment and Research Needs.

In principle, the noise/stress hypothesis is well understood: Noise activates the pituitary-adrenal-cortical axis and the sympathetic-adrenal-medullary axis. Changes in stress hormones including epinephrine, norepinephrine and cortisol are frequently found in acute and chronic noise experiments. The catecholamines and steroid hormones affect the organism's metabolism. Cardiovascular disorders are especially in focus for epidemiological studies on adverse noise effects. However, not all biologically notifiable effects are of clinical relevance. The relative importance and significance of health outcomes to be assessed in epidemiological noise studies follow a hierarchical order, i.e. changes in physiological stress indicators, increase in biological risk factors, increase of the prevalence or incidence of diseases, premature death. Decision-making and risk management rely on quantitative risk assessment. Epidemiological methods are the primary tool for providing the necessary information. However, the statistical evidence of findings from individual studies is often weak. Magnitude of effect, dose-response relationship, biological plausibility and consistency of findings among studies are issues of epidemiological reasoning. Noise policy largely depends on considerations about cost-effectiveness, which may vary between populations. Limit or guideline values have to be set within the range between social and physical well-being - between nuisance and health. The cardiovascular risk is a key-outcome in non-auditory noise effects' research because of the high prevalence of related diseases in our communities. Specific studies regarding critical groups, different noise-sources, day/evening/night comparisons, coping styles and other effect-modifying factors, and the role of annoyance as a mediator of effect are issues for future research in this field.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1992

Injury control in childhood.

The behavior and environment of individuals are key determinants of both unintentional and intentional injuries in childhood and adolescence. These two determinants often interact so that certain behaviors lead to different injury outcomes depending on the environmental context of the injury. For example, depression is more likely to lead to suicide in the presence of alcohol intoxication. Alcohol intoxication is much more likely to lead to the choice of a firearm in a suicide attempt. Children with poor pedestrian crossing skills are far more likely to be hit in a busy urban intersection than in a safer location. The science of injury control has attempted to learn more about both the behavioral, environmental, and agent characteristics that lead to injury. Each of these dimensions offers opportunities for injury prevention or amelioration of the outcome. Despite increasing knowledge about how certain behaviors are associated with specific types of injuries, there has been only limited success achieved by attempts to modify behavior, particularly by persuasion or education. More success has been derived by legislative mandates. The most success, particularly in the prevention of unintentional injury, has been achieved by modification of the environments and the agents that are most often associated with injury. Because intentional injuries involve extremely complex and aberrant behavior, there is a persistent concern that attempts to modify the environment (e.g., handgun control) will be overridden by those with a high level of intent, i.e., they will seek another method. Although this may be true for carefully premeditated acts, suicide attempts and assaults by youth are usually precipitated by an acute stressor that depends on the availability of a weapon at that immediate time. While we develop more sophisticated psychosocial epidemiologic models that accurately predict violent behavior, we must continue to analyze aspects of intentional injuries that offer an opportunity to reduce the injury severity after the injury has occurred. Pediatricians and other health providers of children have played three important historical roles in the field of injury control. As clinicians, we have a unique opportunity to discuss these concerns with our patients and use our influence to attempt to modify individual behavior and inform about risks. As investigators, pediatricians have been important advocates of research initiatives to use the same epidemiologic methods used to study infectious diseases and cancer and apply them to the study of injury. Finally, pediatricians have played a critical public policy role in the evolution of injury control. Pediatricians have been at the helm behind most legislative initiatives to reduce injury among all people.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Accident Prevention↗

PubMed1997

Blood haemoglobin and the long-term incidence of acute myocardial infarction after transurethral resection of the prostate.

OBJECTIVES: To study risk factors for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in men suffering from benign prostatic hypertrophy. METHODS: We followed 811 patients who underwent transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) between 1983 and 1992 until the end of 1993 with regard to the incidence of AMI. The association between AMI and various potential risk factors was evaluated by epidemiological methods. RESULTS: Fifty-two patients developed a first-time AMI after TURP. A pre-operative blood haemoglobin concentration in the range of 100-129 g/l (normal range 130-165 g/l) was associated with an increased long-term relative risk of a first-time AMI, which was estimated to be 2.0 (95% confidence interval = 1.0-4.1). This estimate became slightly stronger when we also included the 76 patients with a first AMI before surgery, 10 of whom developed a re-infarction after TURP. Furthermore, it was largely unchanged on adjusting for impaired health status and age > or = 75 years (patient factors) and for fluid absorption > or = 500 ml and a blood loss > or = 275 ml (operative factors), which had been reported to increase the long-term risk of AMI in a previous study. CONCLUSION: A moderately reduced blood haemoglobin level before TURP is associated with a doubled risk of developing AMI in later life.

Aged↗