SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “Denmark”

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 883 records · Page 49Linked to original sources

PubMed2000

Recurrence of kernicterus in term and near-term infants in Denmark.

UNLABELLED: Classical acute bilirubin encephalopathy (kernicterus) in term and near-term infants had not been seen in Denmark for at least 20 y until 1994. From 1994 to 1998. however, six cases were diagnosed. Aetiology of the hyperbilirubinaemia was known in two infants; spherocytosis and galactosaemia, most likely known in two infants; possible A-O blood type immunization, and unknown in two infants. However, one of these last-mentioned infants had a gestational age of only 36 wk. The maximum plasma total bilirubin concentrations were 531-745 micromol/L. The increase in the number of cases of kernicterus was considered to have been caused by: (i) a decreased awareness of the pathological signs, (ii) a change in the assessment of the risk of bilirubin encephalopathy, (iii) early discharge of the infants from the maternity ward, (iv) so-called breastfeeding-associated jaundice, (v) demonstration of bilirubin being an antioxidant, and (vi) difficulty in estimating the degree of jaundice in certain groups of immigrants. Accordingly, for prevention: (a) Attempt to change the healthcare workers' understanding of the risk of bilirubin encephalopathy, (b) give further instructions, both orally and in writing, to mothers before discharge from the maternity ward, (c) be more liberal in giving infant formula supplements, (d) conduct home visits by the community nurse at an earlier stage, (e) follow authorized guidelines for phototherapy and exchange transfusion, (f) lower plasma bilirubin concentration limits as an indication for phototherapy and exchange transfusion, (g) screen all term and near-term infants, and (h) measure the skin's yellow colour with a device that corrects for the skin's melanin content. CONCLUSIONS: Audit of the six cases presented indicates that measures are necessary in both the primary and secondary healthcare sectors if the risk of kemicterus is to be avoided. Screening may be considered, but in order to identify the problems it would first be reasonable to perform a larger prospective study in which audit is performed on all newborn infants, born at term and near-term, who develop a plasma bilirubin concentration above the exchange transfusion limit.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Living conditions in early infancy in Denmark, Norway and Sweden 1992-95: results from the Nordic Epidemiological SIDS study.

The objective was to study living conditions of infants and their families in Scandinavia in the 1990s and to assess similarities and differences among the three Scandinavian countries. The emphasis is on health and normality rather than on diseases and other deviations from well-being. The subjects are the 869 controls in the Nordic Epidemiological SIDS study carried out between 1 September 1992 and 31 August 1995 in Norway, Denmark and Sweden. The controls were matched with the 244 SIDS cases for sex, age and maternity hospital. Parents of the SIDS cases and the controls filled in the same questionnaire on family, pregnancy, delivery, the neonatal and the post-perinatal period. The most striking findings were that 99% of the mothers went to regular maternity controls, 97% to well-baby clinics and 84% breastfed exclusively. On the other hand, 11% drank alcohol more than once a month during pregnancy and 29% smoked during pregnancy. Compared to official statistics, to the extent they exist, the differences were small. The material contains valuable information on normal infant care in Scandinavia in the 1990s. Living conditions of infants in Scandinavia are similar in the three countries. Differences exist, but only to a small extent.

Alcohol Drinking↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Female physicians outscore male physicians and the general public on Type A scales in Denmark.

The Jenkins Activity Survey was used to measure four components of coronary-prone behaviors in large random samples of Danish male and female physicians and of men and women in the general public. As expected, men in the general public tended to score higher than women in terms of coronary-prone behavior. In contrast, female physicians scored higher than male physicians on several components of coronary-prone behavior related to career goals, ambitiousness, job involvement, and time urgency. The findings suggest that female physicians in Denmark may be influenced by psychosocial factors that make them particularly prone to develop and/or express coronary-prone behaviors.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Mortality after open cholecystectomy in patients with cirrhosis of the liver: a population-based study in Denmark.

OBJECTIVE: To find out if patients with alcoholic cirrhosis are at greater risk of dying within 30 days of cholecystectomy than patients with non-alcoholic cirrhosis or normal controls. DESIGN: Population-based study. SETTING: Hospitals, Denmark. SUBJECTS: 23103 patients with liver cirrhosis recorded in the Danish National Registry during the period 1977-94, of whom 110 had an open cholecystectomy; a random sample of 1204 patients without cirrhosis taken from all patients who had a cholecystectomy during the study period. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Risk of mortality. RESULTS: In the group with alcoholic cirrhosis the 30-day mortality was 7.7% and for the controls it was 0.9%. In patients with alcoholic cirrhosis the relative risk of death within 30 days was 11.5 (95% confidence interval 2.8 to 47.4) compared with controls, whereas that for patients with non-alcoholic cirrhosis was 1.1 (95% CI 0.1 to 9.8) compared with controls. CONCLUSION: Patients with alcoholic cirrhosis have an 11-fold increased risk of postoperative mortality after undergoing cholecystectomy.

Adult↗

PubMed1994

Epidemiology of Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia in Denmark.

The number of Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia cases has increased annually in Denmark during the latest decades. This increase has occurred among older patients with hospital-acquired bacteremia. Methicillin-resistance, which earlier was a property of strains of the 83A phage-complex, has nearly disappeared, while the frequency of penicillin-resistance has increased. Today both the phage-type pattern and antibiotic resistance are nearly similar for strains from hospital-acquired and community-acquired cases. In hospitals the frequency of bacteremia after postoperative wound infections has decreased, while cases associated with intravascular catheters has increased, and these infections are now the most common cause of hospital-acquired S. aureus bacteremia. Endocarditis is most commonly found in community-acquired cases without an identified primary focus in patients between 21-50 years. Also hematogenous osteomyelitis is most common in community-acquired cases, but these infections have changed to having a high predilection for the vertebral column, and the prevalence of chronic cases has decreased.

Bacteremia↗

PubMed1992

The development of policy on denizens in Denmark.

"This article offers an analysis of Danish migration policy from 1960-90. The framework employed is the Swedish sociologist Thomas Hammar's concentric 'gate' model and his concept of 'denizens'. Non-Danish citizens' access to Danish society is regulated by 'gates' and security and rights increase in proportion with the number of 'gates' passed, culminating in naturalisation and full social, legal and political rights. After an initial profile of the various groups of foreigners living in Denmark, I discuss the development of policy measures regulating immigration with particular reference to the 'Law for Foreigners'. Finally I turn to the critical issue of policy on denizens."

Demography↗

PubMed2005

Nationwide trends in the prescription of beta-blockers and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors after myocardial infarction in Denmark, 1995-2002.

OBJECTIVES: To study the use of beta-blockers and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in Denmark from 1995 to 2002. DESIGN: Information about patients with first AMI aged > or = 30 years and the dispensing of beta-blockers and ACE inhibitors from pharmacies within 30 d from discharge was obtained from the National Patient Registry and the Danish Registry of Medicinal Product Statistics. RESULTS: Beta-blocker use increased from 38.1% of patients in 1995 to 67.9% in 2002 (OR = 3.85, CI: 3.58-4.13). Women, elderly patients and patients taking loop-diuretics and antidiabetic drugs received beta-blockers less frequently, but patients taking loop-diuretics or antidiabetic drugs had the greatest increase. ACE inhibitor use increased from 24.5 to 35.5% (OR = 1.86, CI: 1.72-2.01). Women, patients aged < 60 years or > or = 80 years and patients not taking loop-diuretics received ACE inhibitors less frequently, but patients not taking loop-diuretics had the greatest increase. CONCLUSIONS: Beta-blocker use increased markedly post-AMI from 1995 to 2002, whereas ACE inhibitor use increased modestly. The results suggested undertreatment of women, elderly patients and people with diabetes.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗

PubMed1999

Tetralogy of Fallot. A population-based study of epidemiology, associated malformations and survival in western Denmark 1984-1992.

The study describes the epidemiology and mortality of tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) in a population-based study in Western Denmark. Ninety-two infants with TOF were born during 1984-1992. Prevalence was 3.01 per 10,000 livebirths. Karyotype anomalies were present in 12 (13%) and extracardiac malformations in 16 (17%) of the infants. Down syndrome, cleft palate, cleft lip and palate and combined skeletal, gastrointestinal and renal lesions (VACTERL association) were prevalent. Twenty-four infants died (26% of total), 13 (54%) of the deaths occurring during the first year of life. Mortality was significantly increased in infants with extracardiac malformations (50% vs 19%, p < 0.05). Eighteen deaths (75% of total deaths) occurred before corrective surgery and 7 of these deaths were sudden. Extracardiac malformation(s) in infants with TOF is a significant risk factor for death. The study stresses the importance of population-based studies for the assessment of mortality from congenital heart malformations. Overall mortality may be very different from mortality related to cardiac surgery.

Chi-Square Distribution↗

PubMed2003

Adverse social factors predict early ageing in middle-aged men and women: the Ebeltoft Health Study, Denmark.

AIMS: This study examined whether adverse social factors are associated with an increased rate of biological ageing in middle-aged subjects. METHODS: The authors investigated five markers of biological ageing in 690 subjects followed for five years in Ebeltoft, Denmark. Mean age at baseline was 40 years (range 30-50 years). These markers included repeated measures of pulse pressure, lung function, hearing, physical work capacity and a cardiovascular risk score. A zeta-score was calculated based on a factor analysis of the five markers used. The relative biological age was finally calculated in relation to chronological age in subgroups of different social class (occupation, educational level) and marital status, at baseline and after follow-up. RESULTS: Men and women from a higher social class appeared to be biologically younger than corresponding subjects from a lower social class (p < 0.001). This difference was still evident after 5 years of follow-up (p < 0.01) for men and women of different occupations and for women of different educational levels (p < 0.01). Married/cohabiting men were biologically younger than single men and this difference increased during the follow-up period in that the difference between groups at five-year follow-up was significant (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Middle-aged men and women from a higher social class showed signs of being biologically younger than their corresponding chronological age, while the opposite was found for men and women of lower social class. This discrepancy was still evident after five years of follow-up, and even tended to increase for single men. Differential ageing may thus be an important biological aspect of differences in health according to social class.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Price restrictions and other restrictions on alcohol availability in Denmark and Sweden: a historical perspective with implications for the current debate.

BACKGROUND: Current political debate in Sweden is mainly centred on lowering taxes on alcohol in order to "harmonize" prices with those in neighbouring countries, although the evidence of a negative association between prices and alcohol consumption is more than convincing. METHOD: Total per capita consumption figures for twentieth-century Denmark and Sweden are utilized to illustrate the astonishing effects on consumption patterns of active government policies to restrict availability.

Alcohol Drinking↗

PubMed2006

Income-related inequality in utilization of health services in Denmark: evidence from Funen County.

AIMS: To examine income-related inequity in utilization of healthcare services in Denmark. METHODS: A health survey of 2,915 respondents in Funen County interviewed in 2000 and 2001 on health status and socioeconomic and sociodemographic characteristics was merged with various computerized registers including inpatient stays, ambulatory visits, contacts in the primary healthcare sector, and prescription medicine. The index of horizontal inequity was used to estimate the degree of horizontal inequity in utilization of healthcare services across income groups, using the indirect method of standardization to control for age, gender, and self-assessed health as a proxy for need. The standardization method rests on the assumption of equal response behaviour across income groups. RESULTS: The least advantaged with respect to income consume a bigger share of the health services than the most advantaged with the exception of dental treatments where the opposite is true. After standardization for age, gender, and health status there is no significant inequity in use of all healthcare services. However, when it comes to specific healthcare services the least advantaged have a significantly lower share of the medicine consumption and dental treatments than expected. CONCLUSION: The index of horizontal inequity suggests that the Danish healthcare system is in general equitable. In sectors with a high degree of co-payment some horizontal inequity disfavouring the lower income groups appears to be present.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Physicians' legal defensiveness and knowledge of medical law: comparing Denmark and the USA.

The impact of legal factors on medical treatment decisions for dying patients has been studied in the USA for years. However, it is unknown how legal factors may affect similar medical decisions in other countries. This exploratory study compared responses between two populations of physicians, from Denmark (n = 62) and the USA (n = 301), who regularly treat terminally ill patients in tertiary care medical centers. We investigated whether Danish and US physicians differed significantly in their attitudes about the influence of law on treatment decisions for terminally ill patients. The Danish physicians demonstrated significantly better knowledge of medical law relevant to end-of-life treatment than did US physicians. The Danish sample also reported significantly lower levels of legal defensiveness than the US sample. These findings are consistent with our previous research showing that, among US physicians, legal defensiveness and knowledge of medical law are inversely related.

Decision Making↗

PubMed2005

Regional variation in incidence of primary total hip arthroplasties and revisions in Denmark, 1996-2002.

BACKGROUND: We examined incidence rates (IR) of total hip arthroplasty (THA) in Denmark according to county and type of hospital, and investigated possible factors associated with any variations. METHODS: Through the Danish Hip Arthroplasty Registry, we identified all cases of primary THAs (n = 37,144) and revisions (n = 6,446) between 1996 and 2002. Unadjusted and age- and gender-standardized, hospital type- and county-specific IRs were calculated. Using multiple regression analysis, we examined possible factors associated with the variations. RESULTS: Over the study period, age- and sex-standardized IRs of primary THAs for university and other hospitals increased by 10% and 40%, respectively. IRs of revisions increased for other hospitals by 33%, but decreased for university hospitals by 30%. Unadjusted IRs varied among counties (n = 15), which remained despite age- and gender-standardization. The IR ratio was 1.4 (95% CI: 1.3-1.6) when comparing the counties with the highest and lowest IRs. No association was found between IRs of THA and the number of orthopedic surgeons per 100,000 inhabitants, proportion of patients with primary arthrosis, preoperative Harris Hip Score, hospital costs, the counties'Gross Domestic Product, or population density. INTERPRETATION: Substantial regional differences in the IRs of THA procedures were found. We found no associations between IRs and a range of patient- and healthcare system-related factors.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Decreasing incidence of hip fracture in the Funen County, Denmark.

BACKGROUND: Hip fracture incidence rates are high, and increase with increasing age. Previous studies have predicted a continued increase in both crude and age-standardized rates. METHOD: We estimated incidence rates, based on a complete and validated register containing verified and individually sequenced hip fractures from 1996-2003, for a population of 500,000 people in Funen County, Denmark. RESULTS: The verified number of the first hip fractures was 6,676, with 520 subsequent fractures. Between 1996 and 2003, the incidence rate of first hip fracture fell by 2.4% per year for males (p = 0.02) and by 1.8% per year for females (p = 0.004). The highest decrease of 3.4% per year (p = 0.02) was seen in 80-84-year-old women. INTERPRETATION: The incidence rate of the first hip fracture has fallen in both sexes. In most age groups, the actual number of fractures has also decreased. The findings emphasize the need for valid projection studies which should include both demographic projections and modeling of the effects of different levels of prevention.

Age Factors↗

PubMed2003

Declining autopsy rates in stillbirths and infant deaths: results from Funen County, Denmark, 1986-96.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to describe the development of the autopsy rate in stillbirths and infant deaths in an 11-year period and evaluate the information gained by performing an autopsy. METHODS: Included in the study were all stillbirths and infant deaths in Funen County, Denmark, in 1986-96. Data sources were death certificates and autopsy reports. RESULTS: The study included 273 stillbirths and 351 deaths in infancy. The rates of stillbirth and infant death did not change significantly during the period. The overall autopsy rate for stillbirths was 70% and for infant deaths 57%. There was a significant decline in autopsy rate during the years 1991-96 as compared with 1986-90 for stillbirths, infant deaths and infant deaths excluding sudden infant death syndrome. In stillbirth, the autopsy changed the diagnosis in 9% of the cases. In 22%, the clinical diagnosis was maintained, but additional information was obtained. In infant death, the numbers were 10% and 40%, respectively. CONCLUSION: In 10% of the autopsies the diagnosis was changed completely, with an impact on genetic counseling as well as on statistical records of causes of death in fetuses and infants. With additional information in 22-40% of the autopsies, the study emphasizes autopsy as a useful investigation.

Autopsy↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Estimating the use of illegal drugs among homeless people using shelters in Denmark.

Based on a longitudinal study of approximately 1000 homeless people who used shelters or similar institutions in 1988-89, an estimate was made of the rate of people using illegal drugs in that population. This estimation was made possible by combining information from different registers-criminal records, enrollments at drug user treatment centers, and registers indicating cause of death. The samples use of drugs is also noted. The implications of these findings are discussed in the light of Denmark's current policy towards people using illegal drugs and using shelters.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2002

Streptogramin resistance among Enterococcus faecium isolated from production animals in Denmark in 1997.

The genetic background for streptogramin resistance was examined in Enterococcus faecium isolated from pigs (n = 55) and broilers (n = 207) in 1997 in Denmark. Fifty-one percent and 67%, respectively, of the isolates were resistant to streptogramins. Among streptogramin-resistant E. faecium (SREF), the genetic background for streptogramin A resistance could be determined in 96% of the isolates from broilers, compared with 14% among SREF from pigs. For broiler isolates 89% of SREF contained the vat(E) gene and 10% the vat(D) gene. Three of these isolates contained both resistance genes. Among SREF from pigs two isolates contained the vat(E) gene and two others the vat(D) gene. The genetic background for streptogramin B was most often identified as the erm(B) gene encoding macrolide, lincosamide, and streptogramin B (MLSB) resistance. Among SREF, 84% and 86% of isolates from broilers and pigs, respectively, contained the erm(B). In SREF from broilers, the erm(B) gene was physically linked to the vat(E) gene in 62% of the vat(E)-positive isolates and 79% of the isolates containing vat(D). erm(A) was detected in two SREF of broiler origin. Both isolates also contained the erm(B) gene. No SREF contained the vgb(A) gene encoding streptogramin B resistance. On the basis of genetic characterization, streptogramin-resistant isolates from broiler were divided into subgroups, according to the presence of the streptogramin A genes, to determine possible co-resistance to antimicrobials, especially glycopeptides. Twenty-five percent of the SREF from broilers were glycopeptide resistant (MIC > 16 microg/ml). None of the isolates containing the streptogramin A gene vat(D) was resistant to glycopeptide, whereas isolates containing the vat(E) gene had a lower prevalence to glycopeptide resistance than the streptogramin-sensitive isolates.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Declining physical abilities with age: a cross-sectional study of older twins and centenarians in Denmark.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether physical disability reaches a plateau in the oldest age groups. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 3351 individuals, which included all those living in Denmark who celebrated their 100th anniversary during the period from 1 April 1995 to 31 May 1996 (276 subjects) and all Danish twins aged 75-94 registered in the Danish Twin Register (3075 subjects). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The ability to perform selected items of basic activities of daily living independently. RESULTS: The prevalence of independence in each of six selected activities of daily living was significantly lower in both men and women centenarians compared with octo- and septuagenarians. The sex difference in independence in all six selected activities of daily living was larger for each advancing age group, with women being most disabled (P < 0.001). In centenarians 20% of women and 44% of men were able to perform all selected activities of daily living independently. CONCLUSION: Compared with individuals aged 75-79 years, physical abilities of men and women gradually diminished in age groups 80-84, 85-90 and 90-94, with the lowest levels among 100-year-olds. Although women have lower mortality, they are more disabled than men, and this difference is more marked with advancing age.

Activities of Daily Living↗