Proposal for reference values for the developmental effects of valproate based on human data using a benchmark dose approach.

Following accidental release of valproate into ambient air during manufacture at a French production site in 2018, concerns were raised for inhabitants of the surrounding area. As no toxicological reference value (TRV) was available, the risks could not be properly assessed. The French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety (ANSES) was mandated to determine a TRV by inhalation to be used for risk assessment.

Refinement of health-based guidance values for cadmium in the French population based on modelling.

In France, part of the population is overexposed to cadmium by the diet. In our work, we first revised the tolerable daily intake (TDI) of 0.36 μg Cd.

Cluster of serogroup W invasive meningococcal disease in a university campus.

Introduction: In France, the expansion of an hypervirulent strain causing serogroup W invasive meningococcal disease (MenW) has been observed since 2015/16. We describe a cluster of three MenW cases, causing two deaths, at the end of 2016 in a university campus, and the vaccination campaign which was consequently organized.

Methods: Epidemiological and microbiological analyses led a multidisciplinary expertise group to recommend the organization of a mass vaccination campaign using ACWY vaccine targeting more than 30,000 students and staff in the university campus.

Association between concomitant use of several systemic NSAIDs and an excess risk of adverse drug reaction. A case/non-case study from the French Pharmacovigilance system database.

Aims: To examine whether the risk of some selected adverse effects increases with the number of systemic non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) drugs.

Methods: The French Pharmacovigilance database was examined for an association between drug reaction reports and the exposure to one and two or more NSAIDs using a case/non-case study design. In the analysis, 54,583 spontaneous reports of adverse drug reactions were included, consisting of 2270 reports of hepatic injury, 994 reports of acute renal failure, 194 reports of gastrointestinal bleeding and 525 reports of angioedema, among others.

Effect of age, period of diagnosis and birth cohort on large bowel cancer incidence in a well-defined French population, 1976-1995.

The objective of this study was to present trends in colorectal cancer incidence by sex and subsite in a well-defined French population. All of the 4486 large bowel cancer cases registered between 1976 and 1995 in the Burgundy registry of digestive tract cancers was included in this study. Time trends in colorectal cancer incidence were analysed over the 1976-95 period.

Incidence of drug-induced hepatic injuries: a French population-based study.

The incidence of hepatic adverse drug reactions (ADRs) remains unknown in the general population. The goal of this population-based study was to assess the incidence and seriousness of hepatic ADRs. All new cases of symptomatic drug-induced hepatic injuries were collected by 139 trained physicians (general practitioners [GPs] and specialists) between November 1997 and November 2000 in an area containing 81,301 inhabitants who could not go elsewhere for medical care.

Trends in gastric cancer incidence in a well-defined French population by time period and birth cohort.

Epidemiological studies have shown a marked decline in gastric cancer incidence and opposite patterns between proximal and distal sites among different populations. Little is known about trends by histological type. The aim of this study was to analyse the change in gastric cancer incidence patterns by investigating the role of temporal components as determinants of such trends in the population of the Côte d'Or area (France) registered between 1976 and 1995.

Chemotherapy for colon cancer in a well-defined French population: is it under- or over-prescribed?

Background: It has been demonstrated that adjuvant chemotherapy in TNM stage III and palliative chemotherapy are effective treatments for colon cancer.

Aim: To determine changes over a 10-year period in the practice of adjuvant and palliative chemotherapy for colon cancer in a well-defined French population.

Methods: Some 4093 patients with colon adenocarcinoma diagnosed between 1989 and 1998 were studied.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective drug co-prescription in general practice. A general practitioner-based survey in France.

Background And Aim: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) represent one of the most frequently prescribed drugs. Gastrointestinal damage, the most common side effect of NSAIDs. can be limited by the prescription of cytoprotective agents.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug prescribing patterns in general practice: comparison of a general practitioner-based survey and a pharmacy-based survey in France.

Purpose: In order to assess biases occurring in primary care prescription studies, we compared non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) prescribing patterns reported by general practitioners directly (GP-based survey) and from a pharmacy-based survey of general practitioner prescribing (pharmacy-based survey).

Methods: Volunteer GPs of the administrative area of Côte d'Or (France) returned a mailed questionnaire on NSAID prescribing patterns for consecutive patients seen during a 2-month period. In order to obtain a reference basis, pharmacies of the same administrative area provided all prescriptions that included NSAIDs during a 1-week period originating in general practice.

Colorectal adenocarcinoma in patients under 45 years of age: comparison with older patients in a well-defined French population.

Purpose: Little is known about colorectal cancer in young patients at a population level, and the behavior, characteristics, and prognosis of such tumors continue to be debated.

Methods: A population-based series of 4,643 new cases of colorectal adenocarcinomas diagnosed between 1976 and 1996 in C te d'Or, France, was used to describe time trends in incidence, predisposing conditions, location, stage, and treatment and to evaluate the prognosis of such tumors in patients under 45 years of age (n = 146). Prognosis was determined using relative survival rates and predictive factors using a multivariate relative survival model.

[The characteristics of patients with hepatitis C virus antibodies followed in specialized university hospital units are different from those of patients in the general population. The Research Group of the REBOHC].

Objectives: To compare the characteristics of patients with anti-hepatitis C virus antibodies followed in a University Hospital Department of Hepatogastroenterology with those in patients who received medical care elsewhere.

Methods: Since 1994, a specialized viral hepatitis register has recorded since 1994 all new cases of anti-hepatitis C virus antibodies diagnosed in inhabitants of the French department of Côte-d'Or (493931). The factors correlated with the type of medical care in patients followed in the University Department were studied by logistical regression.

Colorectal cancer prevalence in France.

Cancer prevalence is a crucial indicator that allows the magnitude of the problem of colorectal cancer to be monitored. Population-based cancer registries with long-standing activity are the most appropriate tools for providing prevalence data. All colorectal cases registered between 1976 and 1995 in the Côte d'Or Cancer Registry have been considered in this study.

Residential magnetic field measurements in France: comparison of indoor and outdoor measurements.

Residential magnetic field (MF) measurements were performed for the first time in a representative sample of French dwellings. Exposure levels were assessed by two methods: indoor and outdoor measurements. Linear and logistic regression models were used to determine factors associated with the time-weighted average (TWA) home MF.

Time trends and age-period-cohort effects on the incidence of primary liver cancer in a well-defined French population: 1976-1995.

Background/aims: There is growing interest worldwide in primary liver cancer. The aim of this study was to describe the incidence of this cancer over a 20-year period in a well-defined French population.

Methods: Time trends by 4-year period were studied by sex, age group, place of residence, histological type and associated cirrhosis.