Changes in risk behavior and dynamics of hepatitis C virus infections among young drug users in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

To elucidate the character and magnitude of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) epidemic among drug users in Amsterdam, 197 young drug users from the period 2000 to 2004 were compared with 215 counterparts from 1985 to 1989. Although injection risk behavior and HCV seroprevalence decreased sharply over time, HCV seroprevalence remains high (44%) among young drug users who have ever injected. Phylogenetic analysis shows that current HCV infections originate from diversification of strains already circulating in the past, but also from the recent introduction of new subtypes.

Amount of self-reported illicit drug use compared to quantitative hair test results in community-recruited young drug users in Amsterdam.

Aims: To assess the dose-effect relationship between self-reported drug intake and the concentration of drugs and/or their metabolites in hair and to examine factors that may mediate this relationship.

Design And Setting: A cohort study among young drug users (YDU) in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, which began in July 2000. At intake, YDU were asked to report their average drug intake over a 2-month period.

HIV prevalence and risk behaviour in young drug users in Amsterdam.

Objectives: To assess the HIV prevalence and risk behaviour among regular young drug users (YDU) in Amsterdam.

Design: Subjects were 282 YDU (using heroin, cocaine, methadone and/or amphetamines at least 3 days/week) aged 30 years or less who participated in a cross-sectional survey in Amsterdam in 1998. Participants were recruited both directly (41%) through healthcare institutions, and indirectly (59%) by referrals from YDU already enrolled.

Mortality of short-term workers in two international cohorts.

The purpose of this study was to compare the pattern of mortality of blue-collar workers employed less and more than 1 year in the man-made vitreous fiber (MMVF) and the reinforced plastic industries, the latter group being exposed to styrene. We conducted an analysis among 21,784 workers with less than 1 year of employment (short-term workers) and 19,117 workers with 1 or more years of employment (long-term workers) employed in eight European countries. We conducted analyses based on external as well as internal comparisons.

Claims incidence of work-related disorders of the upper extremities: Washington state, 1987 through 1995.

Objectives: This study examined the claim incidence rate, cost, and industry distribution of work-related upper extremity disorders in Washington.

Methods: Washington State Fund workers' compensation claims from 1987 to 1995 were abstracted and categorized into general and specific disorders of gradual or sudden onset.

Results: Accepted claims included 100,449 for hand/wrist disorders (incidence rate: 98.