Mortality related to chronic hepatitis B and chronic hepatitis C in France: evidence for the role of HIV coinfection and alcohol consumption.

Background/aims: Mortality related to HCV and HBV infections was estimated in France.

Methods: A random sample (n=999) of death certificates was obtained from all death certificates listing HBV, HCV, hepatitis, liver disease, possible complication of cirrhosis, bacterial infection, HIV, or transplantation (n=65,000) in France in 2001. Physicians who reported the deaths were sent a questionnaire to identify how many deaths were related to HBV/HCV infection.

Survey of anesthesia-related mortality in France.

Background: This study describes a nationwide survey that estimates the number and characteristics of anesthesia-related deaths for the year 1999.

Methods: Death certificates from the French national mortality database were selected from the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision codes using a variable sampling fraction. Medical certifiers were sent a questionnaire (response rate, 97%), and the anesthesiologist in charge was offered a peer review (acceptance rate, 97%).

A French survey of paediatric airway management use in tonsillectomy and appendicectomy.

Background: There are no epidemiological data describing tracheal intubation and laryngeal mask airway (LMATM) use in paediatric anaesthesia. This analysis focused on the factors leading to the indication for an airway management procedure, i.e.

Evolution of the anaesthetic workload--the French experience.

The use of anaesthesia has shown major growth during the period 1975-1985. Increases safety in anaesthesia safety have permitted its use in surgery and in other exploratory procedures involving older patients and those with more severe clinical conditions. A survey, designed by the French Society of Anaesthesiologists, collected and analysed data relating to anaesthesia performed in France in 1996 from a representative sample collected in all French hospitals and clinics; the results of this survey were compared with an earlier survey performed in 1980.