Longer term health of young and middle-aged adults following unintentional falls at home resulting in hospitalisation.

Unlabelled: Unintentional falls at home are a common cause of admissions to hospital amongst young and middle-aged adults. This population-based study investigated the longer-term health, physical and psychological outcomes following such injuries, and the predictors of these sequelae.

Method: Individuals aged 25-60 years admitted to hospital in the Auckland region between July 2005 and June 2006 following an unintentional fall at home were interviewed soon after the injury (baseline) and 15-months following the injury.

Screening for thyroid disorders during pregnancy: results of a survey in Maine.

Objective: Guidelines regarding prenatal screening for thyroid deficiency are conflicting, and current practice in primary care settings is unknown. Our survey sought to determine the: 1) extent of screening in Maine; 2) factors associated with screening; and 3) laboratory cut-off levels used.

Study Design: In 2004 we surveyed 61 prenatal care practices, representing 246 practitioners and 85% of Maine deliveries.

Integrated serum screening for Down syndrome in primary obstetric practice.

Objectives: Integrated serum screening for Down syndrome is potentially more effective than current second-trimester screening. We report results of an intervention trial of integrated serum screening that involved 229 primary prenatal care practitioners throughout Maine.

Methods: Women provided a first-trimester serum (for PAPP-A) followed by a second-trimester serum (for AFP, uE3, hCG, and DIA).

Patient and health professional acceptance of integrated serum screening for Down syndrome.

Integrated testing for Down syndrome combines first trimester maternal serum and nuchal translucency (NT) measurements with second trimester maternal serum measurements into a single second trimester Down syndrome risk. A variant of integrated testing, the integrated serum test, requires only the serum measurements and may be more suitable for widespread use in the general pregnancy population. Concern has been voiced that women will find the delay associated with waiting for screening results unacceptable for either fully integrated (including NT measurements) or integrated serum testing.