Epidemiology of insulin-using commercial motor vehicle drivers. Major variability of state licensing requirements in the U.S.

Objective: Licensing agencies in many areas, including the U.S., prohibit insulin-using individuals from driving CMVs or large trucks.

Epidemiology of the post-polio syndrome.

A late-onset syndrome, consisting of muscle weakness, muscle pain, and unaccustomed fatigue, has been reported with increasing frequency among former poliomyelitis patients. A population-based cohort of poliomyelitis patients from Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, was traced and surveyed to estimate the prevalence and incidence and to identify determinants of the post-polio syndrome. A questionnaire validated in clinical examinations of 40 cohort members was used in the survey.

Autoimmunity and genetics contribute to the risk of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in families: islet cell antibodies and HLA DQ heterodimers.

The risk for insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) associated with genetic susceptibility markers at the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) DQA1 and DQB1 loci was evaluated among individuals with and those without islet cell antibodies. A total of 108 antibody-positive parents and siblings of IDDM patients from the Pittsburgh registry were identified among 1,592 who were screened. HLA-DQ molecular typing was performed on 79 of these individuals and on 78 antibody-negative relatives.

[Epidemiologic study of head injuries in Taipei City, Taiwan].

This study was designed to examine the descriptive epidemiology of head injuries in an urban population in the Taiwan area, Taipei City, during the period from July 1, 1987 to June 30, 1988. Clinical records reviewed included emergency room (ER) charts, inpatient charts of 19 major hospitals, death registration forms and medical examiners' reports in this city. A formulated definition was used to identify patients with head injuries.

Comparison of the incidence of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in childhood among five Baltic populations during 1983-1988.

We have carried out a comparison of the incidence of childhood onset insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) between five populations around the Baltic Sea. These were Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland. The risk of IDDM is highest in the world in Finland and also very high in Sweden, on the western and northern side of the Baltic Sea.

Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in native Estonians and immigrants to Estonia.

The authors compared the epidemiology of childhood insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in Estonia during 1980-1989 between native Estonians and an immigrant group that consisted mainly of Russians. The average annual incidence of diabetes mellitus was significantly higher in Estonians (11.8 per 100,000 children aged less than 15 years; 95% confidence interval (CI) 10.

Angiotensin II amplifies arterial contractile response to norepinephrine without increasing Ca++ influx: role of protein kinase C.

We investigated whether the enhanced contractile response to norepinephrine caused by a subthreshold concentration of angiotensin II was associated with an increased 45Ca++ influx or net uptake. Rabbit facial artery segments were mounted isometrically to measure the 45Ca++ influx and net uptake in response to norepinephrine. The contractile response to norepinephrine (3 microM) in the presence of angiotensin II (0.

Early infant diet and risk of IDDM in blacks and whites. A matched case-control study.

Objective: To investigate the role of early infant feeding in the development of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) and to determine whether an association exists in both blacks and whites.

Research Design And Methods: Black and white diabetic subjects were recruited from the Allegheny County and Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh IDDM Registries. Extensive infant diet histories were obtained from the diabetic subjects and their nondiabetic siblings, who were used as nondiabetic control subjects.

Genetic, immunological, and metabolic determinants of risk for type 1 diabetes mellitus in families.

Prospective studies of the relatives of people with Type 1 diabetes can provide insights into risk factors for processes leading to the ultimate destruction of the pancreatic islet B-cells. Relatives ascertained through the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh diabetes registry were followed and rates of conversion to diabetes were determined. We studied the role of genetic and immunological markers, and used the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) to study metabolic disturbances among first-degree relatives.

The epidemiology of low back pain in an adolescent population.

We assessed the prevalence of low back pain (LBP) in a cohort of 1242 adolescents (aged 11 through 17) currently participating in a 4-year prospective study of medically treated injuries. Overall, 30.4% of the adolescents reported LBP.

Sex differences in secondary attack rate of IDDM to siblings of probands through older ages. Pittsburgh Etiology of IDDM Study.

Objective: To determine the descriptive epidemiological patterns of the secondary attack rate of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) among siblings of probands through older ages.

Research Design And Methods: A family history analysis was performed on 1774 IDDM probands who were diagnosed or seen within 1 yr of diagnosis at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh from 1 January 1950 through 31 December 1981. The probands were discharged on insulin and were diagnosed at less than 17 yr of age.

Monitoring the incidence of myocardial infarctions: applications of capture-mark-recapture technology.

It is critical to monitor the incidence of myocardial infarction. Typically, death certificates have been used as a proxy for incidence, however, these have been found to be crude as they lag behind changes in incidence. In the last decade several myocardial infarction registries have been established, however, these registries are still too limited in geographical spread to assess either national or global trends of heart attack.

International comparisons of IDDM mortality. Clues to prevention and the role of diabetes care.

A striking difference in all-cause mortality has been noted between individuals with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) from Finland and Allegheny County, PA. Mortality rates among people 25-37 yr of age from the Allegheny County IDDM Registry were over two times greater than the rates observed from the Finland IDDM Registry. Applying the Finnish rate to the structure of the IDDM population from Allegheny County suggests that about one-half of the deaths in the Allegheny County cohort may be theoretically preventable.

The incidence of male childhood type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus is rising rapidly in The Netherlands.

This study evaluates the cumulative incidence of Type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus in male army conscripts 0-18 (inclusive) years of age in the Netherlands (birth cohorts) over 10 years. Data from 2136 cases were retrieved from files of the conscript registry of the Royal Dutch Army. Ascertainment was sought by the capture-recapture method, achieving an average ascertainment rate of 89.

The importance of incidence registries for connective tissue diseases.

There have been numerous studies conducted to determine the frequencies of CTD. These investigations, however, were usually not population based, relied on data sources set up primarily for administrative purposes, lacked unified methodologies for case definitions and verification, and failed to estimate the level of case ascertainment. Population based registries offer an alternative to past approaches and should not be overlooked for CTD.

Familial and sporadic insulin-dependent diabetes: evidence for heterogeneous etiologies?

Heterogeneity within insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) has been hypothesized, but few studies have focused on differences which may exist between familial and sporadic IDDM cases. Presenting characteristics for 330 white, newly diagnosed IDDM cases were evaluated. Familial cases were older (10.

[An epidemiological study of head injury in Hualien County, Taiwan].

An epidemiological study of head injuries in Hualien County, Taiwan, was undertaken from July 1, 1987 to June 30, 1988. Clinical records, including emergency room (ER) charts, inpatient charts from the four major hospitals and coroner or medical examiner reports in this county, were reviewed. A formulated definition was used in identifying patients with head injury.

Comparison of incidence of IDDM in childhood between Estonia and Finland, 1980-1988.

Objective: To compare nationwide incidence of childhood insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) in children aged 0-14 yr between Estonia and Finland during 1980-1988. For Estonia, which has a population genetically and linguistically related to Finland, only limited information was available. Finland has the highest incidence of IDDM in the world.

The interface between epidemiology and molecular biology in the search for the causes of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

Epidemiological techniques have been utilized to accumulate new knowledge about insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), leading to important insights into the disease process and the alteration of these mechanisms when viewed from a geographic or population base. More recently, highly powerful and sophisticated techniques of molecular biology have been added to the research arsenal, extending the knowledge on the genetic basis for IDDM and the probable environmental factors involved. The development and growth of the new discipline of epidemiological genetics promises exciting new developments for the future of our field as well as that of other major medical problems having a genetic base, but significantly influenced by environmental factors.

Genetics of diabetes. Genes and environment.

Many other autoimmune and chronic diseases exhibit marked geographic variation in incidence, which has been attributed to environmental differences across populations (Hutt and Burkitt, 1986). The results of our international IDDM research have provided evidence for the importance of large genetic variations in the frequency of HLA susceptibility genes between racial groups and countries. One may speculate that differences in the prevalence of susceptibility genes for other chronic diseases exist and significantly contribute to the geographic patterns of incidence of these disorders.

Health, life, and automobile insurance characteristics in adults with IDDM.

Objective: To determine whether people with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) were compromised in their access to insurance.

Research Design And Methods: A case-control study of 158 people with IDDM and 158 nondiabetic siblings matched for age and sex was conducted to evaluate the health, life, and automobile insurance characteristics and history of people with IDDM.

Results: Health insurance coverage (yes/no) among the IDDM and sibling control subjects was similar.

Physical activity by socioeconomic status in two population based cohorts.

In the current study, we examined physical activity in two population based cohorts of Allegheny County. Pennsylvania, which differed markedly in their socioeconomic status (SES), in order to evaluate the relationship of SES to physical activity patterns. A total of 917 individuals participated in a prevalence survey administered during a home visit in 1981.