Dramatic effect of early clopidogrel administration in reducing mortality and MACE rates in ACS patients. Data from the Swiss registry AMIS-Plus.

Background: Patients who have acute coronary syndromes with or without ST-segment elevation have high rates of major vascular events. We evaluated the efficacy of early clopidogrel administration (300 mg) (<24 hours) when given with aspirin in such patients.

Methods: We included 30,243 patients who had an acute coronary syndrome with or without ST segment elevation.

Impact of a nationwide public campaign on delays and outcome in Swiss patients with acute coronary syndrome.

Background: To improve the outcome in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), public campaigns have been launched aimed at shortening presentation delays and allowing more efficient treatment. Their impact is uncertain.

Methods: Pre-hospital delays and outcome in patients with ACS included in the Swiss National AMIS Plus registry were assessed prospectively before and after a nationwide multimedia campaign ('HELP') by the Swiss Heart Foundation in 2007.

Significant decrease in in-hospital mortality and major adverse cardiac events in Swiss STEMI patients between 2000 and December 2007.

Objectives: To evaluate the in-hospital outcome of STEMI (ST elevation myocardial infarction) patients admitted to Swiss hospitals between 2000 and December 2007, and to identify the predictors of in-hospital mortality and major cardiac events.

Methods: Data from the Swiss national registry AMIS Plus (Acute Myocardial Infarction and Unstable Angina in Switzerland) were used. All patients admitted between January 2000 and December 2007 with STEMI or a new LBBB (left bundle branch block) were included in the registry.

Cross-sectional view of factors associated with back pain.

Objective: To examine the factors associated with back pain within a working population.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey of employees using a self-administered questionnaire and physical fitness tests. This study assessed 10,321 participants (6,251 male and 4,070 female) of two nationwide companies throughout Switzerland between 1996 and 1998.

Awareness of vaccination status and its predictors among working people in Switzerland.

Background: Adult vaccination status may be difficult to obtain, often requiring providers to rely on individual patient recall. To determine vaccination status awareness and the sociodemographic predictors of awareness for tetanus, hepatitis A and B, tick born encephalitis (TBE) and influenza vaccination.

Methods: Multivariate analyses were used to evaluate a questionnaire survey of 10,321 employees (4070 women and 6251 men aged 15-72 years) of two companies in Switzerland.