Sleeping habits in the Austrian population.

Objectives: To gain reliable data on sleeping habits and sleep disturbances of the Austrian population.

Background: Exact data on sleeping habits are of interest in relation to assessment of sleep disturbance-related illnesses and general social processes.

Methods: A prospective, cross-sectional study was performed with recruitment of a representative sample of 1049 Austrians (aged 15-82 years), according to the Federal Statistics population characteristics.

Sleep and quality of life in the Austrian population.

Purpose: To compare the self-reported estimation of sleep quality evaluated by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and life quality assessed by the Quality of Life Index (QLI).

Background: The PSQI comprised 19 questions and assessed a wide variety of factors relating to sleep quality. The QLI consisted of 10 items for self assessment of different dimensions of life quality.

Heroin and opiate emergencies in Vienna: analysis at the municipal ambulance service.

Vienna suffered an epidemic of heroin abuse in recent years, with drug-deaths due to opioids increasing from 62 in 1991 to 143 in 1993. The aim of this study was to make observations about illicit opioid-use with the ambulance service as a data source. From June 1994 to August 1995, the structured run records of the ambulance service were reviewed.

[Analysis of the needs for diagnosis and therapy of tobacco dependence in Austria].

In Austria we find 2.3 Mio. tobacco users (29% of the population).

Blood pressure awareness in Austria. A 20-year evaluation, 1978-1998.

Aim: To evaluate public awareness following a nationwide educational campaign on hypertension.

Methods And Results: In 1978 the Austrian Heart Foundation conducted a nationwide educational campaign to increase the awareness of the population regarding the importance of recognizing and treating high blood pressure. Following this campaign, five opinion polls of random and representative samples were conducted to measure the awareness and knowledge of the population relating to issues of high blood pressure.

[Reduced smoking--a possible strategy for control of tobacco-associated illnesses?].

The aim of the publication is to discuss reduced smoking as a concept to control tobacco-related diseases. New scientific studies show that nicotine-replacement medications may be an untapped source in efforts to reduce smoking. This new indication for nicotine-replacement therapy was licensed for the first time in Denmark by the registration authority.

Alternative nicotine delivery systems (ANDS)--public health-aspects.

This paper deals with a relatively new category of pharmaceuticals, namely alternative nicotine delivery systems (ANDS). We do not refer to products like smokeless tobacco or other smoking devices. ANDS are designed to provide nicotine without the harmful substances contained in cigarette smoke.

Measurement of expired carbon monoxide among medical students to assess smoking behaviour.

CO-Measurement of medical students was taken during a compulsory public health training at the University of Vienna. The students were not informed previously, so a non-response bias was excluded. Measurements were done with Bedfont EC50-MICRO Carbon monoxide monitor.

[European Medical Association Smoking or Health (EMASH)--consensus on smoking cessation: guidelines for physicians].

The present study summarizes the latest scientific findings on smoking cessation and the various therapeutic possibilities. The guidelines presented here were compiled by the experts of EMASH (European Medical Association Smoking or Health). Accurate diagnosis and adequate treatment of nicotine dependence is essential for achieving sustained abstinence.

[Different occupational groups of women and selected nutrition-related risk factors for osteoporosis].

This paper studies the prevalence of risk factors considered responsible for osteoporosis in women of 4 occupational groups: farmers, blue collar workers, white collar workers/civil servants and housewives. We analyzed nutritional factors associated with osteoporosis in the scientific literature. The total sample comprises of 2185 individuals of which 658 women were taken into the analyses.

Self-reported prevalence of venous diseases in the general population of Austria--results of the SERMO (Self-Reported Morbidity) Study.

Venous diseases are common in Western societies, their causes, however, have remained largely unknown. The prevalence of venous diseases in the general population of Austria was assessed, and information on the background morbidity of venous diseases obtained from the data base of the SERMO study (Self-Reported Morbidity Study). The SERMO study consists of 9 representative population surveys conducted between December 1994 and December 1995; the study aimed at describing and monitoring the characteristics of background morbidity in the Austrian population.

Impact of nasal continuous positive airway pressure treatment on quality of life in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea.

Quality-of-life (QoL) issues have become increasingly important in health care practice and research. Obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) results in an especially serious reduction in QoL. The purpose of this study was to measure the QoL (life satisfaction) of OSAS patients treated with nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP).

[Vienna standard in diagnosis of nicotine dependence: Vienna Standard Smoking Inventory].

The Standard Vienna Smokers' Inventory (VSSI) ("Wiener Standard Raucher-Inventar" [WSR]) is based on the authors' experience and was designed to optimize primary and additional diagnostic procedures associated with smoking cessation treatment. The aim of this inventory is to enable therapists interested in smoking cessation interventions to initiate diagnostic procedures as well as to use efficient therapeutic modalities. The study also highlights those areas of the patient's history which should be given special attention and the theoretical background of these areas.

[Health monitor (SERMO study)--concept, methodology and a paradigmatic result on subjective morbidity in headache].

In Austria, microcensus surveys on self-reported morbidity are carried out at regular intervals every ten years, generally by the Federal Statistic Centre. In the following, we describe an epidemiological observational service which could be regarded as an additional public health instrument. This service is termed "health monitor", and the SERMO (self-reported morbidity) study is the scientific project associated with it.

[Diagnosis and therapy of nicotine dependence].

The 1988 Report of the US-Surgeon General states very clearly, that the use of tobacco products is not a matter of free choice, but is the result of an addiction as scientifically valid as the addiction to heroin and other narcotics. Using the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND) to assess nicotine dependence in a population 6,000 randomly selected Austrians were interviewed. 42% of men and 27% of women were found to be smokers.

Prehospital opiate emergencies in Vienna.

To establish baseline data on prehospital emergencies caused by opiates during a 4-month period, a retrospective analysis of run records of the Emergency Medical System in Vienna, the capital of Austria, was conducted. During the study period, there were 308 opioid emergencies involving 240 persons, an average of 2.5 overdoses per day.

Problems in treatment and nursing of cancer patients.

Treatment and nursing of cancer patients place great demands on physicians, nurses and the patients' families. The enormous emotional strain on the patient may lead to frustration and 'burnout' among health-care professionals. This article consists of three steps: (a) a qualitative analysis based on a discussion with experts in oncology; (b) a questionnaire investigation of physicians and nurses; and (c) training courses for interested physicians and nurses.

[Epidemiology of health problems caused by passive smoking].

Smoking has long been known to cause premature death and different illnesses. Each year 3 million people die from smoking related diseases worldwide. In recent years there has been concern that non-smokers may also be at risk for some of these adverse effects on health as a result of their exposure to tobacco smoke in various environments polluted by smokers.

[Women and smoking].

Of the 300,000 deaths attributable to smoking among women in developed countries in 1985, 21% were coded to lung cancer, for example, 41% to cardiovascular diseases, primarily coronary heart disease and stroke, and 18% to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Overall, female deaths rates from lung cancer in developed countries increased by almost 200% between 1957 and 1987. Smoking and tobacco consumption is a health risk for women at all ages.

[Blood pressure awareness in Austria: indicators of an increasing information deficit].

Attitudes and knowledge of the Austrian population concerning hypertension have been investigated on a regular basis for 15 years (1978-1993). In 1978 a public campaign of information on hypertension was conducted all over Austria. Between 1978 and 1993 four representative population surveys, based on random samples, were performed (1978, 1984, 1990, 1993).

[Social medicine aspects of pre- and postmenopause].

Due to the increasing life expectancy most women nowadays suffer from menopausal problems. These include not only menopausal symptoms, but also osteoporosis and atherosclerosis. Hormone replacement therapy therefore is a measure for keeping physiological standards.