Evaluating screening for autism spectrum disorder using cluster randomization.

We evaluated the rate of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in a group invited to a screening program compared to the rates in two groups who received usual care. The population eligible for screening was all children in Iceland registered for their 30-month well-child visits at primary healthcare centers (PHCs) from March 1, 2016, to October 31, 2017 (N = 7173). The PHCs in the capital area of Reykjavik were the units of cluster randomization.

Ambient air pollution and emergency department visits and hospitalisation for cardiac arrest: a population-based case-crossover study in Reykjavik, Iceland.

Objectives: To assess the association between traffic-related ambient air pollution and emergency hospital visits for cardiac arrest.

Design: Case-crossover design was used with a lag time to 4 days.

Setting: The Reykjavik capital area and the study population was the inhabitants 18 years and older identified by encrypted personal identification numbers and zip codes.

Comprehensive evaluation of the incidence and prevalence of surgically diagnosed pelvic endometriosis in a complete population.

Introduction: The incidence and prevalence of pelvic endometriosis is still being debated. Population-based studies have shown annual incidences between 0.1% and 0.

Ambient nitrogen dioxide is associated with emergency hospital visits for atrial fibrillation: a population-based case-crossover study in Reykjavik, Iceland.

Background: In Iceland air quality is generally good; however, previous studies indicate that there is an association between air pollution in Reykjavik and adverse health effects as measured by dispensing of medications, mortality, and increase in health care utilisation. The aim was to study the association between traffic-related ambient air pollution in the Reykjavik capital area and emergency hospital visits for heart diseases and particularly atrial fibrillation and flutter (AF).

Methods: A multivariate time-stratified case-crossover design was used to study the association.

Validation of the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers, Revised with Follow-up in a Population Sample of 30-Month-Old Children in Iceland: A Prospective Approach.

The Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers, Revised with Follow-up was validated on a population sample in Reykjavik, Iceland. The participants (N = 1585) were screened in well-child care at age 30 months and followed up for at least 2 years to identify autism cases. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values were 0.

[Air pollution in Iceland and the effects on human health. Review].

This review is on air pollution in Iceland and how it affects human health. Air pollution can be described as a condition, where levels of compounds in the atmosphere are so high that it has undesirable or harmful effects on the general public or undesirable effects on the nature, flora and fauna, or man-built structures. Air pollution can have anthropogenic sources such as burning of fossil fuels, or natural sources such as volcanic eruptions, geothermal areas, and resuspension of soil (sandstorms).

Incidence of cancer among licenced commercial pilots flying North Atlantic routes.

Background: To evaluate cancer incidence among licenced commercial pilots in association with cosmic radiation.

Methods: Cohort study where ionizing radiation dose of cosmic radiation was estimated from airline data and software program and cancer incidence was obtained by record linkage with nation-wide cancer registry. All licenced commercial male airline pilots were followed from 1955 to 2015, ever or never employed at airline with international routes.

Malignant mesothelioma incidence by nation-wide cancer registry: a population-based study.

Background: Malignant mesothelioma caused by asbestos exposure has a long latency period. A ban on asbestos use may not be apparent in decreased incidence in the population until after several decades. The aim was to evaluate changes in the incidence of malignant mesothelioma, and the possible impact of the asbestos ban implemented in Iceland in 1983.

Association between Daily Hydrogen Sulfide Exposure and Incidence of Emergency Hospital Visits: A Population-Based Study.

Background: The adverse health effects of high concentrations of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) exposure are well known, though the possible effects of low concentrations have not been thoroughly studied. The aim was to study short-term associations between modelled ambient low-level concentrations of intermittent hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and emergency hospital visits with heart diseases (HD), respiratory diseases, and stroke as primary diagnosis.

Methods: The study is population-based, using data from patient-, and population-registers from the only acute care institution in the Reykjavik capital area, between 1 January, 2007 and 30 June, 2014.

Association of Cancer Incidence and Duration of Residence in Geothermal Heating Area in Iceland: An Extended Follow-Up.

Background: Residents of geothermal areas have higher incidence of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, breast cancer, prostate cancer, and kidney cancers than others. These populations are exposed to chronic low-level ground gas emissions and various pollutants from geothermal water. The aim was to assess whether habitation in geothermal areas and utilisation of geothermal water is associated with risk of cancer according to duration of residence.

Hydrogen sulfide and traffic-related air pollutants in association with increased mortality: a case-crossover study in Reykjavik, Iceland.

Objectives: To study the association between daily mortality and short-term increases in air pollutants, both traffic-related and the geothermal source-specific hydrogen sulfide (H₂S).

Design: Population-based, time stratified case-crossover. A lag time to 4 days was considered.

Survival of patients with alcohol use disorders discharged from an emergency department: a population-based cohort study.

Objectives: The aim was to study the cause-specific mortality of users of the emergency department (ED) who received a diagnosis of alcohol use disorder (AUD) in comparison with mortality of other users of the department.

Design: A population-based prospective cohort study.

Participants: All patients aged 18 years and above who were subsequently discharged home from the ED during the years 2002-2008.

Alcohol consumption and liver cirrhosis mortality after lifting ban on beer sales in country with state alcohol monopoly.

Background: The objectives were to study alcohol consumption per capita and liver cirrhosis mortality in the population of Iceland.

Methods: The Statistic Iceland website supplied alcohol sales figures and death rates.

Results: The alcohol consumption increased 30% during the study period 1982-2009, because of increase in beer and wine, and decrease in spirits consumption.

Cancer mortality and other causes of death in users of geothermal hot water.

Background: Residents of geothermal areas have increased incidence of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, breast, prostate, and kidney cancers. The aim was to study whether this is also reflected in cancer mortality among the population using geothermal hot water for space heating, washing, and showering.

Methods: The follow-up was from 1981 to 2009.

Mortality from cancer and other causes in commercial airline crews: a joint analysis of cohorts from 10 countries.

Background: Commercial airline crew is one of the occupational groups with the highest exposures to ionising radiation. Crew members are also exposed to other physical risk factors and subject to potential disruption of circadian rhythms.

Methods: This study analyses mortality in a pooled cohort of 93 771 crew members from 10 countries.

Prevalence of autism spectrum disorders in an Icelandic birth cohort.

Objectives: A steady increase in the prevalence of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) has been reported in studies based on different methods, requiring adjustment for participation and missing data. Recent studies with high ASD prevalence rates rarely report on co-occurring medical conditions. The aim of the study was to describe the prevalence of clinically confirmed cases of ASD in Iceland and concomitant medical conditions.

Cancer incidence among population utilizing geothermal hot water: a census-based cohort study.

The aim of the study was to assess whether utilization of geothermal hot-water is associated with risk of cancer. The cohort from census was followed from 1981 to 2010 in nation-wide death and cancer registries. The moving apart of American-Eurasian tectonic plates, observed in Iceland, results in high volcanic activity.

Association of air pollution and use of glyceryl trinitrate against angina pectoris: a population-based case-crossover study.

Background: Ambient air pollution has been associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. In Reykjavik, Iceland, air pollutant concentrations exceed official health limits several times every year. The aim was to study the association of concentrations of NO2, O3, PM10, and H2S in the Reykjavik capital area with the dispensing of anti-angina pectoris medication, glyceryl trinitrate to the inhabitants.

Incidence of cancer among residents of high temperature geothermal areas in Iceland: a census based study 1981 to 2010.

Background: Residents of geothermal areas are exposed to geothermal emissions and water containing hydrogen sulphide and radon. We aim to study the association of the residence in high temperature geothermal area with the risk of cancer.

Methods: This is an observational cohort study where the population of a high-temperature geothermal area (35,707 person years) was compared with the population of a cold, non-geothermal area (571,509 person years).