Tissue specimens from 283 principally spontaneously (naturally) desiccated human mummies from coastal and low valley sites in northern Chile and southern Peru were tested with a DNA probe directed at a kinetoplast DNA segment of Trypanosoma cruzi.

The SF-36 Mental Composite Score and all subscales were highly correlated with depression type in chronic pain patients. The positive predictive value of the SF-36 in classifying depression type was high. The SF-36 may be a useful clinical tool to measure health-related quality of life in chronic pain patients. In addition, the SF-36 was able to detect major depression and demonstrate a dose-effect relationship between depression type (severity) and health-related quality of life in chronic pain patients.

Both income and income inequality affect infant health outcomes in the United States. The health of the poorest infants was affected more by absolute wealth than relative wealth.

Based on the relevant rates, injury consequences, and potential risk factors identified, injuries to children and youth on farms represent a significant problem. Future analytic studies are essential to identify more specific risk factors that can serve as a basis for development of appropriate intervention efforts. Given the population at risk, and the opportunity for intervention in this unique occupational setting, many of these injuries may be readily amenable to prevention efforts.

We conducted a nested case-control study of 1,377 cases of upper gastrointestinal bleeding or perforation (UGIB) and 10,000 controls to evaluate the association of individual non? steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), utilization char? acteristics, and other risk factors for these conditions. Age was the strongest risk factor for UGIB. Male gender, history of complicated peptic ulcer disease, and current use of steroids were also risk factors for UGIB. The adjusted odds ratio (OR) for current NSAID use was 4.3 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 3.7-5.0]. The ORs for current NSAID use were similar for fatal cases and for the gastric, duodenal, prepyloric, and mul? tiple sites of lesion, but the OR was substantially increased for perforations (OR = 16.9; 95% CI = 9.1-31.5). Women age 80 years or older experienced the greatest effect of NSAID use. Current users of multiple NSAIDs and recent switchers showed ORs of 9.0 and 6.2, respectively. Ibuprofen showed the lowest OR and diflunisal, the highest. ORs for low, medium, and high NSAID daily dose were 2.9, 4.2, and 5.8, respectively. This trend was present among new, short-term, and long-term users. Simultaneous use of multiple NSAIDs as well as use of a single individual NSAID at high doses greatly increases the risk of complicated peptic ulcer disease. (Epidemiology 1997; 8:18-24) Keywords: nonsteroidal antiinflammatory agents, corticosteroids, drug interaction, gastrointestinal toxicity, medical record linkage, drug utilization, age. Current users of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have a three-to fivefold increase in risk of upper gastrointestinal bleeding and perforation (UGIB). Epidemiologic studies in this area have recently focused on the evaluation of effects of individual NSAIDs, pat? terns of drug use, and other risk factors for this condi? tion.1-9 We present here the results of a nested casecontrol study conducted in the general population of Saskatchewan, Canada. This study was implemented in parallel with another study1 of a general practice patient population in the United Kingdom, with the aim of addressing gastrointestinal safety of individual NSAIDs From 'Pharmacoepidemiology Research, CIBA-GEIGY S.A., ? 1996 by Epidemiology Resources Inc. 18(toxicity ranking, effect of duration of therapy, individ? ual dose effect, patterns of use) and risk among the elderly. The present study was also designed to provide detailed data on absolute rates of complicated peptic ulcer disease. Population and MethodsThe Canadian province of Saskatchewan has 1.1 million residents. Over 95% are entitled to receive benefits through the Department of Health.10 As a by-product of providing these health services, the Saskatchewan De?partment of Health has been accumulating a large vol? ume of health care information in computerized data? bases over a number of years. This study examined the relation between exposure to NSAIDs and several serious categories of outcomes in Saskatchewan during the period January 1, 1982, to December 31, 1986.5,1112 During the stu...