A relationship between social deprivation and the incidence of fracture in adolescents has not previously been shown. We have used a complete fracture database to identify adolescents who sustained fractures in 2000. The 2001 Scottish census was used to obtain age-specific population and deprivation data according to the Carstairs score. Regression analysis determined the relationship between the incidence of fractures and social deprivation. We analysed 1574 adolescents with fractures (1083 male, 491 female). The incidence of fractures in this group was 21.8 per thousand (31.0 male, 13.1 female). Social deprivation predicted the incidence in adolescent males and females. The incidence of fractures of the proximal upper limb and distal radius in females was overwhelmingly influenced by socioeconomic factors. Males of 15 to 20 years of age were more likely to sustain fractures of the hand and carpus if they lived in economically depressed neighbourhoods.

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Compartment syndrome as a result of simvastatin-induced myositis is extremely rare. This case discusses a patient with spontaneous onset compartment syndrome that necessitated four-compartment fasciotomy. A thorough investigation into its cause highlighted statin-induced myositis as the most likely aetiological agent. When investigating a patient with unexplained spontaneous compartment syndrome it is important to consider drug-induced myositis. This case reinforces the difficulty faced in diagnosing spontaneous compartment syndrome.

From 1 June 1981 through 31 January 1984, 201 cases of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome were reported involving persons who could not be classified into a group identified to be at increased risk for this syndrome. Thirty-five had received transfusions of single-donor blood components in the 5 years preceding diagnosis of the syndrome and 30 were sexual partners of persons belonging to a high-risk group. Information was incomplete for most remaining patients, but because many of these patients were demographically similar to populations recognized to be at increased risk for the syndrome, previously identified risk factors may have been present but not reported for some of them. Additionally, a few persons who met the case definition for the syndrome probably had other reasons for their opportunistic disease and did not have the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. The slow emergence of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome in new populations is consistent with transmission mediated through sexual contact or parenteral exposure to blood.