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Biomedical subjects

H Isager

Publications and source records attributed to H Isager.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1983

Antibodies to herpes simplex and Epstein-Barr viruses in Faroese children: association with sibship size, height and age.

Antibody to herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1 and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) capsid antibody were determined in 333 children from the Faroe Islands, aged 4, 8 and 13 years. An analysis of multi-way frequency tables was performed, testing seropositivity for each virus against combinations of the following variables: sibship size, birth order, mother's age at birth, birth weight, actual height and weight, age and sex. HSV-seropositivity was associated to sibship size, height and age, while EBV-seropositivity was related only to age.--It is discussed how the findings fit into epidemiological patterns described for Hodgkin's disease and multiple sclerosis, which are both supposed to be of viral origin. Our results suggest that HSV, but not EBV, may be among the candidates to be considered.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

Serum isoamylases in Sjögren's syndrome. Concentration levels and intra-individual variation.

A study of isoamylase in serum from 53 patients with Sjögren's syndrome demonstrated that the levels of both pancreatic type and salivary type amylases remain within reference value limits in most cases. However, abnormal low or high values for pancreatic type amylases were seen more frequently than in the control groups. The intra-individual variation in concentration levels of both isoenzymes among patients with Sjögren's syndrome were significantly greater than in the control groups. These observations are interpreted as signs of subclinical lesions of the pancreas and the salivary glands occurring during the course of the disease. Sjögren's syndrome should be borne in mind and sought in cases of unexplained hypo- or hyperisoamylasemias.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

Tear absorption into the filter-paper strip used in the Schirmer-I-test. A methodological study and a critical survey.

The absorption of tear fluid into the Schirmer-I-filter paper was evaluated by serial measurements in 5 normal volunteers and in 32 patients with Sjögren's syndrome. The length of wetting was correlated to the weight of tear fluid absorbed in the paper strips. A linear relationship was demonstrated. We conclude that the Schirmer-I-test implies reproducible and fairly precise estimation of the tear flow even in cases of small lengths of wetting. The test is reliable, simple and useful for the diagnosis and follow-up of dry eyes, especially in patients with Sjögrens syndrome.

Absorption↗
PubMed1982

Cobalamin-binding proteins in serum and saliva from patients with Sjögren's syndrome.

Cobalamin-binding proteins in saliva and in serum were determined in 28 patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (primary SS), 8 patients with secondary SS and 20 matched healthy controls. The unsaturated transcobalamin II level in serum was significantly increased in patients with secondary SS. The unsaturated cobalamin binding capacity in saliva was increased in patients with primary SS. Considerable interindividual variations were found between patients and in the control group. The local production of cobalamin-binding proteins in SS was sufficient to achieve concentrations in saliva comparable to the control group. The cobalamin-binding capacity in saliva was significantly correlated to the albumin concentration in both primary and secondary SS patients, suggesting a defect in the aqueous phase.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

Risk factors in multiple sclerosis: tuberculin reactivity, age at measles infection, tonsillectomy and appendectomy.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether risk of multiple sclerosis (MS) is associated with the occurrence of viral or bacterial diseases, with vaccinations, or with operative events during childhood. Our reference population was 198,000 persons recorded in the register of school health records from the Copenhagen council. We compared 92 MS patients contained in the register with matched controls from the register, three for each patients. Risk of MS was inversely associated with a positive tuberculin skin test at age 7 years, i.e. with exposure to tuberculosis before the age of 7, possibly also with the occurrence of measles infection before age 7 (not statistically significant). Disease risk was not significantly related to other viral or bacterial infections of childhood, nor to routine vaccinations, tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy or appendectomy. Our findings suggest a difference between MS patients and controls with respect to environment before school age, the former being less exposed to air-borne infections.

Adenoidectomy↗
PubMed1981

Bromhexine treatment of Sjögren's syndrome: effect on lacrimal and salivary secretion, and on proteins in tear fluid and saliva.

In a randomized clinical study, 32 patients with Sögren's syndrome (SS were given placebo/bromhexine (Bisolvon) 48 mg daily for 3 weeks. Various ophthalmological and oral variables as well as different proteins in the tear fluid and saliva were registered. Bromhexine stimulated the tear secretion significantly, presumable without changing the protein composition of the tear fluid. In contrast to other proteins in saliva the IgM concentration decreased in patients with high pre-treatment values. Bromhexine may be of valuable help in the treatment of some patients with SS.

Adult↗
PubMed1980

School contact between patients with multiple sclerosis.

We have investigated whether there was more school contact among patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) than expected by chance, suggesting that a transmissible infection occurring at school age might be an aetiologic factor. A case-control-within-a-cohort study was conducted using the 1930-1950 birth cohort. Of 198 000 persons 92 had developed MS in the period 1943-1975 and 3 matched controls for each case were selected. The number of links between all possible pairs of cases was estimated, as well as the number of cases involved in contact with at least one other case. Three measures of school contact were included in the analysis. No evidence of increased school contact among MS cases relative to controls was found.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1980

Risk of multiple sclerosis inversely associated with birth order position.

The aim of this study was to ascertain whether there is an association between risk of multiple sclerosis (MS) and birth order position. Our reference population was 198,000 persons born in the period 1930-50 and recorded in the register of school health records from the school health service of the Copenhagen council. We compared 46 persons from the register who had developed MS with matched controls from the register, three for each case. An inverse association between risk of MS and birth order position was found. Early birth orders tend to delay exposure to an infectous agent from early childhood to a later age. Therefore, our finding supports the hypothesis that MS is causally related to an infection that is inapparent when it occurs in early childhood, while infection later in life may result in severe disease

Birth Order↗
PubMed1980

Pre-morbid factors in Hodgkin's disease III. School contact between patients.

The question whether there is more school contact among patients with Hodgkin's disease (HD) than expected by change, suggesting that the disease might be transmissible, has been the object of several recent studies. Our study was based on the birth cohort 1930-1950 from the register of records from the school health service of the Copenhagen City Council. The cohort contains about 198 000 persons, and 65 of these had developed HD before age 40 years and in the period 1943-1975. For 62 patients, 3 matched controls for each were selected in the register, and for the remaining 3 patients at least 1 control for each was found. We analysed 36 combinations of contact measures and subsamples, and found no excess of school contact in patients relative to controls. The finding adds to the evidence against the hypothesis that HD is transmitted at school age from one future patient to another, or from a small pool of carriers.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1978

Sjörgren's syndrome treated with bromhexine: a randomised clinical study.

Existing treatment for Sjögren's syndrome is unsatisfactory, and uncontrolled observations have suggested that bromhexine may be effective. Twenty-nine patients with Sjögren's syndrome were therefore assigned to two randomised double-blind crossover trials with bromhexine and placebo, each comprising two two-week periods. In the first trial bromhexine 24 mg/day was given by mouth; in the second the dose was increased to 48 mg/day. After each treatment period the Schirmer test response, break-up time, Bijsterveld score, and the time taken for the patient to eat a dry biscuit were recorded, as well as the patient's estimate of moistness in the eyes and mouth. In the second (higher-dose) trial values on the Schirmer test were significantly higher after bromhexine than after placebo and the break-up time was also increased after bromhexine, which suggested that the drug has a dose-dependent effect on lacrimal gland secretion in Sjögren's syndrome. It had no effect on salivary gland function. Bromhexine is therefore valuable in the treatment of Sjögren's syndrome.

Bromhexine↗
PubMed1978

Pre-morbid factors in Hodgkin's disease. I. Birth weight and growth pattern from 8 to 14 years of age.

The risk of Hodgkin's disease (HD) in young adults is correlated to height. This association indicates an etiologic factor acting during growth. Our aim was to evaluate the importance of growth pattern as a risk factor in HD. The register of records from the school health service of the Copenhagen Council was scrutinized in order to find Danes with HD born between 1930 and 1950. Whenever possible, three matched controls (comparable in respect to socio-economic status) were selected from the register for each case. The material consisted of 63 cases and 183 controls. Information regarding height, weight and birth weight was obtained from the school health records. The patients were taller than controls at 8, 10, 12 and 14 years of age. The birth weight was available in 33 cases and 99 controls, and was higher in the former (median 3.50 kg) than in the latter (median 3.30 kg) (P less than 0.01). Our findings suggest the existence of either a risk factor associated with rapid growth or a protective factor connected with slow growth, effective even before birth.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1978

Pre-morbid factors in Hodgkin's disease. II. BCG-vaccination status, tuberculosis, infectious diseases, tonsillectomy, and appendectomy.

In young adults with Hodgkin's disease, cell mediated immunity (CMI) was evaluated retrospectively from their health records. The register of records from the school health service of the Copenhagen Council was scrutinized in order to find the records of those with HD born between 1930 and 1950 in whom the disease had been diagnosed between 1943 and 1975. Whenever possible, three controls were selected from the register for each case; they were comparable in respect of sex, year and month of birth and socio-economic background. The material consisted of 63 cases and 182 controls. Information regarding BCG-vaccinations, tuberculin skin-tests, the frequency of tuberculosis, bacterial and viral diseases, and of tonsilectomy, adenoidectomy and appendectomy was obtained from the school health records. 2 HD patients have had tuberculosis versus none in the control group. Complications to or prolonged course of viral diseases were reported neither in HD patients nor in controls. No significant differences were found in the frequency of BCG-vaccination, tuberculin reactivity, viral and bacterial diseases, adenoidectomy, tonsilectomy and appendectomy. Therefore our findings do not support the concept of a pre-morbid CMI deficiency state in HD.

Adenoidectomy↗