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Biomedical subjects

H T Waaler

Publications and source records attributed to H T Waaler.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1988

Hazard of obesity--the Norwegian experience.

Ten years' follow-up of mortality of 1.7 million persons aged 15 years or more with measured body weight and height demonstrates a consistent correlation between body mass index and mortality. The risk function is an asymmetrical U-function. This shape makes the determination of an optimum very uncertain. The two tails in the distribution of the body mass index show marked differences as to the causes of death: the lower tail is characterized by tuberculosis, lung cancer, obstructive lung diseases, and the upper tail by cerebrovascular and cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and (for males) colon cancer.

Actuarial Analysis↗
PubMed1987

Body mass index in the Scandinavian countries.

Data on the body mass index (BMI) from four Scandinavian countries are compared. The Finnish values are markedly higher than those of the other countries. This holds for both sexes. Among these the Norwegians deviate by showing higher values for females, though not reaching the Finnish level, but lower values for the males. The populations from which the observations are drawn are differently sampled. There is no evidence that differences as to composition in rural/urban populations can explain the differences.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

What is the economic impact of secondary prevention to society?

Of the 4.1 million population of Norway about 7500 patients between 20 and 75 years of age are admitted each year to hospital for acute myocardial infarction. Of these 1100 die in hospital, and 6400 are candidates for secondary prevention. On the basis of survival curves, we present a model for calculating potential benefits of secondary prevention. We use 'years of life gained' as a measure of outcome of secondary prevention. We consider three economic elements in secondary prevention: (a) Use of health services. The drug costs are moderate. The indirect costs are unknown, but probably moderate. (b) Resumed productivity is small. (c) Pensions and other transfers will increase the public expense. The net effect is an increase in public expense. Beta blockers reduce mortality by 25% and can be given prophylactically to about one third of the patients. So far, the effect is uncertain after two years. Secondary prevention for two years will cost Norway about 3.8 million NOK (526 000 US +) per year for drugs, give 597 extra survivors and provide 0.24 additional life years per patient treated. In case of life-long treatment and effect, the result will be 1.6 years of life per patient treated. About 50% of Norwegian patients smoke. If all the men stopped, there will be no costs, about 5120 extra survivors, and 3.3 additional years of life per patient who quits smoking. The effect is not limited in time.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗
PubMed1984

Relation between drug utilization and morbidity pattern: antihypertensive drugs.

Drug utilization studies are a valuable tool in health services research aiming to improve quality of health care and use of resources. We first present a simple model for drug utilization studies and then give practical examples from our studies in Norway, mainly dealing with the treatment of hypertension. There are marked differences in drug utilization between hospitals, counties, and the five Nordic countries. The medical consequences of these differences are probably small, but they have important economic implications. The marked regional differences in drug utilization argue for better organization of health care, for standardized treatment programs, and for continuing education of doctors.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

Physical activity, health and health economics.

Ideally this article should begin with a mathematical model--an equation. On the left we should put together contributions and expenditures in terms of hours, money and effort. On the right we should enter the profits in terms of years of life, money and quality of life. Unfortunately it is not that easy. The literature is comprehensive but also not complete. At the request of the British Department of Social Welfare, Fentem & Bassey went through the literature on exercise and health--1 334 references (4), and were unable to draw up any conclusion in the form of a mathematical equation. They could only make a declaration which they called "The case for exercise" (10). Lack of scientific proof should not stop us from drawing probable conclusions. In the article below we set out our reasons for the conclusions we have arrived at. In brief, the conclusion should be: "exercise is healthy and health is profitable".

Adolescent↗