ABO frequencies are reported in a series of 341 patients undergoing total hip replacement (THR) for primary (idiopathic) osteoarthrosis. Diagnosis of primary osteoarthrosis was made on the basis of clinical history, radiography, and histology of the excised femoral head. Compared to a control group of blood donors from the same geographical area there is a significant deficit of group O among the arthritic patients. It is suggested that there may be a heritable component in the susceptibility to develop osteoarthrosis in an otherwise normal hip-joint.

ABO Blood-Group System↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The Ok Tedi Health and Nutrition Project, Papua New Guinea: physique, growth and nutritional status of the Wopkaimin of the Star Mountains.

A survey was carried out to establish baseline anthropometric and health data in the Wopkaimin, a small group of Mountain Ok-speaking hunter-horticulturalists who live in a remote and isolated part of the Highland fringe of Papua New Guinea, where a major gold and copper mine is being developed. Malaria is hyperendemic in the region and infant mortality has been estimated at approximately 230 per thousand. A 79% sample of the population was examined and the results of the anthropometric survey are reported. Wopkaimin childrens' heights and weights are well below the 50th percentile of British standards throughout growth; at maturity boys' weights and girls' heights and weights are at or below the 3rd percentile, and boys' weights are just above the 10th percentile. Wopkaimin children lag far behind British children in percentage of adult height achieved at all ages, and appear to attain maturity at least four years later. This relatively slow growth and short adult stature may represent an adaptive response to chronic nutritional deprivation, for which there is evidence from skinfold thickness and arm circumference measurements. Younger adults are significntly taller, heavier, fatter and more muscular than older adults; possible explanations for this are discussed. Within the sample, individuals living in villages less than a day's walk from the mine town are significantly taller, heavier and fatter than those living further away, and there are also similar significant anthropometric differences between employed and unemployed men. Ready food availability which has come with the mine development appears to be the most likely explanation for these differences. A continuing study of changing patterns of health and nutrition in the area has been initiated.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The Ok Tedi Health and Nutrition Project, Papua New Guinea: adult physique of three populations in the North Fly region.

Adult physiques of three populations living close to a major gold and copper mine are described and compared. Men of all three groups do not differ in stature, sitting height, biceps, triceps, subscapular and medial calf skinfold thicknesses. However, Wopkaimin men are heavier, with bigger mid-upper arm circumference and bi-iliac diameter than their Ningerum and Awin counterparts. Women of all three groups have similar stature, sitting height, biacromial diameter, biceps and triceps skinfold thicknesses. Wopkaimin women have greater values for mid-upper arm and calf circumference, subscapular, supra-iliac and medial calf skinfold thicknesses, and bi-iliac diameter. These differences are attributed to an increase in the plane of nutrition of the Wopkaimin, who live closest to, and have been most affected by the Ok Tedi gold and copper mining operation.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Parotid gland enlargement and female reproductive performance in a Papua New Guinea highland population.

Swelling of the parotid salivary glands is commonly observed among males and females of highland Papua New Guinea. Evidence suggests that the condition is related to the highlanders' high starch consumption in the form of sweet potato. In this paper we regard parotid enlargement as an indicator of high energy intake and test its association with two measures of reproductive performance, the number of live births and living offspring, in a sample of 274 women from Lufa in the Eastern Highlands District of Papua New Guinea. Multiple regression analysis including maternal age showed that parotid enlargement is positively correlated with both measures of reproductive performance. Given that parotid gland enlargement in this population is due to persistent starch consumption, and that the condition represents above average energy intake, these results suggest that increases in energy intake relate to increases in reproductive performance in this sample of highland females.

Adult↗