Similarities and differences in hospitalization rates among five racial groups serving in the Navy during a 3-year period (1973-75) were examined, and the differences in terms of sociological and occupational factors were evaluated. Overall annual hospitalization rates per 10,000 men were blacks, 1,413; whites, 1,109; American Indians, 923; Asian-Americans, 683; and Malaysians (Filipinos), 508.Explanations for the low Malaysian hospitalization rate included selection of the fittest for service, age and job experience, and a low percentage of assignments to physically arduous occupations. Although blacks had the highest rates for many medical conditions, their rates for injuries, respiratory diseases, and infective disorders were comparable with those for whites. Blacks had the highest rates for several non-life-threatening conditions that required surgical procedures; this finding suggested that the Navy Medical Department had filled a longstanding need for corrective treatment.Although the results of this study should be useful to military medical planners responsible for the health care of all naval personnel, the authors conclude that detailed longitudinal studies are needed to establish more clearly the underlying biological and sociological factors associated with racial differences in morbidity.

Asian People↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Combined carotid and coronary revascularization.

A series of 295 patients with combined extracranial and coronary revascularization procedures is analyzed. Operations were combined in patients with symptomatic or severe carotid lesions. Hospital mortality was 3.5%; hospital morbidity was mainly neurological with 5% reversible neurological deficits or strokes. The independent risk factors for hospital mortality and morbidity as well as for long-term survival and morbidity were statistically analyzed. The 10-year survival was 47% and predominantly determined by the cardiac 10-year survival (61%).

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Ultrasound diagnosis of joints and tendons in the body periphery in inflammatory rheumatic diseases].

Possibilities and limits of ultrasound-presentation of the tendons and of the joints in the periphery of the body are shown by way of examples of normal and pathological conditions in the area of the hand and the foot. The margin of erroneous analysis, particularly in the field of ultrasound-diagnostics, of damages of the tendon itself are discussed in detail The article concludes with a critical assessment of the clinical relevance concerning the therapeutic consequences.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[From early retirement to retirement--change and stability of the social status of East Germany early retirees].

This article deals with the social effects of early retirement in East Germany. On the basis of a panel survey with two waves (1993 and 1996) it is shown that the social effects of early retirement have to be considered on a differentiated level and with regard to the time when the survey was carried out. After a difficult phase of transition the social situation of the people gradually starts to stabilize. Despite the experience of loss the judgements are ambiguous and often unstable. The results of the second wave mainly show an improvement of the social situation and a change in the set of criteria. Moreover, people recognize deficits in their social relations and tend to activate contacts outside their families.

Aged↗