Biomedical subjects

J Ragnarsson

Publications and source records attributed to J Ragnarsson.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1991

Trends in cervical and breast cancer in Iceland. A statistical evaluation of trends in incidence and mortality for the period 1955-1989, their relation to screening and prediction to the year 2000.

The time trends in incidence and mortality from cervical cancer and breast cancer in Iceland, from 1955 to 1989, were analyzed by fitting curvilinear regressions to the age-standardized rates. The effect of the screening was evaluated by comparing the curvature of the fitted regression lines and changes in screening activity. The incidence and mortality rates for both cancer types were predicted up to the year 2000. At the commencement of cervical cancer screening in 1964, both the incidence and mortality rates were on the increase. After 1970, both rates decreased significantly. Assuming that regular attendance at screening will be 85%, it is predicted that the incidence and mortality rates will level out at about 7.5 and 2 cases per 100,000 women per year, respectively, by the year 1995 and remain at that level. The incidence of breast cancer has increased steadily since 1955. A sharp rise has been observed since 1987, due to screening with mammography. The mortality rate has shown small but significant fluctuations with time. The incidence rate is predicted to increase at the same rate as before 1987 (i.e. at 1.1 cases per 100,000 women per year), but at a slightly higher level and is predicted to reach 84 cases per 100,000 women per year by the year 2000. Breast cancer mortality is predicted to decrease to about 17 cases per 100,000 women per year by 1995 and to remain at that level.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed1991

[Tobacco or living? Decrease in smoking in Iceland 1985-1990].

In 1985 a new tobacco act was passed in Iceland, which prescribed inter alia that warnings be printed on packages of tobacco goods. A prohibition on advertisement for tobacco has since been imposed; information on the injurious effects of tobacco has been disseminated in the schools and via TV. A law which limits smoking at work places and indoors in public buildings has also been introduced. Smoking habits have changed in the last five years. The number of daily smokers has fallen from 40.0 to 32.5 per cent, and rules concerning smokeless hospitals are coming into force. The authors believe that doctors and hospitals should lead the way if we are to reduce smoking in the society.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1989

The value of screening as an approach to cervical cancer control in Iceland, 1964-1986.

The effect of screening for cervical cancer on time trends in incidence and mortality from that disease, and the occurrence of pre-invasive cervical lesions during the period 1964-1986, were analyzed. After commencement of screening in 1964 all the above parameters increased for a short initial period but then fell markedly. From 1980, coinciding with a sharp rise in regular attendance rate, there was an increase in incidence up to 1984, followed by a decrease. The rate of pre-invasive stages also increased from 1980, but appears to be levelling off. The cervical cancer mortality rate decreased significantly during the study period. In more recent years, a shift in the occurrence of cervical cancer and pre-invasive lesions from older to younger women has been observed. Screening still appears to be effective in the control of squamous-cell carcinomas of stages I B and over, but not of adeno- and adenosquamous carcinomas.

Adult↗

PubMed1987

Ventricular dysrhythmias in middle-aged hypertensive men treated either with a diuretic agent or a beta-blocker.

The purpose of this study was to identify the frequency of cardiac dysrhythmias in two similar groups of hypertensive middle-aged males (age 45-66). They had previously been randomized either to a diuretic treatment (n = 42), or a beta-blocking agent (n = 41). A 24-hour ambulatory Holter monitoring, and serum potassium, was obtained in all patients, serum magnesium was measured in 35 patients. The mean number of ventricular premature beats (VPBs) and the frequency of complex arrhythmias (19 vs. 5) was significantly higher in the diuretic group (p less than 0.01). The serum potassium was significantly lower (p less than 0.001) in the diuretic group, and there was a significant (p less than 0.005) inverse correlation between the number of VPBs and the serum potassium in all treated patients. The patients with complex arrhythmias were older (p less than 0.01) than the remainder of the patients. No correlation between serum magnesium and VPBs or complex arrhythmias was found. This study demonstrates increased frequency of VPBs in older hypertensive males, treated with diuretics, and that hypokalaemia predisposes to increased cardiac arrhythmias. We conclude that in older mildly hypertensive men hypokalaemia should be avoided.

Aged↗

PubMed1986

Type 4 renal tubular acidosis (sub-type 2) associated with idiopathic interstitial nephritis.

An 18-month-old girl presenting with anorexia and failure to thrive, was referred for adenoidectomy. Arterial hypertension was discovered on physical examination. Laboratory results revealed hyperkalaemic, hyperchloraemic, metabolic acidosis, with slight azotemia. Urinary aldosterone excretion and plasma renin were decreased. Renal biopsy showed idiopathic interstitial nephritis. The diagnosis of type 4 renal tubular acidosis, sub-type 2, i.e. primary hyporeninaemic secondary hypoaldosteronism was proposed. According to our knowledge, this disease has not previously been reported in young children, but is well known in azotaemic adults. We therefore propose the inclusion of this uncommon renal disease in the differential diagnosis of failure to thrive in childhood.

Acidosis, Renal Tubular↗

PubMed1985

Hydrochlorothiazide and potassium chloride in comparison with hydrochlorothiazide and amiloride in the treatment of mild hypertension.

A randomized, double-blind, cross-over study comparing 50 mg hydrochlorothiazide plus 5 mg amiloride (HCTZ/A) with 50 mg hydrochlorothiazide plus 26 mmol potassium chloride (HCTZ/K) was conducted in 18 patients with mild essential hypertension (diastolic pressure 90-105 mmHg). The sequence of treatment was: placebo for 2 weeks, one active drug for 3 weeks, placebo for 2 weeks, the other active drug for 3 weeks. The two agents were significantly and equally efficacious in lowering the systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Baseline vs. treatment mean serum potassium levels were 3.82 vs. 3.78 mmol/l for HCTZ/A and 3.82 vs. 3.70 mmol/l for HCTZ/K. The decrease in serum potassium level from baseline was significant for both agents but not significantly different when the two treatment forms were compared. Both treatment forms elevated fasting serum cholesterol and glucose. Serum triglycerides and uric acid rose significantly with HCTZ/K. Amiloride may affect the tubular handling of uric acid causing increased uric acid excretion, thus counteracting thiazide-induced hyperuricemia. During 3 weeks' extension of the main study, 5 patients received HCTZ/A in double the original dose (100 mg/10 mg) and 6 patients received HCTZ/K in double the original dose (100 mg/52 mmol). No further blood pressure reduction was observed on treatment with these doses. The mean serum potassium levels did not decrease further on doubling the HCTZ/A dose, while a significant fall was observed for HCTZ/K (3.60 vs. 3.42 mmol/l) (p less than 0.05, single tailed t-test). Both drug combinations were well tolerated and side-effects were not significantly different from those during placebo administration. This study demonstrates that 50 mg hydrochlorothiazide plus 26 mmol potassium chloride are as effective as 50 mg hydrochlorothiazide plus 5 mg amiloride, both in reducing blood pressure and preventing hypokalaemia in the treatment of essential hypertension. A small extension study indicates that amiloride might be more effective than potassium chloride in preventing hypokalaemia when high doses (100 mg/day) of hydrochlorothiazide are administered.

Adult↗

PubMed1985

Size at birth in Iceland.

Anthropometric standards for weight, length and head circumference of Icelandic infants at birth are presented. The material concerning weight and crown-heel length consisted of 43 364 newborns, the total number of infants born in 1972-1981. The standards for head circumference were based on 28 978 infants born in 1975-1981. Multiple births and stillbirths were excluded from the material, leaving single livebirths with an estimated length of gestation of 28-44 weeks. No further exclusions were made. The material was compared with previous standards used in Iceland as well as with other studies of all single livebirths in geographically defined populations. Standards for crown-heel length and head circumference were compared with other studies based on more limited and selective materials. The differences between these studies emphasize the need for an international agreement on the methodology for measurement and recording of infant growth during the perinatal period.

Birth Weight↗