Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

K Viskum

Publications and source records attributed to K Viskum.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

[Exposure to passive smoking of hospital employees and attitude to smoking at workplaces in 1992].

The aim of the study was to investigate exposure to passive smoking at work and the attitudes towards smoking at work among Danish hospital employees. It was carried out as a cross-sectional questionnaire study in collaboration with Bispebjerg Hospital and Tobaksskaderådet, to which 3154 (84%) employees responded. Results showed that 40% of the employees were exposed to passive smoking at work. Fifty-seven percent of the non-smokers and 14% of the smokers had symptoms associated with exposure to tobacco smoke. Every third employee complained of headache, coughing, eye irritation or breathlessness, and most were worried about the possible long term impact on health of passive smoking. In conclusion, surprisingly many employees are unwillingly exposed to the effects of passive smoking during working hours. Rules on smoking restriction are needed at the Danish health institutions to ensure the right to work in an environment free of tobacco smoke.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed1995

[Smoking habits among hospital employees in 1992].

The aim of the study was to investigate the smoking habits of employees of a Danish hospital on the basis of a questionnaire given in October 1992 and compare the results with two similar previous studies of smoking habits among the Danish population (1991) and physicians and nurses (1989). It was performed as a cross-sectional questionnaire study in collaboration with Bispebjerg Hospital and Tobaksskaderådet. Three thousand one hundred and fifty-four (84%) employees responded. The results showed that 37% of male and 33% of female employees were daily smokers. The prevalence of smokers and the distribution of smoking habits according to social class of the employees were equal to the general population except for male physicians and female nurses where the prevalence of smokers was lower than the corresponding social classes. Female doctors smoked as much as class I from the population study. Twenty-two percent of male and 17% of female employees smoked 15 cigarettes a day or more (heavy smokers). Eighty-seven percent of the smokers smoked at work, and one-third smoked more than five cigarettes on each workday. It is concluded that the smoking habits of Danish hospital employees correspond to the smoking habits of the general population. Rules on smoking restriction in Danish hospitals are needed. The smoking habits of female doctors calls for attention.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Electrocardiographic changes in patients with intrathoracic sarcoidosis: influence on prognosis.

A retrospective evaluation of 244 electrocardiograms obtained at rest at time of diagnosis from a population of 254 patients with intrathoracic sarcoidosis was carried out. Thirty-five (14%) were abnormal. Sinus tachycardia was present in 17 (7%), the rest encompassing various degrees of right-sided bundle branch, atrioventricular first degree block, ventricular extrasystolia and ST-depression. At follow-up after a median time of 27 years we found a significantly higher mortality risk in the group with ECG-changes compared to those without. Excess mortality was increased when comparing patients with tachycardia to those without. However, when adjusted for FEV1, the risk of death was not significantly different between the two groups.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

[Extrapulmonary tuberculosis in Denmark. A review of the incidence, localization and therapy].

In Denmark, just under 20% of tuberculosis (TB) cases amongst Danes and 25-30% of cases amongst people of foreign nationalities are made up of isolated extrapulmonary (EP) TB. The incidence among Danes is falling, whereas an increasing amount of EP TB cases are found among foreigners due to continued immigration, and these now constitute 50% of all cases of EP TB. EP TB is found among older Danes and younger foreigners. The HIV/AIDS epidemic has not had any effect on the incidence of TB and EP TB in Denmark. EP TB is most frequently found in lymph nodes and the urogenital system. Since the disease is rare, it may be overlooked; it should be considered as a differential diagnosis in unresolved cases, particularly in immigrants from countries with a high prevalence of TB. Treatment is as for pulmonary TB, namely "four drug" therapy for six months. Surgical intervention is rarely required. Supplementation with oral steroids may be useful in very special cases.

Denmark↗
PubMed1994

[Corticosteroids as adjuvants in the treatment of tuberculosis].

The anti-inflammatory effect of corticosteroids has been known for a long time, as have their use in treating diseases with an inflammatory component. Corticosteroids have also been used as an adjunct in treating tuberculosis. We have reviewed the literature to evaluate the rationale for our present treatment strategy. We find no reason for the use of Isoniazide in routine prophylaxis of Mantoux positive or former tuberculosis patients who are treated with corticosteroids. Corticosteroids could be added when treating severe pulmonary tuberculosis. When treating tuberculous pericarditis and severe tuberculous pleurisy, corticosteroids should be used as an adjunct to the antituberculous chemotherapy. No controlled studies have been carried out in patients with tuberculous meningitis, but retrospective reports have shown a lower mortality in patients treated with steroids. In children with stenosis and atelectasis because of endobronchial obstruction due to tuberculosis in mediastinal lymphnodes, corticosteroids should be added to the usual antituberculous regimen.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
PubMed1994

[Should the presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis be demonstrated before the treatment of patients with suspected pulmonary tuberculosis?].

In Denmark, treatment of tuberculosis is generally only recommended if the diagnosis is confirmed bacteriologically, which may cause a delay in treatment. We investigated the duration of the treatment delay, and if the delay would cause any serious health problems for the individual or risk of contact infections by a retrospective examination of 324 cases of pulmonary tuberculosis. The mean treatment delay was longer in older age groups. Regarding death due to delay, we found no risk for the patients who are not weakened by old age or another disease. Only 11 (3.6%) above the age of ten years were treated without bacteriological confirmation (1% for Danes). The infection risk from the smear negative, but culture positive patients was minimal, as only one subject was definitely infected from a smear negative subject. In conclusion, we find the epidemiologic and individual risk sufficiently low to continue our rather restrictive treatment policy.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

[Lung cancer in 1993].

The incidence of lung cancer is increasing in Denmark, especially among women. Today, smoking is the most important risk factor for developing this disease. A review of the literature shows that the prognosis is still very poor regardless of histologic findings. Chemotherapy prolongs life moderately among patients with small cell carcinoma (SCLC). Furthermore, total resection of non small cell cancer (NSCLC) may improve survival over several years. In patients investigated for surgery, cancer dissemination should be determined, using radiologic and invasive investigations. A detailed spirometric investigation should also be performed, as lung function is a predictor of postoperative survival. Other kinds of treatment are available, and good coordination regarding information, supportive arrangements and symptomatic treatment is important.

Denmark↗
PubMed1994

Corticosteroids and tuberculosis.

Common for all older studies is the use of less potent anti-tuberculosis chemotherapy as compared with the present. The results of these studies cannot without reservation be used in the present setting. The newer, prospective, randomized placebo-controlled trials include rather few patients and their number is limited. The results must be interpreted carefully. There is no reason to give prophylactic isoniazide treatment to Mantoux-positive patients or patients with earlier tuberculosis who start treatment with corticosteroids. If allergic reactions to one of the antituberculous drugs emerge during therapy, the treatment can, if necessary, be continued if corticosteroids are added. Pericardial tuberculosis and atelectasis in children with endobronchial tuberculosis should be treated with corticosteroids, as can pleural disease with prolonged fever and exudation. Cases of severe pulmonary tuberculosis may be treated with supplementary steroids. The effect seems modest. Patients with tuberculous meningitis, stages II and III seem to benefit from corticosteroid-treatment.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
PubMed1994

Electrical impedance measured changes in thoracic fluid content during thoracentesis.

In patients (seven females and 11 males) with pleural effusion due to pulmonary (n = 13) or cardiac disease (n = 5) the change in baseline transthoracic impedance (Z0) was measured by electrical impedance (BoMed's NCCOM-3, 70 kHz) during thoracentesis. Data were obtained before and after withdrawal of each 500 ml, and at the end of the thoracentesis. We found a close linear correlation (r = 0.97) between changes in Z0 and the volume of aspirated pleural effusion (y = 0.415.x+0.093). The variability of the estimated thoracic fluid volumes was analysed with a plot of the residuals from the regression line, and we found that changes in thoracic fluid volume estimated by impedance technique would be within +/- 302 ml (= 2 SD). However, the absolute value of Z0 before thoracentesis could not differentiate the group of patients with pleural effusion from normal subjects (n = 28).

Aged↗
PubMed1994

Respiratory symptoms at presentation and long-term vital prognosis in patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis.

A follow-up of 254 patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis has been carried out after a median of 27 years from the diagnostic admission. Information on respiratory symptoms at entry was available in 80% of the patients. Cough and chronic bronchitis was present in 39% and 37%, respectively, whereas 41% reported breathlessness when walking and 25% reported breathlessness when undressing. In total, 51% had at least one respiratory symptom. All patients could be traced; eighty patients (31.5%) died during follow-up. A total of 17 died of sarcoidosis and a further 16 died of sarcoidosis-related diseases. All deaths from sarcoidosis were seen among patients with respiratory symptoms at presentation. For sarcoidosis and sarcoidosis-related deaths (N = 33), presence of one or more of the respiratory symptoms increased the risk significantly. For overall mortality, respiratory symptoms were also significant predictors; this was the case even after adjusting for age, sex, x-ray stage and lung function (FEV1 & TLC) at presentation. In conclusion, respiratory symptoms at the time of diagnosis are independently related to vital prognosis in pulmonary sarcoidosis.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

The prognosis of extrapulmonary sarcoidosis.

The frequency and functional prognosis of some major extrapulmonary manifestations (EPM) are reviewed using the literature and our own data. The influence of EPM on the vital prognosis is studied. Our knowledge of functional and vital prognosis in EPM is scanty.

Eye Diseases↗
PubMed1993

[2 cases of lymphangioleiomyomatosis treated by hormonal manipulation].

The course of disease in two women with bioptically verified lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is demonstrated. One was oestrogen- and progesterone-receptor negative, but responded promptly to hysterosalpingo-oophorectomy and has had no symptoms later. The other was receptor positive, but in spite of hysterosalpingo-oophorectomy and hormonal manipulation with tamoxifen and medroxyprogesterone, has had a complicated course of the disease with symptoms for ten years. LAM is a hormone dependent disease, but our knowledge is still incomplete. Hormonal manipulation should be tried in receptor positive as well as negative patients. Tamoxifen seems to have deleterious effects on the course of disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis.

Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is an interstitial lung disease seen virtually only in women of childbearing age. The diagnosis, symptoms, paraclinical investigations including the use of CT and spirometry are reviewed. A hormonal dependency of LAM seems obvious, but the exact mechanism has never been understood. Oestrogen and Progesterone receptors may or may not be present in the myoma tissue in LAM. The receptor status seems to have no influence on the results of treatment with medroxyprogesterone or oophorectomy. In spite of the uncertain results of hormonal treatment a therapeutic trial with medroxyprogesterone 200 mg i.m. weekly is warranted. If no improvement is observed bilateral oophorectomy is recommended. Death due to respiratory insufficiency is common, but prognosis seems better than previously though, survivors for more than 20 years after diagnosis being described.

Female↗
PubMed1993

Restrictive treatment policy for pulmonary tuberculosis in a low prevalence country.

In Denmark, treatment of tuberculosis is generally recommended only if the diagnosis is confirmed bacteriologically. This policy may cause a delay in treatment, if the patients are smear negative. We investigated the duration of the treatment delay, and whether the delay would cause any serious health problems for the individual, or risk of contact infections, in a retrospective examination of 324 cases of pulmonary tuberculosis. The mean treatment delay was longer in the oldest age group. Concerning death due to delay, we found no risk for those patients who were not weakened by other disease or old age. Only 11 patients (3.6%) over the age 10 yrs were treated without bacteriological confirmation (1% for Danes). The infection risk from the smear negative but culture positive patients was minimal, as only one subject was definitely infected from a smear negative patient. However, a risk of transmission exists from patients who are initially culture negative but later become smear positive. In conclusion, we find the epidemiological and individual risks sufficiently low to continue our rather restrictive treatment policy.

Adolescent↗