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Biomedical subjects

P Schaffer

Publications and source records attributed to P Schaffer.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

[The general practitioner and screening for cancer of the breast. Study of a sample of 200 general practitioners in the Bas-Rhin].

A questionnaire survey of 200 doctors who were a sample of the general practitioners of the Bas-Rhin department was carried out. This was in order to ascertain what they knew about cancer of the breast and how they practised medically in this area, what were their doubts and what motivated them to screen for this kind of cancer? The questionnaire was found on the whole to acceptable. The enquiry showed that undoubtedly doctors were in favour of screening for cancer of the breast but were less enthusiastic carrying it out routinely. They also were unaware of ways in which such screening could be carried out (mammography being considered and examination which shows where the cancer was and not as a screening method). Furthermore, there was some confusion between screening and means of diagnosis. Results of this study show that it should be possible to outline the content and means of informing general practitioners about how to screen in order to enable them to participate in the Alsatian pilot campaign for screening for breast cancer.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗

[Principles and first results of the European program of breast cancer screening in the Bas-Rhin].

A mammographic breast cancer screening began in May 1989 in the Bas-Rhin. It has been selected by "Europe against Cancer" for France. Its aim is not to prove the efficiency of mammography screening by one view every two years, as many studies has proven it. Its purpose is to find the best methodological model for a national campaign. Its principles are to change attitudes and to obtain the active participation of the physicians without creating new structures. This campaign is offered to women aged 50 to 65, living in Bas-Rhin (74,200 women) without individual convocations. Their participation is obtained by a continuous information and motivation. The mammographic examinations are taken in charge by the Health Insurance and performed by the radiologists who have signed a convention. The homogeneity of the results is assured by a double and triple reading under the responsibility of the ADEMAS. In May 1990, after one year, 17,228 women had presented to the screening test. The positive test rate is 7.6% and 7.6% of the women had a diagnostic procedure which indicated a biopsy for 188 women. Among the first 176 histological results, 76 cancers have been diagnosed, 100 women had a benign lesion. The ratio cancer/benign lesion is 0.76.

Aged↗

[Incidence of cancers and socio-professional status: data from the Bas-Rhin tumor Registry from 1975 to 1979].

Data recorded in the Bas-Rhin cancer registry from 1975 to 1979 were used for studying the relationship between the incidence of some categories of cancer and social class. The relative risks associated with specific standardized incidence ratio (SIOR) of each cancer and social class were measured. Most of the results do not differ from other studies in developed countries. This study shows a positive gradient for colorectal cancers (SIOR = 58.4 in the lower class, 144.5 (non significant) in the upper class) and a negative gradient for cancers of the upper respiratory tract (SIOR = 51.5 in the upper class, 140.9 in the lower class). Urinary cancers (kidney, bladder) are not distributed as usual (SIOR = 201.5 in the upper class, 63.6 in the lower class). The validity of the measurement indices (SIR, SIOR, SPIR) is discussed.

Adult↗

[Lipid profile in adult population representative of a French district (Bas-Rhin)].

Serum total cholesterol (TC), HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) and A1, A2 and B apoprotein levels were determined in a population of 967 adults aged 25 to 64 years representative of the general population of the Bas-Rhin region localized in North-Eastern France. Age and sex were found to have a significant influence on most parameters studied; however, HDL-cholesterol, Apo A1, and Apo A2 were independent from age in males. HDL-cholesterol levels were consistently found to be higher in females than in males. Cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, Apo A1, Apo A2 and Apo B levels, but not the HDL-cholesterol/cholesterol ratio, were higher in females above 45 years of age. A cholesterol level indicating increased cardiovascular risk, i.e., above 5.1 mmol/l, was found in 55% of males and 53% of females; HDL-cholesterol was under 0.9 mmol/l in 46% of males and 29% of females. The close linear correlations seen between cholesterol and Apo B (r = 0.820) and between HDL-cholesterol and Apo A1 (r = 0.580) were used to estimate theoretical threshold levels of apoproteins indicating increased risk: the Apo B level was greater than 0.77 g/l in 60% of males and 45% of females and the Apo A1 level was smaller than 1.58 g/l in 42% of males and 28% of females. Apo A2 level seems less useful as marker of increased risk. In conclusion, increased vascular risk due to unfavorable lipid profiles was common in the studied population especially among males and among females above 45 years of age. Apoproteins A1 and B reliably reflect cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol levels and can help evaluate cardiovascular risk.

Adult↗

[Primary results of the MONICA project].

The MONICA project is an international study coordinated by the WHO, designed to explain the important variations of coronary mortality observed in the industrialised countries over the last 20 years. Thirty-nine centres in 27 countries are participating in the project which, over a 10 year period will, in geographically determined zones; a) record the numbers of acute myocardial infarcts and coronary deaths, b) analyse the treatment of acute cardiac events, and c) evaluate the cardiovascular risk factors and preventive measures in the general population. The MONICA-France project comprises three registers (Bas-Rhin, Haute-Garonne and the urban community of Lille), and a coordinating centre. The preliminary results confirm the wide geographic variability of coronary mortality with a prevalence slightly higher in Alsace and the North than in the South-West of France. The approximative frequency of coronary events in France is estimated at 112,000 infarcts and over 175,000 acute coronary episodes and deaths. Information is provided about the severity of the principal coronary risk factors and the conditions of their treatment in the register zones. A study of the accessibility of emergency treatment of acute infarction in the Bas-Rhin area, has demonstrated the key role of the general practitioner as the first contact but confirmed the long delay to hospital admission which nullified the potential benefits of thrombolysis in a high proportion of cases. However, the significant decrease in hospital mortality of acute infarction observed over a 3 year period in the three register zones, is probably related to the number of patients thrombolysed in that time.

Adult↗

Between-register and within-register variability in event-finding and rates in the MONICA-France Project.

The 1985 and 1986 coronary event data from the three French MONICA Registers in Haute-Garonne (Toulouse), Bas-Rhin (Strasbourg) and the Urban Community of Lille (UCL) are used to compare the sources of information, the distribution of events in different diagnostic categories, and their possible effects on event rates. All three registers follow the MONICA protocol, and use the "cold pursuit" method, with data abstracted retrospectively from medical files or from the doctors establishing the causes of death. The health system and medical background are similar in the three centers. The distribution of the sources of information (in-hospital and out-of-hospital) and the distribution of events by diagnostic categories are different among centres. The possible effects of these differences on rates of definite myocardial infarction or possible coronary death are estimated between registers and within registers during a 2-year period. Cross-sectional comparisons are questionable, and possible false trends in event rates require special attention.

Adult↗

Acute coronary care and treatment of myocardial infarction in the three French MONICA registers.

The study evaluates and compares among the three French MONICA centres the access to emergency care, and the treatment administered to 1444 patients aged 25-64 years hospitalized for an acute coronary event. It was carried out in 1985 in Bas-Rhin (BR) on 596 subjects, in 1986 in Haute-Garonne (HG) on 450 subjects, and from October 1986 to July 1987 in the Urban Community of Lille (UCL) on 395 subjects. The time before receiving initial medical care could be analysed only in BR and HG: it is shorter in HG (p less than 0.001). Patients with a history of coronary disease are inclined to consult more quickly than patients with a first event (p less than 0.001). According to the three centres, 68.5 to 72.5% of the patients consult first a private practitioner, while 9 to 10.5% contact first a mobile team (mobile emergency care unit), and 6 to 15% go directly to hospital. Patients with a previous history tend more to call a mobile team directly, or to go to hospital directly than patients without a history (p less than 0.001). The analysis of the treatment was made only on patients classified in MONICA diagnostic category 1: the therapeutic schemes are similar in the three centres, although differences are noted in the frequency of prescription. The use of new medications and procedures seems to be best established in HG and in UCL than in BR, with the reservation that the three studies were not conducted at the same time.

Adult↗

Comparison of cardiovascular risk factor levels in two French populations: Haute-Garonne (Toulouse) and Bas-Rhin (Strasbourg).

Cardiovascular risk factors were studied from 1985 to 1987 in population samples in two French regions with different ischaemic heart disease mortality rates in Bas-Rhin (Strasbourg MONICA centre) and in Haute-Garonne (Toulouse MONICA centre). These rates were, among men, 109/100,000 in Bas-Rhin, and 72/100,000 in Haute-Garonne. 1,253 and 1,319 men and women aged 35-64 participated in the survey. In each region, identical investigation methodology was used, according to MONICA protocol. The average weight in both sexes was higher in Bas-Rhin than in Haute-Garonne (5 Kg more for men and 6 Kg more for women). After adjustment for age, body mass index and tobacco consumption, arterial systolic blood pressure was higher for men in Bas-Rhin (145 mm Hg) than in Haute-Garonne (133 mm Hg). Similar differences were observed in women. Higher proportions of hypertensive participants of both sexes and in all age groups were registered in Bas-Rhin than in Haute-Garonne. The number of smokers and the amount of tobacco consumption did not differ between the two centres. Mean serum cholesterol was higher in Haute Garonne (5.95 mmol/L for men and 5.88 mmol/L for women) than in Bas-Rhin (5.57 mmol/L for men and 5.51 mmol/L for women). Also high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol values were higher in Haute-Garonne, and can partly explain the regional difference in total cholesterol.

Adult↗

[Childhood cancer registries in France].

Following the well-known European CCRs of Manchester and Turin, 2 regional CCRs have been recently created in France: in Nancy (1983) and Marseille (1984); both are population based CCRs, covering respectively 535,200 and 809,200 children (0-14 yrs). All malignant neoplasms are included, as well as brain tumours (whatever grading) and borderline malignancies. Data are collected from medical and administrative sources. Registration is active and every source is recontacted annually. The registries contact all physicians who might include children among their patients (private and hospital practice), and laboratories of pathology-cytology. The University Hospital Centers and Anti-Cancer Centers in adjacent regions, and in Paris are contacted. Death certificates for children dying of a malignant neoplasm are also sent to the registry. Data collected are as follows: name, age, sex, address, date and method of diagnosis, histological type, anatomical site, stage, treatment and sources of information. We added the data of a general cancer registry, created in Strasbourg in 1975 and covering 205,900 children. reliability of the methodology is attested by the similarity of the results obtained in other European, US and Australian CCRs. In conclusion, this type of registry is needed to organize multicentric epidemiological studies about the role of etiological factors, the survival, and the long term sequelae.

Adolescent↗

[Myocardial infarction in 3 French regions: comparison of incidence and mortality in 1985].

In 1985, the age-standardized (25-64) attack rate (per 100,000) for myocardial infarction, among men was 240 in the Bas-Rhin, 219 in the Haute-Garonne and 231 in the urban community of Lille and among women, respectively, 58, 28 and 51. The mortality rate for men (per 100,000) was 66 (Bas-Rhin), 57 (Haute-Garonne), 69 (Lille) and among women 18, 7 and 14. Among women, these differences are significant. A regional significant difference appears among men when cases with insufficient data are included. The sex ratio (men/women) was higher in the Haute-Garonne. 38% of death cases occurred within one hour, 76% within one day, and 89% in the first week after the first symptoms. The case fatality rate at 28 days does not differ significantly between the three registries (from 26% to 30%). The highest case fatality rates were observed in patients aged 25-34 and 55-64. The frequency of previous history of cardiovascular disease and the management of the cases were not different between regions. Diagnostic criteria problems are discussed.

Adult↗

[Cardiovascular risk factors in the population of 2 regions covered by the MONICA-France regions: Strasbourg and Toulouse].

Cardiovascular risk factors were studied from 1985 to 1987 in two population samples from the French regions of the Bas-Rhin (BR) (Strasbourg) and the Haute-Garonne (HG) (Toulouse). 1,257 men and women in the BR and 1,323 in the HG, aged 35-64, participated in the survey. A common investigation methodology in harmony with the MONICA protocol, was used. The mean weight was higher among the male (5 kg) and female (6 kg) populations living in the BR than in the HG. Even after age, body mass index and tobacco consumption adjustments, arterial systolic blood pressure was higher in the male population of the BR (145 mm Hg) than in the HG (133 mm Hg). Similar differences were observed among the female population. A higher proportion of hypertensive subjects whatever the sex and the age group was noted in the BR. The proportion of smokers, and the quantity of tobacco they smoked, did not differ between the two centers. Adjusted total cholesterolemia was higher in the HG, with mean differences of 0.32 mmol/l among the men and 0.35 mmol/l among the women. In the case of HDL cholesterol, the differences were 0.23 mmol/l among the men and 0.34 mmol/l among the women, explaining in large part the differences of the mean levels of total cholesterol.

Adult↗

[Evaluation of the status of access to emergency care of subjects with myocardial infarction].

This study, undertaken in the Bas-Rhin area of France by the MONICA Register, presents the evaluation of the procedures followed for 323 subjects under 65 years old suffering from an acute myocardial infarction and subsequently hospitalized for this reason. We observe that 87.5% of the patients first consult a private practitioner -- for the most part a non specialist -- while 9% first contact a mobile coronary unit. 3.5% of patients go directly to hospital. Concerning delays in hospitalization, 35% of patients more than 6 hours to consult a doctor, while the median time between the onset of symptoms and the first call for medical aid is 2 hours. The median delay between the onset of symptoms and arrival at hospital is 5hrs 45 min., 28% of the subjects requiring more than 24 hours to be hospitalized.

Acute Disease↗

[Basic principles of a breast cancer detection program].

The results of different programmes for screening carried out at present in foreign countries give sufficient proof of the value of screening for cancer of the breast in asymptomatic women of over 50 years of age. There is a significant reduction in mortality between 30 and 70%, according to different studies. Women who were screened had their cancers diagnosed at an earlier stage of the illness than those who were not screened whatever the ages of the women were. These results give a basis for planning screening in France. However, controlled pilot studies should still be carried out to widen screening in a country. These studies should in particular look at technical methods, evaluate the quality of the information that is obtained and the acceptability by women, as well as the training of radiologists and the qualities of the methods used. Finally, each programme should be controlled by the Public Authorities who will be paying for it.

Adult↗

[Occurrence and mortality in cancer of the endometrium].

Endometrial cancer is usually associated, in statistics, with cervical cancers under the heading "Cancer of the uterus". However, the authors succeed in evaluating the incidence which seems slightly decreasing and the mortality which is 15 p. cent for all stages together.

Age Factors↗

[Epidemiology of renal epithelioma in adults].

The frequency of renal epithelioma is very high in the Bas-Rhin department (France) (9,92 per 100 000 among the male population). The various risk factors are considered: the ethnic group, genetic factors, tobacco, alcohol; all these factors are not very important. But the intake of animal lipids and proteins could be an important factor to induce renal epithelioma.

Adult↗