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At least 235 records · Page 13Linked to original sources
PubMed2000

Risk of epilepsy in long-term survivors of surgery for aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: a population-based study in Iceland.

PURPOSE: Epilepsy is known to result from aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). There are no population-based estimates of the absolute risk or the duration for which this risk is elevated. We have conducted a population-based study in Iceland of the risk of epilepsy after a ruptured cerebral aneurysm to address these questions. METHODS: The index patients are all of the patients who presented with SAH caused by ruptured cerebral aneurysm in Iceland during an 11-year period (1958 to 1968) and survived more than 6 months. We determined the number of index patients who developed epilepsy. The observed number of cases of epilepsy was compared with that expected based on the incidence of epilepsy in Iceland. RESULTS: There were 44 index patients; 11 (25%) developed epilepsy, all within 4 years of the insult. Seven (70%) of 10 patients with acute symptomatic seizures (defined as seizures during the first 2 weeks after the hemorrhage) developed epilepsy (relative risk, 7.0; 95% confidence interval, 2.3-21.6). Epilepsy was more frequent in patients with severe neurological residua (48%) compared with patients without (20%) (relative risk, 2.5; 95% confidence interval, 0.9-6.3). CONCLUSIONS: The risk for epilepsy among survivors of SAH caused by ruptured cerebral aneurysm is substantially increased. Both acute symptomatic seizure and persistent neurological impairment are associated with a further increase in the risk of epilepsy.

Epilepsy↗
PubMed1980

Multiple sclerosis and distemper in Iceland 1966-1978.

A highly restricted epidemic of canine distemper occurred in southwest Iceland in 1966-67. We have determined the extent of dog contact and exposure to dogs during the distemper epidemic in Icelandic MS patients with onset since 1966. Further, age of onset, and annual incidence of MS from 1966 through 1978 have been determined. Thirty-five of 36 MS patients had close dog contact prior to onset of their illness, and 34 were in the area of the distemper epidemic during 1966-67. A significant decrease in age of onset of MS (31.6 to 26.5) from 1956-1965 to 1967-1978 was noted, consistent with exposure of a susceptible cohort to a point infection with a varible incubation period. A review of incidence of MS in the 10-year periods after distemper epidemics in Iceland in 1921-1922, and 1941-1942 reveal significantly more MS than in comparable time periods before these epidemics. These collective findings are consistent with, but do not prove, a relationship between dogs, distemper and MS.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1977

Present status of forensic psychiatry in Iceland.

This paper gives a brief survey of forensic psychiatry in Iceland at the present time. Because of few inhabitants and limited financial resources there are no special forensic psychiatric institutions in the country, nor any forensic psychiatrists; this kind of work is mainly carried our by general psychiatrists, but also to a certain extent by general practitioners, Formalities around compulsory admission and detention of mental patients, uncooperative and lacking insight, are briefly described. The psychiatric examination of probably mentally ill offenders is also accounted for. Such investigations are without doubt the main task of forensic psychiatry in Iceland to-day. Finally the main faults of forensic psychiatric services in Iceland and very limited educational facilities in this domain are referred to. Some future plans are also mentioned.

Commitment of Persons with Psychiatric Disorders↗
PubMed1982

Emergence of primary teeth and onset of dental stages in Icelandic children.

This study was undertaken to elucidate the mean ages at emergence of primary teeth and at the onset of dental stages DS 01 and DS 02 in Icelandic children. The material comprised 927 children (498 boys and 429 girls) aged 0-83 months who were presented for regular examinations in two Health Centers and children in three kindergartens in Reykjavík. Comparison of the mean ages at emergence of primary teeth in Icelandic, Finnish, Swedish, US, and Hungarian children disclosed a significantly earlier emergence in the Icelandic children, except that in Finnish children it was similar.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1985

Caries prevalence in Icelandic children in 1970 and 1983.

In the autumn of 1983 a clinical survey was carried out on 756 children aged 6-14 yr, residing in three non-fluoridated communities in Iceland. The aim of the survey was to assess what changes, if any, in caries prevalence may have taken place as a result of the provision of free dental restorative services for these children since 1974. The 1983 prevalence data were compared with data obtained from a caries survey conducted in 1970 in the same areas in Iceland. The same examiner performed all examinations in both studies. Although considerable increase was noted in number of filled teeth with a corresponding decrease in carious and missing teeth, a statistically significant change in caries prevalence, (dft, dfs, DMFT, DMFS) did not manifest itself. The dfs and DMFS in 1983 was 8.9 and 9.5, respectively, compared to 8.5 and 10.4 in 1970. Over 90% of the toothpaste used in Iceland during the 1970's contained fluoride. The children in the three study areas had not been provided with any public preventive programs.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Mutans streptococci, lactobacilli and caries prevalence in 11- and 12-year-old Icelandic children.

Since the caries prevalence has not declined in Iceland as it has in other European countries, it was of interest to study the presence of cariogenic bacteria in Icelandic children. The prevalence of salivary mutans streptococci and lactobacilli was examined in 217 11- and 12-yr-old Icelandic children and was related to their caries prevalence. In 2% of the children mutans streptococci were not found whereas 31% and 35% of the 11-yr-olds and 12-yr-olds respectively carried more than 10(6) CFU per ml saliva. Lactobacilli were not detected in 8% of the children whereas 28% of the 11-yr-olds and 23% of the 12-yr-olds had more than 10(5) CFU per ml saliva. The mean caries prevalence (DFS), initial caries included, for 11-yr-olds was 21.6 and for 12-yr-olds 28.8. Both mutans streptococci and lactobacilli were significantly correlated to each other as well as to caries prevalence. An increased number of these microorganisms, especially the mutans streptococci, were associated with an increased DFS. Children with high salivary counts of mutans streptococci and lactobacilli showed four times higher DFS than children with low numbers. The magnitude of salivary cariogenic bacteria as well as caries prevalence was found to resemble the situation in Sweden 10 yr ago. S. mutans (serotype c/e/f) was carried by all mutans streptococci positive children. S. sobrinus (serotype d/g) was found in 60 children (30.2%). Children with both S. mutans and S. sobrinus had significantly higher salivary counts of mutans streptococci and lactobacilli as well as caries prevalence than children with only S. mutans.

Child↗
PubMed1999

Caries-preventive methods used for children and adolescents in Denmark, Iceland, Norway and Sweden.

Denmark, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden have all had a similar decline in dental caries during the last 20 years, although the decline has come later in Iceland. The purpose of this study was to compare the caries-preventive methods used for children and adolescents in these four countries. Questionnaires were sent to random samples of dentists, dental hygienists, and dental nurses working with children during 1995 and 1996. The results showed that the use of preventive methods was generally consistent between the countries. Nevertheless there were differences between the countries concerning the choice of preventive strategy for risk patients and also in how prevention was implemented. Danish dental care providers chose oral hygiene education as the priority, which they put into practice. Apart from fluoride varnish for some patients, most of them did not use or recommend fluoride except fluoride toothpaste. The Norwegian and Icelandic dental care providers chose both oral hygiene education and the use of fluoride as priorities, while most Swedish dental care providers preferred to provide dietary advice and oral hygiene education, and additional fluoride for risk patients. The differences could not be explained by other variables than nationality, implying that there are differences between the dental cultures in the four countries. The informational basis of decisions on preventive strategies varied between the different dental professionals in each country as well as between the countries, indicating that national professional cultures are being shaped differently. Despite the differences in choice of preventive methods, the dental health of children varies little across the frontiers. This raises the question of the significance of the choice of preventive methods to the decline of dental caries and points towards an urgent need to develop evidence-based preventive strategies.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Dental caries and Streptococcus mutans in a rural child population in Iceland.

In spite of having a high socioeconomic standing, in Iceland caries prevalence has remained stubbornly high. This study reports findings from a mixed fishing and farming community in East Iceland that has traditionally been associated with the highest prevalence of caries. A total of 188 children aged 3-16 yr (96.4% of residents of that age group) were examined. At 6 yr the mean dmfs score was 4.1, DMFS 0 and 48% were caries-free. The mean DMFS score at 12 yr was 4.7 and 22.6% remained caries-free but at 16 yr the DMFS score was 11.6 and no children were caries-free. Caries was unevenly distributed within each age group and was more prevalent among residents of the fishing town than the surrounding farming district. In a pilot study conducted in 1989 mean counts of Streptococcus mutans for children aged 4-7 yr were 2.6 x 10(5) cfu/ml and declined to 4.6 x 10(4) cfu/ml in 1990 after a program of chlorhexidine brushing had been added to the routine caries preventive measures adopted in this community. It may therefore be possible to screen Icelandic children for caries risk and apply preventive measures to those demonstrated to be most in need.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Tumours in Iceland. Hodgkin's disease and non-Hodgkin's malignant lymphomas. A histological classification and epidemiological considerations.

All cases of biopsy-proven Hodgkin's disease and non-Hodgkin's lymphomas submitted for histological diagnosis in Iceland during 1955-1982 and available for review were typed histologically, using the World Health Organization Classification for cases of Hodgkin's disease and the "International Working Formulation" for cases of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. A total of 92 cases of Hodgkin's disease were classified with a male-to-female ratio of 1.96. The largest subgroups were those of nodular sclerosis (42%) and mixed cellularity (32%). A prominent peak in the incidence was found in the 21-30 years age group. The incidence and subtypes of Hodgkin's disease in Iceland appears similar to those found in other Western countries. A total of 90 cases of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas were classified with a male-to-female ratio of 1.5. A high incidence of large cell lymphomas was found, especially of the immunoblastic type (35%), while in other respects the distribution of subtypes appeared similar to what has been found in studies from other Western countries. The incidence of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas in Iceland is low during childhood and young adulthood but rises sharply after age 50 and the overall incidence is similar to that found in other European countries.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Tumours in Iceland. 9. Malignant tumours of the ovary. A histological classification, epidemiological considerations and survival.

In the period 1955-1979, 337 patients with carcinoma of the ovary were reported to the Icelandic Cancer Registry. Sufficient histological material existed for 314 of these to make it possible to classify the tumours according to the Histological Typing of Ovarian Tumours of WHO (11). The tumour was in the right ovary in 85 and the left in another 85 patients. In 137 patients both ovaries were involved at the time of diagnosis and in 30 patients the side was not known. The most frequent tumours were the group of serous adenocarcinomas, papillary adenocarcinomas and papillary cystadenocarcinomas (IA3a), occurring in 113 patients, giving an age-standardized incidence of 4.4 per 100.000. Second in frequency was the endometrioid adenocarcinoma (IC3a1), in 58 patients, and the third the group of mucinous adenocarcinoma and cystadenocarcinomas (IB3a) in 43 patients. The fourth type in frequency was undifferentiated carcinoma (IG) in 18 patients. During the period, the overall incidence of ovarian cancer did not change. However, there was an increase in the frequency of mucinous and endometrioid types of carcinoma and a decrease in serous carcinoma. Granulosa cell carcinoma was found to have been under-reported to the Icelandic Cancer Registry. ABO blood groups for 192 of the patients were available and showed a significant excess of blood group A, with patients of blood group B significantly fewer than expected. This study of malignant tumours of the ovary is the ninth in a series of investigations into the histological classification of tumours occurring in Iceland during the 20-year period between 1955 and 1974. The tumours occurring in the period 1975-1979 were included in this particular study to increase the number available for classification.

ABO Blood-Group System↗
PubMed1989

Tumours in Iceland. 11. Malignant tumours of the thyroid gland. A histological classification and epidemiological considerations.

All malignant primary tumours of the thyroid gland submitted for histological diagnosis in Iceland during the 30 years 1955-1984, and available for review, were typed histologically according to the World Health Organization classification but also taking into account the more recent well recognized follicular variant of papillary carcinoma. A total of 480 thyroid tumours were classified with a female--to male ratio of 2.8 (367 females, 129 males). The age distribution is much what would be expected, the anaplastic type of carcinomas occurring in the elderly while papillary and follicular tumours occur over a much wider age range. The incidence of thyroid carcinomas in Iceland is about 2-3 times higher than in the other Nordic countries. This is largely due to an unusually high incidence of the papillary type of carcinoma. Overall, the papillary carcinoma accounted for 80% of thyroid malignancies. The tumours diagnosed incidentally at autopsy were about 20% of the entire material, and these tumours were only of the differentiated types of thyroid carcinoma. Even if the incidentally diagnosed tumours are excluded, the percentage of papillary tumours is 77% which is unusually high. The papillary type of carcinomas occasionally occurred in familial clusters in Iceland but not sufficiently to account for the unusually high incidence. Some of the possible etiological factors are discussed.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1991

Tumours in Iceland. 14. Malignant tumours of soft tissues. Histological classification and epidemiological considerations.

All malignant tumours of soft tissues diagnosed in Iceland between 1955 and 1988 were reviewed histologically. Of a total of 155 tumours, 129 were, on review, soft tissue sarcomas, while 26 had been erroneously diagnosed and were excluded from the study. In 25% of the tumours the original sarcoma diagnosis was changed to another sarcoma type. Malignant fibrous histiocytoma, liposarcoma and leiomyosarcoma together comprise more than half of all tumours diagnosed. Contrary to previous estimations, according to this study, the age-standardized incidence of soft tissue sarcoma in Iceland is 1.8 per 1000,000 for males and 1.6 per 100,000 per females, which is similar to incidence rates in the other Nordic countries. The majority of sarcomas were of relatively high grade. The tumours were graded using both three and four grades of malignancy. Both systems yielded prognostic information although it was not possible to detect significant differences in survival for grade I and grade II tumours when the four grade system was used. The results of this study show that the epidemiology of soft tissue sarcoma in Iceland is similar to that found in other Western countries.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2001

Pseudoexfoliation syndrome in Icelandic families.

AIM: To examine the distribution and clinical ophthalmic characteristics of pseudoexfoliation syndrome (pseudoexfoliation) and glaucoma in Icelandic families. METHODS: Icelandic families containing three or more members aged 70 or older with at least one member with pseudoexfoliation were identified. All family members over age 45 were invited to participate. Visual acuity, Goldmann applanation tonometry, gonioscopy, slit lamp examination before and after dilatation, and dilated fundus examination were performed on all available family members. Pertinent data were obtained from medical records, including ophthalmic history and a medical history of cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, systemic hypertension, and diabetes mellitus. Participants were classified according to affected status for pseudoexfoliation, glaucoma, and age related macular degeneration. RESULTS: Six families were identified who met the criteria for entry into the study. Of 94 family members who were invited to participate 82 were enrolled (87%). Of these 25 (30%) had pseudoexfoliation syndrome, 51 (62%) were unaffected, and six (7%) were suspects. At least one individual with pseudoexfoliation was identified in the second generation of every family. A parent with pseudoexfoliation was identified in all cases either by examination (4/6) or a review of ophthalmic records (2/6). In all cases the mother was the affected parent. The prevalence of glaucoma was significantly greater in the group with pseudoexfoliation (p <0.0001). Although the presence of age related macular degeneration (ARMD) was highly associated with the presence of pseudoexfoliation, the significance was lost after correction for age (p = 0.69). Although the sample size was small, no association between pseudoexfoliation affected status and cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, systemic hypertension, or diabetes mellitus was found. CONCLUSIONS: Multiple Icelandic families with pseudoexfoliation in two generations were identified. In all cases where determination was possible, transmission to the second generation was through an affected parent. In each case the affected parent was the mother. Pseudoexfoliation was strongly associated with the presence of glaucoma, but was not associated with either ARMD or systemic disease in this study. These data clearly indicate that pseudoexfoliation is a familial condition and although not conclusive, supports the hypothesis that pseudoexfoliation syndrome is genetically inherited.

Aged↗
PubMed2002

The effect of a single BRCA2 mutation on cancer in Iceland.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the risk of malignant diseases in families of probands with the same mutation in the BRCA2 gene. DESIGN: A cohort study using record linkage of a breast cancer family resource and the Icelandic Cancer Registry. SETTING: Iceland. SUBJECTS: Families of 995 breast cancer patients, from which 887 were tested for a single founder 999del5 mutation; 90 had the mutation and 797 did not. RESULTS: Relatives of probands with the mutation had significantly increased relative risk (RR) of breast cancer. For first degree relatives, the RR was 7.55 (95% CI 6.04 to 9.03) but was 1.72 (95% CI 1.49 to 1.96) in first degree relatives of probands without the mutation. For prostate and ovarian cancer, the first and second degree relatives of probands with the mutation had a significantly increased RR, but in families of probands without the mutation no significant familial risk was found. CONCLUSIONS: The 999del5 mutation in the BRCA2 gene explains a substantial proportion of familial risk of breast cancer in Iceland, but significant familial risk remains in relatives of probands without the mutation. For prostate and ovarian cancer, the mutation accounts for most of the familiality observed in families of breast cancer patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Risk of lung cancer among masons in Iceland.

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the risk of gastrointestinal cancer and lung cancer in a cohort of masons exposed to cement and hexavalent chromium by a follow up in the Icelandic Cancer Registry. METHODS: The cohort, 1172 men, was defined as those who had served their apprenticeship and were fully licensed as masons (cement finishers) in Iceland, were born after 1880 and were alive in 1955. The men were exposed to an aerosol of wet concrete, particularly when spraying. According to the analyses of urinary chromium the masons were exposed to hexavalent chromium. A computer file on masons was record linked to the Cancer Registry by making use of the personal identification numbers. Expected cancer incidence was calculated on the basis of number of person-years for each five-year age category during the individual calendar years of the study period and multiplied by the specific incidence for cause and calendar year for men in Iceland provided by the Cancer Registry. RESULTS: The standardised incidence ratio (SIR) for all cancers was 1.13 in the total cohort and 1.33 when allowance was made for 30 years to elapse before starting to count person years of risk. The risk for gastrointestinal cancers was not increased. The SIR for lung cancer was 1.69 in the total cohort and 1.77 when a lag of 30 years was included. The SIR for lung cancer among those born in 1920 or later was 1.86. Results from a postal questionnaire showed that fewer masons had never smoked and more masons had stopped smoking than the controls from the general population. CONCLUSION: The increased risk of lung cancer among the masons may be related to their work. The exposure information, although limited, supports the suggestion that hexavalent chromium in the cement may be the causal link, as information on the smoking habits indicate that the control for this important possible confounder is adequate.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Cost containment of pharmaceutical use in Iceland: the impact of liberalization and user charges.

OBJECTIVES: Iceland was the first Nordic country to liberalise its drug distribution system, in March 1996. Subsequent regulation in January 1997 increased patients' share of drug costs. The objectives of this study were to test the assumptions that liberalizing community pharmacy ownership would lower reimbursement costs for the state's Social Security Institute and that increasing patient charges would reduce use and, therefore, lower the cost to the Institute. METHODS: Based on the assumptions, we built and tested two models using interrupted time series designs that contrast the monthly reimbursement costs before and after the legislation and regulation took effect. A control variable (the number of office visits to general practitioners) was tested to assess other events in the health care arena. Monthly data on these variables were provided by the Icelandic State Social Security Institute for January 1993 to August 1998 for reimbursement costs and to December 1998 for office visits to general practitioners. RESULTS: Reimbursement costs have risen steadily throughout the period under study. The interrupted time series analysis did not show a substantial effect from the legislative change in March 1996 or from the regulatory intervention in January 1997. CONCLUSIONS: The main argument used for liberalizing community pharmacy ownership in Iceland was built on false assumptions regarding the effect on drug reimbursement costs to the state. It will be necessary to find more promising interventions to halt the rapidly increasing cost of drugs.

Cost Control↗
PubMed2006

Summer eczema in exported Icelandic horses: influence of environmental and genetic factors.

A cross sectional study was designed to estimate the prevalence of summer eczema (a chronic, recurrent seasonal dermatitis) in exported Icelandic horses and the influence of environmental and genetic factors on the development of the disease. Among 330 horses, which had been exported to Germany, Denmark and Sweden, 114 (34.5%) were found to have clinical signs of summer eczema. The prevalence was highest 2 years after export and the exposure to the biting midges Culicoides spp., was found to be the main risk factor for developing the disease. Genetic influence on the sensitivity for the disease was not established. It was concluded that exported Icelandic horses are predisposed for summer dermatitis and the fact that they are not introduced to the antigens of the biting midges early in live, due to it's absence in Iceland, is likely to explain the high prevalence of the disease after export.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1982

Multiple sclerosis in Iceland: 1. Evidence of a postwar epidemic.

Since 1974 we have attempted to ascertain all cases of MS beginning 1900-1975 in Iceland. As of October 1979 they numbered 168; all but 5 met all diagnostic criteria of the Schumacher Committee. Virtually all cases had been examined by a least one of the authors. Cases were few and sporadic from 1900 to 1922, then increased to a plateau for 1923-44, then again increased in 1945 with an irregular plateau thereafter. Average annual incidence rate for 1945-1954 was 3.2 per 100,000 population, significantly higher than the 1.6 for 1923-1944 or the 1.9 for 1955-1974. Age at onset was significantly decreased for cases with onset 1945-1949 and then sharply increased for those with 1950-1954 onsets. The occurrence of MS in 1945-1954 meets the criteria for a point-source epidemic, whose tail thereafter mérged into what may be "baseline" for Iceland. This postwar epidemic is then similar to that recently described for the Faroe Islands, a land that shares its history, culture, and peoples with Iceland.

Adolescent↗