Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “NETHERLANDS”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 523 records · Page 29Linked to original sources
PubMed2005

Inguinal hernia surgery in The Netherlands: a baseline study before the introduction of the Dutch Guidelines.

BACKGROUND: In 2003 the Dutch Guidelines for treatment of inguinal hernia (IH) were published. For treatment of IH in adults, the evidence-based guidelines recommend the use of a mesh repair technique. In order to be able to evaluate the effects of these guidelines, a baseline analysis of inguinal hernia surgery before the introduction of these guidelines had to be performed. The second analysis will be performed two years (January-March 2005) after the publication of the Guidelines. OBJECTIVE: To make an inventory of IH surgery in the Netherlands, before the introduction of guidelines for IH treatment, to serve as a baseline for future evaluation of the impact of the implementation of these guidelines. METHODS: A retrospective descriptive study was performed in 2003 using patient and operation charts including IH repairs performed in The Netherlands over a three-month period (January-March 2001). RESULTS: 97/133 (73%) hospitals cooperated with the study, generating data from a total of 4386 IH in 3979 patients (3284 adults, 695 children). Mesh techniques were used in 2839 (78%) adult inguinal hernias while 800 (22%) patients were treated with non-mesh techniques. 484 (14.7%) adult patients were operated on during the study period for a recurrent hernia from previous years. Early recurrence (<1 year) occurred in 2.2% of all patients. Wound infection was documented in 0.8% of all IH. The mortality rate was 0.1%. 1257 of the 3284 (38.3%) adults, and 566 of the 695 children (81.4%), were operated on in ambulatory care. CONCLUSIONS: In the episode prior to implementation of the Dutch evidence-based Guidelines for treatment of inguinal hernia, 2839 (78%) adult patients were treated with mesh repair and 484 (13.3%) patients were treated for a recurrent hernia.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Serologic evidence of ehrlichiosis among humans and wild animals in The Netherlands.

The seroprevalence of antibodies directed against granulocytic and monocytic Ehrlichia was determined by use of human granulocytic ehrlichiosis agent and Ehrlichia chaffeensis as surrogate antigens. Seven hundred twenty-one serum samples were collected between 1992 and 1999 from febrile patients with unresolved aetiology (n=108), patients suspected of having Lyme disease (n=174), forestry workers (n=154) and healthy controls (n=54) as well as from wild deer (n=96), hares (n=60), wild boar (n=15) and red foxes (n=60). Reactive antibodies against granulocytic Ehrlichia were detected in 4% of febrile patients with unresolved aetiology and in 4% of patients suspected of having Lyme disease. Among the forestry workers, 1% tested positive for antibodies against granulocytic Ehrlichia, whereas all the healthy controls were negative. Antibody reaction against monocytic Ehrlichia was detected in only 2% of the febrile patients. Granulocytic Ehrlichia and monocytic Ehrlichia-reactive serum antibodies were detected in 22% and 3% of the deer samples, respectively, and in 2% of the hares. In wild boars and in red foxes, only serum antibodies reactive against monocytic Ehrlichia were detected in 13% and 7%, respectively. The demonstration of the presence of both granulocytic and monocytic Ehrlichia-reactive serum antibodies among humans and wild animals in The Netherlands indicates that patients suspected of having Lyme disease and febrile patients with unresolved aetiology should be tested for the presence of granulocytic and monocytic Ehrlichia antibodies or by polymerase chain reaction. Furthermore, granulocytic Ehrlichia are most prevalent in humans and animals in The Netherlands.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Enhanced laboratory-based surveillance of Shiga-toxin-producing Escherichia coli O157 in The Netherlands.

The aim of this study was to analyse the results of a programme in the Netherlands for enhanced surveillance of Shiga-toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) O157. In this programme, implemented in January 1999, all laboratories report positive cases to the public health services and submit isolates for typing to the reference laboratory. Public health services collect clinical and risk factor information of patients, using a standardised questionnaire. Results were analysed for the first two and a half years of the programme. In February 2000, a questionnaire was sent to all laboratories to assess (i) the criteria for testing faecal samples for STEC O157, (ii) the diagnostic tools used, and (iii) the level of participation in the surveillance programme. Between January 1999 and June 2001, 93 cases of symptomatic STEC O157 infection were reported, 25% of which occurred in children aged 0-4 years. Serotyping for O, H and stx types showed that two types dominated, O157:H7, s tx2 positive (48%) and O157:H-, stx1 and stx2 positive (24%). Analysis of the 93 isolates by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis showed 17 clusters of isolates with at least 95% fragments in common, including isolates with unknown epidemiological links. Of the patients for whom questionnaire information was reported, 38% were hospitalised, 15% developed haemolytic uraemic syndrome, and 52% reported a known risk factor, such as contact with farm animals or manure, consumption of raw or undercooked beef, consumption of raw milk or cheese made from raw milk, or contact with a symptomatic individual. Response to the laboratory survey was high (97%). Only 6% of the laboratories carried out testing for non-O157 STEC, although 95% performed testing for STEC O157. The majority (88%) used culture on sorbitol MacConkey agar or sorbitol MacConkey agar with cefixime and tellurite as the method of detection of STEC O157. The identity of the strains was confirmed primarily with commercially available latex agglutination assays (95% of laboratories) and biochemical characterisation with the API 20E test (bioMérieux, France) (42% of laboratories). Most laboratories (92%) used selection criteria for testing, especially bloody diarrhoea and other clinical information (81% of laboratories) and young age (10%). It is concluded that STEC O157 is a limited public health problem in the Netherlands, although the selective testing policy and the low sensitivity of the culture techniques used probably caused the incidence of STEC O157 infection to be underestimated.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Analysing population numbers of the house sparrow in the Netherlands with a matrix model and suggestions for conservation measures.

The House Sparrow (Passer domesticus), formerly a common bird species, has shown a rapid decline in Western Europe over recent decades. In The Netherlands, its decline is apparent from 1990 onwards. Many causes for this decline have been suggested that all decrease the vital rates, i.e. survival and reproduction, but their actual impact remains unknown. Although the House Sparrow has been dominant in The Netherlands, data on life history characteristics for this bird species are scarce: data on reproduction are non-existent, and here we first present survival estimates based on live encounters and dead recoveries of marked individuals over the period 1976-2003, 14 years before and 14 years during the decline, reported to the Dutch Ringing Centre. We show that there is an indication that both juvenile and adult survival are lower during the period of decline.Secondly, to be able to analyse the relative impact of changes in the vital rates, we formulated a general matrix model based on a range of survival values between zero and one with a step size of 0.01 (both juvenile and adult yearly survival) and a range of realistic reproduction values (one, three or five fledglings per pair per year). With the matrix model, we calculated the finite rate of population change (lambda) and applied elasticity analysis. To diagnose the cause of the decline in the Dutch House Sparrow, we parameterised the model with estimates of survival values before and during the decline and present the resulting lambda. With the survival estimates from the declining period, lambda < 1 only if reproduction is relatively low. We discuss this result within the light of available literature data on survival in the House Sparrow. Finally, we evaluate which of the suggested causes of population decline should be reversed to mitigate the decline and how this can be achieved.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Frequency of chest radiography and abdominal ultrasound in the Netherlands: 1999-2003.

Chest radiography and abdominal ultrasound are two widely used diagnostic imaging techniques in Western societies. However, little is known about the frequency of these examinations and its determinants. The aim of this descriptive study was to provide detailed information on the number of chest radiography and abdominal ultrasound examinations by age, gender, referring physician and ethnicity. We used data of approximately 3,000,000 sick fund insured persons of the Health Insurance Company Agis in The Netherlands from 1999 to 2003. We calculated annual numbers and corresponding 95% confidence intervals for different age, gender and ethnicity categories. The mean age of the population was 38+/-22 years and 46% were male. Chest radiographs were ordered in 130 per 1000 persons per year and abdominal ultrasound examinations in 39 per 1000 persons per year; these frequencies did not change noticeable over the five-year period. Chest radiography was performed more often in males (156 vs. 109 per 1,000 persons/year in females; p < 0.05) and abdominal ultrasound more often in females (43 vs. 34 per 1000 persons/year in males; p < 0.05). Frequencies were highest in persons aged 70-79 years. Compared to medical specialists, general practitioners more frequently referred younger patients and females, especially for abdominal ultrasound. Up to the age of 60 years the frequencies of both chest radiography and abdominal ultrasound were higher in Turks and Moroccans compared to other persons. In conclusion, this study showed marked differences in the frequencies of chest radiography and abdominal ultrasound according to age, gender and ethnicity in The Netherlands.

Abdomen↗
PubMed1994

Clinical biochemistry training in The Netherlands.

A unique situation for clinical biochemistry exists in the Netherlands, since it is nearly fully practised by science-oriented professionals. They are enlisted in the Register of Recognized Clinical Biochemists supervised by the Netherlands Society of Clinical Chemistry. Training as a clinical biochemist consists of a 4-year period in a hospital laboratory; it is not a specific university education. Strictly specified requirements exist for trainee, tutor, laboratory and hospital to maintain the quality of our profession. The candidate has to become acquainted with the following aspects: general clinical biochemistry (including haematology), fundamental research, clinical orientation and management. Passing the yearly examination and publishing two articles in international journals are an obligation. Continuing education is not yet compulsory, but is well formalized within our society. European unification asks for one regulation of clinical biochemistry on a European level, both for professionals with a medical and a science-oriented background.

Biochemistry↗
PubMed1995

End-of-life decisions for surgical neonates: experience in The Netherlands and United States.

PURPOSE: To characterize end-of-life decisions for surgical neonates and compare similarities and differences in practice between pediatric surgeons in The Netherlands and the United States. METHODS: The authors evaluated the deaths of all neonates admitted to the surgical intensive care unit (SICU) of two major children's hospitals: Sophia Children's Hospital (SCH) in The Netherlands and Columbus Children's Hospital (CCH) in the United States. Between January 1990 and July 1993, neonatal SICU admissions totaled 362 (SCH) and 125 (CCH). Neonates who died were classified as follows: group 1 = poor prognosis, expected death, and group 2 = good prognosis, expected survival. RESULTS: The mortality rates were comparable for each SICU: 12% (SCH) and 14% (CCH). The average survival period was shorter in group 1 (1.5 days) than in group 2 (26.5 days). Criteria for assignment to group 1 differed, with "expected poor quality of life" used at SCH, and "futility" at CCH. Criteria for group 2 were similar and included significant postoperative complications. Although the percentages with a do-not-resuscitate (DNR) status were comparable (SCH, 51%; CCH, 55%), the application of the DNR order differed in each SICU. The majority of neonates at SCH had either withholding or withdrawal of life support, whereas no further escalation in treatment was offered for infants with a DNR order at CCH. The average survival period after the DNR order was 4 days at SCH and 7 days at CCH. CONCLUSION: DNR orders were used for more than half the surgical neonates with critical illness. Criteria for DNR status and implementation of patient care after the DNR order differed between the SICUs.

Euthanasia, Passive↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Maternal exposure to influenza and risk of schizophrenia: a 22 year study from The Netherlands.

We investigated any effect of prenatal exposure to influenza during gestation on subsequent risk of schizophrenia using a national sample from The Netherlands. Dates of births of all Dutch-born schizophrenia (ICD-9) patients (n = 10,630) admitted to hospitals for the first time between 1970 and 1992 were examined in relation to the occurrence of influenza epidemics between 1947 and 1969. As a measure of prevalence of influenza, the number of deaths from influenza per month in The Netherlands was used. A Poisson regression analysis revealed that an increase in the prevalence of influenza 3 months prior to birth was followed by an increase in births of preschizophrenics, although this fell outside statistical significance (p = .11). However, the effect became marked in typical schizophrenics (n = 4726), but not in less typical cases (n = 5389). For typical schizophrenics, the parameter estimate derived from the regression model indicates that there was a 10% increase (95% confidence interval: -1 to 22%) in preschizophrenic births for every 500 deaths from influenza 3 months before birth.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

The pliable obstetrical vacuum cup: application and opinions in The Netherlands.

A questionnaire was sent to all hospital obstetric units in The Netherlands to obtain information about the use of soft cups for vacuum extraction. Over 90% of the 156 units responded. Vacuum extraction was used twice as often as forceps for instrumental vaginal delivery. In 12 units the flexible cup was applied in the majority of vacuum extractions and without specific restrictions. In 47 units a minority of vacuum extractions was performed with a flexible cup: its use was generally restricted to anticipated easy low outlet extractions. It is concluded that in The Netherlands the flexible cup is an accepted instrument used in about 13% of vacuum extraction deliveries.

Female↗
PubMed1995

Trends in caesarean section rates among high- and medium-risk pregnancies in The Netherlands 1983-1992.

During the last two decades, the rates of operative deliveries have been rising constantly in all industrialized countries including the Netherlands. Within the framework of the project 'Obstetric Peer Review' (Verloskundige Onderlinge Kwaliteitsspiegeling), the trends in the caesarean section rates were investigated, using the data of the Perinatal Database of the Netherlands (LVR), but only among the high- and medium-risk pregnancies. To that end homogeneous high-risk subgroups, with respect to pregnancy- or delivery-related complications, were defined in various ways and caesarean section rates were calculated for these groups. Irrespective of the definition of such a group (e.g. multiple pregnancy or breech presentation), an increase of the caesarean section rates evidently emerges. The rates of planned caesarean section appear to increase more than the rates of emergency caesarean section. The increase for the multiparae is greater than for the primiparae. It is striking that the largest increase was found within the medium-risk group (namely; singletons, at term, vertex presentation, normal birthweight, mothers aged 20-35 years and with a normal diastolic blood pressure). Although no evident pathology can be found in the data, these women do not belong to the low-risk group, because they were referred to an obstetrician. For the multiparae in this group, the risk of a planned caesarean section yearly increased by a factor 1.09 (i.e. 9%).

Adult↗
PubMed1983

The persistence of tuberculin sensitivity following oral BCG vaccination in The Netherlands.

Certain anomalies in the tuberculin test results in Netherlands schoolchildren in the late 1960s and in recruits a few years later are shown to have arisen from the persistence of tuberculin sensitivity in some of the 10 000 newborn children who were given oral BCG vaccine in the early 1950s. More than 90% of these oral BCG vaccinations were given in 1950 or 1951 in Amsterdam, Delft or Hilversum, but because of the absence of a scar or any record, individuals who were vaccinated cannot now be distinguished from the much larger numbers of unvaccinated subjects. The cohorts of Dutch children born in 1950 and 1951 showed excess positivity, compared with earlier and later cohorts, when tuberculin tested at different ages in adolescence and as army recruits, and this was especially noticeable among current residents in these three cities. It is estimated that less than 10% of those given oral BCG vaccine in the Netherlands in 1950 or 1951 showed positive reactions at ages 12 and 13, but about 20% did at age 16, and about 45% at age 18. A review of data on tuberculin sensitivity several years after intradermal BCG vaccination in the newborn or in young children suggests that sensitivity persists in only a relatively small proportion for a long period (in perhaps about 45% after 7 years and less after a longer period), unless boosted by intervening tuberculin tests. The present data on oral BCG vaccination in the newborn conform to the same pattern.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1985

The occurrence of organic chemicals in the atmosphere of The Netherlands.

In this paper concentration levels of various classes of organic chemicals in The Netherlands are reported for the base year 1980. From these levels the average intake of the Dutch population by inhalation was calculated to be approximately 1.5 g year-1. This gives reason for concern because many of the compounds either seem to exhibit carcinogenic properties or are suspected human carcinogens. Apart from (photo)chemical reactions, dry deposition seems to be an important way by which these chemicals are removed from the atmosphere. Although the deposition velocity of many organic chemicals is not well established or is completely unknown we have estimated the yearly deposition in The Netherlands to be approximately 89 000 t.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed1985

Outdoor natural background radiation in The Netherlands.

As part of the SAWORA-project the outdoor natural background radiation was investigated by the National Institute of Public Health and Environmental Hygiene and by the Netherlands Energy Research Foundation. Measurements were carried out with an ionization detector at more than 1000 locations evenly distributed throughout the country. After correction for the contribution of the cosmic radiation, the exposure rates were plotted on a map. Results show that the gamma radiation originating from the soil in The Netherlands varies between 1.1 and 7.2 microR/h (79 and 516 fC/(kg.s)). Comparison of the radiation map with a geological one indicates that "high" values of the exposure rates correspond to areas with silty deposits. The "low" exposure rates correspond to areas with sandy deposits. Gamma spectrometric analysis of the radiation at some locations shows that the terrestrial radiation is mainly caused by natural radionuclides.

Environmental Exposure↗
PubMed1985

Legislation and policy for the protection of the drinking water supply in The Netherlands.

The drinking water supply in The Netherlands is particularly influenced by the pollution of surface water with organic micropollutants as the country is located at the delta of the polluted rivers Rhine and Meuse. Also ground water pollution, resulting from intensive industrial and agricultural activities in this densely populated country, is becoming increasingly important. Consequently the Dutch Government has great interest in international research, discussions and agreements concerning the protection of raw water sources. This paper summarizes the drinking water quality regulations together with the present legislation and activities carried out for the protection of both surface water and ground water. Most measures are now taken in the international frameworks of the EC (European Community) or IRC (International Rhine Commission), but in the Dutch legislation and sanitation policy additional activities are being carried out to safeguard the quality of drinking water in The Netherlands. Finally the policy of the Dutch government to continue the safe and durable provision of drinking water in the future is discussed.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Primary care obstetrics and perinatal health in The Netherlands.

The Netherlands is the only industrialized country in which a large percentage of obstetric care takes place at home. Almost 31% of all deliveries are home confinements under supervision of a midwife or a general practitioner, and 84% of all postnatal care is given at home by maternity care assistants. To gain a better understanding of this unique situation, the structure of Dutch obstetric care is examined with special attention to the four pillars on which the system rests: the special protected position of the midwife, a generally accepted screening system for high-risk pregnancies, a well-organized maternity home care system, and the sociocultural environment in The Netherlands in which pregnancy and childbirth are considered normal physiological processes. Description of the obstetric system shows a degree of competition between the obstetricians, midwives, and general practitioners, in which the general practitioner has lost a considerable part of the "obstetric market."

Family Practice↗
PubMed1990

Twenty-five-year mortality from coronary heart disease and its prediction in five cohorts of middle-aged men in Finland, The Netherlands, and Italy.

Five cohorts of men ages 40-59 (Finland: 2 cohorts of 1,677 men; Netherlands: 1 cohort of 878 men; Italy: 2 cohorts of 1,712 men) were examined and evaluated for cardiovascular risk factors in 1959-1960 and subsequently followed-up for mortality over the next 25 years. Age-adjusted death rates from coronary heart disease were highest in Finland (244 per 1,000), intermediate in The Netherlands (195 per 1,000), and lowest in Italy (122 per 1,000) with a twofold range between the extremes. The Cox proportional hazards model was used for single cohorts and for the pools of national cohorts with coronary heart disease deaths as endpoints and 12 risk factors as covariates. It showed the significant and almost universal predictive value of these factors (with some rare exceptions). The most highly predictive values were age, blood pressure, total serum cholesterol, cigarette smoking, and physical activity (negative relationship). The prediction of events within each country using the risk function of the others produced errors ranging from -19% to +51%. The largest errors were those involving the Italian cohorts whose experience tended to underpredict coronary heart disease mortality elsewhere and to be overpredicted by the risk functions of the other countries. Solving a Cox model which included all the cohorts, and adding dummy variables for the identification of nationality, it appears that the relative risk, everything else being equal, is 1.49 and 1.34 for a Finnish man, compared with Italian and Dutch men, respectively.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Immigration--mismatches in labour, housing and space: the effects of immigration of several nationalities with regard to the Netherlands.

"In the Netherlands, the sharp recent increase of the number of refugee immigrants (asylum seekers) runs parallel to increased numbers of immigrants of other types. Therefore, at least five types of immigrants should still be distinguished (labour migrants, migrants from former colonies, from EU countries, from other rich countries, and asylum seekers). Their spatial orientation in the Netherlands (urban, suburban, rural), by choice or by constraint, is the main focus of this study. The outcomes of the immigration processes have been confronted with general and spatial characteristics of the labour market and housing market. Matches and mismatches are discussed."

Demography↗
PubMed1984

Prevalence of HTLV-specific antibodies in Surinam emigrants to The Netherlands.

Sera of 98 participants in a methadone maintenance programme, all recent Surinam emigrants to the Netherlands, were examined for antibodies to disrupted HTLV using the ELISA technique. Twelve per cent of the donors possessed HTLV-specific antibodies with a range of titre from 41 to 20,000. Sera of 26 control Dutch drug users lacked such antibodies with the exception of one female who subsequently was found to reside with a Surinam male. Intravenous drug use was not a factor in these studies. These data indicate that HTLV circulates within the Surinam community in the Netherlands. More broadly, these results show that the region of the Caribbean endemic for HTLV extends as far south as Surinam. Furthermore, an antibody prevalence of 12% for clinically healthy donors with non-malignant disease suggests that the Caribbean has an incidence of HTLV infection approaching, if not equal to, that of southwestern Japan.

Adult↗