Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Athens”

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 613 records · Page 34Linked to original sources
PubMed2005

Sleep problems in adolescence. A study of senior high school students in Greece.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate sleep habits and sleep-related problems in high school adolescent students in Greece through the Athens Insomnia Scale and to assess the relation of these problems to demographic and other variables. METHODS: The Athens Insomnia Scale 5-item version (AIS-5) was administered to 713 adolescent senior high school students in the Greater Athens Area. Data such as age, sex, school records, and time spent per week in school-related and extracurricular activities were collected. RESULTS: The sample's mean sleep duration was 7.5 h, mean bedtime 00.20 a.m. and wake-up time 7.15 a.m. Total sleep time was not affected by gender, but was influenced by time spent in various activities. Sleep complaints were related to delayed sleep, onset latency and insufficient total duration of sleep. Of the respondents, 30% estimated that their sleep onset latency was markedly delayed and 30% reported that their total sleep time was markedly insufficient. Girls complained more than boys, while correlations showed that students with lower academic performance and those in second grade were more likely to have higher AIS-5 scores. CONCLUSIONS: The results show that the sleep time of high school students is dependent on practical matters such as school schedule and other activities, while sleep complaints are related to female gender, bad school performance as well as to the second grade. The difference between actual sleep time and sleep complaints should be considered when studying the sleep of adolescents.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Intercentre reproducibility of magnetic resonance T2* measurements of myocardial iron in thalassaemia.

In transfusion-dependent thalassemia major, iron-induced cardiomyopathy is the predominant cause of morbidity and mortality. Assessment of myocardial iron loading using MRI gradient echo T2* measurements have been described, but has only been performed at one centre in London. We assessed the transferability of this method by comparing the results from three different MR scanners in three different countries. Ten patients with thalassemia major underwent myocardial T2* assessment using a Siemens Sonata Scanner in London. Patients were also scanned with either a similar T2* sequence on a GE Systems CVI scanner in Athens, or a GE Systems signa echospeed scanner in Cagliari. Two scans were performed at the respective site in all patients to assess interstudy reproducibility at each site. The mean difference and coefficient of variability for the heart between scanners was 0.08 ms and 9.7% between London and Athens; and 0.30 ms and 1.6% between London and Cagliari. The interstudy mean difference and coefficient of variability for the heart in Athens was 0.6 ms and 3.5%, and 0.2 ms and 2.4% in Cagliari. In conclusion, the myocardial iron estimations were consistent between the three centres with scanners of differing manufacture, suggesting that this technique may have widespread application in the assessment of patients with iron overload conditions such as thalassaemia.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

New coronary artery disease index based on exercise-induced QRS changes.

Exercise-induced changes in Q, R, and S wave amplitudes have been reported to detect coronary artery disease but with low specificity, low sensitivity, or both; it was hypothesized that their incorporation into a composite index (Athens QRS score) might improve specificity and sensitivity. For this purpose 246 patients were analyzed retrospectively and 160 prospectively. All patients underwent maximal exercise testing with a standard Bruce protocol and coronary arteriography as part of the diagnostic evaluation for possible or definite coronary artery disease. The Athens QRS score was decreased as the number of obstructed coronary arteries increased (normal coronary arteries = 7.85 +/- 5.23 mm, one-vessel disease = 5.2 +/- 5.3 mm, two-vessel disease = -0.85 +/- 5.4 mm, three-vessel disease = -3.5 +/- 5.8 mm; p less than 0.0001); the score was unrelated to exercise-induced ST segment depression, and negative (less than 0) scores were always associated with coronary artery disease. An Athens QRS score of 5 mm predicted coronary artery disease with sensitivity ranging from 75% to 86% and a specificity ranging from 73% to 79%, values higher than those of the Q wave (75% and 50%, respectively), R wave (65% and 55%), and S wave (70% and 10%) and of the ST segment depression (62% and 70%). It is concluded that exercise-induced changes in the QRS complex provide a useful index not only for the diagnosis but also for the assessment of severity of coronary artery disease.

Angiography↗
PubMed2004

Climatological variations in daily hospital admissions for acute coronary syndromes.

OBJECTIVE: We examined the association between climatologic parameters and daily admissions for non-fatal acute coronary syndromes (ACS) to emergency units of hospitals in the greater Athens area, from January 2001 to August 2002. METHODS: Daily mean, maximum and minimum temperatures, relative humidity, wind speed, barometric pressure and a thermo-hydrological index (T.H.I.) were measured at the meteorological station of the Laboratory of Climatology of the Geology Department of the University of Athens. In addition, the daily number of admissions for acute myocardial infarction or unstable angina in the five major general hospitals in the greater Athens area was recorded. Generalized additive models (GAM) were applied to regress-time-series of daily numbers of outpatients with acute cardiac events against climatological variations, after controlling for possible confounders and adjustment for over dispersion and serial correlation. RESULTS: Five thousand four hundred fifty-eight Athenians with non-fatal acute cardiac events were admitted to the selected hospitals during the period of the study, 4093 (75%) males and 1365 (25%) females. There was a negative correlation between hospital admissions and mean daily temperature (MDT) with a 1 degrees C decrease in mean air temperature yielding a 5% increase in hospital admissions (P<0.05). This association was stronger in females and the elderly (P<0.01). Relative humidity was positively correlated with hospital admissions (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Despite the relatively short study period (<2 years), these findings suggest a significant association between cold weather and increased coronary heart disease incidence, especially in the elderly and females.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Modelling of light pollution in suburban areas using remotely sensed imagery and GIS.

This paper describes a methodology for modelling light pollution using geographical information systems (GIS) and remote sensing (RS) technology. The proposed approach attempts to address the issue of environmental assessment in sensitive suburban areas. The modern way of life in developing countries is conductive to environmental degradation in urban and suburban areas. One specific parameter for this degradation is light pollution due to intense artificial night lighting. This paper aims to assess this parameter for the Athens metropolitan area, using modern analytical and data capturing technologies. For this purpose, night-time satellite images and analogue maps have been used in order to create the spatial database of the GIS for the study area. Using GIS advanced analytical functionality, visibility analysis was implemented. The outputs for this analysis are a series of maps reflecting direct and indirect light pollution around the city of Athens. Direct light pollution corresponds to optical contact with artificial night light sources, while indirect light pollution corresponds to optical contact with the sky glow above the city. Additionally, the assessment of light pollution in different periods allows for dynamic evaluation of the phenomenon. The case study demonstrates high levels of light pollution in Athens suburban areas and its increase over the last decade.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed2006

Lead concentrations and isotope ratios in street dust in major cities in Greece in relation to the use of lead in petrol.

Until recently, the most important source of environmental lead pollution in cities was thought to come from the combustion of leaded petrol. A simple way to monitor the extent of this phenomenon, used in a number of studies in the past, has been to measure lead levels in street dust. Nowadays, it would be expected that lead concentrations in urban dust would have decreased from earlier values, following the progressive reduction of lead in petrol over the past few years, and this hypothesis has recently been confirmed in Manchester, UK. The object of the present work is to determine levels of lead pollution in cities in Greece on 1997 and, if possible, to discover whether similar reductions in lead concentrations have occurred there also. Surveys have been conducted in Thessaloniki, Athens and Piraeus. Samples of roadside dust were collected from streets (categorised by traffic density), national gardens and school playgrounds, and lead was extracted by digestion with concentrated nitric acid. Lead concentrations were determined by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry and lead isotope ratios measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Results for Thessaloniki showed that mean lead concentrations in all categories of location are similar to present levels in Manchester. Further, lead concentrations in dust in the busiest streets in Thessaloniki have fallen by about 55% since a previous study 17 years ago. In Athens and Piraeus, the lead levels in street dust are much higher and significant differences were observed between the various types of street. In particular, it was observed that lead levels in school playgrounds in these two cities were much higher than in similar locations in Thessaloniki and Manchester, with a possible hazard to children. Isotope ratio measurements showed that Thessaloniki's lead is isotopically distinct from that found in Athens and Piraeus, which presumably reflects differences in sources of supply.

Cities↗
PubMed2001

Topical versus sub-Tenon's anesthesia without sedation in cataract surgery.

PURPOSE: To compare pain control using topical anesthesia with that using sub-Tenon's anesthesia for clear corneal phacoemulsification cataract surgery and foldable intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. SETTING: Departments of Ophthalmology, General Hospital Asklepeion Voulas and General Hospital of Athens, University of Athens, Athens, Greece. METHODS: One hundred consecutive patients scheduled for bilateral cataract surgery 1 to 2 months apart were prospectively randomized to receive topical anesthesia (100 eyes) or sub-Tenon's anesthesia (100 eyes). The randomization was stratified so that one half of first-eye surgeries and one half of second-eye surgeries were assigned to each anesthesia group, with each patient receiving each type of anesthesia once. All patients had clear corneal phacoemulsification with foldable IOL implantation. Patients were asked to rate their pain level on a 10-point scale for 4 periods: during the administration of the anesthetic agent, during surgery, immediately after surgery, and 24 hours postoperatively. The surgeon recorded his subjective assessment of ease of surgery and surgical complications using a standardized template. RESULTS: Eighty-one percent of patients who received topical anesthesia and 8% of patients who received sub-Tenon's anesthesia reported no pain during delivery of the anesthetic agent. The mean pain score was 0.19 +/- 0.39 (SD) in the topical group and 1.35 +/- 0.63 in the sub-Tenon's group. The difference between groups was statistically significant (P <.001). Seventy-two percent of patients in the topical anesthesia group and 86% in the sub-Tenon's anesthesia group reported no pain or slight discomfort during surgery (mean score 1.13 +/- 1.57 and 0.57 +/- 1.28, respectively) (P <.001). Ninety percent of topical anesthesia patients and 100% of sub-Tenon's anesthesia patients reported no pain or slight discomfort 30 minutes postoperatively (mean score 0.80 +/- 0.93 and 0.12 +/- 036, respectively) (P <.001). All patients in the topical anesthesia group and 77% in the sub-Tenon's group reported no pain 24 hours postoperatively (mean pain 0.00 +/- 0.00 and 0.23 +/- 0.40, respectively) (P <.001). Complications including prolonged akinesia of the globe, chemosis, and conjunctival hemorrhage occurred significantly more frequently in the sub-Tenon's than in the topical group (P <.001). CONCLUSIONS: Patients having cataract surgery under topical anesthesia had more intraoperative and postoperative discomfort than patients receiving sub-Tenon's anesthesia. However, patients having topical anesthesia reported less pain during its administration and had fewer complications. Both anesthesia methods provided high levels of pain control without additional sedation.

Aged↗
PubMed2004

Impact of the plague in Ancient Greece.

Disease as a pivotal factor in determining the course of human events may be one og the least considered historical variables. When assessing the critical junctures of history, historians seem more inclined to focus on the impact of conquering armies, economic revolutions, and technologic breakthroughs. This analysis attempts to illustrate the seminal effects of the great plague of Athens. By depleting Athenian military personnel, depriving Athens of its charismatic leadership, and dissolving the system of ideals and principles that distinguished Athens from the rest of antiquity, the plague materially altered the outcome of the Peloponnesian War, which in turn deflected the flow of all subsequent Hellenic history.

Communicable Diseases↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Evidence for interaction between air pollution and high temperature in the causation of excess mortality.

Studies have demonstrated repeatedly that air pollution in Athens is associated with a small but statistically significant increase in mortality. Extremely high air temperatures can also cause excess mortality. This study investigated whether air pollution and air temperature have synergistic effects on excess mortality in Athens. Data concerning the increased number of deaths in July 1987 (when a major "heat wave" hit Greece) were compared to the deaths in July of the 6 previous years. This comparison revealed a greater increase in the number of deaths in Athens (97%), compared to all other urban areas (33%) and to all non-urban areas (27%). Data on the daily levels of smoke, sulfur dioxide, and ozone; the number of deaths that occurred daily; and meteorological variables were collected for a 5-y period. The daily value of Thom's discomfort index was calculated. Multiple linear regression models were used to investigate main and interactive effects of air temperature and Thom's discomfort index and air pollution indices. The daily number of deaths increased by more than 40 when the mean 24-h air temperature exceeded 30 degrees C. The main effects of an air pollution index are not statistically significant, but the interaction between high levels of air pollution and high temperature (> or = 30 degrees C) are statistically significant (p < .05) for sulfur dioxide and are suggestive (p < .20) for ozone and smoke. Similar results were obtained when the discomfort index was used, instead of temperature in the models.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed2002

Injuries in public and private playgrounds: the relative contribution of structural, equipment and human factors.

UNLABELLED: The aim of this case-control study was to identify and quantify risk factors of injuries in playgrounds, where children spend an increasing amount of time in developed countries. The study took place in Greater Athens during 1999. A continuous Emergency Departments Injury Surveillance System (EDISS) of hospitals that cover about 30% of the children's time at risk in Greater Athens identified 777 injuries in public and private playgrounds out of a total of 17 497 injuries. Public playgrounds differ from private ones, because the former generally have more equipment, usually of greater height, with less resilient surfaces, and supervision relies mainly on parents or guardians. Patterns of type of playground use were assessed in a sample of 294 children from the same study base who served as a control group in a hierarchical case-control design. The annual incidence of playground injuries in Greater Athens was about 7 in 1000 among boys and 4 in 1000 among girls, with a 2.2 times higher risk for an injury in public than in private playgrounds (95% confidence interval 1.61-3.07). Children in public vs private playgrounds had a statistically significant eight times higher odds for concussion and six times higher for open wounds, whereas the odds for long bone fractures were four and for other fractures two; swings, slides and seesaws were the types of equipment most frequently associated with injuries. It was further shown that supervision of children was suboptimal (< 60%) in both public and private playgrounds, and children in private playgrounds sustained an unduly high frequency of sprain/ dislocation injuries (odds ratio 1.75) because they were encouraged to play bare-footed. CONCLUSION: Close to 50% of playground injuries could be prevented by structural and equipment changes, while further reduction could be accomplished through simple measures including closer supervision and encouraging children to wear proper shoes and use protective equipment whenever necessary.

Accident Prevention↗
PubMed2001

Biomarkers of genotoxicity of air pollution (the AULIS project): bulky DNA adducts in subjects with moderate to low exposures to airborne polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and their relationship to environmental tobacco smoke and other parameters.

The levels of bulky DNA adducts were measured by (32)P-post-labelling in lymphocytes of 194 non-smoking students living in the city of Athens and the region of Halkida, Greece, once in the winter and again in the following summer. Personal exposures to particulate-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) were significantly higher in Athens subjects during both seasons. There was hardly any diagonal radioactive zone in the pattern of DNA adducts observed. Highest adduct levels were observed in a sub-group of subjects living in or near the Halkida Institute campus, which was located in rural surroundings with a minimal burden of urban air pollution. The remaining Halkida subjects had intermediate levels, while Athens subjects showed the lowest levels. This trend, which was observed over both monitoring seasons, consistently paralleled the variation in three markers of exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), namely (i) declared times of exposure to ETS during the 24 h prior to blood donation, (ii) plasma cotinine levels and (iii) chrysene/benzo[g,h,i]perylene ratios in the profile of personal PAH exposure. Furthermore, among the Halkida campus area subjects (but not the remaining subjects) positive correlations were observed between DNA adducts and (i) measured personal exposures to chrysene or benzo[a]pyrene, (ii) time of declared ETS exposure and (iii) chrysene/benzo[g,h,i] perylene ratios. These correlations suggest that, for a group suffering minimal exposure to urban air pollution, exposure to ETS was a significant determinant of the observed DNA damage. Gender had a consistent and significant effect on adduct levels (males having higher levels), which remained significant even after multiple regression analysis. Habitual consumption of roasted meat was significantly associated with an enhancement of adduct levels and the effect was strengthened when only individuals unexposed to ETS were taken into consideration. No significant effects were observed for other dietary parameters or factors reflecting exposure to air pollution.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Detection of multivessel disease post myocardial infarction using an exercise-induced QRS score.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the ability of Athens QRS score values to detect stenoses in other coronary arteries than the obstructed ones (which caused the myocardial infarction [MI]) in patients with a history of MI. METHODS: We studied 125 patients (93 males and 32 females, mean age 54 +/- 7 years [range 45-68 years]) with a history of MI (46 patients with anterior MI, 54 patients with inferior MI, 25 patients with lateral MI). All patients underwent treadmill exercise testing and coronary arteriography. RESULTS: Athens QRS score values were inversely related to the extent of CAD: -0.5 +/- 0.3 mm for patients with 1-VD (obstructed vessel), -3.4 +/- 2.2 mm for patients with 2-VD (obstructed vessel and stenosis in another vessel), and -5 +/- 1.8 mm for patients with 3-VD (obstructed vessel and stenoses in two more vessels). The ROC curves for the detection of multivessel disease showed that the area under the curve for QRS score values < -3 mm is significantly higher than the curve for ST-segment depression > or = 1 mm (0.948 vs 0.792, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Values of the Athens QRS score less than -3 may distinguish single- from multivessel coronary artery disease in patients with a history of MI.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Heat related mortality in warm and cold regions of Europe: observational study.

OBJECTIVES: To assess heat related mortalities in relation to climate within Europe. DESIGN: Observational population study. SETTING: North Finland, south Finland, Baden-Württemberg, Netherlands, London, north Italy, and Athens. SUBJECTS: People aged 65-74. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Mortalities at temperatures above, below, and within each region's temperature band of minimum mortality. RESULTS: Mortality was lowest at 14.3-17.3 degrees C in north Finland but at 22.7-25.7 degrees C in Athens. Overall the 3 degrees C minimum mortality temperature bands were significantly higher in regions with higher than lower mean summer temperatures (P=0.027). This was not due to regional differences in wind speeds, humidity, or rain. As a result, regions with hot summers did not have significantly higher annual heat related mortality per million population than cold regions at temperatures above these bands. Mean annual heat related mortalities were 304 (95% confidence interval 126 to 482) in North Finland, 445 (59 to 831) in Athens, and 40 (13 to 68) in London. Cold related mortalities were 2457 (1130 to 3786), 2533 (965 to 4101), and 3129 (2319 to 3939) respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Populations in Europe have adjusted successfully to mean summer temperatures ranging from 13.5 degrees C to 24.1 degrees C, and can be expected to adjust to global warming predicted for the next half century with little sustained increase in heat related mortality. Active measures to accelerate adjustment to hot weather could minimise temporary rises in heat related mortality, and measures to maintain protection against cold in winter could permit substantial reductions in overall mortality as temperatures rise.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2000

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency neonatal screening: preliminary evidence that a high percentage of partially deficient female neonates are missed during routine screening.

OBJECTIVES: To provide preliminary evidence that the currently employed semiquantitative method of screening for glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency can only detect infants who are totally deficient for G6PD and misses all cases of partial G6PD deficiency. SETTING: General population: 2150 randomly selected blood samples from the Blood Donation Department, Speliopouleion General Hospital, Athens, Greece. Neonate population: 2000 samples from neonates (50% male; 50% female) in maternity hospitals in the greater Athens area. High risk population: a total of 545 individuals from 133 families in the Athens area, the minimum acceptance criteria being the parents and any brother or sister. METHOD: Blood specimens from neonates or adults were collected and either spotted and dried on special filter paper (Schleicher and Schull 2992, Darmstadt, Germany) or used in tubes after being heparinised. For the quantitative evaluation of G6PD enzyme activity, the Quantase G6PD screening kit (Quantase Limited, Perth, UK) was used. Quantase G6PD controls (Quantase Limited) were used at three levels of G6PD. These controls are rated at 24, 30, and 37 degrees C. Alternatively, we used the Sigma G6PDH controls (Sigma Chemical Company, St Louis, USA) which are rated at 30 and 37 degrees C. The assay was performed according to the instructions included in the kit with the modification for haemoglobin normalisation. RESULTS: General population: 36 females who were classified as having normal enzymatic activity with the semiquantitative test, were classified as partially deficient with the quantitative test. Neonate population: using the quantitative test, the percentage of G6PD deficient neonates in this population was 5.5%, compared with 3.17% reported in routine screening using the semiquantitative method. High risk population: the quantitative method detected 28 cases of total or partial G6PD deficiency in sisters of males with known total deficiency. The semiquantitative CONCLUSIONS: A considerable amount of partially G6PD deficient female neonates (heterozygotes) are undetected and classified as having normal enzymatic activity using the semiquantitative method, which uses a cut off of 2.1 U/g haemoglobin (Hb). The use of a fully quantitative G6PD screening kit is proposed, employing the automated haemoglobin normalisation and a cut off of 6.4 U/g Hb. Any neonate with an activity below this mark should be regarded as G6PD deficient, and all preventive measures should be taken.

Clinical Enzyme Tests↗
PubMed1991

Suicide among adolescents in Greece.

The mean suicide rate among 10-19-year-olds in Greece from 1980 to 1987 was 0.98/100,000 per year (male 1.07, female 0.89). Girls and boys demonstrated the greatest suicide rate at 16 and 19 years, respectively. The combined suicide rate was significantly higher in the rural areas (1.48) than in Athens (0.48) and the other urban areas (0.98). Boys committed suicide more frequently than girls in Athens and other urban areas, whereas girls did so in the rural areas. The suicide rate declined during the last three years of the study. Differences in the methods used and the reported reasons for suicide were observed among the adolescents in Athens, other urban areas, and the rural areas. Greek adolescents appear to be relatively protected from suicide, particularly those who live in the urban areas.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

The predominant form of non-toxic goiter in Greece is now autoimmune thyroiditis.

Endemic non-toxic goiter (NTG) in Greece has been attributed primarily to iodine deficiency. Thirty years ago about 60% of the prepubertal boys and girls examined in endemic goiter regions presented with NTG and among them thyroid autoimmunity was rarely detected. Although iodine supplementation has corrected this deficiency during the past 30 years, new cases of NTG still appear. To evaluate the prevalence and type of NTG and the effect of iodine supplementation on them in Greece at present, we performed two cross-sectional clinical studies and a retrospective pathology one: (i) thyroid gland volume and urinary iodine excretion (UIE) were assessed in a representative sample of 1213 schoolchildren from previously endemic and non-endemic regions; (ii) serum thyroxine, tri-iodothyronine, TSH, thyroid autoantibodies (AAB) (anti-thyroid peroxidase and anti-thyroglobulin antibodies) and UIE (in 60 patients) were measured in 300 consecutive patients with NTG from Athens and Heraklion; and (iii) we compared the prevalence of autoimmunity among fine needle aspiration smears of benign thyroid pathologies performed by the same pathologist between 1985 and 1986 (975 cases) and between 1994 and 1995 (2702 cases). We found that 12. 5% of the schoolchildren examined in regions with a previous history of endemic goiter had NTG, whereas this percentage was only 1.7% in areas without such a history. In Athens (61.6%) and Heraklion (58. 5%) a substantial number of NTG patients were AAB positive and biochemically hypothyroid. UIE in Athens did not differ between patients with autoimmune goiter (ATG) and simple goiter. The prevalence of autoimmune stigmata in pathology smears has increased from 5.94% (years 1985-1986) to 13.91% (years 1994-1995) (P<0.05). We conclude that: (i) the persistence of endemic goiter in regional foci despite iodine deficiency correction suggests a possible role for a naturally occurring goitrogen; (ii) ATG is the predominant form of NTG in Greece nowadays; and (iii) the five-fold decrease in the prevalence of NTG during the past 30 years followed by the increase of ATG may support the relative character of the latter.

Autoantibodies↗
PubMed2002

Countrywide estimation of the burden of injuries in Greece: a limited resources approach.

BACKGROUND: We have assessed the ability of the Emergency Department Injury Surveillance System (EDISS), a registration network operating with limited resources, to predict the burden and pattern of injuries in the whole Greece. METHODS: We have compared hospitalizations calculated on the basis of EDISS with those routinely recorded by the National Statistical Service countrywide. EDISS relies on data collected in the Emergency Departments of four hospitals, two located in the Greater Athens area, and two district hospitals in the remaining Greece. EDISS data concern hospitalized and non-hospitalized patients of all ages, with all types of injuries irrespectively of their etiology or intent. RESULTS: Over a three-year period 148 835 subjects with injuries were interviewed. Using sampling ratios of 2.2% for all injuries outside Greater Athens and for adults in Greater Athens but 28.9% for childhood injuries, the total annual number of injuries in Greece was estimated at 1.53 million (95% confidence interval: 1.48-1.57 million). Of those, about 18% concern children less than 15 years old. The difference between the EDISS estimated and the actually recorded hospitalized injuries was, in preliminary terms, acceptable. DISCUSSION: Of the ten major categories of injuries, seven among children and five among adults have shown deviations of less than 20%. For the remaining categories deviations were larger but in only one instance did the difference exceed 50%. It is concluded, that for a small and relatively homogeneous country, like Greece, injury data provided by four large hospitals can generate reasonably reliable estimates for large categories of injuries.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Cold exposure and winter mortality from ischaemic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, respiratory disease, and all causes in warm and cold regions of Europe. The Eurowinter Group.

BACKGROUND: Differences in baseline mortality, age structure, and influenza epidemics confound comparisons of cold-related increases in mortality between regions with different climates. The Eurowinter study aimed to assess whether increases in mortality per 1 degree C fall in temperature differ in various European regions and to relate any differences to usual winter climate and measures to protect against cold. METHODS: Percentage increases in deaths per day per 1 degree C fall in temperature below 18 degrees C (indices of cold-related mortality) were estimated by generalised linear modelling. We assessed protective factors by surveys and adjusted by regression to 7 degrees C outdoor temperature. Cause-specific data gathered from 1988 to 1992 were analysed by multiple regression for men and women aged 50-59 and 65-74 in north Finland, south Finland, Baden-Württemburg, the Netherlands, London, and north Italy (24 groups). We used a similar method to analyse 1992 data in Athens and Palermo. FINDINGS: The percentage increases in all-cause mortality per 1 degree C fall in temperature below 18 degrees C were greater in warmer regions than in colder regions (eg, Athens 2.15% [95% CI 1.20-3.10] vs south Finland 0.27% [0.15-0.40]). At an outdoor temperature of 7 degrees C, the mean living-room temperature was 19.2 degrees C in Athens and 21.7 degrees C in south Finland; 13% and 72% of people in these regions, respectively, wore hats when outdoors at 7 degrees C. Multiple regression analyses (with allowance for sex and age, in the six regions with full data) showed that high indices of cold-related mortality were associated with high mean winter temperatures, low living-room temperatures, limited bedroom heating, low proportions of people wearing hats, gloves, and anoraks, and inactivity and shivering when outdoors at 7 degrees C (p < 0.01 for all-cause mortality and respiratory mortality; p > 0.05 for mortality from ischaemic heart disease and cerebrovascular disease). INTERPRETATION: Mortality increased to a greater extent with given fall of temperature in regions with warm winters, in populations with cooler homes, and among people who wore fewer clothes and were less active outdoors.

Aged↗