Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Polynesia”

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 1,135 records · Page 63Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Caries preventive effect of high fluoride and xylitol containing dentifrices.

Dental examinations were conducted in 1987 on 520 of the 753 children who fully participated in a three-year field-trial, 1983-1986, of the anticaries effect of dentifrices containing fluoride and xylitol. The prevalence of decayed (D), missing (M) and filled (F) permanent teeth differed significantly among the five treatment groups. Caries prevalence was inversely related to the level of fluoride, 1250, 2500 and 5000 ppm, in the dentifrice used, but was not associated with the presence or absence of 15 mg percent xylitol. The age, number of children, and number of erupted teeth were unequally dispersed among treatment groups. The DMF teeth scores showed non-normal distributions and nonhomogeneous variances. Following an exploratory scrutiny, the DMFT data were transformed to normal distributions for intra- and inter-treatment-group evaluation. All groups showed positive, significant regressions of DMF scores with the age of the children and an inverse significant regression with DMFT scores in relation to the fluoride content of the dentifrice under test.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

The effect of control and self-medication of chronic gout in a developing country. Outcome after 10 years.

OBJECTIVE: We describe a 10 year observation of the effect of control of hyperuricemia compared with self-medication alone in patients with chronic gout. METHODS: We studied 299 consecutively self-referred Malayo-Polynesian men with chronic gout, mean age 35 +/- 14.3 SD years. Subjects comprised 228 cases with chronic gout without tophi or urolithiasis (Group 1) and 71 with those complications (Group 2). Attacks of acute gouty arthritis were treated with nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAID) and/or corticosteroids. After acute arthritis had settled, urate-lowering drugs were instituted in both groups combined with low dose colchicine and/or low dose NSAID for at least 0.5-2 years. Urate levels were maintained longterm at a mean of < 5 mg/dl. After 10 years, the dropouts were traced and evaluated for comparison with baseline and those who remained in the study. In Group 2 the urate-lowering drugs were continued. RESULTS: Control of gout and hyperuricemia was achieved in all patients who remained under control: 91.6% of the 299 patients for at least 2 years (short-term), up to 5 years in 87.5% (medium term), and up to 10 years in 79.6% (longterm). In Group 1 (chronic gout without complication) only 36.8% had no attacks during 8 years, after they had tapered urate-lowering drug after the first 2 years of the study. In the 61 dropouts the intermittent symptomatic treatment and/or self-medication without longterm control of hyperuricemia resulted after 1 decade in chronic gout with more complications and associated conditions leading to increased morbidity, disability, and comorbidity, and 3 early mortalities. CONCLUSION: By controlling hyperuricemia, improvement of the prognosis of chronic gout, comorbidity, and early death was achieved compared with self-medication alone. Self-medication in a developing country if continued unchecked may become a public health problem in a population with a high prevalence rate of gout.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Chemoprophylaxis of leprosy with a single dose of 25 mg per kg rifampin in the southern Marquesas; results after four years.

In January-February 1988, a program of chemoprophylaxis for leprosy, using a single 25 mg/kg dose of rifampin, was conducted among 2786 (98.7%) inhabitants of the Southern Marquesas and 3144 South Marquesan "emigrants" and their families. Among the treated population, during the 4 years which followed the implementation of the program, two leprosy patients were detected, one of whom can be considered as a failure of chemoprophylaxis because she was not known by the leprosy control unit. During the same period (1988-1991), a decrease in detection rates for leprosy in the entire French Polynesian population has been observed, an event which makes the interpretation of these findings very difficult. Nevertheless, according to presently available data, the effectiveness of chemoprophylaxis with a single dose of 25 mg/kg rifampin is estimated to be about 40% to 50%. When considering not only the results of the present study but also the financial and logistic constraints raised by such a program, one is led to the conclusion that chemoprophylaxis, even with a single dose of rifampin, is not likely to become an effective component of leprosy control programs.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Long-term efficacy of single-dose mass treatment with diethylcarbamazine citrate against diurnally subperiodic Wuchereria bancrofti: eight years' experience in Samoa.

A single-dose of diethylcarbamazine citrate (DEC, 6 mg per kg body weight) was administered in three mass treatment campaigns to > 80% of the estimated total Samoan population (160,000) in 1982, 1983, and 1986. The effect of the drug was evaluated before and after each campaign by conducting four blood surveys covering 9600 to 13,700 people from 26-34 villages on each occasion. The drug reduced the prevalence of Wuchereria bancrofti microfilariae from 5.6% to 2.5% (a 55% reduction), while the transmission potential (the estimated mosquito infection rate if everyone is equally exposed to mosquito bites) dropped from 2.18 to 0.67 (a 70% reduction). The total number of microfilariae in the Samoan population is estimated to have been reduced by 80%. A spaced, single-dose treatment with DEC at a 1-2-year interval therefore seems to be an effective control measure against diurnally subperiodic W. bancrofti.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

[Skin complications of stonefish envenomation in 6 travellers returning from the Indo-Pacific maritime region].

Stonefish (Synanceja verrucosa) sting has been known for a long time to be a medical hazard. It is a common cause of severe marine envenomation. Immediate complications (collapsus, pulmonary oedema) have been described extensively. Late complications (oedema, tissue necrosis) have not been studied in details although they are common and a cause of invalidity and pain. We have observed six travellers with complications of stonefish sting over a 10 year-period in our department. All the patients were coming back from the Indo-Pacific maritime region. They presented with cutaneous abcess (in one) or necrotic complications (foot ulcers in two, cellulitis in three) associated with painfull oedema in two and lymphangitis in three. Surgery has been performed in four patients, two of them undergoing many operations. Two had long term sequelae. Such complications could be avoided. Appropriate initial treatment (i.e., neutralization of the venom by hot water, disinfection, antivenom and antibioprophylaxis) seems to be able to reduce late complications. Antivenom is indicated in severe systemic manifestations which are life threatening and in case of crucial pains. Prevention is the most important part of therapy and relies on appropriate information of the travellers.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Tuberculosis in New Zealand, 1985-90.

AIM: to examine recent trends in tuberculosis in New Zealand. METHODS: histologically and bacteriologically confirmed cases of tuberculosis notified to area health boards from 1985 to 1990 were analysed. RESULTS: a total of 843 cases were reported during 1985-90 for an average annual incidence rate of 4.2 cases per 100,000 population; incidence rates for each year were similar. The incidence of tuberculosis was higher among males than females and increased with age. Maori were five times more likely to develop tuberculosis than Europeans, Pacific Islanders were 10 times more likely, and persons of other ethnic groups combined were 15 times more likely. From 1985 to 1990, the number of cases decreased among Europeans, remained stable among Maori and Pacific Islanders, and increased among persons of other ethnic origin. CONCLUSION: although the overall incidence of tuberculosis is relatively low, it continues to be a public health problem in New Zealand, particularly among Maori and immigrants from Asia and the Pacific Islands.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

[Inequalities to the access of renal transplantation for French patients living in the overseas French territories].

This study explored the access to the French national renal transplantation waiting list and the waiting time before transplantation for the patients with ESRD on dialysis living in the FOT. Overseas health authorities gave data on ESRD incidence and prevalence. Data on patients registered between 1997 and 2000 were extracted from the French national waiting list (390 patients from the FOT and 9378 from continental France). Registered prevalence of ESRD in FOT (726 to 1418 per million population (pmp)) were higher than continental France (580 pmp). The yearly incidence of registration on the national French waiting list was 36 pmp. The same figure was observed in the FAT (French Guyana and Caribbean's islands: 36.8 to 43 pmp), very low in New Caledonia and Tahiti (7.7 and 18.1 pmp), and very high in the Reunion Island, where a renal transplantation unit is available (77.5 pmp). Median waiting times before transplantation varied significantly, FAT: 35.4 months, Reunion Island: 9.9 months, Pacific Territories: 8.8 months and the Metropolitan territory: 12.2 months. After adjustment on risk factors known to be associated with the waiting times before transplantation, we still observed a longer waiting time for patients from FAT (RR = 1,4, p < 0.05) and a lower waiting time for patients from Reunion Island (RR = 0.6, p < 0.001) compared to waiting time observed in patients from continental France. Consequently, transplantation teams in FAT must be developed.

France↗
PubMed1992

Has the process causing noninsulin dependent diabetes start at birth? Evidence in neonates from a population with a high prevalence of diabetes.

AIMS: to investigate whether differences in the glucose-insulin axis are present at birth in neonates from ethnic groups at high risk of diabetes. METHODS: fructosamine samples were taken from Maori, European and Pacific Island expectant mothers at their 28 week appointment at the public outpatients clinic at National Women's Hospital, Auckland. Umbilical cord samples for insulin, C-peptide and fructosamine assay were taken at delivery and babies had their subscapular skinfold fat thickness measured by callipers. RESULTS: the mean maternal 28 week fructosamine was similar in the three populations in spite of a higher prevalence of gestational diabetes among Pacific Islanders. Of the 1066 deliveries, cord samples were available for 207 Europeans, 81 Maoris and 113 Pacific Islanders. Both Pacific Island and Maori babies had higher cord fructosamine concentrations than European babies. However, Pacific Island babies were also heavier, and had higher cord insulin concentrations and subscapular skinfold thickness than European babies. CONCLUSIONS: the elevated cord fructosamine concentrations suggest that Maori and Pacific Island babies, who share a high risk of noninsulin dependent diabetes mellitus later in life, are hyperglycaemic at birth. The paradoxical insulin results and the cause for the relative neonatal hyperglycemia warrant further investigation.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Skin infections of the limbs of Polynesian children.

AIM: The aim of this study was to obtain information regarding the incidence of cellulitis or cutaneous abscess in children of Polynesian ethnicity (including New Zealand Maori), and to calculate the relative risk increase versus other ethnicities. METHODS: We reviewed all patients aged between 1 to 14 years who were admitted at our tertiary care institution during the year 2000. Ninety-one children (of 10 different ethnicities) with skin infections were identified. RESULTS: The most common diagnosis was cutaneous abscess (46 of 91 cases, 50.5%), followed by cellulitis (45 of 91 cases, 49.5%). The most common location of infection was the lower limb (79.1%). The major pathogenic organisms were Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes. All but one of the children had an uneventful recovery. The incidence of infection in the Polynesian children was 137.7 per 100,000, and the incidence in European children (and children of other ethnic groups) was 35.4 per 100,000. In addition, we calculated a relative risk increase of 3.89 (95% confidence interval of 2.33 to 6.52, p <0.05), which underlines the increased risk that Polynesian children suffer from skin infection. CONCLUSION: This is the first study showing (in detail) how Polynesian children are affected by a high incidence and increased relative risk of skin infections in their limbs (arms and legs). However, further research (to identify whether genetic disposition or social and environmental circumstances are involved) is required.

Abscess↗