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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

Hepatitis C in Austria 1993-2000: reporting bias distort HCV epidemiology in Austria.

From 1993 to 2000 in Austria, the notification system registered 2232 cases of hepatitis C whereas 10 607 hospital cases were reported in the hospital discharge register (HDR). These differences can be explained by under-reporting due to lax reporting behaviour and stigma associated with this disease. The distribution of HCV infection varied geographically. The notification data showed the highest incidence rates in Tyrol, while HDR data showed highest hospitalisation rates in Vienna and Lower Austria. This study highlights the urgent need for a clear case definition at the national level and an electronic reporting system.

Austria↗
PubMed1992

[The state of development of interventional cardiology in Austria].

3,157 PTCA were performed in Austria in 1991, this is 27% more compared to 1990. Prognosis for 1992 is another 27 to 30% more. Frequency of PTCA exceeded bypass surgery in 1990 for the first time in Austria. WHO-guidelines of 1,000 interventions per year and 1 million inhabitants will be achieved in Austria by 50% in 1992. In this context it is worth while to state, that installation of further cathlabs is recommended preferably within established centers including established heart surgery. The following NON-POBA-PTCA-techniques ("New devices") were used in Austria for the first time: Atherectomy, stent, lasers, TEC, ROTABLATOR, ROTACS, magnum wire and angioscopy accounted for 11.3% of all PTCA cases in Austria recently. A total of 447 valvuloplasties were performed in Austria until now, frequency of pulmonary and mitral valvuloplasties is increasing, that of aortic valve interventions decreasing. High frequency, Radiofrequency and Direct current Ablations of supraventricular- and ventricular- or WPW-arrhythmias were performed in 184 patients in Austria until now. In 247 patients with rare conditions, interventions like atrioseptostomy, implantation of umbrellas, etc. were performed. State of interventional cardiology in Austria is appropriate, compared to other European countries.

Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary↗
PubMed2026

Widespread circulation of Alongshan virus in Austria and serological evidence for infection in humans: a nationwide molecular and serological observational study.

BACKGROUND: Alongshan virus, a segmented RNA virus in the Jingmenvirus group of flaviviruses, was first identified in 2017 in China in patients with tick-borne encephalitis-like illness. Alongshan virus has since been detected in ticks and mammals in several European countries. In this study, we aimed to characterise the temporal and geographical distribution of Alongshan virus in Austria through nationwide tick surveillance combined with serological and molecular screening in individuals with suspected tick-borne encephalitis or tick exposure. METHODS: In this nationwide molecular and serological observational study, we conducted a PCR-based screening of ticks collected across Austria in 2024, using flagging, animal hosts, and citizen submissions. We also collated genomic data from stored nucleic acid extracts from ticks collected in Austria in 2005 and 2013 in previous surveillance studies and stored extracts of paired tick-human samples collected between 2015 and 2018. Alongshan virus-positive tick samples were subjected to whole-genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. In addition to tick samples, blood samples from Austrian patients with reported tick bite or suspected tick-borne encephalitis, submitted to the National Reference Center for Human Arbovirus Infections, Austria, were screened for Alongshan virus infection and subjected to serological and molecular testing. FINDINGS: 2952 ticks were collected between Feb 1, 2024, and Dec 6, 2024, from 29 (83%) of 35 NUTS-3 regions in Austria; the median detection rate for Alongshan virus was 1·2% (IQR 0·4-3·5). In addition, 1816 archived tick samples were analysed, with three testing positive for Alongshan virus. For the virus-positive samples, phylogenetic analysis showed that sequences from Austria grouped within the European clade, with Austrian sequences from the same region showing high sequence similarity. 1361 human serum samples collected between March 1, 2023, and May 16, 2025, were assessed for anti-Alongshan virus IgG antibodies. Two individuals had high antibody titres against Alongshan virus proteins VP1a and VP2. INTERPRETATION: Our study shows detection of Alongshan virus in archived tick samples dating back to 2005, representing the earliest documented occurrence of the virus to date and suggesting that Alongshan virus has been circulating in Austria for at least two decades. The detection of Alongshan virus-specific antibody titres in two individuals suggests past infection and previously unrecognised exposure. These results highlight the need for continued molecular surveillance of tick populations and serological monitoring in humans to define the epidemiology and public health relevance of Alongshan virus in Europe. FUNDING: One Health surveillance and Vector monitoring for cross-border pathogens (OH SURVector) and UNITED4Surveillance.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1981

[Endemic goiter in Austria's youth?].

After 17 years the efficiency of iodine prophylaxis of endemic goiter (1 : 100000) in Austria was checked by control field studies in 3 Tyrolean towns n Austria. The data obtained there were compared with those of 123 school age children from the iodine deficient endemic goiter area of the province of Bolzano (Italy). The results show a reduction in goiter incidence from 50 to 35% in the total population in Austria, where goiter incidence in schoolchildren dropped from 45.9% to 12%. Urinary iodine/g creatinine was 65 micrograms in Austria, the 24 hr radioiodine uptake with 41.8% was normal. In comparison the ethnologically and geographically similar endemic goiter zone in the province of Bolzano showed a goiter incidence in schoolchildren of up to 46%, while urinary iodine/g creatinine was 35.9 micrograms and radioiodine uptake after 24 hr about 50%. Extensive studies of peripheral hormone parameters (T4, TBG, T3, TSH, rT3, FT3, FT4) revealed a significantly higher rT3 concentration of 24.7 ng/dl in Austria compared with a value of only 19.8 ng/dl in the province of Bolzano. These facts suggest an increased conversion of T4 to real T3 in iodine deficiency, which might contribute to the adaptation of the organism to this condition. No statement, however, can be presented regarding the regulation of this phenomenon. Even as endemic goiter is decreasing in Austria, an increase of salt iodization to 1 : 50000 according to the swiss procedure might eliminate definitely endemic goiter in Austria.

Austria↗
PubMed2000

Distribution of patients with Wilson disease carrying the H1069Q mutation in Austria.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: More than 100 different mutations of the Wilson disease (WD) gene have been reported so far, but only the H1069Q mutation is frequently found in patients of North and East European origin. We wanted to know if there is a connection between the migration pattern in Central Europe and the geographical distribution of this mutation in Austria. METHODS: One hundred and nine patients (91 index patients and 18 asymptomatic siblings) with WD diagnosed in Austria were included in this study. Eighty-one of the 91 index patients were born in Austria. Evaluation criteria included the place of birth of each member of the study group, as well as of his parents and grandparents. RESULTS: Out of the 81 index patients born in Austria, 72 were tested for the H1069Q mutation. Twelve (16.7%) were homozygous carriers of the H1069Q mutation, 29 (40.3%) were compound heterozygous and 31 (43.0%) had an unknown mutation on both chromosomes. Eight of the twelve H1069Q homozygotes were born close to the northeastern border of Austria (neighboring the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary). Compound heterozygous patients showed a more variable geographical distribution with respect to their birthplace. The patients with unknown mutation were scattered all over Austria. CONCLUSION: These data provide further evidence that the H1069Q mutation originates from Eastern Europe. In patients from these countries the PCR-based testing for this mutation may be useful for differential diagnosis and family studies.

Amino Acid Substitution↗
PubMed1991

Incidence, prevalence and geographic distribution of human alveolar echinococcosis in Austria from 1854 to 1990.

Since the second half of the last century it has been known that Austria--like southern Germany, eastern France and Switzerland--is a part of the Central European area of distribution of Echinococcus multilocularis (Em), the causative organism of alveolar echinococcosis (AE). Up until October 1990, 128 human AE cases were documented in Austria; personal, anamnestic and clinical data on the majority of these patients are available. Based on these data, epidemiological parameters (incidence, prevalence, geographic distribution, sex and age distribution, occupation) were evaluated so as to obtain information on the past and recent history of alveolar echinococcosis in Austria. The (retrospective) study led to the following results and conclusions: (a) the (documented) incidence (presently two cases/year) of AE in Austria is rather low; (b) the main endemic Em areas are situated in the western (Tyrol, Vorarlberg) and southern (Carinthia) provinces; (c) a new focus could be detected in Lower Austria (outside the Alps); (d) the sex ratio (M:F) of AE patients was 1.3:1; (e) the average age of men and women at the time of diagnosis was 44 and 47 years, respectively; (f) 98% of Austrian AE patients exhibited Em lesions in the liver; and (g) greater than 50% of AE patients were (or had been) farmers.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

[Cardiac rehabilitation in Austria. A need to treat analysis].

The aim of this analysis is to survey the general demand and current supply of cardiac rehabilitation in Austria on the basis of best evidence practice and to produce recommendations for a cost-effective structure of the entire cardiac rehabilitation system. Following the standards of indication of the Austrian Society of Cardiology an analysis of demand of cardiac rehabilitation has been carried out and juxtaposed with the current supply of facilities for cardiac rehabilitation. According to hospitalizations in the year 2000, 11,630 patients per annum would require inpatient phase II rehabilitation, 6,270 patients institutional based outpatient phase II rehabilitation and 14,319 patients institutional based phase III rehabilitation. In the year 2000, 14,746 patients received treatment in the 9 Austrian inpatient cardiac rehabilitation centres. This number is compared with an annual demand of 11,630 admissions for phase-II treatment. It follows that an equilibrium can be argued for the supply of and demand for inpatient cardiac rehabilitation in Austria. At present, 10 approved institutions in Austria offer outpatient cardiac rehabilitation services. The maximum number of positions for treatment per institution is currently 200-250. Consequently, maximally 2,000-2,500 patients per annum can be treated. In comparison, there exists a calculated demand for 6,270 patients in institutional based outpatient phase II rehabilitation and 14,319 patients in institutional based phase III rehabilitation. Altogether this amounts to a demand for 20,588 positions for treatment per annum. In Austria, the expenditures for inpatient phase II rehabilitation of a patient given an average duration of stay of 28 days, are [symbol: see text] 4,774.-. Presuming 100% compliance, the institutional based outpatient phase II rehabilitation program costs [symbol: see text] 2,760.- per patient. The costs for institutional based phase III rehabilitation services are [symbol: see text] 2,990.- per patient. This number is accompanied by a potential effective reduction of risks for the patients and a potential effective reduction of costs for the carrier as the number of rehospitalizations and recurrent procedures would decrease significantly. At present, the supply of cardiac rehabilitation in Austria is sufficient for inpatient phase II, but insufficient for the institutional based outpatient phase II and mainly phase III. Thus, a striking asymmetry exists between supply and demand. In view of the enduring effects of institutional based phase III rehabilitation, the individual and social use and finally the expected efficiency in terms of costs, this program should at least be offered without limits to all eligible patients.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

Nephropathia epidemica and Puumala virus in Austria.

To study the epidemiology of hantavirus infections in Austria, 1215 humans and 596 rodents of different species were tested for the presence of antibodies against Puumala and Hantaan virus. Direct virus identification by polymerase chain reaction in lung tissue of serologically positive rodents was performed to verify antibody results and to determine the genetic identity of viral RNA by phylogenetic analysis of a part of the hantavirus M segment. For 32 of the 37 cases of nephropathia epidemica diagnosed in Austria, the location where transmission took place could be traced to specific areas in the Austrian federal states of Carinthia and Styria. The overall seroprevalence in humans was 1.2% and ranged from 0.02% in Villach, Carinthia, to 0.8% in Korneuburg, Lower Austria, and 1.8% in Wolfsberg, Carinthia. Virus RNA could be amplified from three Clethrionomys glareolus voles collected in Klippitztörl, Carinthia, and from one collected in Ernstbrunn, Lower Austria. The sequences were all identified as Puumala virus by phylogenetic analysis and were found to be most closely related to the western European Puumala viruses from Germany and France. No evidence of the existence of Hantaan-like infections and viruses in Austria was found.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Usutu virus activity in Austria, 2001-2002.

Usutu virus (USUV), a member of the mosquito-borne clade within the Flaviviridae family, was responsible for avian mortality in Austria in 2001. In 2002, the virus continued to kill birds, predominantly blackbirds. High numbers of avian deaths were recorded within the city of Vienna and in surrounding districts of the federal state of Lower Austria, while single die-offs were noticed in the federal states of Styria and Burgenland. A total of 72 birds were submitted for laboratory examination, 30 of which tested positive for USUV by immunohistochemistry and/or polymerase chain reaction. Laboratory-confirmed cases of USUV infection originated from the federal states of Vienna and Lower Austria only. The data show that (i) USUV has managed to overwinter and has been able to establish a transmission cycle in Austria, (ii) the virus seems to have become a resident pathogen of Austria with a tendency to spread to other geographic areas, and (iii) the surveillance of dead blackbirds is a useful sentinel system for monitoring USUV activity.

Animals↗
PubMed1976

[Maternal mortality in Austria from a clinical point of view].

The maternal mortality rate of 22.4 per 100,000 live births in 1973 is the lowest recorded in Austria. The figures for Austria are compared with the data from other European countries with similar health systems. Austria reflects the overall trend of a decreasing maternal mortality rate. 10 cases of maternal death recorded per 16,447 live births in the 2nd Department of Obstetrics, University of Vienna are presented and discussed with respect to the clinical diagnosis and compared with the main causes of maternal death in the national and international literature. As in other countries, haemorrhage in 3 out of the 10 cases ranks first, whilst in Austria generally, toxaemia has been the most common cause of death in recent years. The main cause of the bleeding is undetected rupture of the uterus, which is frequently concealed behind the clinical diagnosis of circulatory failure with cardiac arrest. 2/3 of the observed cases in the present series are considered to have been avoidable. It is recommended that in future every single reported case of maternal death in Austria is analyzed and the cause of death and the degree of avoidability discussed as is done in England.

Austria↗
PubMed2002

Incentives in financing mental health care in Austria.

BACKGROUND: In Austria, financing health care -and even more so mental health care- is characterized by a mix of federal and provincial responsibilities, lack of uniformity in service provision and service providers, and diverse funding arrangements. The division between financing structures for health care and social care makes the situation even more complex. This state of affairs results in various, partly counterproductive and sometimes paradoxical financial incentives and disincentives for the providers, recipients and financiers of mental health services. In several provinces of Austria, recent reform plans in mental health care have focused strongly on establishing community-based and patient-oriented mental health care. One of the main challenges in implementing this new policy is the re-allocation of resources. AIMS OF THE STUDY: The authors hypothesize that the existing structure of mental health care financing, with its incentives and disincentives, constitutes an obstacle to patient-oriented community-based mental health care. Analyzing the characteristics of the overall mental health care financing system in one Austrian province, Lower Austria, will provide a better understanding of actor-relationships and inherent incentives and highlight implications for the process of deinstitutionalization. METHOD: The authors used an analytical framework based on the principal-agent theory, empirical evidence, and information on financial, organizational and legal structures to identify the characteristics of actor-relationships and the position of single actors within the system. RESULTS: The article shows how incentives are linked to existing constellations of actors involved in mental health care financing and identifies significant power relations. As a consequence, incentives and disincentives within the financing system result in hospital- centered and supply-oriented mental health care in Lower Austria. DISCUSSION: The current system of financing mental health care provides an obstacle to the provision of patient-oriented and community-based mental care. This is due to existing constellations and power relations among the actors where, most importantly, patients are the weakest party in the patient-payer-provider triangle. Balancing power relations will be a significant prerequisite for alternative financing systems. IMPLICATIONS FOR HEALTH POLICIES AND FURTHER RESEARCH: If a community and needs-based mental health care system is to be established in Austria, the financing structures have to be changed accordingly. Applying a principal-agent framework is useful for identifying key aspects in mental health care financing in relation to the provision of services. Further research is needed to help develop alternative financing mechanisms that support community-based and patient-oriented mental health care systems.

Austria↗
PubMed1990

Echinococcosis in Austria.

In 1982, a research project on the prevalence of human echinococcosis in Austria was started. Within the period from 1982 to 1988, data on 188 patients with cystic (CE) and of 16 patients with alveolar (AE) echinococcosis were obtained. 15 out of 16 AE patients and 79 (= 42%) out of 188 CE patients were Austrian nationals, 1 AE patient was of Swiss nationality, and 94% of the 109 non-Austrian patients came from Mediterranean countries. Cases of (presumably autochthonous) cystic echinococcosis were found in Lower Austria, Vienna, Burgenland, Styria, Upper Austria, Carinthia, Salzburg and Vorarlberg, the eastern part of Austria being the main distribution area. Cases of (certainly autochthonous) alveolar echinococcosis were recorded in the Tyrol, in Carinthia and in Lower Austria. At the time of diagnosis, the average ages of Austrian patients with E. multilocularis (49 years) and with E. granulosus (55 years), respectively were significantly higher than those of foreign CE patients (34 years). The finding concerning the localisation of the infection (78% of E. granulosus cysts and 100% of E. multilocularis lesions were located in the liver) are consistent with previously published reports.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

[Quality assurance in invasive and interventional cardiology in Austria for the 1995 calendar year].

A complete national database is the prerequisite for quality control, quality management and improvement. In Austria, we are reaching for this goal since more than 3 years. 23969 diagnostic coronary angiographies (CA) and 5898 PTCA were performed in all 25 adult-centers (out of which 18 perform PTCA) in Austria during the year 1995. This is an increase of 13.6% concerning CA and a 19.5% increase in PTCA compared to 1994. 50% of all PTCA were done during the diagnostic study (CA), direct PTCA for ongoing infarction in 2.8%. Concerning "new devices", 1572 stents (27% of the PTCA cases) were implanted in 1995. Hospital mortality after PTCA was 0.5% (unchanged to the years 1992 and 1993), emergency bypass surgery rate after PTCA was 0.8% (0.7% during the year 1993), and 1.3% of the patients suffered a myocardial infarction due to PTCA in the cath-lab (1.4% during 1994). International comparison shows Austria under the top nations with 2996 CA and 737 PTCA per million inhabitants, corresponding to a ratio of 41% PTCA and CABG per 100 CA. Out of 18 centers with PTCA-activity ischemia was proven to be present before PTCA in 2729 patients within 11 centers, primary-success-rate was documented in 14 centers concerning 3703 patients and a controlling exercise stress test within 3 months after PTCA was reported by 8 centers for 1555 patients. Local logbooks with continuous readings of complications, guidelines and monitor visits (audits) within all cath-labs in Austria turned out to be a better tool for quality control than computer-databases. But additional electronic databases will be necessary in the future. Austria is the only nation worldwide to support a complete national database with controlled numbers and parameters since more than three years, including complete yearly monitor visits and feedback reports. We experienced no single negative reaction to our activities, but find them necessary for further quality management targets.

Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary↗
PubMed1997

[Annual treatment rates and estimated incidence of eating disorders in Austria].

BACKGROUND: At present, the prevalence and incidence of eating disorders in Austria is unknown; not even rough estimates of countrywide annual treatment rates are available. AIMS: To assess the number of patients in Austria with eating disorders currently under treatment and to compare this rate with the estimated prevalence and incidence of eating disorders, thus providing an estimate of unrecorded cases and the appropriateness of health care for these disorders. METHODS: The number of patients being treated in major out-patient and in-patient facilities was assessed by questionnaires. Prevalence and incidence rates in Austria were estimated by extrapolation of epidemiological data from comparable Western countries to Austrian figures from the most recent population census in 1991. RESULTS: Altogether 1075 patients were being treated in 1994 at 26 institutions, including all specialized centres, pediatric and psychiatric university hospitals. Surprisingly, the annual treatment rates for anorexia and bulimia nervosa were equal. There is a considerable discrepancy between these treatment figures and prevalence/incidence estimates (in absolute numbers): the estimated anorexia nervosa point prevalence is about 2500 girls aged 15-20 years, whilst a minimum of 4400 girls suffer from subclinical eating disorders, and there are about 6500 bulimia nervosa cases in young women aged 20-30 years. The incidence might be about 600 new onset cases per year for anorexia, and about 870 for bulimia nervosa. The size of the problem (lifetime prevalence) may comprise at least 36,000 women with bulimia nervosa. CONCLUSIONS: Eating disorders pose a major public health problem for women in Austria. It is unlikely that the vast majority of unrecorded cases was treated in private practice or in hospitals which failed to respond to our questionnaire. The discrepancy between annual treatment rates and prevalence/incidence estimates points to a lack of specialized eating disorder units in Austria.

Adolescent↗