Ugeskrift for laeger
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Ugeskrift for laeger · Mar 1999
Comparative Study[Smoking and life expectancy among Danish men and women].
Studies reporting increased mortality in smokers are abundant, but only few have included large numbers of heavily smoking women. Based on three large Danish population studies we calculated median survival in smokers and never-smokers and compared the impact of smoking in men and women. Seventeen thousand six hundred and sixty-nine men and 13,525 women were followed for up to 30 years for all-cause mortality. ⋯ Corresponding loss of life-expectancy in males was 9.2 years and 6.0 years, respectively. In conclusion, this study shows survival prospects in relation to smoking in both men and women in a way that is easily communicated. The results indicate that women who smoke as much as men run a relatively higher risk in terms of reduced life expectancy.
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Arterial puncture is the general accepted standard method for monitoring oxygen therapy in critically ill patients, but this technique is painful for the patient, has the potential of complications, and does not provide immediate continuous data. Pulse oximetry is a non-invasive method used to measure arterial oxygen saturation with a clinically acceptable accuracy of +/- 2%. ⋯ Furthermore the new transportable and hand-held pulse oximeters offer new possibilities for continuous 24 hour monitoring of oxygen saturation also out of hospitals. The pulse oximeter can optimize monitoring patients' oxygen saturation in the stationary units, however, arterial puncture will remain the most reliable method in the assessment of hypoxaemia and hypercapnia, especially in acute situations.
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The aim of the study was to investigate the incidence of misuse of ambulance emergency services for minor injuries in a defined area and population. Case records concerning all patients (2708) treated in the period 19.02-13.06.96 at the A&E departments at Holstebro and Herning Central Hospitals were reviewed. ⋯ Approximately 50% of all patients transported by ambulance emergency were estimated to have been able to be treated by general practitioners instead. In conclusion, although a certain amount of misuse of ambulance emergency services among patients treated for minor injuries were identified, the incidence of misuse was not more than 1.5/day in a population of appr. 200.000.
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Ugeskrift for laeger · Feb 1999
Case Reports[Bowing fracture of the ulna with concomitant dislocation of the distal radioulnar joint].
This work presents the first case of bowing fracture of the ulna associated with dislocation of the distal radioulnar joint. Etiology, radiographs and treatment are described and discussed. ⋯ We find that careful clinical examination combined with good radiographs should reveal the diagnosis. As closed reduction of bowing fractures may be very difficult to carry out, open reduction may frequently be preferable.