Læknablađiđ
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Allergies to antibiotics are reported by 8-14% of the adult population out of which half is thought to be due to penicillins. Women are two thirds of those. It is estimated that 20.000 Icelanders believe they are allergic to beta-lactam drugs. ⋯ The beta-lactam allergy is diagnosed by a precise history, measuring drug specific IgE, by prick- and intradermal skin tests and challenge tests with the drug in question. The purpose of this article is to draw the attention of Icelandic doctors to the importance of drug allergy with specific emphasis on beta-lactam drugs and the value of accurate recording of symptoms and signs in the patient's records. We also describe the diagnostic methods used and propose an algorithmic approach to diagnose beta-lactam allergy in Icelandic children and adults.
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To examine and explain the effect of unemployment on the number of disability pensioners in Iceland by examining changes in this relationship from 1992 to 2006. ⋯ Health and capability condition determine the overall disability rate, but fluctuations over time are related to environmental conditions in the labour market, especially the unemployment rate. The features of the welfare system, especially the benefit and rehabilitation system, as well as the extent and character of activation measures in the labour market also influence the number of disability pensioners. A new method of disability assessment from late 1999 may have had some influence on the relationship during the latter part of the period and increasing applications from people with mental and psychiatric deficiencies seems to have had a significant influence on the growing disability rate during the last few years.