The New Zealand medical journal
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The incidence of and mortality from cystic fibrosis in New Zealand from 1960 to 1983, has been reviewed. Cystic fibrosis subjects have been located from data obtained from New Zealand paediatricians, the Cystic Fibrosis Association and hospital admission records. ⋯ Those born during 1970-1983, have a significantly better survival than those born before 1970. The survival figures are similar to those in England and Wales, but are considerably lower than those reported from Canada, or cystic fibrosis centres in the United States and Australia.
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We studied the effect of pre-operative shaving on clean operation wound infection rates. The patients of a general surgeon were used in this study. ⋯ Other surgeons' patients who were nursed under matched conditions had clean wound infection rates of 2.7% and 1.3% respectively during these periods. We suggest that no advantage in shaving patients can be demonstrated in terms of wound infection rates.
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Using criteria recommended by the World Health Organisation, prevalence rates for diabetes mellitus have been determined in a Christchurch working population of adults aged 15-65 years. Ninety-three percent of 1047 workers employed by a large industrial group were screened for diabetes mellitus using 75 G oral glucose tolerance tests. ⋯ Blood glucose elevations not diagnostic for diabetes mellitus were present in another 0.93%. By applying the criteria of the National Diabetes Data Group, slightly different prevalence rates were found--3.0% for diabetes mellitus and 1.14% for impaired glucose tolerance.
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This paper reviews the circumstances of 95 fatalities from electrical injuries. Eighty-nine were accidental, four were suicides and two occurred during autoerotic electrical stimulation. ⋯ Deaths involving children are a particular cause of concern. Nine fatalites involved children under the age of five years who contacted inadequately protected wires.