British medical journal (Clinical research ed.)
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Br Med J (Clin Res Ed) · Jan 1983
Comparative StudyDisposable or non-disposable syringes and needles for diabetics? Strathclyde Diabetic Group.
In a survey undertaken in the west of Scotland 801 adult diabetics taking insulin were questioned about their use of disposable or non-disposable needles and syringes, the life of such equipment, infected injection sites, and future preferences. Six hundred and eight preferred to use disposable equipment even if it meant reusing it; of the 413 who already bought disposable needles, 211 reused them, and of the 234 who bought disposable syringes, 153 reused them. ⋯ Reuse of disposable equipment for a few days, however, considerably reduced annual costs when compared with non-disposable equipment. Fewer infected injection sites were recorded in patients reusing disposable equipment without sterilisation than in patients sterilising non-disposable equipment according to government recommendations.
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In a cross-sectional study of steelworkers aged 45-55 years, smokers (n = 105; mean weight 76.1 kg) were found to weigh significantly less than non-smokers (n = 54; 81.6 kg) and ex-smokers (n = 51; 82.6 kg). The lower weight of smokers was attributable to a group with airflow obstruction (n = 37; forced expiratory volume in one second/vital capacity (FEV1/VC) less than 66%), who weighed less (4.8 kg; p less than 0.05) than smokers with normal FEV1/VC (n = 68). ⋯ This association was apparently not due to an effect of body weight on lung function. Weight loss in smokers may be the consequence of impaired lung function or reflect the effect of cigarette smoking on both the respiratory tract and metabolism in susceptible subjects.