Articles: mortality.
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Diffused endothelial dysfunction in sepsis leads to an increase in systemic capillary permeability, the renal component manifesting as microalbuminuria. The degree of microalbuminuria correlates with the severity of the acute insult, the quantification of which may serve to predict sepsis and mortality in critically ill patients. ⋯ Absence of significant microalbuminuria on ICU admission is unlikely to be associated with sepsis. At 24 hours, absence of elevated levels of microalbuminuria is strongly predictive of ICU survival, equivalent to the time-tested APACHE II scores.
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This article reports research carried out to inform possible methods of describing seasonal mortality in relation to extremes of temperature. In particular, since different methods are currently used to assess excess winter mortality and heatwave related mortality, we aimed to find out whether a single method could be used to measure all seasonal mortality in relation to temperature. In order to do this the project investigated whether there are temperatures above or below which excess deaths occur, and explored whether it is possible to predict reliably how many deaths would occur at extreme temperatures. ⋯ There is a weak but significant relationship between temperature and mortality in both the summer and winter months. While in winter mortality does increase as it gets colder, winter mortality is variable and high mortality can occur on relatively mild days. Similarly, in the summer high temperatures are often associated with relatively increased mortality, but a single hot day does not always lead to excess deaths. Daily mortality cannot be predicted from temperature alone: the prevalence of influenza in winter and factors such as air pollution in summer should also be considered.
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This paper quantifies the contribution of leading causes of death to mortality change between 1991 and 2005 for people aged 50 years and over in England. Between 1971 and 2005 the life expectancy of men aged 50 years increased by more than in the whole of the rest of the 20(th) century. The ageing population has not only had an important impact on health and social services, but was responsible for sparking the pensions crisis affecting both the public and commercial sector. ⋯ The trends of decreasing mortality rates from ischaemic heart disease and stroke have continued into the 21(st) century, however both causes continue to be the biggest killers in England. They are projected to remain so, and consequently, to contribute significantly to the burden of disease in the population.The steady increase in liver disease mortality identified highlights the importance of tackling alcohol misuse as a public health priority.
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Int J Psychiatry Med · Jan 2010
A 7-year prospective study of sense of humor and mortality in an adult county population: the HUNT-2 study.
To prospectively explore the significance of sense of humor for survival over 7 years in an adult county population. ⋯ Sense of humor appeared to increase the probability of survival into retirement, and this effect appeared independent of subjective health. Age under 65 mediated this effect, whereas it disappeared beyond this age.
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Social science & medicine · Jan 2010
Spatial analysis of heat-related mortality among the elderly between 1993 and 2004 in Sydney, Australia.
This study analyzed the geographical patterns of heat-related mortality among the population aged 65 and over within the metropolitan area of Sydney, Australia between 1993 and 2004, and evaluated the role of some physical and socio-demographic risk factors associated with it. The effect of temperature on all-cause mortality during unusually hot days was investigated using spatial analytic techniques, such as cluster analysis and spatial regression analysis. Generalized Linear Models (GLMs) were used to investigate the role of daily average temperature, ozone (O(3)) and particulate matter of diameter less than 10 microm (PM(10)) at the regions that showed a significant increase in mortality on unusually hot days. ⋯ A combination of social and environmental factors may be at play. Our results suggest an effect of temperature on mortality of the elderly population in Sydney Statistical Division at the SLA level. More spatially-based research would be beneficial once climate datasets with improved spatial coverage become available.