Lifetime recreational exercise activity and risk of breast carcinoma in situ. (65/536)

BACKGROUND: The incidence rates of breast carcinoma in situ (BCIS) have increased dramatically over the past two decades, primarily because of increased mammography screening. Ductal carcinoma in situ, which accounts for approximately 85% of BCIS and 10-20% of all breast carcinomas, is generally recognized as the final step in the progression to invasive disease. To the authors' knowledge, few studies have been conducted to date to evaluate BCIS risk factors. Because of its potential effects on circulating sex hormones, physical activity has been proposed as a modifiable risk factor for invasive breast carcinoma. However, the relation to BCIS risk is poorly understood. METHODS: The authors analyzed data from a population-based case-control study conducted in Los Angeles County. Personal interviews were conducted with 567 white and black women (age range, 35-64 years) who had been newly diagnosed with BCIS between March 1, 1995 and May 31, 1998 and with 1026 control subjects, of whom 616 were screened within 2 years of identification. RESULTS: After excluding unscreened control subjects (n = 410) and adjusting for potential confounding factors, the risk of BCIS was approximately 35% lower among women with any exercise activity compared with inactive women, although no significant trend was observed. The association between exercise activity and the risk of BCIS was modified by a family history of breast carcinoma. No reduction in risk was observed among women reporting a first-degree family history of breast carcinoma (homogeneity of trends P value = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: The findings of the current study suggest that exercise activity may modify the risk of BCIS, particularly among women without a family history of breast carcinoma.  (+info)

A trial of objective comparison of quality of life between chronic renal failure patients treated with hemodialysis and renal transplantation. (66/536)

An interesting issue is a hemodialysis patients' and renal transplant recipients' subjective assessment of their QOL as a basic sociological criterion of treatment efficacy. The aim of the study is an estimation and comparison of QOL between these patients with a questionnaire the WHOQOL-100 as a trial of objective comparison of quality of life between these two groups of patients. A method of diagnostic probing with use of the questionnaire in its Polish language version was employed. A number of 400 (in total) questionnaires (200 in each group) were given to randomly chosen CRF patients. Fulfilled questionnaires were obtained from 144 (36%) patients who underwent the study: 61 from HD group (30.5%) and 83 from TX group (41.5%). RESULTS: Regarding sex and education, differences between groups were not significant statistically. As for the age and marital status, differences between groups were significant (p = 2.5 E-13 and p = 0.0045 respectively). In the both groups, (living from the health pension from the Government Health Insurance--ZUS) was overwhelming (HD--96.12% and TX--77.11%). A difference in amount of 'having a job' patients between groups was not significant (p = 0.153). In QOL estimation, significant differences between group HD and TX were assessed in overall QOL (p = 1.04 E-07), in physical domain (p = 0.00053) and social relationships domain (p = 0.0004). In the rest of domains, scores were approximate in both groups and did not differ significantly. Comparing facets scores, some significant differences between HD and TX groups were observed: pain and discomfort (p = 0.032), energy and fatigue (p = 2.2 E-05), positive feelings (p = 0.002), body image and appearance (p = 0.010), mobility (p = 0.031), activities of daily living (p = 0.036), working capacity (p = 0.008), personal relationships (p = 0.004), sexual activity (p = 7.3 E-06) and transport (p = 0.036). Higher scores were stated in TX group in all of those facets excluding body image and appearance and pain and discomfort. CONCLUSIONS: 1) TX patients QOL is better than HD patients' in domains: overall, physical, social relationships and environment and also in facets: pain and discomfort, energy and fatigue, positive feelings, mobility, activities of daily living, working capacity, personal relationships, sexual activity and transport. 2) In the facet body image and appearance, TX patients' QOL is worse than HD patients'. 3) The results point out the WHOQOL-100 to be a useful and reliable instrument for measuring quality of life in different populations making possible to compare it objectively.  (+info)

No association of smoke-free ordinances with profits from bingo and charitable games in Massachusetts. (67/536)

BACKGROUND: Because it is widely played, claims that smoking restrictions will adversely affect bingo games is used as an argument against these policies. We used publicly available data from Massachusetts to assess the impact of 100% smoke-free ordinances on profits from bingo and other gambling sponsored by charitable organisations between 1985 and 2001. METHODS: We conducted two analyses: (1) a general linear model implementation of a time series analysis with net profits (adjusted to 2001 dollars) as the dependent variable, and community (as a fixed effect), year, lagged net profits, and the length of time the ordinance had been in force as the independent variables; (2) multiple linear regression of total state profits against time, lagged profits, and the percentage of the entire state population in communities that allow charitable gaming but prohibit smoking. RESULTS: The general linear model analysis of data from individual communities showed that, while adjusted profits fell over time, this effect was not related to the presence of an ordinance. The analysis in terms of the fraction of the population living in communities with ordinances yielded the same result. CONCLUSION: Policymakers can implement smoke-free policies without concern that these policies will affect charitable gaming.  (+info)

Norovirus outbreak among primary schoolchildren who had played in a recreational water fountain. (68/536)

BACKGROUND: A gastroenteritis outbreak was associated with playing in a norovirus-contaminated recreational fountain. OBJECTIVE AND STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study was performed to estimate the magnitude of the outbreak and identify its source. Epidemiological investigation included standardized questionnaires about sex, age, school, class, risk exposures, and illness characteristics. Stool samples and environmental water samples were analyzed for the presence of bacteria, viruses, and parasites. RESULTS: Questionnaires were returned for 191 schoolchildren (response rate, 83%) with a mean age of 9.2 years, of whom 47% were ill (diarrhea and/or vomiting). Children were more likely to have been ill if they had played in the recreational fountain (relative risk, 10.4). Norovirus (Birmingham) was detected in 22 (88%) stool specimens from ill children and in 6 (38%) specimens from healthy children. The water sample from the fountain contained a norovirus strain that was identical to the RNA sequence found in stools. CONCLUSIONS: Recreational water may be the source of gastroenteritis outbreaks. Adequate water treatment can prevent these types of outbreak.  (+info)

Understanding of Weil's disease among canoeists. (69/536)

Although the risks of contracting Weil's disease in the UK are small, it can be a serious illness. Recently the disease has attracted public interest. This interest has prompted confusion and anxiety among recreational water user groups such as canoeists who had not previously seen themselves as being particularly at risk. In this paper, the experience of symptoms associated with Weil's disease among canoeists, their understanding and perceptions of the disease, and their compliance with preventive advice on the British Canoe Union (BCU) warning card, have been studied. Gaps in understanding and of adherence to preventive advice were identified. Accordingly, it was concluded that health education for canoeists could be improved. Consideration is being given by the BCU to the value of preparing a canoeist instructors' training pack.  (+info)

Outbreaks of Escherichia coli O157 infections at multiple county agricultural fairs: a hazard of mixing cattle, concession stands and children. (70/536)

Escherichia coli O157 infections cause an estimated 60 deaths and 73 000 illnesses annually in the United States. A marked summer peak in incidence is largely unexplained. We investigated an outbreak of E. coli O157 infections at an agricultural fair in Ohio and implicated consumption of beverages made with fairground water and sold by a geographically localized group of vendors who were all on the same branch of the fairground water distribution system. To examine county fair attendance as a risk factor for infection, we conducted two further epidemiological studies. In the first, we enhanced surveillance for E. coli O157 infections in 15 Northeast Ohio counties during the 2000 agricultural fair season and showed increased risk of E. coli O157 infection among fair attendees. In the second study, we examined Ohio Public Health Laboratory Information Service (PHLIS) data for 1999 using a time-varying covariate proportional hazards model and demonstrated an association between agricultural fairs and E. coli O157 infections, by county. Agricultural fair attendance is a risk factor for E. coli O157 infection in the United States and may contribute to the summer peak in incidence. Measures are needed to reduce transmission of enteric pathogens at agricultural fairs.  (+info)

Associations of perceived social and physical environmental supports with physical activity and walking behavior. (71/536)

We evaluated perceived social and environmental supports for physical activity and walking using multivariable modeling. Perceptions were obtained on a sample of households in a southeastern county. Respondents were classified according to physical activity levels and walking behaviors. Respondents who had good street lighting; trusted their neighbors; and used private recreational facilities, parks, playgrounds, and sports fields were more likely to be regularly active. Perceiving neighbors as being active, having access to sidewalks, and using malls were associated with regular walking.  (+info)

Measuring the environment for friendliness toward physical activity: a comparison of the reliability of 3 questionnaires. (72/536)

OBJECTIVES: We tested the reliability of 3 instruments that assessed social and physical environments. METHODS: We conducted a test-retest study among US adults (n = 289). We used telephone survey methods to measure suitableness of the perceived (vs objective) environment for recreational physical activity and nonmotorized transportation. RESULTS: Most questions in our surveys that attempted to measure specific characteristics of the built environment showed moderate to high reliability. Questions about the social environment showed lower reliability than those that assessed the physical environment. Certain blocks of questions appeared to be selectively more reliable for urban or rural respondents. CONCLUSIONS: Despite differences in content and in response formats, all 3 surveys showed evidence of reliability, and most items are now ready for use in research and in public health surveillance.  (+info)