Male suicide mortality in eastern Finland--urban-rural changes during a 10-year period between 1988 and 1997.

AIMS: To investigate urban-rural differences in male suicide mortality between 1988 and 1997 in the province of Kuopio in eastern Finland. METHODS: Male suicide mortality between 1988 and 1997 was studied in eastern Finland. The data were collected from official autopsy reports. Age, marital status, household type, place of death, method of suicide and the region within the county were analysed. RESULTS: The age-adjusted male suicide mortality remained quite constant at 67 and 65/100,000 (> 15 years of age) in 1988 and 1997, respectively. In urban areas, a decline in suicide rates was noted in all age groups of men, whereas in rural areas, after an initial decline, a marked increase took place during the last years of the study period, especially among middle-aged and elderly men. This coincided with the time of recovery from an economic recession in Finland that particularly affected rural areas. CONCLUSION: Male suicide mortality may be regionally diverging in Finland.

Imaging of experimental end-to-side anastomoses in a cast model.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate cast models in the imaging of experimental end-to-side anastomoses. DESIGN: Experimental study. SETTING: Teaching hospital, Finland. INTERVENTIONS: 20 non-stenosed and 10 stenosed end-to-side anastomoses were constructed using a Dacron prosthesis 8 mm in diameter. Cast models were made of all anastomoses, and anteroposterior and oblique projection radiographs were taken of them. Cross-sectional radiographs were also taken of the stenosed anastomoses. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: The diameters and areas of anastomoses were measured on the radiographs and compared with the corresponding measurements of the casts. RESULTS: No filling defects were observed in any of the cast models and only minor differences were found between the corresponding measurements of the anteroposterior and oblique projection radiographs and casts. The lower density of the contrast medium in the stenotic anastomoses indicated a stenosis. In the cross-sectional radiographs of the stenotic anastomoses there was a significant reduction (p < 0.001) both in the diameter and the area, the mean of which was 63% and the median 61%. CONCLUSIONS: Radiographs of cast models look promising in imaging of experimental end-to-side anastomoses when cross-sectional projections are also used.