Trends in the lung cancer incidence and mortality in the Slovak and Czech Republics in the contexts of an international comparison

INTRODUCTION: Lung cancer represents the most frequent cause of cancer-related deaths in the industrialized countries. The aim of this study was to analyze the lung cancer incidence and mortality and the possible reasons for any differences discovered in two neighboring Central European countries-the Slovak Republic. METHODS: We used linear regression model when analyzing incidence and mortality; the trends are presented with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) and p-value with null hypothesis being constant with time. RESULTS: Statistically significant increase of age-standardized incidence (0.707/100,000/year, 95% CI 0.107-1.307, p = 0,025) and mortality (1.339/100,000/year, 95% CI 1.050-1.629, p < 0.0001) of the lung cancer was revealed in males in the Slovak Republic (1980-1991). On the contrary, values of both indicators were stabilized in the Czech Republic. Since year 1991-2005 a statistically highly significant decrease of both incidence and mortality values was observed in males, which was greater in the Slovak Republic. Peak of the curve was not reached in women population, while incidence and mortality values have significantly continuous growth in both countries. CONCLUSIONS: According to the lung cancer incidence and mortality trends in both countries (in correlation with smoking prevalence) we consider the support of efforts to change the attitude towards smoking predominantly in women and younger generation to be the most accurate action to reduce these trends (AU)

Promoting hospital discharge of infants in safety seats.

In 1990, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Committee on Injury and Poison Prevention issued a policy statement, "Safe Transportation of Newborns Discharged from the Hospital," recommending that hospitals adopt comprehensive policies, procedures and education programs for the discharge of newborns in child safety seats (CSSs). The purpose of this project was to determine if a statewide educational intervention based on the AAP statement would be effective in bringing about those recommendations in Nebraska hospitals. All hospitals providing newborn services in Nebraska were surveyed prior to and after the intervention to determine the nature and extent of their CSS discharge policies, patient education programs and loan programs. Post-intervention data indicate significant increases in the percentage of hospitals having formal infant CSS discharge policies (from 25.9% to 88%), providing CSS patient education (from 51% to 95%), and having safety seat loan/give-away programs (from 59% to 76%). It is concluded that a comprehensive, statewide educational program can influence hospitals to promote usage of, access to, and education with infant CSSs.

[Gammagraphic imaging of pheochromocytoma using 131I-metaiodobenzylguanidine]. / Gamagrafické zobrazenie feochromocytómu 131I-metajodobenzylguanidínom.

The authors present their first experiences with scintigraphic examination of pheochromocytoma by means of 131I-metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG). In two of the eight patients examined, the already established diagnosis of pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma was confirmed, in two the examination yielded confirmation of the presumed diagnosis, and in the remaining four patients presence of the tumor was excluded. In conformity with literary data, the authors found the given examination to be suitable for: 1. confirming the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma in cases with unequivocal CT findings, 2. excluding extraadrenal activity, 3. detecting relapses or the occurrence of an extraadrenal tumor, 4. detecting not suspect manifold endocrine neoplasias, 5. establishing the diagnosis of malignant pheochromocytoma, and 6. for examining patients presenting with a family history of pheochromocytoma.

[Determination of glomerular filtration in children using 99mTc-DTPA and the sequential gammagraphy method]. / Urcovanie glomerulárnej filtrácie u detí 99mTc-DTPA metódou sekvencnej gamagrafie.

The method of sequence scintigraphy of the kidney with 99mTc-DTPA (diethylene triamine pentacetic acid) and subsequent determination of glomerular filtration rate by means of a gamma camera and computer were applied in examining 160 children with different diseases of the kidneys and urinary tract. By modifying the commercial computer program a study with quantitative evaluation of some functional parameters was designed, involving also the determination of the overall and of separate values of GF 99mTc-DTPA according to G. Gates. The main advantages of the applied method are its noninvasiveness, speed, safety, low radiation load, and its relatively broad use in diagnostic nephrological practice particularly in children.

Dynamic 99mTc-DTPA renal gammagraphy with glomerular filtration rate determination.

Using the method of 99mTc-DTPA (diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid), sequential renal gammagraphy with subsequent glomerular filtration rate determination by means of a gamma-camera and computer, a total of 285 patients with suspected renal and urinary tract diseases, subjects after surgery on these organs or those serving as controls after drug therapy were examined. With the help of a modified computer user's program, a study was designed to perform quantitative evaluation of some functional parameters as well as determination of total and separate glomerular filtration rate values by 99mTc-DTPA according to Gates. The benefits of the method employed in our study are that it is non-invasive, rapid, atraumatic, with low exposure to radiation while offering a broad range of applications in routine diagnostic practice of nephrology, and especially so in paediatric patients.