[Causes of death in Tunisia: estimates of years of life lost]

This study estimated the number of years of life lost [YLL] by cause due to premature death in Tunisia for the year 2006. We adopted the methodology [SEYLL] proposed by Murray and Lopez. The crude rate of YLL was 58.1 per 1000 inhabitants. After age-standardization using the world population, we obtained a rate of 57.7 YLL per 1000. Cardiovascular diseases [CVD] [19.3% of total YLL] and cancers [17.8%] dominated the burden of premature mortality, followed by perinatal conditions [13.6%]. Excluding extreme age groups where perinatal conditions [0-4 years] and CVD [> 60 years] dominated the YLL's causes, injuries [road traffic crashes, falls, etc.] and cancers were most responsible for YLL. The present study highlights the major contribution of noncommunicable diseases to YLL in Tunisia. The promotion of healthy lifestyle and the reinforcement of secondary prevention in primary health care are the best ways to tackle these diseases

[Acute post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis and pneumonia. About 6 cases]

Acute post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis [GNA] typically occurs 7-14 days after streptococcal infection, however some children can develop GNA concomitantly with bacterial pneumonia. ONA and pneumonia is a rare association, its often underestimated, its etiopathogenie remains still not clear. The purpose of this study is to analyse the etiopathogeny, clinical course and the outcome of this association. It is about 6 children hospitalized for GNA and pneumonia among 417 cases of GNA admitted between 1982 and 2003. All patients had at the time of admission abnormal urianalysis associated with respiratory manifestations. The evolution was favorable at 5 patients while the last one presented an empyema, nephrotic syndrome and died by pulmonary emboly. In conclusion the presence of a renal symptomatology at a child with pneumonia should be evaluated for concomitant GNA. This glomerulonephrite has generally a good prognosis, but sometimes specific therapeutic interventions are necessary to avoid the risk of renal failure