Objective Improvement After Frenotomy for Posterior Tongue-Tie: A Prospective Randomized Trial.

OBJECTIVE: Infants with posterior tongue-tie (PTT) can have substantial difficulty with breastfeeding and bottle-feeding. This study aimed to address the dearth in investigational objective data surrounding PTT release to better quantify the postoperative impacts of frenotomy for ankyloglossia. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective randomized, controlled trial. SETTING: Private practice clinic. METHODS: In a prospective, randomized controlled trial, infants 3 to 16 weeks of age with PTT undergoing frenotomy were examined using a bottle-feeding system capable of objectively measuring tongue function. Validated patient-reported outcome measures were also obtained simultaneously. RESULTS: Forty-seven infants with PTT were enrolled into an observational/control arm (n = 23) or interventional/surgical treatment arm (n = 24). The total cohort consisted of 29 (61.7%) male infants with a median age of 39 days. At the day 10 time point, the interventional arm demonstrated statistically significant improvement in 11 objectively obtained feeding metrics, indicating faster tongue speed, more rhythmic and coordinated sucking motions, and a tongue more capable of adapting to varying feeding demands. Significant improvement in breastfeeding self-efficacy was reported in the interventional group while poor self-confidence persisted in the observational group. Infant reflux symptoms improved in the interventional group while not in the control group. Nipple pain also persisted in the control group but improved in the surgical cohort. CONCLUSIONS: When measured 10 days after frenotomy for PTT, infants improve feeding parameters using an objective bottle-feeding system. Similar improvements are seen with patient-reported outcomes when PTT is released. Posterior tongue-tie is a valid clinical concern, and surgical release can improve infant and maternal symptoms.

Where children play most: physical activity levels of school children across four settings and policy implications.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined physical activity levels among 2,296 Queensland school children in the school, club sport, active transport and free time settings. Childhood physical activity contributes to musculoskeletal strength, psychosocial benefits and cardiovascular health. METHODS: Data were collected from parents by computer-assisted telephone interview on an annual preventive health monitoring survey conducted by the Queensland Government. RESULTS: Parents reported that children achieved the largest proportions of their physical activity in school (33%) or their free time (42%). Moderate participation levels were reported for active transport and organised sport and these activities contributed lower proportions to total physical activity (10% and 15%, respectively). After adjusting for age and sex, living in a family with higher levels of activity and with a parent that knows physical activity guidelines was associated with higher activity levels. Implications for public health: Increasing physical activity in settings where less active children are already participating, specifically in school settings and during free time, may have more immediate benefits than encouraging children to be active in new settings. Many children achieve seven or more hours of physical activity weekly but do not meet the physical activity guideline criterion of 60 minutes of physical activity daily; consequently, quantifying physical activity solely against the guidelines may underestimate children's physical activity.

Influences on the degree of preterm birth in New South Wales.

OBJECTIVE: To identify risk factors for preterm birth and determine if these vary by degree of prematurity. METHODS: We used data from the state-wide mandatory surveillance system for all births in New South Wales, limiting analysis to the 836,292 live born, singleton infants without known birth anomaly born from 1994 to 2004 inclusive. Our main outcome measure was gestational age stratified into the clinically relevant groups of: 'term' (37-42 completed weeks gestation); 'mildly preterm' (33-36 weeks); 'very preterm' (29-32 weeks); and 'extremely preterm' (23-28 weeks). Analysis was by multivariate modelling using a generalised estimating equations model and confidence intervals adjusted to account for the multiple comparisons. RESULTS: Increasing socioeconomic disadvantage was associated with increasing risk of having a preterm baby. This association strengthened with increasing degree of preterm birth, (adjusted Odds Ratio for mothers from the most disadvantaged areas having an 'extremely preterm' baby = 1.45 [99.67% CI 1.21-1.75] compared to least disadvantaged areas). Mothers who were older, who smoked, were Aboriginal, or had pre-existing diabetes, hypertension, or pre-eclampsia were independently more likely to have a preterm baby. First-time mothers were more likely to have their baby at term. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: While risk factors for preterm birth such as pre-existing medical conditions are treatable, reducing the substantial effects of socioeconomic factors on preterm birth presents the greatest potential for change. Our data shows that tackling wider social issues will be necessary to assist in reducing the rising preterm birth rate.

Exposure to trihalomethanes in drinking water and small-for-gestational-age births.

BACKGROUND: Trihalomethanes in drinking water have been associated with higher occurrence of small-for-gestational-age (SGA) births, although results have been inconsistent. METHOD: We geocoded residential address for mother of live, singleton, term births to 33 water distribution systems in a large metropolitan area of New South Wales, Australia (314,982 births between 1998 and 2004) and classified births into <10th percentile and ≥ 10 percentile of weight for gestational age. Mean trihalomethane exposure was estimated by trimester and for the entire pregnancy based on monthly sampling in each of the 33 water distribution systems. We estimated the relative risk (RR) of SGA for exposure to trihalomethanes using log-binomial regression adjusting for confounding. RESULTS: SGA births increased with mother's third-trimester exposure to chloroform (RR = 1.04 [95% confidence interval = 1.02-1.06], across an interquartile range [IQR] = 25 µg/L) and bromodichloromethane (1.02 [1.01-1.04], 5 µg/L). Larger associations were found for SGA less than third percentile. Smoking modified the effects of trihalomethane exposure, with generally larger associations in births to nonsmoking mother and weaker or protective associations in births to smoking mothers. CONCLUSIONS: : Mothers' exposures during pregnancy to total trihalomethane as well as to chloroform and bromodichloromethane were associated with SGA. These associations were modified by maternal smoking during pregnancy.

Spatio-temporal variation in trihalomethanes in New South Wales.

AIM: This paper describes the spatio-temporal variation of trihalomethanes in drinking water in New South Wales, Australia from 1997 to 2007 METHOD: We obtained data on trihalomethanes (THMs) from two metropolitan and 13 rural water utilities and conducted a descriptive analysis of the spatial and temporal trends in THMs and the influence of season and drought. RESULTS: Concetrations of monthly THMs in the two metropolitan water utilities of Sydney/Illawarra (mean 66.8 µg/L) and Hunter (mean 62.7 µg/L) were similar compared to the considerable variation between rural water utilities (range in mean THMs: 14.5-330.7 µg/L). Chloroform was the predominate THM in two-thirds of the rural water utilities. Higher concentrations of THMs were found in chlorinated water distribution systems compared to chloraminated systems, and in distribution systems sourced from surface water compared to ground water or mixed surface and ground water. Ground water sourced supplies had a greater proportion of brominated THMs than surface water sourced supplies. There was substantial variation in concentration of THMs between seasons and between periods of drought or no drought. There was a moderate correlation between heavy rainfall and elevated concentrations of THMs. CONCLUSION: There is considerable spatial and temporal variation in THMs amongst New South Wales water utilities and these variations are likely related to water source, treatment processes, catchments, drought and seasonal factors.

Small area estimation of sparse disease counts using shared component models-application to birth defect registry data in New South Wales, Australia.

In the field of disease mapping, little has been done to address the issue of analysing sparse health datasets. We hypothesised that by modelling two outcomes simultaneously, one would be able to better estimate the outcome with a sparse count. We tested this hypothesis utilising Bayesian models, studying both birth defects and caesarean sections using data from two large, linked birth registries in New South Wales from 1990 to 2004. We compared four spatial models across seven birth defects: spina bifida, ventricular septal defect, OS atrial septal defect, patent ductus arteriosus, cleft lip and or palate, trisomy 21 and hypospadias. For three of the birth defects, the shared component model with a zero-inflated Poisson (ZIP) extension performed better than other simpler models, having a lower deviance information criteria (DIC). With spina bifida, the ratio of relative risk associated with the shared component was 2.82 (95% CI: 1.46-5.67). We found that shared component models are potentially beneficial, but only if there is a reasonably strong spatial correlation in effect for the study and referent outcomes.

The "Fas counterattack" is not an active mode of tumor immune evasion in colorectal cancer with high-level microsatellite instability.

Microsatellite instability (MSI) is an alternative pathway of colorectal carcinogenesis. It is found in 10% to 15% of sporadic colorectal neoplasms and is characterized by failure of the DNA mismatch-repair system. High-level MSI (MSI-H) is associated with tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and a favorable prognosis. Expression of Fas ligand (FasL/CD95L) by cancer cells may mediate tumor immune privilege by inducing apoptosis of antitumor immune cells. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between FasL expression and MSI status in primary colon tumors. Using immunohistochemistry, we detected FasL expression in 91 colorectal carcinoma specimens, previously classified according to the level of MSI as MSI-H (n = 26), MSI-low (MSI-L) (n = 29), and microsatellite stable (n = 36). Tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte density was quantified by immunohistochemical staining for CD3. MSI-H tumors were significantly associated with reduced frequency (P = .04) and intensity (P = .066) of FasL expression relative to non-MSI-H (ie, microsatellite stable and MSI-L) tumors. Higher FasL staining intensity correlated with reduced TIL density (P = .059). Together, these findings suggest that the abundance of TILs found in MSI-H tumors may be due to the failure of these tumor cells to up-regulate FasL and may explain, in part, the improved prognosis associated with these tumors.

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha haplotype is strongly associated with bone mineral density in patients with Crohn's disease.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: There is limited consensus on the major variables that determine bone integrity and bone loss in patients with Crohn's disease. Twin and family studies in the general population indicate that up to 85% of variance in bone mineral density is inherited. The aim was to determine the prevalence of bone loss and both molecular and clinical risk factors for bone loss in a large Crohn's disease population. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study of 304 patients with Crohn's disease attending the Inflammatory Bowel Disease unit at Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Queensland. The results of bone density testing were ascertained directly and by a mailed questionnaire. Bone mineral density data were combined with clinical information and correlated with single nucleotide polymorphisms within the tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-10, and NOD2/CARD15 genes. RESULTS: Of 304 Crohn's disease patients, 101 had undergone previous bone density testing. Forty-five patients (45%) had been diagnosed with osteopenia and 18 (18%) were osteoporotic. After multivariate analysis, both the TNF-alpha GT haplotype and the -857 CC genotype showed strong associations with bone mineral density overall (P = 0.003 and P = 0.002, respectively). Body mass index (P = 0.01) and previous bowel resection in female patients (P = 0.03) were predictive of a higher spine bone density, while body mass index (P = 0.003) and the effect of years since first bowel resection (P = 0.02) remained independent predictors of proximal femur bone mineral density. There were no other significant associations observed. CONCLUSIONS: This study has identified a novel protective association between a TNF-alpha haplotype and bone mineral density in Crohn's disease. It confirms the important influence of body mass index and intestinal resection on bone loss in this population.

The clinical relevance of compound heterozygosity for the C282Y and H63D substitutions in hemochromatosis.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Two major mutations are defined within the hemochromatosis gene, HFE. Although the effects of the C282Y substitution have been well characterized, the clinical significance of the C282Y/H63D state remains unclear. This study assessed the phenotypic expression in C282Y/H63D subjects as compared with C282Y homozygotes. METHODS: Data were obtained from 91 C282Y/H63D probands, 158 C282Y/H63D subjects identified through family screening, and 483 C282Y homozygotes. Subjects underwent clinical evaluation, genotyping, biochemical assessment, and liver biopsy examination where clinically indicated. RESULTS: C282Y/H63D probands had significantly less clinical and biochemical expression than C282Y homozygotes. Biochemical expression was higher in C282Y/H63D probands than in C282Y/H63D subjects identified through family screening (P < .001). Of the C282Y/H63D subjects with serum ferritin levels greater than 1000 mug/L, all had known comorbid factors that could have contributed to the increased ferritin level. Of the 51 C282Y/H63D subjects who underwent liver biopsy examination, significantly increased iron stores were present in 9 subjects and hepatic fibrosis was present in 13. Twelve of the 13 had evidence of hepatic steatosis, excess alcohol consumption, or diabetes. The mobilizable iron level was significantly higher in C282Y homozygous males than in compound heterozygous males (P < .001). Genetic screening of C282Y/H63D first-degree relatives detected 5 C282Y homozygotes. CONCLUSIONS: C282Y/H63D subjects referred for assessment had a high prevalence of increased iron indices but did not develop progressive clinical disease without comorbid factors such as steatosis, diabetes, or excess alcohol consumption. When fibrosis was seen, 1 or more comorbid factors almost always were present. Thus, phlebotomy therapy is warranted and cascade screening of relatives should be performed because expressing C282Y homozygotes may be detected.

A randomised trial comparing genotypic and virtual phenotypic interpretation of HIV drug resistance: the CREST study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of different HIV drug resistance test reports (genotype and virtual phenotype) in patients who were changing their antiretroviral therapy (ART). DESIGN: Randomised, open-label trial with 48-week followup. SETTING: The study was conducted in a network of primary healthcare sites in Australia and New Zealand. PARTICIPANTS: Patients failing current ART with plasma HIV RNA > 2000 copies/mL who wished to change their current ART were eligible. Subjects were required to be > 18 years of age, previously treated with ART, have no intercurrent illnesses requiring active therapy, and to have provided written informed consent. INTERVENTIONS: Eligible subjects were randomly assigned to receive a genotype (group A) or genotype plus virtual phenotype (group B) prior to selection of their new antiretroviral regimen. OUTCOME MEASURES: Patient groups were compared for patterns of ART selection and surrogate outcomes (plasma viral load and CD4 counts) on an intention-to-treat basis over a 48-week period. RESULTS: Three hundred and twenty seven patients completing >or= one month of followup were included in these analyses. Resistance tests were the primary means by which ART regimens were selected (group A: 64%, group B: 62%; p = 0.32). At 48 weeks, there were no significant differences between the groups for mean change from baseline plasma HIV RNA (group A: 0.68 log copies/mL, group B: 0.58 log copies/mL; p = 0.23) and mean change from baseline CD4+ cell count (group A: 37 cells/mm(3), group B: 50 cells/mm(3); p = 0.28). CONCLUSIONS: In the absence of clear demonstrated benefits arising from the use of the virtual phenotype interpretation, this study suggests resistance testing using genotyping linked to a reliable interpretive algorithm is adequate for the management of HIV infection.

Over-expression of Eph and ephrin genes in advanced ovarian cancer: ephrin gene expression correlates with shortened survival.

BACKGROUND: Increased expression of Eph receptor tyrosine kinases and their ephrin ligands has been implicated in tumor progression in a number of malignancies. This report describes aberrant expression of these genes in ovarian cancer, the commonest cause of death amongst gynaecological malignancies. METHODS: Eph and ephrin expression was determined using quantitative real time RT-PCR. Correlation of gene expression was measured using Spearman's rho statistic. Survival was analysed using log-rank analysis and (was visualised by) Kaplan-Meier survival curves. RESULTS: Greater than 10 fold over-expression of EphA1 and a more modest over-expression of EphA2 were observed in partially overlapping subsets of tumors. Over-expression of EphA1 strongly correlated (r = 0.801; p < 0.01) with the high affinity ligand ephrin A1. A similar trend was observed between EphA2 and ephrin A1 (r = 0.387; p = 0.06). A striking correlation of both ephrin A1 and ephrin A5 expression with poor survival (r = -0.470; p = 0.02 and r = -0.562; p < 0.01) was observed. Intriguingly, there was no correlation between survival and other clinical parameters or Eph expression. CONCLUSION: These data imply that increased levels of ephrins A1 and A5 in the presence of high expression of Ephs A1 and A2 lead to a more aggressive tumor phenotype. The known functions of Eph/ephrin signalling in cell de-adhesion and movement may explain the observed correlation of ephrin expression with poor prognosis.

Circadian blood pressure variation after acute stroke.

We aimed to characterise the patterns of circadian blood pressure (BP) variation after acute stroke and determine whether any relationship exists between these patterns and stroke outcome. BP was recorded manually every 4 h for 48 h following acute stroke. Patients were classified according to the percentage fall in mean systolic BP (SBP) at night compared to during the day as: dippers (fall > or = 10-<20%); extreme dippers (> or = 20%); non-dippers (> or = 0-<10%); and reverse dippers (<0%, that is, a rise in mean nocturnal SBP compared to mean daytime SBP). One hundred and seventy-three stroke patients were included in the study (83 men, 90 women; mean age 74.3 years). Four patients (2.3%) were extreme dippers, 25 (14.5%) dippers, 80 (46.2%) non-dippers and 64 (36.9%) reverse dippers. There was a non-significant trend in the proportion of patients who were dead or dependent at 3 months in the extreme dipper (p=0.59) and reverse dipper (p=0.35) groups. Non-dipping and reverse-dipping were relatively common patterns of circadian BP variation seen in acute stroke patients. These patterns were not clearly associated with outcome.

Immunization with a tetraepitopic lipid core peptide vaccine construct induces broadly protective immune responses against group A streptococcus.

BACKGROUND: The development of a vaccine to prevent infection with group A streptococcus (GAS) is hampered by the widespread diversity of circulating GAS strains and M protein types, and it is widely believed that a multivalent vaccine would provide better protective immunity. METHODS: We investigated the efficacy of incorporating 3 M protein serotypic amino-terminal epitopes from GAS isolates that are common in Australian Aboriginal communities and a conformational epitope from the conserved carboxy-terminal C-repeat region into a single synthetic lipid core peptide (LCP) vaccine construct in inducing broadly protective immune responses against GAS after parenteral delivery to mice. RESULTS: Immunization with the tetraepitopic LCP vaccine construct led to high titers of systemic, antigen-specific IgG responses and the induction of broadly protective immune responses, as was demonstrated by the ability of immune serum to opsonize multiple GAS strains. Systemic challenge of mice with a lethal dose of GAS given 60 or 300 days after primary immunization showed that, compared with the control mice, the vaccinated mice were significantly protected against GAS infection, demonstrating that the vaccination stimulated long-lasting protective immunity. CONCLUSIONS: These data support the efficacy of the LCP vaccine delivery system in the development of a synthetic, multiepitopic vaccine for the prevention of GAS infection.

Spontaneous and UV radiation-induced multiple metastatic melanomas in Cdk4R24C/R24C/TPras mice.

Human melanoma susceptibility is often characterized by germ-line inactivating CDKN2A (INK4A/ARF) mutations, or mutations that activate CDK4 by preventing its binding to and inhibition by INK4A. We have previously shown that a single neonatal UV radiation (UVR) dose delivered to mice that carry melanocyte-specific activation of Hras (TPras) increases melanoma penetrance from 0% to 57%. Here, we report that activated Cdk4 cooperates with activated Hras to enhance susceptibility to melanoma in mice. Whereas UVR treatment failed to induce melanomas in Cdk4(R24C/R24C) mice, it greatly increased the penetrance and decreased the age of onset of melanoma development in Cdk4(R24C/R24C)/TPras animals compared with TPras alone. This increased penetrance was dependent on the threshold of Cdk4 activation as Cdk4(R24C/+)/TPras animals did not show an increase in UVR-induced melanoma penetrance compared with TPras alone. In addition, Cdk4(R24C/R24C)/TPras mice invariably developed multiple lesions, which occurred rarely in TPras mice. These results indicate that germ-line defects abrogating the pRb pathway may enhance UVR-induced melanoma. TPras and Cdk4(R24C/R24C)/TPras tumors were comparable histopathologically but the latter were larger and more aggressive and cultured cells derived from such melanomas were also larger and had higher levels of nuclear atypia. Moreover, the melanomas in Cdk4(R24C/R24C)/TPras mice, but not in TPras mice, readily metastasized to regional lymph nodes. Thus, it seems that in the mouse, Hras activation initiates UVR-induced melanoma development whereas the cell cycle defect introduced by mutant Cdk4 contributes to tumor progression, producing more aggressive, metastatic tumors.

Expression profiling correlates with treatment response in women with advanced serous epithelial ovarian cancer.

The majority of epithelial ovarian carcinomas are of serous subtype, with most women presenting at an advanced stage. Approximately 70% respond to initial chemotherapy but eventually relapse. We aimed to find markers of treatment response that might be suitable for routine use, using the gene expression profile of tumor tissue. Thirty one women with histologically-confirmed late-stage serous ovarian cancer were classified into 3 groups based on response to treatment (nonresponders, responders with relapse less than 12 months and responders with no relapse within 12 months). Gene expression profiles of these specimens were analyzed with respect to treatment response and survival (minimum 36 months follow-up). Patients' clinical features did not correlate with prognosis, or with specific gene expression patterns of their tumors. However women who did not respond to treatment could be distinguished from those who responded with no relapse within 12 months based on 34 gene transcripts (p < 0.02). Poor prognosis was associated with high expression of inhibitor of differentiation-2 (ID2) (p = 0.001). High expression of decorin (DCN) and ID2 together was strongly associated with reduced survival (p = 0.003), with an estimated 7-fold increased risk of dying (95% CI 1.9-29.6; 14 months survival) compared with low expression (44 months). Immunohistochemical analysis revealed both nuclear and cytoplasmic distribution of ID2 in ovarian tumors. High percentage of nuclear staining was associated with poor survival, although not statistically significantly. In conclusion, elevated expression of ID2 and DCN was significantly associated with poor prognosis in a homogeneous group of ovarian cancer patients for whom survival could not be predicted from clinical factors.

Screening for hemochromatosis in asymptomatic subjects with or without a family history.

BACKGROUND: Hemochromatosis in white subjects is mostly due to homozygosity for the common C282Y substitution in HFE. Although clinical symptoms are preventable by early detection of the genetic predisposition and prophylactic treatment, population screening is not currently advocated because of the discrepancy between the common mutation prevalence and apparently lower frequency of clinical disease. This study compared screening for hemochromatosis in subjects with or without a family history. METHODS: We assessed disease expression by clinical evaluation and liver biopsy in 672 essentially asymptomatic C282Y homozygous subjects identified by either family screening or health checks. We also observed a subgroup of untreated homozygotes with normal serum ferritin levels for up to 24 years. RESULTS: Prevalence of hepatic iron overload and fibrosis were comparable between the 2 groups. Disease-related conditions were more common in male subjects identified by health checks, but they were older. Hepatic iron overload (grades 2-4) was present in 56% and 34.5% of male and female subjects, respectively; hepatic fibrosis (stages 2-4) in 18.4% and 5.4%; and cirrhosis in 5.6% and 1.9%. Hepatic fibrosis and cirrhosis correlated significantly with the hepatic iron concentration, and except in cases of cirrhosis, there was a 7.5-fold reduction in the mean fibrosis score after phlebotomy. All subjects with cirrhosis were asymptomatic. CONCLUSIONS: Screening for hemochromatosis in apparently healthy subjects homozygous for the C282Y mutation with or without a family history reveals comparable levels of hepatic iron overload and disease. Significant hepatic fibrosis is frequently found in asymptomatic subjects with hemochromatosis and, except when cirrhosis is present, is reversed by iron removal.

Steatosis is a cofactor in liver injury in hemochromatosis.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Obesity-related steatosis is an increasingly common histologic finding and often coexists with other chronic liver diseases. Although obesity and steatosis are recognized risk factors for more advanced fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C and alcoholic liver disease, it has not been determined whether these factors influence the progression of other diseases in which steatosis is not a feature of the primary liver insult. METHODS: We studied 214 patients with hemochromatosis who were homozygous for the C282Y substitution in HFE and had undergone liver biopsy prior to phlebotomy. RESULTS: Steatosis was present in 41.1% of these patients, and 14.5% had moderate or severe steatosis. Median serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and ferritin levels were higher (P < .001), and median transferrin saturation (P = .01) and hepatic iron concentration (HIC) were lower (P = .003) in subjects with steatosis compared with subjects without steatosis. Bivariate analysis revealed a significant association between steatosis and fibrosis (P = .001). Following multiple logistic regression, steatosis was independently associated with fibrosis (odds ratio [OR] 4.3, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.1-8.8; P < .001) along with male sex (OR, 5.1; 95% CI: 2.0-12.5; P < .001), excess alcohol consumption (males > or = 50 g/day, females > or = 40 g/day) (OR, 3.9; 95% CI: 1.8-8.5; P = .001), and hepatic iron content (OR, 1.4; 95% CI: 1.2-1.6; P < .001). Both higher BMI (OR, 3.3; 95% CI: 1.8-6.3; P < .001) and alcohol consumption (males > or = 30 g/day, females > or = 10 g/day) (OR, 3.4; 95% CI: 1.2-10.0; P = .023) were independently associated with the presence of steatosis. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that obesity-related steatosis may have a role as a cofactor in liver injury in hemochromatosis. This has important clinical implications and suggests that obesity should be actively addressed in the management of patients with hemochromatosis, as well as other liver diseases.

Public awareness of warning symptoms, risk factors, and treatment of stroke in northwest India.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: This study assessed public awareness of warning symptoms, risk factors, and treatment of stroke in Ludhiana, Punjab, North West India. METHODS: A hospital-based survey was conducted between February 2002 and September 2002 by the Stroke section of Christian Medical College. The study subjects were relatives of patients without history of stroke, attending the outpatient department of the hospital. Trained medical students, interns, and a nurse interviewed subjects using a structured, pretested, open-ended questionnaire. RESULTS: Nine hundred forty-two individuals were interviewed during the study period (56.4% men, mean age 40.1 years, age range 15 to 80 years). Forty-five percent of the subjects did not recognize the brain as the affected organ in stroke. In the multivariate analysis, higher education (P<0.001; odds ratio 2.6; 95%, CI 1.8 to 3.8) and upper socioeconomic status (P<0.005; odds ratio 1.6; CI, 1.1 to 2.2) correlated with a better knowledge of which organ was affected in stroke. Twenty-three percent of the participants did not know a single warning symptom of stroke. Twenty-one percent of the subjects could not identify even a single risk factor for stroke. Seven percent of the study population believed that oil massage would improve stroke victims. A small proportion of subjects believed in witchcraft, faith healing, homeopathic, and ayurvedic treatment (3%). CONCLUSIONS: This hospital-based survey reveals a better awareness of stroke warning signs and risk factors. However, knowledge regarding the organ involved, etiology, and treatment of stroke is lacking. Considerable education is needed to increase public awareness in modern concepts of stroke treatment.