Outdoor air pollution and bone mineral density in elderly men - the Oslo Health Study.

UNLABELLED: The association between bone mineral density (BMD) and outdoor air pollution has not previously been explored. In this study including 590 elderly men, total body BMD was inversely associated with indicators of air pollution. Further studies to address any relation between air pollution and BMD and bone fracture are warranted. INTRODUCTION: The relation between air pollution and bone mineral density (BMD) is unknown. Based on higher fracture rates and more osteoporosis in urban compared to rural populations, this exploratory study aimed at investigating the association between indicators of air pollution and BMD. METHODS: In an osteoporosis sub-study of the population-based Oslo Health Study (2000-2001) BMD of total body and total hip (mg/cm(2)) was measured by DXA in 590 men 75-76 years old. Exposure to air pollution (particulate matter (PM(10) and PM(2.5)) and nitrogen dioxide (NO(2))) at each participant's home address was estimated from 1992 to 2001. RESULTS: Air pollution was inversely associated with total body BMD, whereas no significant association was found for total hip BMD. The adjusted odds ratio (OR) [95% confidence interval] for low total body BMD (Z-score

[Registration of injuries with the help of ICD-10 at Norwegian hospitals]. / Skaderegistrering ved hjelp av ICD-10 ved norske sykehus.

BACKGROUND: One in ten hospital beds in Norway is occupied by a patient with an injury diagnosis. So far, the national injury sample registry has been the most extensive source of information on external causes of injury. From 1 January 1999, the ICD-10 (International Classification of Diseases, 10th version) was implemented as a new system for registration of diagnosis at Norwegian hospitals. The aim of this study was to find out to what extent the codes for external causes of injury were utilised by the hospitals. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data were collected from the Norwegian Patient Register on all patients in somatic hospitals who were admitted with a new injury in 1999. RESULTS: Of about 60,000 hospital admissions due to injuries at Norwegian hospitals, information on external causes was registered according to chapter XX in ICD-10 for only 39%. The registration was complete for only 23%. INTERPRETATION: Due to the incomplete use of chapter XX in ICD-10, data from this register do not, at present, give a good overview of the incidence of injuries in Norway. Hospitals should put more effects into registration in order to get high quality data.

[A potential for prevention of bicycling-related head injuries]. / Potensial for forebygging av sykkelrelaterte hodeskader.

BACKGROUND: Bicycle helmets prevent head injury in bicycle riders. Still, only a portion of bicycle riders in Norway use bicycle helmets. The aim of this study was to estimate the number of head injuries among bicycle riders that might be prevented by increased helmet use in Norway. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We used data from the Norwegian National Injury Register for the years 1995 and 1996 to estimate the number of bicycle injuries in Norway. In order to estimate the number of bicycle users and helmet users in different age groups, we used data from earlier surveys of bicycle use. Data on the effectiveness of helmet promotion interventions have been obtained from a systematic review of the literature. RESULTS: The overall annual incidence rate was 92 injuries per 100,000 bicycle users. The incidence varied with age and was highest among children. If every rider used a helmet, about 1,600 head injuries would be avoided every year, of these, 800 among children aged 0-14. Currently available helmet promotion interventions may improve the use among children by about 40%, thus preventing about 1,500 head injuries over a period of three years. Successful helmet promotion interventions use a combination of health education and helmet distribution strategies. INTERPRETATIONS: There is a significant health improvement potential in promoting bicycle helmets in Norway by implementation of evaluated modes of intervention.