[Short-term absenteeism in Norwegian industry]. / Korttidsfravaer i norsk industri.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the reasons for short-term absence from work on medical grounds, and because of headache in particular, for periods of 1 to 3 days. The causes of short-term absence from work, both self-reported or as stated on a doctor's certificate, were studied prospectively among 2,600 employees in five Norwegian factories. It was found that the main reason for short-term absence was intercurrent self-limiting disease, such as respiratory infections, gastrointestinal upsets, musculoskeletal pain and headache. Among this particular group, injuries or the need to care for a sick child were seldom the cause of the absence.

[Asbestos in the work environment. The occurrence of pulmonary changes among workers exposed to asbestos at an electrotechnical factory]. / Asbest på arbeidsplassen. Forekomst av lungeforandringer blant asbesteksponerte arbeidstakere i en elektroteknisk industribedrift.

A number of workers exposed to asbestos dust for more than three months were medically examined for lung diseases caused by asbestos. A follow-up examination four years later revealed that the lung capacity of these workers was significantly lower than in the normal population. 9% of them showed changes in the lungs caused by asbestos dust, but no case of cancer was discovered. There was no development of significance in these changes during the four years.

Intestinal telangiectasis in Turner's syndrome.

A 37-year old female with Turner's syndrome, iron deficiency anemia and intermittent gastrointestinal hemorrhage is described. Gastrointestinal endoscopy with biopsies, revealed telangiectasia in the duodenal bulb, the cecum and the ascending colon. Endoscopy should be performed in patients with Turner's syndrome and anemia even if there are not signs of active gastrointestinal bleeding.

Gastric mucosal damage caused by plain and microencapsulated acetylsalicylic acid tablets in healthy subjects: a gastrocamera study.

In a randomized, cross-over study plain acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) tablet and microencapsulated ASA tablets were given in doses of 1 gram 3 times a day for 3 days to 8 healthy subjects with no previous gastrointestinal disturbances. Gastrocamera examinations were performed before the ASA treatment and 1--2 hours after the last dose of ASA. The gastric mucosa appeared macroscopically normal at all the control examinations; whereas musocal bleeding was evident in all the subjects after the ASA treatment. There was no statistically significant difference between the plain ASA and the microencapsulated ASA preparations. No correlation could be found between the ASA concentration in plasma and the gastric mucosal damage.

Serum thyrotrophin, prolactin and growth hormone, response to TRH during oestrogen treatment.

The serum levels of thyrotrophin (TSH), prolactin (PRL) and growth hormone (GH) and the response of these hormones to 500 mug thyrotrophin-releasing hormone (TRH) iv were studied in menstruating women, in post-menopausal women before and after 2 mg oestradiol valerate for 5 consecutive days, and in men on long term oestrogen treatment. Oestrogen treatment had no effect on basal serum TSH levels, which were within the normal range in all groups. The TSH response to TRH was not different in menstruating and post-menopausal women and was not changed in the latter group after oestrogen treatment. In men treated chronically with oestrogens, the TSH response to TRH was similar to that found in normal male subjects.