A Randomized Controlled Trial on Oral Analgesic Utilization for Children Presenting With A Musculoskeletal Trauma in the Emergency Department

BACKGROUND: A single-agent approach to children’s moderate to severe pain is often inadequate. To date, no studies have evaluated the combined use of oral morphine and ibuprofen for optimal pain management of children presenting to an emergency department (ED) for muscu-loskeletal (MSK) trauma.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the efficacy of a combination of oral morphine and ibuprofen for pain management in children with MSK trauma in the ED.

DESIGN/METHODS: A double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-centered, three-arm, randomized clinical trial of 500 patients was conducted at three pediatric tertiary care EDs. Patients were randomized (in a 2:1:1 ratio) to receive (orally): (a) morphine (0.2mg/kg) + ibuprofen (10mg/kg) (Group MOR + IBU) or (b) morphine (0.2 mg/kg) + placebo (Group MOR) or (c) ibuprofen (10mg/kg) + placebo (Group IBU). Patients 6 to 17 years of age, who presented to the ED with a MSK trauma, and a score >30 mm on the 100mm visual analogue scale were eligible to participate. Primary outcome was pain intensity score under 30 mm (mild pain) at 60-minutes (T-60) after treatment administration.

RESULTS: A total of 456 patients were included in analyses: 177 (MOR + IBU), 188 (MOR), 91 (IBU). Mean age was 11.9±2.7 years, with a majority of boys (55.3%) and Soft tissue injuries (62%). There were no differences in baseline characteristics in the three groups. Baseline mean pain score was 60.9±16.2 mm. Only 30% (MOR + IBU), 29% (MOR) and 30% (IBU) of patients reached a pain score under 30 mm at T-60 (p=0.83). Mean pain scores at T-60 were 42.3±23.2 mm (MOR + IBU), 43.8 + 23.1 mm (MOR) and 42.3±23.3 mm (IBU) (p=0.83). No severe adverse events were observed in any of the groups, at any of the study measurement points.

CONCLUSION: Combination of morphine with ibuprofen did not provide any additional pain relief for children with MSK injuries, in the ED. None of the study medication provided optimal pain management, as the majority of children did not reach the WHO definition of mild pain. Alternative analgesic combinations should be investigated to optimize pain relief of children who present to the ED with MSK injuries.

HIV and ethnicity in Canada: is the HIV risk-taking behaviour of young foreign-born MSM similar to Canadian born MSM?

There is a dearth of information on the HIV risk-taking behaviour of foreign-born men who have sex with men (MSM) in Canada. This study focused on identifying sexual risk behaviour among MSM who immigrated to Canada and compared them to MSM who were born in Canada. Baseline data from the Omega Cohort in Montreal and the Vanguard Project in Vancouver were combined to form four ethnicity/race analytical categories (n = 1,148): White born in Canada (WBIC), White born outside of Canada, non-White born in Canada (NBIC) and non-White born outside of Canada (NBOC). Psychological, demographic and sexual behaviour characteristics of the groups were similar except: NBOC were more likely to be unemployed, less likely to be tattooed, had fewer bisexual experiences and less likely worried of insufficient funds. WBOC were more likely to report unprotected sex with seropositives and more likely to have had unprotected sex while travelling. NBIC were more likely to have ever sold sex and to have had body piercing. WBOC are at high risk of acquiring as well as transmitting HIV. It is important to consider place of birth in addition to ethnicity when developing programmes to prevent the transmission of HIV.

The effects of flaxseed dietary supplement on lipid profile, bone mineral density, and symptoms in menopausal women: a randomized, double-blind, wheat germ placebo-controlled clinical trial

Phytoestrogens are increasingly incorporated into the diet of menopausal women. However, there are limited data on the efficacy of flaxseed on the consequences of estrogen deficiency in menopausal women. The purpose of the study was to assess the effects of flaxseed incorporation into the diet of healthy menopausal women. One hundred and ninety-nine menopausal women were randomly assigned to consume 40 g flaxseed/d (n = 101) or wheat germ placebo (n = 98) for 12 months. At baseline and at month 12, serum levels of lipids, bone mineral density (BMD), and menopausal symptoms were evaluated. Statistical analysis was performed under the intention to treat principle. Flaxseed reduced serum total (-0.20 +/- 0.51 mmol/liter; P = 0.012) and high-density lipoprotein (-0.08 +/- 0.24 mmol/liter; P = 0.031) cholesterol concentrations compared with wheat germ placebo. BMD did not differ significantly between the two arms. Both flaxseed and wheat germ reduced (P < 0.0001) the severity scores of menopausal symptoms, but no statistical difference was found between the two arms. Our findings suggest that 1-yr incorporation of flaxseed into the diet produced a favorable, but not clinically significant, effect on blood cholesterol and caused no significant change in BMD or symptoms in healthy menopausal women.

Effects of an educational intervention on the anxiety of women awaiting mastectomies

The purpose of this experimental study was to assess the effects of an individualized psychocognitive educational intervention on preoperative anxiety in women awaiting mastectomies. A total of 60 women aged between 27 and 65 years were randomly distributed to two groups of 30 participants. Using the Situational Anxiety Inventory (IAS) along with repeated-measures variance analysis, it was noted that, immediately following the educational interventions (both experimental and control) there was a significant reduction (p < 0.01) of anxiety with the experimental group having an additional reduction of 4.83 (p = 0.05). The day before surgery, only the experimental educational intervention resulted in a significant reduction (p = 0.03) of anxiety, but the difference between the two educational interventions was not significant. These results appear to support Lazarus and Folkman's stress, appraisal and coping theory which states that direct action on cognitive perception can influence a feeling of threat as assessed through the level of anxiety.

Effects of electric and magnetic fields from high-power lines on female urinary excretion of 6-sulfatoxymelatonin

In 1998, the authors studied the effect of residential exposure to electric and magnetic fields from high-power lines on female urinary excretion of 6-sulfatoxymelatonin (6-OHMS) in the Quebec city, Canada, metropolitan area. A sample of 221 women living near a 735-kV line was compared with 195 women the same age living away from any power lines. Participants provided morning urine samples on 2 consecutive days and wore a magnetic dosimeter for 36 consecutive hours to measure personal magnetic exposure. The indoor electric field was assessed by spot measurements. After adjustment for other factors associated with low melatonin secretion, such as medication use or light exposure, nighttime concentration of 6-OHMS was similar in the two groups. When either 24-hour or sleep-time exposure to magnetic field or electric field measurements was used, no exposure-effect relation was evident. However, the trend of decreasing 6-OHMS concentration with age was more pronounced for women living near the lines, as was a lower 6-OHMS concentration in women with high body mass index. Chronic residential exposure to magnetic fields from high-power lines may accentuate the decrease in melatonin secretion observed in some vulnerable subgroups of the population.

Risk factors associated with HIV infection among young gay and bisexual men in Canada

OBJECTIVE

To assess risk factors associated with HIV prevalence and incidence among gay and bisexual men in two prospective Canadian cohorts.

METHODS

The Vanguard Project and the Omega Cohort are prospective cohort studies of gay and bisexual men ongoing in Vancouver and Montreal, respectively. For this analysis, baseline sociodemographic characteristics, sexual behavior, and substance use data from these two cohorts were combined. Assessment of risk factors for HIV seroprevalence and seroconversion were carried out using univariate and multivariate analysis.

RESULTS

This analysis was based on 1373 gay and bisexual men aged 16 to 30 years. Men who were HIV-seropositive at baseline (n = 48) were more likely to report living in unstable housing, to have had less than a high school education, and to have been unemployed than those who were HIV-negative (n = 1325). HIV-positive men were also more likely to report having engaged in sexual risk behavior, including having had consensual sex at a younger age, having had at least 6 partners during the previous year, ever having been involved in the sex trade, and having engaged in unprotected receptive anal intercourse. With respect to substance use, HIV-positive men were more likely to report the use of crack, cocaine, heroin, and marijuana and to use injection drugs. Similarly, men who seroconverted during the course of the studies (n = 26) were more likely to report having less than a high school education and having lived in unstable housing at baseline. Compared with HIV-negative men, men who seroconverted were more likely to report ever having been involved in the sex trade and engaging in unprotected receptive anal intercourse. Reports of cocaine use and injection drug use were also significantly higher for men who seroconverted compared with HIV-negative men.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data indicate that HIV-positive gay and bisexual men are more likely to be living in unstable conditions and to report more risky sexual and substance use behaviors than HIV-negative men.

Aetiology of urethral discharge in Bangui, Central African Republic

OBJECTIVES

To determine the aetiology of urethritis in Bangui, Central African Republic.

METHODS

410 men presenting with urethral discharge and 100 asymptomatic controls were enrolled. Urethral swabs were obtained and processed by gonococcal culture and polymerase chain reaction for the detection of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, Mycoplasma genitalium, Trichomonas vaginalis, and Ureaplasma urealyticum.

RESULTS

In multivariate analyses, M genitalium and C trachomatis were significantly associated with urethral discharge when comparing cases of non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU) with controls. T vaginalis was also more common in cases than in controls, but this reached statistical significance only among cases in whom N gonorrhoeae was also detected. U urealyticum was not associated with urethritis. The gonococcus was found in 69% of cases of urethral discharge. M genitalium was the predominant pathogen in patients with NGU, being found in 42% (53/127) of such patients while C trachomatis was found in only 17% (22/127). T vaginalis was found in 18% (23/127) of patients with NGU, but also in 15% (43/283) of patients with gonococcal urethritis, and two thirds of patients with T vaginalis also had the gonococcus. Multiple infections were common. M genitalium caused a syndrome similar to chlamydial urethritis, with a less severe inflammation than in gonococcal infection. No behavioural or clinical characteristic could discriminate between the various aetiological agents.

CONCLUSIONS

M genitalium is more prevalent than C trachomatis and is the most common cause of NGU in BANGUI: It causes a syndrome similar to chlamydial urethritis. T vaginalis is weakly associated with urethritis, and is often found along with other pathogens.

Etiology of urethral discharge in West Africa: the role of Mycoplasma genitalium and Trichomonas vaginalis

OBJECTIVE

To determine the etiological role of pathogens other than Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis in urethral discharge in West African men.

METHODS

Urethral swabs were obtained from 659 male patients presenting with urethral discharge in 72 primary health care facilities in seven West African countries, and in 339 controls presenting for complaints unrelated to the genitourinary tract. Polymerase chain reaction analysis was used to detect the presence of N. gonorrhoeae, C. trachomatis, Trichomonas vaginalis, Mycoplasma genitalium, and Ureaplasma urealyticum.

FINDINGS

N. gonorrhoeae, T. vaginalis, C. trachomatis, and M. genitalium--but not U. urealyticum--were found more frequently in men with urethral discharge than in asymptomatic controls, being present in 61.9%, 13.8%, 13.4% and 10.0%, respectively, of cases of urethral discharge. Multiple infections were common. Among patients with gonococcal infection, T. vaginalis was as frequent a coinfection as C. trachomatis. M. genitalium, T. vaginalis, and C. trachomatis caused a similar clinical syndrome to that associated with gonococcal infection, but with a less severe urethral discharge.

CONCLUSIONS

M. genitalium and T. vaginalis are important etiological agents of urethral discharge in West Africa. The frequent occurrence of multiple infections with any combination of four pathogens strongly supports the syndromic approach. The optimal use of metronidazole in flowcharts for the syndromic management of urethral discharge needs to be explored in therapeutic trials.

Risk behaviours and HIV infection among men having sexual relations with men: baseline characteristics of participants in the Omega Cohort Study, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

OBJECTIVE

To describe characteristics of men having sex with men (MSM) participating in the Omega Cohort, to describe HIV-positive participants at baseline interview, and to estimate HIV incidence.

METHODS

The Omega Cohort is a study on the incidence and psychosocial determinants of HIV infection among MSM living in Montreal. MSM complete a questionnaire and are tested for HIV every six months.

RESULTS

During the previous six months, 31% and 12% of 810 participants (mean age = 33 years) reported unprotected anal sex with regular and casual partners, respectively. Eight participants (0.98%) were HIV-infected at baseline. HIV incidence was 0.89 per 100 person-years (7/787 person-years) [95% confidence interval: 0.36-1.83].

CONCLUSION

A significant proportion of participants reported current risk behaviours. Despite this, HIV incidence is relatively low. It is important to target MSM who do not practice safe sex and to encourage those practicing safe sex to sustain these behaviours.

Some methodological issues in the study of sexual networks: from model to data to model

BACKGROUND

Mixing between sexual activity classes is an important determinant of sexually transmitted disease transmission. However, attempts to estimate sexual mixing patterns in the field remain limited partly because of practical and methodological difficulties.

GOAL

To evaluate and identify appropriate sampling schemes to estimate the mixing pattern between sexual activity classes from large population networks with one or more components.

STUDY DESIGN

The study is based on simulations of large population networks with various structural characteristics. A variety of snowball sampling schemes are applied to these networks and are evaluated by the quality of the mixing matrix estimates that they produce.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

Unbiased estimation of mixing patterns (global assortativity, within-group mixing of the lowest activity classes, within-group mixing of the highest activity classes) from large population networks is possible with a snowball sampling design in which the initial sample of index cases is drawn from the general population, all partners of the index case are recruited, and only one generation of partners are traced (one cycle). Simulation techniques proved useful in addressing complex methodological issues in situations where analytic results are difficult to obtain.

Association of hepatitis B virus infection with other sexually transmitted infections in homosexual men. Omega Study Group

OBJECTIVES

This study determined the prevalence and factors associated with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection among men who have sex with men.

METHODS

At the baseline visit of an HIV study among men who have sex with men, we asked about HBV vaccination status and tested for HBV markers.

RESULTS

Of 625 subjects, 48% had received at least 1 dose of HBV vaccine. Of 328 unvaccinated men, 41% had 1 or more HBV markers. HBV prevalence increased markedly with age and was associated with many sexual and drug-related behaviors. In a multivariate model, 7 variables were independently associated with HBV infection: ulcerative sexually transmitted diseases (odds ratio [OR] = 10.1; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.6, 54); injection drug use (OR = 5.2; 95% CI = 1.2, 26); gonorrhea or chlamydia (OR = 4.0; 95% CI = 1.9, 8.9); sexual partner with HIV/AIDS (OR = 3.6; 95% CI = 1.8, 7.1); 50 or more casual partners (OR = 3.4; 95% CI = 1.6, 7.1); received money for sex (OR = 3.0; 95% CI = 1.2, 7.8); and 20 or more regular partners (OR = 2.5; 95% CI = 1.1, 6.1).

CONCLUSIONS

In Montreal, men who have sex with men are at risk for HBV infection, but a substantial proportion remain unvaccinated; new strategies are required to improve coverage. Men who have sex with men and who have a sexually transmitted infection, especially a genito-ulcerative infection, appear to be at particularly high risk for HBV infection.

Delirium in terminal cancer: a prospective study using daily screening, early diagnosis, and continuous monitoring

A pilot prospective cohort study was conducted to determine delirium frequency and outcome in cancer patients consecutively hospitalized for terminal care (median stay: 12 days). Screening for delirium symptoms was performed daily, using the Confusion Rating Scale. Patients positive on screening had a diagnostic assessment within 24 hours using the Confusion Assessment Method. Monitoring of symptoms was continued until death. Eighteen (20%) of the 89 study patients were positive on screening at admission. Among the 71 patients free of delirium at admission, the incidence of confirmed delirium was 32. 8% (95% CI, 21.3-44.3%). Patients positive on screening received a higher mean equivalent parenteral daily dose of morphine than other patients (72 mg vs. 41 mg, p = 0.08). Significant symptom improvement occurred in 16 (50%) of the 32 delirious cases. Delirium is a serious and frequent complication in terminal cancer whose outcome may not be as poor as previously considered.

Correlates of risky behaviors among young and older men having sexual relations with men in Montréal, Québec, Canada. Omega Study Group

OBJECTIVE

To assess characteristics associated with 1) age and 2) recent unprotected anal sex with casual partners among men having sexual relations with men (MSM) participating in the Omega Cohort, Montréal, Québec, Canada.

METHODS

The Omega Cohort is a study of the incidence and psychosocial determinants of HIV infection among MSM living in Montréal. MSM complete a questionnaire and are tested for HIV every 6 months.

RESULTS

Thirteen percent of young MSM (< 30 years of age, n = 355) and 12% of older MSM (> or = 30 years of age, n = 455) reported recent unprotected anal sex with casual partners. The predictors of this latter behavior were: not living with a male sexual partner, unprotected anal sex with regular partner, > 5 casual partners, alcohol/drug use before anal sex, and having difficulties with procedures needed for safe sex. Among young MSM, additional predictors were: to have been living in Montreal for less than 1 year and to have exchanged money for sex. Among older MSM, additional predictors were: female sexual partners, unprotected anal sex with an HIV-infected partner, and feeling invulnerable to AIDS.

CONCLUSION

Young Omega participants do not have more risky behaviors than older participants. Some predictors of recent risk behaviors with casual partners were different between the two groups. Prevention programs should be adapted consequently.

Factors associated with hepatitis B vaccination among men having sexual relations with men in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Omega Study Group

OBJECTIVE

To determine factors associated with hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination status among HIV-uninfected men who have affective and sexual relations with men (MASM) in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

METHODS

The Omega Cohort is a study of the incidence and psychosocial determinants of HIV infection among MASM in Montreal. Participants complete a questionnaire and are HIV-tested every 6 months. At baseline, we also performed testing for HBV markers and collected data on HBV vaccination history.

RESULTS

Forty-six percent of 653 participants had received at least one dose of HBV vaccination, whereas 28% were completely vaccinated. Lack of vaccination was associated with injection drug use, having > or =20 regular lifetime partners, living outside Montreal, not having sex in bathhouses, and not having consulted a physician aware of the participant's sexual orientation. Among vaccinated MASM, incomplete vaccination was associated with having <20 lifetime casual partners, trading sex for drugs, having given goods for sex, having had unprotected anal sex with regular partners, and having no history of a previous sexually transmitted disease.

CONCLUSION

A significant proportion of Montreal's MASM, some of whom are at risk of contracting HBV through sexual and parenteral transmission, have not been vaccinated for HBV. Men who have affective and sexual relations with men should be educated about the risk of HBV transmission and the seriousness of the disease.

Effect of family responsibilities and job strain on ambulatory blood pressure among white-collar women

OBJECTIVE

This study was conducted to determine whether large family responsibilities and their combination with high job strain were associated with an increase in ambulatory blood pressure (BP) among white-collar women.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted in a stratified random sample of 199 white-collar women with or without children who were employed full time in jobs involving high or low strain. These women were selected from a population of 3183 women of all ages, employed in eight organizations in Quebec City, Canada. Subjects wore an ambulatory BP monitor for 24 hours during a working day. Mean BPs were calculated. Different measures of family responsibilities were used, based on the number of children and their ages, and domestic work. Job strain was measured using the Job Content Questionnaire recommended by Karasek.

RESULTS

Family responsibility measures were significantly related to diurnal BP among women holding a university degree (N=69). Indeed, women having large family responsibilities had increases in systolic and diastolic BPs of 2.7 to 5.7/1.8 to 4.0 mm Hg (p< or =.05). Among women holding a university degree, increases in diurnal systolic and diastolic BPs reached 8.1 to 10.9/5.5 to 7.1 mm Hg (p< or =.01) among women having both large family responsibilities and high job strain. These results were independent of confounders. There was no significant association among women without a university degree (N=130).

CONCLUSIONS

Large family responsibilities were associated with significant increases in diurnal systolic and diastolic BPs among white-collar women holding a university degree. In these women, the combined exposure of large family responsibilities and high job strain tended to have a greater effect on BP than the exposure to only one of these factors.

Job strain and ambulatory blood pressure among female white-collar workers

OBJECTIVES

The association between job strain and ambulatory blood pressure was studied among female white-collar workers.

METHODS

This cross-sectional investigation studied 210 women in high- or low-strain jobs randomly selected from 3183 women of all ages, employed as white-collar workers. The women wore an ambulatory blood pressure monitor for 24 hours during a workday. Mean blood pressures were calculated. Psychological demands and decisional latitude were measured twice (14 months before and 7 days before the blood pressure measurement) with 2 scales recommended by Karasek.

RESULTS

Significant differences in blood pressure were found according to current job strain among the women holding a university degree. Their mean blood pressures during work were significantly higher [8.0 mm Hg (1.1 kPa) systolic and 6.4 mm Hg (0.8 kPa) diastolic blood pressure] in the high-strain group than in the low-strain group. Statistically significant elevations in blood pressure over the 24-hour period were also found for women with a university degree. Cumulative exposure to high strain over 14 months was also significantly associated with high systolic blood pressure at work, in the evening, and over a 24-hour period irrespective of other factors related to blood pressure. Among the women without a university degree, the blood pressure differences observed between the job strain groups were less than 1 mm Hg (0.1 kPa) and not statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS

These results provide support for the effect of job strain on ambulatory blood pressure only among female white-collar workers holding a university degree.

Long-term quality of life after breast cancer: comparison of 8-year survivors with population controls

PURPOSE

Quality of life of breast cancer survivors 8 years after diagnosis was compared with that among similarly aged women who had never confronted cancer (controls).

METHODS

Survivors of a consecutive series of 227 breast cancer patients first treated in 1984 were approached for this study. Random-digit dialing was used to identify controls with the same age and residential distribution as the survivors. Quality of life was assessed in terms of physical health, functional status, psychologic distress, and social functioning.

RESULTS

Participation was obtained from 96% (n = 124) of 129 eligible survivors and 61% (n = 262) of 427 potentially eligible controls. Consistently smaller proportions of survivors reported positive quality-of-life outcomes compared with controls, but these differences were generally small and nonsignificant statistically. When limited to women who remained free of disease over the entire follow-up period (n = 98), survivors' quality of life was similar to that among controls, with the exception of arm problems and sexual satisfaction for those women who lived with a partner. In contrast, survivors who developed recurrence or new primary breast cancer (n = 26) experienced a worse quality of life in all domains except social functioning.

CONCLUSION

In most domains and for women without further disease events after diagnosis, quality of life does not seem to be permanently and globally impaired by breast cancer. Consequently, breast cancer survivors who remain free of disease probably do not need organized late psychosocial follow-up to improve quality of life. However, arm problems and sexuality are two areas in which additional effort may be still needed to improve quality of life of long-term survivors.

Mathematical models of disease transmission: a precious tool for the study of sexually transmitted diseases

This paper is an introduction to the mathematical epidemiology of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and its application to public health. After a brief introduction to transmission dynamics models, the construction of a deterministic compartmental mathematical model of HIV transmission in a population is described. As a background to STD transmission dynamics, basic reproductive rate, intergroup mixing, rate of partner change, and duration of infectivity are discussed. Use of the models illustrates the effect of sexual mixing (proportionate to highly assortative), of preventive intervention campaigns, and of HIV-chlamydia interaction on HIV prevalence in the different population groups. In particular, planned prevention campaigns can benefit the targeted intervention group but surprisingly can be disadvantageous for the general population. Through examples, mathematical models are shown to be helpful in our understanding of disease transmission, in interpretation of observed trends, in planning of prevention strategies, and in guiding data collection.

Mathematical models of disease transmission: a precious tool for the study of sexually transmitted diseases

This paper is an introduction to the mathematical epidemiology of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and its application to public health. After a brief introduction to transmission dynamics models, the construction of a deterministic compartmental mathematical model of HIV transmission in a population is described. As a background to STD transmission dynamics, basic reproductive rate, intergroup mixing, rate of partner change, and duration of infectivity are discussed. Use of the models illustrates the effect of sexual mixing (proportionate to highly assortative), of preventive intervention campaigns, and of HIV-chlamydia interaction on HIV prevalence in the different population groups. In particular, planned prevention campaigns can benefit the targeted intervention group but surprisingly can be disadvantageous for the general population. Through examples, mathematical models are shown to be helpful in our understanding of disease transmission, in interpretation of observed trends, in planning of prevention strategies, and in guiding data collection.

Passive immunity against measles during the first 8 months of life of infants born to vaccinated mothers or to mothers who sustained measles

Neutralizing antibody titers of 47 infants whose mothers sustained measles (measles group) and 70 whose mothers were vaccinated (vaccine group) were compared at birth, 4 and 8 months of age. All children had antibodies at birth and 88% at 4 months. At 8 months, 49% had antibodies in the measles group and 15% in the vaccine group (P < 0.001). The geometric mean titers were significantly lower in the vaccine group than in the measles group and the difference corresponded to the antibody loss occurring in only 1.5 months of life. This small difference may reflect past exposure to wild virus of many vaccinated mothers.

Comparison of body mass indexes and cutoff points for estimating the prevalence of overweight in Hispanic women

The anthropometric standards used for estimating the prevalence of overweight among Hispanic groups are generally developed in other populations. Our purpose was to identify appropriate anthropometric indicators and cutoff points for Hispanic women. Data from the Hispanic Health and Nutrition Examination Survey HHANES (1982-1984) included 1,784 Mexican American, 479 Cuban American, and 750 Puerto Rico women aged 25 to 74 years. The body mass indexes examined were weight/standing height1.5, weight/standing height2, weight/sitting height1.5, and weight/sitting height2. Appropriateness was based on correlation of the index with triceps and subscapular skinfold measurements and lack of association with standing or sitting height. The most appropriate indicator was weight/standing height2. To estimate overweight, the 85th percentiles for weight/standing height2 were obtained from the 20- to 29-year-olds in HHANES and the second National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES II). For 10-year age intervals, the differences in proportions of women above those cutoff points were compared with a modified t test. The mean estimated prevalences of overweight were significantly higher with the NHANES II standard compared with the HHANES cutoff points (P < .05) for Mexican American women (43% vs 29%) and Puerto Rican women (40% vs 28%). They were slightly lower for the Cuban American women (36% vs 39%). Cutoff points are relative, not absolute, standards that must have biologic meaning. Before our results are used for assessing populations, the cutoff points should be tested for predictive validity with chronic disease rates.