Objective. To establish the point prevalence of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) on January 1, 1992, and the incidence of SLE during 1991, in Birmingham, England, a large city with a broad ethnic mix.Methods. Six sources were used to ascertain patients with diagnosed SLE, including notification by attending and primary care physicians, the lupus patient support group, and hospital inpatient and laboratory data.Results. There were 242 SLE patients (227 females, 15 males) identified: prevalence rate 27.71100,OOO (95% confidence interval 24.2-31.2/100,000) in the population and 206.0/100,000 in Afro-Caribbean females. No significant differences in female ethnic prevalence rates by place of birth were observed. Thirty-three patients developed SLE in 1991: incidence rate 3.81 100,00O/year (95% confidence interval 2.5-5.1/100,000/ year).Conclusion. This study illustrates dramatic differences in incidence and prevalence rates in the UK, depending on ethnic group and irrespective of place of birth.Previous research from the United States has suggested that ethnicity, country of birth and of residence, socioeconomic status, sex, and age may all play a role in the etiology of systemic lupus erythem-

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Objectives To estimate the frequency, clinical approaches and risk factors of hypoadrenocorticism in dogs under UK primary veterinary care. Materials and Methods Dogs diagnosed with hypoadrenocorticism were identified from the UK VetCompass™ programme by searching anonymised electronic patient records. Pre‐existing and newly diagnosed cases of disease during 2016 were included. Cases were further sub‐categorised as having a laboratory‐confirmed or presumed diagnosis of hypoadrenocorticism based on the information recorded in the electronic patient records. Descriptive data were manually extracted. Multivariable logistic regression methods were used to identify demographic risk factors. Results There were 177 hypoadrenocorticism cases identified from 905,543 dogs in 2016; 72 laboratory‐confirmed and 105 presumed. The 1‐year period prevalence for hypoadrenocorticism in all dogs was 0.06% (95% confidence interval: 0.05‐0.07%). The most common presenting clinical signs in laboratory‐confirmed dogs were lethargy (51/66, 77.3%), anorexia (48/66, 66.7%) and vomiting (48/66, 66.7%). Hyperkalaemia was reported in 47 of 53 (88.7%), hyponatraemia in 46 of 53 (86.8%). Median sodium: potassium ratio was 19.00 (interquartile range: 16.20‐20.60). Breed, age, neuter status and insurance status were associated with a laboratory‐confirmed diagnosis of hypoadrenocorticism. No sex association with hypoadrenocorticism was observed in the multivariable model. The standard poodle had 51.38 times the odds (95% CI: 14.49‐182.18) of hypoadrenocorticism compared with crossbreeds. The labradoodle and West Highland white terrier also had increased odds. Clinical Significance This is the first epidemiological study to report on hypoadrenocorticism in dogs within the UK primary‐care population. These results provide benchmark data of current veterinary activity relating to hypoadrenocorticism in primary‐care practices.

Objective-To assess the food storage knowledge and practice of elderly people living at home. Methods-Three phase survey data collection: face to face interviews; dietary diaries with a food frequency questionnaire; and follow up interviews. Setting-Urban Nottingham. Participants-809 elderly people (aged 65+) randomly selected from general practitioner lists. Main outcome measures-Respondent's refrigerator temperature; knowledge of freezer star rating; understanding of "use by" and "sell by" dates; reported ability to read food product safety labels. Results-From a weighted total of 645 refrigerators measured, 451 (70%) were too warm for the safe storage of food (> 6°Celsius). Only 41% of respondents (n = 279) knew the star rating of their freezer. Within a smaller sub-sample knowledge of the "use by" and "sell by" dates was good, but 45% of these respondents reported diYculty reading food labels. The storage of foods at inappropriate temperatures was not independent of socioeconomic or demographic status, and tended to be more likely among the poorer and those not living alone. Conclusions-Food storage practices among the majority of elderly people interviewed in this study do not meet recommended safety standards to minimise the risk of food poisoning. (J Epidemiol Community Health 1998;52:745-748)