Compound polymorphisms in CIAS1 and TUCAN associate with RA susceptibility and severity. The cryopyrin inflammasome needs further attention regarding a possible aetiopathogenetic connection with RA.

Objective. To describe a general population of women with regard to factors associated with urinary and fecal incontinence and genital prolapse symptoms. Methods. A questionnaire about medical background, urinary and fecal incontinence and genital prolapse symptoms was mailed to 1000 40-year-old and 1000 60-year-old Swedish women. Associations were described by odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results. Sixty-seven percent answered the questionnaire. Multivariate analysis showed urinary incontinence to be associated with anal sphincter rupture [OR 4.4 (95% CI 1.0-18.8)], pelvic heaviness [3.8 (2.1-7.0)], body mass index (BMI) !30 kg/m 2 [3.7 (2.0-6.7)], multiparity [1.8 (1.0-3.4)], varicose veins surgery [1.9 (1.2-3.2)] and age [1.9 (1.2-3.2)]. Univariate analyses revealed statistically significant associations between urinary incontinence and incontinence for flatus [4.8 (3.0-7.8)], for liquid stool [5.0 (2.9-8.6)] and for solid stool [5.9 (2.4-14.2)]. Chronic bronchitis [5.7 (1.7-18.9)] was strongly associated with urinary incontinence but was only reported by the older age group. Prolapse symptoms were strongly associated with both urinary and fecal incontinence. Prolapse symptoms as opposed to urinary and fecal incontinence seemed to be associated more with injuries at delivery than with chronic pelvic floor strain. Conclusions. Women with urinary incontinence are also likely to suffer from fecal incontinence and prolapse and vice versa. Other associated factors for pelvic floor dysfunction were overweight, and especially obesity, chronic bronchitis, vaginal delivery and multiparity, age, heredity and diseases suggestive of collagen disorders. A multidisciplinary management of women with pelvic floor symptoms is suggested and possible prevention is discussed.Pelvic floor insufficiency is a general public health problem with great impact on quality of life and health economy (1). Possible preventive measures are of particular interest for individual women as well as for the community. Some risk factors for the development of urinary and fecal incontinence as well as genital prolapse have been established. However, most studies in this field deal with either urinary or fecal incontinence or Abbreviations: aAT: alpha-1-antitrypsin; BMI: body mass index; CI: confidence interval; OR: odds ratio; PFME: pelvic floor muscle exercises.

No abstract

Even though child abuse in Sweden has decreased markedly during the last 40 years, violence against children is still a considerable problem. It is a challenge to develop methods of assessment and interventions that will ensure that the violence and its underlying causes are directly addressed.

Background and Aims: Several occupational categories have been associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA); this study was conducted to further evaluate these associations. Methods: Lifelong occupational history together with exposure experiences were collected through a postal questionnaire answered by 293 incident cases and 1346 population based referents. Occupational determinants were evaluated through stratified and multivariate analyses; pooled analyses with previously gathered data on 422 prevalent cases and 858 referents were also performed. Results: In both materials, significantly increased logistic odds ratios (LORs) were seen for male conductors, freight and transport workers (LOR 17.8, 95% CI 1.5 to 207.8 and LOR 4.7, 95% CI 1.4 to 16.3, respectively), and farmers and farm workers (LOR 2.4, 95% CI 1.1 to 5.2, and LOR 2.2, 95% CI 1.3 to 3.5, respectively). Among women, increased LORs were seen in the separate and the pooled material for printmakers and process engravers (LOR 5.5, 95% CI 0.9 to 32.6, and LOR 3.0, 95% CI 0.9 to 10.3, respectively). Increased risks were seen in both materials for men exposed to asbestos (LOR 2.5, 95% CI 1.0 to 6.8, and LOR 1.6, 95% CI 0.8 to 3.3, respectively), and vibrations (LOR 2.0, 95% CI 0.9 to 4.4, and LOR 2.2, 95% CI 1.3 to 3.8, respectively). The risk for RA increased with increasing duration of exposure to vibrations and mineral dust, respectively. Conclusions: There was evidence of a causal relation between exposures to vibrations and mineral dust and development of RA among men. Occupational factors seem to be aetiologically more important for men, and most occupations at risk involve multiple exposures. Several exposures associated with an increased risk for RA are frequent among farmers, and some of the occupations at risk include exposure to organic dust.

Bullying is a serious public health problem among young people and healthcare professionals have an important task in identifying exposed children. Children who are "different" are more exposed to bullying, which implies that school personnel, parents, and other adults in these children's social networks can play an important role in paying attention to and preventing the risk of bullying.

Height and weight at diagnosis are moderately related to thyroid cancer risk.

Pooled analyses of these geographically diverse case-control data indicate a reduced thyroid cancer risk associated with current smoking. A reduced risk associated with alcohol was eliminated after adjustment for smoking, and caffeinated beverages did not alter thyroid cancer risk.