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Background: There are only few reports on the prevalence of common cardiovascular disorders among adolescents. The previous studies focused on specific diseases, and screened relatively small samples. Objective: The aim of this study was to define the prevalence of different common cardiovascular disorders among 17-year-old Israeli conscripts. A comparison between the morbidity patterns of female and male adolescents was also performed. Design:All 17-years-old Israeli nationals are obliged by law to appear at the Israel Defense Forces Recruiting Office for medical examination except for orthodox religious and Arabic adolescents. Cardiology specialists evaluated and classified nominees with suspected cardiovascular disorders. Results: The most prevalent diagnoses were valvular heart disease (590/ 100,000), syncope (440/100,000), and mitral valve prolapse (340/100,000). The most prominent differences between female and male adolescents were noted in the prevalence of: congenital valvular heart disease, syncope, history of hypertension, supraventricular tachycardia with pre-excitation, myocarditis and pericarditis, and bradycardia and conduction disorders. Conclusions: The most prevalent cardiac disorders among 17-year-old Israelis were congenital valvular heart disease, syncope and mitral valve prolapse. Some significant differences were noted between the morbidity patterns among male and female adolescents. The higher prevalence of congenital valvular heart disease compared to non-valvular heart disease is surprising. The prevalence of hypertension among Israeli adolescents in the last 15 years remained stable.

Y Bar Dayan, K Elishkevits, L Goldstein, et al. Screening for common respiratory diseases among Israeli adolescents. Can Respir J 2004;11(4):298-300.BACKGROUND: Respiratory diseases are responsible for a significant proportion of serious morbidity among adolescents. There are few reports on the prevalence of common respiratory disorders in this population. The previous studies focused on specific diseases and screened relatively small samples. OBJECTIVE: To define the prevalence of different common respiratory disorders among 17-year-old Israeli conscripts. DESIGN: All 17-year-old Israeli nationals are obliged by law to appear at the Israel Defense Forces recruiting office for medical examination. Respiratory disease specialists evaluated and classified nominees with suspected respiratory disorders. RESULTS: A high prevalence of respiratory morbidity was found among 94,805 17-year-old conscripts (61.5% male, 39.5% female). The most prevalent diagnosis was asthma (in 8% of male and 6.8% of female subjects). Fifty-five per cent of the asthma patients suffered from moderate to severe disease. The prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was 0.03% for the male and 0.01% for the female subjects. A difference in morbidity patterns between male and female adolescents was noted, particularly in the prevalence of chest deformation and spontaneous pneumothorax. CONCLUSIONS: The most prevalent respiratory disorder among 17-year-old Israeli conscripts was asthma. One-half of the asthma patients in this study suffered from moderate to severe disease. The prevalence of other respiratory disorders was much lower.

Neurologic disorders are the common causes of morbidity among adolescents. The estimated prevalence of common neurologic disorders relies on relatively small samples. We aimed to identify the prevalence of common neurologic disorders among Israeli adolescents. In Israel, all 17-year-old Israeli nationals are required to undergo a health-screening examination at the Israel Defense Forces recruiting office. Neurology specialists evaluate and classify suspected neurologic disorders. The findings included a high prevalence of neurologic morbidity among the 94 805 adolescents (61.5% males and 39.5% females) examined in 2001. The most prevalent diagnoses were headaches and learning disorders. The frequency of chronic headache in this study was relatively low. A significant difference in morbidity patterns between male and female adolescents was noted. Overall, we found that the prevalence of chronic, frequent headaches among adolescents is much lower than that reported previously. Headache, learning disability, epilepsy, and infectious or traumatic head injury were the most common diagnoses.