No abstract

This first comparative study revealed TABC determinants that suggest approaches for prevention.

Although the final effect on blood component bacterial contamination rates cannot be derived from the study, excluding the first 15 mL of blood may reduce the rate of bacterial contamination in donations.

No abstract

There is a need for large studies, investigating the role of individual substances in the risk of road traffic crashes.

To determine what consequences cognitive, behavioural or somatic impairments had on disabilities and recovery after a head injury (HI), a population-based sample of 231 adult patients was studied 5 years after an HI. Eighty lower-limb-injured (LLI) patients were considered as controls. Sixty-four LLI and 176 HI patients were reviewed (114 minor, 35 moderate, and 27 severe HI). Prevalence values of headaches (44-54%), dizziness (26-37%), and anxiety (47-63%) were not significantly different in the three HI severity groups, but were significantly lower in patients with an isolated limb injury (12-15%). Memory problems and depressive mood increased with injury severity. Mental impairments were frequent in severe HI patients (18-40% of patients). In minor and moderate HI patients, most disabilities were related to associated injuries. According to the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS), recovery was not considered as good because of somatic, behavioural or cognitive complaints in 2.5%, 5.7% and 59.2% of surviving patients in each of the above HI groups. Somatic or behavioural complaints may have considerable consequences in some minor HI patients, and the long-term management of certain patients needs improvement because these impairments are misunderstood.

General collection of such data, within a system of traceability, could provide relevant denominators from which to interpret adverse-reaction data.

The delay in access to care may not be totally attributed to inadequate management by health professionals, but may be a characteristic of the disease itself, at least in part independent of the organization of the health system.