PMID: 8995849Dec 1, 1996Paper

Morbidity and prescribing patterns for the middle-aged population of Scotland

The British Journal of General Practice : the Journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners
F G WhitelawA H Watt

Abstract

As part of a large national survey of morbidity recording on general practice computers, morbidity and prescribing data were collected from three separate sources for more than 10,000 patients aged 45-64 years, randomly selected from 41 Scottish general practices. To amalgamate the three sources of data to provide estimates of prevalence rates for a range of common chronic diagnoses, and of medication rates for associated repeat prescription drugs. Forty-one Scottish general practices were selected on a geographic basis in relation to the national population distribution. Within each practice, 250 patients aged 45-64 years were selected at random. Data relating to 19 diagnoses and 40 repeat prescription drugs were extracted from the computer records of these patients and compared with information held on patients' paper records and supplied by patients in response to a postal questionnaire. After assessing the completeness and accuracy of computer-held information, the three sources of data were amalgamated according to agreed protocols. Lifetime prevalence rates are presented for each diagnosis, broken down by sex and age group. Differences in rates between the sexes, and with change in age, were in the expected direction for ...Continue Reading

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.