The prevalence of chronic heart failure (CHF) among the elderly in care homes in Aruba is high (31%) and underestimated. B-type natriuretic peptide testing adds value to the usual diagnostic work-up for CHF in these elderly.
ABSTRACT
Objective: Diagnosing chronic heart failure (CHF) is important, since subsequent treatments by medication and cardiac intervention improve quality of life. However, accurate CHF diagnosis in the elderly residing in care homes (residents) is hampered by suboptimal diagnostic tools, co-morbidity and physician’s unawareness of CHF. We sought to estimate the CHF prevalence among Aruban residents.
Universal Screening for Sickle-Cell Disease seems effective for St Maarten.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To estimate the incidence of Sickle-Cell Disease (SCD) in Aruba and St Maarten and to determine whether universal screening would be cost-effective according to United Kingdom criteria.
Avoiding sun exposure, although living in tropical areas, results in
vitamin D deficiency. In our small pilot study, 38% of the people were
at risk and had 25(OH)D levels below 50 nmol/L.
ABSTRACT
Objective: Curaçao (12 degrees 10N, 69 degrees 0W) is characterized by whole year abundant sunshine (8−10 hours/day). We challenged the automatic assumption that people living in tropical countries do not have a high risk of vitamin D deficiency, and investigated the vitamin D status in a tropical environment.