Suicide rates in Maltese Islands (1955-2009) analysed in European context using WHO data

Aim: To calculate the suicide rates (for males and females) in Malta and other European countries with long series of suicide mortality as recorded in the WHO (World Health Organization) database, and compare the Maltese suicide rates with European rates. Method: Suicide rates were computed from the WHO database as rates (suicides per 100,000 persons) using the reported suicide and population counts in Malta and ten other European countries for a common period 1955-2009. Suicide rates were age standardized following the WHO recommendations. These calculations were carried out separately for both sexes. Results: Compared to other European counties, the suicide rates (both male and female) in Malta have remained at considerably low level as calculated over the full period. Maltese suicide rates have however multiplied since the 1980s. European data exhibit clear decrease in suicide rates towards the present consistently in several countries. Malta is the only European country showing its highest suicide rates during the 2000s. Conclusions: Although the suicide rates in Malta remain at considerably low level, they have exhibited a notable increase towards the present, whereas the European suicide rates are in decline. Becoming aware of this fact and the issue may help in building a suicide prevention programme to mitigate the situation.peer-reviewe

Association between gestational hypertension and preeclampsia with spontaneous prelabor rupture of membrane

Background: Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy constitute one of the leading causes of maternal and perinatal mortality worldwide. Prelabor (premature) rupture of membranes (PROM) occurs in 10% of all pregnancies, of which 7%–8% occur after 37–42 weeks. Aim of the Study: The aim of the study was to investigate the association between gestational hypertension and preeclampsia with the risk of spontaneous PROM. Materials and Methods: This is a case-control study; 150 pregnant women with gestational age ≥20 weeks were included in this study. Eligible women were divided into three equal groups: 50 pregnant women with preeclampsia, 50 pregnant women with gestational hypertension, and 50 normotensive pregnant women. In addition, the risk of spontaneous PROM was assessed among these groups. Results: This study shows that 52% was primigravida in the preeclampsia group, whereas 26% in the gestational hypertension group and 38% in the normotensive group; this was statistically significant. Regarding the gestational age, 88% were full term in the preeclampsia group, 94% in the gestational hypertension, and 94% in the normotensive; there was no significant difference among the three study groups. In the preeclampsia group, seven (14%) have PROM with no significant association, whereas in the gestational hypertension group, 19 (38%) have PROM, which was statistically significant. In the normotensive group, 18 (36%) have PROM, which is also significant. The risk of PROM between each study group was compared: there was significant difference between percentages when comparing the normotensive group with the preeclampsia group (more percentage of PROM among the normotensive) and highly significant difference when comparing the gestational hypertensive group with the preeclampsia group. Conclusion: In this study, we concluded that gestational hypertension is associated with the risk of PROM, and preeclampsia is not associated with the risk of PROM