| Abstract: | Background: All patients who undergo surgery for colon cancer are followed up according to the
guidelines of the Norwegian Gastrointestinal Cancer Group (NGICG). These guidelines state that
the aims of follow-up after surgery are to perform quality assessment, provide support and improve
survival. In Norway, most of these patients are followed up in a hospital setting. We describe a
multi-centre randomized controlled trial to test whether these patients can be followed up by their
general practitioner (GP) without altering quality of life, cost effectiveness and/or the incidence of
serious clinical events.
Methods and Design: Patients undergoing surgery for colon cancer with histological grade Dukes's Stage A, B or C and below 75 years of age are eligible for inclusion. They will be randomized after surgery to follow-up at the surgical outpatient clinic (control group) or followup by the district GP (intervention group). Both study arms comply with the national NGICG guidelines. The primary endpoints will be quality of life (QoL) (measured by the EORTC QLQ C- 30 and the EQ-5D instruments), serious clinical events (SCEs), and costs. The follow-up period will be two years after surgery, and quality of life will be measured every three months. SCEs and costs will be estimated prospectively. The sample size was 170 patients. Discussion: There is an ongoing debate on the best method of follow-up for patients with CRC. Due to a wide range of follow-up programmes and paucity of randomized trials, it is impossible to draw conclusions about the best combination and frequency of clinic (or family practice) visits, blood tests, endoscopic procedures and radiological examinations that maximize the clinical outcome, quality of life and costs. Most studies on follow-up of CRC patients have been performed in a hospital outpatient setting. We hypothesize that postoperative follow-up of colon cancer patients (according to national guidelines) by GPs will not have any impact on patients' quality of life. Furthermore, we hypothesize that there will be no increase in SCEs and that the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio will improve. Trial registration: This trial has been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov. The trial registration number is: NCT00572143 |
| URI: | http://hdl.handle.net/10037/2145 |
| Abstract: | Women in deprived socioeconomic situations run a high pain risk. Although number of pain sites (NPS) is considered highly relevant in pain assessment, little is known regarding the relationship between socioeconomic conditions and NPS. The study population comprised 653 women; 160 recurrence-free long-term gynecological cancer survivors, and 493 women selected at random from the general population. Demographic characteristics and co-morbidity over the past 12 months were assessed. Socioeconomic conditions were measured by Socioeconomic Condition Index (SCI), comprising education, employment status, income, ability to pay bills, self-perceived health, and satisfaction with number of close friends. Main outcome measure NPS was recorded using a body outline diagram indicating where the respondents had experienced pain during the past week. Chi-square test and forward stepwise logistic regression were applied. There were only minor differences in SCI scores between women with 0, 1-2 or 3 NPS. Four or more NPS was associated with younger age, higher BMI and low SCI. After adjustment for age, BMI and co-morbidity, we found a strong association between low SCI scores and four or more NPS, indicating that there is a threshold in the NPS count for when socioeconomic determinants are associated to NPS in women. |
| URI: | http://hdl.handle.net/10037/4422 |
| Abstract: | The epidemiology of suicidality shows considerable variation across sites. However, one of the strongest predictors of suicide is a suicidal attempt. Knowledge of the epidemiology of suicidal ideas and attempts in the general population as well as in the health care system is of importance for designing preventive strategies. In this study, we will explore the role of the psychiatric hospital in suicide prevention by investigating treated incidence of suicidal ideation and attempt, and further, discern whether sociodemographic, clinical and service utilization factors differ between these two groups at admission. The study was a prospective cohort study on treated incidence in a 1-year period and 12-month follow-up. The two psychiatric hospitals in northern Norway, serving a population of about 500,000 people, participated in the study. A total of 676 first-time admissions were retrospectively checked for suicidality at the time of admission. A study sample of 168 patients was found eligible for logistic regression analysis to elucidate the risk profiles of suicidal ideators versus suicidal attempters. GAF, HoNOS and SCL-90-R were used to assess symptomatology at baseline. 52.2% of all patients admitted had suicidal ideas at admission and 19.7% had attempted suicide. In the study sample, there were no differences in risk profile between the two groups with regard to sociodemographic and clinical factors. Males who had made a suicide attempt were less likely to have been in contact with an out-patient clinic before the attempt. The rating scales not measuring suicidality directly showed no differences in symptomatology. The findings provide evidence for the importance of the psychiatric hospital in suicide prevention. About half of the admissions were related to suicidality and the similar risk profiles found in suicidal ideators and suicidal attempters indicate that it is the ideators who mostly need treatment that get admitted to the hospital, and should be evaluated and treated with equal concern as those who have attempted suicide. |
| URI: | http://hdl.handle.net/10037/4973 |
| Abstract: | Introduction In 2010, a total of 385 natural disasters killed more than 297 000 people worldwide and affected over 217 million others. More standardised reporting of major incident management have been advocated in the previous years. Prevention, mitigation, preparedness and major incident response may be improved through collection and analysis of high-quality standardised data on medical management of major incidents. Standardised data may elevate the level of scientific evidence within disaster medicine research. Methods and analysis A systematic literature review will be conducted to identify templates for reporting pre-hospital major incident medical management. The first set of entry terms aims to describe major incidents published during the last 20 years. The second set aims to focus the number of search results from the first set to those publications that describe templates based on data collections from these major incidents. Predefined free search phases will be combined with the first two sets. |
| URI: | http://hdl.handle.net/10037/4155 |
| Abstract: | Introduction: We recently demonstrated that the non-selective endothelin-1 (ET-1) receptor blocker tezosentan antagonizes ovine acute lung injury (ALI) following infusion of endotoxin or ET-1 by reducing the enhanced lung microvascular pressure, although we could not exclude the possibility of a simultaneous decline in microvascular permeability. In the present study, our aim was to find out if tezosentan reverses the rise in microvascular filtration coefficient (Kfc) in rat lungs that have been isolated and perfused 12 h after cecum ligation and puncture (CLP) or infusion of ET-1. Methods: Wistar rats (n = 42) were subjected to CLP. Postoperatively, rats were randomized to a CLP group (n = 7) and a CLP + tezosentan group (n = 7); the latter received tezosentan 30 mg/kg. A sham-operated group (n = 5) underwent laparotomy without CLP. Twelve hours postoperatively, the lungs were isolated and perfused with blood from similarly treated rats that also were used to assess plasma concentration of ET-1 and protein kinase Cα (PKCα) in lung tissue. Additionally, isolated blood perfused lungs from healthy rats were randomized to a control group (n = 8), an ET-1 group (n = 7) subjected to pulmonary arterial injection of ET-1 10 nM, and an ET-1 + tezosentan group (n = 7) that received tezosentan 30 mg/kg. All lung preparations received papaverine 0.1 μg/kg added to the perfusate for vasoplegia. Pulmonary hemodynamic variables, Kfc and lung compliance (CL) were assessed. Results: After CLP, the plasma concentration of ET-1 increased. Papaverine abolished the vasoconstrictor response to ET-1 and the pulmonary vascular pressures remained close to baseline throughout the experiments. Both CLP and injection of ET-1 caused significant changes in Kfc and CL that were prevented in tezosentan-treated rats. Compared to sham-operated animals, CLP increased the content of PKCα by 50% and 70% in the cytosolic and the membrane fractions of lung tissue homogenates, respectively. Tezosentan prevented the upregulation of PKCα in the membrane fraction. Conclusion: In rat lungs isolated and perfused after CLP, tezosentan precludes both the increase in Kfc and the upregulation of PKCα in the membrane fraction of lung tissue. |
| URI: | http://hdl.handle.net/10037/1122 |
| Abstract: | Introduction: Studies in vitro reveal that endothelin-1 (ET-1) activates the α isoform of protein kinase C (PKC-α) in cultures of endothelial cells, thereby deranging cellular integrity. Sepsis and endotoxemia are associated with increased plasma concentrations of ET-1 that induce acute lung injury (ALI). We recently reported that non-selective ET-1 receptor blockade attenuates ALI in sheep by reducing the endotoxin-induced increase in extravascular lung water index (EVLWI). The aim of this study was to find out whether this attenuation is associated with reduced translocation of PKC-α from the cytosolic to the membrane fraction of lung tissue homogenate. Methods: Seventeen awake, instrumented sheep were randomly assigned to a sham-operated group (n = 3), a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) group (n = 7) receiving an intravenous infusion of Escherichia coli 15 ng/kg per min for 24 hours, and a tezosentan group (n = 7) subjected to LPS and, from 4 hours, an intravenous injection of tezosentan 3 mg/kg followed by infusion at 1 mg/kg per hour for the reminder of the experiment. Pulmonary micro-occlusion pressure (Pmo), EVLWI, plasma concentrations of ET-1, tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a), and interleukin-8 (IL-8) were determined every 4 hours. Western blotting was used to assess PKC-α. Results: In non-treated sheep a positive correlation was found between the plasma concentration of ET-1 and Pmo in the late phase of endotoxemia (12 to 24 hours). A positive correlation was also noticed between Pmo and EVLWI in the LPS and the LPS plus tezosentan groups, although the latter was significantly reduced in comparison with LPS alone. In both endotoxemic groups, plasma concentrations of ET-1, TNF-α, and IL-8 increased. In the LPS group, the cytosolic fraction of PKC-α decreased by 75% whereas the membrane fraction increased by 40% in comparison with the sham-operated animals. Tezosentan completely prevented the changes in PKC-α in both the cytosolic and the membrane fractions, concomitantly causing a further increase in the plasma concentrations of ET-1, TNF-α, and IL-8. Conclusion: In endotoxemic sheep, ET-1 receptor blockade alleviates lung injury as assessed by a decrease in EVLWI paralleled by a reduction in Pmo and the prevention of activation of PKC-α. |
| URI: | http://hdl.handle.net/10037/1128 |
| Abstract: | Experimental studies in animals suggest that apolipoprotein (apo) C-I is an important regulator of triglycerides in fasting and postprandial conditions and associated with carotid atherosclerosis. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 81 subjects, aged 56–80 years recruited from a population health survey. The participants underwent a fat tolerance test (1 g fat per Kg body weight) and carotid atherosclerosis was determined by ultrasound examination. VLDL particles, Sf 20–400, were isolated and their lipid composition and apoC-I content determined. Results. The carotid plaque area increased linearly with the number of apoC-I molecules per VLDL particles (P = 0.048) under fasting conditions. Fasting triglycerides increased across tertiles of apoC-I per VLDL particle in analyses adjusted for apoC-II and -C-III, apoE genotype and traditional cardiovascular risk factors (P = 0.011). The relation between apoC-I in VLDL and serum triglycerides was conveyed by triglyceride enrichment of VLDL particles (P for trend <0.001. The amount of apoC-I molecules per VLDL was correlated with the total (r = 0.41,P < 0.0001) and incremental (r = 0.35, P < 0.001) area under the postprandial triglyceride curve. Conclusions. Our findings support the concept that the content of apoC-I per VLDL particle is an important regulator of triglyceride metabolism in the fasting and postprandial state and associated with carotid athrosclerosis. |
| URI: | http://hdl.handle.net/10037/3962 |
| Abstract: | Background: Fall-related injuries in older adults are a major health problem. Although the aetiology of falls is multifactorial, physical factors are assumed to contribute significantly. The "Timed up and go test" (TUG) is designed to measure basic mobility function. This report evaluates the association between TUG times and history of falls. Methods: A retrospective, observational, population-based study was conducted on 414 men and 560 women with mean age 77.5 (SD 2.3). TUG time and falls during the previous 12 months were recorded. Covariates were age, sex, medical history and health-related mobility problems. Means, confidence intervals and test characteristics for TUG were calculated. Odds ratios and influence of covariates were examined by logistic regression. Results: The mean TUG time was 11.1s (SD 2.5) among male non-fallers and 13.0s (SD 7.8) among fallers. The difference was 1.9s (95%CI 0.9–3.0). The odds ratio for fallers being in the upper quartile was 2.1 (95%CI 1.4–3.3). Adjusted for covariates, the odds ratio was (OR = 1.8, 95%CI 1.1–2.9). The corresponding mean was 13.0s (SD 5.74) among female non-fallers and 13.9s (SD 8.5) among fallers. The difference was 0.9 (95%CI -0.3–2.1). The odds ratio for fallers being in upper quartile was 1.0 (95%CI 0.7–1.4). The area under the ROC curve was 0.50 (95%CI 0.45–0.55) in women and 0.56 (95%CI 0.50–0.62) in men. Conclusion: TUG is statistically associated with a history of falls in men but not in women. The ability to classify fallers is poor, and the clinical value of the association is therefore limited. |
| URI: | http://hdl.handle.net/10037/1254 |
| Abstract: | After partial hepatectomy (PHx), the liver regeneration process terminates when the normal liver-mass/body-weight ratio of 2.5% has been re-established. To investigate the genetic regulation of the terminating phase of liver regeneration, we performed a 60% PHx in a porcine model. Liver biopsies were taken at the time of resection, after three weeks and upon termination the sixth week. Gene expression profiles were obtained using porcine oligonucleotide microarrays. Our study reveals the interactions between genes regulating the cell cycle, apoptosis and angiogenesis, and the role of Transforming Growth Factor-β (TGF-β) signalling towards the end of liver regeneration. Microarray analysis revealed a dominance of genes regulating apoptosis towards the end of regeneration. Caspase Recruitment Domain-Containing Protein 11 (CARD11) was up-regulated six weeks after PHx, suggesting the involvement of the caspase system at this time. Zinc Finger Protein (ZNF490) gene, with a potential negative effect on cell cycle progression, was only up-regulated at three and six weeks after PHx indicating a central role at this time. TGF-β regulation was not found to be significantly affected in the terminating phase of liver regeneration. Vasohibin 2 (VASH2) was down-regulated towards the end of regeneration, and may indicate a role in preventing a continued vascularization process. CARD11, ZNF490 and VASH2 are differentially expressed in the termination phase of liver regeneration. The lack of TGF-β up-regulation suggests that signalling by TGF-β is not required for termination of liver regeneration. |
| Description: | This article is part of Ingvild E. Nygård's doctoral thesis. Available in Munin at http://hdl.handle.net/10037/4858 |
| URI: | http://hdl.handle.net/10037/4895 |
| Abstract: | The influence of the 1997 updated classification criteria for systemic lupus erythematosus: epidemiology, disease presentation, and patient management. Eilertsen GØ, Becker-Merok A, Nossent JC. Department of Rheumatology, Medical School, University of Tromsø, 9037 Tromsø, Norway. gro.ostli.eilertsen@unn.no OBJECTIVE: The 1997 update of the American College of Rheumatology classification criteria (ACR97) for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has not been validated. We determined to what extent their introduction influenced the epidemiology and clinical characteristics of the disease in northern Norway. METHODS: Annual incidence and point-prevalence rates, clinical manifestations, and outcome were determined in an inception cohort of patients with SLE in northern Norway, included between 1996 and 2006, using ACR97 criteria (97acr). These findings were compared with a cohort from the same area enrolled 1978-1995 using the 1982 revised criteria ACR82 (82acr). RESULTS: The mean annual incidence of SLE was 3.00 for cohort 97acr (n = 58) versus 2.63 for cohort 82acr (n = 81) (p = 0.5). All patients in the 97acr cohort also fulfilled the 1982 criteria; however, significantly fewer patients presented with discoid rash [odds ratio (OR) 0.31)], arthritis (OR 0.24), renal (OR 0.28) or hematological disorder (OR 0.27), and significantly more with anti-dsDNA (OR 2.57) and antiphospholipid antibodies (OR 27.9). Initial treatment with intravenous pulse methylprednisolone (OR 9.23), azathioprine (OR 6.32), and low-dose aspirin (OR 20.9) was increased in cohort 97acr. Five- (95.2%) and 10-year survival (91.9%) rates were also improved for cohort 97acr. CONCLUSION: The ACR97 criteria set has construct validity compared to the ACR82 criteria set. SLE incidence remains unchanged in northern Norway, but a significant reduction of renal disease and further improvements in survival rates occurred simultaneously with increased serological surveillance with ELISA-based assays and early immunosuppressive and anticoagulant therapy. |
| URI: | http://hdl.handle.net/10037/3282 |
| Abstract: | The metabolic syndrome (MetS) is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease. In this study, we examine if metabolic syndrome predicts progression of atherosclerosis over 13 years. Participants were 1442 men and 1532 women in the population-based Tromsø Study who underwent carotid ultrasound examinations at baseline in the 4th (1994–5) and at follow-up in the 6th survey (2007–8). Of these, 278 men and 273 women fulfilled the criteria for the MetS, defined according to a modified version of the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP, ATPIII). Carotid atherosclerosis was assessed as total plaque area (TPA) and mean intima-media thickness (IMT) at follow-up and as change in IMT and TPA from baseline to follow-up. Associations between MetS and its components and carotid atherosclerosis were assessed in linear regression models adjusted for age, total cholesterol and daily smoking, stratified by sex. IMT and TPA levels at follow-up (p < 0.0001) and progression of TPA (p = 0.02) were higher in the MetS group compared to the non-MetS group. In stepwise multivariable models, MetS was associated with TPA (β = 0.372 mm2, p = 0.009) and IMT (β = 0.051 mm, p < 0.0001) in men, and with IMT (β = 0.045 mm, p = 0.001) in women after 13 years of follow-up, but not with progression of IMT or TPA. In analyses stratified by age, MetS predicted progression of IMT (β = 0.043 mm, p = 0.046) and TPA (β = 1.02 mm2, p = 0.002) in men below 50 years of age. Hypertension was predictive of follow-up TPA and IMT in both genders and of progression of TPA in women. Impaired glucose tolerance was associated with follow up levels of IMT and TPA as well as progression in IMT in men. None of the other components of MetS were associated with progression of atherosclerosis. Subjects with MetS had higher levels of IMT and TPA at follow up than those without MetS. Mets predicted progression of IMT and TPA in those below 50 years of age, but not in other age groups, indicating that MetS may be involved in the initiation of the atherosclerotic process |
| URI: | http://hdl.handle.net/10037/4892 |
| Abstract: | Background: Waiting time and costs from referral to day case outpatient surgery are at an
unacceptably high level. The waiting time in Norway averages 240 days for common surgical
conditions. Furthermore, in North Norway the population is scattered throughout a large
geographic area, making the cost of travel to a specialist examination before surgery considerable.
Electronic standardised referrals and booking of day case outpatient surgery by GPs are possible
through the National Health Network, which links all health care providers in an electronic
network. New ways of using this network might reduce the waiting time and cost of outpatient day
case surgery.
Materials and Methods: In a randomised controlled trial, selected patients (inguinal hernia, gallstone disease and pilonidal sinus) referred to the university hospital are either randomised to direct electronic referral and booking for outpatient surgery (one stop), or to the traditional patient pathway where all patients are seen at the outpatient clinic several weeks ahead of surgery. Consultants in gastrointestinal surgery designed standardised referral forms and guidelines. New software has been designed making it possible to implement referral forms, guidelines and patient information in the GP's electronic health record. For "one-stop" referral, GPs must provide mandatory information about the specific condition. Referrals were linked to a booking system, enabling the GPs to book the hospital, day and time for outpatient surgery. The primary endpoints are waiting time and costs. The sample size calculation was based on waiting time. A reduction in waiting time of 60 days (effect size), 25%, is significant, resulting in a sample size of 120 patients in total. Discussion: Poor communication between primary and secondary care often results in inefficiencies and unsatisfactory outcomes. We hypothesised that standardised referrals would improve the quality of information, making it feasible to use a one-stop approach for all patients undergoing surgery on an outpatient basis for inguinal hernia, pilonidal sinus and gallstones. In this study we wanted to investigate the waiting time and cost-effectiveness of direct electronic referral and booking of outpatient surgery compared to the traditional patient pathway, where the patient is seen at the outpatient clinic prior to surgery. Trial registration: This trial has been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov. The trial registration number is: NCT00692497 |
| URI: | http://hdl.handle.net/10037/2142 |
| Abstract: | Clinical case reporting in the form of case reports and case series reports has always been an integral part of medical literature. From the late 1970s the genre appeared to fall from grace and was marginalized in many medical journals. There was controversy as to its value as a research method. From the late 1990s and onwards, there has been an increased demand for and publication of case reports and case series. The various causes for its decline and subsequent return are discussed with an emphasis on the recent historical context. |
| URI: | http://hdl.handle.net/10037/4924 |
| Abstract: | The objective of the present cross-sectional epidemiological study from Tromsø, North Norway was to evaluate the relation between blood pressure and serum parathyroid hormone (PTH). 10419 subjects were invited to participate in the fifth Tromsø study and 8128 attended. 7954 subjects had serum PTH measured, and among these, information on blood pressure medication was available in 5841 subjects (2554 males) with serum calcium within the reference range 2.20-2.60 mmol/L. In a multiple linear regression model with age, BMI, serum calcium, serum creatinine, and smoking status as covariables, serum PTH was a significant and positive predictor of systolic and diastolic blood pressure in both genders. When dividing the cohort in PTH quartiles, and adjusting for age, BMI, serum calcium, and serum creatinine, the differences between the lowest and highest PTH quartile in systolic and diastolic blood pressure were 5.0 and 3.5 mmHg for males and 4.1 and 2.5 mmHg for females, respectively. In previous studies we have found serum PTH to be a positive predictor for future increase in blood pressure, and also that the association between serum PTH and blood pressure cannot alone be ascribed to a blood pressure induced increase in urinary calcium excretion. To further elucidate the relation between serum PTH and blood pressure, randomized clinical trials with calcium and/or vitamin D supplementation to subjects with increased serum PTH levels are needed. |
| URI: | http://hdl.handle.net/10037/2415 |
| Abstract: | The synthetic aperture focusing technique is a method for focusing ultrasonic scans used in nondestructive testing. Traditionally, the technique has mainly been used for contact testing, where the speed of sound is constant throughout the whole medium, but a number of recently proposed algorithms have extended the technique to multilayered media. One important application for such multilayer methods is immersion testing, where an object is immersed in water and the transducer is scanned within the water layer. Similarly, a multilayer technique is useful for inline ultrasound inspection of pipelines filled with liquid, for example water or oil. The multilayer methods have so far only been applied to the 2-dimensional line scan case, but in this paper we extend the the focusing procedure to the 3-dimensional surface scan case. The proposed method is based on the frequency-domain Phase Shift Migration algorithm, which is both conceptually simpler and more computationally efficient than similar time-domain methods. The performance of the focusing algorithm is tested on a three-layer structure, consisting of acrylic glass and aluminum blocks immersed in water. Several small flat-bottom holes in each block are used to simulate point scatterers, and the scatterer responses are studied using both B- and C-scan presentation. The lateral resolution of the focused image is shown to be approximately equal to half the transducer diameter, independent of both depth and layer. |
| URI: | http://hdl.handle.net/10037/3974 |
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