Prior calculation of the sex- and age-distributed positive predictive value (PPV) of a symptom in relation to a disease forms the basis for probability revision based on new information about signals observed during the medical encounter: a symptom, a sign, a piece of information based on the medical history, a laboratory test. Probability revision requires estimates of sensitivity and specificity ...

Most medical encounters start with the presentation of symptomns that lead to hypotheses about the diagnosis. It might be useful to know the probability of a disease when a symptom of it is presented in a consulation with a general practitioner, i.e., the positive predictive value (PPV) of a particular symptom in relation to a disease. A diagnostic index of this kind would need to be based ...

Secretion of the hormone melatonin shows a circadian rhythm and is inhibited by light. Light therapy with phase shifting of the melatonin rhythm has been used as treatment of sleeping problems and seasonal affective disorders (SAD). Exercise has also been shown to suppress the melatonin secretion. In order to investigate the effect of increased level of habitual physical activity upon ...

A method of calculating positive predictive values (PPVs) and likelihood ralios (LRs) on the basis of Bayesian probabilities has been described previously. In the present article the method is applied to a sore which does not heal in relation to skin cancer, a lump in the breast in relation to female breast cancer, genital bleeding in relation to internal genital cancer in fernales and ...

The purpose of the thesis was to investigate aspects of breast cancer screening such as the feasibility, non-attendance and adverse effects of a general mammography screening program. A second objective was to examine whether risk factors for cervical neoplasia could be identified for potential utilization in a selective screening program for cervical cancer.

Early diagnosis of cancer is beneficial to most cancer patients. This doctoral thesis is based on studies in general practice in Tromsø, Norway, during the years 1978-1985. General practitioners have a very important role in the work excluding or leading up to a cancer diagnosis. The studies deal with diagnostic delay, the value of symptoms, and with strategies for GP s to improve their cancer ...

Accidental injury is the leading cause of death in Norway under the age of 50. A 19 % reduction of age standardized accident mortality was observed from 1956 to 1983. In spite of this, next to Finland, Norway has the highest accident mortality rate among the Nordic countries (1) . To reduce accidental injury it is important to gain knowledge about all injuries, not only the fatal ones. The ...

The present study was performed to examine whether residues 36–62 of TNFα contain the chemotactic domain of TNFα, and whether the p55 and p75 TNF receptors are involved in TNFα induced chemotaxis. The chemotactic effect of TNFα on PMN was inhibited by the mAbs Hrt-7b and Utr-1, against the p55 and p75 TNF receptors, respectively. Both receptors may therefore be required for mediating the chemotactic ...