| 1. |
- Warkentin, Siegbert, et al.
(författare)
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rCBF pathology in Alzheimer's disease is associated with slow processing speed
- 2008
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Ingår i: Neuropsychologia. - : Elsevier BV. - 1873-3514 .- 0028-3932. ; 46:5, s. 1193-1200
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Decreased information processing speed (mental slowing) is a known sequelae of many brain disorders, and can be assessed by continuous naming tasks. Functional imaging studies have shown that pause and articulation times in continuous speech are normally associated with different brain regions, but knowledge about such association in dementia is lacking. We therefore tested the hypothesis that perfusion deficits in Alzheimer's disease (AD) are not only associated with slower processing, but also with these speech measures. Using regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) measurements during the performance of a continuous colour and form-naming task, we found that naming speed was substantially slower in AD patients than in controls. This slower naming was exclusively determined by an increase in mean pause time, and only to a limited extent by articulation time. The increased pause time was uniquely associated with temporo-parietal rCBF reductions of the patients, while articulation was not. By contrast, the rCBF of healthy elderly control subjects was consistently accompanied by substantially shorter articulation and pause times, although the naming measures were not statistically associated with rCBF. These findings suggest that pause time (in contrast to articulation time) may serve as a sensitive measure in the assessment of information processing speed deficits in dementia, by virtue of its close association with brain pathology. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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| 2. |
- Gustafson, Lars, et al.
(författare)
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A factor analytic approach to symptom patterns in dementia.
- 2010
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Ingår i: International Journal of Alzheimer's Disease. - : Hindawi Limited. - 2090-0252 .- 2090-8024.
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Previous publications have shown a high diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of three short clinical rating scales for Alzheimer's disease (AD), frontotemporal dementia (FTD), and vascular dementia (VaD) validated against neuropathological (NP) diagnoses. In this study, the aim was to perform an exploratory factor analysis of the items in these clinical rating scales. The study included 190 patients with postmortem diagnoses of AD (n = 74), VaD (n = 33), mixed AD/VaD (n = 31), or FTD (n = 52). The factor analysis produced three strong factors. Factor 1 contained items describing cerebrovascular disease, similar to the Hachinski Ischemic Score. Factor 2 enclosed major clinical characteristics of FTD, and factor 3 showed a striking similarity to the AD scale. A fourth symptom cluster was described by perception and expression of emotions. The factor analyses strongly support the construct validity of the diagnostic rating scales.
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| 3. |
- Karlsson, Staffan, 1959-, et al.
(författare)
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Trends in treatment with antipsychotic medication in relation to national directives, in people with dementia : a review of the Swedish context
- 2017
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Ingår i: BMC Psychiatry. - London : BioMed Central. - 1471-244X. ; 17, s. 1-9
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: The aim of this study was to explore trends in treatment with antipsychotic medication in Swedish dementia care in nursing homes as reported in the most recent empirical studies on the topic, and to relate these trends to directives from the national authorities. Methods: The study included two scoping review studies based on searches of electronic databases as well as the Swedish directives in the field. Results: During the past decade, directives have been developed for antipsychotic medication in Sweden. These directives were generic at first, but have become increasingly specific and restrictive with time. The scoping review showed that treatment with antipsychotic drugs varied between 6% and 38%, and was higher in younger older persons and in those with moderate cognitive impairment and living in nursing homes for people with dementia. A decreasing trend in antipsychotic use has been seen over the last 15 years. Conclusions: Directives from the authorities in Sweden may have had an impact on treatment with antipsychotic medication for people with dementia. Treatment with antipsychotic medication has decreased, while treatment with combinations of psychotropic medications is common. National directives may possibly be even more effective, if applied in combination with systematic follow-ups.
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| 4. |
- Liljeroos, Maria, 1965-, et al.
(författare)
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Long-term effects of a dyadic psycho-educational intervention on caregiver burden and morbidity in partners of patients with heart failure : a randomized controlled trial
- 2017
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Ingår i: Quality of Life Research. - Dordrecht : Springer Netherlands. - 0962-9343 .- 1573-2649. ; 26:2, s. 367-379
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BackgroundPartners of patients with heart failure provide both practical and emotional support. Many partners assume caregiving responsibilities without being aware of the burden related with this role.ObjectiveOur work has established that a psycho-educational intervention has benefits at 3, but not at 12 months for patients with heart failure. Further we had not described the long-term effects in caregivers. This study aimed to determine the 24-months effects of a dyadic psycho-educational intervention on caregiver burden and morbidity in partners of patients with heart failure and study factors associated with a change in caregiver burden.DesignA randomized controlled study design, with a follow-up assessment after 24 months.Setting and participantsPartners to patients with heart failure were recruited from two hospitals in the southeast of Sweden.InterventionA three session nurse-led psycho-educational program was tested and included psychosocial support to maintain the partners’ physical and mental functions, and perceived control. Several instrument were used to measure caregiver burden, perceived control, physical and mental health, depression and morbidity.ResultsOne hundred fifty-five partners were included. There were no significant differences in any index of caregiver burden or morbidity among the partners in the intervention and control groups after 24 months. Overall, the mean total caregiver burden was found to be significantly increased compared to baseline (36 ± 12 vs 38 ± 14, p < 0.05). A younger partner, less comorbidity, higher levels of perceived control, better physical health and less symptoms of depression in patients, and better mental health in the partners were factors associated with absence of increased caregiver burden over time.Discussion and conclusionOur intervention did not significantly decrease caregiver burden or morbidity. Over time, several aspects of burden increased in both groups. To improve outcomes, individualized and targeted interventions might be beneficial.
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| 5. |
- Hammar, Tora, 1984-, et al.
(författare)
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Potential drug-related problems detected by electronic expert support system : physicians’ views on clinical relevance
- 2015
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Ingår i: International Journal of Clinical Pharmacy. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2210-7703 .- 2210-7711. ; 37:5, s. 941-948
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background Drug-related problems cause suffering for patients and substantial costs. Multi-dose drug dispensing is a service in which patients receive their medication packed in bags with one unit for each dose occasion. The electronic expert support system (EES) is a clinical decision support system that provides alerts if potential drug-related problems are detected among a patients’ current prescriptions, including drug–drug interactions, therapy duplications, high doses, drug-disease interactions, drug gender warnings, and inappropriate drugs and doses for geriatric or pediatric patients. Objective The aim of the study was to explore physicians’ views on the clinical relevance of alerts provided by EES. Furthermore we investigated if physicians performed any changes in drug treatment following the alerts and if there were any differences in perceived relevance and performed changes between different types of alerts and drugs. Setting Two geriatric clinics and three primary care units in Sweden. Method Prescribed medications for patients (n = 254) with multi-dose drug dispensing were analyzed for potential drug-related problems using EES. For each alert, a physician assessed clinical relevance and indicated any intended action. A total of 15 physicians took part in the study. Changes in drug treatment following the alerts were later measured. The relationship between variables was analyzed using Chi square test. Main outcome measure Physicians’ perceived clinical relevance of each alert, and changes in drug treatment following the alerts. ResultsPhysicians perceived 68 % (502/740) of EES alerts as clinically relevant and 11 % of all alerts were followed by a change in drug treatment. Clinical relevance and likelihood to make changes in drug treatment was related to the alert category and substances involved in the alert. Conclusion In most patients with multi-dose drug dispensing, EES detected potential drug-related problems, with the majority of the alerts regarded as clinically relevant and some followed by measurable changes in drug treatment.
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| 6. |
- Lin, Chung-Ying, et al.
(författare)
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Validation of the 5-Item Medication Adherence Report Scale in Older Stroke Patients in Iran
- 2018
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Ingår i: Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing. - : Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. - 0889-4655 .- 1550-5049. ; 33:6, s. 536-543
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: There is a lack of feasible and validated measures to self-assess medication adherence for older patients with stroke. In addition, the potential determinants of medication adherence for older patients with stroke remain unclear. Objectives: The aims of this study were to (1) examine the psychometric properties of a 5-item questionnaire on medication adherence, specifically the 5-item Medication Adherence Report Scale (MARS-5), and (2) explore the determinants of medication adherence. Methods: Stroke patients older than 65 years (N = 523) filled out the MARS-5 and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. The medication possession rate (MPR) was calculated to measure the objective medication adherence. Several clinical characteristics (stroke types, blood pressure, comorbidity, HbA1c, quantity of prescribed drugs, fasting blood glucose, and total cholesterol) and background information were collected. We used Rasch analysis with a differential item functioning test to examine psychometric properties. Results: All 5 items in the MARS-5 fit in the same construct (ie, medication adherence), no differential item functioning items were displayed in the MARS-5 across gender, and the MARS-5 total score was strongly correlated with the MPR (r = 0.7). Multiple regression models showed that the MARS-5 and the MPR shared several similar determinants. In addition, the variance of the MARS-5 (R-2 = 0.567) was more than that of the MPR (R-2 = 0.300). Conclusions: The MARS-5 is a feasible and valid self-assessed medication adherence for older patients with stroke. In addition, several determinants were found to be related to medication adherence for older patients with stroke. Healthcare providers may want to take heed of these determinants to improve medication adherence for this population.
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| 7. |
- Magnusson, Lennart, et al.
(författare)
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Extended safety and support systems for people with dementia living at home
- 2014
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Ingår i: Journal of Assistive Technologies. - : Emerald Group Publishing Limited. - 1754-9450 .- 2042-8723. ; 8:4, s. 188-206
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to highlight the complexity surrounding the implementation of advanced electronic tracking, communication and emergency response technologies, namely, an extended safety and support (ESS) system for people with dementia (pwd) living at home. Results are presented from a Swedish demonstration study (2011-2012) conducted in 24 municipalities.Design/methodology/approach– It is a descriptive intervention study with a pre-post test design. Questionnaires were administered to pwd, carers and professionals at the outset and eight months later. ESS logging data were analyzed.Findings– ESS usage rates varied widely. A total of 650 alerts were triggered, mainly when the pwd was outdoors. Activities were reduced amongst pwd, most likely due to a progression of their disease. Carers noted that pwd were more independent than previously on those occasions when they engaged in outdoor activities. Staff considered that nearly half of pwd could remain living at home due to the ESS, compared with a third amongst carers. In total, 50 per cent of carers felt it was justified to equip their relative with an ESS without their explicit consent, compared to one in eight staff.Research limitations/implications– A limitation is the amount of missing data and high drop- out rates. Researchers should recruit pwd earlier in their illness trajectory. A mixed-methods approach to data collection is advisable.Practical implications– Carers played a crucial role in the adoption of ESS. Staff training/supervision about assistive devices and services is recommended.Social implications– Overall, use of ESS for pwd living at home was not an ethical problem.Originality/value– The study included key stakeholder groups and a detailed ethical analysis was conducted.
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| 8. |
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| 9. |
- Berner, Jessica, et al.
(författare)
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Factors influencing Internet usage in older adults (65 years and above) living in rural and urban Sweden
- 2015
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Ingår i: Health Informatics Journal. - : Sage Publications. - 1460-4582 .- 1741-2811. ; 21:3, s. 237-249
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Older adults living in rural and urban areas have shown to distinguish themselves in technology adoption; a clearer profile of their Internet use is important in order to provide better technological and health-care solutions. Older adults' Internet use was investigated across large to midsize cities and rural Sweden. The sample consisted of 7181 older adults ranging from 59 to 100 years old. Internet use was investigated with age, education, gender, household economy, cognition, living alone/or with someone and rural/urban living. Logistic regression was used. Those living in rural areas used the Internet less than their urban counterparts. Being younger and higher educated influenced Internet use; for older urban adults, these factors as well as living with someone and having good cognitive functioning were influential. Solutions are needed to avoid the exclusion of some older adults by a society that is today being shaped by the Internet.
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| 10. |
- Kirvalidze, Mariam, et al.
(författare)
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Effectiveness of integrated person-centered interventions for older people's care : Review of Swedish experiences and experts' perspective
- 2024
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Ingår i: Journal of Internal Medicine. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 0954-6820 .- 1365-2796.
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Older adults have multiple medical and social care needs, requiring a shift toward an integrated person-centered model of care. Our objective was to describe and summarize Swedish experiences of integrated person-centered care by reviewing studies published between 2000 and 2023, and to identify the main challenges and scientific gaps through expert discussions. Seventy-three publications were identified by searching MEDLINE and contacting experts. Interventions were categorized using two World Health Organization frameworks: (1) Integrated Care for Older People (ICOPE), and (2) Integrated People-Centered Health Services (IPCHS). The included 73 publications were derived from 31 unique and heterogeneous interventions pertaining mainly to the micro- and meso-levels. Among publications measuring mortality, 15% were effective. Subjective health outcomes showed improvement in 24% of publications, morbidity outcomes in 42%, disability outcomes in 48%, and service utilization outcomes in 58%. Workshop discussions in Stockholm (Sweden), March 2023, were recorded, transcribed, and summarized. Experts emphasized: (1) lack of rigorous evaluation methods, (2) need for participatory designs, (3) scarcity of macro-level interventions, and (4) importance of transitioning from person- to people-centered integrated care. These challenges could explain the unexpected weak beneficial effects of the interventions on health outcomes, whereas service utilization outcomes were more positively impacted. Finally, we derived a list of recommendations, including the need to engage care organizations in interventions from their inception and to leverage researchers' scientific expertise. Although this review provides a comprehensive snapshot of interventions in the context of Sweden, the findings offer transferable perspectives on the real-world challenges encountered in this field. image
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