| 1. |
- Grubb, Anders, et al.
(författare)
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Cystatin C, a marker for successful aging and glomerular filtration rate, is not influenced by inflammation.
- 2011
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Ingår i: Scandinavian Journal of Clinical and Laboratory Investigation. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1502-7686 .- 0036-5513. ; 71, s. 145-149
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Abstract Background. The plasma level of cystatin C is a better marker than plasma creatinine for successful aging. It has been assumed that the advantage of cystatin C is not only due to it being a better marker for glomerular filtration rate (GFR) than creatinine, but also because an inflammatory state of a patient induces a raised cystatin C level. However, the observations of an association between cystatin C level and inflammation stem from large cohort studies. The present work concerns the cystatin C levels and degree of inflammation in longitudinal studies of individual subjects without inflammation, who undergo elective surgery. Methods. Cystatin C, creatinine, and the inflammatory markers CRP, serum amyloid A (SAA), haptoglobin and orosomucoid were measured in plasma samples from 35 patients the day before elective surgery and subsequently during seven consecutive days. Results. Twenty patients had CRP-levels below 1 mg/L before surgery and low levels of the additional inflammatory markers. Surgery caused marked inflammation with high peak values of CRP and SAA on the second day after the operation. The cystatin C level did not change significantly during the observation period and did not correlate significantly with the level of any of the four inflammatory markers. The creatinine level was significantly reduced on the first postoperative day but reached the preoperative level towards the end of the observation period. Conclusion. The inflammatory status of a patient does not influence the role of cystatin C as a marker of successful aging, nor of GFR.
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| 2. |
- Gustavsson, Anders, et al.
(författare)
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Cost of disorders of the brain in Europe 2010.
- 2011
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Ingår i: European Neuropsychopharmacology. - Amsterdam : Elsevier BV. - 0924-977X .- 1873-7862. ; 21:10, s. 718-79
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: The spectrum of disorders of the brain is large, covering hundreds of disorders that are listed in either the mental or neurological disorder chapters of the established international diagnostic classification systems. These disorders have a high prevalence as well as short- and long-term impairments and disabilities. Therefore they are an emotional, financial and social burden to the patients, their families and their social network. In a 2005 landmark study, we estimated for the first time the annual cost of 12 major groups of disorders of the brain in Europe and gave a conservative estimate of €386 billion for the year 2004. This estimate was limited in scope and conservative due to the lack of sufficiently comprehensive epidemiological and/or economic data on several important diagnostic groups. We are now in a position to substantially improve and revise the 2004 estimates. In the present report we cover 19 major groups of disorders, 7 more than previously, of an increased range of age groups and more cost items. We therefore present much improved cost estimates. Our revised estimates also now include the new EU member states, and hence a population of 514 million people.AIMS: To estimate the number of persons with defined disorders of the brain in Europe in 2010, the total cost per person related to each disease in terms of direct and indirect costs, and an estimate of the total cost per disorder and country.METHODS: The best available estimates of the prevalence and cost per person for 19 groups of disorders of the brain (covering well over 100 specific disorders) were identified via a systematic review of the published literature. Together with the twelve disorders included in 2004, the following range of mental and neurologic groups of disorders is covered: addictive disorders, affective disorders, anxiety disorders, brain tumor, childhood and adolescent disorders (developmental disorders), dementia, eating disorders, epilepsy, mental retardation, migraine, multiple sclerosis, neuromuscular disorders, Parkinson's disease, personality disorders, psychotic disorders, sleep disorders, somatoform disorders, stroke, and traumatic brain injury. Epidemiologic panels were charged to complete the literature review for each disorder in order to estimate the 12-month prevalence, and health economic panels were charged to estimate best cost-estimates. A cost model was developed to combine the epidemiologic and economic data and estimate the total cost of each disorder in each of 30 European countries (EU27+Iceland, Norway and Switzerland). The cost model was populated with national statistics from Eurostat to adjust all costs to 2010 values, converting all local currencies to Euro, imputing costs for countries where no data were available, and aggregating country estimates to purchasing power parity adjusted estimates for the total cost of disorders of the brain in Europe 2010.RESULTS: The total cost of disorders of the brain was estimated at €798 billion in 2010. Direct costs constitute the majority of costs (37% direct healthcare costs and 23% direct non-medical costs) whereas the remaining 40% were indirect costs associated with patients' production losses. On average, the estimated cost per person with a disorder of the brain in Europe ranged between €285 for headache and €30,000 for neuromuscular disorders. The European per capita cost of disorders of the brain was €1550 on average but varied by country. The cost (in billion €PPP 2010) of the disorders of the brain included in this study was as follows: addiction: €65.7; anxiety disorders: €74.4; brain tumor: €5.2; child/adolescent disorders: €21.3; dementia: €105.2; eating disorders: €0.8; epilepsy: €13.8; headache: €43.5; mental retardation: €43.3; mood disorders: €113.4; multiple sclerosis: €14.6; neuromuscular disorders: €7.7; Parkinson's disease: €13.9; personality disorders: €27.3; psychotic disorders: €93.9; sleep disorders: €35.4; somatoform disorder: €21.2; stroke: €64.1; traumatic brain injury: €33.0. It should be noted that the revised estimate of those disorders included in the previous 2004 report constituted €477 billion, by and large confirming our previous study results after considering the inflation and population increase since 2004. Further, our results were consistent with administrative data on the health care expenditure in Europe, and comparable to previous studies on the cost of specific disorders in Europe. Our estimates were lower than comparable estimates from the US.DISCUSSION: This study was based on the best currently available data in Europe and our model enabled extrapolation to countries where no data could be found. Still, the scarcity of data is an important source of uncertainty in our estimates and may imply over- or underestimations in some disorders and countries. Even though this review included many disorders, diagnoses, age groups and cost items that were omitted in 2004, there are still remaining disorders that could not be included due to limitations in the available data. We therefore consider our estimate of the total cost of the disorders of the brain in Europe to be conservative. In terms of the health economic burden outlined in this report, disorders of the brain likely constitute the number one economic challenge for European health care, now and in the future. Data presented in this report should be considered by all stakeholder groups, including policy makers, industry and patient advocacy groups, to reconsider the current science, research and public health agenda and define a coordinated plan of action of various levels to address the associated challenges.RECOMMENDATIONS: Political action is required in light of the present high cost of disorders of the brain. Funding of brain research must be increased; care for patients with brain disorders as well as teaching at medical schools and other health related educations must be quantitatively and qualitatively improved, including psychological treatments. The current move of the pharmaceutical industry away from brain related indications must be halted and reversed. Continued research into the cost of the many disorders not included in the present study is warranted. It is essential that not only the EU but also the national governments forcefully support these initiatives.
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| 3. |
- Försti, Asta, et al.
(författare)
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Polymorphisms in the transforming growth factor beta 1 pathway in relation to colorectal cancer progression
- 2010
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Ingår i: Genes, Chromosomes and Cancer. - New York : Liss. - 1045-2257 .- 1098-2264. ; 49:3, s. 270-281
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Transforming growth factor beta1 (TGFB1) acts as a growth inhibitor of normal colonic epithelial cells, however, as a tumor promoter of colorectal cancer (CRC) cells. To explore the association between genetic polymorphisms in the TGFB1 pathway and CRC susceptibility and clinical outcome, we carried out a case-control study on a Swedish population of 308 CRC cases and 585 age- and gender-matched controls. The cases were sampled prospectively and had up to 16 years follow-up, making the study material particularly suitable for survival analysis. On the basis of their reported or predicted functional effect, nine single-nucleotide polymorphisms (TGFB1: Leu10Pro; TGFBR1: 9A/6A and IVS7G+24A; FURIN: C-229T; THBS1: T+42C; LTBP1L: C-256G; LTBP4: T-893G and Thr750Ala; BAMBI: T-779A) were selected for genotyping. We evaluated the associations between genotypes and CRC and Dukes' stage. Survival probabilities were compared between different subgroups. The observed statistically significant associations included a decreased CRC risk for TGFBR1 IVS7G+24A minor allele carriers (odds ratio (OR): 0.72, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.53-0.97), less aggressive tumors with Dukes' stage A+B for carriers of LTBP4 Thr750Ala and BAMBI T-779A minor alleles (OR: 0.58, 95%CI: 0.36-0.93 and OR: 0.51, 95%CI: 0.29-0.89, respectively) and worse survival for FURIN C-229T heterozygotes (hazard ratio: 1.63, 95%CI: 1.08-2.46). As this is the first study about the influence of the polymorphisms in the TGFB1 pathway on CRC progression, further studies in large independent cohorts are warranted.
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| 4. |
- Wahlin, Björn Engelbrekt, et al.
(författare)
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T Cells in Tumors and Blood Predict Outcome in Follicular Lymphoma Treated with Rituximab
- 2011
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Ingår i: Clinical Cancer Research. - : American Association for Cancer Research. - 1078-0432 .- 1557-3265. ; 17:12, s. 4136-4144
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- PURPOSE: T cells influence outcome in follicular lymphoma, but their contributions seem to be modified by therapy. Their impact in patients receiving rituximab without chemotherapy is unknown. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Using flow cytometry, we evaluated the T cells in tumors and/or blood in a total of 250 follicular lymphoma patients included in two Nordic Lymphoma Group randomized trials that compared single rituximab with IFN-α2a-rituximab combinations. RESULTS: In univariate analysis, higher levels of CD3(+), CD4(+), and CD8(+) T cells in both tumors and blood correlated with superior treatment responses, and in multivariate analysis, tumor-CD3(+) (P = 0.011) and blood-CD4(+) (P = 0.029) cells were independent. CD4(+) cells were favorable regardless of treatment arm, but CD8(+) cells were favorable only in patients treated with single rituximab, because IFN-α2a improved responses especially in patients with low CD8(+) cell levels. Higher levels of blood-CD3(+) (P = 0.003) and blood-CD4(+) (P = 0.046) cells predicted longer overall survival, and higher levels of blood-CD8(+) cells longer times to next treatment (P = 0.046). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that therapeutic effects of rituximab are augmented by tumor-associated T cells for rapid responses and by systemic T cells for sustained responses. CD4(+) and CD8(+) cells are both favorable in patients treated with rituximab. IFN-α2a abrogates the negative impact of few CD8(+) cells.
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| 5. |
- Björk, Jonas, et al.
(författare)
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A new tool for predicting the probability of chronic kidney disease from a specific value of estimated GFR.
- 2010
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Ingår i: Scandinavian Journal of Clinical and Laboratory Investigation. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1502-7686 .- 0036-5513. ; Jul 1, s. 327-333
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Abstract Objective. To demonstrate how patients' probability of having chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage 3-5 (measured GFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m(2)) can be predicted from a specific value of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Material and methods. The probability of CKD stage 3-5 was predicted from a logistic regression model (n = 850) using three different eGFR prediction equations: Lund-Malmö, MDRD and CKD-EPI. Population weighting was used to illustrate how this probability varies in three different populations: original sample (55% true prevalence of CKD stage 3-5), a screening (6.7% prevalence) and a CKD population (84% prevalence). Results. All three eGFR-equations had high classification ability (area under the receiver-operating-characteristic curve = 97%). The probability of CKD stage 3-5 increased with decreasing eGFR, varied substantially among the populations studied and to some extent between the eGFR-equations. Using the Lund-Malmö equation as illustration, the probability of CKD stage 3-5 is > 90% only when eGFR is <38 mL/min/1.73 m(2) in a screening population, whereas it is > 90% already when eGFR is <51 mL/min/1.73 m(2) in a CKD population. Conversely, the probability of CKD stage 3-5 is <10% if eGFR > 59 mL/min/1.73 m(2) in a screening population, whereas it is <10% only when eGFR is > 88 mL/min/1.73 m(2) in a CKD population. Conclusion. Instead of reporting diagnostic accuracy as sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values, actual eGFR supplemented with the probability that it represents a true GFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m(2) may be more valuable for physicians. Clinical (pre-test) probability in the population must be considered when predicting this probability.
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| 6. |
- Björk, Jonas, et al.
(författare)
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Revised equations for estimating glomerular filtration rate based on the Lund-Malmö Study cohort.
- 2011
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Ingår i: Scandinavian Journal of Clinical and Laboratory Investigation. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1502-7686 .- 0036-5513. ; 71, s. 232-239
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Abstract Objective. To increase the accuracy of estimated GFR (eGFR) from creatinine overall and at measured GFR ≥90 mL/min per 1.73 m(2) by revising the Lund-Malmö (LM) equations, to elaborate on more complex forms to improve the LM and CKD-EPI equations further, and to assess benefits of adding lean body mass (LBM). Material and methods. Swedish Caucasians (n = 850, 376 women; median 60, range 18-95 years) referred for GFR measurement (plasma iohexol-clearance: median 55, range 5-173 mL/min/1.73 m(2)) constituted the Lund-Malmö Study cohort. Bias, precision, accuracy, expressed as median absolute percentage difference and percentage of estimates ±10% (P(10)) and ±30% (P(30)) of measured GFR, and classification ability with respect to five GFR stages were compared with the original LM, CKD-EPI and MDRD equations. Results. LM Revised overall performed better than LM Original without LBM due to increased accuracy at measured GFR ≥90 mL/min/1.73 m(2). Further extensions of the CKD-EPI or LM equations did not substantially improve overall performance. In particular, the performance of LM Revised at measured GFR ≥90 mL/min/1.73 m(2) could not be improved further without decreasing accuracy and classification ability at lower GFR-levels. Adding LBM to the equations had no strong effect on accuracy. Conclusion. Comparisons with the CKD-EPI and MDRD equations suggest that the LM equations are superior for the present Swedish population, due to markedly higher accuracy of the LM equations at measured GFR <30 mL/min/1.73 m(2). However, the LM equations cannot be recommended for use in general clinical practice until validated in other populations.
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| 7. |
- 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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| 8. |
- Westerdahl, Christina, et al.
(författare)
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Captopril suppression: Limitations for confirmation of primary aldosteronism.
- 2011
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Ingår i: Journal of the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System. - : Hindawi Limited. - 1752-8976 .- 1470-3203. ; 12, s. 326-332
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- INTRODUCTION: : The aldosterone/renin ratio (ARR) is the first line screening test for primary aldosteronism (PA). However, in hypertensive patients with an increased ARR, PA needs to be confirmed by other means. METHODS: : A 25 mg oral captopril test was performed in 16 healthy subjects to obtain reference values for aldosterone and ARR at 120 minutes after the test. Subsequently these data were applied to 46 hypertensive patients screened for PA with an increased ARR. RESULTS: : At 120 minutes after the captopril test ARR decreased in healthy subjects within a narrow range, but remained high in patients with PA and in patients with primary hypertension, especially for those with low renin characteristics. At 120 minutes after captopril, the range of ARR in primary hypertensive patients overlapped in 88% of the cases with the range of the ARR in the PA patients. Sensitivity and specificity of basal ARR and ARR after the captopril test to diagnose PA, calculated as receiver operator characteristics, showed an area under the curve of 0.595 for basal ARR and 0.664 for ARR at 120 minutes after the test. CONCLUSION: : The ARR at 120 minutes after the captopril test is only marginally better than basal ARR in diagnosing PA in hypertensive patients screened with an increased ARR. Owing to an overall limited capacity to clearly discriminate PA from primary hypertension, the test could not therefore be recommended for the confirmatory diagnosis of PA.
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| 9. |
- Friberg, Hans, et al.
(författare)
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Internationell och nationell konsensus om bästa vård efter hävt hjärtstopp. Många patienter blir helt återställda.
- 2010
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Ingår i: Läkartidningen. - 0023-7205 .- 1652-7518. ; 107:8, s. 2-514
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- An international consensus report on postresuscitation care after cardiac arrest has recently been published. Its content and main messages are in line with the recommendations from The Swedish Resuscitation Council, which include: diagnosing and treating the underlying disease, offering good general intensive care, considering hypothermia treatment, standardising prognostication and follow-up.
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| 10. |
- Geisler, Christian H., et al.
(författare)
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The Mantle Cell Lymphoma International Prognostic Index (MIPI) is superior to the International Prognostic Index (IPI) in predicting survival following intensive first-line immunochemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT)
- 2010
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Ingår i: Blood. - : American Society of Hematology. - 0006-4971 .- 1528-0020. ; 115:8, s. 1530-1533
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) has a heterogeneous clinical course. The recently proposed Mantle Cell Lymphoma International Prognostic Index (MIPI) predicted the survival of MCL better than the International Prognostic Index in MCL patients treated with conventional chemotherapy, but its validity in MCL treated with more intensive immunochemotherapy has been questioned. Applied here to 158 patients of the Nordic MCL2 trial of first-line intensive immunochemotherapy followed by high-dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation, the MIPI and the simplified MIPI (s-MIPI) predicted survival significantly better (P < .001) than the International Prognostic Index (P > .004). Both the MIPI and the s-MIPI mainly identified 2 risk groups, low and intermediate versus high risk, with the more easily applied s-MIPI being just as powerful as the MIPI. The MIPI(B) (biological), incorporating Ki-67 expression, identified almost half of the patients as high risk. We suggest that also a simplified MIPI(B) is feasible.
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