| 1. |
- Lindgren, Arne, et al.
(författare)
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A national curriculum in neurology for medical education
- 2004
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Ingår i: Läkartidningen. - 0023-7205. ; 101:26-27, s. 2261-3
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The knowledge within medicine is growing rapidly. It has become more and more difficult to decide what knowledge that has to be taught to medical students during their University Medical Degree (MD) education and what has to be omitted from their study plans. As help for teachers and students, a core curriculum of the education defines what is of importance for all students. However, there is a risk of "curriculum overload" with too much information being put into a short time interval. To avoid this and to define what is really the "core" of a course, a national consensus decision may be useful. As an example of this approach, we here report a new joint Swedish core curriculum in neurology for medical students. Teachers responsible for neurological education at all six universities giving University MD education in Sweden have in January 2003 agreed upon the core curriculum that we present. It is our hope that this method can be useful also for other clinical specialities.
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| 2. |
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| 3. |
- Berkius, Johan, et al.
(författare)
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A prospective longitudinal multicentre study of health related quality of life in ICU survivors with COPD
- 2013
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Ingår i: Critical Care. - : BioMed Central. - 1364-8535 .- 1466-609X. ; 17:5, s. R211-
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- INTRODUCTION: Mortality amongst COPD patients treated on the ICU is high. Health-related quality of life (HRQL) after intensive care is a relevant concern for COPD patients, their families and providers of health care. Still, there are few HRQL studies after intensive care of this patient group. Our hypothesis was that HRQL of COPD patients treated on the ICU declines rapidly with time.METHODS: Fifty-one COPD patients (COPD-ICU group) with an ICU stay longer than 24 hours received a questionnaire at 6, 12 and 24 months after discharge from ICU. HRQL was measured using two generic instruments: the EuroQoL instrument (EQ-5D and EQ-VAS) and the Short Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36). The results were compared to HRQL of two reference groups from the general population; an age- and sex-adjusted reference population (Non-COPD reference) and a reference group with COPD (COPD reference).RESULTS: HRQL of the COPD-ICU group at 6 months after discharge from ICU was lower compared to the COPD reference group: Median EQ-5D was 0.66 vs. 0.73, P=0.08 and median EQ-VAS was 50 vs.55, P<0.05. There were no significant differences in the SF-36 dimensions between the COPD-ICU and COPD-reference groups, although the difference in physical functioning (PF) approached statistical significance (P=0.059). Patients in the COPD-ICU group who were lost to follow-up after 6 months had low HRQL scores at 6 months. Scores for patients who died were generally lower compared to patients who failed to respond to the questionnaire. The PF and social functioning (SF) scores in those who died were significantly lower compared to patients with a complete follow up. HRQL of patients in the COPD-ICU group that survived a complete 24 months follow up was low but stable with no statistically significant decline from 6 to 24 months after ICU discharge. Their HRQL at 24 months was not significantly different from HRQL in the COPD reference group.CONCLUSIONS: HRQL in COPD survivors after intensive care was low but did not decline from 6 to 24 months after discharge from ICU. Furthermore, HRQL at 24 months was similar to patients with COPD who had not received ICU treatment.
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| 4. |
- Berkius, Johan, et al.
(författare)
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Long-term survival according to ventilation mode in acute respiratory failure secondary to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A multicenter, inception cohort study
- 2010
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Ingår i: JOURNAL OF CRITICAL CARE. - : Elsevier Science B. V., Amsterdam. - 0883-9441 .- 1557-8615. ; 25:3
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose: The aim of the study was to investigate 5-year survival stratified by mechanical ventilation modality in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients treated in the ICU. Materials and Methods: Prospective, observational study of COPD patients with acute respiratory failure admitted to 9 multidisciplinary ICUs in Sweden. Characteristics on admission, including illness severity scores and the first blood gas, and survival were analyzed stratified by ventilation modality (noninvasive [NIV] vs invasive mechanical ventilation). Results: Ninety-three patients, mean age of 70.6 (SD, 9.6) years, were included. Sixteen patients were intubated immediately, whereas 77 were started on NIV. Patients who were started on NIV had a lower median body mass index (BMI) (21.9 vs 27.0; P andlt; .01) and were younger compared to those who were intubated immediately (median age, 70 vs 74.5 years; P andlt; .05). There were no differences in the initial blood gas results between the groups. Long-term survival was greater in patients with NIV (P andlt; .05, log rank). The effect of NIV on survival remained after including age, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score, and BMI in a multivariate Cox regression model (NIV hazard ratio, 0.44; 95% confidence interval, 0.21-0.92). Fifteen patients with failed NIV were intubated and mechanically ventilated. Long-term survival in patients with failed NIV was not significantly different from patients who were intubated immediately. Conclusion: The short-term survival benefit of NIV previously found in randomized controlled trials still applies after 5 years of observation.
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| 5. |
- Berkius, Johan, et al.
(författare)
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What determines immediate use of invasive ventilation in patients with COPD?
- 2013
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Ingår i: Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica. - : Wiley-Blackwell. - 0001-5172 .- 1399-6576. ; 57:3, s. 312-319
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background The choice between non-invasive ventilation (NIV) and invasive ventilation in patients with an acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) may be irrational. The aim of this study was to examine those patient characteristics, and circumstances deemed important in the choice made between NIV and invasive ventilation in the intensive care unit (ICU). Methods We first examined 95 admissions of AECOPD patients on nine ICUs and identified variables associated with invasive ventilation. Thereafter, a questionnaire was sent to ICU personnel to study the relative importance of different factors with a possible influence on the decision to use invasive ventilation at once. Results Univariable analysis showed that increasing age [odds ratio (OR) 1.06 per year] and increasing body mass index (BMI) (OR 1.11 per kg/m2) were associated with immediate invasive ventilation, while there was no such association with arterial blood gases or breath rate. BMI was the only factor that remained associated with immediate invasive ventilation in the multivariable analysis [OR 1.12 (95% confidence interval 1.031.23) kg/m2]. Ranking of responses to the questionnaire showed that consciousness, respiratory symptoms and blood gases were powerful factors determining invasive ventilation, whereas high BMI and age were ranked low. Non-patient-related factors were also deemed important (physician in charge, presence of guidelines, ICU workload). Conclusion Factors other than those deemed most important in guidelines appear to have an inappropriate influence on the choice between NIV and immediate intubation in AECOPD in the ICU. These factors must be identified to further increase the appropriate use of NIV.
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| 6. |
- Burman, Joachim, et al.
(författare)
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Autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation for aggressive multiple sclerosis : the Swedish experience
- 2014
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Ingår i: Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry. - London, United Kingdom : BMJ Publishing Group Ltd. - 0022-3050 .- 1468-330X. ; 85:10, s. 1116-1121
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a viable option for treatment of aggressive multiple sclerosis (MS). No randomised controlled trial has been performed, and thus, experiences from systematic and sustained follow-up of treated patients constitute important information about safety and efficacy. In this observational study, we describe the characteristics and outcome of the Swedish patients treated with HSCT for MS.Methods: Neurologists from the major hospitals in Sweden filled out a follow-up form with prospectively collected data. Fifty-two patients were identified in total; 48 were included in the study and evaluated for safety and side effects; 41 patients had at least 1 year of follow-up and were further analysed for clinical and radiological outcome. In this cohort, 34 patients (83%) had relapsing-remitting MS, and mean follow-up time was 47 months.Results: At 5 years, relapse-free survival was 87%; MRI event-free survival 85%; expanded disability status scale (EDSS) score progression-free survival 77%; and disease-free survival (no relapses, no new MRI lesions and no EDSS progression) 68%. Presence of gadolinium-enhancing lesions prior to HSCT was associated with a favourable outcome (disease-free survival 79% vs 46%, p=0.028). There was no mortality. The most common long-term side effects were herpes zoster reactivation (15%) and thyroid disease (8.4%).Conclusions: HSCT is a very effective treatment of inflammatory active MS and can be performed with a high degree of safety at experienced centres.
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| 7. |
- Bäckman, Carl G, et al.
(författare)
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A case-control study of the influence of the ICU-diary concept on mastery and hopelessness six months after critical illness
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Annan publikation (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The ICU-diary concept is associated with less post-traumatic stress syndrome and improved perceived health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL) after critical illness, but little is known about its effect on the coping- mastery process, or whether it reduces hopelessness. Objective: To see if the ICU-diary concept improves the patient’s ability to master his/her situation after critical illness, and if it reduces the feeling of hopelessness. Design: Case control study (subgroup analysis of a multi-centre study on health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL). Setting: Non-academic 8-bed general ICU. Patients: Adults admitted between March 2002 and June 2004. Measurements: Mastery and hopelessness were determined using validated questionnaires (the Mastery-Coping scale and a consolidated 2–item hopelessness questionnaire) which were sent home to patients 6 months after critical illness. Responses were compared between patients that received (Cases: n=38) or did not receive an ICU-diary (Controls: n=76) . Diaries were used when a long and complicated stay on the ICU was expected. Controls were matched with diary patients by gender and age. The effect of the ICU-diary was also examined using a multiple regression model. Results: The ICU-diary concept group scored significantly higher than the No-diary group in mastery (22.1 vs. 20.4, P<0.05) and lower in hopelessness scores (1.3 vs. 1.6, P<0.05). The positive influence of the ICU-diary disappeared after adjustment for confounding factors in a multiple regression model. Conclusion: We were unable to verify any positive influence of the ICU-diary concept on mastery and hopelessness 6 months after critical illness.
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| 8. |
- Bäckman, Carl, et al.
(författare)
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Long-term effect of the ICU-diary concept on quality of life after critical illness
- 2010
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Ingår i: ACTA ANAESTHESIOLOGICA SCANDINAVICA. - : Blackwell Publishing Ltd. - 0001-5172 .- 1399-6576. ; 54:6, s. 736-743
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background Critically ill patients often spend time in the intensive care unit (ICU) either unconscious or sedated. On recovery, they are often in a state of confusion with memory loss that may be associated with a longstanding reduction in health-related quality of life (QoL). We hypothesised that the ICU-diary concept could improve their QoL by filling in their memory gaps. Methods A non-randomised, prospective study in a non-academic eight-bedded general ICU. A group of patients (n=38) were selected to receive the ICU-diary concept (keeping a diary with photos while on the ICU plus a follow-up meeting) when a long and complicated course was expected. Health-related QoL at 6, 12, 24 and 36 months was compared with a group that did not receive the ICU-diary (n=224). The Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form (SF-36) was used to measure health-related QoL. Multiple regression models adjusted for age, sex, illness severity, pre-existing disease and diagnostic category was used to analyse the effects of the ICU-diary concept at 6 months, and changes over time were analysed using repeated measures MANOVA. Results Crude and adjusted scores for two dimensions of SF-36 (general health and vitality) and the physical component summary score were significantly higher at 6 months in the ICU-diary group (P andlt; 0.05) and some of the effects remained during the 3-year follow-up period (P andlt; 0.05). Conclusion The ICU-diary concept was associated with improved health-related QoL during the 3-year follow-up period after a critical illness. The effect of this intervention needs to be confirmed in a larger randomised study.
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| 9. |
- de Flon, Pierre, 1966-
(författare)
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Treatment with the monoclonal antibody rituximab in Multiple Sclerosis : a study based on an academic clinical trial
- 2018
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, inflammatory disease, affecting the central nervous system. A growing number of disease modifying treatment alternatives entails a need for an individualised risk-benefit- convenience analysis in the counselling of patients and methods to monitor the treatment effect, including markers for subclinical inflammation. Today, MRI and the biomarker neurofilament light chain (NFL) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF- NFL) are commonly used. The development of new techniques for analysing NFL in very low concentrations in serum or plasma provides a promising opportunity for a less invasive method. Rituximab is a chimeric monoclonal antibody with B- cell depleting properties vastly used in rheumatological disease and certain haematological malignancies. Phase II studies have shown a beneficial effect on inflammation also in MS, the detailed mechanisms of action yet to be explained.Aims: The aims of this thesis were to evaluate rituximab as a treatment alternative in relapsing remitting MS (RRMS) by describing the clinical effect and patient related outcome measures after a switch of therapy from first-line injectables to rituximab and to explore possible immunological mechanisms of B cell depletion as well as to evaluate the use of neurofilament in plasma (p-NFL) as an end-point in a clinical trial setting.Methods: The thesis is based on the open-label phase II multicentre clinical trial Switch-To-RItuXimab in MS (STRIX-MS; EudraCT 2010-023021-38), in which 75 patients completed a therapy switch from first-line injectables to rituximab, and, to some part, the extended follow-up study, STRIX-MS extension (EudraCT 2013-002378-26). The disease modifying effect was evaluated by regular clinical evaluations, MRI and analyses of CSF-NFL. The clinical outcome was evaluated by the EDSS and SDMT scales. The questionnaires MSIS-29, FSMC and TSQM were used for the evaluation of patient related outcome measures. Immunological mechanisms of the B cell depletion were explored by the analysis of a broad panel of cyto- and chemokines in CSF by an electrochemiluminiscens method before and after therapy switch, and in comparison to healthy controls. The concentration of p-NFL was measured by an in-house NF-light assay on the Simoa platform with a Homebrew kit and explored for the use as a clinical trial end-point.Results: During the follow-up, signs of inflammatory activity decreased. Both the mean number of Gd enhancing lesions (0.03 vs 0.36, p=0.029) and the number of new or enlarged T2 lesions were reduced (0.01 vs 0.28, p=0.01). The mean concentration of CSF-NFL was reduced during the first year (491 vs 387, p=0.01). The corresponding reduction in plasma did not reach the level of statistical significance. The rating of overall treatment satisfaction improved significantly (6.3 vs 4.8, scale range 1-7, p<0.001). In the explorative immunological study, the immunological profile was altered after therapy switch with the most prominent reduction observed in the concentrations of IP-10 and IL-12/23p40.Conclusions: The results indicate a disease modifying effect of rituximab in line with other studies and provide support for a superior treatment satisfaction with rituximab as compared with injectable therapies. However, the lack of control group hampers the possibility to draw definite conclusions on the therapy effect. The immunological effects of B cell depletion need to be further explored.
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