| 1. |
- Hagell, Peter, et al.
(författare)
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Apomorphine formulation may influence subcutaneous complications from continuous subcutaneous apomorphine infusion in Parkinson's disease
- 2020
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Ingår i: Journal of Neurology. - 0340-5354 .- 1432-1459. ; 267:11, s. 3411-3417
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Continuous subcutaneous (s.c.) apomorphine infusion is an effective therapy for Parkinson's disease (PD), but a limitation is the formation of troublesome s.c. nodules. Various chemically non-identical apomorphine formulations are available. Anecdotal experiences have suggested that shifting from one of these (Apo-Go PumpFill®; apoGPF) to another (Apomorphine PharmSwed®; apoPS) may influence the occurrence and severity of s.c. nodules. We, therefore, followed 15 people with advanced PD (median PD-duration, 15 years; median "off"-phase Hoehn and Yahr, IV) on apoGPF and with troublesome s.c. nodules who were switched to apoPS. Data were collected at baseline, at the time of switching, and at a median of 1, 2.5, and 7.3 months post-switch. Total nodule numbers (P < 0.001), size (P < 0.001), consistency (P < 0.001), skin changes (P = 0.058), and pain (P ≤ 0.032) improved over the observation period. PD severity and dyskinesias tended to improve and increase, respectively. Apomorphine doses were stable, but levodopa doses increased by 100 mg/day. Patient-reported apomorphine efficacy tended to increase and all participants remained on apoPS throughout the observation period; with the main patient-reported reason being improved nodules. These observations suggest that patients with s.c. nodules caused by apoGPF may benefit from switching to apoPS in terms of s.c. nodule occurrence and severity. Alternatively, observed benefits may have been due to the switch itself. As nodule formation is a limiting factor in apomorphine treatment, a controlled prospective study comparing local tolerance with different formulations is warranted.
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| 2. |
- Axelsson, Anna, et al.
(författare)
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Patient reported long-term side effects on bowel function and anal pain in anal cancer survivors-3-and 6-year results from the Swedish national ANCA study
- 2023
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Ingår i: COLORECTAL DISEASE. - 1462-8910 .- 1463-1318.
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- AimThe primary therapeutic option for anal cancer treatment is chemoradiotherapy resulting in 80% survival. The aim of this study was to assess long-term bowel function impairment and anal pain at 3 and 6 years after anal cancer diagnosis, based on a hypothesis of an increase in impairment over time. A secondary aim was to investigate if chemoradiotherapy increased the risk for bowel impairment, compared to radiotherapy alone.MethodThe ANal CAncer study (ANCA) consists of a national Swedish cohort of patients diagnosed with anal cancer between 2011-2013. Patients within the study were invited to respond to a study-specific questionnaire at 3- and 6-years after diagnosis. Descriptive analyses for the primary endpoint and ordinal logistic regressions for secondary endpoint were performed.ResultsA total of 388 patients (84%) were included in the study. At 3 years of follow-up, 264 patients were alive. A total of 195 of these patients (74%) answered a study specific questionnaire, and at 6 years 154 patients (67%). Fifty-seven percent experienced bowel urgency at both 3 and 6 years. There was an increased risk for repeated bowel movement within 1 h (OR 2.44 [95% CI: 1.08-5.61, p = 0.03]) at 3 years in patients who had been treated by chemoradiation compared to radiotherapy alone.ConclusionsImpairment in bowel function and anal pain after anal cancer treatment should be expected and remains after 6 years. This suggests that long-term follow-up may be necessary in some form after customary follow-up. The addition of chemotherapy increases long-term side effects of bowel function.
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| 3. |
- Axelsson, Anna, et al.
(författare)
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Patient-reported QoL in anal cancer survivors 3 and 6 years after treatment-results from the Swedish national ANCA study
- 2022
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Ingår i: Supportive Care in Cancer. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0941-4355 .- 1433-7339. ; 30:5, s. 4169-4178
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose The impact of anal cancer treatment for the patients is best evaluated by the patients themselves. The purpose of this study was to investigate quality of life (QoL) in patients with anal cancer at 3 and 6 years after treatment. Methods A Swedish national cross-sectional prospective cohort study with patients diagnosed with anal cancer between 2011 and 2013. Patients were invited to respond to a QoL questionnaire at 3 and 6 years, with focus on bowel, urinary and sexual function, social and mental function, co-morbidity, lifestyle, daily activities, personal characteristics, and perceived QoL. It also contained questions on the severity of the symptoms regarding occurrence, frequency, and duration and the level of "bother" experienced related to functional symptoms. QoL and prevalence of bother with urinary, sexual, bowel dysfunction, and anal pain were described. The prevalence of impaired QoL was compared with a healthy reference population. The association between QoL and experiencing bother was quantified by regression models. Results From an original cohort of 464 patients with anal cancer, 264 (57%) were alive and contacted at 3 years and 230 (50%) at 6 years. One hundred ninety-five (74%) patients responded to the 3-year and 152 (66%) to the 6-year questionnaire. Sixty percent reported low QoL at both 3 and 6 years. Impaired QoL was more prevalent among patients with major bother due to bowel dysfunction (at 3 years RR 1.42, 95% CI (1.06-1.9) p-value 0.020, at 6 years RR 1.52, 95% CI (1.03-2.24) p-value 0.034) and urinary dysfunction (at 6 years RR 1.44, 95% CI (1.08-1.91) p-value 0.013). There was a tendency to a positive relationship between the number of bodily functions causing bother and risk for impaired QoL. Conclusion Patients treated for anal cancer reported bother regarding several bodily functions as well as poor QoL both at 3 and 6 years without much improvement. Bother was also associated with low QoL indicating that function-related bother should be addressed.
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| 4. |
- Barut, Oya, et al.
(författare)
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Calcifications in the neck region of patients with carotid artery stenosis : a computed tomography angiography study of topographic anatomy
- 2020
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Ingår i: Oral surgery, oral medicine, oral pathology and oral radiology. - : Elsevier. - 2212-4403 .- 2212-4411. ; 129:5, s. 523-530
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objectives: The aim of this study was to map the vertical locations of calcified carotid plaques (CCPs), osseous anatomic structures, and calcified soft tissues in the area of the carotid artery, determine to what extent CCPs are superimposed on the cervical spine in coronal images, and analyze the differences between men and women.Study Design: Computed tomography angiography (CTA) scans of 79 patients were studied. CCPs were discovered in 152 of the total 158 neck sides. Evaluations were performed by using sagittal and coronal reformatted CTA images with maximum intensity projection.Results: Most of the calcified anatomic structures studied, including the carotid bifurcation, were found in close relationship to the level of the third and fourth cervical vertebrae. In the coronal view, all or most of the areas of the CCPs were superimposed on the cervical spine in 22 of 44 (50%) neck sides with CCP in women and in 37 of 108 (34.2%) in men (P = .070).Conclusions: The carotid bifurcation is in close proximity to various calcified anatomic structures. This should be taken into account when diagnosing CCPs in panoramic radiographs. In the coronal view, CCPs and the cervical spine are often superimposed; thus, coronal images are not recommended for confirmation of putative carotid calcifications diagnosed on the basis of panoramic radiographs.
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| 5. |
- Berggren, Vanja, 1972-, et al.
(författare)
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An explorative study of Sudanese midwives' motives, perceptions and experiences of re-infibulation after birth
- 2004
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Ingår i: Midwifery. - 0266-6138 .- 1532-3099. ; 20:4, s. 299-311
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- OBJECTIVE: to explore Sudanese midwives' motives for and perceptions and experiences of re-infibulation after birth and to elucidate its context and determinants. DESIGN: triangulation of methods, using observational techniques and open-ended interviews. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: two government hospitals in Khartoum/Omdurman, Sudan, for the observations and in-depth interviews with 17 midwives. FINDINGS: midwives are among the major stakeholders in the performance of primary female genital cutting (FGC) as well as re-infibulation. Focusing on re-infibulation after birth, midwives were trying to satisfy differing, and sometimes contradictory, perspectives. The practice of re-infibulation (El Adel) represented a considerable source of income for the midwives. The midwives integrated the practice of re-infibulation into a greater whole of doing well for the woman, through an endeavour to increase her value by helping her to maintain her marriage as well as striving for beautification and completion. They were also trying to meet socio-cultural requests, dealing with pressure from the family while balancing on the edge of the law. KEY CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: the findings confirm that midwives are important stakeholders in perpetuating re-infibulation, and indicate that the motives are more complex than being only economic. The constant balancing between demands from others puts the midwives in a difficult position. Midwives' potential role to influence views in the preventative work against FGC and re-infibulation should be acknowledged in further abolition efforts.
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| 6. |
- Bergkvist, Karin, et al.
(författare)
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General health, symptom occurrence, and self-efficacy in adult survivors after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation : a cross-sectional comparison between hospital care and home care
- 2015
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Ingår i: Supportive Care in Cancer. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0941-4355 .- 1433-7339. ; 23:5, s. 1273-83
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- PURPOSE: Earlier studies have shown that home care during the neutropenic phase after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) is medically safe, with positive outcomes. However, there have been few results on long-term outcomes after home care. The aims of this study were to compare general health, symptom occurrence, and self-efficacy in adult survivors who received either home care or hospital care during the early neutropenic phase after allo-HSCT and to investigate whether demographic or medical variables were associated with general health or symptom occurrence in this patient population.METHODS: In a cross-sectional survey, 117 patients (hospital care: n = 78; home care: n = 39) rated their general health (SF-36), symptom occurrence (SFID-SCT, HADS), and self-efficacy (GSE) at a median of 5 (1-11) years post-HSCT.RESULTS: No differences were found regarding general health, symptom occurrence, or self-efficacy between groups. The majority of patients in both hospital care (77 %) and home care (78 %) rated their general health as "good" with a median of 14 (0-36) current symptoms. Symptoms of fatigue and sexual problems were among the most common. Poor general health was associated with acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), low self-efficacy, and cord blood stem cells. A high symptom occurrence was associated with female gender, acute GVHD, and low self-efficacy.CONCLUSIONS: No long-term differences in general health and symptom occurrence were observed between home care and hospital care. Thus, home care is an alternative treatment method for patients who for various reasons prefer this treatment option. We therefore encourage other centers to offer home care to patients.
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| 7. |
- Bill-Axelson, Anna, et al.
(författare)
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Long-term Distress After Radical Prostatectomy Versus Watchful Waiting in Prostate Cancer : A Longitudinal Study from the Scandinavian Prostate Cancer Group-4 Randomized Clinical Trial
- 2013
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Ingår i: European Urology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0302-2838 .- 1873-7560. ; 64:6, s. 920-928
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND:Studies enumerating the dynamics of physical and emotional symptoms following prostate cancer (PCa) treatment are needed to guide therapeutic strategy. Yet, overcoming patient selection forces is a formidable challenge for observational studies comparing treatment groups.OBJECTIVE:To compare patterns of symptom burden and distress in men with localized PCa randomized to radical prostatectomy (RP) or watchful waiting (WW) and followed up longitudinally.DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS:The three largest, Swedish, randomization centers for the Scandinavian Prostate Cancer Group-4 trial conducted a longitudinal study to assess symptoms and distress from several psychological and physical domains by mailed questionnaire every 6 mo for 2 yr and then yearly through 8 yr of follow-up.INTERVENTION:RP compared with WW.OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS:A questionnaire was mailed at baseline and then repeatedly during follow-up with questions concerning physical and mental symptoms. Each analysis of quality of life was based on a dichotomization of the outcome (yes vs no) studied in a binomial response, generalized linear mixed model.RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS:Of 347 randomized men, 272 completed at least five questionnaires during an 8-yr follow-up period. Almost all men reported that PCa negatively influenced daily activities and relationships. Health-related distress, worry, feeling low, and insomnia were consistently reported by approximately 30-40% in both groups. Men in the RP group consistently reported more leakage, impaired erection and libido, and fewer obstructive voiding symptoms. For men in the WW group, distress related to erectile symptoms increased gradually over time. Symptom burden and distress at baseline was predictive of long-term outlook.CONCLUSIONS:Cancer negatively influenced daily activities among almost all men in both treatment groups; health-related distress was common. Trade-offs exist between physiologic symptoms, highlighting the importance of tailored treatment decision-making. Men who are likely to experience profound long-term distress can be identified early in disease management.
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| 8. |
- Chuang, Shu-Chun, et al.
(författare)
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Circulating Biomarkers of Tryptophan and the Kynurenine Pathway and Lung Cancer Risk
- 2014
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Ingår i: Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention. - 1055-9965 .- 1538-7755. ; 23:3, s. 461-468
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Imbalances in tryptophan metabolism have been linked to cancer-related immune escape and implicated in several cancers, including lung cancer. Methods: We conducted a nested case-control study within the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer andNutrition (EPIC) that included 893 incident lung cancer cases and 1,748matched controls. Circulating levels of tryptophan and six of its metabolites were measured and evaluated in relation to lung cancer risk. Results: Tryptophan (P-trend = 2 Chi 10(-5)) and the kynurenine/ tryptophan ratio (KTR; P-trend 4 Chi 10(-5)) were associated with lung cancer risk overall after adjusting for established risk factors. The ORs comparing the fifth and first quintiles (OR5th (vs. 1st)) were 0.52 [ 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.37-0.74] for tryptophan and 1.74 (95% CI, 1.24-2.45) for KTR. After adjusting for plasma methionine (available fromprevious work, which was strongly correlated with tryptophan), the associations of tryptophan (adjusted P-trend 0.13) and KTR (P-trend = 0.009) were substantially attenuated. KTR was positively associated with squamous cell carcinoma, the OR5th vs. 1st being 2.83 (95% CI, 1.62-4.94, P-trend -3 Chi 10(-5)) that was only marginally affected by adjusting for methionine. Conclusions: This study indicates that biomarkers of tryptophan metabolism are associated with subsequent lung cancer risk. Although this result would seem consistent with the immune system having a role in lung cancer development, the overall associations were dependent on methionine, and further studies are warranted to further elucidate the importance of these metabolites in lung cancer etiology. Impact: This is the first prospective study investigating the tryptophan pathway in relation to lung cancer risk.
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| 9. |
- Derogar, Maryam, et al.
(författare)
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Preparedness for side effects and bother in symptomatic men after radical prostatectomy in a prospective, non-randomized trial
- 2016
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Ingår i: Acta Oncologica. - 0284-186X .- 1651-226X. ; 55:12, s. 1467-1476
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Many clinicians believe that preparedness before surgery for possible post-surgery side effects reduces the level of bother experienced from urinary incontinence and decreased sexual health after surgery. There are no published studies evaluating this belief. Therefore, we aimed to study the level of preparedness before radical prostatectomy and the level of bother experienced from urinary incontinence and decreased sexual health after surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We prospectively collected data from a non-selected group of men undergoing radical prostatectomy in 14 centers between 2008 and 2011. Before surgery, we asked about preparedness for surgery-induced urinary problems and decreased sexual health. One year after surgery, we asked about bother caused by urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction. As a measure of the association between preparedness and bothersomeness we modeled odds ratios (ORs) by means of logistic regression. RESULTS: Altogether 1372 men had urinary incontinence one year after surgery as well as had no urinary leakage or a small urinary dribble before surgery. Among these men, low preparedness was associated with bother resulting from urinary incontinence [OR 2.84; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.59-5.10]. In a separate analysis of 1657 men we found a strong association between preparedness for decreased sexual health and experiencing bother from erectile dysfunction (OR 5.92; 95% CI 3.32-10.55). CONCLUSION: In this large-sized prospective trial, we found that preparedness before surgery for urinary problems or sexual side effects decreases bother from urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction one year after surgery.
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| 10. |
- Dewi, Nikmah Utami, et al.
(författare)
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Anthropometry and the risk of lung cancer in EPIC
- 2016
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Ingår i: American Journal of Epidemiology. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0002-9262 .- 1476-6256. ; 184:2, s. 129-139
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The associations of body mass index (BMI) and other anthropometric measurements with lung cancer were examined in 348,108 participants in the European Investigation Into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) between 1992 and 2010. The study population included 2,400 case patients with incident lung cancer, and the average length of follow-up was 11 years. Hazard ratios were calculated using Cox proportional hazard models in which we modeled smoking variables with cubic splines. Overall, there was a significant inverse association between BMI (weight (kg)/height (m)2) and the risk of lung cancer after adjustment for smoking and other confounders (for BMI of 30.0-34.9 versus 18.5-25.0, hazard ratio = 0.72, 95% confidence interval: 0.62, 0.84). The strength of the association declined with increasing follow-up time. Conversely, after adjustment for BMI, waist circumference and waist-to-height ratio were significantly positively associated with lung cancer risk (for the highest category of waist circumference vs. the lowest, hazard ratio = 1.25, 95% confidence interval: 1.05, 1.50). Given the decline of the inverse association between BMI and lung cancer over time, the association is likely at least partly due to weight loss resulting from preclinical lung cancer that was present at baseline. Residual confounding by smoking could also have influenced our findings.
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