| 1. |
- Bergström, Göran, 1964, et al.
(author)
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Prevalence of Subclinical Coronary Artery Atherosclerosis in the General Population
- 2021
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In: Circulation. - Philadelphia : American Heart Association. - 0009-7322 .- 1524-4539. ; 144:12, s. 916-929
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Early detection of coronary atherosclerosis using coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA), in addition to coronary artery calcification (CAC) scoring, may help inform prevention strategies. We used CCTA to determine the prevalence, severity, and characteristics of coronary atherosclerosis and its association with CAC scores in a general population.Methods: We recruited 30 154 randomly invited individuals age 50 to 64 years to SCAPIS (the Swedish Cardiopulmonary Bioimage Study). The study includes individuals without known coronary heart disease (ie, no previous myocardial infarctions or cardiac procedures) and with high-quality results from CCTA and CAC imaging performed using dedicated dual-source CT scanners. Noncontrast images were scored for CAC. CCTA images were visually read and scored for coronary atherosclerosis per segment (defined as no atherosclerosis, 1% to 49% stenosis, or ≥50% stenosis). External validity of prevalence estimates was evaluated using inverse probability for participation weighting and Swedish register data.Results: In total, 25 182 individuals without known coronary heart disease were included (50.6% women). Any CCTA-detected atherosclerosis was found in 42.1%; any significant stenosis (≥50%) in 5.2%; left main, proximal left anterior descending artery, or 3-vessel disease in 1.9%; and any noncalcified plaques in 8.3% of this population. Onset of atherosclerosis was delayed on average by 10 years in women. Atherosclerosis was more prevalent in older individuals and predominantly found in the proximal left anterior descending artery. Prevalence of CCTA-detected atherosclerosis increased with increasing CAC scores. Among those with a CAC score >400, all had atherosclerosis and 45.7% had significant stenosis. In those with 0 CAC, 5.5% had atherosclerosis and 0.4% had significant stenosis. In participants with 0 CAC and intermediate 10-year risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease according to the pooled cohort equation, 9.2% had CCTA-verified atherosclerosis. Prevalence estimates had excellent external validity and changed marginally when adjusted to the age-matched Swedish background population.Conclusions: Using CCTA in a large, random sample of the general population without established disease, we showed that silent coronary atherosclerosis is common in this population. High CAC scores convey a significant probability of substantial stenosis, and 0 CAC does not exclude atherosclerosis, particularly in those at higher baseline risk.
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| 2. |
- Ekström, Magnus Pär, et al.
(author)
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The association of body mass index, weight gain and central obesity with activity-related breathlessness : the Swedish Cardiopulmonary Bioimage Study
- 2019
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In: Thorax. - : BMJ Publishing Group Ltd. - 0040-6376 .- 1468-3296. ; 74:10, s. 958-964
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Introduction: Breathlessness is common in the population, especially in women and associated with adverse health outcomes. Obesity (body mass index (BMI) >30 kg/m(2)) is rapidly increasing globally and its impact on breathlessness is unclear.Methods: This population-based study aimed primarily to evaluate the association of current BMI and self-reported change in BMI since age 20 with breathlessness (modified Research Council score >= 1) in the middle-aged population. Secondary aims were to evaluate factors that contribute to breathlessness in obesity, including the interaction with spirometric lung volume and sex.Results: We included 13 437 individuals; mean age 57.5 years; 52.5% women; mean BMI 26.8 (SD 4.3); mean BMI increase since age 20 was 5.0 kg/m(2); and 1283 (9.6%) reported breathlessness. Obesity was strongly associated with increased breathlessness, OR 3.54 (95% CI, 3.03 to 4.13) independent of age, sex, smoking, airflow obstruction, exercise level and the presence of comorbidities. The association between BMI and breathlessness was modified by lung volume; the increase in breathlessness prevalence with higher BMI was steeper for individuals with lower forced vital capacity (FVC). The higher breathlessness prevalence in obese women than men (27.4% vs 12.5%; p<0.001) was related to their lower FVC. Irrespective of current BMI and confounders, individuals who had increased in BMI since age 20 had more breathlessness.Conclusion: Breathlessness is independently associated with obesity and with weight gain in adult life, and the association is stronger for individuals with lower lung volumes.
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| 3. |
- Engström, Gunnar, et al.
(author)
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Pulmonary function and atherosclerosis in the general population : causal associations and clinical implications
- 2024
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In: European Journal of Epidemiology. - : Springer Nature. - 0393-2990 .- 1573-7284. ; 39:1, s. 35-49
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Reduced lung function is associated with cardiovascular mortality, but the relationships with atherosclerosis are unclear. The population-based Swedish CArdioPulmonary BioImage study measured lung function, emphysema, coronary CT angiography, coronary calcium, carotid plaques and ankle-brachial index in 29,593 men and women aged 50–64 years. The results were confirmed using 2-sample Mendelian randomization. Lower lung function and emphysema were associated with more atherosclerosis, but these relationships were attenuated after adjustment for cardiovascular risk factors. Lung function was not associated with coronary atherosclerosis in 14,524 never-smokers. No potentially causal effect of lung function on atherosclerosis, or vice versa, was found in the 2-sample Mendelian randomization analysis. Here we show that reduced lung function and atherosclerosis are correlated in the population, but probably not causally related. Assessing lung function in addition to conventional cardiovascular risk factors to gauge risk of subclinical atherosclerosis is probably not meaningful, but low lung function found by chance should alert for atherosclerosis.
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| 4. |
- Malmström, Johan, et al.
(author)
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Transforming growth factor-beta 1 specifically induce proteins involved in the myofibroblast contractile apparatus
- 2004
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In: Molecular & Cellular Proteomics. - 1535-9484. ; 3:5, s. 466-477
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Transforming growth factor-beta(1) (TGF-beta(1)) induces alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) and collagen synthesis in fibroblast both in vivo and in vitro and plays a significant role in tissue repair and the development of fibrosis. During these processes the fibroblasts differentiate into activated fibroblasts (so called myofibroblasts), characterized by increased alpha-SMA expression. Because TGF-beta(1) is considered the main inducer of the myofibroblast phenotype and cytoskeletal changes accompany this differentiation, the main objective of this investigation was to study how TGF-beta(1) alters protein expression of cytoskeletal-associated proteins. Metabolic labeling of cell cultures by [(35)S]methionine, followed by protein separation on two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, displayed approximately 2500 proteins in the pI interval of 3-10. Treatment of TGF-beta(1) led to specific spot pattern changes that were identified by mass spectrometry and represent specific induction of several members of the contractile apparatus such as calgizzarin, cofilin, and profilin. These proteins have not previously been shown to be regulated by TGF-beta(1), and the functional role of these proteins is to participate in the depolymerization and stabilization of the microfilaments. These results show that TGF-beta(1) induces not only alpha-SMA but a whole set of actin-associated proteins that may contribute to the increased contractile properties of the myofibroblast. These proteins accompany the induced expression of alpha-SMA and may participate in the formation of stress fibers, cell contractility, and cell spreading characterizing the myofibroblasts phenotype.
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| 5. |
- Pesonen, Ida, et al.
(author)
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High prevalence of interstitial lung abnormalities in middle-aged never-smokers
- 2023
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In: ERJ Open Research. - : European Respiratory Society. - 2312-0541. ; 9:5
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Interstitial lung abnormalities (ILA) are incidental findings on chest computed tomography (CT). These patterns can present at an early stage of fibrotic lung disease. Our aim was to estimate the prevalence of ILA in the Swedish population, in particular in never-smokers, and find out its association with demographics, comorbidities and symptoms.METHODS: Participants were recruited to the Swedish CArdioPulmonary BioImage Study (SCAPIS), a population-based survey including men and women aged 50-64 years performed at six university hospitals in Sweden. CT scan, spirometry and questionnaires were performed. ILA were defined as cysts, ground-glass opacities, reticular abnormality, bronchiectasis and honeycombing.FINDINGS: Out of 29 521 participants, 14 487 were never-smokers and 14 380 were men. In the whole population, 2870 (9.7%) had ILA of which 134 (0.5%) were fibrotic. In never-smokers, the prevalence was 7.9% of which 0.3% were fibrotic. In the whole population, age, smoking history, chronic bronchitis, cancer, coronary artery calcium score and high-sensitive C-reactive protein were associated with ILA. Both ILA and fibrotic ILA were associated with restrictive spirometric pattern and impaired diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide. However, individuals with ILA did not report more symptoms compared with individuals without ILA.INTERPRETATION: ILA are common in a middle-aged Swedish population including never-smokers. ILA may be at risk of being underdiagnosed among never-smokers since they are not a target for screening.
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| 6. |
- Theorell-Haglöw, Jenny, et al.
(author)
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Sleep duration is associated with healthy diet scores and meal patterns : Results from the population-based EpiHealth study
- 2020
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In: Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine. - 1550-9389. ; 16:1, s. 9-18
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Study Objectives: To investigate relationships between sleep duration and adherence to healthy diets, but also associations with meal patterns, in a large population-based cohort. Methods: Participants (n = 23,829, males and females, aged 45 to 75 years) from the Swedish EpiHealth cohort study were included in a cross-sectional analysis. The participants filled out an extensive Internet-based questionnaire, and also visited a test center for anthropometric measurements and blood sampling. Sleep duration was classified as short (< 6 h/night; n = 1,862), normal (6 to less fewer than 9 h/night; n = 19,907) and long sleep (≥ 9 h/night; n = 858). In addition, a combination variable of sleep duration (short/normal/long) and sleep quality (good/poor) was constructed, giving six categories. Adherence to a healthy diet was assessed using the modified Mediterranean diet (mMED) score and the Healthy Nordic Food Index (HNFI) score based on food groups from a food frequency questionnaire. A regular meal pattern was considered if the participant had breakfast, lunch and dinner on a daily basis. Results: Compared with normal sleepers, short sleepers displayed lower adherence to a healthy diet when using both the mMED score (adjusted odds ratio = 0.70; 95% confidence interval 0.56-0.88) and the HNFI score (0.70; 0.56-0.88). When combining sleep duration and sleep quality, short sleepers with poor sleep quality showed an independent relationship with low adherence to a healthy diet (0.67; 0.52-0.86) compared with normal sleepers with good sleep quality. In addition, both short sleepers (0.71; 0.62-0.82) and long sleepers (0.75; 0.62-0.91) showed low adherence to regular meal patterns, compared with normal sleepers. Furthermore, short sleepers with poor sleep quality had reduced odds of having a regular meal pattern (0.67; 0.57-0.79) as compared with normal sleepers with good sleep quality. Conclusions: Short sleep duration combined with poor sleep quality is associated with low adherence to a healthy diet and regular meal patterns.
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| 7. |
- Torén, Kjell, 1952, et al.
(author)
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Chronic airflow limitation and its relation to respiratory symptoms among ever-smokers and never-smokers: a cross-sectional study
- 2020
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In: Bmj Open Respiratory Research. - : BMJ. - 2052-4439. ; 7:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background The diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is based on the presence of persistent respiratory symptoms and chronic airflow limitation (CAL). CAL is based on the ratio of forced expiratory volume in 1 s to forced vital capacity (FEV1:FVC) after bronchodilation, and FEV1:FVC less than the fifth percentile is often used as a cut-off for CAL. The aim was to investigate if increasing percentiles of FEV1:FVC were associated withany respiratory symptom(cough with phlegm, dyspnoea or wheezing) in a general population sample of never-smokers and ever-smokers. Methods In a cross-sectional study comprising 15 128 adults (50-64 years), 7120 never-smokers and 8008 ever-smokers completed a respiratory questionnaire and performed FEV(1)and FVC after bronchodilation. We calculated theirz-scores for FEV1:FVC and defined the fifth percentile using the Global Lung Function Initiative (GLI) reference value, GLI(5)and increasing percentiles up to GLI(25). We analysed the associations between different strata of percentiles and prevalence ofany respiratory symptomusing multivariable logistic regression for estimation of OR. Results Among all subjects, regardless of smoking habits, the odds ofany respiratory symptomwere elevated up to the GLI(15-20)strata. Among never-smokers, the odds ofany respiratory symptomwere elevated at GLI(<5)(OR 3.57, 95% CI 2.43 to 5.23) and at GLI(5-10)(OR 2.57, 95% CI 1.69 to 3.91), but not at higher percentiles. Among ever-smokers, the odds ofany respiratory symptomwere elevated from GLI(<5)(OR 4.64, 95% CI 3.79 to 5.68) up to GLI(>= 25)(OR 1.33, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.75). Conclusions The association between percentages of FEV1:FVC and respiratory symptoms differed depending on smoking history. Our results support a higher percentile cut-off for FEV1:FVC for never-smokers and, in particular, for ever-smokers.
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| 8. |
- Torén, Kjell, 1952, et al.
(author)
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The ratio FEV1/FVC and its association to respiratory symptoms-A Swedish general population study
- 2021
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In: Clinical Physiology and Functional Imaging. - : Wiley. - 1475-0961 .- 1475-097X. ; 41:2, s. 181-191
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Chronic airflow limitation (CAL) can be defined as fixed ratio of forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1)/forced vital capacity (FVC) any respiratory symptom. In a cross-sectional general population study, 15,128 adults (50-64 years of age), 7,120 never-smokers and 8,008 ever-smokers completed a respiratory questionnaire and performed FEV1 and FVC after bronchodilation. We calculated different ratios of FEV1/FVC from 0.40 to 1.0 using 0.70 as reference category. We analysed odds ratios (OR) between different ratios and any respiratory symptom using adjusted multivariable logistic regression. Among all subjects, regardless of smoking habits, the lowest odds for any respiratory symptom was at FEV1/FVC = 0.82, OR 0.48 (95% CI 0.41-0.56). Among never-smokers, the lowest odds for any respiratory symptom was at FEV1/FVC = 0.81, OR 0.53 (95% CI 0.41-0.70). Among ever-smokers, the odds for any respiratory symptom was lowest at FEV1/FVC = 0.81, OR 0.43 (95% CI 0.16-1.19), although the rate of inclining in odds was small in the upper part, that is FEV1/FVC = 0.85 showed similar odds, OR 0.45 (95% CI 0.38-0.55). We concluded that the odds for any respiratory symptoms continuously decreased with higher FEV1/FVC ratios and reached a minimum around 0.80-0.85, with similar results among never-smokers. These results indicate that the optimal threshold associated with respiratory symptoms may be higher than 0.70 and this should be further investigated in prospective longitudinal studies.
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| 9. |
- Toren, Kjell, et al.
(author)
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Vital capacity and COPD : the Swedish CArdioPulmonary bioImage Study (SCAPIS)
- 2016
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In: The International Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. - : DOVE MEDICAL PRESS LTD. - 1176-9106 .- 1178-2005. ; 11, s. 927-933
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Spirometric diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is based on the ratio of forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1)/vital capacity (VC), either as a fixed value <0.7 or below the lower limit of normal (LLN). Forced vital capacity (FVC) is a proxy for VC. The first aim was to compare the use of FVC and VC, assessed as the highest value of FVC or slow vital capacity (SVC), when assessing the FEV1/VC ratio in a general population setting. The second aim was to evaluate the characteristics of subjects with COPD who obtained a higher SVC than FVC. Methods: Subjects (n=1,050) aged 50-64 years were investigated with FEV1, FVC, and SVC after bronchodilation. Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) COPDFVC was defined as FEV1/FVC <0.7, GOLDCOPD(VC) as FEV1/VC <0.7 using the maximum value of FVC or SVC, LLNCOPDFVC as FEV1/FVC below the LLN, and LLNCOPDVC as FEV1/VC below the LLN using the maximum value of FVC or SVC. Results: Prevalence of GOLDCOPD(FVC) was 10.0% (95% confidence interval [CI] 8.2-12.0) and the prevalence of LLNCOPDFVC was 9.5% (95% CI 7.8-11.4). When estimates were based on VC, the prevalence became higher; 16.4% (95% CI 14.3-18.9) and 15.6% (95% CI 13.5-17.9) for GOLDCOPD(VC) and LLNCOPDVC, respectively. The group of additional subjects classified as having COPD based on VC, had lower FEV1, more wheeze and higher residual volume compared to subjects without any COPD. Conclusion: The prevalence of COPD was significantly higher when the ratio FEV1/VC was calculated using the highest value of SVC or FVC compared with using FVC only. Subjects classified as having COPD when using the VC concept were more obstructive and with indications of air trapping. Hence, the use of only FVC when assessing airflow limitation may result in a considerable under diagnosis of subjects with mild COPD.
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| 10. |
- Austeng, Dordi, et al.
(author)
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Incidence of and risk factors for neonatal morbidity after active perinatal care : extremely preterm infants study in Sweden (EXPRESS)
- 2010
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In: Acta Paediatrica. - : Wiley. - 0803-5253 .- 1651-2227. ; 99:7, s. 978-992
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Aims: The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of neonatal morbidity in extremely preterm infants and to identify associated risk factors. Methods: Population based study of infants born before 27 gestational weeks and admitted for neonatal intensive care in Sweden during 2004-2007. Results: Of 638 admitted infants, 141 died. Among these, life support was withdrawn in 55 infants because of anticipation of poor long-term outcome. Of 497 surviving infants, 10% developed severe intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH), 5.7% cystic periventricular leucomalacia (cPVL), 41% septicaemia and 5.8% necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC); 61% had patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) and 34% developed retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) stage >= 3. Eighty-five per cent needed mechanical ventilation and 25% developed severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). Forty-seven per cent survived to one year of age without any severe IVH, cPVL, severe ROP, severe BPD or NEC. Tocolysis increased and prolonged mechanical ventilation decreased the chances of survival without these morbidities. Maternal smoking and higher gestational duration were associated with lower risk of severe ROP, whereas PDA and poor growth increased this risk. Conclusion: Half of the infants surviving extremely preterm birth suffered from severe neonatal morbidities. Studies on how to reduce these morbidities and on the long-term health of survivors are warranted.
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