| 1. |
- Gustafson, Lars, et al.
(author)
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A factor analytic approach to symptom patterns in dementia.
- 2010
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In: International Journal of Alzheimer's Disease. - : Hindawi Limited. - 2090-0252 .- 2090-8024.
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)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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| 2. |
- Israelsson, Johan, et al.
(author)
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Health status and psychological distress among in-hospital cardiac arrest survivors in relation to gender
- 2017
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In: Resuscitation. - : Elsevier. - 0300-9572 .- 1873-1570. ; 114, s. 27-33
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- AIM: To describe health status and psychological distress among in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) survivors in relation to gender.METHODS: This national register study consists of data from follow-up registration of IHCA survivors 3-6 months post cardiac arrest (CA) in Sweden. A questionnaire was sent to the survivors, including measurements of health status (EQ-5D-5L) and psychological distress (HADS).RESULTS: Between 2013 and 2015, 594 IHCA survivors were included in the study. The median values for EQ-5D-5L index and EQ VAS among survivors were 0.78 (q1-q3=0.67-0.86) and 70 (q1-q3=50-80) respectively. The values were significantly lower (p<0.001) in women compared to men. In addition, women reported more problems than men in all dimensions of EQ-5D-5L, except self-care. A majority of the respondents reported no problems with anxiety (85.4%) and/or symptoms of depression (87.0%). Women reported significantly more problems with anxiety (p<0.001) and symptoms of depression (p<0.001) compared to men. Gender was significantly associated with poorer health status and more psychological distress. No interaction effects for gender and age were found.CONCLUSIONS: Although the majority of survivors reported acceptable health status and no psychological distress, a substantial proportion reported severe problems. Women reported worse health status and more psychological distress compared to men. Therefore, a higher proportion of women may be in need of support. Health care professionals should make efforts to identify health problems among survivors and offer individualised support when needed.
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| 3. |
- Olander, Agnes, et al.
(author)
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Prehospital characteristics among patients with sepsis: a comparison between patients with or without adverse outcome
- 2019
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In: Bmc Emergency Medicine. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1471-227X. ; 19:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background The prehospital care of patients with sepsis are commonly performed by the emergency medical services. These patients may be critically ill and have high in-hospital mortality rates. Unfortunately, few patients with sepsis are identified by the emergency medical services, which can lead to delayed treatment and a worse prognosis. Therefore, early identification of patients with sepsis is important, and more information about the prehospital characteristics that can be used to identify these patients is needed. Based on this lack of information, the objectives of this study were to investigate the prehospital characteristics that are identified while patients with sepsis are being transported to the hospital by the emergency medical services, and to compare these values to those of the patients with and without adverse outcomes during their hospital stays. Methods This was a retrospective observational study. The patients' electronic health records were reviewed and selected consecutively based on the following: retrospectively diagnosed with sepsis and transported to an emergency department by the emergency medical services. Data were collected on demographics, prehospital characteristics and adverse outcomes, defined as the in-hospital mortality or treatment in the intensive care unit, and analysed by independent sample t-test and chi-square. Sensitivity, specificity and likelihood ratio, of prehospital characteristics for predicting or development of adverse outcome were analysed. Results In total, 327 patients were included. Of these, 50 patients had adverse outcomes. When comparing patients with or without an adverse outcome, decreased oxygen saturation and body temperature, increased serum glucose level and altered mental status during prehospital care were found to be associated with an adverse outcome. Conclusions The findings suggests that patients having a decreased oxygen saturation and body temperature, increased serum glucose level and altered mental status during prehospital care are at risk of a poorer patient prognosis and adverse outcome. Recognizing these prehospital characteristics may help to identify patients with sepsis early and improve their long-term outcomes. However further research is required to predict limit values of saturation and serum glucose and to validate the use of prehospital characteristics for adverse outcome in patients with sepsis.
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| 4. |
- Holmqvist, Gärd, 1950-, et al.
(author)
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Expressions of vitality affects and basic affects during art therapy and their meaning for inner change
- 2019
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In: International Journal of Art Therapy. - Abingdon : Taylor & Francis. - 1745-4832 .- 1745-4840. ; 24:1, s. 30-39
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The aim of this study was to describe the occurrence of vitality affects and basic affects and to shed light on their importance in terms of patients' inner change through art therapy. In an earlier study, where 17 women were interviewed about inner change through art therapy, a secondary deductive content analysis of images and statements was performed exploring the presence of vitality affects and basic affects. Nine of the 17 interviews contained clear descriptions of vitality affects and basic affects in the intersubjective communication between the patient and the therapist, these affects were also mirrored in the patients’ painted images.Three cases are used to illustrate the result and how affects were related to inner change. These three cases differ from each other in that they described vitality affects either arising from the art therapist’s empathetic verbal or non-verbal response, from a particular experience in nature, or from the interpreted symbolic language of the image. The common denominator uniting the three cases was the intersubjective communication with the therapist. This study indicates that image making in art therapy gives rise to vitality affects and basic affects that contributes to inner change. It also indicates the importance of having trust in both the method and the art therapist.
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| 5. |
- Good, Elin, et al.
(author)
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High-grade carotid artery stenosis : A forgotten area in cardiovascular risk management
- 2016
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In: European Journal of Preventive Cardiology. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 2047-4873 .- 2047-4881. ; 23:13, s. 1453-1460
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background Patients with high-grade (≥70%) carotid artery stenosis (CAS) rank in the highest risk category for future cardiovascular (CV) events, but the quality of cardiovascular risk management in this patient group is unknown. Design Cross-sectional retrospective study. Methods Data were collected for all patients diagnosed with high-grade CAS in Östergötland county, Sweden between 1 January 2009 and 31 July 2012 regarding the quality of cardiovascular risk management, co-morbidity and outcomes during the 2-year follow-up period after a diagnosis of CAS with a carotid ultrasound scan. Patients were included regardless of whether they underwent carotid endarterectomy (CEA). Results A total of 393 patients with CAS were included in the study; 133 (33.8%) underwent CEA and 260 (66.2%) were assigned to a conservative management (CM) group. In both groups of patients the prescription of platelet inhibitors, statins and antihypertensive drugs increased significantly (p < 0.001) after diagnosis. However treatment targets were not met in the majority of patients and the low-density lipoprotein level was on target in only 13.5% of patients. During follow-up, low-density lipoprotein levels were not measured in 19.8% of patients who underwent CEA and 44.2% of patients in the CM group (p < 0.001); HbA1c was not measured in 24.4% of patients with diabetes in the CEA group and in 18.8% of patients in the CM group (p = 0.560). There was no documentation of counselling on diet, exercise, smoking cessation or adherence to medication. The combined clinical event rate (all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality and non-fatal cardiovascular events) was high in both groups (CEA 36.8% and CM 36.9%; p = 1.00) with no difference in the occurrence of ipsilateral ischaemic stroke. Conclusions The clinical event rate was high in patients with high-grade CAS and the management of cardiovascular risk was deficient in all aspects.
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| 6. |
- Kastbom, Åsa, et al.
(author)
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Sexual debut before the age of 14 leads to poorer psychosocial health and risky behaviour in later life
- 2015
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In: Acta Paediatrica. - : Wiley-Blackwell. - 0803-5253 .- 1651-2227. ; 104:1, s. 91-100
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Aim: This study investigated the relationship between sexual debut before 14 years of age and socio-demographics, sexual experience, health, experience of child abuse and behaviour at 18 years of age. Methods: A sample of 3432 Swedish high school seniors completed a survey about sexuality, health and abuse at the age of 18. Results: Early debut was positively correlated with risky behaviours, such as the number of partners, experience of oral and anal sex, health behaviours, such as smoking, drug and alcohol use, and antisocial behaviour, such as being violent, lying, stealing and running away from home. Girls with an early sexual debut had significantly more experience of sexual abuse. Boys with an early sexual debut were more likely to have a weak sense of coherence, low self-esteem and poor mental health, together with experience of sexual abuse, selling sex and physical abuse. A multiple logistic regression model showed that a number of antisocial acts and health behaviours remained significant, but early sexual debut did not increase the risk of psychiatric symptoms, low self-esteem or low sense of coherence at 18 years of age. Conclusion: Early sexual debut was associated with problematic behaviours during later adolescence, and this vulnerability requires attention from parents and healthcare providers.
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| 7. |
- Rask, Mikael, 1958-, et al.
(author)
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Validity and reliability of a Swedish version of the Relationship Assessment Scale (RAS) : a pilot study
- 2010
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In: Canadian journal of cardiovascular nursing. - Ottawa : Canadian Council of Cardiovascular Nurses. - 0843-6096. ; 20:1, s. 16-21
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: There is a need for a short and easily administered scale, in the Swedish language, for assessing partner relationships in the health care of persons with cardiac disease. PURPOSE: To establish the reliability and validity of the Swedish version of the Relationship Assessment Scale (RAS). DESIGN: The present pilot study has a methodological design. FINDINGS: Content validity has been tested for relevance, clarity and readability. The scale was tested for construct validity with explorative factor analysis. The reliability was tested by internal consistency and test-retest analysis. The result showed a two-factor solution, which does not correspond to the original proposed one-factor solution. The factor analyses revealed two quite distinct factors of RAS, labelled "Relationship built on expectations and satisfaction of needs" and "Relationship built on love and devotion". CONCLUSIONS: The scale has satisfactory psychometric properties in terms of content validity, construct validity, homogeneity and stability in a population of persons with cardiac disease. Wider evaluations of the RAS for other populations and settings are recommended.
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| 8. |
- Liljeroos, Maria, 1965-, et al.
(author)
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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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In: Quality of Life Research. - Dordrecht : Springer Netherlands. - 0962-9343 .- 1573-2649. ; 26:2, s. 367-379
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)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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| 9. |
- Djarv, T., et al.
(author)
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Traumatic cardiac arrest in Sweden 1990-2016 : a population-based national cohort study
- 2018
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In: Scandinavian Journal of Trauma, Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine. - : BioMed Central (BMC). - 1757-7241. ; 26
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Trauma is a main cause of death among young adults worldwide. Patients experiencing a traumatic cardiac arrest (TCA) certainly have a poor prognosis but population-based studies are sparse. Primarily to describe characteristics and 30-day survival following a TCA as compared with a medical out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (medical CA). Methods: A cohort study based on data from the nationwide, prospective population-based Swedish Registry for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (SRCR), a medical cardiac arrest registry, between 1990 and 2016. The definition of a TCA in the SRCR is a patient who is unresponsive with apnoea where cardiopulmonary resuscitation and/or defibrillation have been initiated and in whom the Emergency Medical Services (EMS, mainly a nurse-based system) reported trauma as the aetiology. Outcome was overall 30-day survival. Descriptive statistics as well as multivariable logistic regression models were used. Results: In all, between 1990 and 2016, 1774 (2.4%) cases had a TCA and 72,547 had a medical CA. Overall 30-day survival gradually increased over the years, and was 3.7% for TCAs compared to 8.2% following a medical CA (p < 0.01). Among TCAs, factors associated with a higher 30-day survival were bystander witnessed and having a shockable initial rhythm (adjusted OR 2.67, 95% C.I. 1.15-6.22 and OR 8.94 95% C.I. 4.27-18.69, respectively). Discussion: Association in registry-based studies do not imply causality but TCA had short time intervals in the chain of survival as well as high rates of bystander-CPR. C onclusion: In a medical CA registry like ours, prevalence of TCAs is low and survival is poor. Registries like ours might not capture the true incidence. However, many individuals do survive and resuscitation in TCAs should not be seen futile.
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| 10. |
- Karlsson, Staffan, 1959-, et al.
(author)
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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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In: BMC Psychiatry. - London : BioMed Central. - 1471-244X. ; 17, s. 1-9
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Research review (peer-reviewed)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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