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| 2. |
- Forberg, Jakob L, et al.
(author)
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An artificial neural network to safely reduce the number of ambulance ECGs transmitted for physician assessment in a system with prehospital detection of ST elevation myocardial infarction
- 2012
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In: Scandinavian Journal of Trauma, Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1757-7241. ; 20:1, s. 1-9
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Pre-hospital electrocardiogram (ECG) transmission to an expert for interpretation and triage reduces time to acute percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with ST elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI). In order to detect all STEMI patients, the ECG should be transmitted in all cases of suspected acute cardiac ischemia. The aim of this study was to examine the ability of an artificial neural network (ANN) to safely reduce the number of ECGs transmitted by identifying patients without STEMI and patients not needing acute PCI. Methods: Five hundred and sixty ambulance ECGs transmitted to the coronary care unit (CCU) in routine care were prospectively collected. The ECG interpretation by the ANN was compared with the diagnosis (STEMI or not) and the need for an acute PCI (or not) as determined from the Swedish coronary angiography and angioplasty register. The CCU physician's real time ECG interpretation (STEMI or not) and triage decision (acute PCI or not) were registered for comparison. Results: The ANN sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values for STEMI was 95%, 68%, 18% and 99%, respectively, and for a need of acute PCI it was 97%, 68%, 17% and 100%. The area under the ANN's receiver operating characteristics curve for STEMI detection was 0.93 (95% CI 0.89-0.96) and for predicting the need of acute PCI 0.94 (95% CI 0.90-0.97). If ECGs where the ANN did not identify a STEMI or a need of acute PCI were theoretically to be withheld from transmission, the number of ECGs sent to the CCU could have been reduced by 64% without missing any case with STEMI or a need of immediate PCI. Conclusions: Our ANN had an excellent ability to predict STEMI and the need of acute PCI in ambulance ECGs, and has a potential to safely reduce the number of ECG transmitted to the CCU by almost two thirds.
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- Björk, Jonas, et al.
(author)
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The utility of the GHRH-arginine test for diagnosing GH deficiency in adults with childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) treated with cranial irradiation.
- 2005
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In: Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. - : The Endocrine Society. - 1945-7197 .- 0021-972X. ; 90:11, s. 6048-6054
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Context: The insulin tolerance test ( ITT) is the current standard diagnostic test for the diagnosis of adult GH deficiency ( GHD), but alternative tests, such as the GHRH- arginine test, have been proposed. Objective: We investigated the sensitivity and specificity of the GHRH- arginine test using ITT as the gold standard in diagnosing GHD in a group of young adults treated with cranial irradiation ( CRT) for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia ( ALL). We estimated the positive and negative predictive values of the GHRH- arginine test among patients as well as a number of individual characteristics and therapy- related factors during both the GHRH- arginine test and ITT. Design: Forty- three young adults, treated for childhood ALL with 18 - 30 Gy CRT and chemotherapy, were studied, and comparison was made with matched controls. Results and Conclusions: We evaluated four different cutoff levels for GHD in the GHRH- arginine test: 5, 7.5, 9, and 16.5 mu g/ liter. Using 7.5 mu g/liter as the cutoff yielded high specificity ( 94%), but at the same time the sensitivity was only 66%, which leads to a low negative predictive value ( 27%). In contrast, a failed GH response to the GHRH- arginine test accurately reflects the presence of radiationinduced GHD, illustrated by a high positive predictive value ( 95% at 7.5 mu g/ liter). Only age at CRT and body mass index remained significant predictors of the peak GH during the GHRH- arginine test. Because a high proportion of GHD patients show a normal response to the GHRH- arginine test, it cannot be used reliably to exclude GHD in these patients. Complementary ITT is also warranted to confirm GHD in obese patients.
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| 4. |
- Ekelund, Ulf, et al.
(author)
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Likelihood of acute coronary syndrome in emergency department chest pain patients varies with time of presentation
- 2012
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In: BMC Research Notes. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1756-0500. ; 5:420
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: There is a circadian and circaseptal (weekly) variation in the onset of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The aim of this study was to elucidate whether the likelihood of ACS among emergency department (ED) chest pain patients varies with the time of presentation. Methods: All patients presenting to the Lund ED at Skåne University Hospital with chest pain or discomfort during 2006 and 2007 were retrospectively included. Age, sex, arrival time at the ED and discharge diagnose (ACS or not) were obtained from the electronic medical records. Results: There was a clear but moderate circadian variation in the likelihood of ACS among presenting chest pain patients, the likelihood between 8 and 10 am being almost twice as high as between 6 and 8 pm. This was mainly explained by a variation in the ACS likelihood in females and patients under 65 years, with no significant variation in males and patients over 65 years. There was no significant circaseptal variation in the ACS likelihood. Conclusions: Our results indicate that there is a circadian variation in the likelihood of ACS among ED chest pain patients, and suggest that physicians should consider the time of presentation to the ED when determining the likelihood of ACS.
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| 5. |
- MOKHTARI, ARASH, et al.
(author)
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A 1-h Combination Algorithm Allows Fast Rule-Out and Rule-In of Major Adverse Cardiac Events
- 2016
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In: Journal of the American College of Cardiology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0735-1097 .- 1558-3597. ; 67:13, s. 1531-1540
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background A 1-h algorithm based on high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) testing at presentation and again 1 h thereafter has been shown to accurately rule out acute myocardial infarction. Objectives The goal of the study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the 1-h algorithm when supplemented with patient history and an electrocardiogram (ECG) (the extended algorithm) for predicting 30-day major adverse cardiac events (MACE) and to compare it with the algorithm using hs-cTnT alone (the troponin algorithm). Methods This prospective observational study enrolled consecutive patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) with chest pain, for whom hs-cTnT testing was ordered at presentation. Hs-cTnT results at 1 h and the ED physician’s assessments of patient history and ECG were collected. The primary outcome was an adjudicated diagnosis of 30-day MACE defined as acute myocardial infarction, unstable angina, cardiogenic shock, ventricular arrhythmia, atrioventricular block, cardiac arrest, or death of a cardiac or unknown cause. Results In the final analysis, 1,038 patients were included. The extended algorithm identified 60% of all patients for rule-out and had a higher sensitivity than the troponin algorithm (97.5% vs. 87.6%; p < 0.001). The negative predictive value was 99.5% and the likelihood ratio was 0.04 with the extended algorithm versus 97.8% and 0.17, respectively, with the troponin algorithm. The extended algorithm ruled-in 14% of patients with a higher sensitivity (75.2% vs. 56.2%; p < 0.001) but a slightly lower specificity (94.0% vs. 96.4%; p < 0.001) than the troponin algorithm. The rule-in arms of both algorithms had a likelihood ratio >10. Conclusions A 1-h combination algorithm allowed fast rule-out and rule-in of 30-day MACE in a majority of ED patients with chest pain and performed better than the troponin-alone algorithm.
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| 6. |
- Björk, Jonas, et al.
(author)
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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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In: Scandinavian Journal of Clinical and Laboratory Investigation. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1502-7686 .- 0036-5513. ; Jul 1, s. 327-333
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)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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| 7. |
- Björk, Jonas, et al.
(author)
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Revised equations for estimating glomerular filtration rate based on the Lund-Malmö Study cohort.
- 2011
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In: Scandinavian Journal of Clinical and Laboratory Investigation. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1502-7686 .- 0036-5513. ; 71, s. 232-239
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)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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| 8. |
- Andersson, Sven E, et al.
(author)
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High NT-proBNP Is a Strong Predictor of Outcome in Elderly Heart Failure Patients.
- 2008
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In: American Journal of Geriatric Cardiology. - 1751-715X. ; 17:1, s. 13-20
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- All patients older than 65 years (184 men; mean age, 78+/-0.8 years/181 women; mean age, 82+/-0.6 years) seeking medical attention at the Lund University Hospital Emergency Clinic during a 2-year period who had an N-terminal prohormone brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) value >2000 pg/mL were followed up for survival. Mortality in the entire population was 21% after 3 months, 35% after 1 year, and 40% after 2 years. Multivariate analysis indicated that the NT-proBNP level and the New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class were stronger predictors of mortality than were echocardiographic estimation of left ventricular ejection fraction or chest radiography. Patients who survived the first year were younger, had higher systolic blood pressure, had lower plasma creatinine, had lower inflammatory activity, and were treated with lower doses of furosemide. The results indicate that in this population, NT-proBNP level together with assessment of NYHA class gives the best prognostic information of 1-year mortality. (Am J Geriatr Cardiol. 2008;17:13-20).
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| 10. |
- Jöud, Anna, et al.
(author)
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The association between pain characteristics, pain catastrophizing and health care use – Baseline results from the SWEPAIN cohort
- 2017
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In: Scandinavian Journal of Pain. - : Walter de Gruyter GmbH. - 1877-8860 .- 1877-8879. ; 16, s. 122-128
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background and aim Pain is common and adds to the global burden of disease. However, individuals suffering from pain are a heterogeneous group in terms of pain spreading, intensity and duration. While pain influences overall health care consultation not everyone with pain consult health care. To be able to provide health care matching the patients’ needs increased knowledge about what factors determines the decision to consult health care is essential. The aim of this study was to explore the combined importance of pain spreading, intensity, duration and pain catastrophizing for consulting health care. Methods In this cross-sectional study we used population based survey data from southeast Sweden (SWEPAIN) including 7792 individuals’ aged 16–85 reporting pain. We used Modified Poisson regressions to analyse factors of importance related to the decision to consult health care. Results High and moderate pain intensity, as compared to low, increases the probability of consulting health care (High PR = 1.7 [95% CI 1.51–1.88], moderate PR = 1.2 [1.15–1.41]). Having widespread pain, as compared to localised pain, increased the probability of consulting health (PR = 1.2 [1.03–1.36). Pain duration was not associated with increased probability of consulting health care (PR = 1.0 CI0.88–1.07). However an interaction (p = 0.05) between pain duration and pain catastrophizing beliefs was seen indicating a combined importance of the two when consulting health care. Conclusion Our result suggests that pain intensity, pain spreading and pain catastrophizing independently influence the decision to consult health care while there is an interaction effect between pain duration and pain catastrophizing beliefs where the importance of pain catastrophizing believes differ with pain duration; the importance of pain catastrophizing believes differ with pain duration. Implications Treatment and rehabilitation strategies should incorporate this finding in order to meet the individual's needs focusing on the biopsychosocial model within health care focusing not only on actual pain reliefs but also on for example acceptance and behavioural changes.
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