| 1. |
- Landtblom, Anne-Marie, 1953-, et al.
(författare)
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Hypointensity in T2-weighted images of the basal ganglia in solvent-exposed patients with multiple sclerosis : Clinical, MRI and CSF characteristics
- 2003
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Ingår i: Neurological Sciences. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1590-1874 .- 1590-3478. ; 24:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Several studies have indicated an association between MS and organic solvent exposure. Our objective was to analyse differences regarding cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) properties, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features and cerebral metabolites, measured by proton spectroscopy (1H-MRS), in 20 patients with spontaneous multiple sclerosis (MS) and in 20 patients with MS after solvent exposure, 15 healthy subjects served as controls. CSF examinations were retrospectively reviewed from the medical files. There were no significant differences in the CSF regarding pleocytosis, spinal-serum albumin ratio or mean extended IgG index. However, T2-weighted images of the solvent-exposed MS patients showed more hypointense areas in the basal ganglia. Hypointensity on T2-weighted images of the basal ganglia in the solvent-exposed MS patients may correspond to neurodegeneration and could be an early event in MS.
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| 2. |
- Axelson, Olav, 1937-, et al.
(författare)
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Multiple sclerosis and ionizing radiation.
- 2001
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Ingår i: Neuroepidemiology. - : S. Karger AG. - 0251-5350 .- 1423-0208. ; 120, s. 175-178
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The etiology of multiple sclerosis (MS) may involve exposure to infectious, chemical or physical agents damaging the blood-brain barrier and an autoimmune reaction against myelin breakdown products. Here we report a pooled analysis of 174 MS cases and 815 population controls from two case-control studies with regard to such a potentially damaging exposure, namely X-ray examinations, radiological work and treatment with ionizing radiation. Exposure was assessed by questionnaires to the subjects. We obtained odds ratios of 4.4 (95% confidence interval, CI, 1.6-11.6) and 1.8 (95% CI 1.2-2.6) for radiological work and X-ray examinations, respectively, 5 cases, but no controls, in one of the studies had been treated with ionizing radiation. Our data and some other observations reported in the literature suggest a contributory role for ionizing radiation to the development of MS in some cases.
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| 3. |
- Flodin, Ulf, 1946-, et al.
(författare)
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Non-sensitising air pollution at workplaces and adult onset asthma
- 2004
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Ingår i: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0340-0131 .- 1432-1246. ; 77:1, s. 17-22
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective: The aim of this study was to elucidate further whether occupational exposure to non-sensitising air pollution at workplaces increases the risk of adult onset asthma. Methods: One hundred and twenty persons with asthma diagnosed by general practitioners, aged 20-65 years, were compared with 446 referents matched for age and gender and living in the same community as the cases. Information about occupation, exposure to specific allergens, smoking habits, dwellings and atopy was obtained from a postal questionnaire. The subjects' occupations were categorised as clean or polluted, based on the judgement of the referents on their respective occupations. Results: Three years or more of work in air-polluted workplaces resulted in an odds ratio of 1.7 (95% confidence interval 1.0-2.7). Stratification of the material on smoking habits, gender or atopy did not alter the results, nor did exclusion of subjects exposed to specific allergens of statistical significance in this material, e.g. flour dust. Smoking per se did not bring any risk of asthma. Working in buildings affected by dampness and mould brought a fourfold significant risk. Conclusion: In this study occupational exposure to unspecific air pollution at workplaces was associated with an increased risk of adult-onset asthma.
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| 4. |
- Flodin, Ulf, 1946-, et al.
(författare)
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Provocation of electric hypersensitivity under everyday conditions
- 2000
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Ingår i: Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health. - 0355-3140 .- 1795-990X. ; 26:2, s. 93-98
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objectives. In most previous provocation studies subjects suffering from ?electric hypersensitivity? have not been able to determine correctly whether or not they have been subjected to a sham or true provocation to magnetic or electric fields. However, an often-discussed weakness is that most of the earlier provocation studies have been performed in a laboratory situation, often with simulated fields, which may not be representative of conditions prevailing in the homes or workplaces of the patients. Criticism has also been put forth about neglect of the long latency period of symptoms. Therefore, a provocation study was performed in the homes or workplaces of the patients, where we also studied the symptoms and on-off answer 24 hours after the exposure. Methods. Fifteen subjects selected as having fast and distinct reactions from electric equipment were provoked on 4 occasions: mainly 2 true and 2 sham provocations. The intervals between exposure were a few or more days in order to provide the subjects with an opportunity to recover before the next provocation. A control group of healthy subjects with normal hearing and vision verified that the provocations were performed in a blind manner. Results. The patients suffering from ?electric hypersensitivity? were no better than the control group in deciding whether or not they were exposed to electric and magnetic fields. Conclusions. Exposure to electric and magnetic fields per se does not seem to be a sufficient cause of the symptoms experienced by this patient group.
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| 5. |
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| 6. |
- Kangoum, Abdul-Almawla, 1949-, et al.
(författare)
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Prevalence of female genital mutilation among African women resident in the Swedish county of Östergötland
- 2004
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Ingår i: Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica. - : Wiley. - 0001-6349 .- 1600-0412. ; 83:2, s. 187-190
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objectives. To establish the prevalence of female genital mutilation (FGM) among African women resident in the Swedish County of Östergötland and assess the types of FGM. Material and methods. Three hundred and four African women aged ≥ 18 years were domiciled in Östergötland by the end of 1998. The women were invited by letter. A socio-cultural questionnaire designed to give an overall picture of FGM within a socioeconomic context, and also to invite the women to an interview and examination, was sent to all African women in the county of Östergötland. Women who gave their consent (n = 63) underwent a gynecologic examination. Results. The response rate was 84%. According to the questionnaire, 68% of all the African women were genitally mutilated. The clinical examination revealed that 39 women (62%) were mutilated, 17 of them (44%) had undergone removal of part or all external genitalia and stitching ('infibulation'), 26% had undergone removal of the prepuce of the clitoris ('prepucectomy'), 23% had undergone various cultural practices on the external genitalia, and 7.7% excision of the clitoris with partial or total removal of labia minora ('clitoridectomy'). Conclusion. The influx of immigrants to Sweden and the other Scandinavian countries from cultures where FGM is practiced, requires that physicians and other health professionals familiarize themselves with the practice and the cultural beliefs underlying it. Sensitivity to the needs of these women as well as attention to the potential physical hazards posed by the practice are important factors in care.
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| 7. |
- Landtblom, Anne-Marie, 1953-, et al.
(författare)
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The risk for multiple sclerosis in female nurse anaesthetists : A register based study
- 2006
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Ingår i: Occupational and Environmental Medicine. - : BMJ. - 1351-0711 .- 1470-7926. ; 63:6, s. 387-389
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Previous studies have suggested that exposure to organic solvents, including volatile anaesthetic agents, may be a risk factor for multiple sclerosis (MS), possibly in combination with genetic and other environmental factors. Aims: To further investigate the role of volatile anaesthetic agents having similar acute toxic effects to other organic solvents. Methods: Female nurse anaesthetists, other female nurses, and female teachers from middle and upper compulsory school levels were identified and retrieved from the 1985 census, Statistics Sweden. By means of the unique personal identity number in Sweden, these individuals were linked with the disability pension registers at The National Social Insurance Board and also with data on hospital care 1985-2000 at The National Board of Health and Welfare. Results: The cumulative incidence rate ratio of MS was found to be increased in female nurse anaesthetists in relation to other nurses (statistically not significant) and teachers (statistically significant), respectively. Conclusions: These findings give some support to previous findings of an increased risk for MS in nurse anaesthetists. This is interesting in the context of previous observations of organic solvents in general as a potential risk factor in MS.
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| 8. |
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