| 1. |
- 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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| 2. |
- Sandstedt, Mårten, 1972-
(author)
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Computed Tomography of the Coronary Arteries : Developmental and Prognostic Investigations
- 2020
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Computed tomography (CT) is an increasingly used modality for investigations of patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD). Technical advances could improve diagnostic accuracy and lead to clinical workflow improvements. Also, more prognostic information can optimize clinical follow-up strategies and treatments.The general aim of this thesis was to explore the use of CT for CAD investigations. Three studies aimed to examine new technologies, including the evaluation of an on-site, computed tomography-based fractional flow reserve (CT-FFR) software (study I), the evaluation of an AI-based, calcium scoring computed tomography (CSCT) software (study III), and the evaluation of an photon-counting detector (PCD)-CT (study IV). One study aimed to evaluate the long-term prognostic value of coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) in symptomatic patients with no history of CAD (study II).The software evaluation studies (study I and III) and the prognostic study (study II) utilized CT data from clinical patients, while the PCD-CT evaluation study (study IV) used CT data from cadaveric specimens. The performances of both software programs were compared with standard references, being represented by fractional flow reserve (FFR) measurements (study I), and coronary artery calcification (CAC) scores from a semi-automatic software (study III), respectively. The PCD-CT performance on CAC quantification was compared with corresponding results from an energy integrating detector (EID)-CT, using micro-CT as the standard reference (study IV). The prognostic study merged registries to identify major adverse cardiac events (MACE), having a follow-up time of up to 7.5 years (study II).The CT-FFR and CSCT software correlation and agreement to corresponding standard references were good and excellent, respectively. Also, both software programs had time-saving potential (study I and III). The CAC quantification was more accurate using PCD-CT than EID-CT (study IV). The prognosis was excellent in patients with normal coronary arteries, and progressively impaired in non-obstructive and obstructive CAD (study II).The results in this thesis convey developmental, technical CT technology advances for CAD investigations. In addition, prognostic follow-up data is communicated. The results may benefit patients by an increased accuracy in the CT evaluation of CAD and can contribute to improve clinical follow-up strategies. Furthermore, the results suggest possibilities to improve the workflow in clinical radiology, which potentially could impact health care costs.
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| 3. |
- 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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| 4. |
- Borsgård, Gustav, 1984-
(author)
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Litteraturens mått : politiska implikationer av litteraturundervisning som demokrati- och värdegrundsarbete
- 2021
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Avhandlingens syfte är att undersöka politiska implikationer av idén om litteraturundervisning som demokrati- och värdegrundsarbete i förhållande till det ideal om mätbar kunskap som präglar samtidens utbildningspolicydiskurser. Det som står i fokus är 2011 års gymnasiereform, som tolkas mot bakgrund av en genomgripande förändring av den globala och europeiska utbildningspolicydiskursen från och med millennieskiftet. Avhandlingen undersöker hur subjekt, samhälle och relationen däremellan förstås av aktörer inom policy, forskning och av lärare. Analysen är uppdelad i en transnationell nivå, en nationell nivå och en didaktisk nivå. Avhandlingen visar också hur policydiskurser rekontextualiseras mellan de olika nivåerna.Vad gäller den transnationella nivån visar avhandlingen hur EU:s utbildningspolicy lägger stor vikt vid utbildningens samhällsekonomiska funktion samtidigt som demokratiska aspekter av utbildning tonas ned. EU framhäver även värdet av entreprenörskap och kopplar kreativitetsfrämjande aspekter av konst och humaniora till arbetsmarknaden och ekonomisk tillväxt. I ramverket till OECD:s PISA-studier lyfts reading literacy fram som viktigt för såväl kritiskt tänkande som ekonomisk utveckling. Läsningen av skönlitteratur specifikt definieras dock som en individuell angelägenhet och fritidsaktivitet. Genom att anlägga ett psykologiskt perspektiv på skönlitteraturen och lyfta fram den som en individuell – snarare än samhällelig eller strukturell – angelägenhet sker en av avpolitisering av litteraturläsningens emancipatoriska värde.Vad gäller den nationella nivån visar avhandlingen hur skolans syn på demokrati och litteratur har genomgått förändringar sedan 1940-talet. Framför allt har demokratin gradvis kommit att förstås som ett ”fullbordat” projekt, snarare än som någonting som kan utvecklas eller fördjupas. Med hjälp av Gert Biestas tre dimensioner av medborgarfostran gör avhandlingen en kritisk genomgång av tongivande teorier om litteraturundervisning som demokrati- och värdegrundsarbete, och argumenterar för att merparten av teorierna fokuserar på medborgarfostran som socialisering snarare än subjektivering. Med andra ord innebär demokratiarbetet en anpassning till, snarare än en kritik av, det omgivande samhället. Avhandlingen använder sig också av Peter Dahler-Larsens begrepp konstitutiva effekter för att visa hur 2011 års gymnasiereform tonade ned demokratiska aspekter av litteraturundervisning i förhållande till den föregående läroplanen.Vad gäller den didaktiska nivån använder sig avhandlingen av kvalitativa lärarintervjuer som visar hur lärares didaktiska val ramas in av styrdokumenten och olika administrativa uppgifter. Avhandlingen argumenterar för att lärarnas tolkning av styrdokumenten innebär ett rekontextualiseringsfält inom vilket lärarna förhandlar med läroplanens bestämmelser. I flera fall väljer lärarna att bortse från aspekter av styrdokumenten för att i stället grunda sina didaktiska val på den egna lärarerfarenheten. Det avslutande kapitlet argumenterar för att en viktig politisk implikation av idén om litteraturundervisning som demokrati- och värdegrundsarbete – i synnerhet när den kombineras med strävan efter mätbarhet – är att utbildningens subjektiveringsdimension marginaliseras. Avhandlingen argumenterar för att utbildning skulle kunna handla mindre om fastslagna värden och mätbara kompetenser, och mer om elevers behov av att lära sig hantera icke-vetande.
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| 5. |
- De Geer, Jakob, 1970-
(author)
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On the use of computed tomography in cardiac imaging
- 2016
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- BackgroundCardiac Computed Tomography Angiography (CCTA) is becoming increasingly useful in the work‐up of coronary artery disease (CAD). Several potential methods for increasing the diagnostic yield of cardiac CT are available.Purpose Study I: To investigate whether the use of a 2‐D, non‐linear adaptive noise reduction filter can improve CCTA image quality.Study II: To evaluate the variation in adenosine stress dynamic CT perfusion (CTP) blood flow as compared to stress 99mTc SPECT. Secondly, to compare the perfusion results from manual and automatic myocardial CTP segmentation.Study III: To evaluate the accuracy of non‐invasive, CCTA‐derived Fractional Flow Reserve (cFFR).Study IV: To evaluate the prognostic value of CCTA in terms of major adverse cardiac events (MACE).Materials and methodsStudy I: Single images from 36 consecutive CCTA exams performed with two different dose levels were used. Image quality in full dose, low‐dose and noise‐reduced low‐dose images was graded using visual grading analysis. Image noise was measured.Study II: CTP and SPECT were performed in 17 patients, and the variation in per AHA‐segment blood flow was evaluated and compared. CTP results from manual and automated image segmentation were compared.Study III: CCTA datasets from 21 patients were processed using cFFR software and the results compared to the corresponding invasively measured FFR (invFFR).Study IV: 1205 consecutive patients with chest pain of unknown origin underwent CCTA. Baseline data and data on subsequent MACE were retrieved from relevant registries. Survival, hazard ratios and the three‐year incidence of cardiac events and readmissions were calculated.Results Study I: There was significant improvement in perceived image quality for all criteria when the filter was applied, and a significant decrease in image noise.Study II: The correlation coefficients for CTP vs. SPECT were 0.38 and 0.41 (p<0.001, for manual and automated segmentation respectively. Mean per patient CTP blood flow in normal segments varied between 94‐183 ml/100 ml tissue/min for manual segmentation, and 104‐196 ml/100 ml tissue/min for automated segmentation. The Spearman rank correlation coefficient for manual vs. automated segmentation CTP was ρ = 0.88 (p<0.001) and the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) was 0.93 (p<0.001).Study III: The Spearman rank correlation coefficient for cFFR vs. invFFR was ρ = 0.77 (p<0.001) and the ICC was 0.73 (p<0.001). Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value for significant stenosis (FFR<0.80, per vessel) were 0.83, 0.76, 0.56 and 0.93 respectively.Study IV: The hazard ratio for non‐obstructive CAD vs. normal coronary arteries was 5.13 (95% C.I 1.03‐25.43, p<0.05), and 151.40 (95% C.I 37.03‐619.08, p<0.001) for obstructive CAD vs. normal coronary arteries. The three‐year incidence of MACE was 1.1% for patients with normal vessels on CCTA, 2.5% for patients with non‐obstructive CAD and 42.7% for patients with obstructive CAD (p<0.001).Conclusions:Study I: Image quality and noise levels of low dose images were significantly improved with the filter, even though the improvement was small compared to the image quality of the corresponding diastolic full‐dose images.Study II: Correlation between dynamic CTP and SPECT was positive but weak. There were large variations in CTP blood flow in normal segments on SPECT, rendering the definition of an absolute cut‐off value for normal vs. ischemic myocardium difficult. Manual and automatic segmentation were equally useful.Study III: The correlation between cFFR and invFFR was good, indicating that noninvasively estimated cFFR performs on a similar level as invasively measure FFR. Study IV: The long‐term risk for MACE was very low in patients without obstructive CAD on CCTA, though there seemed to be a substantial increase in the risk for MACE even in patients with non‐obstructive CAD as compared to normal coronary arteries. In addition, even patients with normal coronary arteries or non‐obstructive CAD continued to have a substantial number of readmissions for chest pain or angina pectoris.
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| 6. |
- Gyllensvärd, Frida, 1980-
(author)
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Efficient Methods for Volumetric Illumination
- 2011
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Modern imaging modalities can generate three-dimensional datasets with a very high detail level. To transfer all the information to the user in an efficient way there is a need for three-dimensional visualization. In order to enhance the diagnostic capabilities the utilized methods must supply the user with fast renderings that are easy to interpret correctly.It can thus be a challenge to visualize a three-dimensional dataset in a way that allows the user to perceive depth and shapes. A number of stereoscopic solutions are available on the market but it is in many situations more practical and less expensive to use ordinary two-dimensional displays. Incorporation of advanced illumination can, however, improve the perception of depth in a rendering of a volume. Cast shadows provide the user with clues of distances and object hierarchy. Simulating realistic light conditions is, however, complex and it can be difficult to reach interactive frame rates. Approximations and clever implementations are consequently required.This thesis presents efficient methods for calculation of illumination with the objective of providing the user with high spatial and shape perception. Two main types of light conditions, a single point light source and omni-directional illumination, are considered. Global transport of light is efficiently estimated using local piecewise integration which allows a graceful speed up compared to brute force techniques. Ambient light conditions are calculated by integrating the incident light along rays within a local neighborhood around each point in the volume.Furthermore, an approach that allows the user to highlight different tissues, using luminous materials, is also available in this thesis. A multiresolution data structure is employed in all the presented methods in order to support evaluation of illumination for large scale data at interactive frame rates.
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| 7. |
- Israelsson, Johan, 1970-
(author)
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Health-related quality of life after cardiac arrest
- 2020
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Background: Cardiac arrest is a major health problem worldwide. For many of the afflicted, cardiac arrest is the natural end of life. For others, it is an unexpected event suddenly striking in the middle of life. During the last decades, major efforts in treatment have contributed to more people surviving their cardiac arrest. However, previous research has mainly focused on survival, while the knowledge about health-related quality of life in survivors is sparse. Hence, there is a need for more research in order to extend the knowledge about the living situations among survivors and their spouses. For example, factors associated with health-related quality of life are not sufficiently investigated. Knowledge about such factors is important in order to develop interventions and to be able to improve post cardiac arrest care. In addition, existing research shows incongruent results concerning differences in characteristics and survival between men and women. In order to provide equitable care between sexes, further studies are warranted. Aim: The overall aim of this thesis was to increase the knowledge of survival and health-related quality of life among people suffering cardiac arrest with focus on sex and other related factors. The specific aims were: to describe in-hospital cardiac arrest events with regard to sex and investigate if sex is associated with survival after controlling for known predictors and interaction effects (study I), to describe health status and psychological distress among in-hospital cardiac arrest survivors in relation to sex (study II), to investigate factors associated with health-related quality of life among cardiac arrest survivors treated with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator in relation to sex, and to compare their health-related quality of life with a general population, (study III) and to investigate if type D personality and perceived control among cardiac arrest survivors and their spouses were associated with their own and their partners’ health-related quality of life (study IV). Methods: The general design in all studies (I-IV) was quantitative, cross-sectional and correlational. This thesis is based on four different data collections. Data was systematically collected using national quality registries (I and II) or by sending questionnaires to survivors (III and IV) and their spouses (IV), treated at several different hospitals in Sweden. The sample size varied between 126 and 990 across the studies. The outcomes and explanatory study variables were chosen with respect to Wilson and Cleary’s conceptual model of health-related quality of life. The main outcome variables were survival after resuscitation, survival at hospital discharge, survival at 30 days post cardiac arrest (I), and health-related quality of life measured by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (II and III) and the EuroQol-5 dimensions (II-IV). In this thesis descriptive and inferential statistics were applied. The main statistics consisted of logistic and linear regression analyses, and structural equation modelling. Results: Male sex was associated with a better chance of survival to hospital discharge, but no associations between sex and survival after resuscitation or at 30 days were identified. More men than women received resuscitation attempts when suffering an in-hospital cardiac arrest (study I). Health-related quality of life among most cardiac arrest survivors was good (II-IV), even when compared to a general population (III). However, a significant proportion reported low health status and symptoms of anxiety and depression (II and III). Women reported worse health-related quality of life compared to men, and female sex was associated with poorer health-related quality of life in the multiple regression models (II and III). Several additional factors were identified to be associated with poorer health-related quality of life: being unemployed, having a type D personality, perceiving less control, suffering from more comorbidities and suffering from more ICD-related concerns (III). In addition, older age was associated with poorer (EQ VAS) or better (HADS Anxiety) health-related quality of life, depending of outcome measure (II). Moreover, perceived control and type D personality among the survivors were associated with health-related quality of life among their spouses, but not vice versa. Conclusions: Although, sex does not appear to be an important predictor for survival, the difference between men and women regarding the proportion of resuscitation attempts should be further investigated. The majority of survivors and their spouses report good health-related quality of life similar to general populations. However, a substantial proportion suffer from health problems. Since women in general report worse health-related quality of life compared to men a higher proportion of women may be in need of support. Several factors associated with worse health-related quality of life were identified and might be used during follow-up and rehabilitation. For example, identifying type D personality might be important when screening patients at risk for health problems. Perceiving more control could be targeted by health-supportive interventions, for example person-centered care. Healthcare professionals should make efforts to identify survivors at risk of poor health-related quality of life and offer individualized support when needed. Characteristics among survivors were associated with health-related quality of life in their spouses. Including spouses in follow-up care is therefore important. Wilson and Cleary’s conceptual model for health-related quality of life appears to be applicable for choosing outcomes in cardiac arrest research and might be helpful when designing interventions to improve post cardiac arrest care.
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| 8. |
- Kataria, Bharti, 1955-
(author)
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Visual grading evaluation of reconstruction methods and dose optimisation in abdominal Computed Tomography
- 2019
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Since its introduction in the 1970’s CT has emerged as a modality of choice because of its high sensitivity in producing accurate diagnostic images. A third of all Computed Tomography (CT) examinations are abdominal CTs which deliver one of the highest doses among common examinations. An increase in the number of CT examinations has raised concerns about the negative effects of ionising radiation as the dose is cumulative over the life span of the individual. Image quality in CT is closely related to the radiation dose, so that a certain dose with an associated small, but not negligible, risk is a prerequisite for high image quality. Typically, dose reduction in CT results in higher noise and a decrease in low contrast resolution which can be detrimental to the image quality produced. New technology presents a wide range of dose reduction strategies, the latest being iterative reconstruction (IR).The aim of this thesis was to evaluate two different classes of iterative reconstruction algorithms: statistical (SAFIRE) and model-based (ADMIRE) as well as to explore the diagnostic value of a low-dose abdominal CT for optimisation purposes.This thesis included a total of 140 human subjects in four image quality evaluation studies, three of which were prospective studies (Papers I, II and IV) and one retrospective study (Paper III). Visual grading experiments to determine the potential dose reductions, were performed with pairwise comparison of image quality in the same patient at different tube loads (dose) and reconstructed with Filtered back projection (FBP) and SAFIRE strength 1 in a low-dose abdominal CT (Paper I) and FBP and ADMIRE strengths 3 and 5 in a standard dose abdominal CT (Paper II). Paper IV evaluated the impact of slice thicknesses in CT images reconstructed with ADMIRE strengths 3 and 5 when comparing multiplanar reconstruction (MPR) formatted images in a standard dose abdominal CT. Paper III, on the other hand, was an absolute assessment of image quality and pathology between the three phases of a CT Urography (CTU) protocol to explore the diagnostic value of low-dose abdominal CT. The anonymised images were displayed in random order and image quality was assessed by a group of radiologists using image quality criteria from the “European guidelines of quality criteria for CT”. The responses from the reviewer assessment were analysed statistically with ordinal logistic regression i.e. Visual Grading Regression (VGR).Results in Paper I show that a small dose reduction (5-9 %) was possible using SAFIRE strength 1and indicated the need for further research to evaluate the dose reduction potential of higher strengths of the algorithm. In Paper II a 30% dose reduction was possible without change in ADMIRE algorithm strength as no improvement in image quality was observed between tube loads 98- and 140 mAs. When comparing tube loads 42 and 98 mAs, further dose reduction was possible with ADMIRE strength 3 (22-47%). However, for images reconstructed with ADMIRE strength 5, a dose reduction of 34-74% was possible for some, but not all image criteria. Image quality in low-contrast objects such as the liver parenchyma, was affected and a decline in diagnostic confidence was observed. Paper IV showed potential dose reductions are possible with increasing slice thickness from 1 mm to 2 mm (24-35%) and 1 mm to 3mm (25-41%). ADMIRE strength 3 continued to provide diagnostically acceptable images with possible dose reductions for all image criteria assessed. Despite objective evaluations showing a decrease in noise and an increase in contrast to noise ratio, ADMIRE strength 5 had diverse effects on the five image criteria, depending on slice thickness and further dose reductions were limited to certain image criteria. The findings do not support a general recommendation to replace ADMIRE3 with ADMIRE5 in clinical abdominal CT protocols.Paper III studied another aspect of optimisation and results show that visualisation of renal anatomy was as expected in favour of the post-contrast phases when compared to the native phase. Assessment of pathology showed no significant differences between the three phases. Significantly higher diagnostic certainty for renal anatomy was observed for the post-contrast phases when compared to the native phase. Significantly high certainty scores were also seen for the nephrographic phase for incidental findings. The conclusion is that a low-dose series seems to be sufficient as a first-line modality in certain patient groups.This thesis clinically evaluated the effect of IR in abdominal CT imaging and estimated potential dose reductions. The important conclusion from papers I, II and IV is that IR improves image quality in abdominal CT allowing for some dose reductions. However, the clinical utility of the highest strength of the algorithm is limited to certain criteria. The results can be used to optimise the clinical abdominal CT protocol. The conclusion from paper III may increase clinical awareness of the value of the low-dose abdominal protocol when choosing an imaging method for certain patient groups who are more sensitive to radiation.
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| 9. |
- Oldgren, Jonas, 1964-, et al.
(author)
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Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation estimated risk and prevalent subclinical atherosclerosis in coronary and carotid arteries: A population-based cohort analysis from the Swedish Cardiopulmonary Bioimage Study
- 2021
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In: European Journal of Preventive Cardiology. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 2047-4873 .- 2047-4881. ; 28:3, s. 250-259
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background It is not clear if the European Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation algorithm is useful for identifying prevalent subclinical atherosclerosis in a population of apparently healthy individuals. Our aim was to explore the association between the risk estimates from Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation and prevalent subclinical atherosclerosis. Design The design of this study was as a cross-sectional analysis from a population-based study cohort. Methods From the general population, the Swedish Cardiopulmonary Bioimage Study randomly invited individuals aged 50-64 years and enrolled 13,411 participants mean age 57 (standard deviation 4.3) years; 46% males between November 2013-December 2016. Associations between Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation risk estimates and coronary artery calcification and plaques in the carotid arteries by using imaging data from a computed tomography of the heart and ultrasonography of the carotid arteries were examined. Results Coronary calcification was present in 39.5% and carotid plaque in 56.0%. In men, coronary artery calcium score >0 ranged from 40.7-65.9% and presence of carotid plaques from 54.5% to 72.8% in the age group 50-54 and 60-65 years, respectively. In women, the corresponding difference was from 17.1-38.9% and from 41.0-58.4%. A doubling of Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation was associated with an increased probability to have coronary artery calcium score >0 (odds ratio: 2.18 (95% confidence interval 2.07-2.30)) and to have >1 carotid plaques (1.67 (1.61-1.74)). Conclusion Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation estimated risk is associated with prevalent subclinical atherosclerosis in two major vascular beds in a general population sample without established cardiovascular disease or diabetes mellitus. Thus, the Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation risk chart may be of use for estimating the risk of subclinical atherosclerosis.
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| 10. |
- Wallby, Thomas, 1956-
(author)
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Lika för alla? : Social position och etnicitet som determinanter för amning, föräldrars rökvanor och kontakter med BVC
- 2012
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Child Health Services (CHS) in Sweden are offered free of charge to all Swedish parents with children 0-5 years of age. The regular service schedule includes home visits, health examinations, vaccinations and participation in parenting groups. The CHS should pay extra attention to disadvantaged families. The aim of this thesis was to investigate to what extent the CHS reaches groups of families with special needs, e.g. immigrant families, low income families, young and single mothers, with universal or selective measures, as well as to investigate the variation of two determinants of child health, second hand smoke and breastfeeding, in these groups of families. The thesis also aimed at investigating validity of data in the county CHS quality database (Basta). The thesis is based on data from Basta together with several national registers. The CHS equally reached all families with infants with the universal program except for participation in parenting group. Foreign born, young, single and low-income mothers had lower participation rates. Smoking rates were lower in foreign-born than in Swedish-born mothers and higher for foreign-born than in Swedish-born fathers. Smoking was more common among single and low income parents and young mothers. Young and single mothers had lower breastfeeding rates at 6 months. At 12 months the breastfeeding rates were higher among foreign-born mothers. The validity test of data in the Basta database showed sensitivity values for immunizations, breastfeeding and smoking at 90-100 % and for any home visit, participation in parenting group at any time, a minimum number of 6 visits at the Child Health Centre (CHC) and a minimum number of 11 visits at the CHC at 88 - 96 %. The sensitivity value for the exact match of number of CHC visits (+/- 3 visits) was 88 %. Conclusions: The universal programme was equally distributed in different immigrant and socio-demographic populations. However, the results did not indicate equality according to the assumption that some families need more input than others in order to achieve equity of outcome. Individual data routinely collected from CHS records to a quality database provides data of good quality that can be used for both quality surveillance and research.
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