| 1. |
- Hallberg, Inger, 1956-
(författare)
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Health-Related Quality of Life in Postmenopausal Women with Osteoporotic Fractures
- 2009
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Background: The global burden of osteoporosis includes considerable numbers of fractures, morbidity, mortality and expenses, due mainly to vertebral, hip and forearm fractures. Underdiagnosis and undertreatment are common. Several studies have shown decreased health-related quality of life (HRQOL) after osteoporotic fracture, but there is a lack of data from long-term follow-up studies, particularly regarding vertebral fractures, which are often overlooked despite patients reporting symptoms.Aim: The overall aim of this thesis was to evaluate the usefulness of a recent low-energy fracture as index event in a case-finding strategy for osteoporosis and to describe and analyse long-term HRQOL in postmenopausal women with osteoporotic fracture. The specific aims were to describe bone mineral density and risk factors in women 55-75 years of age with a recent low-energy fracture (I), estimate the impact of osteoporotic fractures on HRQOL in women three months and two years after a forearm, proximal humerus, vertebral or hip fracture (II), investigate the changes and long-term impact of vertebral or hip fracture on HRQOL in women prospectively between two and seven years after the inclusion fracture (III), and describe how HRQOL and daily life had been affected in women with vertebral fracture several years after diagnosis (IV).Design and methods: Data were collected from southern Sweden between 1998 and 2008. A total of 303 women were included in Study I, and this group served as the basis for Studies II (n=303), III (n=67), and IV (n=10). A cross-sectional observational, case-control design (I), and a prospective longitudinal observational design (II-III) were used. In Study IV a qualitative inductive approach with interviews was used and data were analysed using a qualitative conventional content analysis.Results: The type of recent fracture and number of previous fractures are important information for finding the most osteoporotic women in terms of severity (I). Hip and vertebral fractures in particular have a significantly larger impact on HRQOL evaluated using the SF-36 than do humerus and forearm fractures, both during the three months after fracture and two years later, compared between the different fracture groups and the reference population (II). Women who had a vertebral fracture as inclusion fracture had remaining pronounced reduction of HRQOL at seven years. At the mean age of 75.5 years (±4.6 SD), the prevalence of vertebral fracture suggests more negative long-term impact on HRQOL, more severe osteoporosis and a poorer prognosis than a hip fracture does, and this effect may have been underestimated in the past (III). Study IV demonstrates that the women’s HRQOL and daily life have been strongly affected by the long-term impact of the vertebral fracture several years after diagnosis. The women strive to maintain their independence by trying to manage different types of symptoms and consequences in different ways.Conclusions and implications: Type and number of fractures should be taken into account in the case-finding strategy for osteoporosis in postmenopausal women between 55 and 75 years of age. The long-term reduction of HRQOL in postmenopausal women (age span 55-75 yr) with vertebral fracture emerged clearly, compared to women with other types of osteoporotic fractures and references in this thesis. The results ought to be taken into consideration when developing guidelines for more effective fracture prevention and treatment, including non-pharmacological intervention for women with osteoporotic fractures, with highest priority placed on vertebral fractures and multiple fractures, to increase or maintain HRQOL.
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| 2. |
- Röding, Fredrik, 1969-
(författare)
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Injuries are not accidents! : an emergency-department population-based epidemiological study of injuries with special reference to trauma recidivism hip fractures and geriatric falls
- 2021
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Injury is a major public health problem. In rich countries fall injures now kill more people than all other injury mechanisms together, because of global ageing and large-scale sustainable injury prevention programs for all other injury mechanisms but falls. Injuries from falls in the young are often trivial, but in old people falls may have devastating consequences.We used the Umeå Injury Database, 1993 – 2014, 220,014 injury events attended to by the emergency department: e.g., type of injury, localization, mechanism, activity and severity. Logistic regression was used to evaluate injury trends, Cox regression for associations between injury type, severity and recidivism.Fractures were responsible for 1⁄4 of all injuries and for 3⁄4 of trauma inpatient days. Fractures and contusions became more common with increasing age while sprains and wounds decreased with age. Injuries due to fall increased during the study period.Recurrent injuries accounted for some 40%, mostly in young men and in old women. Prior fractures and sprains were strongest predictors for recurrent serious injuries.The hip fracture incidence fell for the most important age/sex groups during the 22-year period, but the total number increased with 3,5%, due to an increasing elderly population. 40% of all hip fracture patients had sustained a previous injury. Multiple previous injuries also increase the risk of future hip fracture. No less than 12% hip fracture patients suffered a new one. With age, injury pattern changed, with more lower extremity fractures that also were more proximally located. Soft tissue injuries to the head/face also increased, also indicating that the ability to reduce and spread the impact of the kinetic energy is a key factor in geriatric trauma, in addition to tissue strengthThe most common, expensive and devastating injury mechanism, falls, are still outrageously neglected, especially concerning injury prevention, which has been so successful in reducing road traffic- and workplace-related deaths. Why? A common misconception is the primitive belief is that fall injuries are fated and therefore inevitable. There are also few economic and legal drivers to prevent falls, especially recurrent ones. Another reason is that GDPR has prohibited the injury database. Statistics on fall injuries are necessary for targeting preventive interventions. Without spying, no clue. On-line feedback of official statistics should be used to monitor the results. There are no technical, just legal hurdles. The Swedish parliament has since 1997 flagged a zero vision for road traffic injuries; in 2015 the government also launched a more modest goal for a 50% reduction of falls in the elderly. So far, nothing has happened...
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| 3. |
- Olofsson, Birgitta, 1963-
(författare)
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Old people with femoral neck fracture : delirium, malnutrition and surgical methods - an intervention program
- 2007
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Hip fracture is a global and a growing public health problem. More women than men sustain hip fractures, the incidence increases exponentially with age and mean age is above 80. About one third of hip-fracture patients suffer from dementia and are prone to develop acute confusional state (delirium). Delirium is one of the most common complications after hip-fracture surgery, and seriously impacts on morbidity and mortality. Malnutrition is also common in hip-fracture patients and is associated with postoperative complications, such as delayed healing of the wound, infections and decubitus ulcers. Arthroplasty is usually preferred procedure in displaced femoral neck fractures but is, however, controversial in patients with dementia due to the fear of dislocation of the prosthesis. The aims of this thesis are to identify risk factors for delirium and the impact of delirium on rehabilitation outcome, to evaluate whether a postoperative multi-factorial intervention program could reduce delirium, to investigate the effect of a nutritional intervention and to evaluate complications, functional outcome and mortality regarding two surgical methods, hemiarthroplasty (HAP) and internal fixation (IF), in old patients with femoral neck fracture. Thirty-eight out of 61 consecutive patients (62%) were delirious on admission to hospital or developed postoperative delirium. An increased risk of postoperative delirium was found among hip-fracture patients with dementia and/or depression. Delirious patients were hospitalized longer, were more dependent in their activities of daily living, had poorer psychological well-being and suffered more complications than non-delirious patients. A postoperative multi-factorial and multidisciplinary intervention program reduced the incidence, at 55% vs 75% (p=0.003), and number of days with delirium, 5 vs 10 days (p=0.009). Postoperative complications were also reduced; decubitus ulcers 9% vs 22% (p= 0.010), urinary tract infections 31% vs 51% (p=0.005), falls 12% vs 27% (p=0.007), and the mean hospitalization period was 10 days shorter in the intervention group (p=0.030). Malnutrition was common among all these patients (53 %) and associated with postoperative complications such as decubitus ulcers and delirium. However, the nutritional intervention had no effect on nutritional parameters at four months, nevertheless men had better nutritional outcomes than women. A higher proportion of patients with dementia operated on using HAP had regained their pre-fracture ability to walk independently at the one-year follow up compared with those operated on using IF. Six of 83 patients dislocated their HAP during hospitalization and during an episode of delirium, none had dementia. No difference in mortality between the surgical methods was seen. Dementia per se should not be a reason to disqualify patients from being treated with the most appropriate surgical method. It is clinically important to discriminate between dementia and delirium, since delirium can be prevented and treated even in patients with dementia. Old patients undergoing surgery have special needs that are not always catered for in ordinary orthopaedic or surgical wards. The special care for these patients should include: a combined nursing and medical care based on comprehensive geriatric assessments, systematic prevention, detection and treatment of postoperative complications such as delirium, hypoxemia, urinary tract infections, pain, malnutrition and an active rehabilitation. It is obvious that improved quality of care reduces patient suffering and seemingly the costs for society.
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| 4. |
- Ottosson, Niklas, 1981-
(författare)
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Aqueous Solutions as seen through an Electron Spectrometer : Surface Structure, Hydration Motifs and Ultrafast Charge Delocalization Dynamics
- 2011
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- In spite of their high abundance and importance, aqueous systems are enigmatic on the microscopic scale. In order to obtain information about their geometrical and electronic structure, simple aqueous solutions have been studied experimentally by photo- and Auger electron spectroscopy using the novel liquid micro-jet technique in conjunction with synchrotron radiation. The thesis is thematically divided into three parts. In the first part we utilize the surface sensitivity of photoelectron spectroscopy to probe the distributions of solutes near the water surface. In agreement with recent theoretical predictions we find that large polarizable anions, such as I- and ClO4-, display enhanced surface propensities compared to smaller rigid ions. Surface effects arising from ion-ion interactions at higher electrolyte concentrations and as function of pH are investigated. Studies of linear mono-carboxylic acids and benzoic acid show that the neutral molecular forms of such weak acids are better stabilized at the water surface than their respective conjugate base forms. The second part examines what type of information core-electron spectra can yield about the chemical state and hydration structure of small organic molecules in water. We demonstrate that the method is sensitive to the protonation state of titratable functional groups and that core-level lineshapes are dependent on local water hydration configurations. Using a combination of photoelectron and X-ray absorption spectroscopy we also show that the electronic re-arrangement upon hydrolysis of aldehydes yields characteristic fingerprints in core-level spectra. In the last part of this thesis we study ultrafast charge delocalization dynamics in aqueous solutions using resonant and off-resonant Auger spectroscopy. Intermolecular Coulombic decay (ICD) is found to occur in a number of core-excited solutions where excess energy is transferred between the solvent and the solute. The rate of ultrafast electron delocalization between hydrogen bonded water molecules upon oxygen 1s resonant core-excitation is found to decrease upon solvation of inorganic ions. The presented work is illustrative of how core-level photoelectron spectroscopy can be valuable in the study of fundamental phenomena in aqueous solutions.
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| 5. |
- Pettersson, Ulrika, 1970-
(författare)
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Bone mass in the young athlete
- 1999
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Bone mass and bone size accumulate during childhood and adolescence and peak in the twenties. The obtained peak bone mass has been suggested to be a major determinant of bone mass even in the very elderly. Although, genetic factors are the main determinants, environmental and lifestyle factors also play a crucial role in modulating maximal bone mass. Assessing these lifestyle factors would be of great importance for the intervention strategies against osteoporosis. The first aim of this thesis was to compare the bone mass and bone size in male and female young adults on a high level of physical activity with males or females on a low level of physical activity. Furthermore, it also aimed to investigate the influence of pubertal maturity, menstrual disturbances, and different body constitutional factors on bone mass and size during adolescence and young adulthood. The female activity groups consisted of cross-county skiers, soccer players, and rope skippers. Compared to their age-matched inactive controls, all these athletic groups demonstrated a significantly higher bone mineral density (BMD) at those sites subjected to the sport-specific loading. Rope-skipping, a very high impact activity was associated with a higher bone size, preferentially in the lower extremity, suggesting an effect of weight-bearing activity also on bone geometry. The effect of menstrual disturbances was evaluated in a group of long-distance runners, where amenorrheic runners had significantly lower BMD in both trabecular and also cortical bone in the lower extremity compared to eumenorrheic runners, suggesting that weight-bearing activity cannot compensate for the shortfall of reduced estrogen levels. The male activity groups consisted of ice hockey players and badminton players. Compared to their age-matched controls, both athletic groups demonstrated a significantly higher BMD at those sites subjected to the sport-specific loading. Especially badminton was associated with a high BMD, suggesting that physical activity, including jumps in unusual directions has a great osteogenic potential. The main determinants of BMD in both male and females were, except for type of physical activity, activity, muscle strength, height, and different body constitutional factors. However, the relationships with muscle strength and body constitution were somewhat weaker in the athletic groups, especially in the males, indicating that impact forces may be of greater importance in regulating bone mass in highly trained athletes. Yet bone size was largely determined by parameters related to body size and less strongly to physical activity. In a prospective study on adolescent boys, the changes in bone mass during late puberty were mainly accounted for by growth and development, including height and pubertal maturation, and less to physical activity level. Thus, the osteogenic effect from physical activity seems to be of importance for bone mass achievement predominantly before late puberty.
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| 6. |
- Schilcher, Jörg, 1978-
(författare)
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Epidemiology, Radiology and Histology of Atypical Femoral Fractures : Development of understanding
- 2013
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Ingår i: Acta Orthopaedica. - Linköping : Linköping University Electronic Press. - 1745-3674 .- 1745-3682. ; 84:S352, s. 1-26
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Bisphosphonates have been used successfully in the prevention of osteoporosis-related fractures for over two decades. Only recently an association between bisphosphonate use and femoral insufficiency fractures – atypical femoral fractures – has been found.Bone remodeling is necessary to maintain a healthy skeleton. With age this process can get out of balance and bone resorption can outweigh formation of new bone. This can lead to osteoporosis and fractures that occur after minor trauma. Almost half of all women 50 years of age or older will suffer an osteoporosis related fracture during their remaining life. Bisphosphonates inhibit bone resorption, and after some years of treatment an increase in bone mass can be noted. This increase in bone mass can reduce fracture risk by as much as half. However, bisphosphonate use seems associated with the development of femoral insufficiency fractures, so called atypical femoral fractures. This thesis aimed to estimate the risk of atypical femoral fractures in the population and its association with bisphosphonate use. It also describes the radiographic and histologic features of these fractures in order to improve our understanding of the pathophysiological background.Study 1) All women 55 years of age and older, who had sustained a femoral shaft fracture during 2008, were identified through the Swedish National Patient Register. Radiographs of 1234 women were reviewed, and 59 patients with atypical fractures and 263 control patients with common femoral shaft fractures were identified. Atypical femoral fractures were defined by their stress fracture-like appearance. In a cohort analysis, we estimated an age-adjusted relative risk of 47 for bisphosphonate users to suffer an atypical femoral fracture compared to non-users. A total of 78% of the patients with an atypical fracture and 10% of the controls had received bisphosphonates, corresponding to a multivariable-adjusted odds ratio of 33. The risk was independent of coexisting conditions and of concurrent use of other drugs with known effects on bone. These results indicate that bisphosphonate use is strongly associated with atypical femoral fractures. The absolute risk is low and benefits of treatment will outweigh the risks.Study 2) A transverse fracture line and a small but visible callus reaction are well established radiographic features of stress fractures. Radiographs from 59 atypical fracture patients and 218 control patients from Study 1 were re-reviewed to measure fracture angles and to detect callus reactions. The majority of the patients with a transverse fracture angle used bisphosphonates. Fracture angle and callus reaction had a high specificity to detect bisphosphonate treatment. When an oblique fracture line was chosen to define atypical femoral fractures in the cohort from Study 1, the association of atypical femoral fractures to bisphosphonate use became attenuated. Therefore, a correct case definition of atypical femoral fractures is necessary for adequate risk calculations.Study 3) Bone biopsies from 8 patients with atypical femoral fractures were obtained during surgical fixation. The histological analysis of the fracture site itself showed a thin fracture line running perpendicular to the long axis of the femur. Despite ongoing remodeling in the bone adjacent to the fracture gap, no healing occurred within the gap itself. Necrotic material in the gap suggests that strains within the gap might prohibit ingrowth of cells necessary for healing. This mechanism of inhibited healing might share similarities with that of stress fractures in athletes. Although it is highly likely that bisphosphonates play a causative role, the pathogenesis of these fractures is still unclear. It may involve a reduced capacity for targeted remodeling.
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| 7. |
- Zhang, Chaofan
(författare)
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Multicomponent Clusters/Nanoparticles : An Investigation of Electronic and Geometric Properties by Photoelectron Spectroscopy
- 2013
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Clusters/nanoparticles are aggregates of a “small” number of building blocks, atoms or molecules, ranging from two up to millions of atoms. Two main groups of clusters have been studied using photoelectron spectroscopy based on synchrotron radiation. They are dry/wet alkali-halide clusters, including pure water clusters, and metal-based nanoparticles.For the dry alkali halide clusters, analysis of the data and theoretical modeling has allowed us insights into the local electronic properties at nanoscale: a change of polarizability of ions in the alkali-halide clusters due to the varying environment has been suggested. The study of the wet salt clusters shows that the alkali-halides are already solvated at the nanoscale reached by water clusters doped with salt vapor.The photoelectron angular distribution of water cluster shows lower anisotropy parameters as compared to the separate monomers. A model based on intracluster scattering has been built to partly explain the reduction.In the last part of the thesis, metal-based multi-component nanoparticles have been produced by self-assembly processes using reactive magnetron sputtering. Depending on the specific metal element, oxidation processes have been applied before or after the aggregation. Clearly radial distributions such as core-shell and “sandwich-like” structures have unambiguously determined by photoelectron spectroscopy.
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