| 1. |
- Svedbo Engström, Maria, 1980, et al.
(författare)
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A disease-specific questionnaire for measuring patient-reported outcomes and experiences in the Swedish National Diabetes Register: Development and evaluation of content validity, face validity, and test-retest reliability
- 2018
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Ingår i: Patient Education and Counseling. - : Elsevier BV. - 0738-3991 .- 1873-5134. ; 101:1, s. 139-146
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective: To describe the development and evaluation of the content and face validity and test-retest reliability of a disease-specific questionnaire that measures patient-reported outcomes and experiences for the Swedish National Diabetes Register for adult patients who have type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Methods: In this methodological study, a questionnaire was developed over four phases using an iterative process. Expert reviews and cognitive interviews were conducted to evaluate content and face validity, and a postal survey was administered to evaluate test-retest reliability. Results: The expert reviews and cognitive interviews found the disease-specific questionnaire to be understandable, with relevant content and value for diabetes care. An item-level content validity index ranged from 0.6-1.0 and a scale content validity/average ranged from 0.7-1.0. The fourth version, with 33 items, two main parts and seven dimensions, was answered by 972 adults with type 1 and type 2 diabetes (response rate 61%). Weighted Kappa values ranged from 0.31-0.78 for type 1 diabetes and 0.27-0.74 for type 2 diabetes. Conclusions: This study describes the initial development of a disease-specific questionnaire in conjunction with the NDR. Content and face validity were confirmed and test-retest reliability was satisfactory. Practice implications: With the development of this questionnaire, the NDR becomes a clinical tool that contributes to further understanding the perspectives of adult individuals with diabetes. (c) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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| 2. |
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| 3. |
- Johansson, Karin, et al.
(författare)
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Patients' experiences of support for learning to live with diabetes to promote health and well-being : A lifeworld phenomenological study
- 2016
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Ingår i: International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being. - : Taylor & Francis. - 1748-2623 .- 1748-2631. ; 11:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Learning to live with diabetes in such a way that the new conditions will be a normal and natural part of life imposes requirements on the person living with diabetes. Previous studies have shown that there is no clear picture of what and how the learning that would allow persons to incorporate the illness into their everyday life will be supported. The aim of this study is to describe the phenomenon of support for learning to live with diabetes to promote health and well-being, from the patient's perspective. Data were collected by interviews with patients living with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. The interviews were analysed using a reflective lifeworld approach. The results show that reflection plays a central role for patients with diabetes in achieving a new understanding of the health process, and awareness of their own responsibility was found to be the key factor for such a reflection. The constituents are responsibility creating curiosity and willpower, openness enabling support, technology verifying bodily feelings, a permissive climate providing for participation and exchanging experiences with others. The study concludes that the challenge for caregivers is to create interactions in an open learning climate that initiates and supports reflection to promote health and well-being.
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| 4. |
- Teede, Helena J, et al.
(författare)
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Recommendations from the 2023 International Evidence-based Guideline for the Assessment and Management of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.
- 2023
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Ingår i: Fertility and sterility. - 1556-5653. ; 120:4, s. 767-793
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- What is the recommended assessment and management of those with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), based on the best available evidence, clinical expertise, and consumer preference?International evidence-based guidelines address prioritized questions and outcomes and include 254 recommendations and practice points, to promote consistent, evidence-based care and improve the experience and health outcomes in PCOS.The 2018 International PCOS Guideline was independently evaluated as high quality and integrated multidisciplinary and consumer perspectives from six continents; it is now used in 196 countries and is widely cited. It was based on best available, but generally very low to low quality, evidence. It applied robust methodological processes and addressed shared priorities. The guideline transitioned from consensus based to evidence-based diagnostic criteria and enhanced accuracy of diagnosis, whilst promoting consistency of care. However, diagnosis is still delayed, the needs of those with PCOS are not being adequately met, evidence quality was low and evidence-practice gaps persist.The 2023 International Evidence-based Guideline update reengaged the 2018 network across professional societies and consumer organizations with multidisciplinary experts and women with PCOS directly involved at all stages. Extensive evidence synthesis was completed. Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation-II (AGREEII)-compliant processes were followed. The Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) framework was applied across evidence quality, feasibility, acceptability, cost, implementation and ultimately recommendation strength and diversity and inclusion were considered throughout.This summary should be read in conjunction with the full Guideline for detailed participants and methods. Governance included a six-continent international advisory and management committee, five guideline development groups, and paediatric, consumer, and translation committees. Extensive consumer engagement and guideline experts informed the update scope and priorities. Engaged international society-nominated panels included paediatrics, endocrinology, gynaecology, primary care, reproductive endocrinology, obstetrics, psychiatry, psychology, dietetics, exercise physiology, obesity care, public health and other experts, alongside consumers, project management, evidence synthesis, statisticians and translation experts. Thirty-nine professional and consumer organizations covering 71 countries engaged in the process. Twenty meetings and five face-to-face forums over 12 months addressed 58 prioritized clinical questions involving 52 systematic and 3 narrative reviews. Evidence-based recommendations were developed and approved via consensus across five guideline panels, modified based on international feedback and peer review, independently reviewed for methodological rigour, and approved by the Australian Government National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC).The evidence in the assessment and management of PCOS has generally improved in the past five years, but remains of low to moderate quality. The technical evidence report and analyses (∼6000 pages) underpins 77 evidence-based and 54 consensus recommendations, with 123 practice points. Key updates include: i) further refinement of individual diagnostic criteria, a simplified diagnostic algorithm and inclusion of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels as an alternative to ultrasound in adults only; ii) strengthening recognition of broader features of PCOS including metabolic risk factors, cardiovascular disease, sleep apnea, very high prevalence of psychological features, and high risk status for adverse outcomes during pregnancy; iii) emphasizing the poorly recognized, diverse burden of disease and the need for greater healthcare professional education, evidence-based patient information, improved models of care and shared decision making to improve patient experience, alongside greater research; iv) maintained emphasis on healthy lifestyle, emotional wellbeing and quality of life, with awareness and consideration of weight stigma; and v) emphasizing evidence-based medical therapy and cheaper and safer fertility management.Overall, recommendations are strengthened and evidence is improved, but remain generally low to moderate quality. Significantly greater research is now needed in this neglected, yet common condition. Regional health system variation was considered and acknowledged, with a further process for guideline and translation resource adaptation provided.The 2023 International Guideline for the Assessment and Management of PCOS provides clinicians and patients with clear advice on best practice, based on the best available evidence, expert multidisciplinary input and consumer preferences. Research recommendations have been generated and a comprehensive multifaceted dissemination and translation programme supports the Guideline with an integrated evaluation program.This effort was primarily funded by the Australian Government via the National Health Medical Research Council (NHMRC) (APP1171592), supported by a partnership with American Society for Reproductive Medicine, Endocrine Society, European Society for Human Reproduction and Embryology, and the Society for Endocrinology. The Commonwealth Government of Australia also supported Guideline translation through the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFCRI000266). HJT and AM are funded by NHMRC fellowships. JT is funded by a Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) fellowship. Guideline development group members were volunteers. Travel expenses were covered by the sponsoring organizations. Disclosures of interest were strictly managed according to NHMRC policy and are available with the full guideline, technical evidence report, peer review and responses (www.monash.edu/medicine/mchri/pcos). Of named authors HJT, CTT, AD, LM, LR, JBoyle, AM have no conflicts of interest to declare. JL declares grant from Ferring and Merck; consulting fees from Ferring and Titus Health Care; speaker's fees from Ferring; unpaid consultancy for Ferring, Roche Diagnostics and Ansh Labs; and sits on advisory boards for Ferring, Roche Diagnostics, Ansh Labs, and Gedeon Richter. TP declares a grant from Roche; consulting fees from Gedeon Richter and Organon; speaker's fees from Gedeon Richter and Exeltis; travel support from Gedeon Richter and Exeltis; unpaid consultancy for Roche Diagnostics; and sits on advisory boards for Roche Diagnostics. MC declares travels support from Merck; and sits on an advisory board for Merck. JBoivin declares grants from Merck Serono Ltd.; consulting fees from Ferring B.V; speaker's fees from Ferring Arzneimittell GmbH; travel support from Organon; and sits on an advisory board for the Office of Health Economics. RJN has received speaker's fees from Merck and sits on an advisory board for Ferring. AJoham has received speaker's fees from Novo Nordisk and Boehringer Ingelheim. The guideline was peer reviewed by special interest groups across our 39 partner and collaborating organizations, was independently methodologically assessed against AGREEII criteria and was approved by all members of the guideline development groups and by the NHMRC.
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| 5. |
- Brundin, Peik M. A., 1975-
(författare)
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Sex differences in immune response and sex hormone receptor expression in healthy individuals and during viral infection
- 2021
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- There is sex-bias in morbidity and mortality from infectious diseases. Infections kill more men than women and several studies have pointed out differences in the immune system as a reason. The sex hormones estrogen, progesterone and testosterone all shape the effect of the immune response on multiple levels. Women at fertile age have been suggested to have higher proinflammatory responses from inflammatory stimuli compared to men and post-menopausal women, which has been ascribed to their higher estrogen levels. This could possibly lead to a more active pathogen response but may also result in a detrimental immunopathology to infections or development of autoimmune reaction.The overall aim of this thesis is to study the contribution of sex hormones and sex hormone receptors (SHR) to sex differences in immune response. We focus on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) to study such relationships in healthy individuals, as well as in individuals with asymptomatic Torque Teno Virus infection, and individuals with acute Puumala virus infection.In Paper I, we investigated expression of SHR and immune response genes in PBMC from healthy premenopausal (pre-MP) women during the menstrual cycle. The expression levels were estimated using a qPCR Array (Taqman low-density array, TLDA). SHR expression did not change significantly during the menstrual cycle, but several key immune regulatory genes were significantly more expressed during the ovulatory and mid luteal phase. Further, we separated PBMC into cell subsets (CD4+ T-cells, CD8+ T-cells, CD56+ NK-cells, CD14+ monocytes and CD19+ B-cells) and analyzed the expression through qPCR of estrogen receptors (ERs), ERα, ERβ1 (wildtype) and the isoform ERβ2. For the first time and unexpectedly, we demonstrate that the isoform ERβ2 was more abundant than wildtype ERβ1. The data from this paper provides new knowledge on the contribution of the menstrual cycle on immune response.In Paper II, we explored the use of Torque Teno Virus as a secondary functional immune marker in men and women. Expression of viral TTV DNA in PBMCs was estimated using a qPCR kit from Argene (R-gene) and analyzed in relation to serum sex hormone levels. The results showed that 50% of the men, 25% the post-MP women, and 18% of the pre-MP women were TTV+. Interestingly, all pre-MP women that were TTV+ had hormonal aberrances and were either anovulatory and/or hypothyroid. TTV+ pre-MP women also had significantly lower progesterone levels than TTV- pre-MP women. This paper indicates that the prevalence of TTV in PBMC differs between men, pre-MP and post-MP women. Furthermore, hormonal aberrances (at least in pre-MP women) will lead to increased prevalence of TTV.In Paper III we investigated the expression of ERα, ERβ1 and ERβ2 in PBMC from patients with Nephropathia epidemica, the viral zoonotic disease caused by Puumala virus, a Hanta virus known to affect more men than women. Expression of ERs in PBMCs and clinical laboratory results during the acute and convalescent phases were analyzed using a principal component analysis (PCA). The results show differences in ER expression and support previous findings that men and women have a different clinical pictureIn conclusion, the results in this thesis reveal distinct patterns of immune response related to sex hormone levels, SHR expression and the phases of the menstrual cycle supporting that there a link between sex hormone levels and immune responses. Further, we show that the ER isoform ERβ2 is more abundant in PBMCs than what was previously described. The data in this thesis adds to the knowledge to the sex differences in immune response and exemplifies the importance of taking these differences into account in the clinic.
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| 6. |
- Boman, Åse, 1957-, et al.
(författare)
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Health care to empower self-care in adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus and an immigrant minority background
- 2017
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Ingår i: Sage Open medicine. - : SAGE Publications. - 2050-3121 .- 2050-3121. ; 5
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: The pediatric diabetes team aims to support health, quality of life, and normal growth and development among adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus. Adolescents with an immigrant background have been found less successful in self-care. Previous research indicated that adolescents who had integrated the disease as a part of their self-image reasoned differently about their self-care to those who had not. Objective: The aim of this study was to identify elements in the patient–pediatrician consultations that might influence such integration of the disease among adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus. Methods: A total of 12 pediatrician–adolescent consultations were video-recorded and analyzed. The adolescents all had an immigrant background. Results: Integration of the disease appeared enabled when responsibility was shared; when hope, autonomy, and emotions were confirmed; and when the pediatrician asked probing questions. Letting objective data dominate the adolescent’s experiences, using risk as a motivator, neutralizing emotions in relation to having diabetes, and confirming forgetfulness, may instead inhibit disease integration. Conclusion: An extended person-centered approach with focus on the adolescent’s experiences of everyday life with a chronic disease and less attention on physical parameters in the pediatrician–adolescent consultations may increase integration of the disease.
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| 7. |
- Björkman, Kristoffer, et al.
(författare)
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Clinical course of patients with single large-scale mtDNA deletions and childhood onset anemia
- 2022
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Ingår i: 14th European Paediatric Neurology Society Congress, Glasgow, UK (ISBN 978-3-00-072065-9).
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Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Objective: To add to our knowledge of the clinical spectrum of patients with single large-scale mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) deletion and childhood onset anemia. Methods: Retrospective collection of clinical data from medical records for patients, both living and deceased, with a single large-scale mtDNA deletion from seven mitochondrial disease centers in five countries. Statistical analysis with descriptive methods and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. Results: Seventeen patients matching the genetic criterium and with anemia onset before six years of age. Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency was only seen in five patients in this group. Multiple organs were involved in all patients, with the most common non-hematologic ones being skeletal muscle, central nervous system, endocrine, eyes, gastrointestinal system, kidneys, hearing, liver and heart. Psychomotor retardation was seen in ten patients, hearing impairment in nine patients, failure to thrive in eight patients. Eight later developed Kearns-Sayre syndrome. Eleven patients were deceased, with a median age at death of 7.5 years. Conclusions: The classically described phenotype of patients with large-scale mtDNA deletions and early onset anemia is Pearson marrow-pancreas syndrome, characterized by sideroblastic anemia and exocrine pancreas dysfunction. Only a minority of our patients fulfill the original criteria of Pearson syndrome though. Involvement of other organs than the pancreas is more common. The clinical course vary, but multi-system impact is the rule and life-expectancy is low. Early onset anemia in patients with large-scale mtDNA deletions is most frequently not associated with exocrine pancreas dysfunction. Better knowledge of the phenotype is helpful for diagnosis and more accurate prognosis.
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| 8. |
- Hellstrand Tang, Ulla, et al.
(författare)
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Exploring the Role of Complexity in Health Care Technology Bottom-Up Innovations : Multiple-Case Study Using the Nonadoption, Abandonment, Scale-Up, Spread, and Sustainability Complexity Assessment Tool
- 2024
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Ingår i: JMIR Human Factors. - : JMIR Publications. - 2292-9495. ; 11:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: New digital technology presents new challenges to health care on multiple levels. There are calls for further research that considers the complex factors related to digital innovations in complex health care settings to bridge the gap when moving from linear, logistic research to embracing and testing the concept of complexity. The nonadoption, abandonment, scale-up, spread, and sustainability (NASSS) framework was developed to help study complexity in digital innovations.OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the role of complexity in the development and deployment of innovations by retrospectively assessing challenges to 4 digital health care innovations initiated from the bottom up.METHODS: A multicase retrospective, deductive, and explorative analysis using the NASSS complexity assessment tool LONG was conducted. In total, 4 bottom-up innovations developed in Region Västra Götaland in Sweden were explored and compared to identify unique and shared complexity-related challenges.RESULTS: The analysis resulted in joint insights and individual learning. Overall, the complexity was mostly found outside the actual innovation; more specifically, it related to the organization's readiness to integrate new innovations, how to manage and maintain innovations, and how to finance them. The NASSS framework sheds light on various perspectives that can either facilitate or hinder the adoption, scale-up, and spread of technological innovations. In the domain of condition or diagnosis, a well-informed understanding of the complexity related to the condition or illness (diabetes, cancer, bipolar disorders, and schizophrenia disorders) is of great importance for the innovation. The value proposition needs to be clearly described early to enable an understanding of costs and outcomes. The questions in the NASSS complexity assessment tool LONG were sometimes difficult to comprehend, not only from a language perspective but also due to a lack of understanding of the surrounding organization's system and its setting.CONCLUSIONS: Even when bottom-up innovations arise within the same support organization, the complexity can vary based on the developmental phase and the unique characteristics of each project. Identifying, defining, and understanding complexity may not solve the issues but substantially improves the prospects for successful deployment. Successful innovation within complex organizations necessitates an adaptive leadership and structures to surmount cultural resistance and organizational impediments. A rigid, linear, and stepwise approach risks disregarding interconnected variables and dependencies, leading to suboptimal outcomes. Success lies in embracing the complexity with its uncertainty, nurturing creativity, and adopting a nonlinear methodology that accommodates the iterative nature of innovation processes within complex organizations.
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| 9. |
- Solinas, Giovanni, et al.
(författare)
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An adipoincretin effect links adipostasis with insulin secretion.
- 2024
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Ingår i: Trends in endocrinology and metabolism: TEM. - 1879-3061. ; 35:6, s. 466-477
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- The current paradigm for the insulin system focuses on the phenomenon of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion and insulin action on blood glucose control. This historical glucose-centric perspective may have introduced a conceptual bias in our understanding of insulin regulation. A body of evidence demonstrating that in vivo variations in blood glucose and insulin secretion can be largely dissociated motivated us to reconsider the fundamental design of the insulin system as a control system for metabolic homeostasis. Here, we propose that a minimal glucose-centric model does not accurately describe the physiological behavior of the insulin system and propose a new paradigm focusing on the effects of incretins, arguing that under fasting conditions, insulin is regulated by an adipoincretin effect.
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| 10. |
- Zhang, C., et al.
(författare)
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The acute effect of metabolic cofactor supplementation: a potential therapeutic strategy against non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
- 2020
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Ingår i: Molecular Systems Biology. - : EMBO. - 1744-4292. ; 16:4
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) continues to increase dramatically, and there is no approved medication for its treatment. Recently, we predicted the underlying molecular mechanisms involved in the progression of NAFLD using network analysis and identified metabolic cofactors that might be beneficial as supplements to decrease human liver fat. Here, we first assessed the tolerability of the combined metabolic cofactors including l-serine, N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC), nicotinamide riboside (NR), and l-carnitine by performing a 7-day rat toxicology study. Second, we performed a human calibration study by supplementing combined metabolic cofactors and a control study to study the kinetics of these metabolites in the plasma of healthy subjects with and without supplementation. We measured clinical parameters and observed no immediate side effects. Next, we generated plasma metabolomics and inflammatory protein markers data to reveal the acute changes associated with the supplementation of the metabolic cofactors. We also integrated metabolomics data using personalized genome-scale metabolic modeling and observed that such supplementation significantly affects the global human lipid, amino acid, and antioxidant metabolism. Finally, we predicted blood concentrations of these compounds during daily long-term supplementation by generating an ordinary differential equation model and liver concentrations of serine by generating a pharmacokinetic model and finally adjusted the doses of individual metabolic cofactors for future human clinical trials.
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| 11. |
- Taddei, C, et al.
(författare)
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Repositioning of the global epicentre of non-optimal cholesterol
- 2020
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Ingår i: Nature. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1476-4687 .- 0028-0836. ; 582:7810, s. 73-
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- High blood cholesterol is typically considered a feature of wealthy western countries1,2. However, dietary and behavioural determinants of blood cholesterol are changing rapidly throughout the world3 and countries are using lipid-lowering medications at varying rates. These changes can have distinct effects on the levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and non-HDL cholesterol, which have different effects on human health4,5. However, the trends of HDL and non-HDL cholesterol levels over time have not been previously reported in a global analysis. Here we pooled 1,127 population-based studies that measured blood lipids in 102.6 million individuals aged 18 years and older to estimate trends from 1980 to 2018 in mean total, non-HDL and HDL cholesterol levels for 200 countries. Globally, there was little change in total or non-HDL cholesterol from 1980 to 2018. This was a net effect of increases in low- and middle-income countries, especially in east and southeast Asia, and decreases in high-income western countries, especially those in northwestern Europe, and in central and eastern Europe. As a result, countries with the highest level of non-HDL cholesterol—which is a marker of cardiovascular risk—changed from those in western Europe such as Belgium, Finland, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and Malta in 1980 to those in Asia and the Pacific, such as Tokelau, Malaysia, The Philippines and Thailand. In 2017, high non-HDL cholesterol was responsible for an estimated 3.9 million (95% credible interval 3.7 million–4.2 million) worldwide deaths, half of which occurred in east, southeast and south Asia. The global repositioning of lipid-related risk, with non-optimal cholesterol shifting from a distinct feature of high-income countries in northwestern Europe, north America and Australasia to one that affects countries in east and southeast Asia and Oceania should motivate the use of population-based policies and personal interventions to improve nutrition and enhance access to treatment throughout the world.
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| 12. |
- Georgsson, Mattias, 1969-, et al.
(författare)
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Employing a user-centered cognitive walkthrough to evaluate a mHealth diabetes self-management application : A case study and beginning method validation
- 2019
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Ingår i: Journal of Biomedical Informatics. - : Elsevier. - 1532-0464 .- 1532-0480. ; 91
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Introduction: Self-management of chronic diseases using mobile health (mHealth) systems and applications is becoming common. Current evaluation methods such as formal usability testing can be very costly and time-consuming; others may be more efficient but lack a user focus. We propose an enhanced cognitive walkthrough (CW) method, the user-centered CW (UC-CW), to address identified deficiencies in the original technique and perform a beginning validation with think aloud protocol (TA) to assess its effectiveness, efficiency and user acceptance in a case study with diabetes patient users on a mHealth self-management application. Materials and methods: A total of 12 diabetes patients at University of Utah Health, USA, were divided into UC-CW and think aloud (TA) groups. The UC-CW method included: making the user the main evaluator for detecting usability problems, having a dual domain facilitator, and using three other improved processes: validated task development, higher level tasks and a streamlined evaluation process. Users interacted with the same mHealth application for both methods. Post-evaluation assessments included the NASA RTLX instrument and a set of brief interview questions. Results: Participants had similar demographic characteristics. A total of 26 usability problems were identified with the UC-CW and 20 with TA. Both methods produced similar ratings: severity across all views (UC-CW = 2.7 and TA = 2.6), numbers of problems in the same views (Main View [UC-CW = 11, TA = 10], Carbohydrate Entry View [UC-CW = 4, TA = 3] and List View [UC-CW = 3, TA = 3]) with similar heuristic violations (Match Between the System and Real World [UC-CW = 19, TA = 16], Consistency and Standards [UC-CW = 17, TA = 15], and Recognition Rather than Recall [UC-CW = 13, TA = 10]). Both methods converged on eight usability problems, but the UC-CW group detected five critical issues while the TA group identified two. The UC-CW group identified needed personalized features for patients’ disease needs not identified with TA. UC-CW was more efficient on average time per identified usability problem and on the total evaluation process with patients. NASA RTLX scores indicated that participants experienced the UC-CW half as cognitively demanding. Common themes from interviews indicated the UC-CW as enjoyable and easy to perform while TA was considered somewhat awkward and more cognitively challenging. Conclusions: UC-CW was effective for finding severe, recurring usability problems and it highlighted the need for personalized user features. The method was also efficient and had high user acceptance. These results indicate UC-CW's utility and user acceptance in evaluating a mHealth self-management application. It provides an additional usability evaluation technique for researchers. © 2019
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| 13. |
- Herlitz, Anders, 1981, et al.
(författare)
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The Counseling, Self-care, Adherence Approach to Person-centered Care and Shared Decision Making: Moral Psychology, Executive Autonomy, and Ethics in Multi-dimensional Care Decisions
- 2016
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Ingår i: Health Communication. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1041-0236 .- 1532-7027. ; 31:8, s. 964-973
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This article argues that standard models of person-centred care (PCC) and shared decision making (SDM) rely on simplistic, often unrealistic assumptions of patient capacities that entail that PCC/SDM might have detrimental effects in many applications. We suggest a complementary PCC/SDM approach to ensure that patients are able to execute rational decisions taken jointly with care professionals when performing self-care. Illustrated by concrete examples from a study of adolescent diabetes care, we suggest a combination of moral and psychological considerations to support the claim that standard PCC/SDM threatens to systematically undermine its own goals. This threat is due to a tension between the ethical requirements of SDM in ideal circumstances and more long-term needs actualized by the context of self-care handled by patients with limited capacities for taking responsibility and adhere to their own rational decisions. To improve this situation, we suggest a counseling, self-care, adherence approach to PCC/SDM, where more attention is given to how treatment goals are internalized by patients, how patients perceive choice situations, and what emotional feedback patients are given. This focus may involve less of a concentration on autonomous and rational clinical decision making otherwise stressed in standard PCC/SDM advocacy.
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| 14. |
- Lindahl, Bernt, et al.
(författare)
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A randomized lifestyle intervention with 5-year follow-up in subjects with impaired glucose tolerance : pronounced short-term impact but long-term adherence problems
- 2009
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Ingår i: Scandinavian Journal of Public Health. - : SAGE Publications. - 1403-4948 .- 1651-1905. ; 37:4, s. 434-442
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- AIMS: To compare data on cardiovascular risk factor changes in lipids, insulin, proinsulin, fibrinolysis, leptin and C-reactive protein, and on diabetes incidence, in relation to changes in lifestyle. METHODS: The study was a randomized lifestyle intervention trial conducted in northern Sweden between 1995 and 2000, in 168 individuals with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and body mass index above 27 at start. The intensive intervention group (n = 83) was subjected to a 1-month residential lifestyle programme. The usual care group (n = 85) participated in a health examination ending with a single counselling session. Follow-up was conducted at 1, 3 and 5 years. RESULTS: At 1-year follow-up, an extensive cardio-metabolic risk factor reduction was demonstrated in the intensive intervention group, along with a 70% decrease of progress to type 2 diabetes. At 5-year follow-up, most of these beneficial effects had disappeared. Reported physical activity and fibre intake as well as high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were still increased, and fasting insulin and proinsulin were lower. CONCLUSIONS: The intervention affected several important cardio-metabolic risk variables beneficially, and reduced the risk for type 2 diabetes, but the effects persisted only as long as the new lifestyle was maintained. Increased physical activity seemed to be the behaviour that was most easy to preserve.
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| 15. |
- Holmer, Helene, et al.
(författare)
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Nonfatal stroke, cardiac disease, and diabetes mellitus in hypopituitary patients on hormone replacement including growth hormone
- 2007
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Ingår i: Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. - : The Endocrine Society. - 1945-7197 .- 0021-972X. ; 92:9, s. 3560-3567
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Context: The impact of long-term GH replacement on cerebrovascular and cardiovascular diseases and diabetes mellitus in hypopituitary patients is unknown. Objective: The incidence of nonfatal stroke and cardiac events, and prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus ( T2D) and cardioprotective medication were compared between cohorts of GH-deficient (GHD) patients and population controls. Design and Participants: The incidence of nonfatal stroke and cardiac events was estimated retrospectively from questionnaires in 750 GHD patients and 2314 matched population controls. A prevalence of T2D and cardioprotective medication was recorded at the distribution of questionnaires. Time since first pituitary deficiency to start of GH therapy was 4 and 2 yr, and time on GH therapy was 6 yr for GHD women and men, respectively. Results: Lifelong incidence of nonfatal stroke was tripled in GHD women and doubled in GHD men, but a decline was seen in both genders during periods after first pituitary hormone deficiency and GHD, during which most patients had GH therapy. The lifelong incidence of nonfatal cardiac events declined in GHD men during first pituitary hormone deficiency and GHD periods. GHD women had a higher prevalence of T2D and lipid-lowering medication, whereas GHD men had a higher prevalence of antihypertensive medication. Conclusions: The declined risks of nonfatal stroke in both genders and of nonfatal cardiac events in GHD men during periods on GH replacement may be caused by prescription of cardioprotective drugs and 6-yr GH replacement. GHD women had an increased prevalence of T2D, partly attributed to higher body mass index and lower physical activity.
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| 16. |
- Derks, I. P. M., et al.
(författare)
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Testing Bidirectional Associations Between Childhood Aggression and BMI: Results from Three Cohorts
- 2019
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Ingår i: Obesity. - : Wiley. - 1930-7381 .- 1930-739X. ; 27:5, s. 822-829
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective This study examined the prospective, potentially bidirectional association of aggressive behavior with BMI and body composition across childhood in three population-based cohorts. Methods Repeated measures of aggression and BMI were available from the Generation R Study between ages 6 and 10 years (N = 3,974), the Netherlands Twin Register (NTR) between ages 7 and 10 years (N = 10,328), and the Swedish Twin Study of Child and Adolescent Development (TCHAD) between ages 9 and 14 years (N = 1,462). In all samples, aggression was assessed with the Child Behavior Checklist. Fat mass and fat-free mass were available in the Generation R Study. Associations were examined with cross-lagged modeling. Results Aggressive behavior at baseline was associated with higher BMI at follow-up in the Generation R Study (beta = 0.02, 95% CI: 0.00 to 0.04), in NTR (beta = 0.04, 95% CI: 0.02 to 0.06), and in TCHAD (beta = 0.03, 95% CI: -0.02 to 0.07). Aggressive behavior was prospectively associated with higher fat mass (beta = 0.03, 95% CI: 0.01 to 0.05) but not fat-free mass. There was no evidence that BMI or body composition preceded aggressive behavior. Conclusions More aggressive behavior was prospectively associated with higher BMI and fat mass. This suggests that aggression contributes to the obesity problem, and future research should study whether these behavioral pathways to childhood obesity are modifiable.
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| 17. |
- Nordfeldt, Sam, et al.
(författare)
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As Facts and Chats Go Online, What Is Important for Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes?
- 2013
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Ingår i: PLOS ONE. - : Public Library of Science. - 1932-6203. ; 8:6
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background:Continued refinement of resources for patient information, education and support is needed. Considering the rapid development of new communication practices, the perspectives of young people themselves warrant more attention using a wide research focus. The purpose of this study was to understand information-seeking behaviours, Internet use and social networking online in adolescents with type 1 diabetes (T1DM). This applied to their everyday life, including the context of diabetes and their experiences and need of contact with T1DM peers.Methodology/Principal Findings:Twenty-four adolescents aged 10-17 years with T1DM were recruited from a county hospital in the south-east of Sweden. Qualitative data were obtained using eight focus groups, wherein each participant engaged in a 60-90 minute video/audio-recorded session. The focus group data were transcribed and analysed using qualitative content analysis. Some demographic and medical information was also collected. The three main categories that were identified; Aspects of Security, Updating, and Plainness and their sub-categories gave significant information about how to enhance information retrieval and peer contacts related to T1DM. Regarding the persons' information-seeking behaviour, Internet use, and use of social media some differences could be identified depending on gender and age.Conclusions/Significance:Sensitivity and adaptation to users' needs and expectations seem crucial in the development of future online resources for adolescents with T1DM. To start with, this could mean applying a wider range of already existing information and communication technologies. Health practitioners need to focus on the areas of security of information and communication, frequency of updating, and simplicity of design-less is more. © 2013 Nordfeldt et al.
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| 18. |
- Albertsson-Wikland, Kerstin, 1947, et al.
(författare)
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Dose-dependent effect of growth hormone on final height in children with short stature without growth hormone deficiency
- 2008
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Ingår i: Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. - : The Endocrine Society. - 0021-972X .- 1945-7197. ; 93:11, s. 4342-4350
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- CONTEXT: The effect of GH therapy in short non-GH-deficient children, especially those with idiopathic short stature (ISS), has not been clearly established owing to the lack of controlled trials continuing until final height (FH).OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to investigate the effect on growth to FH of two GH doses given to short children, mainly with ISS, compared with untreated controls.DESIGN AND SETTING: A randomized, controlled, long-term multicenter trial was conducted in Sweden.INTERVENTION: Two doses of GH (Genotropin) were administered, 33 or 67 microg/kg.d; control subjects were untreated.SUBJECTS: A total of 177 subjects with short stature were enrolled. Of these, 151 were included in the intent to treat (AllITT) population, and 108 in the per protocol (AllPP) population. Analysis of ISS subjects included 126 children in the ITT (ISSITT) population and 68 subjects in the PP (ISSPP) population.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: We measured FH sd score (SDS), difference in SDS to midparenteral height (diff MPHSDS), and gain in heightSDS.RESULTS: After 5.9+/-1.1 yr on GH therapy, the FHSDS in the AllPP population treated with GH vs. controls was -1.5+/-0.81 (33 microg/kg.d, -1.7+/-0.70; and 67 microg/kg.d, -1.4+/-0.86; P<0.032), vs. -2.4+/-0.85 (P<0.001); the diff MPHSDS was -0.2+/-1.0 vs. -1.0+/-0.74 (P<0.001); and the gain in heightSDS was 1.3+/-0.78 vs. 0.2+/-0.69 (P<0.001). GH therapy was safe and had no impact on time to onset of puberty. A dose-response relationship identified after 1 yr remained to FH for all growth outcome variables in all four populations.CONCLUSION: GH treatment significantly increased FH in ISS children in a dose-dependent manner, with a mean gain of 1.3 SDS (8 cm) and a broad range of response from no gain to 3 SDS compared to a mean gain of 0.2 SDS in the untreated controls.
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| 19. |
- Löfgren, Magnus, 1979-
(författare)
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Behavioral effects of female sex steroid hormones : models of PMS and PMDD in Wistar rats
- 2009
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Background Animal models can be used to mimic human conditions of psychopathology, and also as pre-clinical models to evaluate candidate drugs. With hormonal treatment it is possible to produce behavior in the rat which corresponds to the mental symptoms of pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS), and pre-menstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). PMS affects 25-30 % of all women in fertile age and 3-8% are diagnosed with the more severe condition PMDD. The cardinal mental symptoms are; irritability, mood-swings, depression, anxiety, fatigue, insomnia, difficulties with concentration and memory and learning difficulties. The symptoms of PMS/PMDD occur in the luteal phase in conjunction with increasing concentrations of progesterone (P4) and P4-metabolites. In anovulatory cycles the symptoms are absent. The hormones which produce the monthly reoccurring negative symptoms on mood are foremost the neuroactive metabolites; allopregnanolone (ALLO) and tetrahydro-deoxycorticosterone (THDOC). ALLO is produced by the corpus luteum, but can also be synthesized in the brain, both ALLO and THDOC can also be released from the adrenal cortex during stress. These steroids are active on the inhibitory GABA neurotransmitter system through the GABAA receptor, and the effects are similar to that of alcohol and benzodiazepines. These steroids have strong sedative and hypnotic effects. A paradox is that some individuals seem to react with negative mood on sex steroids while all fertile women have the cyclical steroid changes during the menstrual cycle. Some individuals are more sensitive to neuroactive steroids with influences of personality, heritability and stress factors. Aims The thesis aims were to develop pre-clinical animal models of PMS/PMDD and to investigate induction of ALLO tolerance, individual sensitivity to neurosteroids and the interactions between chronic social stress and neurosteroids. Methods In these studies male and female Wistar rats were used to test steroid hormone effects on learning and memory and behaviors analogous to negative mood symptoms. This was accomplished through hormonal treatment and a subsequent withdrawal period from P4 (P4) + estradiol (E2) (PEWD), or ALLO. To assess tolerance, memory and learning in the Morris water maze (MWM) was studied. Anxiety-like behaviors were tested with the elevated plus maze (EPM), open field test (OFT), and the intruder test (IT). The EPM or OFT was used to classify the rats as high or low responders on risk-taking and explorative behavior (HR/LR). For social ranking order assessment the tube test (TT) and food competition test (FCT) were used. Chronic social stress was accomplished through co-habituation with two older rats (chronic subordination stress). In female rats the estrous cycle followed using staining of vaginal smears. Concentration of corticosterone (CORT) was measured by radio-immuno-assay (RIA). Results In the MWM ALLO pre-treatment produced tolerance to the acute negative ALLO effects. Both male and female rats showed behavioral correlations between the EPM and OFT tests, and correlations were also seen in CORT levels. Individuals with the stable trait of high risk-taking and explorative behavior (HR) were more sensitive to PEWD induction of anxiety-like behavior. These animals also showed decreased CORT levels during withdrawal. Chronic subordination stress enhanced the response to PEWD on measures of locomotor activity and social anxiety-like behavior. Conclusions It is possible to induce tolerance to the negative ALLO effects on learning and memory. The animal models of anxiety-like behavior show an individual PEWD response profile where HR rats are more sensitive. Exposure to chronic social stress enhanced the PEWD response. Hence there are both inherent and environmental factors behind the behavioral response to steroid hormones in rats.
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| 20. |
- Linden, Karolina, 1982, et al.
(författare)
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Well-Being and Diabetes Management in Early Pregnant Women with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus
- 2016
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Ingår i: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. - Basel, Switzerland : MDPI AG. - 1660-4601 .- 1661-7827. ; 13:8
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This paper explores well-being and diabetes management in women with type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) in early pregnancy and investigates associations among perceived well-being, diabetes management, and maternal characteristics. Questionnaires were answered by 168 Swedish women. Correlation analyses were conducted with Spearman's correlation coefficient (r(s)). The women reported relatively high scores of self-efficacy in diabetes management (SWE-DES-10: 3.91 (0.51)) and self-perceived health (excellent (6.5%), very good (42.3%), good (38.7%), fair (11.3%) and poor (1.2%)). Moderate scores were reported for general well-being (WBQ-12: 22.6 (5.7)) and sense of coherence (SOC-13: 68.9 (9.7), moderate/low scores for hypoglycemia fear (SWE-HFS 26.6 (11.8)) and low scores of diabetes-distress (SWE-PAID-20 27.1 (15.9)). A higher capability of self-efficacy in diabetes management showed positive correlations with self-perceived health (r(s) = 0.41, p < 0.0001) and well-being (r(s) = 0.34, p < 0.0001) as well as negative correlations with diabetes distress (r(s) = 0.51, p < 0.0001) and hypoglycemia worries (r(s) = 0.27, p = 0.0009). Women with HbA1c levels of <= 48 mmL/mol scored higher in the subscales "goal achievement" in SWE-DES (p = 0.0028) and "comprehensibility" in SOC (p = 0.016). Well-being and diabetes management could be supported by strengthening the women's capability to achieve glycemic goals and their comprehensibility in relation to the treatment. Further studies are needed to test this.
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| 21. |
- Song, Xin, et al.
(författare)
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Obesity attenuates gender differences in cardiovascular mortality
- 2014
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Ingår i: Cardiovascular Diabetology. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1475-2840. ; 13, s. 144-
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: To estimate cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality in relation to obesity and gender. Methods: Data from 11 prospective cohorts from four European countries including 23 629 men and 21 965 women, aged 24 to 99 years, with a median follow-up of 7.9 years were analyzed. Hazards ratios (HR) for CVD mortality in relation to baseline body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) were estimated using Cox proportional hazards models with age as the timescale. Results: Men had higher CVD mortality than women in all four BMI categories (<25.0, 25.0-29.9, 30.0-34.9 and >= 35.0 kg/m(2)). Compared with the lowest BMI category in women, multivariable adjusted HRs (95% confidence intervals) for higher BMI categories are 1.0 (0.8-1.4), 1.6 (1.1-2.1) and 2.8 (2.0-3.8) in women and 2.8 (2.2-3.6), 3.1 (2.5-3.9), 3.8 (2.9-4.9) and 5.4 (3.8-7.7) in men, respectively. Similar findings were observed for abdominal obesity defined by WC, WHR or WHtR. The gender difference was slightly smaller in obese than in non-obese individuals; but the interaction was statistically significant only between gender and WC (p = 0.02), and WHtR (p = 0.01). None of the interaction terms was significant among non-diabetic individuals. Conclusions: Men had higher CVD mortality than women across categories of anthropometric measures of obesity. The gender difference was attenuated in obese individuals, which warrants further investigation.
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| 22. |
- Tejedor, Sandra, et al.
(författare)
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The Combination of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A (VEGF-A) and Fibroblast Growth Factor 1 (FGF1) Modified mRNA Improves Wound Healing in Diabetic Mice : An Ex Vivo and In Vivo Investigation
- 2024
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Ingår i: Cells. - : MDPI. - 2073-4409. ; 13:5
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) pose a significant health risk in diabetic patients, with insufficient revascularization during wound healing being the primary cause. This study aimed to assess microvessel sprouting and wound healing capabilities using vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF-A) and a modified fibroblast growth factor (FGF1). Methods: An ex vivo aortic ring rodent model and an in vivo wound healing model in diabetic mice were employed to evaluate the microvessel sprouting and wound healing capabilities of VEGF-A and a modified FGF1 both as monotherapies and in combination. Results: The combination of VEGF-A and FGF1 demonstrated increased vascular sprouting in the ex vivo mouse aortic ring model, and topical administration of a combination of VEGF-A and FGF1 mRNAs formulated in lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) in mouse skin wounds promoted faster wound closure and increased neovascularization seven days post-surgical wound creation. RNA-sequencing analysis of skin samples at day three post-wound creation revealed a strong transcriptional response of the wound healing process, with the combined treatment showing significant enrichment of genes linked to skin growth. Conclusion: f-LNPs encapsulating VEGF-A and FGF1 mRNAs present a promising approach to improving the scarring process in DFU.
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| 23. |
- Herlitz, Anders, 1981, et al.
(författare)
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Family-Centeredness as Resource and Complication in Outpatient Care with Weak Adherence, Using Adolescent Diabetes Care as a Case in Point
- 2019
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Ingår i: What about the family? : practices of responsibility in care / edited by Marian A. Verkerk, Hilde Lindemann, and Janice McLaughlin.. - Oxford : Oxford University Press. - 9780190624880 ; , s. 137-146
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Bokkapitel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Care for adolescent patients with diabetes type 1 is a recognized challenge, with known adherence problems in a context where home-/self-care and continuous vital need of day-to-day life-style adjustment. The recommended care regimen often gives rise to conflicts with broader personal and social needs and desires, and in case of weak adherence negative spirals of undermined self-confidence and/or emotional denial further deteriorating the situation may result. The need to adjust care to the specific situation is accepted within the pediatric diabetes professional community, accepting a commitment to person centeredness involving alliance with the family as a critical part. Yet, families can be involved in different ways and the issue of how to involve families and what ethical tensions that may actualize is largely unexplored. Standard models of person- and family-centeredness tell us little about how to involve family members in care similar to that of diabetes. We have elsewhere proposed an alternative approach more attuned to such circumstances, aiming at empowering patients' long-term capacities to manage their condition domestically. This “counselling, self-care, adherence (CSA) approach” offers a look at the role that family can play to improve these types of care. We will illustrate how family members can assist in the care of teenagers with diabetes, but that there are also serious risks actualized by such involvement. In particular, we will highlight ethical complications that arise when the role of a family member is changed from “parent” to “care provider.”
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| 24. |
- Lodefalk, Maria, 1968-, et al.
(författare)
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Food habits, energy and nutrient intake in adolescents with Type 1 diabetes mellitus
- 2006
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Ingår i: Diabetic Medicine. - Oxon, United Kingdom : Wiley-Blackwell. - 0742-3071 .- 1464-5491. ; 23:11, s. 1225-1232
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- AIMS: The aims were to describe the food habits of adolescents with Type 1 diabetes (Type 1 DM) and to compare them with healthy control subjects; to describe the distribution of energy-providing nutrients in patients and compare it with current recommendations and previous reports; and finally, to investigate associations between dietary intake and glycaemic control. METHODS: One hundred and seventy-four adolescents with Type 1 DM and 160 age- and sex-matched healthy control subjects completed a validated food frequency questionnaire, and 38 randomly chosen patients completed a prospective 4-day food record. RESULTS: Patients ate more regularly, and more often ate fruit and fruit juice, potatoes and root vegetables, meat, fish, egg, offal and sugar-free sweets than control subjects. Control subjects more often ate ordinary sweets and snacks. Patients chose coarse rye bread and dairy products with less fat to a greater extent than control subjects. Patients were heavier than control subjects. The intake of saturated fat was higher in patients compared with recommendations and, for boys with diabetes, the intake of protein was higher than recommended. Patients with poorer glycaemic control ate vegetables, fruit and fish less often than patients with better control. CONCLUSIONS: The food habits of adolescents with Type 1 DM were healthier than those of control subjects. The intake of energy-providing nutrients was in line with current recommendations and showed improvements compared with previous reports, with the exception of fibre intake. The association between dietary intake and glycaemic control needs further investigation in prospective studies.
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| 25. |
- Pourhamidi, Kaveh, et al.
(författare)
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Evaluation of clinical tools and their diagnostic use in distal symmetric polyneuropathy
- 2014
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Ingår i: Primary care diabetes. - : Elsevier. - 1878-0210 .- 1751-9918. ; 8:1, s. 77-84
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- AIMS: To compare the diagnostic usefulness of tuning fork, monofilament, biothesiometer and skin biopsies in peripheral neuropathy in individuals with varying glucose metabolism.METHODS: Normoglycaemic, impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and type 2 diabetes (T2DM) individuals were recruited. Nerve conduction studies (NCS) and thermal threshold tests were performed. Vibrotactile sense was tested with a biothesiometer and a 128-Hz tuning fork. Touch/pressure perception was examined with a 10-g monofilament. Skin biopsies were performed and intraepidermal nerve fibres were quantified. Distal symmetric polyneuropathy (DSPN) was defined as neuropathy disability score ≥2 and abnormal NCS. Thermal threshold tests were used to define small nerve fibre neuropathy (sDSPN) in cases where NCS (large nerve fibres) were normal.RESULTS: The prevalence of DSPN and sDSPN in the whole group (n=119) was 18% and 23%, respectively. For the biothesiometer, a cut-off of ≥24.5V had a sensitivity of 82% and specificity of 70% (AUC=0.81, 95% CI 0.71-0.91) when evaluating DSPN. An intraepidermal nerve fibre density cut-off of ≤3.39fibres/mm showed a sensitivity of 74% and specificity of 70% in the detection of sDSPN, whereas the sensitivity of the tuning fork and the biothesiometer were relatively low, 46% and 67%, respectively. When combining skin biopsies with the tuning fork, 10 more sDSPN cases were identified. Adding skin biopsy to the combination of the tuning fork and biothesiometer increased the sensitivity of finding sDSPN cases, but not DSPN, from 81% to 93%.CONCLUSION: Using a biothesiometer in clinical routine might be a sensitive method to detect large nerve fibre dysfunction in the lower extremity, whereas skin biopsies in combination with methods measuring vibrotactile sense could increase the diagnostic sensitivity of detecting peripheral neuropathy at an early stage.
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