| 1. |
- Dalin, Frida, 1984-, et al.
(författare)
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Clinical and immunological characteristics of Autoimmune Addison's disease : a nationwide Swedish multicenter study
- 2017
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Ingår i: Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. - : Oxford University Press. - 0021-972X .- 1945-7197. ; 102:2, s. 379-389
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- CONTEXT: Studies on clinical and immunological features of Autoimmune Addison's disease (AAD) are needed to understand the disease burden and increased mortality.OBJECTIVE: To provide upgraded data on autoimmune comorbidities, replacement therapy, autoantibody profiles and cardiovascular risk factors.DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Cross sectional, population-based study. 660 AAD patients were included utilizing the Swedish Addison Registry (SAR) 2008-2014. When analyzing cardiovascular risk factors, 3,594 individuals from the population-based survey in Northern Sweden, MONICA (MONItoring of Trends and Determinants of CArdiovascular Disease), served as controls.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Prevalence of autoimmune comorbidities and cardiovascular risk factors. Autoantibodies against 13 autoantigens were determined.RESULTS: Sixty percent of the SAR cohort consisted of females. Mean age at diagnosis was significantly higher for females than for males (36.8 vs. 31.1 years). The proportion of 21-hydroxylase autoantibody positive patients was 83% and 62% of patients had one or more associated autoimmune diseases, more frequently coexisting in females (p<0.0001). AAD patients had lower BMI (p<0.0001) and prevalence of hypertension (p=0.027) compared with controls. Conventional hydrocortisone tablets were used by 89% of patients; with the mean dose 28.1±8.5 mg/day. The mean hydrocortisone equivalent dose normalized to body surface was 14.8±4.4 mg/m(2)/day. Higher hydrocortisone equivalent dose was associated with higher incidence of hypertension (p=0.046).CONCLUSIONS: Careful monitoring of AAD patients is warranted to detect associated autoimmune diseases. Contemporary Swedish AAD patients do not have increased prevalence of overweight, hypertension, T2DM or hyperlipidemia. However, high glucocorticoid replacement doses may be a risk factor for hypertension.
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| 2. |
- Albin, Maria, et al.
(författare)
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0253 Hairdressers are occupationally exposed to ortho- and meta- toluidine
- 2014
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Ingår i: Occupational and Environmental Medicine. - : BMJ. - 1470-7926 .- 1351-0711. ; 71 Suppl 1, s. 32-33
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Hairdressing work is classified as carcinogenic based on excess risk for bladder cancer. We aimed at evaluating if current hairdressers are exposed to established/suspected bladder carcinogens (aromatic amines) and indicate possible sources of exposure.
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| 3. |
- Balk, Lennart, et al.
(författare)
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Widespread episodic thiamine deficiency in Northern Hemisphere wildlife
- 2016
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Ingår i: Scientific Reports. - : Nature Publishing Group. - 2045-2322. ; 6
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Many wildlife populations are declining at rates higher than can be explained by known threats to biodiversity. Recently, thiamine (vitamin B-1) deficiency has emerged as a possible contributing cause. Here, thiamine status was systematically investigated in three animal classes: bivalves, ray-finned fishes, and birds. Thiamine diphosphate is required as a cofactor in at least five life-sustaining enzymes that are required for basic cellular metabolism. Analysis of different phosphorylated forms of thiamine, as well as of activities and amount of holoenzyme and apoenzyme forms of thiaminedependent enzymes, revealed episodically occurring thiamine deficiency in all three animal classes. These biochemical effects were also linked to secondary effects on growth, condition, liver size, blood chemistry and composition, histopathology, swimming behaviour and endurance, parasite infestation, and reproduction. It is unlikely that the thiamine deficiency is caused by impaired phosphorylation within the cells. Rather, the results point towards insufficient amounts of thiamine in the food. By investigating a large geographic area, by extending the focus from lethal to sublethal thiamine deficiency, and by linking biochemical alterations to secondary effects, we demonstrate that the problem of thiamine deficiency is considerably more widespread and severe than previously reported.
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| 4. |
- Brogaard, Sara, et al.
(författare)
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Think H2O! – An educational partnership to raise students’ awareness of the water challenges
- 2015
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Think H2O! – An educational partnership to raise students’ awareness of the water challenges Introduction: To secure future access to safe water is one of the most important sustainability challenges, on local and global level. Water is a cause of conflict and cooperation in an increasingly complex world. This crucial challenge requires a transdisciplinary approach (Segalàs & Tejedor, 2013) and extensive educational efforts and continuous engagement of many different stakeholders and actors. Sydvatten AB and Lund University Centre for Sustainability Studies (LUCSUS) cooperate in several educational projects Sydvatten is a non-profit, municipality-owned company that produces drinking water for 900,000 residents in the south of Sweden and has a long-term responsibility to ensure future supply of drinking water for this region. LUCSUS is a university platform for education, research and cooperation inside and outside academia on questions related to sustainable development. Objectives: This paper gives an example of how different stakeholders and actors can work together in educational projects to highlight the value of water and to increase young people’s awareness, knowledge and understanding of water issues. More specifically the project aims to demonstrate the wide range of topics within water challenges and to encourage students to further education or engagement to promote sustainable development within the water sector. Methods: In the long-term project Think H2 O! Sydvatten offers teachers and their students in upper secondary school, a scholarship for a two-day watercourse at lake Bolmen, which is one of the most important resources for drinking water in Sweden. The course activities are a mix of workshops, lectures, role-play, experiments, canoeing, camping and outdoor cooking. The teachers and facilitators are from LUCSUS, Sydvatten, Vildmarksgymnasiet (the local Wilderness school) and the local business Tiraholms Fisk. The many partners involved give the students access to different competencies, skills and experiences. Master students at Lund University have developed some of the teaching material. Results: This collaboration emphasizes the transdisciplinary aspects of water, which increase the pedagogical value. The results are based on three pilot groups during 2014, with totally 150 students. The students’ evaluations demonstrate increased awareness of the value of water and a deeper understanding of the complexity of water challenges. Conclusion: The promising results show the great potential of the project and during 2015 another 500 students will be invited to participate. Despite the difficulties to evaluate the lasting effects, it is the intention of Sydvatten, the funder, to expand the project to a long-term investment. Due to demanding future sustainability challenges, it is Sydvatten’s and LUCSUS’ responsibility, as community stakeholders, to promote greater public awareness of the value of water. The project Think H2 O! is an example of social responsibility of actors in the public sector. Keywords: education, partnership, water challenges, value of water
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| 5. |
- Emanuelson, Ingrid, et al.
(författare)
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Traumatic brain injury in children treated at the neurosurgical unit at Sahlgrenska University Hospital in 1987-1991 and 1997-2001: An analysis of the process of care
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Annan publikation (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Background: In 1992, a new volume targeted treatment, the “Lund Protocol”, was introduced in the field of neurosurgical care at Sahlgrenska University Hospital. The mortality rate for adults dropped markedly while the number of patients in a vegetative state remained at the same level. As yet, changes in mortality and outcome for children have not been investigated in detail. Aim: To describe the causes and severity of injury, process of care from emergency care to rehabilitation, and the rate of received rehabilitation and to follow-up two cohorts treated for child traumatic brain injury (CTBI) before and after the initiation of the “Lund Protocol”. For group 2, treated after the initiation of the “Lund Protocol” an additional aim was to relate brain injury severity parameters in the acute care stage to functional outcome. Methods: A retrospective population-based study of patient records of former paediatric patients treated neurosurgically for CTBI between 1987-1991 and 1997-2001. Epidemiological results are presented as descriptive statistics. To evaluate the relationship between brain injury parameters and outcome an exploratory cluster analysis was performed on the data from group 2. Results: For both groups traffic accidents were the most common cause of injury. The Glasgow Coma Scale indicated a more severe injury level in group1. The mortality rate in group1 was 8 % compared with 2 % in group 2 (n.s.). The Glasgow outcome score was on the same level (median 5), and the rate of received rehabilitation was equally low in both groups, 27 % versus 33 %. The cluster analysis revealed that length of care and time in a respirator had a stronger relationship with outcome than the Reaction Level Scale (RLS). Conclusion: There is still no stable process of care after CTBI as 67 % in the later treated group did not receive rehabilitation and 50 % of those did not receive any medical check- ups in the long- term perspective.
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| 6. |
- Himonakos, Christos, et al.
(författare)
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Long-term Follow-up of 84 Patients With Giant Prolactinomas-A Swedish Nationwide Study.
- 2023
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Ingår i: The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism. - : Oxford University Press. - 1945-7197 .- 0021-972X. ; 108:12
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- To describe the clinical presentation and treatment outcomes in a nationwide cohort of patients with giant prolactinomas.Register-based study of patients with giant prolactinomas [serum prolactin (PRL) > 1000 µg/L, tumor diameter ≥40 mm] identified in the Swedish Pituitary Register 1991-2018.Eighty-four patients [mean age 47 (SD ±16) years, 89% men] were included in the study. At diagnosis, the median PRL was 6305 µg/L (range 1450-253 000), the median tumor diameter was 47 mm (range 40-85), 84% of the patients had hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, and 71% visual field defects. All patients were treated with a dopamine agonist (DA) at some point. Twenty-three (27%) received 1 or more additional therapies, including surgery (n = 19), radiotherapy (n = 6), other medical treatments (n = 4), and chemotherapy (n = 2). Ki-67 was ≥10% in 4/14 tumors. At the last follow-up [median 9 years (interquartile range (IQR) 4-15)], the median PRL was 12 µg/L (IQR 4-126), and the median tumor diameter was 22 mm (IQR 3-40). Normalized PRL was achieved in 55%, significant tumor reduction in 69%, and combined response (normalized PRL and significant tumor reduction) in 43%. In the primary DA-treated patients (n = 79), the reduction in PRL or tumor size after the first year predicted the combined response at the last follow-up (P < .001 and P = .012, respectively).DAs effectively reduced PRL and tumor size, but approximately 1 patient out of 4 needed multimodal treatment. Our results suggest that the response to DA after 1 year is useful for identifying patients who need more careful monitoring and, in some cases, additional treatment.
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| 7. |
- Papakokkinou, Eleni, et al.
(författare)
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Excess Morbidity Persists in Patients With Cushing’s Disease During Long-term Remission : A Swedish Nationwide Study
- 2020
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Ingår i: Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. - Washington : Oxford University Press. - 0021-972X .- 1945-7197. ; 105:8, s. 2616-2624
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Context: Whether multisystem morbidity in Cushing's disease (CD) remains elevated during long-term remission is still undetermined.Objective: To investigate comorbidities in patients with CD.Design, setting, and patients: A retrospective, nationwide study of patients with CD identified in the Swedish National Patient Register between 1987 and 2013. Individual medical records were reviewed to verify diagnosis and remission status.Main outcomes: Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated by using the Swedish general population as reference. Comorbidities were investigated during three different time periods: (i) during the 3 years before diagnosis, (ii) from diagnosis to 1 year after remission, and (iii) during long-term remission.Results: We included 502 patients with confirmed CD, of whom 419 were in remission for a median of 10 (interquartile range 4 to 21) years. SIRs (95% CI) for myocardial infarction (4.4; 1.2 to 11.4), fractures (4.9; 2.7 to 8.3), and deep vein thrombosis (13.8; 3.8 to 35.3) were increased during the 3-year period before diagnosis. From diagnosis until 1 year after remission, SIRs (95% CI were increased for thromboembolism (18.3; 7.9 to 36.0), stroke (4.9; 1.3 to 12.5), and sepsis (13.6; 3.7 to 34.8). SIRs for thromboembolism (4.9; 2.6 to 8.4), stroke (3.1; 1.8 to 4.9), and sepsis (6.0; 3.1 to 10.6) remained increased during long-term remission.Conclusion: Patients with CD have an increased incidence of stroke, thromboembolism, and sepsis even after remission, emphasizing the importance of early identification and management of risk factors for these comorbidities during long-term follow-up.
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| 8. |
- Ragnarsson, Oskar, 1971, et al.
(författare)
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The incidence of Cushing’s disease : a nationwide Swedish study
- 2019
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Ingår i: Pituitary. - : Springer. - 1386-341X .- 1573-7403. ; 22:2, s. 179-186
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Studies on the incidence of Cushing’s disease (CD) are few and usually limited by a small number of patients. The aim of this study was to assess the annual incidence in a nationwide cohort of patients with presumed CD in Sweden.Methods: Patients registered with a diagnostic code for Cushing’s syndrome (CS) or CD, between 1987 and 2013 were identified in the Swedish National Patient Registry. The CD diagnosis was validated by reviewing clinical, biochemical, imaging, and histopathological data.Results: Of 1317 patients identified, 534 (41%) had confirmed CD. One-hundred-and-fifty-six (12%) patients had other forms of CS, 41 (3%) had probable but unconfirmed CD, and 334 (25%) had diagnoses unrelated to CS. The mean (95% confidence interval) annual incidence between 1987 and 2013 of confirmed CD was 1.6 (1.4–1.8) cases per million. 1987–1995, 1996–2004, and 2005–2013, the mean annual incidence was 1.5 (1.1–1.8), 1.4 (1.0–1.7) and 2.0 (1.7–2.3) cases per million, respectively. During the last time period the incidence was higher than during the first and second time periods (P < 0.05).Conclusion: The incidence of CD in Sweden (1.6 cases per million) is in agreement with most previous reports. A higher incidence between 2005 and 2013 compared to 1987–2004 was noticed. Whether this reflects a truly increased incidence of the disease, or simply an increased awareness, earlier recognition, and earlier diagnosis can, however, not be answered. This study also illustrates the importance of validation of the diagnosis of CD in epidemiological research.
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| 9. |
- Sævik, Åse Bjorvatn, et al.
(författare)
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Residual Corticosteroid Production in Autoimmune Addison Disease
- 2020
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Ingår i: Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. - Washington : Oxford University Press. - 0021-972X .- 1945-7197. ; 105:7, s. 2430-2441
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Context: Contrary to current dogma, growing evidence suggests that some patients with autoimmune Addison disease (AAD) produce corticosteroids even years after diagnosis.Objective: To determine frequencies and clinical features of residual corticosteroid production in patients with AAD.Design: Two-staged, cross-sectional clinical study in 17 centers (Norway, Sweden, and Germany). Residual glucocorticoid (GC) production was defined as quantifiable serum cortisol and 11-deoxycortisol and residual mineralocorticoid (MC) production as quantifiable serum aldosterone and corticosterone after > 18 hours of medication fasting. Corticosteroids were analyzed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Clinical variables included frequency of adrenal crises and quality of life. Peak cortisol response was evaluated by a standard 250 µg cosyntropin test.Results: Fifty-eight (30.2%) of 192 patients had residual GC production, more common in men (n = 33; P < 0.002) and in shorter disease duration (median 6 [0-44] vs 13 [0-53] years; P < 0.001). Residual MC production was found in 26 (13.5%) patients and associated with shorter disease duration (median 5.5 [0.5-26.0] vs 13 [0-53] years; P < 0.004), lower fludrocortisone replacement dosage (median 0.075 [0.050-0.120] vs 0.100 [0.028-0.300] mg; P < 0.005), and higher plasma renin concentration (median 179 [22-915] vs 47.5 [0.6-658.0] mU/L; P < 0.001). There was no significant association between residual production and frequency of adrenal crises or quality of life. None had a normal cosyntropin response, but peak cortisol strongly correlated with unstimulated cortisol (r = 0.989; P < 0.001) and plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH; r = -0.487; P < 0.001).Conclusion: In established AAD, one-third of the patients still produce GCs even decades after diagnosis. Residual production is more common in men and in patients with shorter disease duration but is not associated with adrenal crises or quality of life.
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| 10. |
- Smedby, Karin Ekström, et al.
(författare)
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Autoimmune and chronic inflammatory disorders and risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma by subtype
- 2006
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Ingår i: Journal of the National Cancer Institute. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0027-8874 .- 1460-2105. ; 98:1, s. 51-60
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Some autoimmune and chronic inflammatory disorders are associated with increased risks of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). Because different NHL subtypes develop at different stages of lymphocyte differentiation, associations of autoimmune and inflammatory disorders with specific NHL subtypes could lead to a better understanding of lymphomagenic mechanisms. METHODS: In a population-based case-control study in Denmark and Sweden, 3055 NHL patients and 3187 matched control subjects were asked about their history of autoimmune and chronic inflammatory disorders, markers of severity, and treatment. Logistic regression with adjustment for study matching factors was used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for NHL overall and for NHL subtypes. RESULTS: Risks of all NHL were increased in association with rheumatoid arthritis (OR = 1.5, 95% CI = 1.1 to 1.9), primary Sjögren syndrome (OR = 6.1, 95% CI = 1.4 to 27), systemic lupus erythematosus (OR = 4.6, 95% CI = 1.0 to 22), and celiac disease (OR = 2.1, 95% CI = 1.0 to 4.8). All of these conditions were also associated with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, and some were associated with marginal zone, lymphoplasmacytic, or T-cell lymphoma. Ever use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, systemic corticosteroids, and selected immunosuppressants was associated with risk of NHL in rheumatoid arthritis patients but not in subjects without rheumatoid arthritis. Also, multivariable adjustment for treatment had little impact on risk estimates. Psoriasis, sarcoidosis, and inflammatory bowel disorders were not associated with increased risk of NHL overall or of any NHL subtype. CONCLUSIONS: Our results confirm the associations between certain autoimmune disorders and risk of NHL and suggest that the associations may not be general but rather mediated through specific NHL subtypes. These NHL subtypes develop during postantigen exposure stages of lymphocyte differentiation, consistent with a role of antigenic drive in autoimmunity-related lymphomagenesis.
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| 11. |
- Åkerman, Anna-Karin E., 1969-
(författare)
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Relationally focused specialized foster care : Relational experiences and changes in mental health and adaptive functioning
- 2023
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Background: Foster care is a relatively common arrangement when parents are unable to meet the needs of their children. Specialized foster care is sometimes applied in cases when problems are more serious and complex. More knowledge is needed about the effects of such specialized foster care.Aims: To explore trajectories of change associated with specialized foster care in a treatment model with a relational and mentalization-based orientation, and to develop the understanding of foster children’s and their foster parents’ experiences of their relationship living in a treatment foster family.Methods: Children and young people between the ages of 5 and 20 years who received treatment within a specialized foster care model, Treatment By Foster care (TBF), participated in this study. Longitudinal data collected in a naturalistic setting were analyzed quantitatively. In Studies 1 and 2, the number of participants at baseline varied for different instruments between 76 – 105. The Achenbach System of Empirically Based Assessment (ASEBA) was used to measure how psychiatric symptoms change from the perspectives of the foster children, the foster parents, and teachers. The Adaptive Behavior Assessment System – second edition (ABAS-II) was used to measure adaptive functioning from the foster parents’ perspective. Self-ratings by the children and young people of their emotional and social problems were measured with the Beck Youth Inventories of Emotional and Social Impairment (BYI). Data about experiences of the relationship between child and foster parent were collected through repeated individual short interviews/speeches with both children and their foster parents according to Five Minute Speech Sample (FMSS) (n = 14). Interviews/speeches were analyzed using Thematic Analysis (TA).Results: The ratings of foster parents and foster children differed. The analyses showed a significant reduction in psychiatric symptoms, emotional and social problems according to the self-ratings by the children and young people. According to foster parents and teachers, psychiatric symptoms did not decrease. The baseline ratings of adaptive functioning by foster parents showed that adaptive functioning was considerably below peers from the Swedish non-clinical norm group. Adaptive functioning did improve but not enough to approach or catch up with peers.Analysis of the interviews/speeches generated three main themes containing seven subthemes. Main themes were: No 'real' family, A co-created relationship, and Time. Participants related to a norm for what a 'real' family is and seemed to presuppose that the biological family is the 'real' family. A co-created relationship related to No 'real' family as an answer or a solution. The challenges in the foster family constellation could be overcome by a mutual ambition to build a relationship and by liking each other. Time appeared as a common theme and both as an opportunity and a threat to the relationship. Despite the fact that no interview question concerned the duration of the relationship, the participants described their relationship based on how long they had known each other.Conclusions: According to the foster children’s and young people’s self-ratings, their mental health improved, and their social problems decreased. It is likely that the TBF-model contributed to this improved psychological well-being, although causal relationships could not be established without any comparison group. However, the model did not seem to contribute to the foster parents experiencing improvement in the foster children’s psychological well-being or adaptive functioning.Based on the results of this thesis, it may be effective to place children and young people in specialized foster care with a relational and mentalization-oriented focus, but the results are not clear-cut. Practice and policies should take greater account of the time aspect in foster care, and work with the aim of increasing clarity and security, and thereby enabling a more stable upbringing for some of society’s most vulnerable children. Also, this may make foster parents want to continue their mission.More studies are needed to gain knowledge about how specialized foster care should be applied. Future studies also need to focus on creating knowledge about which aspects of the treatment are decisive.
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| 12. |
- Åkerman, Anna-Karin, et al.
(författare)
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Plasma-Metanephrines in Patients with Autoimmune Addison's Disease with and without Residual Adrenocortical Function
- 2023
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Ingår i: Journal of Clinical Medicine. - : MDPI. - 2077-0383. ; 12:10
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- PURPOSE: Residual adrenocortical function, RAF, has recently been demonstrated in one-third of patients with autoimmune Addison's disease (AAD). Here, we set out to explore any influence of RAF on the levels of plasma metanephrines and any changes following stimulation with cosyntropin.METHODS: We included 50 patients with verified RAF and 20 patients without RAF who served as controls upon cosyntropin stimulation testing. The patients had abstained from glucocorticoid and fludrocortisone replacement > 18 and 24 h, respectively, prior to morning blood sampling. The samples were obtained before and 30 and 60 min after cosyntropin stimulation and analyzed for serum cortisol, plasma metanephrine (MN), and normetanephrine (NMN) by liquid-chromatography tandem-mass pectrometry (LC-MS/MS).RESULTS: Among the 70 patients with AAD, MN was detectable in 33%, 25%, and 26% at baseline, 30 min, and 60 min after cosyntropin stimulation, respectively. Patients with RAF were more likely to have detectable MN at baseline (p = 0.035) and at the time of 60 min (p = 0.048) compared to patients without RAF. There was a positive correlation between detectable MN and the level of cortisol at all time points (p = 0.02, p = 0.04, p < 0.001). No difference was noted for NMN levels, which remained within the normal reference ranges.CONCLUSION: Even very small amounts of endogenous cortisol production affect MN levels in patients with AAD.
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| 13. |
- Åkerman, Gabriella, et al.
(författare)
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Exposure of hairdressers to ortho- and meta-toluidine in hair dyes.
- 2015
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Ingår i: Occupational and Environmental Medicine. - : BMJ. - 1470-7926 .- 1351-0711. ; 72:1, s. 57-63
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Carcinogenic aromatic amines derived from hair dyes have recently received new attention. One of these is ortho (o)-toluidine, which is classified as carcinogenic to humans.
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| 14. |
- Öster, Sara, et al.
(författare)
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Self-management and hospitalization in 615 Swedish patients with Addison's disease during the COVID-19 pandemic : a retrospective study
- 2023
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Ingår i: European Journal of Endocrinology. - : Bioscientifica. - 0804-4643 .- 1479-683X. ; 188:2
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- OBJECTIVE: Autoimmune Addison's disease (AAD) entails a chronic adrenal insufficiency and is associated with an increased risk of severe infections. It is, however, unknown how patients with AAD were affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic of 2020-2021. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of COVID-19 in patients with AAD in Sweden, the self-adjustment of medications during the disease, impact on social aspects and treatment during hospitalization. Additionally, we investigated if there were any possible risk factors for infection and hospitalization.DESIGN AND METHODS: Questionnaires were sent out from April to October 2021 to 813 adult patients with AAD in the Swedish Addison registry. The questionnaires included 55 questions inquiring about COVID-19 sickness, hospital care, medications, and co-morbidities, focusing on the pre-vaccine phase.RESULTS: Among the 615 included patients with AAD, COVID-19 was reported by 17% of which 8.5% required hospital care. Glucocorticoid treatment in hospitalized patients varied. For outpatients 85% increased their glucocorticoid dosage during sickness. Older age (p=0.002) and hypertension (p=0.014) were associated with an increased risk of hospital care while younger age (p<0.001) and less worry about infection (p=0.030) correlated with a higher risk of COVID-19.CONCLUSIONS: In the largest study to date examining AAD during the COVID-19 pandemic, we observed that although one fifth of the cohort contracted COVID-19 few patients required hospital care. A majority of the patients applied general recommended sick-rules despite reporting limited communication with healthcare during the pandemic.
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