| 1. |
- Birberg Thornberg, Ulrika, et al.
(författare)
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Neurocognitive deficits in COVID-19 patients five months after discharge from hospital
- 2023
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Ingår i: Neuropsychological rehabilitation (Print). - : Routledge; Taylor & Francis. - 0960-2011 .- 1464-0694. ; 33:10, s. 1599-1623
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This observational cohort study explored objective neurocognitive deficits in COVID-19 patients five months after discharge, and any associations with demographic factors and disease severity indicators. Medical notes of all COVID-19 patients admitted to hospital in Region ostergotland, Sweden, March-May 2020, were reviewed. After applying exclusion criteria, 433 patients were screened by telephone. Of these, 185 patients reported persistent and concerning post-COVID-19 problems, including but not restricted to cognitive functions, and were invited to a clinical evaluation. The Repeatable Battery for Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) and Colour-Word Interference Test (CWIT) were used to assess immediate memory, visuo-spatial function, language, attention, delayed memory, and executive function. A total of 133 patients had valid test performances. Mean RBANS Global Cognition Score was 83.4, with 37% scoring below cut-off (1.5 SD). Deficits in Attention and Memory indices were most common, each affecting approximately 30% of the patients. After adjustment for sex, language, level of education and premorbid function, neurocognitive performance was positively associated with length of hospital stay, but not with the disease severity indicators WHO CPS and CRP. Findings support that comprehensive neuropsychological assessment should be performed when patients report post-COVID-19 symptoms that affect daily life.
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| 2. |
- Hellgren, Josefin, et al.
(författare)
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Occurrence of Salmonella, Campylobacter, Clostridium and Enterobacteriaceae in raw meat-based diets for dogs
- 2019
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Ingår i: Veterinary Record. - : Wiley. - 0042-4900 .- 2042-7670. ; 184
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The practice of feeding raw meat-based diets (RMBD) to dogs has increased in popularity in recent years. However, RMBD are based on offal that has not undergone any type of treatment to reduce the microbial content, so there is a risk of potential pathogenic microorganisms being present. Frozen samples from 60 RMBD packs produced by 10 different manufacturers were analysed for their content of bacteria belonging to the family Enterobacteriaceae, for Clostridium perfringens and for the presence of Salmonella and Campylobacter. Enterobacteriaceae were detected in all 60 samples and in 31 samples exceeded a level of 5000 bacteria/g, which is the threshold for satisfactory microbial hygiene according to EU regulations. In two samples, the amount of C. perfringens exceeded 5000 bacteria/g, which is the maximum level of anaerobic bacteria permitted by Swedish national guidelines. Salmonella species were found in four (7 per cent) and Campylobacter species in three (5 per cent) samples. These results show that it is critical to maintain good hygiene when storing, handling and feeding RMBD, in order to limit the potential health risks to animals and humans, especially young and immunocompromised individuals.
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| 3. |
- Hellgren, Lovisa, et al.
(författare)
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Brain MRI and neuropsychological findings at long-term follow-up after COVID-19 hospitalisation : an observational cohort study
- 2021
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Ingår i: BMJ Open. - : BMJ Publishing Group Ltd. - 2044-6055. ; 11:10
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objectives To report findings on brain MRI and neurocognitive function, as well as persisting fatigue at long-term follow-up after COVID-19 hospitalisation in patients identified as high risk for affection of the central nervous system. Design Ambidirectional observational cohort study. Setting All 734 patients from a regional population in Sweden with a laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis admitted to hospital during the period 1 March to 31 May 2020. Participants A subgroup (n=185) with persisting symptoms still interfering with daily life at a telephone follow-up 4 months after discharge were invited for a medical and neuropsychological evaluation. Thirty-five of those who were assessed with a neurocognitive test battery at the clinical visit, and presented a clinical picture concerning for COVID-19-related brain pathology, were further investigated by brain MRI. Main outcome measures Findings on brain MRI, neurocognitive test results and reported fatigue. Results Twenty-five patients (71%) had abnormalities on MRI; multiple white matter lesions were the most common finding. Sixteen patients (46%) demonstrated impaired neurocognitive function, of which 10 (29%) had severe impairment. Twenty-six patients (74%) reported clinically significant fatigue. Patients with abnormalities on MRI had a lower Visuospatial Index (p=0.031) compared with the group with normal MRI findings. Conclusions In this group of patients selected to undergo MRI after a clinical evaluation, a majority of patients had abnormal MRI and/or neurocognitive test results. Abnormal findings were not restricted to patients with severe disease.
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| 4. |
- Hellgren, Lovisa, et al.
(författare)
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Computerized Training of Working Memoryfor Patients with Acquired Brain Injury
- 2015
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Ingår i: Open Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation. - : Scientific Research Publishing. - 2332-1822 .- 2332-1830. ; 3, s. 46-55
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Patients with acquired brain injury often experience impaired working memory(WM), a condition that can make everyday life activities and work difficult. Objectives: This studyinvestigates the effects of computerized WM training on WM skills, cognitive tests, activity performanceand estimated health and whether the effects of computerized WM training can be attributedto sex or time since injury. Methods: Forty-eight patients with acquired brain injury underwentcomputerized WM training. Patients were tested by a neuropsychologist and interviewedby an occupational therapist just prior and 20 weeks after completion of training. Results: Patientswho participated in computerized WM training significantly improved their WM skills shown inWM index, their neuropsychological test scores, and their self-estimated health scores. They alsosignificantly improved their performance of individually defined WM-related everyday activitiesand their satisfaction with the performance of these activities. There was a significant differencein terms of WM index, WM-related daily activity performance, and satisfaction with respect to timesince injury. Conclusion: Computerized WM training can improve cognitive and everyday performancefor patients with acquired brain injury. Patients can improve their cognitive functions along time after suffering a brain injury or disease. This effect is greater if WM training is used earlyin the rehabilitation.
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| 5. |
- Hellgren, Lovisa, et al.
(författare)
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Seven Domains of Persisting Problems after Hospital-Treated Covid-19 Indicate a Need For a Multiprofessional Rehabilitation Approach
- 2022
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Ingår i: Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine. - : Foundation for Rehabilitation Information. - 1650-1977 .- 1651-2081. ; 54
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objectives: To identify domains of persisting problems at 4 months after discharge in patients previously hospitalized due to COVID-19, with a focus on a subgroup of patients reporting symptoms to an extent indicative of rehabilitation needs. Design: Ambidirectional observational cohort study. Patients: All patients with a laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis admitted to hospital in a Swedish healthcare region during the period 1 March to 31 May 2020. After exclusion, 94% of all survivors (n = 433) participated in the study. Forty-three percent (n = 185) of these reported persisting problems indicating rehabilitation needs and formed a subgroup. Methods: Explorative factor analysis based on results from comprehensive telephone interviews covering persisting symptoms, including assessment of impact on daily life. Results: Seven domains were identified, comprising problems related to vision, cognition, mental fatigue, swallowing, voice, sensorimotor dysfunction, and feeling anxious/depressed. The patients in the subgroup reported a median of 8 symptoms/limitations affecting everyday life, and two-thirds reported symptoms/limitations in 3 or more domains. Conclusion: Seven problem domains corresponding to specific modalities of rehabilitative interventions were identified. A majority of patients reported problems from several domains, indicating the need for multiprofessional teams in post-COVID-19 rehabilitation. Screening of patients previously hospitalized due to COVID-19 should cover all 7 domains of persisting problems.
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