| 1. |
- van de Sande-Bruinsma, Nienke, et al.
(författare)
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Antimicrobial drug use and resistance in Europe
- 2008
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Ingår i: Emerging Infectious Diseases. - : Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). - 1080-6040 .- 1080-6059. ; 14:11, s. 1722-30
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Our study confronts the use of antimicrobial agents in ambulatory care with the resistance trends of 2 major pathogens, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Escherichia coli, in 21 European countries in 2000-2005 and explores whether the notion that antimicrobial drug use determines resistance can be supported by surveillance data at national aggregation levels. The data obtained from the European Surveillance of Antimicrobial Consumption and the European Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance System suggest that variation of consumption coincides with the occurrence of resistance at the country level. Linear regression analysis showed that the association between antimicrobial drug use and resistance was specific and robust for 2 of 3 compound pathogen combinations, stable over time, but not sensitive enough to explain all of the observed variations. Ecologic studies based on routine surveillance data indicate a relation between use and resistance and support interventions designed to reduce antimicrobial drug consumption at a national level in Europe.
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| 2. |
- Butler, C.C., et al.
(författare)
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Variation in antibiotic prescribing and its impact on recovery in patients with acute cough in primary care : Prospective study in 13 countries
- 2009
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Ingår i: BMJ. - : BMJ. - 0959-8146 .- 0959-8138 .- 1468-5833. ; 338:7710, s. 1545-
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective: To describe variation in antibiotic prescribing for acute cough in contrasting European settings and the impact on recovery. Design: Cross sectional observational study with clinicians from 14 primary care research networks in 13 European countries who recorded symptoms on presentation and management. Patients followed up for 28 days with patient diaries. Setting: Primary care. Participants: Adults with a new or worsening cough or clinical presentation suggestive of lower respiratory tract infection. Main outcome measures: Prescribing of antibiotics by clinicians and total symptom severity scores over time. Results: 3402 patients were recruited (clinicians completed a case report form for 99% (3368) of participants and 80% (2714) returned a symptom diary). Mean symptom severity scores at presentation ranged from 19 (scale range 0 to 100) in networks based in Spain and Italy to 38 in the network based in Sweden. Antibiotic prescribing by networks ranged from 20% to nearly 90% (53% overall), with wide variation in classes of antibiotics prescribed. Amoxicillin was overall the most common antibiotic prescribed, but this ranged from 3% of antibiotics prescribed in the Norwegian network to83% in the English network. While fluoroquinolones were not prescribed at all in three networks, they were prescribed for 18% in the Milan network. After adjustment for clinical presentation and demographics, considerable differences remained in antibiotic prescribing, ranging from Norway (odds ratio 0.18, 95% confidence interval 0.11 to 0.30) to Slovakia (11.2, 6.20 to 20.27) compared with the overall mean (proportion prescribed: 0.53). The rate of recovery was similar for patients who were and were not prescribed antibiotics (coefficient -0.01, Pless than0.01) once clinical presentation was taken into account. Conclusions: Variation in clinical presentation does not explain the considerable variation in antibiotic prescribing for acute cough in Europe. Variation in antibiotic prescribing is not associated with clinically important differences in recovery. Trial registration: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT00353951.
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| 3. |
- Diepgen, T. L., et al.
(författare)
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Hand eczema classification: a cross-sectional, multicentre study of the aetiology and morphology of hand eczema
- 2009
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Ingår i: British Journal of Dermatology. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 1365-2133 .- 0007-0963. ; 160:2, s. 353-358
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Hand eczema is a long-lasting disease with a high prevalence in the background population. The disease has severe, negative effects on quality of life and sometimes on social status. Epidemiological studies have identified risk factors for onset and prognosis, but treatment of the disease is rarely evidence based, and a classification system for different subdiagnoses of hand eczema is not agreed upon. Randomized controlled trials investigating the treatment of hand eczema are called for. For this, as well as for clinical purposes, a generally accepted classification system for hand eczema is needed. The present study attempts to characterize subdiagnoses of hand eczema with respect to basic demographics, medical history and morphology. Clinical data from 416 patients with hand eczema from 10 European patch test clinics were assessed. A classification system for hand eczema is proposed. It is suggested that this classification be used in clinical work and in clinical trials.
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| 4. |
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| 5. |
- Matura, M, et al.
(författare)
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Selected oxidized fragrance terpenes are common contact allergens
- 2005
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Ingår i: Contact Dermatitis. - : Wiley. - 0105-1873 .- 1600-0536. ; 52:6, s. 320-328
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Terpenes are widely used fragrance compounds in fine fragrances, but also in domestic and occupational products. Terpenes oxidize easily due to autoxidation on air exposure. Previous studies have shown that limonene, linalool and caryophyllene are not allergenic themselves but readily form allergenic products on air-exposure. This study aimed to determine the frequency and characteristics of allergic reactions to selected oxidized fragrance terpenes other than limonene. In total 1511 consecutive dermatitis patients in 6 European dermatology centres were patch tested with oxidized fragrance terpenes and some oxidation fractions and compounds. Oxidized linalool and its hydroperoxide fraction were found to be common contact allergens. Of the patients tested, 1.3% showed a positive reaction to oxidized linalool and 1.1% to the hydroperoxide fraction. About 0.5% of the patients reacted to oxidized caryophyllene whereas 1 patient reacted to oxidized myrcene. Of the patients reacting to the oxidized terpenes, 58% had fragrance-related contact allergy and/or a positive history for adverse reaction to fragrances. Autoxidation of fragrance terpenes contributes greatly to fragrance allergy, which emphasizes the need of testing with compounds that patients are actually exposed to and not only with the ingredients originally applied in commercial formulations.
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| 6. |
- Roelofs, J., et al.
(författare)
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Fear of movement and (re)injury in chronic musculoskeletal pain : evidence for an invariant two-factor model of the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia across pain diagnoses and Dutch, Swedish, and Canadian samples
- 2007
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Ingår i: Pain. - : Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health). - 0304-3959 .- 1872-6623. ; 131:1-2, s. 181-190
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The aims of the current study were twofold. First, the factor structure, reliability (i.e., internal consistency), and validity (i.e., concurrent criterion validity) of the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK), a measure of fear of movement and (re)injury, were investigated in a Dutch sample of patients with work-related upper extremity disorders (study 1). More specifically, examination of the factor structure involved a test of three competitive models: the one-factor model of all 17 TSK items, a one-factor model of the TSK (Woby SR, Roach NK, Urmston M, Watson P. Psychometric properties of the TSK-11: a shortened version of the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia. Pain 2005;117:137-44.), and a two-factor model of the TSK-11. Second, invariance of the aforementioned TSK models was examined in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain conditions (i.e., work-related upper extremity disorders, chronic low back pain, fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis) from The Netherlands, Sweden, and Canada was assessed (study 2). Results from study 1 showed that the two-factor model of the TSK-11 consisting of 'somatic focus' (TSK-SF) and 'activity avoidance' (TSK-AA) had the best fit. The TSK factors showed reasonable internal consistency, and were modestly but significantly related to disability, supporting the concurrent criterion validity of the TSK scales. Results from study 2 showed that the two-factor model of the TSK-11 was invariant across pain diagnoses and Dutch, Swedish, and Canadian samples. Altogether, we consider the TSK-11 and its two subscales a psychometrically sound instrument of fear of movement and (re)injury and recommend to use this measure in future research as well as in clinical settings. © 2007 International Association for the Study of Pain.
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| 7. |
- Thyssen, Jacob Pontoppidan, et al.
(författare)
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p-Phenylenediamine sensitization is more prevalent in central and southern European patch test centres than in Scandinavian: results from a multicentre study
- 2009
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Ingår i: Contact Dermatitis. - : Wiley. - 0105-1873 .- 1600-0536. ; 60:6, s. 314-319
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Positive patch test reactions to p-phenylenediamine (PPD) are common. PPD is used in oxidative hair dyes and is also present in dark henna temporary 'tattoos'. Cross-sensitization to other contact allergens may occur. Because subjects sensitized to PPD are at risk of clinically severe reactions upon hair dyeing, there is a need for 'current' prevalence data on PPD sensitization. To compare PPD patch test results from dermatitis patients tested between 2003 and 2007 in 10 European patch test centres and to analyse the causes and determine relevance of positive PPD patch test reactions. Patch testing was performed using PPD (1% free base in petrolatum from Trolab (Almirall Hermal GmbH, Reinbeck, Germany) or Chemotechnique (Malmo, Sweden), equivalent to 0.090 mg/cm(2) in the TRUE (R) test from MEKOS Laboratories AS). Statistical analysis was performed using the chi-squared test. The weighted average prevalence was 4.6% among 21 515 patients. PPD sensitization occurred more often in centres located in Central and Southern Europe than in Scandinavian centres (odds ratio = 2.40; 95% confidence interval = 2.07-2.78). The overall proportion of positive patch test reactions to PPD that were registered as being of either current or 'past' relevance was high (weighted average 53.6% and 20.3%, respectively). Consumer hair dyeing was the most prominent cause of PPD sensitization (weighted average 41.8%). Furthermore, occupational hair dye exposure (10.6%) and cross-sensitization to textile dyes (12.6%) were frequently reported. PPD sensitization caused by exposure to hair dyes is frequent and remains a present problem for patients visiting contact dermatitis clinics, especially in patch test centres located in Central and Southern Europe.
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| 8. |
- Agner, Tove, et al.
(författare)
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Contact sensitisation in hand eczema patients-relation to subdiagnosis, severity and quality of life: a multi-centre study
- 2009
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Ingår i: Contact Dermatitis. - 0105-1873. ; 61:5, s. 291-296
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background Contact sensitisation has been identified as a factor associated with poor prognosis for patients with hand eczema. Objectives To study implications of contact sensitisation with respect to severity, quality of life (QoL) and subdiagnosis of hand eczema. Methods The study was performed as a multi-centre, cross-sectional study from 10 European clinics. All patients were patch tested, and severity of hand eczema assessed by Hand Eczema Severity Index. A multi-variate analysis was performed to explore which factors influenced severity, QoL and sick leave. Results A total 416 patients were included, and 63% had contact sensitisation to one or more of the tested allergens. More women (66%) than men (51%) were sensitized. No significant association was found between sensitisation to specific allergens, disease severity, QoL or diagnostic subgroups. High age, male sex, atopic eczema and presence of contact sensitisation were independent risk factors for increased severity as measured by Hand Eczema Severity Index. Furthermore, the severity of hand eczema increased by the number of contact sensitisations detected (P = 0.023). High age and personal history of atopic eczema were independent risk factors for low QoL, as measured by Dermatology Life Quality Index, and atopic eczema as well as allergic contact dermatitis as subdiagnosis was associated with increased sick leave. Conclusion Diagnostic subgroups were not found to be related to specific allergens. Contact sensitisation was found to be a risk factor for increased severity of hand eczema, as did high age, male sex and atopic eczema.
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| 9. |
- Agner, Tove, et al.
(författare)
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Hand eczema severity and quality of life: a cross-sectional, multicentre study of hand eczema patients
- 2008
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Ingår i: Contact Dermatitis. - : Wiley. - 0105-1873 .- 1600-0536. ; 59:1, s. 43-47
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background and Objectives: Hand eczema is a chronic disease with negative impact on quality of life (QoL). In this study, QoL in hand eczema patients is assessed and related to age, sex, severity, and diagnostic subgroups. Methods: A total of 416 patients with hand eczema from 10 European patch test clinics participated in the study. Data on QoL were obtained from a self-administered questionnaire using the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). Severity was assessed by a scoring system (Hand Eczema Severity Index, HECSI) as well as frequency of eruptions and sick leave due to hand eczema. Results: No significant difference was found between males and females with respect to QoL [DLQI median values and 25/75 percentiles for males and females being 7.0 (3-14) and 8.0 (3-13), respectively], although males were more severely affected than females (P < 0.025). A significant positive correlation was found for hand eczema severity and age (P < 0.001), while no significant correlation was found for QoL and age. QoL was found increasingly reduced when sick leave was getting higher (P < 0.001). A statistically significant correlation between QoL (as measured by DLQI) and hand eczema severity as measured by HECSI was found (P < 0.001). No significant difference in QoL was found between diagnostic subgroups. Conclusions: QoL was found markedly negatively affected in hand eczema patients and was significantly correlated to disease severity. No significant difference in QoL was found between males and females, in spite of significantly more severe eczema in males, indicating that QoL in female patients is more easily affected.
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| 10. |
- Diepgen, TL, et al.
(författare)
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Mercaptobenzothiazole or the mercapto-mix: which should be in the standard series?
- 2006
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Ingår i: Contact Dermatitis. - : Wiley. - 0105-1873 .- 1600-0536. ; 55:1, s. 36-38
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Mercaptobenzothiazole (MBT) compounds are well known contact allergens. To detect rubber allergic patients we use both MBT (2% in petrolatum) and a mercapto-mix with 4 constituents of 0.5% each in our standard series. In this article the EECDRG presents data of in total 32 475 consecutive tested patients attending the respective contact dermatitis clinics from 11 centres in Europe to determine if the mix and MBT detected the same allergic patients. We found 327 patients positive to the mix or MBT, or to both. 261 were positive to the mix and 254 to MBT. MBT was negative in 73 patients who were positive to the mix. If the mix had not been in the standard series, on average 22% of patients allergic to a mercapto-compound would have been missed, for MBT this would have been on average 20%. All clinics would have missed a significant number of positive reactions if both compounds had not been tested. We conclude, that both the mercapto mix and MBT are required in the standard series.
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