| 1. |
- Lybeck, Charlotte, 1979-
(författare)
-
Towards the elimination of hepatitis C : identifying the infected population, and remaining hepatitis C related risks after successful treatment
- 2022
-
Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Chronic Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection can lead to liver fibrosis and cirrhosis with increased risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and liver failure. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has set a goal to eliminate viral hepatitis as a global health threat by 2030. To reach this goal for HCV we need to prevent new infections and identify and treat the infected population. Individuals with pre-treatment cirrhosis still have an elevated risk for HCC after HCV cure. This thesis aims to assess the health outcomes after cured HCV infection, study HCV prevalence and find a way to identify undiagnosed infections.In Paper I, 97 patients were followed through clinical visits (n=54) or through national registers (n=43) to study the long-term outcomes after cure from HCV and to assess the presence and impact of occult HCV infection (OCI). Three non-cirrhotic patients were diagnosed with HCC 8-11 years after HCV cure. Two patients had OCI at 8-9 years after cure. They had liver fibrosis stage 2, but no association with HCC. In Paper II, pregnant women (n=4,108) and partners (n=1,027) at antenatal clinics in southern Stockholm and Örebro County were tested for HCV and interviewed about risk factors to assess prevalence and evaluate screening strategies to identify undiagnosed infections. Anti-HCV prevalence was 0.7% and 0.4% were viraemic. The most effective risk factor-based screening was to ask for drug use, country of birth, and having a partner with HCV. Paper III presents a nationwide register study of the risk of extrahepatic cancer (EHC) the first 3 years after HCV treatment with direct acting antiviral (DAAs). We compared 4,013 DAA-treated, with 3,071 interferon-treated and 12,601 untreated patients. No increased risk for EHC was found after adjustments for age and comorbidities. An increased EHC risk in DAA-treated compared with general population was seen. Paper IV presents a register based study of the risk of HCC and association with pre-treatment liver stiffness measurement (LSM) in 7,227 HCV infected patients cured by DAAs. We found that pre-treatment LSM values correlated well with HCC risk. The incidence rate for patients with LSM values ≥12.5 kPa and <12.5 kPa was 1.6 and 0.15/100 person years, respectively.To conclude, cured HCV infection usually leads to regression of fibrosis. The DAAs are safe and highly effective against HCV. However, the HCC risk remains elevated for many years after cure in cirrhotic and sometimes in non-cirrhotic patients. Furthermore, HCV screening of pregnant women and partners is useful to identify patients who would benefit from therapy.
|
|
| 2. |
- Möller, Vidar, et al.
(författare)
-
Antibiotic resistance among major pathogens compared to hospital treatment guidelines and antibiotic use in Nordic hospitals 2010-2018
- 2021
-
Ingår i: Infectious Diseases. - : Taylor & Francis. - 2374-4235 .- 2374-4243. ; 53:8, s. 607-618
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background The Nordic countries have comparable nationwide antibiotic resistance surveillance systems and individual antibiotic stewardship programmes. The aim of this study was to assess antibiotic resistance among major pathogens in relation to practice guidelines for hospital antibiotic treatment and antibiotic use in Nordic countries 2010-2018. Methods Antibiotic resistance among invasive isolates from 2010-2018 and aggregated antibiotic use were obtained from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. Hospital practice guidelines were obtained from national or regional guidelines. Results Antibiotic resistance levels among Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae were similar in all Nordic countries in 2018 and low compared to the European mean. Guidelines for acute pyelonephritis varied; 2nd generation cephalosporin (Finland), 3rd generation cephalosporins (Sweden, Norway), ampicillin with an aminoglycoside or aminoglycoside monotherapy (Denmark, Iceland and Norway). Corresponding guidelines for sepsis of unknown origin were 2nd (Finland) or 3rd (Sweden, Norway, Iceland) generation cephalosporins, carbapenems, (Sweden) combinations of penicillin with an aminoglycoside (Norway, Denmark), or piperacillin-tazobactam (all Nordic countries). Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus rates were 0-2% and empirical treatment with anti-MRSA antibiotics was not recommended in any country. Rates of penicillin non-susceptibility among Streptococcus pneumoniae were low (<10%) except in Finland and Iceland (<15%), but benzylpenicillin was recommended for community-acquired pneumonia in all countries. Conclusion Despite similar resistance rates among Enterobacteriaceae there were differences in practice guidelines for pyelonephritis and sepsis. National surveillance of antibiotic resistance can be used for comparison and optimization of guidelines and stewardship interventions to preserve the low levels of antibiotic resistance in Nordic countries.
|
|
| 3. |
- Rögnvaldsson, Kristjan Godsk, et al.
(författare)
-
Obstructive sleep apnea is an independent risk factor for severe COVID-19 : a population-based study
- 2022
-
Ingår i: Sleep. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0161-8105 .- 1550-9109. ; 45:3
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Study Objectives Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been proposed as a risk factor for severe COVID-19. Confounding is an important consideration as OSA is associated with several known risk factors for severe COVID-19. Our aim was to assess the association of OSA with hospitalization due to COVID-19 using a population-based cohort with detailed information on OSA and comorbidities. Methods Included were all community-dwelling Icelandic citizens 18 years of age and older diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 infection in 2020. Data on demographics, comorbidities, and outcomes of COVID-19 was obtained from centralized national registries. Diagnosis of OSA was retrieved from the centralized Sleep Department Registry at Landspitali - The National University Hospital. Severe COVID-19 was defined as the composite outcome of hospitalization and death. The associations between OSA and the outcome were expressed as odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI), calculated using logistic regression models and inverse probability weighting. Results A total of 4,756 individuals diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 infection in Iceland were included in the study (1.3% of the Icelandic population), of whom 185 had a diagnosis of OSA. In total, 238 were hospitalized or died, 38 of whom had OSA. Adjusted for age, sex, and BMI, OSA was associated with poor outcome (OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.4-3.5). This association was slightly attenuated (OR 2.0, 95% CI 2.0, 1.2-3.2) when adjusted for demographic characteristics and various comorbidities. Conclusions OSA was associated with twofold increase in risk of severe COVID-19, and the association was not explained by obesity or other comorbidities.
|
|
| 4. |
- Sartelli, Massimo, et al.
(författare)
-
Ten golden rules for optimal antibiotic use in hospital settings: the WARNING call to action
- 2023
-
Ingår i: WORLD JOURNAL OF EMERGENCY SURGERY. - 1749-7922. ; 18:1
-
Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Antibiotics are recognized widely for their benefits when used appropriately. However, they are often used inappropriately despite the importance of responsible use within good clinical practice. Effective antibiotic treatment is an essential component of universal healthcare, and it is a global responsibility to ensure appropriate use. Currently, pharmaceutical companies have little incentive to develop new antibiotics due to scientific, regulatory, and financial barriers, further emphasizing the importance of appropriate antibiotic use. To address this issue, the Global Alliance for Infections in Surgery established an international multidisciplinary task force of 295 experts from 115 countries with different backgrounds. The task force developed a position statement called WARNING (Worldwide Antimicrobial Resistance National/International Network Group) aimed at raising awareness of antimicrobial resistance and improving antibiotic prescribing practices worldwide. The statement outlined is 10 axioms, or "golden rules," for the appropriate use of antibiotics that all healthcare workers should consistently adhere in clinical practice.
|
|
