| 1. |
- Edvinsson, Marie Louise, et al.
(författare)
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Improved outcome with standardized plan for clinical management of acute decompensated chronic heart failure
- 2019
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Ingår i: Journal of Geriatric Cardiology. - 1671-5411. ; 16:1, s. 12-18
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background Our overall goal is to improve clinical care for inpatients with chronic heart failure (CHF). A retrospective assessment of CHF patients admitted to our hospital over the past decade (2005 vs. 2014) indicated a need for better strategies to evaluate clinical treatment, implement best practices and achieve optimal patient outcome. To that purpose, we developed a standardized plan to improve in-hospital treatment of acute decompensated CHF patients. Methods & Results Retrospective chart reviews were conducted to compare three cohorts of CHF patients admitted to the University Hospital of Lund at different time points over a 12-year period: 2005 (365 patients), 2014 (172 patients) and 2017–2018 (57 patients). Little improvement was seen between 2005 and 2014 with respect to one-year mortality (35% vs. 34%) and adequate treatment with recommended medications, e.g., use of renin-angiotensin system blockers (45% vs. 51%). A standardized treatment plan was devised to improve outcomes. A third cohort, treated under the plan (2017–2018), was compared with the 2014 cohort. One-year mortality (18% vs. 34%) and 30-day readmission (5% vs. 30%) were dramatically decreased, and adherence to medication guidelines was achieved. Key elements of the plan included well-defined treatment procedures, enhanced communication and teamwork, education, adequate time for treatment (5 days) and post-discharge follow-up as necessary. Natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels were useful for assessing patient status, prognosis and response to treatment. Conclusion Development of a standard plan for clinical management of acute decompensated CHF patients resulted in significant improvements in patient outcome, as reflected in decreased rates of 30-day readmission and one-year mortality.
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| 2. |
- Rosander, Ulla, 1954-, et al.
(författare)
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Methodological considerations in a pilot study on the effects of a berry enriched smoothie on children's performance in school
- 2016
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Ingår i: Food & Nutrition Research. - 1654-6628 .- 1654-661X. ; 60:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Background and aims: In many countries, the consumption of fruit, berries, and vegetables is about half the recommended. Berries contain bioactive compounds that may affect cognitive functions. School children are often hungry and thirsty during the lectures before lunch and this affects performance. Could a berry-smoothie decrease thirst and hunger, and thereby affect school performance? The aim was to investigate if a cross-over design can be used to study the effects of a smoothie on performance in a school setting.Methods: Methodological challenges included developing an appetizing berry-smoothie and choosing a suitable experimental design that could be adapted to school conditions.In the pilot study, 236 Swedish children aged 10–12 years participated in a cross-over design and were administered either a berry-smoothie or a fruit-based placebo after the midmorning break. Both beverages provided 5% of the daily energy intake. Performance was assessed using the d2 Test of Attention measuring attention span and concentration. Statistical analyses were performed using the Wilcoxon signed rank test in StatXact v 10.3.Results: The consumption of both the smoothie and the placebo increased the attention span and concentration significantly.Conclusion: The children's performance in the d2 Test of Attention was positively affected by beverage consumption. The effect was attributed to the supplementation of water and energy. In this design, the study did not permit any conclusive results regarding the effect of bioactive compounds on performance. In a coming study, a third group, receiving no beverage, should be included aiming to identify the cause of the effect.
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| 3. |
- Rosander, Ulla, et al.
(författare)
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Methodological considerations in a pilot study on the effects of a berry enriched smoothie on children’s performance in school
- 2017
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Ingår i: Food & Nutrition Research. - : Taylor & Francis. ; 61:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Berries contain bioactive compounds that may affect children’s cognitive function positively, while hunger and thirst during lessons before lunch affect academic performance negatively. This pilot study addresses methodological challenges in studying if a berry smoothie, offered to schoolchildren as a mid-morning beverage, affects academic performance.The objective was to investigate if a cross-over design can be used to study these effects in a school setting.Therefore, in order to investigate assay sensitivity, 236 Swedish children aged 10–12 years were administered either a berry smoothie (active) or a fruit-based control beverage after their mid-morning break. Both beverages provided 5% of child daily energy intake. In total, 91% of participants completed the study. Academic performance was assessed using the d2 test of attention. Statistical analyses were performed using the Wilcoxon signed rank test in StatXact v 10.3.The results showed that the children consumed less of the active berry smoothie than the control (154 g vs. 246 g). Both beverages increased attention span and concentration significantly (p = 0.000). However, as there was no significant difference (p = 0.938) in the magnitude of this effect between the active and control beverages, the assay sensitivity of the study design was not proven. The effect of the beverages on academic performance was attributed the supplementation of water and energy.Despite careful design, the active smoothie was less accepted than the control. This could be explained by un-familiar sensory characteristics and peer influence, stressing the importance of sensory similarity and challenges to perform a study in school settings. The employed cross-over design did not reveal any effects of bioactive compound consumption on academic performance. In future studies, the experimental set up should be modified or replaced by e.g. the parallel study design, in order to provide conclusive results.
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| 4. |
- Rosander, Ulla, et al.
(författare)
-
Methodological considerations in a pilot study on the effects of a berry enriched smoothie on children’s performance in school
- 2017
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Ingår i: Food & Nutrition Research. - : SNF Swedish Nutrition Foundation. - 1654-6628 .- 1654-661X. ; 61:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Berries contain bioactive compounds that may affect children’s cognitive function positively, while hunger and thirst during lessons before lunch affect academic performance negatively. This pilot study addresses methodological challenges in studying if a berry smoothie, offered to schoolchildren as a mid-morning beverage, affects academic performance. The objective was to investigate if a cross-over design can be used to study these effects in a school setting. Therefore, in order to investigate assay sensitivity, 236 Swedish children aged 10–12 years were administered either a berry smoothie (active) or a fruit-based control beverage after their mid-morning break. Both beverages provided 5% of child daily energy intake. In total, 91% of participants completed the study. Academic performance was assessed using the d2 test of attention. Statistical analyses were performed using the Wilcoxon signed rank test in StatXact v 10.3. The results showed that the children consumed less of the active berry smoothie than the control (154 g vs. 246 g). Both beverages increased attention span and concentration significantly (p = 0.000). However, as there was no significant difference (p = 0.938) in the magnitude of this effect between the active and control beverages, the assay sensitivity of the study design was not proven. The effect of the beverages on academic performance was attributed the supplementation of water and energy. Despite careful design, the active smoothie was less accepted than the control. This could be explained by un-familiar sensory characteristics and peer influence, stressing the importance of sensory similarity and challenges to perform a study in school settings. The employed cross-over design did not reveal any effects of bioactive compound consumption on academic performance. In future studies, the experimental set up should be modified or replaced by e.g. the parallel study design, in order to provide conclusive results.
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| 5. |
- Rosander, Ulla, et al.
(författare)
-
Methodological considerations in a pilot study on the effects of a berry enriched smoothie on children's performance in school
- 2016
-
Ingår i: Food & Nutrition Research. - : SNF Swedish Nutrition Foundation. - 1654-6628 .- 1654-661X.
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Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Background and aims: In many countries, the consumption of fruit, berries, and vegetables is about half the recommended. Berries contain bioactive compounds that may affect cognitive functions. School children are often hungry and thirsty during the lectures before lunch and this affects performance. Could a berry-smoothie decrease thirst and hunger, and thereby affect school performance? The aim was to investigate if a cross-over design can be used to study the effects of a smoothie on performance in a school setting. Methods: Methodological challenges included developing an appetizing berry-smoothie and choosing a suitable experimental design that could be adapted to school conditions. In the pilot study, 236 Swedish children aged 10–12 years participated in a cross-over design and were administered either a berry-smoothie or a fruit-based placebo after the midmorning break. Both beverages provided 5% of the daily energy intake. Performance was assessed using the d2 Test of Attention measuring attention span and concentration. Statistical analyses were performed using the Wilcoxon signed rank test in StatXact v 10.3. Results: The consumption of both the smoothie and the placebo increased the attention span and concentration significantly. Conclusion: The children's performance in the d2 Test of Attention was positively affected by beverage consumption. The effect was attributed to the supplementation of water and energy. In this design, the study did not permit any conclusive results regarding the effect of bioactive compounds on performance. In a coming study, a third group, receiving no beverage, should be included aiming to identify the cause of the effect.
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