| 1. |
- Carlsson, Martin, et al.
(författare)
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Older Swedish Adults with High Self-Perceived Health Show Optimal 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Levels Whereas Vitamin D Status Is Low in Patients with High Disease Burden
- 2016
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Ingår i: Nutrients. - : MDPI AG. - 2072-6643. ; 8:11
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Controversy pervades the definition of adequate and optimal vitamin D status. The Institutes of Medicine have recommended serum 25(OH) D levels above 50 nmol/L based upon evidence related to bone health, but some experts, including the Endocrine Society and International Osteoporosis Foundation, suggest a minimum serum 25(OH) D level of 75 nmol/L to reduce the risk of falls and fractures in older adults. In a cross-sectional study, we compared vitamin D status in people >= 75 years selected from four groups with a frailty phenotype, combined with a control group free from serious illness, and who considered themselves completely healthy. Only 13% of the 169 controls were vitamin D deficient (S-25(OH) D) < 50 nmol/L), in contrast with 49% of orthopedic patients with hip fractures (n = 133), 31% of stroke patients (n = 122), 39% of patients visiting the hospital's emergency department >= 4 times a year (n = 81), and 75% of homebound adult residents in long-term care nursing homes (n = 51). The mean vitamin D concentration of the healthy control group (74 nmol/L) was similar to a suggested optimal level based on physiological data and mortality studies, and much higher than that of many officially recommended cut-off levels for vitamin D deficiency (< 50 nmol/L). The present study provides a basis for planning and implementing public guidelines for the screening of vitamin D deficiency and vitamin D treatment for frail elderly patients.
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| 2. |
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| 3. |
- Nordqvist, Ola, 1970
(författare)
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A landscape of values - a study of non-epistemic values in Swedish upper secondary science education
- 2022
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- This thesis sets out to investigate the role of non-epistemic values in science education from three actors’ perspectives – the science student, the science teacher, and the science teacher educator. More specifically, the focus is on exploring the variation of values among these three key actors in science education, and what characterizes these values. Also, to use the empirical findings to discuss how these values (may) affect and inform science education research. Previous work on values in science education has failed to address the role of different actors in one specific educational context, which this thesis aims to achieve by studying the upper secondary school science education. In addition, values held by university scientists teaching science student teachers seem to be missing in previous research in the domain. In order to tackle the research questions, empirics were collected from all three actors targeted, in one specified science education context, and then use viable analytical methods and tools to describe the variation, character, and nuances of values held by the actors. To empirically investigate the variation and character of these values, an analysis was performed by a systematic literature review of the research domain. This was followed by surveying and statistically analyzing responses from representative samples of Swedish upper secondary school biology students and teachers respectively, and finally thematically analyzing interviews with university biology scientists in education of science teachers. Results showed that values held by science students and science teachers affect science education in schools. For example, teachers’ non-epistemic values affect the content and methods selected and implemented in their science teaching. Further, it was found that the interviewed science teacher educators considered their teaching offered to science student teachers as largely value-free, while they acknowledged that values-inclusion in school science is something important. The key impact of the research presented, is that continued development of the growing research domain of the importance of values in science education is crucial, as there are many aspects in the domain not yet or thoroughly explored. Examples include the role of scientists in science teacher education, and how values held by science teachers affect their classroom practice. By incorporating findings from this study into the larger research discourse on values in science education, there is promise that research is one small step closer to suggest changes in curriculum and classroom practice. This could in turn change the current negative trend in student interest and motivation to study school science.
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| 5. |
- Nordqvist, Ola, 1979-, et al.
(författare)
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A novel index to assess low energy fracture risks in patients prescribed antiepileptic drugs
- 2021
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Ingår i: PLOS ONE. - San Francisco : Public Library of Science. - 1932-6203. ; 16:8
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective: To develop an index assessing the risks of low energy fractures (LEF) in patients prescribed antiepileptic drugs (AED) by exploring five previously suggested risk factors; age, gender, AED-type, epilepsy diagnosis and BMI.Methods: In a population-based retrospective open cohort study we used real world data from the Electronic Health Register (EHR) in Region Kalmar County, Sweden. 23 209 patients prescribed AEDs at any time from January 2008 to November 2018 and 23 281 matching controls were followed from first registration in the EHR until the first documented LEF, disenrollment (or death) or until the end of the study period, whichever came first. Risks of LEF measured as hazard rate ratios in relation to the suggested risk factors and in comparison to matched controls were analyzed using Cox regression. The index was developed using a linear combination of the statistically significant variables multiplied by the corresponding regression coefficients.Results: Data from 23 209 patients prescribed AEDs and 2084 documented LEFs during a follow-up time of more than 10 years resulted in the Kalmar Epilepsy Fracture Risk Index (KEFRI). KEFRI = Age-category x (1.18) + Gender x (-0.51) + AED-type x (0.29) + Epilepsy diagnosis-category x (0.31) + BMI-category x (-0.35). All five previously suggested risk factors were confirmed. Women aged 75 years and older treated with an inducing AED against epilepsy and BMIs of 25 kg/m2 or below had 48 times higher LEF rates compared to men aged 50 years or younger, treated with a non-inducing AED for a condition other than epilepsy and BMIs above 25 kg/m2.Conclusion: The KEFRI is the first weighted multifactorial assessment tool estimating risks of LEF in patients prescribed AEDs and could serve as a feasible guide within clinical practice.
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| 6. |
- Nordqvist, Ola, et al.
(författare)
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Adherence to risk management guidelines for drugs which cause vitamin D deficiency – big data from the Swedish health system
- 2019
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Ingår i: Drug, Healthcare and Patient Safety. - : Dove Medical Press Ltd. - 1179-1365. ; 11, s. 19-28
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose: Several medications are known to cause vitamin D deficiency. The aim of this study is to describe vitamin D testing and supplementation in patients using these “risk medications”, thereby assessing adherence to medical guidelines.Patients and methods: A database with electronic health records for the population in a Swedish County (≈240,000 inhabitants) was screened for patients prescribed the pre-defined “risk medications” during a 2-year period (2014–2015). In total, 12,194 patients were prescribed “risk medications” pertaining to one of the three included pharmaceutical groups. Vitamin D testing and concomitant vitamin D supplementation, including differences between the included pharmaceutical groups, was explored by matching personal identification numbers.Results: Corticosteroids were prescribed to 10,003 of the patients, antiepileptic drugs to 1,101, and drugs mainly reducing vitamin D uptake to 864. Two hundred twenty-six patients were prescribed >1 “risk medication”. Seven hundred eighty-seven patients (6.5%) had been tested during the 2-year period. There were no differences regarding testing frequency between groups. Concomitant supplements were prescribed to 3,911 patients (32.1%). It was more common to be prescribed supplements when treated with corticosteroids. Vitamin D supplementation was more common among tested patients in all three groups. Women were tested and supplemented to a higher extent. The mean vitamin D level was 69 nmol/L. Vitamin D deficiency was found in 24.1% of tested patients, while 41.3% had optimal levels. It was less common to be deficient and more common to have optimal levels among patients prescribed corticosteroids.Conclusion: Adherence to medical guidelines comprising testing and supplementation of patients prescribed drugs causing vitamin D deficiency needs improvement in Sweden.
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| 7. |
- Nordqvist, Ola, et al.
(författare)
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Assessing and achieving readiness to initiate HIV medication
- 2006
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Ingår i: Patient Education and Counseling. - : Elsevier BV. - 0738-3991 .- 1873-5134. ; 62:1, s. 21-30
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- ObjectiveTo summarise published HIV-specific research on readiness theories, factors influencing readiness, instruments to measure readiness and interventions to increase readiness for treatment.MethodsMedline and PsychInfo were searched until August 2004.ResultsTwo HIV-specific readiness theories were identified. Fear of side effects, emotions emerging from the diagnosis and lack of trust in the physician were some barriers to overcome in order to reach readiness. Of the three measurement instruments found, the index of readiness showed the most promise. Multi-step intervention programs to increase readiness for HIV treatment had been investigated.ConclusionReadiness instruments may be useful tools in clinical practice but the predictive validity of the instruments needs to be further established in the HIV-infected population.Practice implicationsReadiness instruments and practice placebo trials may serve as complements to routine care, since health care providers currently have no better than chance probability in identifying those patients who are ready to adhere.
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| 8. |
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| 9. |
- Nordqvist, Ola
(författare)
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Epidemiological aspects of drug-related vitamin D deficiency and osteoporotic fractures
- 2022
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Background: Vitamin D deficiency, secondary osteoporosis and low-energy fractures (LEF) as side effects of specific drugs were first described more than half a century ago. These effects are recognized in guidelines where patients prescribed risk drugs are recommended follow-up with testing and supplementation. How these drugs are managed within Swedish healthcare has not been previously investigated. Aim: To study epidemiological aspects of drug-related vitamin D deficiency and osteoporotic fractures.Methods: The association between drugs for continual use and vitamin D levels in the elderly was investigated in a clinical study including more than 550 patients (paper I). Real-world data on drug prescriptions, laboratory testing and demographic variables from electronic health records were thereafter used to assess the clinical management and vitamin D levels. More than 12 000 patients prescribed risk drugs were included in this cross-sectional study (paper II). Focus group interviews were then undertaken to explore determinants of risk drug management among physicians from seven primary care centers. Thematic analysis with an inductive approach was used to create a framework addressing adherence to medical guidelines (paper III). Finally, a multifactorial risk assessment tool was developed from LEF risk factors in more than 15 000 patients prescribed antiepileptic risk drugs in a retrospective open cohort study (paper IV).Results: A weak inverse association between the number of prescribed drugs and levels of vitamin D was found (paper I). Fewer than one in fifteen patients prescribed risk drugs were tested for vitamin D while close to a third were supplemented. Differences in management and vitamin D levels with regard to type of risk drug were found (paper II). Awareness levels, expressed beliefs and perceived responsibility were reasons behind these differences (paper III). The Kalmar Epilepsy Fracture Risk Index (KEFRI) confirmed previously suggested risk factors (paper IV). Conclusions: Drugs generating vitamin D deficiency, secondary osteoporosis and LEF are often overlooked in healthcare. Awareness and attitudes need to be improved and strategies to better manage patients prescribed these drugs are required in order to avoid unnecessary side effects. The KEFRI could aid clinicians in treatment decisions, potentially reducing fracture risks in specific patient groups.
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| 10. |
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| 11. |
- Nordqvist, Ola, 1970, et al.
(författare)
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It Is Time for a New Direction in Biotechnology Education Research
- 2019
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Ingår i: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education. - : Wiley. - 1470-8175 .- 1539-3429. ; 47:2, s. 189-200
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- © 2019 International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology This manuscript presents a scoping review of Biotechnology Education Research (BTER) over the last 20 years. BTER during this period primarily focused on attitudes and knowledge, typically using research design methods suitable for addressing questions about frequencies, central tendencies, correlations, and so on. However, to guide the development of educational practices that will increase and sustain students' motivation and interest in science in general and biotechnology in particular, BTER will need to adopt research design methods that support the inference of causal relationships from observations. Research will need to focus on students' interest and motivation, and its relationship with effective teaching and learning of biotechnology in the context of socio-scientific issues (SSIs). Such a shift will increase interest and motivation in teaching and learning biotechnology and will also help establish and maintain students' interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) because biotechnology is an important STEM subject. This in turn may encourage students to choose educational and professional careers in science, helping to meet society's current and future needs. © 2019 International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 47(2): 189–200, 2019.
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| 12. |
- Nordqvist, Ola, et al.
(författare)
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Low-energy fracture prediction in patients prescribed antiepileptic drugs : A Swedish case-control study assessing the value of BMD and TBS
- 2021
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Ingår i: <em>Presented at the IOF WCO ESCEO (virtual congress), London, UK, 2021</em>.
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Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Objectives: Antiepileptic drugs (AED) are known to increase the risk of low energy fractures by causing secondary osteoporosis. In this study, we determined the value of bone mineral density (BMD) and trabecular bone score (TBS) as predictors for low energy fractures in patients prescribed AED.Material and Methods: This case-control study included 517 low energy fractures, i.e. a combination of ICD-10 codes according to the Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare's definition of osteoporosis- related fractures and ICD-10 codes for low energy trauma, in 1 385 subjects who had all participated in a TBS convertible DXA examination between July 2011 and November 2018 in Kalmar county, southeast Sweden. The AED-users were stratified according to Cytochrome P-450 enzyme inducing ability and compared to controls. The dataset was a combination of previously collected data from the electronic health register (EHR) and new BMD and TBS data from a DXA database. Univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were applied. Results: In this study BMD-spine did not predict low energy fractures; however, both BMD-hip (aOR: 0.35, 95% CI: 0.24-0.50) and TBS (aOR: 0.65, 95% CI: 0.46-0.92) were inversely related to fractures. Patients prescribed enzyme inducing AED had an increased fracture odds (aOR: 2.15, 95% CI: 1.24-3.72). There was no difference for fracture outcome between subjects with non-inducing drugs and controls (p-value 0.476). In this study 67.5% of the TBS convertible DXAs were performed within a year of the low energy fracture. Of the included patients, 82% were women.Conclusions: While BMD-spine was not associated with low energy fractures, both BMD-hip and TBS predicted low energy fractures independently in patients prescribed AED. This is the first study demonstrating the value of TBS in patients prescribed AED. In clinical practice, BMD-hip and TBS could be combined to improve the assessment of bone health in this growing patient group. The value of the combination of the two measures should be assessed in a future prospective randomized study.
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| 14. |
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| 15. |
- Nordqvist, Ola, 1970, et al.
(författare)
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Secondary School Biology Students’ Attitudes towards Modern Biotechnology Characterised using Structural Equation Modeling
- 2020
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Ingår i: Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education. - : Modestum Publishing Ltd. - 1305-8223. ; 16:2
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In biotechnology education research (BTER), the multifaceted construct of attitude has seldom been problematised in depth despite that the majority of studies in BTER during the last two decades have focused on students’ attitudes towards modern biotechnology. Most studies on attitudes in science education use a single-factor model in characterising students’ attitudes, while some use a three-factor model. By means of structural equation modeling the current study tested and evaluated single, three-factor, and bifactor models of student attitudes towards modern biotechnology. To further shed light on the stability of this model measurement invariance testing was carried out for groups; school-type, gender, grade, parental education and educational programme. The results showed that a three-factor model and a bifactor model showed satisfying fit to the student attitude data. The bifactor model were relatively invariant for all groups except for gender, where boys had a more positive attitude. The affective and behavioural aspects of attitudes were highly correlated why the bifactor model with its general factor and specific cognitive factor may provide a more sound explanation of students’ attitudes towards biotechnology. The results indicate the importance of including affective and behavioural dimensions of attitude in biotechnology teaching. Further implications for practice are discussed.
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| 16. |
- Nordqvist, Ola, 1970, et al.
(författare)
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Upper Secondary School Science Teachers' Values in Sweden: What Decides What is Taught?
- 2023
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Ingår i: Science & Education. - : SPRINGER. - 0926-7220 .- 1573-1901.
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Download PDF Article Open Access Published: 26 May 2023 Upper Secondary School Science Teachers' Values in Sweden: What Decides What is Taught? Ola Nordqvist & Anders Jidesjö Science & Education (2023)Cite this article 187 Accesses Metrics details Abstract There is a substantial literature in science education research showing that many students experience a lack of relevance in science education. For this reason, science teachers’ selection of content and the way content is treated when exposed to students for learning purposes is an important part of the problem. In this connection, research show that science teachers’ values strongly influence several aspects of teaching and learning science. Therefore, science teachers’ values are important to investigate, to be empirically informed and to be able to develop science education. Accordingly, there is an increased volume of research studies about teachers’ values in science education and their effects. The study presented here is part of a larger national exploration of biotechnology education in upper secondary schools in Sweden and contributes by showing variation in teachers’ values and relations with practice. Theoretically, the study is rooted in a philosophy of science recognizing the potential importance of teachers’ non-epistemic values. Empirically, it is based on surveyed upper secondary school biology teachers’ views of the importance of including value-laden topics in their science teaching. Their responses were analyzed by latent profile analysis and non-parametric testing, to assess the variation in their views and explore associations with several explanatory factors. The results show that the surveyed teachers could be divided into two distinct groups: one favoring inclusion of value-laden topics in their teaching and another (smaller group) opposed to it. The result also shows a variation in teachers’ selection of topics to teach and their teaching approach, as the former group were more inclined than the latter to include value-laden aspects in their teaching which contributes to the research literature. Furthermore, experienced science teachers were overrepresented in the group holding more negative views, a result not reported elsewhere in the research literature. The importance of the results is discussed in relation with the theoretical framing of non-epistemic values and points out the importance to further investigate underlying causes to science teachers’ expressed values and ways that they might vary temporally together with ways that they cluster, as they are shown to be grouped. The result is also discussed in relation with practice in being able to make use of the evidence to develop science education.
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| 17. |
- Tillander, Bo, et al.
(författare)
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A virtual reality trauma simulator
- 2004
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Ingår i: Medical teacher. - : Informa UK Limited. - 0142-159X .- 1466-187X. ; 26:2, s. 189-191
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The authors have evaluated a trauma simulator based on virtual reality techniques. Ten surgeons and 15 medical students performed distal locking of a femoral nail (A). Furthermore, 10 medical students performed simulated osteosynthesis of a femoral neck fracture (B). Total surgery time (A) (mean value) was shorter for surgeons (108 s) compared with students (157 s) at the first (p = 0.033), second (102 respectively 138 s, p = 0.13) and third (96 respectively 160 s, p = 0.15) operation. Total fluoroscopy time (A) (mean value) was shorter for surgeons compared with students at the first (45 respectively 89s p = 0.001), second (48 respectively 83 s, p = 0.02) and third (50 respectively 107 s, p = 0.10) operation. The positioning of the hip nails (B) improved between the first and last trial. Total surgery and fluoroscopy time were reduced. All participants thought that this and similar simulators should be part of the programme and that this simulator would be helpful if they were about to learn the procedures).
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