| 1. |
- Andersson, Jonas, 1977-
(författare)
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Inflammation and lifestyle in cardiovascular medicine
- 2010
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Despite major advances in the treatment and prevention of atherosclerosis the last several decades, cardiovascular disease still accounts for the majority of deaths in Sweden. With the population getting older, more obese and with rising numbers of diabetics, the cardiovascular disease burden may increase further in the future. The focus in cardiovascular disease has shifted with time from calcification and narrowing of arteries to the biological processes within the atherosclerotic plaque. C-reactive protein (CRP) has emerged as one of many proteins that reflect a low grade systemic inflammation and is suitable for analysis as it is more stable and easily measured than most other inflammatory markers. Several large prospective studies have shown that CRP is not only an inflammatory marker, but even a predictive marker for cardiovascular disease. C-reactive protein is associated with several other risk factors for cardiovascular disease including obesity and the metabolic syndrome. Our study of twenty healthy men during a two week endurance cross country skiing tour demonstrated a decline in already low baseline CRP levels immediately after the tour and six weeks later. In a study of 200 obese individuals with impaired glucose tolerance randomised to a counselling session at their health care centre or a one month stay at a wellness centre, we found decreased levels of CRP in subjects admitted to the wellness centre. The effect remained at one, but not after three years of follow-up. In a prospective, nested, case-referent study with 308 ischemic strokes, 61 intracerebral haemorrhages and 735 matched referents, CRP was associated with ischemic stroke in both uni- and multivariate analyses. No association was found with intracerebral haemorrhages. When classifying ischemic stroke according to TOAST criteria, CRP was associated with small vessel disease. The CRP 1444 (CC/CT vs. TT) polymorphism was associated with plasma levels of CRP, but neither with ischemic stroke nor with intracerebral haemorrhage. A study on 129 patients with atrial fibrillation was used to evaluate whether inflammation sensitive fibrinolytic variables adjusted for CRP could predict recurrence of atrial fibrillation after electrical cardioversion. In multivariate iv models, lower PAI-1 mass was associated with sinus rhythm even after adjusting for CRP and markers of the metabolic syndrome. In conclusion, lifestyle intervention can be used to reduce CRP levels, but it remains a challenge to maintain this effect. CRP is a marker of ischemic stroke, but there are no significant associations between the CRP1444 polymorphism and any stroke subtype, suggesting that the CRP relationship with ischemic stroke is not causal. The fibrinolytic variable, PAI-1, is associated with the risk of recurrence of atrial fibrillation after electrical cardioversion after adjustment for CRP. Our findings suggest a pathophysiological link between atrial fibrillation and PAI-1, but the relation to inflammation remains unclear.
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| 2. |
- Boman, Kurt, 1945-
(författare)
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On the clinical use of digitalis : with reference to its prescription, maintenance therapy, intoxication and the patient's knowledge
- 1983
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Digitalis in one of the most frequently prescribed drugs, especially to elderly people. The prescription of cardiac glucosides (1978) was studied by using statistics from Apoteksbolaget (the National Corporation of Swedish Pharmacies). There was a threefold difference in the sales of cardiac glucosides per 1000 inhabitants in the different primary care areas. Digoxin was prescribed to 90-98 per cent of the patients, with considerable variations in the dosages. Many other factors besides the cardio-vascular morbidity were likely to cause these differences.Maintenance digitalis therapy has lately been questioned. In a retrospective study, digitalis was discontinued in 141 geriatric patients without contraindications to digitalis withdrawal. Digoxin treatment seemed to be unnecessary in 108 patients (81 per cent), followed up two months after digoxin withdrawal. A long-term study (mean: 20,5 months) was carried out in these 108 patients. Digitalis therapy was reinstituted in 30 of 99 patients, equally distributed on the basis of clear, possible or uncertain indications. Significantly more patients (p< 0,001) with atrial fibrillation compared with sinus rhythm were restarted. A prospective, randomized, double-blind placebo- controlled study in 39 out of 66 geriatric patients confirmed the results of the retrospective study. During a two-month period 32 of 37 patients (86 per cent) managed without digitalis. Eighteen out of 66 patients (27 per cent) presented contraindications to digoxin withdrawal. Those who needed digitalis were restarted mainly during the first nonth (mean: 18 days) following digoxin withdrawal.Digitalis intoxication has been studied earlier, mainly in hospitalized patients. A clinical examination and ECG of a random sample of outpatients treated with digoxin shewed that about 5 per cent were certainly intoxicated and about 2 per cent suspected of being intoxicated.Elderly patients are said to be more sensitive to digitalis. Eleven per cent of 66 geriatric patients were found, without doubt, to be digitalis intoxicated. The mean serum digoxin concentration was significantly higher in eight toxic patients compared with non-toxic patients, but 75 per cent of the toxic patients had serum digoxin concentrations within or below therapeutic range. Five of these intoxicated patients did not need maintenance digitalis therapy.A questionnaire of 361 patients in Skellefteå and Uppsala revealed that about 45 per cent had taken digitalis for more than five years. Approximately 85 per cent took one tablet daily and stated compliance. About one fifth did not know why they were taking digoxin and about half of the patients were uncertain if they were improved, by digitalis therapy. Although digitalis intoxication is such an important clinical problem, some 55 per cent did not know about digitalis's side-effects and some 50 per cent stated that no or insufficient information had been given. Only 15 per cent were satisfied with the information they had received. A significant negative correlation between digoxin dosages and the age of the patients was found.
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| 3. |
- Brännström, Margareta, 1957-
(författare)
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Ett liv i berg och dalbana : innebörder av att leva med svår kronisk hjärtsvikt i palliativ avancerad hemsjukvård utifrån patienters, närståendes och sjuksköterskors berättelser
- 2007
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The overall purpose of this thesis is to illuminate meanings of living with severe chronic heart failure (CHF) in palliative advanced home care (PAHC) as disclosed through patients’, close relatives’ and nurses’ narratives. This thesis comprises four papers that illuminate the phenomenon from various perspectives and with different focus. In paper I four patients with severe CHF in PAHC were interviewed. In paper II three of their close relatives were interviewed. In paper III one man and his wife in PAHC were interviewed at 3-5 month intervals over a 4.5-years period. In paper IV 11 nurses in PAHC were interviewed. In all papers narrative interviews were conducted and the text was interpreted using a phenomenological-hermeneutic method. The result shows that meanings of living with severe CHF in PAHC is to be ‘knocking on death’s door’ yet surviving. This means never knowing what to expect of tomorrow as one suffers from a complex array of unpredictable, interwoven symptoms. The course of the illness forces sufferer to ride a symbolical ‘roller coaster’, an ongoing oscillation between ‘ups and downs’. Being offered a safety belt in the ‘roller coaster’ by the PAHC team means feelings of safety (I). Meanings of being a close relative of a person with severe CHF in PAHC is to be following the life- threatening ups and downs that the ill person goes through. It is like being a fellow passenger on the ‘roller coaster’ ride that is their loved one’s disease, with burdensome responsibility for easing the ‘downs’ and supporting the ‘ups’. This means being on primary call, always on standby to mediate security and pleasure. In the deepest downs it is also to call for the back-up call i.e. the PAHC team (II). Meanings of living the ‘ups and downs’ over time is being captive in a roller-coaster ride, side by side, with the ‘ups and downs’ caused by the illness. Living close to death is inescapable when recurrent periods of deepest ‘downs’ force one to face that one’s life together is coming to an end. The relationship between the spouses is severely tested but seems to withstand the strain and meaning is found in togetherness in life. Sharing the safety belt on the ‘roller coaster’, offered by the PAHC team, evokes feelings of security. However, the safety belt is adjusted to the man with severe CHF leaving the wife partly without comfort and at times uncertain, especially in the deepest ‘downs’ (III). Meanings of being a palliative nurse for patients with severe CHF in PAHC is being firmly rooted and guided by the values of palliative culture. Being a facilitator for the patient with CHF to live his/her everydaylife in the best way possible is difficult, challenging but overall positive. The nurses get into a tight corner when palliative culture values clash and do not correspond to nurses’ interpretation of what is good for the patient with severe CHF. There is a limit to nurses’ pliability to patients’ and close relatives’ will, as they are strongly convinced that resuscitation is not an option. Nurses have already made up their mind about that they do not perform heart- lung resuscitation (IV). The comprehensive understanding is that meanings of living with severe CHF in PAHC is being captive in a ‘roller-coaster’ life with varying periods between unpredictable improvement and deterioration of the body, for the rest of life. Living with the unpredictable, deteriorated body means to oscillate between enduring the suffering in ‘downs’ and enjoying life in ‘ups’ (I-III). Living with death so close over and over again i.e. being in a limit situation evokes feelings of uncertainty (I-IV) and confidence (I-III). Being positive dependent on PAHC facilitates a life as normal as possible in togetherness at home (I-IV). The comprehensive understanding of the four papers (I-IV) are discussed in the light of a theoretical framework from the German psychiatrist and philosopher Karl Jaspers thoughts about limit situation, the Danish philosopher K.E Lögstrup thoughts about the ethical demand, palliative theories and relevant empirical studies.
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| 4. |
- Gustafson, Torbjörn, 1953-
(författare)
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Causes and treatment of chronic respiratory failure : experience of a national register
- 2007
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT) or home mechanical ventilation (HMV) can improve survival time in chronic respiratory failure. A national quality register could be an aid to identifying risk markers and optimizing therapy for respiratory failure. Aims: ▪To identify risk markers for chronic respiratory failure, especially when triggered by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). ▪To predict sex-related differences in the future need of LTOT for COPD and to study sex related survival rate in COPD patients starting LTOT. ▪To investigate if HMV is more effective than LTOT alone in treating chronic respiratory failure caused by kyphoscoliosis. ▪To evaluate the use of quality indicators in LTOT. Methods: Swedish national registers for LTOT and HMV were established in 1987 and 1996 respectively. They were reconstructed in 2004 to form the web-based register Swedevox. Indications for LTOT were based on the guidelines from the Swedish Society for Respiratory Medicine. The incidence and prevalence of LTOT for COPD were measured annually from 1987 to 2000, and the future need for LTOT was estimated on the basis of the frequency of ever smoking in Sweden in 2001 in different age groups. A postal questionnaire on occupational exposures was completed by 181 patients with severe pulmonary fibrosis who started LTOT between 1997 and 2000, and by 757 controls. Odds ratios (ORs) were calculated. Time to death was evaluated in kyphoscoliotic patients starting HMV or LTOT alone in 1996-2004. Ten quality indicators were defined and evaluated based on data from patients starting LTOT in 1987-2005. Results: The incidence each year of LTOT in COPD patients increased more rapidly in women than in men (from 2.0 and 2.8/100,000 in 1987 to 7.6 and 7.1/100,000 in 2000 respectively, (p < 0.001)). Women ran a 1.9 times higher risk than men to develop chronic hypoxemia from COPD and had a higher survival rate during LTOT. In men, IPF was associated with exposure to birch dust with an OR 2.7, (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.30–5.65) and with hardwood dust, OR 2.7 (95% CI 1.14–6.52). Patients with kyphoscoliosis showed a better survival rate with HMV than with LTOT alone with a hazard ratio of 0.30 (95%CI 0.18-0.51), adjusted for age, sex, concomitant respiratory diseases, and blood gas levels. There were improvements in the following eight quality indicators for LTOT: access to LTOT, PaO2 ≤ 7.3 kPa without oxygen, no current smoking, low number of thoracic deformity patients without concomitant HMV, LTOT > 16 hours of oxygen/day, mobile oxygen equipment, reassessment of hypoxemia when LTOT was not started in a stable state COPD, and avoidance of continuous oral steroids in COPD. There was a decline in the indicator PaO2 > 8 kPa on oxygen. First-year survival rate in COPD was unchanged. Conclusions: The incidence and prevalence of LTOT increase more rapidly in women than in men. Survival rate during LTOT in COPD is better in women than in men. Exposure to birch and hardwood dust may contribute to the risk of IPF in men. Survival rate in patients with kyphoscoliosis was three times better with HMV than with LTOT alone. The national quality register for LTOT showed improvements in eight out of ten quality indicators. Levels for excellent quality in the indicators are suggested.
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| 5. |
- Hedman, Mante, 1960-
(författare)
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The community hospital model in northern Sweden
- 2024
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Background: Rural community hospitals (CHs) are vital in delivering healthcare services in sparsely populated regions such as northern Sweden. In Sweden these facilities act as primary care units, staffed by general practitioners (GPs), nurses, and other healthcare professionals. They provide hospital beds, emergency care, and basic diagnostics. The CH model, with GPs responsible for hospital care has not been studied earlier in Sweden. Aims: This thesis aimed to examine the role and practices of the Swedish rural CH model within the healthcare system and the local community. Furthermore, to investigate the perspectives of rural doctors in Sweden and New Zealand (NZ) working within their respective hospital models. Specific aims: To characterise patients admitted to hospitals in Norrbotten and Västerbotten Regions and to compare hospitalisations at rural community hospitals and general hospitals (Study I)To describe registered care measures carried out in rural community hospitals during episodes of hospital care for patients with heart failure, in comparison with a general hospital (Study II)To explore rural hospital doctors’ experiences of providing care in rural hospitals in Southern New Zealand (Study III)To explore rural general practitioners’ experiences of providing care in rural community hospitals in northern Sweden (Study IV) Methods and results: Four original papers form the basis of this thesis. In study I, hospital register data from Norr- and Västerbotten Regions were analysed, focusing on hospital admissions of patients enrolled at CHs 2010-2014. We compared CH admissions with general hospital admissions, examining factors such as age, sex, and diagnoses. CH patients were older than those in general hospitals (median age 80 vs. 68 years), and women had a higher likelihood of admission to CHs compared to men. Common diagnoses in the elderly, such as heart failure and pneumonia were more likely admitted to CHs than to general hospitals. Study II utilized hospital register data from Region Västerbotten to describe registered care measures carried out in rural CHs during episodes of hospital care for patients with heart failure 2015-2019, in comparison with a general hospital. CHs showed documentations by fewer individual doctors, more frequent nursing documentation, and fewer blood tests compared to general hospitals. Radiology, including echocardiography, was performed in general hospitals only but in a minority of cases. Documentation by physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and dietitians was limited in both hospital models.Studies III and IV involved interviews with rural hospital (RH) doctors in New Zealand (NZ), and rural GPs in northern Sweden, respectively, to explore the role of their RH/CH. In both countries, doctors emphasised advantages with proximity and holistic, patient-centred care for elderly, multimorbid, and end-of-life patients. Their RHs/CHs were described to play a central role in rural patients' healthcare journeys, utilizing small, multidisciplinary teams and collaborating with general hospitals and municipal caregivers. Reported challenges for doctors in RHs and CHs included limited resources and inexperience in handling life-threatening, rare cases, and ethical dilemmas unique to rural practice. Despite this, RH doctors considered RH patient safety similar or better than that in general hospitals. CH doctors prompted the idea of expanding the CH model to urban areas. Conclusion: We conclude that CHs admit elderly and multimorbid patients elsewhere common in general hospitals. Care for patients with heart failure at CHs showed more nursing notes, greater doctor continuity, and less biomedical examinations. Our results suggest potential for further development in the multidisciplinary care in both hospital models. Rural generalist doctors in Sweden and NZ emphasise the central role of CHs/RHs, their proximity to patients, and their holistic, generalist approach, and they suggest advantages in the RH/CH care for the elderly compared to general hospitals. In Sweden, the importance of relational continuity was stressed, as rural GPs are familiar with their CH patients from primary care.
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| 6. |
- Hägglund, Lena, 1954-
(författare)
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Man måste vila emellanåt : patienters självskattade och berättade erfarenheter av att leva med kronisk hjärtsvikt
- 2007
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The overall purpose was to explore the experience of living with chronic heart failure among patients in primary healthcare. Comparisons were made between patients with confirmed heart failure (HF, n=49), patients with symptoms indicating HF but with no HF (NHF, n=59), and a reference group (n=40). The mean age was 77 years. Patients in the HF and NHF groups had more general and physical fatigue, more reduced activity, worse physical quality of life and higher degree of depression compared with the reference group. The HF group had also higher degree of physical fatigue and worse physical quality of life than the NHF group. When comparing degrees of depression between the three groups and adjusting for fatigue, the physical dimension of fatigue was of greater importance in explaining group differences. In the HF group general fatigue was more closely related to limitations in role functioning for physical reasons than to reduced physical function per se. Women experienced more fatigue than men. Narrative interviews were conducted with ten women with confirmed heart failure, aged 73-89 years, with special reference to fatigue. The findings were presented in two themes, ‘living with the loss of physical energy’, and ‘striving for independence while being aware of deteriorating health’. The conclusion in study IV was in accordance with the results in the quantitative studies, indicating that the experience of HF or symptoms similar to HF had the greatest impact on the physical dimensions of fatigue and health-related quality of life. From a clinical perspective the findings in this thesis emphasize the importance of careful investigation of each patients experienced problems. In particular symptoms of depression and different dimensions of fatigue need to be analysed. Interventions aimed at reducing fatigue needs to be developed, and its further impact on health-related quality of life should be investigated.
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| 7. |
- Lind, Marcus, 1975-
(författare)
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Determinants of adverse events during oral anticoagulant treatment
- 2012
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Treament with oral anticoagulation is highly effective in reducing the burden of thromboembolic complications in several clinical conditions. The number of patients receiving oral anticoagulation is growing steadily. InSwedenabout 1.5 percent of the population receives treatment. Although the treatment is highly effective in preventing thromboembolic complications, it is also associated with a substantial increase in the risk of bleeding. In clinical practice every physician has to balance the potential benefit of treatment against the risk of bleeding complications in the individual patient. To aid in this decision making, risk scores addressing the likelihood of thromboembolic events, as well as the risk of bleeding complications, have been developed. These scores are imperfect and, to some degree limited by the fact that the risk factors predictive of thromboembolic events are also often associated with bleeding complications. The addition of biomarkers has the potential to increase the predictive ability of risk scores and further enhance the net benefit of oral anticoagulant treatment in the individual patient. In this thesis several potential biomarkers for thromoboembolic and haemorrhagic complications of anticoagulant therapy have been investigated in a longitudinal cohort study of 719 patients with a median follow-up time of 4.2 years. Thrombomodulin is a key component in the generation of activated protein C and hence, a coagulation inhibitor. Conversely, it is also a key component in the inhibition of fibrinolysis by activation of trombin-activated fibrinolysis inhibitor. In warfarin-treated patients we demonstrate that thrombomodulin predicts an increased risk of bleeding complications, but not cardiovascular events. Thus, thrombomodulin has potential as a biomarker specifically for bleeding complications. Von Willebrand factor plays a central and intricate role in the aggregation of platelets and low levels of VWF have been associated with bleeding as a manifestation of von Willebrand’s disease. In our study we noted that high levels of von Willebrand factor predict an increased risk of cardiovascular as well as all-cause mortality, possibly as an expression of endothelial dysfunction. We also noted that high levels of WVF seem to be associated with serious bleeding complications. Decreased renal function is usually measured by an increase in the levels of creatinine and cystatin C, or a decrease in the calculated glomerular filtration rate. A decrease in kidney function is regarded as a marker of an increased risk of bleeding complications. We investigated all the mentioned markers of kidney function and no association with bleeding complications became apparent. However, a clear association between a decrease in kidney function and mortality was noted. Our findings indicate that the emphasis on impaired kidney function as a risk marker needs to be shifted from bleeding complications toward thromboembolic events. Fibrinolysis is important in containing coagulation and several constituents of the fibrinolytic pathway have been shown to predict cardiovascular events and mortality. We found that fibrinolytic factors seem to predict cardiovascular events in patients with oral anticoagulation and that D-dimer also predicts bleeding complications. In conclusion, we have found several biomarkers which exhibit different predictive abilities in patients with oral anticoagulation. It is likely that biomarkers, either alone, in combination, or as ancillary components of risk scores, can contribute to improved risk stratification in patients with oral anticoagulation.
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| 8. |
- Nilsson, Johan, 1958-
(författare)
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ST-elevation myocardial infarction : studies of outcome in relation to fibrinolysis and ischemia monitoring with on-line vectorcardiography.
- 2006
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The treatment of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) has undergone a tremendous development during the last decades, and the most important factor is probably the introduction of reperfusion therapy aimed at preventing or limiting the myocardial injury. It is of vital importance that patients with AMI are adequately monitored regarding the development of ECG changes during and after treatment to identify successful or failed reperfusion and to detect episodes of recurrent ischemia. Vectorcardiography (VCG) is one method for this purpose. This series of studies was aimed at evaluating VCG as a method for detecting reperfusion and recurrent ischemia in patients with ST-elevation AMI who were treated with different reperfusion strategies. Specific changes in the VCG during the initial treatment phase, “reperfusion peaks,” were examined in detail. The influence of the fibrinolytic system and von Willebrand factor (vWF) on successful reperfusion and subsequent AMI and death after thrombolytic treatment with streptokinase (SK) was another main objective. From the data in these studies it can be concluded that: VCG is a relevant and easily used method for ischemia-monitoring in patients with AMI. A specific sign, the reperfusion peak, is associated with vectorcardiographic signs of reperfusion. This sign is observed both in patients treated with primary coronary angioplasty and in those who are treated with fibrinolytic agents. The reperfusion peak is associated with successful reperfusion and with larger infarcts, but by itself, the parameter has little prognostic significance. The recognition of the reperfusion peak is important since it can mimic severe ischemia. In an unfortunate situation the incorrect interpretation of the VCG could lead to premature treatment decisions that might even be harmful to the patient. Streptokinase treatment of patients with AMI induced profound changes in the fibrinolytic system and vWF. A high tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) activity level (>25 U/mL) early after the start of treatment, reflecting the fibrinolytic activity obtained by the given drug, was associated with successful reperfusion. Pre-existing neutralizing antibodies to SK were found to varying degrees in the previously SK-treated patients. No association between SK-neutralizing antibodies and the result of the treatment regarding successful reperfusion as judged by VCG was seen. Pre-treatment levels of tPA activity, PAI-1 activity, PAI-1 mass-concentration and vWF had no correlation with the success of reperfusion therapy with SK or on the incidence of recurrent ischemia during the first 24 hours. Recurrent ischemia, however, was shown to be an independent risk factor for death within the first 1 year. Elevated levels of PAI-1 mass-concentration, and to some extent PAI-1 activity, after the start of SK treatment, were associated with a higher risk for death at one year, though not at five years.
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| 9. |
- Norberg, Eva-Britt, 1956-
(författare)
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Dagliga aktiviteter bland äldre personer med kronisk hjärtsvikt : begränsningar och möjligheter
- 2014
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Chronic Heart Failure (CHF) is known to have a substantial impact on activities of daily living (ADL) and symptoms such as breathlessness and fatigue are characteristic. Despite this, research in occupational therapy concerning people with CHF is rare. The overall aim of this thesis was to increase the knowledge of ADL ability and fatigue among those with CHF, to describe experiences of limitations in occupational performance and the strategies that these elderly people use to manage their daily activities and also to describe a programme including energy conservation for clients with CHF in primary healthcare.Method Three groups of older people with a verified diagnosis of CHF and one group of occupational therapists (OTs), all recruited from primary healthcare, were analyzed. The ADL ability of 40 participants was described, with reference to dependence on others, perceived strain and quality of occupational performance. The association between ADL ability and the New York Heart Association Classification (NYHA), a functional classification for people with CHF, was analyzed. Fatigue and its association to ADL ability, use of assistive devices and community support were also analyzed. Ten respondents were then interviewed and asked to describe the strategies they used to manage ADL. The interview results were combined with the current body of research and CHF guidelines to form a base for the development of an intervention programme, including energy conservation, for people with CHF. The programme, based on the Occupational Therapy Intervention Process Model (OTIPM), was used by OTs in primary healthcare, and the clients’ ADL, goal achievements and use of energy conservation strategies were described, as well as the five clients’ and two OTs’ experiences of the program.Results Most participants were independent in personal ADL activities (PADL). A majority was dependent in one or more instrumental ADL activities (IADL) and perceived strain when performing the activities independently. The Assessment of Motor and Process Skills (AMPS) showed a reduced quality of occupational performance compared with healthy people of the same age. Age had a significant impact on ADL performance. Despite this, participants in NYHA III/IV showed significantly increased effort (under motor cutoff) when performing ADL tasks compared with those in NYHA I/II. Fatigue was common and greater fatigue was associated significant with increased dependence and decreased quality of occupational performance, with the exception of shopping. Participants who used assistive devices and home care estimated higher physical fatigue, but no correlation was found with community mobility services. Comorbidities, which can affect occupational performance, were common in all the studies.The participants experiences of limitations in occupational performance and the strategies that they used to manage their daily activities were described as redefining an active life, aware of one’s impaired body and planning activities and balancing the degree of effort.During the interventions according to the programme the clients’ increased their participation and independence in daily activities, consciously gave up what were less meaningful activities for them and deteriorated because of the progression of the CHF. Most goals were achieved and many energy conservation strategies were used by the clients. The clients’ experiences were described as working in collaboration to manage daily activities and using professional support from OTs to enhance their activities. The OTs’ experiences of the programme were described as being supported with specific knowledge and a structured way of working and finding clinical benefits from working according to the program, but doubt the possibilitiy of using it, due to constraints in clinical practice.Discussion The participants' physical fatigue and breathlessness had a negative impact on their ADL-ability. Age affected ADL performance, but the impact of a more severe CHF remained adjusted for age. An ongoing process of occupational adaptation due to periodical physical decline and fluctuating day-to-day ability was described. Many of the strategies used by the participants to handle daily activities could be described as energy conservation strategies, an indication that occupational therapy interventions including energy conservation management would be beneficial for clients with CHF. Both the OTs and the clients described that the specialized programme provided structure for the OTs’ work, knowledge about CHF and about valuable energy conservation strategies. The programme seemed to support the OTs to work in a more comprehensive client-centered way.Conclusion The work with this thesis has increased the limited existing knowledge about elderly people with CHF and their ADL ability, fatigue and the adaptation of occupational performance that they use to manage their daily activities. The experiences indicated that a specialized programme including energy conservation for occupational therapy in primary healthcare seemed to support the OTs work in a more comprehensive client-centered way. The programme needs to be further evaluated.
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| 10. |
- Olofsson, Mona, 1952-
(författare)
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Heart failure in elderly with focus on diagnosis and prognosis
- 2015
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Background: Patients older than 75 years with heart failure (HF) are at increased risk for mortality and hospital admissions. Echocardiography and brain natriuretic peptides (BNP, NTproBNP) are important diagnostic tools but sparsely evaluated in elderly PHC patients. Aims: Validate the clinical diagnosis of HF, investigate the types of HF and underlying cardiovascular disorders with focus on sex and age differences. Explore the sensitivity, specificity, negative and positive predictive values (NPV, PPV) of BNP and NT-proBNP in patients with systolic HF. Study the associations of HF or NTproBNP on all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. Study the prognostic value of different biomarkers and HF, on all-cause and cardiovascular hospitalizations. Methods: Patients with suspected HF were recruited from one selected PHC and registered on a prespecified record and referred for an echocardiographic examination and a final cardiologist consultation. Blood samples for natriuretic peptides were stored frozen at – 70° C. Death certificates were used to register all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality. To register hospitalisations, medical records were used and classification was defined according to ICD-10. Results The GPs identified 121 women and 49 men with suspected HF of whom 39% (51 women and 16 men) were above 80 years. Myocardial infarction (OR:4,3 CL: 1,8-10,6) hypertension (OR:3,4 CI:1,6-6,9) atrial fibrillation (OR:2,8 CL:1,0-7,9) predicted a confirmed diagnosis of HF. Confirmed HF was verified in 45% of the patients and was significantly more common in men than women (p=0,02). The best NPV was 88 % for NT-proBNP (200 ng/L) and 87 % for BNP (20 pg/ml). Age and male gender were independently associated with higher levels of NT-proBNP. During the 10-year follow up, 71 out of 144 patients died. In univariate Cox regression analysis, significant associations were found for overall HF (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.86; 95% confidence interval [CI]:1.15- 3.01), isolated systolic HF (HR:1.95; 95% CI:1.06-3.61), and combined (systolic and diastolic) HF (HR:3.28; 95% CI:1.74-6.14) with all-cause mortality, but not for isolated diastolic HF. In multivariable analysis, age (HR: 1.11; 95% CI: 1.06-1.17), kidney dysfunction (HR:1.91; 95% CI:1.11- 3.29), smoking (HR:3.70; 95% CI:2.02-6.77), and NTproBNP (HR:1.01; 95% CI:1.00-1.02), but not any type of HF, significantly predicted all-cause mortality. During ten years, 136 (80%) patients were hospitalised with 660 and 207 for all-cause and cardiovascular hospitalisations, respectively. Age (OR:1.1; 95% CI:1.01-1.15) and underlying heart disease (OR:3.5; 95% CI:1.00-11.89), significantly predicted all-cause hospitalisation. Overall HF (HR:1.8; 95% CI:1.06-2.94) significantly predicted time to first all-cause hospitalisations. For cardiovascular hospitalisations age (OR:1.1;95%CI:1.01-1.12), underlying heart disease (OR:3.4;95%CI:1.04-11.40) and NTproBNP ≥800 ng/L (OR:4,3;95%CI:1.5-12.50) were significant predictors. Conclusion: A confirmed diagnosis of HF was present in 45% of the patients. NPV was high, but not as high as in younger patients with HF. Patients with systolic HF had a higher mortality than patients with diastolic HF compared to patients with no HF. Patients with combined HF were at even higher risk for all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality. Age, kidney dysfunction, NTproBNP and smoking predicted mortality. Age and underlying heart diseases were predictors for all-cause hospitalisations and together with NTproBNP they also predicted cardiovascular hospitalisations.
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