| 1. |
- Ekström, Nils, et al.
(author)
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Cardiovascular safety of glucose-lowering agents as add-on medication to metformin treatment in type 2 diabetes: report from the Swedish National Diabetes Register
- 2016
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In: Diabetes Obesity & Metabolism. - : Wiley. - 1462-8902 .- 1463-1326. ; 18:10, s. 990-998
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Aim: To investigate the relative safety of various glucose-lowering agents as add-on medication to metformin in type 2 diabetes in an observational study linking five national health registers. Research design and methods: Patients with type 2 diabetes who had been on metformin monotherapy and started another agent in addition to metformin were eligible for inclusion. The study period was 2005-2012. Adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of mortality, cardiovascular disease (CVD), coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke and congestive heart failure (CHF) were estimated using Cox proportional hazards models, weighted for a propensity score. Results: Of the 20 422 patients included in the study, 43% started on second-line treatment with sulphonylurea (SU), 21% basal insulin, 12% thiazolidinedione (TZD), 11% meglitinide, 10% dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor, 1% glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist and 1% acarbose. At the index date, the mean patient age was similar to 60 years for all groups except the GLP-1 receptor agonist (56.0 years) and SU (62.9 years) groups. Diabetes duration and glycated haemoglobin levels were similar in all groups. When compared with SU, basal insulin was associated with an 18% higher risk and TZD with a 24% lower risk of mortality [HR 1.18 (95% CI 1.03-1.36) and 0.76 (95% CI 0.62-0.94)], respectively. DPP-4 inhibitor treatment was associated with significantly lower risks of CVD, fatal CVD, CHD, fatal CHD and CHF. Conclusions: This nationwide observational study showed that second-line treatment with TZD and DPP-4 inhibitor as add-on medication to metformin were associated with significantly lower risks of mortality and cardiovascular events compared with SU, whereas basal insulin was associated with a higher risk of mortality.
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| 2. |
- Ekström, Wilhelmina, et al.
(author)
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Functional outcome in treatment of unstable trochanteric and subtrochanteric fractures with the proximal femoral nail and the Medoff sliding plate
- 2007
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In: Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma. - 0890-5339 .- 1531-2291. ; 21:1, s. 18-25
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective: To compare outcome between the proximal femoral nail (PFN) and the Medoff sliding plate (MSP) in patients with unstable trochanteric or subtrochanteric fractures. Methods: This was a consecutive prospective randomized clinical study. In all, 203 patients admitted to two university hospitals with an unstable trochanteric or a subtrochanteric fracture type were included. Surgery was performed with a short intramedullary nail or a dual-sliding plate device. Follow up visits occurred at 6 weeks, 4 months, and 12 months. Functional outcome was measured by walking ability, rising from a chair, curb test, and additional assessments of abductor strength, pain, living conditions, and complications. Results: The ability to walk 15 m at 6 weeks was significantly better in the PFN group compared to the MSP group with an odds ratio 2.2 (P = 0.04, 95% confidence limits 1.03-4.67). No statistical difference in walking ability could be found between trochanteric and subtrochanteric fractures. The major complication rate (8% in the PFN group and 4% in the MSP group) did not differ statistically (P = 0.50) but reoperations were more frequent in the PFN group (9%) compared to the MSP group (1%; P < 0.02). Conclusions: There were no major differences in functional outcome or major complications between the treatment groups. Reasons other than the operated fracture seem to be equally important in determining the long-term functional ability of the patients in our study. An advantage with the MSP was the lower reoperation rate.
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| 3. |
- Löfdahl, Claes-Göran, et al.
(author)
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COPD health care in Sweden - A study in primary and secondary care
- 2010
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In: Respiratory Medicine. - : Elsevier BV. - 0954-6111 .- 1532-3064. ; 104:3, s. 404-411
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objectives: To map out-patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) with special reference to patients suffering from acute exacerbations, and to describe COPI) health care structure and process in Swedish clinical. practice in a real life setting. Design: Retrospective, non-interventional, epidemiological survey. Setting: 141 hospital based out patient clinics (OPC, n = 30) and primary health care clinics (PC, n = 111) were included in the structure evaluation. Subjects: 1004 COPI) diagnosed patients from 100 of the centres (OPC, n = 26) participated in the process evaluation. Methods: All Swedish OPC (n = 40) and a random sample of 180 PC were asked to answer a questionnaire regarding COPI) care. In addition, data from 10 randomly selected patients with a documented COPI) disease were analysed from the centres. Results: Spirometers were available at all OPCs and at 99% of the PCs. Spirometry had been performed in 52% of PC-patients and in 89% of OPC-patients during the last 2 years prior to the study. More severe patients, as judged by investigator and lung function data, were treated at OPCs than at PCs. Physiotherapists, occupational therapists and dieticians were available at >80% of centres. Exacerbation rate was higher at PCs without a specialized nurse, 2.2/year versus 0.9/year at centres with a specialized nurse. Conclusions: Special attention to COPD, marked by a specialised nurse in primary care improves the quality, as assessed by a tower number of exacerbations. The structure of COPD care in Sweden for diagnosed individuals seems satisfactory, but could be improved mainly through higher availability and educational activities.
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| 4. |
- Mezheyeuski, Artur, et al.
(author)
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An immune score reflecting pro- and anti-tumoural balance of tumour microenvironment has major prognostic impact and predicts immunotherapy response in solid cancers
- 2023
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In: EBioMedicine. - : Elsevier. - 2352-3964. ; 88
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Cancer immunity is based on the interaction of a multitude of cells in the spatial context of the tumour tissue. Clinically relevant immune signatures are therefore anticipated to fundamentally improve the accuracy in predicting disease progression.Methods: Through a multiplex in situ analysis we evaluated 15 immune cell classes in 1481 tumour samples. Single-cell and bulk RNAseq data sets were used for functional analysis and validation of prognostic and predictive associations.Findings: By combining the prognostic information of anti-tumoural CD8+ lymphocytes and tumour supportive CD68+CD163+ macrophages in colorectal cancer we generated a signature of immune activation (SIA). The prognostic impact of SIA was independent of conventional parameters and comparable with the state-of-art immune score. The SIA was also associated with patient survival in oesophageal adenocarcinoma, bladder cancer, lung adenocarcinoma and melanoma, but not in endometrial, ovarian and squamous cell lung carcinoma. We identified CD68+CD163+ macrophages as the major producers of complement C1q, which could serve as a surrogate marker of this macrophage subset. Consequently, the RNA-based version of SIA (ratio of CD8A to C1QA) was predictive for survival in independent RNAseq data sets from these six cancer types. Finally, the CD8A/C1QA mRNA ratio was also predictive for the response to checkpoint inhibitor therapy.Interpretation: Our findings extend current concepts to procure prognostic information from the tumour immune microenvironment and provide an immune activation signature with high clinical potential in common human cancer types.
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| 5. |
- Petursdottir, Dagbjort H., et al.
(author)
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Early-Life Human Microbiota Associated With Childhood Allergy Promotes the T Helper 17 Axis in Mice
- 2017
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In: Frontiers in Immunology. - : Frontiers Media SA. - 1664-3224. ; 8
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The intestinal microbiota influences immune maturation during childhood, and is implicated in early-life allergy development. However, to directly study intestinal microbes and gut immune responses in infants is difficult. To investigate how different types of early-life gut microbiota affect immune development, we collected fecal samples from children with different allergic heredity (AH) and inoculated germ-free mice. Immune responses and microbiota composition were evaluated in the offspring of these mice. Microbial composition in the small intestine, the cecum and the colon were determined by 16S rRNA sequencing. The intestinal microbiota differed markedly between the groups of mice, but only exposure to microbiota associated with AH and known future allergy in children resulted in a T helper 17 (Th17)-signature, both systemically and in the gut mucosa in the mouse offspring. These Th17 responses could be signs of a particular microbiota and a shift in immune development, ultimately resulting in an increased risk of allergy.
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| 6. |
- Ställberg, Björn, et al.
(author)
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Budesonide/formoterol as effective as prednisolone plus formoterol in acute exacerbations of COPD : a double-blind, randomised, non-inferiority, parallel-group, multicentre study
- 2009
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In: Respiratory Research. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1465-9921 .- 1465-993X. ; 10, s. 11-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Oral corticosteroids and inhaled bronchodilators with or without antibiotics represent standard treatment of COPD exacerbations of moderate severity. Frequent courses of oral steroids may be a safety issue. We wanted to evaluate in an out-patient setting whether a 2-week course of inhaled budesonide/formoterol would be equally effective for treatment of acute COPD exacerbations as standard therapy in patients judged by the investigator not to require hospitalisation. METHODS: This was a double-blind, randomised, non-inferiority, parallel-group, multicentre study comparing two treatment strategies; two weeks' treatment with inhaled budesonide/formoterol (320/9 microg, qid) was compared with prednisolone (30 mg once daily) plus inhaled formoterol (9 microg bid) in patients with acute exacerbations of COPD attending a primary health care centre. Inclusion criteria were progressive dyspnoea for less than one week, FEV1 30-60% of predicted normal after acute treatment with a single dose of oral corticosteroid plus nebulised salbutamol/ipratropium bromide and no requirement for subsequent immediate hospitalisation, i.e the clinical status after the acute treatment allowed for sending the patient home.A total of 109 patients (mean age 67 years, 33 pack-years, mean FEV1 45% of predicted) were randomized to two weeks' double-blind treatment with budesonide/formoterol or prednisolone plus formoterol and subsequent open-label budesonide/formoterol (320/9 microg bid) for another 12 weeks. Change in FEV1 was the primary efficacy variable. Non-inferiority was predefined. RESULTS: Non-inferiority of budesonide/formoterol was proven because the lower limit of FEV1-change (97.5% CI) was above 90% of the efficacy of the alternative treatment. Symptoms, quality of life, treatment failures, need for reliever medication (and exacerbations during follow-up) did not differ between the groups. No safety concerns were identified. CONCLUSION: High dose budesonide/formoterol was as effective as prednisolone plus formoterol for the ambulatory treatment of acute exacerbations in non-hospitalized COPD patients. An early increase in budesonide/formoterol dose may therefore be tried before oral corticosteroids are used. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT00259779.
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| 7. |
- Teni, F. S., et al.
(author)
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Variations in Patients' Overall Assessment of Their Health Across and Within Disease Groups Using the EQ-5D Questionnaire: Protocol for a Longitudinal Study in the Swedish National Quality Registers
- 2021
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In: Jmir Research Protocols. - Toronto, ON, Canada : JMIR Publications Inc.. - 1929-0748. ; 10:8
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: EQ-5D is one of the most commonly used questionnaires to measure health-related quality of life. It is included in many of the Swedish National Quality Registers (NQRs). EQ-5D health states are usually summarized using "values" obtained from members of the general public, a majority of whom are healthy. However, an alternative, which remains to be studied in detail, is the potential to use patients' self-reported overall health on the visual analog scale (VAS) as a means of capturing experience-based perspective. Objective: The aim of this study is to assess EQ VAS as a valuation method with an experience-based perspective through comparison of its performance across and within patient groups, and with that of the general population in Sweden. Methods: Data on nearly 700,000 patients from 12 NQRs covering a variety of diseases/conditions and nearly 50,000 individuals from the general population will be analyzed. The EQ-5D-3L data from the 12 registers and EQ-5D-5L data from 2 registers will be used in the analyses. Longitudinal studies of patient-reported outcomes among different patient groups will be conducted in the period from baseline to 1-year follow-up. Descriptive statistics and analyses comparing EQ-5D dimensions and observed self-assessed EQ VAS values across and within patient groups will be performed. Comparisons of the change in health state and observed EQ VAS values at 1-year follow-up will also be undertaken. Regression models will be used to assess whether EQ-5D dimensions predict observed EQ VAS values to investigate patient value sets in each patient group. These will be compared across the patient groups and with the existing Swedish experience-based VAS and time trade-off value sets obtained from the general population. Results: Data retrieval started in May 2019 and data of patients in the 12 NQRs and from the survey conducted among the general population have been retrieved. Data analysis is ongoing on the retrieved data. Conclusions: This research project will provide information on the differences across and within patient groups in terms of self-reported health status through EQ VAS and comparison with the general population. The findings of the study will contribute to the literature by exploring the potential of self-assessed EQ VAS values to develop value sets using an experience-based perspective.
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