| 1. |
- Weinehall, Lars, 1948-, et al.
(author)
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High remaining risk in poorly treated hypertension : the "rule of halves" still exists
- 2002
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In: Journal of Hypertension. - : Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. - 0263-6352 .- 1473-5598. ; 20:10, s. 2081-2088
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- To estimate risk factors for stroke, to examine how different categories of patients with increased blood pressure are associated with risk for first-ever stroke event, and to estimate the proportions of these categories in a geographically defined population in northern Sweden. Setting : The study was nested within the Vasterbotten Intervention Program and the Northern Sweden MONICA cohorts. Design and participants : A population-based cross-sectional study and an incident case-control study were carried out. The incident case-control study comprised 129 cases of first-ever stroke diagnosed during 1985-96, with two randomly selected controls per case, chosen from the same geographically defined population. The cross-sectional study was based on 59 735 participants. Blood pressure status was categorized as: normotensive [systolic blood pressure (SBP) <140 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) <90 mmHg]; treated and adequately controlled hypertension (SBP <140 mmHg and DBP <90 mmHg); treated but poorly controlled hypertension (SBP >=140 mmHg or DBP >=90 mmHg, or both); untreated hypertension (SBP >=140 mmHg or DBP >=90 mmHg, or both); newly detected increased blood pressure (SBP >=140 mmHg or DBP >=90 mmHg, or both). Main outcome measure: Risk for first-ever stroke. Results: In the cross-sectional study, 68% of individuals were normotensive, 3% had treated and adequately controlled hypertension, 6% had treated but poorly controlled hypertension, 7% had untreated hypertension, and 16% had newly detected increased blood pressure. In univariate analysis of the case-control study, history of diabetes, daily smoking, obesity, increased blood pressure and the hypertension categories 'treated but poorly controlled' and 'untreated' were associated with an increased stroke risk. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, only diabetes and the hypertension categories treated but poorly controlled and untreated remained significant, with odds ratios 6.1 (95% confidence interval 2.4 to 15.3) and 4.3 (95% confidence interval 1.7 to 10.5), respectively. Only one of the 129 individuals who suffered stroke had treated and adequately controlled hypertension. Conclusions : The study illustrates the importance of adequate blood pressure control and, at the same time, that the vast majority in the population with increased blood pressure did not receive optimal care. Thus the 'rule of halves' still exists, and the high remaining risk in poorly treated hypertensive individuals in Sweden is remarkable and requires attention from the medical profession.
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| 2. |
- Ärlestig, Lisbeth, 1954-, et al.
(author)
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Polymorphism of genes related to cardiovascular disease in patients with rheumatoid arthritis
- 2007
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In: Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology. - 0392-856X .- 1593-098X. ; 25:6, s. 866-871
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- OBJECTIVE: To analyze candidate genes, related to cardiovascular disease (CVD) in general, and potentially involved in the inflammatory process, in RA patients from northern Sweden. METHODS: Four hundred and sixty-seven individuals (345 females; 122 males) with RA (ACR criteria), having a mean age of 61.8 +/- 13.0 years and mean disease duration of 16.2 +/- 12.1 years, were consecutively recruited and followed-up for 3 years. The prevalence of CVD, [(ischemic heart disease (IHD), deep vein thromboses/pulmonary embolism (DVT/PE) and/or stroke/TIA] and hypertension was registered. Candidate genes encoding for Beta-fibrinogen (G-455A), Factor XIIIA (Val34Leu), plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 (PAI-1 4G/5G), and tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR)II (M196R) were analysed. Controls (n = 672) were randomly selected according to age and gender from the Medical Biobank of Northern Sweden. Polymorphisms were genotyped using a TaqMan 9700HT and the 5'nuclease allelic discrimination assay. RESULTS: The genotypes, carriers and alleles did not differ in distribution between patients and controls. Carriage of the TNFRII R variant was more frequent among patients with hypertension (p = 0.018). The genotype distribution of PAI-1 in patients with IHD differed significantly (p = 0.002) because carriage of 4G was more frequent (p = 0.024). Combined carriage of TNFRII 196R variant and Beta-fibrinogen-455A was a stronger predictor for hypertension than each genotype separately. The distribution of FXIIIA genotypes deviated significantly in RA patients with DVT/PE (p = 0.028) with an increased frequency of the Leu34 variant. CONCLUSION: The unusual alleles of TNFRII, PAI-1 and FXIIIA were associated with CVD in RA patients. The combination of several of the rare types further increased the predictive values for CVD.
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| 3. |
- Darehed, David, et al.
(author)
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Patients with acute stroke are less likely to be admitted directly to a stroke unit when hospital beds are scarce : a Swedish multicenter register study
- 2017
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In: European Stroke Journal. - : Sage Publications. - 2396-9873 .- 2396-9881. ; 2:2, s. 178-186
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Introduction: It is well established that managing patients with acute stroke in dedicated stroke units is associated with improved functioning and survival. The objectives of this study are to investigate whether patients with acute stroke are less likely to be directly admitted to a stroke unit from the Emergency Department when hospital beds are scarce and to measure variation across hospitals in terms of this outcome.Patients and methods: This register study comprised data on patients with acute stroke admitted to 14 out of 72 Swedish hospitals in 2011-2014. Data from the Swedish stroke register were linked to administrative daily data on hospital bed occupancy (measured at 6 a.m.). Logistic regression analysis was used to analyse the association between bed occupancy and direct stroke unit admission.Results: A total of 13,955 hospital admissions were included; 79.6% were directly admitted to a stroke unit from the Emergency Department. Each percentage increase in hospital bed occupancy was associated with a 1.5% decrease in odds of direct admission to a stroke unit (odds ratio = 0.985, 95% confidence interval = 0.978-0.992). The best-performing hospital exhibited an odds ratio of 3.8 (95% confidence interval = 2.6-5.5) for direct admission to a stroke unit versus the reference hospital.Discussion and conclusion: We found an association between hospital crowding and reduced quality of care in acute stroke, portrayed by a lower likelihood of patients being directly admitted to a stroke unit from the Emergency Department. The magnitude of the effect varied considerably across hospitals.
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| 4. |
- Eriksson, Marie, 1970-, et al.
(author)
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Sex differences in stroke care and outcome in the Swedish national quality register for stroke care
- 2009
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In: Stroke. - New York : American Heart Association. - 0039-2499 .- 1524-4628. ; 40:3, s. 909-914
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background and purpose: Previous reports concerning sex-related differences in stroke management and outcome are inconsistent and are sometimes difficult to interpret. We used data from a national stroke register to further explore possible differences between men and women in baseline characteristics, stroke treatment, and outcome.Methods: This study included 24633 stroke events registered in Riks-Stroke, the Swedish national quality register for stroke care, during 2006. Information on background variables and treatment was collected during the hospital stay. After 3 months, the patients' living situation and outcome were assessed.Results: Women were older than men when they had their stroke (mean age, 78.4 versus 73.6 years; P<0.001). On admission to the hospital, women were more often unconscious. Among conscious patients, there was no sex-related difference in the use of stroke unit care. Men and women had equal probability to receive thrombolysis and oral anticoagulants. Women were more likely to develop deep venous thromboses and fractures, whereas men were more likely to develop pneumonia during their hospital stay. Women had a lower 3-month survival, a difference that was associated with higher age and impaired level of consciousness on admission. Women were less often living at home at the 3-month follow-up. However, the difference in residency was not present in patients <85 years who were living at home without community support before the stroke.Conclusions: Reported sex differences in stroke care and outcome were mainly explained by the women's higher age and lower level of consciousness on admission.
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| 5. |
- Fiskesund, Roland, et al.
(author)
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Low levels of antibodies against phosphorylcholine predict development of stroke in a population-based study from northern Sweden
- 2010
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In: Stroke. - 0039-2499 .- 1524-4628. ; 41:4, s. 607-612
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Natural immunoglobulin M antibodies specific for phosphorylcholine (anti-PC) have been implicated in atherosclerosis. We have shown previously that high levels of anti-PC predict a slower progression of atherosclerosis in humans and that low levels of anti-PC are associated with higher risk for cardiovascular disease. Here we determine the association between anti-PC and the incidence of stroke. METHODS: Using a nested case control study design, we examined 227 incident cases (125 men and 102 women) of first-time stroke and 455 age- and sex-matched controls identified during a 13-year time period (1985 to 1999) within the population-based cohorts of the Västerbotten Intervention Project (VIP) and the World Health Organization Monitoring Trends and Determinants in Cardiovascular Disease (WHO MONICA) project in Northern Sweden. Odds ratios of stroke with 95% CIs with adjustments for age, gender, smoking, serum cholesterol, diabetes, body mass index, and blood pressure were determined. Anti-PC levels were measured using ELISA. RESULTS: A significant association between low levels of anti-PC at baseline and incident stroke was seen for the whole group of anti-PC levels below the 30th percentile (multivariately adjusted odds ratio, 1.62; CI, 1.11 to 2.35). Analyses of gender-specific associations indicated fairly strong associations for females, especially at the lowest 30th percentile (multivariately adjusted odds ratio, 2.65; CI, 1.41 to 4.95). No associations were noted for men. CONCLUSION: Low anti-PC is a novel independent risk marker for development of stroke. Measurements of anti-PC could be used to identify immunodeficient subjects at an increased risk for stroke. The possibility that such subjects might be targets for novel modes of treatment such as immunotherapies deserves further investigation.
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| 6. |
- Glader, Eva-Lotta, 1972-, et al.
(author)
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Differences in Long-Term Outcome Between Patients Treated in Stroke Units and in General Wards : A 2-Year Follow-Up of Stroke Patients in Sweden
- 2001
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In: Stroke. - : American Heart Association, Inc.. - 0039-2499 .- 1524-4628. ; 32, s. 2124-2130
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background and Purpose— The long-term beneficial effects of stroke unit care have been proved in several randomized trials. However, there is a question of large-scale applicability in routine clinical practice of interventions used by dedicated investigators in small randomized trials. The objective of this study was to compare, 21/2 years after stroke, patients who had been treated in stroke units and those treated in general wards in routine clinical practice.Methods— This is a prospective cohort study based on 8194 patients who were included, during the first 6 months in 1997, in Riks-Stroke, the Swedish National Register for quality assessment of acute stroke. Two years after the event, 5189 patients were still alive and 5104 were followed up with a postal questionnaire to which 4038 responded.Results— Among the group of patients who were independent in activities of daily living (ADL) functions before the stroke, patients who were treated in stroke units were less often dependent in ADL functions, after adjustment for case mix (OR, 0.79; CI, 0.66 to 0.94). If they also lived at home before the stroke, then they had a lower case-fatality rate 2 years after the stroke (OR, 0.81; CI, 0.72 to 0.92).Conclusions— Long-term beneficial effects of treatment in stroke units were shown for patients who were independent in ADL functions before the stroke. No benefits were shown for patients who were dependent on help for primary ADL before the stroke. Further studies on this group of patients with more detailed outcome measures are needed.
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| 7. |
- Glader, Eva-Lotta, 1972-, et al.
(author)
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Large variations in the use of oral anticoagulants in stroke patients with atrial fibrillation : A Swedish national perspective
- 2004
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In: Journal of Internal Medicine. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 0954-6820 .- 1365-2796. ; 255:1, s. 22-32
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objectives. To explore nation-wide use of anticoagulation in stroke patients with atrial fibrillation, in routine clinical practice in Sweden.Design. Cross-sectional cohort study.Setting. Patients included in Riks-Stroke, the Swedish national quality register for stroke care, during 2001.Subjects. Hospitals with incomplete coverage were excluded, leaving 4538 stroke patients with atrial fibrillation amongst 18 276 stroke patients from 75 hospitals in six health care regions.Main outcome measure. Treatment with oral anticoagulants.Results. At stroke onset, the proportion of patients with atrial fibrillation and first-ever stroke, receiving oral anticoagulants as primary prevention was 11.0% (range 8.4–13.5% between regions and 2.5–24.4% between hospitals). Younger age, male sex and diabetes at stroke onset independently predicted primary prevention with oral anticoagulants. The proportion of stroke patients with atrial fibrillation receiving oral anticoagulants as secondary prevention at discharge was 33.5% (range 29.9–40.6% between regions and 16.4–61.9% between hospitals). Independent predictors for secondary prevention were younger age, male sex and independent activities of daily life (ADL) function before the stroke, being discharged to home, being fully conscious on admission and health care region.Conclusion. There were variations between hospitals and regions that differences in age, sex, functional impairments and comorbidities could not fully explain. This indicates that evidence-based primary and secondary prevention of embolic stroke is insufficiently practised. Local factors seem to determine whether patients with atrial fibrillation gain access to optimal prevention of stroke or not.
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| 8. |
- Glader, Eva-Lotta, 1972-, et al.
(author)
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Poststroke Fatigue : A 2-Year Follow-Up Study of Stroke Patients in Sweden
- 2002
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In: Stroke. - : American Heart Association, Inc.. - 0039-2499 .- 1524-4628. ; 33, s. 1327-1333
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background and Purpose— Fatigue is common among stroke patients. This study determined the prevalence of fatigue among long-term survivors after stroke and what impact fatigue had on various aspects of daily life and on survival.Methods— This study was based on Riks-Stroke, a hospital-based national register for quality assessment of acute stroke events in Sweden. During the first 6 months of 1997, 8194 patients were registered in Riks-Stroke, and 5189 were still alive 2 years after the stroke. They were followed up by a mail questionnaire, to which 4023 (79%) responded. Patients who reported that they always felt depressed were excluded.Results— To the question, “Do you feel tired?” 366 (10.0%) of the patients answered that they always felt tired, and an additional 1070 (29.2%) were often tired. Patients who always felt tired were on average older than the rest of the study population (74.5 versus 71.5 years, P<0.001); therefore, all subsequent analyses were age adjusted. Fatigue was an independent predictor for having to move into an institutional setting after stroke. Fatigue was also an independent predictor for being dependent in primary activities of daily living functions. Three years after stroke, patients with fatigue also had a higher case fatality rate.Conclusions— Fatigue is frequent and often severe, even late after stroke. It is associated with profound deterioration of several aspects of everyday life and with higher case fatality, but it usually receives little attention by healthcare professionals. Intervention studies are needed.
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| 9. |
- Koster, Max, et al.
(author)
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Refinement of Swedish Administrative Registers to Monitor Stroke Events on the National Level
- 2013
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In: Neuroepidemiology. - Basel : S. Karger. - 0251-5350 .- 1423-0208. ; 40:4, s. 240-246
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Routinely collected databases are kept for administrative purposes. We have refined the analyses of the Swedish National Patient Register and the Cause of Death Register and explored their validity to monitor stroke at the population level. Methods: First-ever strokes (incident cases) and all stroke events were measured by combining the two administrative registers and adding refinements. The administrative registers were validated against the Northern Sweden MONICA, a well-validated population-based epidemiological stroke register. Positive predictive values (PPVs) and sensitivity were calculated. Results: After refinements (restriction to first-ever strokes and additional minor delineations), the PPV of the two administrative registers combined was 94% and sensitivity 92% when compared with all MONICA stroke categories together. For stroke attacks (first and recurrent events together), the PPV in the administrative registers was 85% and sensitivity 91%. The PPV was higher in women than in men, whereas the sensitivity was similar. The PPV was lower but sensitivity higher in people below compared with those above 75 years of age. Both PPV and sensitivity were lower among fatal cases than among cases that survived 28 days. Conclusions: After refinement, Swedish national administrative registers may, with some caveats, be used as a low-resource-consuming alternative to crudely monitor stroke incidence rates at the national level. If further accuracy is strived for, high-quality conventional epidemiological registers are required. Copyright (C) 2013 S. Karger AG, Basel
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| 10. |
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