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- Gunnarsson, Karin, 1978-, et al.
(author)
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Changes in stroke and TIA admissions during the COVID-19 pandemic : A meta-analysis
- 2024
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In: European Stroke Journal. - : Sage Publications. - 2396-9873 .- 2396-9881. ; 9:1, s. 78-87
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- PURPOSE: To perform a meta-analysis on how the admissions of stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA) changed during the Corona Virus infection-19 (COVID-19) pandemic and evaluate if the effect was depending on stroke severity.METHODS: Observational cohort studies comparing the number of stroke and/or TIA admissions during a period of the pandemic compared to a period before the pandemic were identified in PubMed and Embase. After excluding studies with overlapping populations and studies without satisfactory case ascertainment, data was extracted and meta-analyzed.FINDINGS: A total of 59 studies were included. During the pandemic, there was a decrease in admissions of ischemic stroke (admission rate ratio (ARR) = 0.77, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.72, 0.82), intracerebral hemorrhage (ARR = 0.79, 95% CI: 0.70, 0.90) and TIA (ARR = 0.66, 95% CI: 0.58, 0.75). Albeit admission rates of both mild (ARR = 0.61, 95% CI: 0.49, 0.77) and severe (ARR = 0.82, 95% CI = 0.71, 0.95) strokes decreased, milder strokes decreased more (proportion ratio (PR) = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.65, 0.89).DISCUSSION: Potential causes for the admission reduction could be strict prioritizations within the health care, patients' fear of acquiring COVID-19, or decreased access to health care due to lockdowns.CONCLUSION: During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a reduction in admissions of stroke and TIA, possibly caused by reluctance to seek medical care.
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| 2. |
- Tofiq, avin, 1996-, et al.
(author)
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Effects of Peroral Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation on Cerebrospinal Fluid Biomarkers in Patients with Alzheimer's Disease : A Randomized Controlled Trial-The OmegAD Study
- 2021
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In: Journal of Alzheimer's Disease. - : IOS Press. - 1387-2877 .- 1875-8908. ; 83:3, s. 1291-1301
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Studies have suggested a connection between a decrease in the levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and Alzheimer's disease (AD). We aimed to assess the effect of supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids (n-3 FAs) on biomarkers analyzed in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients diagnosed with AD.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of daily supplementation with 2.3 g of PUFAs in AD patients on the biomarkers in CSF described below. We also explored the possible correlation between these biomarkers and the performance in the cognitive test Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE).METHODS: Thirty-three patients diagnosed with AD were randomized to either treatment with a daily intake of 2.3 g of n-3 FAs (n = 18) or placebo (n = 15). CSF samples were collected at baseline and after six months of treatment, and the following biomarkers were analyzed: Aβ 38, Aβ 40, Aβ 42, t-tau, p-tau, neurofilament light (NfL), chitinase-3-like protein 1 (YKL-40), acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE), soluble IL-1 receptor type II (sIL-1RII), and IL-6.RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the groups concerning the level of the different biomarkers in the CSF at baseline. Within the treatment group, there was a small but significant increase in both YKL-40 (p = 0.04) and NfL (p = 0.03), while the other CSF biomarkers remained stable.CONCLUSION: Supplementation with n-3 FAs had a statistically significant effect on NfL and YKL-40, resulting in an increase of both biomarkers, indicating a possible increase of inflammatory response and axonal damage. This increase in biomarkers did not correlate with MMSE score.
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| 3. |
- Tofiq, avin, 1996-, et al.
(author)
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Physical functioning post-COVID-19 and the recovery process : a mixed methods study
- 2024
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In: Disability and Rehabilitation. - : Taylor & Francis. - 0963-8288 .- 1464-5165. ; 46:8, s. 1570-1579
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- PURPOSE: To describe physical functioning after severe COVID-19-infection.MATERIALS AND METHOD: An explanatory sequential mixed method design was used. Thirty-nine participants performed tests and answered questionnaires measuring physical functioning six months after hospitalisation due to COVID-19. Thirty of these participants participated in semi-structured interviews with questions regarding how they perceived their physical functioning and recovery from COVID-19 at 12 months post-hospitalisation.RESULTS: At six months, physical functioning measured via chair stand test and hip-worn accelerometers was lower than normal reference values. There was a reduction in breathing muscle strength. Participants estimated their functional status during different activities as lower compared to those before COVID-19-infection, measured with a patient-specific functional scale. At one year after infection, there were descriptions of a rough recovery process and remaining symptoms.CONCLUSION: Patients recovering from severe COVID-19 seem to have reduced physical functioning and activity levels, and they perceive their recovery to be slow and difficult. They experienced a lack of clinical support and contradictory advice regarding rehabilitation. Coaching in returning to physical functioning after the infection needs to be better co-ordinated and there is a need for guidelines for health professionals to avoid patients receiving contradictory advice.
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