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- Akrawi, Delshad, et al.
(author)
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End stage renal disease risk and neighbourhood deprivation: A nationwide cohort study in Sweden.
- 2014
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In: European Journal of Internal Medicine. - : Elsevier BV. - 1879-0828 .- 0953-6205. ; 25:9, s. 853-859
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Chronic kidney disease has been associated with socioeconomic disparities and neighbourhood deprivation. We aimed to determine whether there is an association between neighbourhood deprivation and end stage renal disease (ESRD), and whether this association is independent of individual-level sociodemographic factors and comorbidities.
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| 7. |
- Bengtsson, Mariette, et al.
(author)
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Anxiety in close relationship is higher and self-esteem lower in patients with irritable bowel syndrome compared to patients with inflammatory bowel disease
- 2013
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In: European journal of internal medicine. - : Elsevier. - 0953-6205 .- 1879-0828. ; 24:3, s. 266-272
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background Previous research has suggested an interaction between personality factors and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) as well as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). We therefore aimed to elucidate differences in psychological and coping functioning between patients with IBD and IBS, and to assess the relationship of disease activity with these functions. Methods Seventy-four patients with IBD (mean age 43 ± 17 years, range 18–82 years) and 81 patients with IBS (mean age 37 ± 12 years, range 21–66 years) completed the questionnaires; Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, Toronto Alexithymia, Experiences in Close Relationships, and Sense of Coherence. Disease activity was evaluated either by the Harvey-Bradshaw index, the Simple Clinical Colitis Activity Index, or the Visual Analogue Scale for Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Results The study revealed that patients with IBS had higher degree of anxiety in close relationships than patients with IBD (p = 0.003), and lower self-esteem (p = 0.001). No other statistical differences between the whole groups IBS and IBD or between subgroups were seen. Conclusions The fact that patients with IBS seem to have higher levels of anxiety in relationships and lower self-esteem could influence the way the patient deal with the disease and how the communication with health care professionals works out. A higher awareness of the importance of past negative life events should be taken into consideration. Whether the disease or the personal traits are the primary event should be addressed in future research.
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| 8. |
- Bengtsson, Mariette, et al.
(author)
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The brief Visual Analogue Scale for Irritable Bowel Syndrome questionnaire can be used to evaluate psychological well-being in patients with irritable bowel syndrome
- 2013
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In: European journal of internal medicine. - : Elsevier. - 0953-6205 .- 1879-0828. ; 24:7, s. e82-e83
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Abstract Objective: The questionnaire Visual Analogue Scale for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (VAS-IBS) has been validated in measuring gastrointestinal symptoms and psychological well-being in patients with IBS. The aim of this study was to additional evaluate the items of VAS-IBS, and to examine correlations in the items measuring psychological well-being and intestinal symptoms´ influence on daily life to attachment in close relationships, self-esteem and coping. Methods: Eighty-one patients with IBS completed VAS-IBS with five VAS items for each gastrointestinal symptom, one item for the psychological well-being, and one item for the intestinal symptoms´ influence on daily life. They also completed the questionnaires Experiences in Close Relationships, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and the Sense of Coherence. Correlations between the questionnaires and differences between subgroups were examined. Results: The rating of the item psychological well-being as poor well-being, correlated to a high degree of anxiety in close relationships (rs = -0.293, p = 0.008), low self-esteem (rs = 0.487, p = 0.000), and reduced coping (rs = 0.579, p = 0.000). Psychological well-being correlated to the intestinal symptoms´ influence on the patients´ daily life (rs = 0.515, p = 0.000). Conclusions. By this easy-to-use and brief VAS-IBS questionnaire, the health care professionals get a lot of information not only about physical symptoms, but also about the patient´s psychological well-being.
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| 9. |
- Boman, Kurt, et al.
(author)
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Anaemia, but not iron deficiency, is associated with clinical symptoms and quality of life in patients with severe heart failure and palliative home care : a substudy of the PREFER trial
- 2017
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In: European journal of internal medicine. - Amsterdam : Elsevier. - 0953-6205 .- 1879-0828. ; 46, s. 35-40
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: To explore the relationships between anaemia or iron deficiency (ID) and symptoms, quality of life (QoL), morbidity, and mortality.Methods: A post-hoc, non-prespecified, explorative substudy of the prospective randomized PREFER trial. One centre study of outpatients with severe HF and palliative need managed with advanced home care. Associations between anaemia, ID, and the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS), Euro QoL (EQ-5D), Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questions (KCCQ) were examined only at baseline but at 6months for morbidity and mortality.Results: Seventy-two patients (51 males, 21 females), aged 79.2±9.1years. Thirty-nine patients (54%) had anaemia and 34 had ID (47%). Anaemia was correlated to depression (r=0.37; p=0.001), anxiety (r=0.25; p=0.04), and reduced well-being (r=0.26; p=0.03) in the ESAS; mobility (r=0.33; p=0.005), pain/discomfort (r=0.27; p=0.02), and visual analogue scale of health state (r=-0.28; p=0.02) in the EQ-5D; and physical limitation (r=-0.27; p=0.02), symptom stability; (r=-0.43; p<0.001); (r=-0.25; p=0.033), social limitation;(r=-0.26; p=0.03), overall summary score; (r=-0.24, p=0.046) and clinical summary score; (r=-0.27; p=0.02) in the KCCQ. ID did not correlate to any assessment item. Anaemia was univariably associated with any hospitalization (OR: 3.0; CI: 1.05-8.50, p=0.04), but not to mortality. ID was not significantly associated with any hospitalization or mortality.Conclusion: Anaemia, but not ID, was associated although weakly with symptoms and QoL in patients with advanced HF and palliative home care.
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| 10. |
- Corsonello, Andrea, et al.
(author)
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Estimated glomerular filtration rate and functional status among older people : A systematic review
- 2018
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In: European journal of internal medicine. - : Elsevier. - 0953-6205 .- 1879-0828. ; 56, s. 39-48
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: The association between chronic kidney disease (CKD) and functional status may change as a function of the equation used to estimate glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). We reviewed the predictive value of different eGFR equations in regard to frailty and disability outcomes. Methods: We searched Pubmed from inception to March 2018 for studies investigating the association between eGFR and self-reported and/or objective measures of frailty or disability. Cross-sectional and longitudinal studies were separately analysed. Results: We included 16 studies, one of which reporting both cross-sectional and longitudinal data. Three out of 7 cross-sectional studies compared different eGFR equations in regard to their association with functional status: two studies showed that cystatin C-based, but not creatinine-based eGFR may be associated with hand-grip strength or frailty; another study showed that two different creatinine-based eGFR equations may be similarly associated with disability. Four out of 10 longitudinal studies provided comparative data: two studies reported similar association with disability for different creatinine-based eGFR equations; one study showed that creatinine-based eGFR was not associated with frailty, but a not significant trend for association was observed with cystatin C-based eGFR; one study showed that cystatin C-based but not creatinine-based eGFR may predict incident mobility disability, while both methods may predict gait speed decline. High heterogeneity was observed in regard to confounders included in reviewed studies. None of them included the most recently published equations. Conclusion: Available data do not support the superiority of one of the eGFR equations in terms of measuring or predicting functional decline.
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| 11. |
- Cranston, Mark, et al.
(author)
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Postgraduate education in internal medicine in Europe
- 2013
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In: European Journal of Internal Medicine. - : Elsevier BV. - 1879-0828 .- 0953-6205. ; 24:7, s. 633-638
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Limited information exists on the framework and content of postgraduate education in internal medicine in Europe. This report describes the results of a survey of postgraduate training in internal medicine in the European countries. Methods: Two online questionnaire-based surveys were carried out by the European Board of Internal Medicine, one on the practice of internists and the other on postgraduate training in internal medicine. The national internal medicine societies of all 30 member countries of the European Federation of Internal Medicine were invited to participate. The responses were reviewed by internal medicine residents from the respective countries and summaries of the data were sent to the national societies for approval. Descriptive analysis of the data on postgraduate training in internal medicine was performed. Results: Twenty-seven countries (90%) completed the questionnaire and approved their datasets. The length of training ranged from four to six years and was commonly five years. The majority of countries offered training in internal medicine and a subspecialty. A common trunk of internal medicine was frequently a component of subspecialty training programmes. Hospital inpatient service was the predominant setting used for training. A final certifying examination was in place in 14 countries. Conclusion: Although some similarities exists, there appear to be significant differences in the organisation, content and governance of postgraduate training in internal medicine between the European countries. Our findings will prove invaluable for harmonisation of training and qualification in internal medicine in Europe. (C) 2013 European Federation of Internal Medicine. Published by Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.
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| 12. |
- Cranston, Mark, et al.
(author)
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The practice of internal medicine in Europe: organisation, clinical conditions and procedures
- 2013
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In: European Journal of Internal Medicine. - : Elsevier BV. - 1879-0828 .- 0953-6205. ; 24:7, s. 627-632
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Current information on the role of internists in the European countries is scarce. This report describes the results of a survey of the practice of internists in Europe. Methods: Two online questionnaire-based surveys were carried out by the European Board of Internal Medicine, one on the practice of internists and the other on postgraduate training in internal medicine. The national internal medicine societies of all 30 member countries of the European Federation of Internal Medicine were invited to participate. The responses were reviewed by internal medicine trainees from the respective countries and summaries of the data were sent to the national societies for approval. Descriptive analysis of the data on the practice of internists was carried out. Results: Twenty-seven countries (90%) completed the questionnaire and approved their datasets. In 8 European countries, most internists practised internal medicine alone and in 7 countries at least half of physicians practised internal medicine together with a subspecialty. Internal medicine was considered a hospital-based specialty in most countries. The majority of selected presenting problems and diagnoses were rated as commonly encountered in all countries. More variability between countries was observed in the performance of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Conclusion: Many similarities exist in the practice of internal medicine between the European countries, while some differences are present that likely reflect the variable impact of subspecialisation. The results of the survey should prove valuable for the definition of specific competencies and development of a common curriculum for internal medicine at the European level. (C) 2013 European Federation of Internal Medicine. Published by Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.
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- Delcoigne, Bénédicte, et al.
(author)
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How does current disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis affect the short-term risk of acute coronary syndrome? : A clinical register based study from Sweden and Norway
- 2023
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In: European journal of internal medicine. - 0953-6205 .- 1879-0828. ; 115, s. 55-61
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objectives: To estimate short-term risks of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) as a function of current RA disease activity including remission.Methods: Data from clinical visits of RA patients in Sweden (SE) and Norway (NO) between January 1st 2012 until December 31st 2020 were used. At each visit, patient's disease activity was assessed including remission status (measured with several metrics). Through linkage to national health and death registers, patients were followed up for incident ACS up to six months from each visit. We compared the short-term risk of ACS in patients not in remission vs. in remission using Cox regression analyses with robust standard errors, adjusted for country and covariates (e.g., age, sex, prednisolone use, comorbidities). We also explored disease activity categories as exposure.Results: We included 212,493 visits (10,444 from Norway and 202,049 from Sweden) among 41,250 patients (72% women, mean age at visit 62 years). During the 6-month follow-ups, we observed 524 incident ACS events. Compared to patients in remission, patients currently not in remission had an increased rate of ACS: adjusted hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) 1.52 (1.24–1.85) with DAS28 metric. The crude absolute six-month risks were 0.2% for patients in remission vs. 0.4% for patients with DAS28 high disease activity. The use of alternative RA disease activity and remission metrics provided similar results.Conclusion: Failure to reach remission is associated with elevated short-term risks of ACS, underscoring the need for CV risk factor optimization in these patients.
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| 15. |
- Dimberg, Ivar, et al.
(author)
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Computerised assistance for warfarin dosage - Effects on treatment quality
- 2012
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In: European Journal of Internal Medicine. - : Elsevier BV. - 1879-0828 .- 0953-6205. ; 23:8, s. 742-744
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Well-managed warfarin treatment with a high time in therapeutic range (TTR) corresponds to fewer bleedings or thromboembolic complications. Many small centres manage their warfarin dosing manually, with little or no knowledge of their treatment quality as measured by TTR. AuriculA is a Swedish National web-based anticoagulation dosing system. Our hypothesis was that the web based dosing system, compared to manual dosing, would improve the TTR. Methods: Retrospective cohort study of medical records from patients with atrial fibrillation on warfarin treatment from two centres, with previously manual warfarin dosing regimens. Data for calculation of TTR was extracted manually from medical records from the time when using manual dosing and compared with the computerised regimen. Results: In centre 1, the mean TTR was significantly increased after the introduction of AuriculA, from 64.3% (95% CI 58.8-69.8) to 71.3% (95% CI 67.7-74.8), p=0.03. In centre 2, a high TTR of 73.6% (95% CI 71.3-75.9) was maintained after the implementation, 74.0% (95% CI 71.6-76.3). INR tests were prescribed significantly more frequent after the introduction of AuriculA in both centres; 20% more often at centre 1 and 21% at centre 2. Conclusion: Computerised dosing assistance within the Swedish national quality registry AuriculA improves or maintains a high treatment quality with warfarin as measured by TTR. (C) 2012 European Federation of Internal Medicine. Published by Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.
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| 16. |
- Ding, Wern Yew, et al.
(author)
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Impact of ABC (Atrial Fibrillation Better Care) pathway adherence in high-risk subgroups with atrial fibrillation : A report from the ESC-EHRA EORP-AF long-term general registry
- 2023
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In: European journal of internal medicine. - : Elsevier. - 0953-6205 .- 1879-0828. ; 107, s. 60-65
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Effects of Atrial Fibrillation Better Care (ABC) adherence among high-risk atrial fibrillation (AF) subgroups remains unknown. We aimed to evaluate the impact of ABC adherence on clinical outcomes in these high-risk patients.Methods: EORP-AF General Long-Term Registry is a prospective, observational registry from 250 centres across 27 European countries. High-risk patients were defined as those with either CKD (eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73m2), elderly patients (>= 75 years) or prior thromboembolism. Primary outcome was a composite event of all-cause death, thromboembolism and acute coronary syndrome.Results: 6646 patients with AF were screened (median age was 70 [IQR 61 - 77] years; 40.2% females). There were 3304 (54.2%) patients with either CKD (n = 1750), older age (n = 2236) or prior thromboembolism (n = 728). Among these, 924 (28.0%) were managed as adherent to ABC. At 2-year follow-up, 966 (14.5%) patients reported the primary outcome. The incidence of the primary outcome was significantly lower in high-risk patients managed as adherent to ABC pathway (IRR 0.53 [95%CI, 0.43 - 0.64]). Consistent results were obtained in the individual subgroups. Using multivariable Cox proportional hazards analysis, ABC adherence in the high-risk cohort was independently associated with a lower risk of the primary outcome (aHR 0.64 [95%CI, 0.51 - 0.80]), as well as in the CKD (aHR 0.51 [95%CI, 0.37 - 0.70]) and elderly subgroups (aHR 0.69 [95%CI, 0.53 - 0.90]). Overall, there was greater reduction in the risk of primary outcome as more ABC criteria were fulfilled, both in the overall high-risk patients (aHR 0.39 [95%CI, 0.25 - 0.61]), as well as in the individual subgroups.Conclusion: In a large, contemporary cohort of patients with AF, we demonstrate that adherence to the ABC pathway was associated with a significant benefit among high-risk patients with either CKD, advanced age (>75 years old) or prior thromboembolism.
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| 17. |
- Ding, Wern Yew, et al.
(author)
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Impact of diabetes on the management and outcomes in atrial fibrillation : an analysis from the ESC-EHRA EORP-AF Long-Term General Registry
- 2022
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In: European journal of internal medicine. - : Elsevier. - 0953-6205 .- 1879-0828. ; 103, s. 41-49
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: The prevalence of atrial fibrillation(AF) and diabetes mellitus is rising to epidemic proportions. We aimed to assess the impact of diabetes on the management and outcomes of patients with AF. Methods: The EORP-AF General Long-Term Registry is a prospective, observational registry from 250 centres across 27 European countries. Outcomes of interest were as follows: i)rhythm control interventions; ii)quality of life; iii)healthcare resource utilisation; and iv)major adverse events. Results: Of 11,028 patients with AF, the median age was 71 (63-77) years and 2537 (23.0%) had diabetes. Median follow-up was 24 months. Diabetes was related to increased use of anticoagulation but less rhythm control interventions. Using multivariable analysis, at 2-year follow-up, patients with diabetes were associated with greater levels of anxiety (p = 0.038) compared to those without diabetes. Overall, diabetes was associated with worse health during follow-up, as indicated by Health Utility Score and Visual Analogue Scale. Healthcare resource utilisation was greater with diabetes in terms of length of hospital stay (8.1 (+/- 8.2) vs. 6.1 (+/- 6.7) days); cardiology and internal medicine/general practitioner visits; and emergency room admissions. Diabetes was an independent risk factor of major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE; HR 1.26 [95% CI, 1.04-1.52]), all-cause mortality (HR 1.28 [95% CI, 1.08-1.52]), and cardiovascular mortality (HR 1.41 [95% CI, 1.09-1.83]). Conclusion: In this contemporary AF cohort, diabetes was present in 1 in 4 patients and it served as an independent risk factor for reduced quality of life, greater healthcare resource utilisation and excess MACE, all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality. There was increased use of anticoagulation therapy in diabetes but with less rhythm control interventions.
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| 18. |
- Enblom, Anneli, et al.
(author)
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High rate of abnormal blood values and vascular complications before diagnosis of myeloproliferative neoplasms
- 2015
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In: European journal of internal medicine. - : Elsevier. - 0953-6205 .- 1879-0828. ; 26:5, s. 344-347
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Vascular complications occurring before the diagnosis of myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) in 612 patients from four centers in Sweden, Denmark and France were retrospectively studied.Results: Vascular complications were observed in 151 (25%) of the 612 patients. Of these, 66% occurred during the two years preceding diagnosis. The majority of events were thromboembolic (95%), and included myocardial infarction (n = 46), ischemic stroke (n = 43), transient ischemic attack (TIA) (n = 22), deep vein thrombosis/pulmonary embolism (n = 19), splanchnic vein thrombosis (n = 7), and peripheral embolism (n = 7). Bleeding was observed in only 7 (5%) of the 151 patients with vascular events (3 with intracranial bleeding, 2 with epistaxis and 2 with gastrointestinal bleeding). Full blood counts obtained at least 3 months prior to the MPN diagnosis showed that 269 (44%) had abnormal blood values, fulfilling the diagnostic criteria for MPN. During the time from the abnormal blood test to the diagnosis of MPN, 50 patients suffered from a vascular complication.Conclusion: We therefore conclude that a large proportion of MPN patients suffer severe thromboembolic complications prior to diagnosis. If MPN were diagnosed earlier, a large proportion of these events might be prevented. An MPN should always be suspected and ruled out in patients with unexplained elevated hematocrit, leukocyte and/or platelet counts.
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