| 1. |
- AlRiyami, Fatma M., et al.
(author)
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Healthcare costs and outcomes associated with surgical site infections after coronary artery bypass grafting surgeries in Oman
- 2023
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In: Annals of Medicine. - : Informa Healthcare. - 0785-3890 .- 1651-2219 .- 1365-2060. ; 55:1, s. 793-799
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgeries is considered a key indicator of the quality of healthcare services. Objective : This study aimed to estimate the healthcare outcomes associated with SSIs after CABG surgeries in Oman in terms of mortality rate, case-fatality rate, LOS, readmission rate and healthcare costs. Methods : The nested case-control study design was used based on retrospective data, which was conducted from 2016 to 2017. The case group encompassed all CABG patients with confirmed SSIs within 30 days of the surgery (n = 104) while controls were CABG patients without SSIs (n = 404). Results : Forty-four (42.3%) of the SSI patients were readmitted to the hospital compared to eight (2%) of the control group (p <.001). Patients in the case group had a longer LOS (M = 24.4, SD = 44.6 days) compared to those in the control group (M = 11, SD = 21 days, p =.003). The mean healthcare costs of cases (M = Omani Rial [OMR] 3823, SD = OMR 2516) were significantly greater than controls (M = OMR 3154, SD = OMR 1415, p =.010). Conclusion : Results from this study can be baseline data for formulating new hypotheses and testing the causal relationship between SSIs after CABG surgeries and the readmission rate, LOS and health care costs.
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| 2. |
- Andreassen, Maria, et al.
(author)
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The psychosocial impact of eye-gaze assistive technology on everyday life of children and adults
- 2024
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In: Annals of Medicine. - : Taylor & Francis. - 0785-3890 .- 1365-2060. ; 56:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- PurposeThis study investigates the psychosocial impact of eye-gaze assistive technology (EGAT) in both children and adults with long-term experience using eye-gaze assistive technology in everyday life, as well as the psychosocial impact as related to duration of use.MethodsIn this descriptive comparative study, 34 adult and 27 child EGAT users participated in a structured individual interview using the Psychosocial Impact of Assistive Devices Scale (PIADS).ResultsThe participants’ age ranged from 5–74 years, 50% were female and 52% had been diagnosed with cerebral palsy. The EGAT had a positive psychosocial impact on competence, adaptability, and self-esteem among adult and child users. Competence was the only subscale with a higher value for adults (p = 0.038), compared to children. The items with the highest impact for the psychosocial aspects were quality of life, ability to participate, and self-esteem. The adults had longer duration of use than children, but for high-, medium-, and low-duration users, the device showed a positive psychosocial impact.ConclusionsParticipants considered EGAT to have high positive impacts for participation and quality of life. The study adds new knowledge in that high positive psychosocial impact may be found even among low-duration users of EGAT, which is important to consider for service providers.
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| 3. |
- Arvidsson, Sandra, 1986-, et al.
(author)
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Enlarged cross-sectional area in peripheral nerves in Swedish patients with hereditary V30M transthyretin amyloidosis
- 2023
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In: Annals of Medicine. - : Taylor & Francis Group. - 0785-3890 .- 1365-2060. ; 55:2
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Introduction: In hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTRv), two different fibrillar forms causing the amyloid deposition, have been identified, displaying substantially cardiac or neuropathic symptoms. Neuropathic symptoms are more frequent in early-onset patients, whereas late-onset patients, besides cardiac symptoms, seem to develop carpal tunnel syndrome, more often. With ultrasonography (US) of peripheral nerves, it is possible to distinguish structural changes, and enlarged cross-sectional area (CSA). The main purpose of this study was, for the first time, to elucidate US of peripheral nerves in Swedish ATTRv patients at an early stage of the disease, and to evaluate possible early enlarged CSA.Material and methods: This prospective study included first visit data of 13 patients, aged 30–88 years, of which 11 with late-onset age. All had a positive V30M mutation. Eight men and six women (aged 28–74 years) served as controls.Results: Significantly enlarged CSA was seen in ATTRv patients for the tibial nerve at the ankle (p =.001), the sural nerve (p <.001), the peroneal nerve at the popliteal fossa (p =.003), and the ulnar nerve at the middle upper arm (p =.007).Conclusion: US of peripheral nerves could be a valuable tool in disease evaluation and could facilitate monitoring of disease progression.
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| 4. |
- Broman, J., et al.
(author)
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Association of post-stroke-initiated antidepressants with long-term outcomes in young adults with ischaemic stroke
- 2022
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In: Annals of Medicine. - : Informa UK Limited. - 0785-3890 .- 1365-2060. ; 54:1, s. 1757-1766
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective We examined the association between initiation of antidepressants within the first year after ischaemic stroke (IS) in young adults and long-term fatal and non-fatal cardiovascular events, as well as all-cause mortality. Patients and methods The Helsinki Young Stroke Registry (HYSR) includes patients aged 15-49 years with their first-ever IS occurring 1994-2007. From nationwide registers, we obtained data on prescriptions (1993-2011) and outcomes of interest (1994-2011). Time of initiating post-stroke antidepressants (PSADs) was defined as time of the first filled prescription for antidepressants within the first year from IS. To account for non-random assignment of PSADs, we performed propensity score matching and studied the relationship between PSAD initiation and outcomes using Cox regression models with time-varying coefficients. Results Of all patients (n = 888), 206 (23.2%) initiated PSADs within the first year, of which 203 (98.5%) could be matched to 406 non-initiators. In this matched sample of 609 patients, the median follow-up time was 8.1 (interquartile range [IQR] 5.0-12.6) years and 169 (28.9%) patients had any cardiovascular events, 95 (15.8%) had recurrent ischaemic or haemorrhagic strokes and 106 (17.4%) died. Adjusted for sociodemographics and cardiovascular comorbidities, PSAD initiation was associated with recurrent ischaemic or haemorrhagic stroke 5-10 years after IS (hazard ratio [HR] 3.07, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.32-7.12). No association emerged between PSAD initiation and other outcomes. Conclusions In young adults, PSAD initiation within the first year after IS was associated with a heightened hazard of recurrent ischaemic or haemorrhagic stroke in the long term. Future studies are needed to verify the results and to further study the nature of this finding. KEY MESSAGES Initiation of post-stroke antidepressants (PSADs) within the first year after ischaemic stroke (IS) was associated with a heightened hazard of recurrent ischaemic or haemorrhagic stroke in the long term. Patients starting antidepressants after IS should be followed up more closely in case of recurrent events. Future studies are needed to verify the results and to further study the nature of this finding.
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| 5. |
- Burnett, Wadena D., et al.
(author)
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The effect of selected rest break activities on reaction time, balance, and perceived discomfort after one hour of simulated occupational whole-body vibration exposure in healthy adults
- 2023
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In: Annals of Medicine. - : Informa UK Limited. - 0785-3890 .- 1365-2060. ; 55:2
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background & Objective: Negative health effects from occupational whole-body vibration (WBV) exposure during machinery operation include alterations in proprioception, vestibular function, reaction time, stress, motor response, and decrements in musculoskeletal health. To reduce WBV exposure during machinery operation, it may be possible to incorporate short rest break activities throughout the day. This study aims to determine if there are intervention activities that can minimize decrements in cognitive, proprioceptive, and musculoskeletal effects related to WBV exposure during machine operation. Materials & Methods: Eleven healthy adults participated in four 1-hour sessions of ecologically valid WBV exposure followed by one of four 5-minute activities: sitting, walking, 2 min of gaze stabilization exercise (GSE) coupled with 3 min of trunk mobility exercise (GSE + MOBIL), or 2 min of GSE coupled with a 3-minute walk (GSE + WALK). Baseline and post-activity measurements (rating of perceived discomfort, balance and postural sway measurements, 5-minute psychomotor vigilance task test) were submitted to a paired t-test to determine the effect of WBV exposure and activities on physical, cognitive, and sensorimotor systems and to a repeated measures ANOVA to determine any differences across activities. Results: We observed degradation of the slowest 10% reaction speed outcomes between baseline and post-activity after walking (7.3%, p < 0.05) and sitting (8.6%, p < 0.05) but not after GSE + MOBIL or GSE + WALK activities. Slowest 10% reaction speed after GSE + MOBIL activity was faster than all other activities. The rating of perceived discomfort was higher after SIT and WALK activities. There were no notable differences in balance outcomes. Conclusion: When compared to sitting for 5 min, an activity including GSE and an active component, such as walking or trunk mobility exercises, resulted in maintenance of reaction time after WBV exposure. If confirmed in occupational environments, GSE may provide a simple, rapid, effective, and inexpensive means to protect against decrements in reaction time after WBV exposure.
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| 6. |
- Edvardsson, Maria, et al.
(author)
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Diabetes type 2: relationships between lysosomal exocytosis of circulating normal-sized platelets and in vitro alpha-thrombin-evoked platelet responses
- 2023
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In: Annals of Medicine. - : TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD. - 0785-3890 .- 1365-2060. ; 55:1, s. 1102-1110
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background/objective: Type 2 diabetes is a major risk factor for atherosclerotic disease. It is well agreed that the reactivity of diabetic platelets is increased but how platelet reactivity regulates is unknown. In our laboratory, density separated platelets have been investigated extensively and high- and low-density platelets circulate in an activated state. The density distribution of circulating platelets is altered in diabetes type 2 as well. We hypothesize that such platelets modify whole blood (WB) in vitro a-thrombin-evoked (10 mu M/mL) activity in type 2 diabetes. Thus, the study aims to identify features of circulating normal-sized density subpopulations affecting whole blood (WB) platelet reactivity in type 2 diabetes. Patients and methods: Patients with type 2 diabetes (n = 16) were enrolled. Their normal-sized platelets were divided into density subfractions (n = 16) using continuous polyvinylpyrrolidone-coated silica (Percoll (TM)) gradients (density span, 1.090-1.040 kg/L) containing prostaglandin E-1. The proportions (%) of such density-separated platelets expressing lysosomal-associated membrane protein 1 (LAMP-1) were analyzed using a flow cytometer. Further, determinations of WB alpha-thrombin-evoked (10 U/mL) surface LAMP-1 (an assessment of lysosomal release), the fibrinogen (a(IIb)beta(3)) receptor activity, annexin V (binds to exposed membrane phosphatidylserine), and mitochondrial transmembrane potentials (an estimate of organelle integrity) were performed. Surface LAMP-1 expressions of individual normal-sized platelet density subpopulations were stratified into equal-sized groups (n = 2) depending on reactivity, as judged from the alpha-thrombin-induced WB activity markers. Results: With some exceptions, the proportion of normal-sized circulating platelets showing spontaneous LAMP-1 was strongly associated with WB alpha-thrombin-evoked (10 U/mL) surface LAMP-1 and a(IIb)beta(3) receptor activity. LAMP-1-expressing normal-sized platelets also displayed inverse associations with WB alpha-thrombin-induced surface annexin V and mitochondrial damage, which are features of procoagulant platelets. Conclusions: From the current descriptive work only involving type 2 diabetes, it is impossible to judge whether the findings are features of the disease or if they occur in healthy individuals as well. However, the study describes LAMP-1 expressing subpopulations of circulating normal-sized platelets that associate with WB a-thrombin (10 U/mL) responses in vitro. Increased proportions of such platelets induced lysosomal release and a(IIb)beta(3) receptor activity, whereas lower proportions promoted WB agonist-induced procoagulant platelet creation. It is to hypothesize that the new described regulatory mechanism could in the future offer a possibility to influence platelet behavior in type 2 diabetes. KEY MESSAGES circle Lysosomal exocytosis of circulating platelets influences reactivity, as determined by agonistinduced platelet reactions in vitro circle Thus, the low release of lysosomes by normal-sized platelets in vivo increases agonist-evoked procoagulant platelet production. circle Higher lysosomal exocytosis of circulating normal-sized platelets promotes platelet aggregation and secretion.
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| 7. |
- Hjalte, Frida, et al.
(author)
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Health care resource use, diagnostic delay and disease burden in transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy in Sweden
- 2023
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In: Annals of Medicine. - : Taylor & Francis. - 0785-3890 .- 1365-2060. ; 55:2
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Aims: To estimate healthcare resource use and direct healthcare costs of Transthyretin Amyloid Cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM) in Sweden over 12 months across severity stages as defined by the New York Heart Association (NYHA). Secondary to investigate the current diagnostic trajectory for patients with ATTR-CM in Sweden.Methods: A stratified inclusion of patients with a confirmed diagnosis of ATTR-CM in different NYHA classes. Data was extracted from medical records in two cardiology clinics in Sweden. Healthcare resource use data were retrospectively collected for 12 months.Results: 38 patients were included, of whom 7 were in NYHA class II, 20 in class III and 4 in class IV. The total cost of health care per patient increased from SEK 69,000 (euro6800) in NYHA stage II, SEK 219,000 (euro21,500) in NYHA stage III, to SEK 638,000 (euro62,900) in stage IV, mainly due to an increase in inpatient stays. Mean time (standard deviation, SD) from any cardiac related diagnosis prior to ATTR-CM diagnosis was 3.5 (3.1) years.Conclusions: Advanced ATTR-CM stages are associated with significant healthcare costs, as patients more often require resource-intensive inpatient care. The current diagnostic trajectory of ATTR-CM in this study was characterized by a diagnostic delay of several years.
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