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- Ekbom, Tord, et al.
(author)
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Decrease in high density lipoprotein cholesterol during prolonged storage. CELL Study Group
- 1996
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In: Scandinavian Journal of Clinical & Laboratory Investigation. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1502-7686 .- 0036-5513. ; 56:2, s. 97-101
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Different studies on the stability of high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) in frozen serum or plasma have yielded conflicting results, namely increase, decrease, or no change at all during prolonged storage under freezing conditions. As part of a major trial on lipid-lowering strategies we statistically demonstrated a time-related decrease in HDL cholesterol during storage up to 46 months at -20 degrees C. We therefore re-analysed 85 frozen samples that had been analysed fresh and then stored from 26 to 46 months, using the dextran sulphate 500/Mg2+ method. A linear regression analysis of change in HDL cholesterol on time was performed. The slope was significantly negative (p < 0.0005). The regression equation was (decrease in HDL) = 0.05 - 0.008 x (time in months), i.e. after 6 months' storage at -20 degrees C there was almost a 1% decrease in the HDL cholesterol concentration per month of storage.
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| 2. |
- Johannesson, Magnus, et al.
(author)
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The cost effectiveness of lipid lowering in Swedish primary health care
- 1996
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In: Journal of internal medicine. - : Blackwell Science Ltd. - 1365-2796 .- 0954-6820. ; 240:1, s. 23-29
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective. To evaluate the cost‐effectiveness of two types of advice (usual and intensive) to lower cardiovascular risk, with or without pharmacological medication aimed at lowering cholesterol levels. Design. Prospective, randomized, controlled clinical study of 18 months' duration. Setting. Thirty‐two primary health care centres in Sweden. Subjects. A total of 384 males, aged 30–59 years, with at least one cardiovascular risk factor in addition to moderate primary hyperlipidaemia; of these, 355 completed the 18‐month follow‐up. Interventions. Intensive advice consisted of group sessions led by a health care professional; the usual level of advice was given at follow‐up visits. The pharmacological intervention consisted of pravastatin. The goal was to achieve a 15% reduction in cholesterol. Main outcome measures. Cost per life‐year gained based on the change in serum cholesterol and the net intervention cost of the four treatment options. Results. The usual level of advice and intensive advice in combination with pharmacological treatment achieved no incremental effects and were not considered in the cost‐effectiveness analysis. The cost per life‐year gained of pharmacological treatment compared with intensive advice decreased. The cost per life‐year gained of pharmacological treatment compared with no treatment was about $61 000, if no adverse consequences on noncardiovascular mortality were assumed. Conclusions. According to the results of the CELL trial, intensive advice is not a cost‐effective strategy compared with lipid‐lowering drug treatment. However, it is also doubtful whether drug treatment as primary prevention is cost‐effective compared with no treatment in the studied patient population.
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| 7. |
- Montnemery, Peter, et al.
(author)
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Prevalence of obstructive lung diseases and respiratory symptoms in southern Sweden
- 1998
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In: Respiratory Medicine. - 1532-3064. ; 92:12, s. 1337-1345
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The prevalence of obstructive lung diseases is increasing in Scandinavia and worldwide. The reasons for this are not known. The prevalence varies between countries but also between different areas within the same country. In northern Europe a north-south gradient and also an east-west gradient have been proposed. To our knowledge this is the first comprehensive epidemiological study concerning obstructive lung diseases and respiratory symptoms in the southern part of Sweden. The prevalence of bronchial asthma, chronic bronchitis/emphysema, respiratory symptoms, smoking habits and medication in a random sample of 12,071 adults aged 20-59 years was assessed in a postal survey with a slightly modified questionnaire previously used in central and northern Sweden (the OLIN Studies). The questionnaire was based on the British Medical Research Council (BMRC) questionnaire. We also compared the prevalence figures of asthma found in the postal survey with those reported in the medical records in a part of the study area. After two reminders, the response rate was 70.1% (n = 8469); 33.8% of the responders were smokers. Among younger (20-39 year age group) individuals, smoking was most common in women, whereas in those aged 40-59 years, smoking was more common in men. In all, 469 subjects (5.5%) stated that they had asthma, 41.6% of whom reported a family history of asthma compared to 15.9% of the study sample not reporting asthma. Of all subjects reporting asthma, 60.1% (n = 282) answered that they used asthma drugs. Inhaled steroids were used by 20.7%. Chronic bronchitis and/or emphysema was reported by 4.6% (n = 392), 28.6% of whom reported a family history of chronic bronchitis or emphysema compared to 6.8% of the study sample not reporting chronic bronchitis. The most common respiratory symptom in the study population was 'phlegm when coughing' reported by 15.1% (n = 1279). Our data show a prevalence of self-reported asthma of 5.5% compared with 7% reported by Lunback et al. in northern Sweden, which indicates a north-south gradient.
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