| 1. |
- Skoogh, Johanna, 1975, et al.
(author)
-
Testicular-cancer survivors experience compromised language following chemotherapy: Findings in a Swedish population-based study 3-26 years after treatment.
- 2012
-
In: Acta oncologica. - 0284-186X .- 1651-226X. ; 51:2, s. 185-197
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Abstract Background. Studies suggest an increased risk for compromised cognitive function among cancer survivors. It is unclear to what extent chemotherapy is the cause and how the dysfunction, when present, affects everyday life. The objective was to study self-reported behaviours that may depend on cognitive function, among testicular-cancer survivors who received various cycles of cisplatin-based chemotherapy by comparing them with those who did not. Material and methods. We identified 1173 eligible men diagnosed with non-seminomatous testicular cancer treated according to the national cancer-care programs SWENOTECA I-IV between 1981 and 2004. During an 18-month qualitative phase we constructed a study-specific questionnaire including questions about specific activities and behaviour in everyday life. Results. We obtained information from 960 of 1173 (82%) testicular-cancer survivors diagnosed on average 11 years previously. The prevalence of "saying similar but incorrect words" at least once a week was 5% among those having received no chemotherapy versus 16% among those having received five or more cycles, giving a prevalence ratio ("relative risk", RR) of 3.3 with a 95% confidence interval of 1.5 to 7.1. The corresponding figure for "saying words in the wrong order" was 3.1 (1.7-5.8), for "difficulties understanding what other people mean" 3.1 (1.3-7.7), for "saying words other than planned" 2.2 (1.1-4.5) and for "difficulties completing sentences" 2.0 (1.0-3.6). The relative risks for those with a low level of education ranged between 4.9 (1.6-14.9) and 15.3 (1.9-120.5). Conclusion. Testicular-cancer survivors in Sweden who have received five or more cycles of cisplatin-based chemotherapy experience an increased incidence of long-term compromised language; the effect is primarily seen among men with a low level of education.
|
|
| 2. |
|
|
| 3. |
- Bergh, Ingrid, 1956, et al.
(author)
-
Comparison of the PainMatcher and the Visual Analogue Scale for assessment of labour pain following administered pain relief treatment.
- 2011
-
In: Midwifery. - : Elsevier BV. - 1532-3099 .- 0266-6138. ; 27:1
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- OBJECTIVE: during childbirth, it is necessary to assess and monitor experienced pain and to evaluate the effect of pain relief treatment. The aim of this study was to compare the PainMatcher((R)) (PM) with the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for the assessment of labour pain and the effect of pain relief treatment. DESIGN: randomised controlled trial. SETTING: labour ward with approximately 2500 childbirths per year in western Sweden. PARTICIPANTS: 57 women with labour pain treated with acupuncture or sterile water injections scored their electrical pain threshold and pain intensity with the PM. Pain intensity was also assessed with the VAS. Electrical pain threshold and pain intensity were assessed immediately after a uterine contraction before and 30, 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180minutes after treatment. MEASUREMENTS AND FINDINGS: the results showed a weak correlation (r=0.13, p<0.05) between the pain intensity scores on the PM and the VAS. The PM detected changes (decrease) in pain intensity to a lower degree than the VAS. Surprisingly, in over 10% of sessions, women scored their pain intensity during a uterine contraction lower than their electrical pain threshold with the PM. However, electrical pain thresholds with the PM correlated well throughout all measurements. CONCLUSIONS: the PM is a reliable tool for the assessment of electrical pain threshold; however, the VAS is more sensitive than the PM for recording changes in pain intensity when assessing the effects of treatment on labour pain. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: the PM and the VAS are not interchangeable in the case of labour pain, and there is still a need for research in this area to find a more suitable assessment instrument for the evaluation of labour pain.
|
|
| 4. |
- Eckerström, Marie, 1981, et al.
(author)
-
Sahlgrenska Academy Self-reported Cognitive Impairment Questionnaire (SASCI-Q) - a research tool discriminating between subjectively cognitively impaired patients and healthy controls.
- 2013
-
In: International psychogeriatrics / IPA. - 1741-203X. ; 25:3, s. 420-430
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- ABSTRACT Background: Subjective cognitive impairment (SCI) is a potential early marker for actual cognitive decline. The cognitive manifestation of the SCI stage is, however, largely unknown. Self-report instruments developed especially for use in the SCI population are lacking, and many SCI studies have not excluded mild cognitive impairment and dementia. We developed and tested a patient-based questionnaire on everyday cognitive function aiming to discriminate between patients with subjective, but not objective, cognitive impairment and healthy controls. Methods: Individuals experiencing cognitive impairment were interviewed to generate a pool of items. After condensing to 97 items, we tested the questionnaire in 93 SCI patients seeking care at a memory clinic (age M = 64.5 years, Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) M = 29.0) and 50 healthy controls (age M = 69.6 years, MMSE M = 29.3). Further item reduction was conducted to maximize that remaining items would discriminate between SCI patients and controls, using a conservative α level and requiring medium to high effect sizes. Internal consistency reliability and convergent validity was subsequently examined. Results: Forty-five items discriminated between the groups, resulting in the Sahlgrenska Academy Self-reported Cognitive Impairment Questionnaire (SASCI-Q). Internal consistency was high and correlations to a single question on memory functioning were of medium to large sizes. Most remaining items were related to the memory domain. Conclusion: The SASCI-Q discriminates between SCI patients and healthy controls and demonstrates satisfying psychometric properties. The instrument provides a research method for examining SCI and forms a foundation for future examining which SCI symptoms predict objective cognitive decline. The cognitive manifestation of the SCI stage is mostly related to experiences of memory deficits.
|
|
| 5. |
- Eilegård Wallin, Alexandra, 1975-, et al.
(author)
-
Bereaved siblings' perception of participating in research : a nationwide study
- 2013
-
In: Psycho-Oncology. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 1057-9249 .- 1099-1611. ; 22:2, s. 411-416
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- ObjectiveThe objective of the present study is to examine bereaved siblings' perception of research participation.MethodsA Swedish nationwide study on avoidable and modifiable health care‐related factors in paediatric oncology among bereaved siblings who lost a brother or sister to cancer between the years 2000 and 2007 was conducted. Data are presented as proportions, and the differences between groups were statistically tested at the 5% significant level using Fisher's exact test.ResultsOut of 240 eligible siblings, 174 responded (73 %). None of the siblings (0/168) thought their participation would affect them negatively in the long term. However, 13% (21/168) stated it was a negative experience to fill out the questionnaire, whereas 84% (142/169) found it to be a positive experience. Women were more likely to report their participation as positive in a long‐term perspective compared with men (p = 0.018).ConclusionsNone of the bereaved siblings in this Swedish nationwide study anticipated any long‐term negative effect from their research participation. A majority reported it as positive to revisit their needs and experiences throughout their brother or sister's illness and death 2–9 years following the loss. We believe that the stepwise approach used in this study contributed to the high acceptance.
|
|
| 6. |
- Eilegård Wallin, Alexandra, 1975-, et al.
(author)
-
Psychological health in siblings who lost a brother or sister to cancer 2 to 9 years earlier
- 2013
-
In: Psycho-Oncology. - : Wiley-Blackwell. - 1057-9249 .- 1099-1611. ; 22:3, s. 683-691
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to assess long-term psychological distress in siblings who lost a brother or sister to cancer 2 to 9 years earlier, as compared with a control group of non-bereaved siblings from the general population.METHODS: During 2009, we conducted a nationwide follow-up study in Sweden by using an anonymous study-specific questionnaire. Siblings who had lost a brother or sister to cancer between the years 2000 and 2007 and also a control group of non-bereaved siblings from the general population were invited to participate. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was used to measure psychological distress, and to test for differences in the ordinal outcome responses between the groups, we used Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney rank-sum test.RESULTS: Among the bereaved siblings, 174/240 (73%) participated and 219/293 (75%) among the non-bereaved. Self-assessed low self-esteem (p = 0.002), difficulties falling asleep (p = 0.005), and low level of personal maturity (p = 0.007) at follow-up were more prevalent among bereaved siblings. However, anxiety (p = 0.298) and depression (p = 0.946), according to HADS, were similar.CONCLUSION: Bereaved siblings are at increased risk of low self-esteem, low level of personal maturity and difficulties falling asleep as compared with non-bereaved peers. Yet, the bereaved were not more likely to report anxiety or depression.
|
|
| 7. |
- Eilertsen, M. E. B., et al.
(author)
-
Impact of Social Support on Bereaved Siblings' Anxiety: A Nationwide Follow-Up
- 2013
-
In: Journal of Pediatric Oncology Nursing. - : SAGE Publications. - 1043-4542 .- 1532-8457. ; 30:6, s. 301-310
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Purpose:To assess adolescent and young adult siblings' perception of social support prior to and following the loss of their brother or sister to cancer, 2 to 9 years earlier, and their anxiety at follow-up. Method: In 2009, 174 (73%) bereaved siblings (12-25 years) participated in a nationwide, long-term follow-up study in Sweden using an anonymous study-specific questionnaire. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale was used to measure self-assessed anxiety. Results: Siblings had a higher risk of anxiety if they perceived their need for social support was unsatisfied during their brother or sisters' last month before death, relative risk (RR) = 3.6 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.8-7.3); time after death, RR = 2.9 (95% CI = 1.5-5.6); and at follow-up, RR = 3.8 (95% CI = 2.0-7.2). Furthermore, a higher risk for anxiety was shown for siblings if they did not perceive that their parents and neighbors cared for them after their brother or sisters' death, RR = 2.7 (95% CI = 1.3-5.5), RR = 5.4 (95% CI = 1.3-21.9), respectively. Conclusion: Bereaved siblings had a greater probability to report self-assessed anxiety if they perceived that their need for social support was not satisfied prior to and following death. Information from both nurses and other health care professionals to families about the impact of social support may contribute to lessen the siblings' risk of anxiety.
|
|
| 8. |
- Selin, Lotta, et al.
(author)
-
High dose versus low dose oxytocin for augmentation of delayed labour, a randomized controlled trial
- 2014
-
In: Optimizing childbirth across Europe - an intedisciplinary maternity care conference. 9-10 April 2014, Brussels. Part of COST Action IS0907: Childbirth Cultures, Concerns & Consequences: Creating a dynamic EU framework for Optimal maternity care..
-
Conference paper (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Introduction: Delay in labour due to ineffective uterine contractions is a major problem in obstetric care and a main reason for the increased rate of caesarean deliveries, particularly among nulliparous women. Infusion with synthetic oxytocin is a commonly used treatment of hypotonic uterine contractions however there is a gap of knowledge concerning which dosage of oxytocin should be used, both starting dose and increment dose of oxytocin. Aim of the study: The aim is to compare starting dose and increment of amount of oxytocin for augmentation of delayed labour to determine whether augmentation by high dose of oxytocin improves labour outcomes compared with a low dose of oxytocin, without affecting neonatal or maternal outcomes including birth experiences negatively. Research methodology: In a randomized double-blind controlled trial conducted in three labour wards in Sweden, consenting nulliparous women in active labour and with a defined delayed progress are randomized to receive a regimen of either high dose or low dose of oxytocin (33.2 respectively 16,6 microgram oxytocin in 1000 ml isotone saline solution). randomization will be computer-generated, with allocation concealment by a coding system. Primary outcome is caesarean delivery rate. Based on a sample size calculation (α=0.05, β=0.80), a minimum of 688 women will be included in each group in order to reduce caesarean section rate from 17.5 % to 12 %. Ethical approval: The study is approved by the regional Ethics Board in Gothenburg (dnr: 090-12), and by the medical Products Agency –Sweden (Eudra-CTnr:2012-000356-33). Study finding: This poster will describe the study protocol and the first period of data collection. Results will concern: 1) maternal and fetal outcomes in randomized groups, and 2) maternal overall childbirth experience including labour pain. Conclusion: The study will contribute to establishment of evidencebased routines regarding oxytocin treatment of delayed labour progress.
|
|
| 9. |
- Sveen, Josefin, et al.
(author)
-
They still grieve : a nationwide follow‐up of young adults 2–9 years after losing a sibling to cancer
- 2014
-
In: Psycho-Oncology. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 1057-9249 .- 1099-1611. ; 23:6, s. 658-664
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objectives: The aims of this study were to assess the prevalence of unresolved grief in bereaved young adult siblings and examine possible contributing factors.Methods: The study was a Swedish population-based study of young adults who had lost a brother or sister to cancer, 2-9 years earlier. Of 240 eligible siblings, 174 (73%) completed a study-specific questionnaire. This study focused on whether the respondents had worked through their grief over the sibling's death and to what extent.Results: A majority (54%) of siblings stated that they had worked through their grief either 'not at all' or 'to some extent' at the time of investigation. In multiple regression analyses with unresolved grief as the dependent variable, 21% of the variance was explained by lack of social support and shorter time since loss.Conclusion: The majority of bereaved young adults had not worked through their grief over the sibling's death. A small group of siblings reported that they had not worked through their grief at all, which may be an indicator of prolonged grief. Lack of social support and more recent loss were associated with not having worked through the grief over the sibling's death. Keywords: bereavement; cancer; grief; oncology; sibling loss; young adult loss.
|
|
| 10. |
- von Otter, Malin, 1978, et al.
(author)
-
Kinesin Light Chain 1 Gene Haplotypes in Three Conformational Diseases
- 2010
-
In: NeuroMolecular Medicine. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1535-1084 .- 1559-1174. ; 12:3, s. 229-236
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A functional intracellular transport system is essential to maintain cell shape and function especially in elongated cells, e.g. neurons and lens fibre cells. Impaired intracellular transport has been suggested as a common pathological mechanism for age-related diseases characterised by protein aggregation. Here, we hypothesise that common genetic variation in the transport protein kinesin may influence the risk of Parkinson's disease (PD), Alzheimer's disease (AD) and age-related cataract. This case-control study involves a PD material (165 cases and 190 controls), an AD material (653 cases and 845 controls) and a cataract material (495 cases and 183 controls). Genetic variation in the kinesin light chain 1-encoding gene (KLC1) was tagged by six tag single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Single SNPs and haplotypes were analysed for associations with disease risk, age parameters, mini-mental state examination scores and cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers for AD using logistic or linear regression. Genetic variation in KLC1 did not influence risk of PD. Weak associations with risk of AD were seen for rs8007903 and rs3212079 (P (c) = 0.04 and P (c) = 0.02, respectively). Two SNPs (rs8007903 and rs8702) influenced risk of cataract (P (c) = 0.0007 and P (c) = 0.04, respectively). However, the allele of rs8007903 that caused increased risk of AD caused reduced risk of cataract, speaking against a common functional effect of this particular SNP in the two diseases. Haplotype analyses did not add significantly to the associations found in the single SNP analyses. Altogether, these results do not convincingly support KLC1 as a major susceptibility gene in any of the studied diseases, although there is a small effect of KLC1 in relation to cataract.
|
|
