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- Berg, Lena, et al.
(author)
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Avbrott på akutmottagning
- 2011
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In: 6:e nationella konferensen om patientsäkerhet. - Stockholm.
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)
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- Berg, Lena M, et al.
(author)
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An observational study of activities and multitasking performed by clinicians in two Swedish emergency departments
- 2012
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In: European journal of emergency medicine. - London : Chapman & Hall. - 0969-9546 .- 1473-5695. ; 19:4, s. 246-251
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objectives: To explore the type and frequency of activities and multitasking performed by emergency department clinicians.Methods: Eighteen clinicians (licensed practical nurses, registered nurses and medical doctors), six from each occupational group, at two Swedish emergency departments were followed in their clinical work for 2 h each to observe all their activities and multitasking practices. Data were analysed using qualitative and quantitative content analysis.Results: Fifteen categories of activities could be identified based on 1882 observed activities during the 36 h of observation. The most common activity was information exchange, which was most often performed face-to-face. This activity represented 42.1% of the total number of observed activities. Information exchange was also the most common activity to be multitasked. Registered nurses performed most activities and their activities were multitasked more than the other clinicians. The nurses’ and doctors’ offices were the most common locations for multitasking in the emergency department.Conclusion: This study provides new knowledge regarding the activities conducted by clinicians in the emergency department. The most frequent activity was information exchange, which was the activity most often performed by the clinicians when multitasking occurred. Differences between clinicians were found for activities performed and multitasked, with registered nurses showing the highest frequencies for both.
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- Berg, Lena M, et al.
(author)
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Associations between crowding and ten-day mortality among patients allocated lower triage acuity levels without need of acute hospital care on departure from the emergency department
- 2019
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In: Annals of Emergency Medicine. - : Elsevier BV. - 0196-0644 .- 1097-6760. ; 74:3, s. 345-356
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- STUDY OBJECTIVE: We describe the association between emergency department (ED) crowding and 10-day mortality for patients triaged to lower acuity levels at ED arrival and without need of acute hospital care on ED departure.METHODS: This was a registry study based on ED visits with all patients aged 18 years or older, with triage acuity levels 3 to 5, and without need of acute hospital care on ED departure during 2009 to 2016 (n=705,699). The sample was divided into patients surviving (n=705,076) or dying (n=623) within 10 days. Variables concerning patient characteristics and measures of ED crowding (mean length of stay and ED occupancy ratio) were extracted from the hospital's electronic health records. ED length of stay per ED visit was estimated by the average length of stay for all patients who presented to the ED during the same day and shift and with the same acuity level. The 10-day mortality after ED discharge was used as the outcome measure. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted.RESULTS: The 10-day mortality rate was 0.09% (n=623). The event group had larger proportions of patients aged 80 years or older (51.4% versus 7.7%) and triaged with acuity level 3 (63.3% versus 35.6%), and greater comorbidity (age-combined Charlson comorbidity index median interquartile range 6 versus 0). We observed an increased 10-day mortality for patients with a mean ED length of stay greater than or equal to 8 hours versus less than 2 hours (adjusted odds ratio 5.86; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.15 to 15.94) and for elevated ED occupancy ratio. Adjusted odds ratios for ED occupancy ratio quartiles 2, 3, and 4 versus quartile 1 were 1.48 (95% CI 1.14 to 1.92), 1.63 (95% CI 1.24 to 2.14), and 1.53 (95% CI 1.15 to 2.03), respectively.CONCLUSION: Patients assigned to lower triage acuity levels when arriving to the ED and without need of acute hospital care on departure from the ED had higher 10-day mortality when the mean ED length of stay exceeded 8 hours and when ED occupancy ratio increased.
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6. |
- Berg, Lena M, et al.
(author)
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Factors influencing clinicians' perceptions of interruptions as disturbing or non-disturbing : a qualitative study
- 2016
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In: International Emergency Nursing. - : Elsevier. - 1755-599X .- 1878-013X. ; 27, s. 11-16
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- OBJECTIVE: Emergency departments consist of multiple systems requiring interaction with one another while still being able to operate independently, creating frequent interruptions in the clinical workflow. Most research on interruptions in health care settings has focused on the relationship between interruptions and negative outcomes. However, there are indications that not all interruptions are negatively perceived by those being interrupted. Therefore, this study aimed to explore factors that influence when a clinician perceives interruptions as non-disturbing or disturbing in an emergency department context.METHOD: Explorative design based on interviews with 10 physicians and 10 registered nurses at two Swedish emergency departments. Data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis.RESULT: Factors influencing whether emergency department clinicians perceived interruptions as non-disturbing or disturbing were identified: clinician's constitution, external factors of influence and the nature of the interrupted task. The clinicians' perceptions were related to a complex of attributes inherent in these three factors at the time of the interruption. Thus, the same type of interruption could be perceived as either non-disturbing or disturbing contingent on the surrounding circumstances in which the event occurred.CONCLUSION: Emergency department clinicians' perceptions of interruptions as non-disturbing or disturbing were related to the character of identified influencing factors.
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7. |
- Berg, Lena M
(author)
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Patient safety at emergency departments : challenges with crowding, multitasking and interruptions
- 2018
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Several challenges with patient safety in the emergency department (ED) context have beenpreviously identified, and some commonly mentioned are crowding, multitasking, andinterruptions. The ED is a complex, high-risk work environment where multiple clinicians(physicians, registered nurses [RNs], and licensed practical nurses [LPNs]) are constantlyworking in parallel work processes, in an often crowded ED, while conducting tasksinvolving cognitively demanding decision-making processes. ED crowding has for the past20 years been identified as a problem internationally, resulting in extended ED length of stay(LOS) and increased morbidity and mortality for patients. ED crowding is also considered tohave negative effects on the clinicians' workload and work satisfaction.Both multitasking and interruptions have been identified as risk factors for patient safety byhaving negative effects on a clinician's decision-making processes and thus increasing therisk of forgetting important details and events because of memory overload. However,information has been lacking about what specific work assignments ED clinicians conduct,and thus there is little information about the types of assignments they perform whilemultitasking and being exposed to interruptions. Further, because not all interruptions lead toerrors and because they are not all preventable, a more refined account of interruptions iscalled for. Moreover, it seems that previous studies have not identified which specific factorsinfluence the ED clinicians' perceptions of interruptions. The work environment has beenreferred to as a possible influencing factor, but specific details on the relationship between thework environment and negative effects from interruptions are pending.The overall aim of the thesis was to describe ED crowding, and its influence on EDclinicians' work processes (activities, multitasking, and interruptions) and patient outcomes,from a patient safety perspective. The thesis addressed six research questions: 1) How has EDcharacteristics, patient case mix and occurrence of ED crowding changed over time? 2) Whatwork activities are performed by ED clinicians? 3) What kind of multitasking situations areclinicians exposed to during ED work? 4) What kind of interruptions are clinicians exposedto during ED work? 5) How do ED clinicians perceive interruptions? 6) Is there anassociation between ED crowding and mortality for stable patients without the need for acutehospital care upon departure from the ED?The data in the thesis were generated from two data collections: 1) registry data containingpatient characteristics and measures of ED crowding (ED occupancy ratio [EDOR], ED LOS,and patient/clinician ratios) extracted from the patients' electronic health records (paper I andIV) and 2) observations and interviews with ED clinicians (physicians, RNs, and LPNs)(paper II and III). Nonparametric statistics were used in paper I and III, quantitative and qualitative content analysis were used in paper II and III, and multivariate logistic regressionanalysis was used in paper IV.The main results in the thesis are presented based on Asplin's conceptual model of EDcrowding, from the aspect of input-throughput-output, and how parts of a sub-optimalthroughput influence patient safety through ED clinicians' work processes and patientoutcomes. During 2009 – 2016 there has been a change in patient case mix at the EDs at thestudy hospital, primarily with an increase in unstable patients (input) and a decrease in thenumber of patients admitted to in-hospital care (output). The median for ED LOS over thestudy period increased, and the largest increases occurred among the subgroups of unstablepatients, patients ≥80 years of age, and those admitted to in-hospital care (throughput).Further, an increase in crowding, in terms of median EDOR and median patients per RNratios, was identified, with an increase in EDOR from 0.8 in 2009 to 1.1 in 2016 and anaverage increase of 0.164 patients/RN/year (throughput). The ED clinicians' workassignments consisted of 15 categories of activities, and information exchange was found tobe the most common activity (42.1%). In contrast, the clinicians only spent 9.4% of theiractivities on direct interaction with patients and their families (ED clinicians' workprocesses). The clinicians multitasked during 23% of their total number of performedactivities, and there was an overall interruption rate of 5.1 interruptions per hour. Themajority of the observed multitasking situations and interruptions in the ED clinicians' workoccurred during demanding activities that required focus or concentration (ED clinicians'work processes). Finally, an association was identified between an increase in ED LOS andEDOR and 10-day mortality for stable patients without the need for acute hospital care upondeparture from the ED (patient outcomes).This thesis illustrates how a sub-optimal throughput, affected by conditions in both the inputand output components, negatively influence the ED clinicians' work processes as well aspatient outcomes.
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8. |
- Berg, Lena M, et al.
(author)
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Reasons for interrupting colleagues during emergency department work : A qualitative study
- 2016
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In: International Emergency Nursing. - : Elsevier. - 1755-599X .- 1878-013X. ; 29, s. 21-26
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective: Emergency department team members frequently need to interact with each other, a circumstance causing multiple interruptions. However, information is lacking about the motives underlying these interruptions and this study aimed to explore clinicians' reasons to interrupt colleagues during emergency department work.Method: Semi-structured interviews with 10 physicians and 10 registered nurses at two Swedish emergency departments. The interviews were analyzed inductively using content analysis.Results: The working conditions to some extent sustained the clinicians' need to interrupt, for example different routines. Another reason to interrupt was to improve the initiator's work process, such as when the initiators perceived that the interruption had high clinical relevance. The third reason concerns the desire to influence the work process of colleagues in order to prevent mistakes and provide information for the person being interrupted to improve patient care.Conclusion: The three identified categories for why emergency department clinicians interrupt their colleagues were related to working conditions and a wish to improve/influence the work processes for both initiators and recipients. Several of the reasons given for interrupting colleagues were done in order to improve patient care. Interruptions perceived as negative to the recipient were mostly related to the working conditions.
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9. |
- Berg, Lena M, et al.
(author)
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Significant changes in emergency department length of stay and case mix over eight years at a large Swedish University Hospital
- 2019
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In: International Emergency Nursing. - : Elsevier BV. - 1755-599X .- 1878-013X. ; 43, s. 50-55
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- OBJECTIVE: Describe the longitudinal development of crowding and patient/emergency department (ED) characteristics at a Swedish University Hospital.METHODS: A retrospective longitudinal registry study based on all ED visits with adult patients during 2009-2016 (N = 1,063,806). Patient characteristics and measures of ED crowding (ED occupancy ratio, length-of-stay [LOS], patients/clinician's ratios) were extracted from the hospital's electronic health record. Non-parametric analyses were conducted.RESULTS: The proportion of unstable patients (triage level 1-2) increased while the proportion of admitted patients decreased. All crowding variables were stable, except for LOS, which increased by 9 min/visit/year (95% CI: 8.8-9.1). LOS for visits by patients ≥ 80 years increased more compared to those 18-79 (248 min vs. 190 min, p < 0.001). Unstable patients increased their median LOS compared to stable patients (triage level 3-5). LOS for discharged patients increased with an average of 7.7 min/year (95% CI: 7.5-7.9) compared to 15.5 min/year (95% CI: 15.2-15.8) for those being admitted.CONCLUSION: Fewer admissions, despite an increase of unstable patients, is likely related to lack of in-hospital beds and contributes to ED crowding. The increase in median ED LOS, especially for patients in the subgroups unstable, ≥80 years and admitted to in-hospital care reflects this problem.
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- Källberg, Ann-Sofie, et al.
(author)
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Contributing factors to errors in Swedish emergency departments
- 2015
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In: International Emergency Nursing. - : Elsevier BV. - 1755-599X .- 1878-013X. ; 23:2, s. 156-161
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective: The Emergency Department (ED) is a complex and dynamic environment, often resulting in a somewhat uncontrolled and unpredictable workload. Contributing factors to errors in health care and in the ED are largely related to communication breakdowns. Moreover, the ED work environment is predisposed to multitasking, overcrowding and interruptions. These factors are assumed to have a negative impact on patient safety. Reported errors from care providers are mainly related to diagnostic procedures in Swedish EDs. However, there is a lack of knowledge and national oversight regarding contributing factors. The aim of this study was therefore to describe contributing factors in regards to errors occurring in Swedish EDs. Method: Descriptive design based on registry data from the Lex Maria database of the Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare. Results: The results indicate that factors contributing to errors in Swedish EDs are multifactorial in nature. The most common contributing factor was human error followed by factors in the local ED environment and teamwork failure. Conclusion: Factors contributing to ED errors were multifactorial and included both organizational and teamwork failure in which human error was implicated. To reduce errors, further research is needed to develop methods that disclose latent working conditions such as high workload and interruptions. Patient safety research needs to include understanding of human behaviour in complex organizational systems and the impact of working conditions on patient safety and quality of care.
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14. |
- Källberg, Ann-Sofie, et al.
(author)
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Medical errors and complaints in emergency department care in Sweden as reported by care providers, health care staff and patients : a national review
- 2013
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In: European journal of emergency medicine. - London : Chapman & Hall. - 0969-9546 .- 1473-5695. ; 20:1, s. 33-38
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective: Despite an increase in research, there is still a lack of knowledge about patient safety in emergency departments (EDs) in many European countries. The aim of this study was therefore to describe the incidence and types of reported medical errors and complaints in ED care in Sweden.Methods: Data reported in 2009 were gathered from national authorities, including the National Board of Health and Welfare, the Medical Responsibility Board, the Patients Advisory Committees, and local incident-reporting systems. Data were analyzed by content analysis.Results: Among 428 cases reported by care providers to the National Board of Health and Welfare, 64 (15.0%) were related to ED care. As several cases contained more than one medical error, 92 errors were identified, out of which 39 (42.4%) were related to diagnostic procedures. Among the 4628 cases of complaints reported by patients to the Medical Responsibility Board, 306 (6.6%) were related to ED care. In total, 437 complaints regarding perceived medical errors were identified (several cases contained more than one error), with 189 (43.2%) pertaining to diagnostic procedures. A total of 1341 complaints about ED care were made by patients to the Patients Advisory Committees (n=21), of which 655 (48.8%) were related to care and treatment. There were 7434 medical errors reported to local incident-reporting systems at the EDs (n=45). Of these, 1450 (19.5%) referred to care and treatment.Conclusion: Medical errors and complaints at Swedish EDs, as reported by both patients and care providers, were related mainly to diagnostic procedures and treatments.
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20. |
- Källberg, Ann-Sofie, et al.
(author)
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Physicians' and nurses' perceptions of patient safety risks in the emergency department
- 2017
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In: International Emergency Nursing. - : Elsevier BV. - 1755-599X .- 1878-013X. ; 33, s. 14-19
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The emergency department has been described as a high-risk area for errors. It is also known that working conditions such as a high workload and shortage off staff in the healthcare field are common factors that negatively affect patient safety. A limited amount of research has been conducted with regard to patient safety in Swedish emergency departments. Additionally, there is a lack of knowledge about clinicians' perceptions of patient safety risks. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to describe emergency department clinicians' experiences with regard to patient safety risks.METHOD: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 physicians and 10 registered nurses from two emergency departments. Interviews were analysed by inductive content analysis.RESULTS: The experiences reflect the complexities involved in the daily operation of a professional practice, and the perception of risks due to a high workload, lack of control, communication and organizational failures.CONCLUSION: The results reflect a complex system in which high workload was perceived as a risk for patient safety and that, in a combination with other risks, was thought to further jeopardize patient safety. Emergency department staff should be involved in the development of patient safety procedures in order to increase knowledge regarding risk factors as well as identify strategies which can facilitate the maintenance of patient safety during periods in which the workload is high.
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22. |
- Amnå, Erik, et al.
(author)
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En halv miljard av statens pengar riskerar att slösas bort
- 2007
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In: Göteborgs-Posten. ; 2007-09-13, s. 47-47
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Journal article (pop. science, debate, etc.)abstract
- Minskade anslag gör att den årliga undersökningen om våra levnadsförhållanden hotas att halveras. Det kan drabba redan svaga grupper som äldre, invandrare och ensamstående föräldrar.
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23. |
- Berg, Lena M, et al.
(author)
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Interruptions in emergency department work : an observational and interview study
- 2013
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In: BMJ Quality and Safety. - : BMJ. - 2044-5415 .- 2044-5423. ; 22:8, s. 656-663
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objectiv.e Frequent interruptions are assumed to have a negative effect on healthcare clinicians’ working memory that could result in risk for errors and hence threatening patient safety. The aim of this study was to explore interruptions occurring during common activities of clinicians working in emergency departments.Method. Totally 18 clinicians, licensed practical nurses, registered nurses and medical doctors, at two Swedish emergency departments were observed during clinical work for 2 h each. A semistructured interview was conducted directly after the observation to explore their perceptions of interruptions. Data were analysed using non-parametric statistics, and by quantitative and qualitative content analysis.Results. The interruption rate was 5.1 interruptions per hour. Most often the clinicians were exposed to interruptions during activities involving information exchange. Calculated as percentages of categorised performed activities, preparation of medication was the most interrupted activity (28.6%). Face-to-face interaction with a colleague was the most common way to be interrupted (51%). Most common places for interruptions to occur were the nurses’ and doctors’ stations (68%). Medical doctors were the profession interrupted most often and were more often recipients of interruptions induced by others than causing self-interruptions. Most (87%) of the interrupted activities were resumed. Clinicians often did not regard interruptions negatively. Negative perceptions were more likely when the interruptions were considered unnecessary or when they disturbed the work processes.Conclusions. Clinicians were exposed to interruptions most often during information exchange. Relative to its occurrence, preparation of medication was the most common activity to be interrupted, which might increase risk for errors. Interruptions seemed to be perceived as something negative when related to disturbed work processes.
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25. |
- Björklund, Kristina, 1970-
(author)
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24-hour Ambulatory Blood Pressure - Relation to the Insulin Resistance Syndrome and Cardiovascular Disease
- 2002
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- This study examined relationships between 24-hour ambulatory BP and components of the insulin resistance syndrome, and investigated the prognostic significance of 24-hour BP for cardiovascular morbidity in a longitudinal population-based study of 70-year-old men. The findings indicated, that a reduced nocturnal BP fall, nondipping, was a marker of increased risk primarily in subjects with diabetes. A low body mass index and a more favourable serum fatty acid composition at age 50 predicted the development of white-coat as opposed to sustained hypertension over 20 years. Furthermore, cross-sectionally determined hypertensive organ damage at age 70 was detected in sustained hypertensive but not in white-coat hypertensive subjects. In a prospective analysis, 24-hour ambulatory pulse pressure and systolic BP variability at age 70 were strong predictors of subsequent cardiovascular morbidity, independently of office BP and other established risk factors. Isolated ambulatory hypertension, defined as having a normal office BP but increased daytime ambulatory BP, was associated with a significantly increased incidence of cardiovascular events during follow-up. Hypertension constitutes part of the insulin resistance syndrome, and is a common and powerful risk factor for cardiovascular disease in elderly. Blood pressure (BP) measured with 24-hour ambulatory monitoring gives however more detailed information and may be a better estimate of the true BP than conventional office BP. In summary, these data provide further knowledge of 24-hour ambulatory BP and associated metabolic risk profile, and suggest that the prognostic value of 24-hour ambulatory BP is superior to conventional BP in an elderly population.
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26. |
- Byhamre, Marja Lisa, et al.
(author)
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Swedish snus use is associated with mortality : a pooled analysis of eight prospective studies
- 2020
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In: International Journal of Epidemiology. - : Oxford University Press. - 0300-5771 .- 1464-3685. ; 49:6, s. 2041-2050
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: The health consequences of the use of Swedish snus, including its relationship with mortality, have not been fully established. We investigated the relationship between snus use and all-cause and cause-specific mortality (death due to cardiovascular diseases, cancer diseases and all other reasons, respectively) in a nationwide collaborative pooling project.METHODS: We followed 169 103 never-smoking men from eight Swedish cohort studies, recruited in 1978-2010. Shared frailty models with random effects at the study level were used in order to estimate adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of mortality associated with snus use.RESULTS: Exclusive current snus users had an increased risk of all-cause mortality (aHR 1.28, 95% CI 1.20-1.35), cardiovascular mortality (aHR 1.27, 95% CI 1.15-1.41) and other cause mortality (aHR 1.37, 95% CI 1.24-1.52) compared with never-users of tobacco. The risk of cancer mortality was also increased (aHR 1.12, 95% CI 1.00-1.26). These mortality risks increased with duration of snus use, but not with weekly amount.CONCLUSIONS: Snus use among men is associated with increased all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, with death from other causes and possibly with increased cancer mortality.
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27. |
- Hergens, Maria-Pia, et al.
(author)
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Use of Scandinavian Moist Smokeless Tobacco (Snus) and the Risk of Atrial Fibrillation
- 2014
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In: Epidemiology. - 1044-3983 .- 1531-5487. ; 25:6, s. 872-876
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Snus is a smokeless tobacco product, widely used among Swedish men and increasingly so elsewhere. There is debate as to whether snus is an acceptable "harm-reduction" tobacco product. Since snus use delivers a dose of nicotine equivalent to cigarettes, and has been implicated in cardiac arrhythmia because of associations with sudden cardiovascular death, a relation with atrial fibrillation is plausible and important to investigate.METHODS:: To assess the relation between use of snus and risk of atrial fibrillation, we carried out a pooled analysis of 7 prospective Swedish cohort studies. In total, 274,882 men, recruited between 1978 and 2004, were followed via the National Patient Register for atrial fibrillation. Primary analyses were restricted to 127,907 never-smokers. Relative risks were estimated using Cox proportional hazard regression.RESULTS:: The prevalence of snus use was 25% among never-smokers. During follow-up, 3,069 cases of atrial fibrillation were identified. The pooled relative risk of atrial fibrillation was 1.07 (95% confidence interval = 0.97-1.19) in current snus users, compared with nonusers.CONCLUSION:: Findings from this large national pooling project indicate that snus use is unlikely to confer any important increase in risk of atrial fibrillation.
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28. |
- Ingelsson, Erik, 1975-
(author)
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Insulin Resistance and Inflammation as Risk Factors for Congestive Heart Failure
- 2005
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality and the identification of modifiable risk factors is crucial in order to diminish suffering of this common disease. The primary aim of this thesis was to investigate novel metabolic risk factors for CHF, with a focus on insulin resistance and inflammation. The secondary aim was to examine the validity of the CHF diagnosis in the Swedish hospital discharge register.This thesis was based on the Uppsala Longitudinal Study of Adult Men (ULSAM) cohort, a community-based prospective study started in 1970. The participants were examined at age 50 and 70 and the data was completed with annual updates on mortality and in-hospital morbidity using national registers. We showed that insulin resistance predicts CHF incidence independently of established risk factors in both middle-aged and elderly men. The previously described association between obesity and subsequent CHF may be mediated partly by insulin resistance. Moreover, it was established that inflammation, measured as erythrocyte sedimentation rate is a significant predictor of CHF, independent of established risk factors including an interim myocardial infarction. Furthermore, a low beta-carotene level, as well as an increased apolipoprotein B/A-I-ratio was found to predict CHF independently of established risk factors.We also showed that the validity of the CHF diagnosis in the Swedish hospital discharge register appears less precise than for other recently investigated cardiovascular diagnoses. However, when including only cases from selected clinics or cases with a primary diagnosis of CHF, the validity is comparable to the above diagnoses. In conclusion, insulin resistance and inflammation are strong independent risk factors for the development of CHF, and seem to be involved in the early process leading to CHF. If confirmed, our observations could have large clinical implications as they may offer new approaches in the prevention of CHF.
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29. |
- Jansson, Jan-Håkan, et al.
(author)
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Snus (Swedish smokeless tobacco) use and risk of stroke: pooled analyses of incidence and survival
- 2014
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In: Journal of Internal Medicine. - : Wiley. - 1365-2796 .- 0954-6820. ; 276:1, s. 87-95
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background. Snus is a moist smokeless tobacco product with high nicotine content. Its use has a short-term effect on the cardiovascular system, but the relationship between snus use and stroke is unclear. Objective. The aim of this study was to assess the associations between use of snus and incidence of and survival after stroke, both overall and according to subtypes. Methods. Pooled analyses of eight Swedish prospective cohort studies were conducted, including 130 485 men who never smoked. We estimated hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of incidence and death after diagnosis using Cox proportional hazard regression models and case fatality and survival using logistic regression and Kaplan-Meier methods, respectively. Results. No associations were observed between the use of snus and the risk of overall stroke (HR 1.04, 95% CI 0.92-1.17) or of any of the stroke subtypes. The odds ratio (OR) of 28-day case fatality was 1.42 (95% CI 0.99-2.04) amongst users of snus who had experienced a stroke, and the HR of death during the follow-up period was 1.32 (95% CI 1.08-1.61). Conclusion. Use of snus was not associated with the risk of stroke. Hence, nicotine is unlikely to contribute importantly to the pathophysiology of stroke. However, case fatality was increased in snus users, compared with nonusers, but further studies are needed to determine any possible causal mechanisms.
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31. |
- Nerpin, Elisabet, 1962-
(author)
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The Kidney in Different Stages of the Cardiovascular Continuum
- 2013
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Patients with chronic kidney disease are at higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease. The complex, interaction between the kidney and the cardiovascular system is incompletely understood, particularly at the early stages of the cardiovascular continuum.The overall aim of this thesis was to clarify novel aspects of the interplay between the kidney and the cardiovascular system at different stages of the cardiovascular continuum; from risk factors such as insulin resistance, inflammation and oxidative stress, via sub-clinical cardiovascular damage such as endothelial dysfunction and left ventricular dysfunction, to overt cardiovascular death.This thesis is based on two community-based cohorts of elderly, Uppsala Longitudinal Study of Adult Men (ULSAM) and Prospective Investigation of the Vasculature in Uppsala Seniors (PIVUS).The first study, show that higher insulin sensitivity, measured with euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp technique was associated to improve estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in participants with normal fasting plasma glucose, normal glucose tolerance and normal eGFR. In longitudinal analyses, higher insulin sensitivity at baseline was associated with lower risk of impaired renal function during follow-up. In the second study, eGFR was inversely associated with different inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, serum amyloid A) and positively associated with a marker of oxidative stress (urinary F2-isoprostanes). In line with this, the urinary albumin/creatinine ratio was positively associated with these inflammatory markers, and negatively associated with oxidative stress.In study three, higher eGFR was associated with better endothelial function as assessed by the invasive forearm model. Further, in study four, higher eGFR was significantly associated with higher left ventricular systolic function (ejection fraction). The 5th study of the thesis shows that higher urinary albumin excretion rate (UAER) and lower eGFR was independently associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular mortality. Analyses of global model fit, discrimination, calibration, and reclassification suggest that UAER and eGFR add relevant prognostic information beyond established cardiovascular risk factors in participants without prevalent cardiovascular disease.Conclusion: this thesis show that the interaction between the kidney and the cardiovascular system plays an important role in the development of cardiovascular disease and that this interplay begins at an early asymptomatic stage of the disease process.
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32. |
- Nilsson, Mikael, et al.
(author)
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Does individual learning styles influence the choice to use a web-based ECG learning programme in a blended learning setting?
- 2012
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In: BMC Medical Education. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1472-6920. ; 12, s. 5-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: The compressed curriculum in modern knowledge-intensive medicine demands useful tools to achieve approved learning aims in a limited space of time. Web-based learning can be used in different ways to enhance learning. Little is however known regarding its optimal utilisation. Our aim was to investigate if the individual learning styles of medical students influence the choice to use a web-based ECG learning programme in a blended learning setting. Methods: The programme, with three types of modules (learning content, self-assessment questions and interactive ECG interpretation training), was offered on a voluntary basis during a face to face ECG learning course for undergraduate medical students. The Index of Learning Styles (ILS) and a general questionnaire including questions about computer and Internet usage, preferred future speciality and prior experience of E-learning were used to explore different factors related to the choice of using the programme or not. Results: 93 (76%) out of 123 students answered the ILS instrument and 91 the general questionnaire. 55 students (59%) were defined as users of the web-based ECG-interpretation programme. Cronbach's alpha was analysed with coefficients above 0.7 in all of the four dimensions of ILS. There were no significant differences with regard to learning styles, as assessed by ILS, between the user and non-user groups; Active/Reflective; Visual/Verbal; Sensing/Intuitive; and Sequential/Global (p = 0.56-0.96). Neither did gender, prior experience of E-learning or preference for future speciality differ between groups. Conclusion: Among medical students, neither learning styles according to ILS, nor a number of other characteristics seem to influence the choice to use a web-based ECG programme. This finding was consistent also when the usage of the different modules in the programme were considered. Thus, the findings suggest that web-based learning may attract a broad variety of medical students.
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33. |
- Nilsson, Mikael, et al.
(author)
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Evaluation of a web-based ECG-interpretation programme for undergraduate medical students
- 2008
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In: BMC Medical Education. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1472-6920. ; 8, s. 25-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Most clinicians and teachers agree that knowledge about ECG is of importance in the medical curriculum. Students at Karolinska Institute have asked for more training in ECG-interpretation during their undergraduate studies. Clinical tutors, however, have difficulties in meeting these demands due to shortage of time. Thus, alternative ways to learn and practice ECG-interpretation are needed. Education offered via the Internet is readily available, geographically independent and flexible. Furthermore, the quality of education may increase and become more effective through a superior educational approach, improved visualization and interactivity. METHODS: A Web-based comprehensive ECG-interpretation programme has been evaluated. Medical students from the sixth semester were given an optional opportunity to access the programme from the start of their course. Usage logs and an initial evaluation survey were obtained from each student. A diagnostic test was performed in order to assess the effect on skills in ECG interpretation. Students from the corresponding course, at another teaching hospital and without access to the ECG-programme but with conventional teaching of ECG served as a control group. RESULTS: 20 of the 32 students in the intervention group had tested the programme after 2 months. On a five-graded scale (1- bad to 5 - very good) they ranked the utility of a web-based programme for this purpose as 4.1 and the quality of the programme software as 3.9. At the diagnostic test (maximal points 16) by the end of the 5-month course at the 6th semester the mean result for the students in the intervention group was 9.7 compared with 8.1 for the control group (p = 0.03). CONCLUSION: Students ranked the Web-based ECG-interpretation programme as a useful instrument to learn ECG. Furthermore, Internet-delivered education may be more effective than traditional teaching methods due to greater immediacy, improved visualisation and interactivity.
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34. |
- Nilsson, Mikael, et al.
(author)
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Why Medical Students Choose to Use or Not to Use a Web-Based Electrocardiogram Learning Resource : Mixed Methods Study
- 2019
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In: JMIR Medical Education. - : JMIR Publications Inc.. - 2369-3762. ; 5:2, s. e12791:1-e12791:12
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Electrocardiogram (ECG) interpretation is a core competence and can make a significant difference to patient outcomes. However, ECG interpretation is a complex skill to learn, and research has showed that students often lack enough competence. Web-based learning has been shown to be effective. However, little is known regarding why and how students use Web-based learning when offered in a blended learning situation.Objective: The aim of this paper was to study students’ use of Web-based ECG learning resources which has not previously been studied in relation to study strategies.Methods: A qualitative explanatory design using mixed methods was adopted to explore how medical students reason around their choice to use or not to use a Web-based ECG learning resource. Overall, 15 of 33 undergraduate medical students attending a course in clinical medicine were interviewed. Data on usage of the resource were obtained via the learning management system for all students. At the final examination, all the students answered a questionnaire on study strategies and questions about internet access and estimated their own skills in ECG interpretation. Furthermore, study strategies and use patterns were correlated with results from an ECG Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) and a written course examination.Results: In total, 2 themes were central in the students’ reasoning about usage of Web-based ECG: assessment of learning needs and planning according to learning goals. Reasons for using the Web resource were to train in skills, regarding it as a valuable complement to books and lectures. The main reasons for not using the resource were believing they already had good enough skills and a lack of awareness of its availability. Usage data showed that 21 students (63%) used the Web resource. Of these, 11 were minimal users and 10 were major users based on usage activity. Large variations were found in the time spent in different functional parts of the resource. No differences were found between users and nonusers regarding the OSCE score, final examination score, self-estimate of knowledge, or favoring self-regulated learning.Conclusions: To use or not to use a Web-based ECG learning resource is largely based on self-regulated learning aspects. Decisions to use such a resource are based on multifactorial aspects such as experiences during clinical rotations, former study experiences, and perceived learning needs. The students’ own judgment of whether there was a need for a Web-based resource to achieve the learning goals and to pass the examination was crucial for their decisions to use it or not. An increased understanding of students’ regulation of learning and awareness of variations in their ECG learning needs can contribute to the improvement of course design for blended learning of ECG contexts for medical students.
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35. |
- Nilsson, Peter M, et al.
(author)
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Social mobility, marital status, and mortality risk in an adult life course perspective: The Malmo preventive project
- 2005
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In: Scandinavian Journal of Public Health. - : SAGE Publications. - 1651-1905 .- 1403-4948. ; 33:6, s. 412-423
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Aims: Adverse social factors predict increased mortality. This study aimed to assess the influence of social class and marital status on mortality, adding an adult life course perspective. Methods: In total, 32,907 males and 20,204 females were evaluated based on census data in Malmo, Sweden. Of these subjects, 22,444 males and 10,902 females also took part in health screening. The main outcomes were all-cause and cause-specific mortality rates in subgroups based on social class and marital status, either measured once or repeatedly in adult life. Results were based on a total of 522,807 years of follow-up in men ( 5,761 deaths) and 239,815 in women ( 1,354 deaths). Results: Total and cardiovascular mortality were significantly higher in manual male employees with age-adjusted risk ratios (RR) of 1.7 (95% CI 1.5-1.9) and 1.6 (1.3-2.0) in skilled manual workers, and 2.0 (1.7-2.2) and 1.9 (1.6-2.3) in unskilled manual workers, compared with high-level non-manual employees. The differences remained after adjustment for baseline risk factors and prevalent cardiovascular disease, and were similar for women. Increased mortality risk was also documented for subjects who were divorced or unmarried ( adjusted for social class), as well as being downward socially mobile or in a permanent low social class ( manual) position. Conclusions: Social class based on occupation, either measured once or repeatedly in adult life, is associated with marked differences in mortality risk in middle-aged subjects. People who remain married/cohabiting or remarry are at lower risk of early death than people who remain unmarried or divorced.
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36. |
- Sonesson, Ulf, et al.
(author)
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Paths to a sustainable food sector: integrated design and LCA of future food supply chains : the case of pork production in Sweden
- 2016
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In: The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment. - : Springer Ferlag. - 0948-3349 .- 1614-7502. ; 21:5, s. 664-676
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Purpose: To describe a more sustainable food sector, a supply chain approach is needed. Changing a supply chain inevitably means that various attributes of the product and its system will change. This project assumed this challenge and delivered detailed descriptions, life cycle assessment (LCA) evaluations, and consequence assessments of the supply chains of six commodities, i.e., milk, cheese, beef, pork, chicken, and bread, from a Swedish region. This paper presents results for the pork supply chain. Methods: In the project setup, experts on production along supply chains designed three scenarios for environmentally improved systems. These scenarios, i.e., the ecosystem, plant nutrients, and climate scenarios, were intended to address different clusters of environmental goals. The next step was to challenge these scenarios by considering their possible consequences for products and systems from the food safety, sensory quality, animal welfare, consumer appreciation, and (for primary production only) cost perspectives. This led to changes in production system design to prevent negative consequences. The final supply chains were quantified using LCA and were again assessed from the three perspectives. Results and discussion: The scenario design approach worked well, thoroughly and credibly describing the production systems. Assessment of consequences bolstered the credibility and quality of the systems and results. The LCA of pig production and smoked ham identified large potentials for improvement by implementing available knowledge: global warming potential (GWP) could be reduced 21–54 % and marine eutrophication by 14–45 %. The main reason for these improvements was improved productivity (approaching the best producers’ current performance), though dedicated measures were also important, resulting in increased nitrogen efficiency, more varied crop rotations for crop production and better production management, and improved animal health and manure management for animal production. Reduced post-farm wastage contributed as did reduced emissions from fertilizer production. Conclusions: The working approach applied was successful in integrating LCA research with food system production expertise to deliver results relevant to supply chain decision-makers. The consequence assessments brought considerable value to the project, giving its results greater credibility. By introducing constraints in the form of “no negative consequences and no increased costs,” the work was “guided” so that the scenario design avoided being hampered by too many opportunities.
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37. |
- Wijkman, Magnus
(author)
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Acute, ambulatory and central blood pressure measurements in diabetes
- 2012
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Background: In patients with diabetes, high blood pressure is an established risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The aim of this thesis was to explore the associations between blood pressure levels measured with different techniques and during different circumstances, and the degree of cardiovascular organ damage and subsequent prognosis in patients with diabetes.Methods: We analysed baseline data from patients with type 2 diabetes who participated in the observational cohort study CARDIPP (Cardiovascular Risk factors in Patients with Diabetes – a Prospective study in Primary care), and longitudinal data from patients registered in the Swedish national quality registry RIKS-HIA (Register of Information and Knowledge about Swedish Heart Intensive care Admissions). Patients in CARDIPP underwent nurse-recorded, 24-hour ambulatory and non-invasive central blood pressure measurements. Patients in RIKS-HIA had their systolic blood pressure measured upon hospitalisation for acute chest pain.Results: In CARDIPP, nearly one in three patients with office normotension (<130/80 mmHg) were hypertensive during the night (≥120/70 mmHg). This phenomenon, masked nocturnal hypertension, was significantly associated with increased arterial stiffness and increased central blood pressure. Furthermore, nearly one in five CARDIPP patients with office normotension had high central pulse pressure (≥50 mmHg), and there was a significant association between high central pulse pressure and increased carotid intima-media thickness and increased arterial stiffness. Among CARDIPP patients who used at least one antihypertensive drug, those who used beta blockers had significantly higher central pulse pressure than those who used other antihypertensive drugs, but there were no significant between-group differences concerning office or ambulatory pulse pressures. In CARDIPP patients with or without antihypertensive treatment, ambulatory systolic blood pressure levels were significantly associated with left ventricular mass, independently of central systolic blood pressure levels. When RIKS-HIA patients, admitted to hospital for chest pain, were stratified in quartiles according to admission systolic blood pressure levels, the risk for all-cause one-year mortality was significantly lower in patients with admission systolic blood pressure in the highest quartile (≥163 mmHg) than in patients with admission systolic blood pressure in the reference quartile (128-144 mmHg). This finding remained unaltered when the analysis was restricted to include only patients with previously known diabetes.Conclusions: In patients with type 2 diabetes, ambulatory or central blood pressure measurements identified patients with residual risk factors despite excellent office blood pressure control or despite ongoing antihypertensive treatment. Ambulatory systolic blood pressure predicted left ventricular mass independently of central systolic blood pressure. In patients with previously known diabetes who were hospitalised for acute chest pain, there was an inverse relationship between systolic blood pressure measured at admission and the risk for one-year all-cause mortality.
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38. |
- Östergren, Anders, et al.
(author)
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Järv, lodjur och varg i renskötselområdet: inventeringsresultat 2001
- 2001
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Reports (other academic/artistic)abstract
- För sjätte året i rad har länsstyrelserna i Norrbottens-, Västerbottens-, Jämtlands- och Dalarnas län i samarbete med samebyarna i Sverige inventerat renskötselområdet påförekomst och föryngring av järv, lodjur och varg. Inventeringsmetoderna har under tiden sedan 1996 reviderats och förfinats och samma metodik används i alla län i renskötselområdet(och även i Norge).Resultatet av arbetet skall användas i följande hänseenden:1. Underlag för Sametingets beslut om fördelning av ersättningar för rovdjur till samebyarna.2. Underlag för Naturvårdsverkets beslut om var och hur stor omfattningen ska vara av eventuell skyddsjakt.3. Uppföljning av effekterna av beviljad skyddsjakt.4. Möjliggöra ansvarsfull förvaltning genom ökad kunskap om de stora rovdjuren i renskötselområdet.5. Uppföljning av de nationella målen om rovdjursförekomst och beståndsstorlek.År 2001 dokumenterades 50 föryngringar av järv i renskötselområdet i Sverige. Dessutomdokumenterades sex järvföryngringar inom 5 km in på norsk sida och ytterligare fem i konventionsbetesområden i Norge. Alla dessa är ersättningsberättigande i det svenskaersättningssystemet. Antalet järvföryngringar har ökat något sedan år 2000 efter att fram till dess ha uppvisat en starkt minskande trend. Uppgången har skett i Norrbotten. Trots detta är det ändå tydligt att antalet järvföryngringar har minskat sedan 1996. Det finns nu drygthälften av de 90 järvföryngringar som utgör det nationella etappmålet. Det totala antalet järvar i renskötselområdet år 2001 uppskattas grovt till drygt 300 individer(exklusive årsungar).Antalet familjegrupper av lodjur som dokumenterades i renskötselområdet i Sverige var 131 stycken. Dessutom dokumenterades ytterligare sex i konventionsbetesområden i Norge. Antalet familjegrupper av lodjur har ökat i Norrbotten och i Västerbotten jämfört med ifjol. IJämtland har dock lodjuren fortsatt att minska vilket gjort att det totala antalet familjegrupperi princip är detsamma år 2001 som år 2000. Sedan 1996 har dock lodjursbeståndet i renskötselområdet minskat. Det har bedrivits en omfattande skyddsjakt på lodjur vilketbedöms vara en orsak till minskningen. Det totala antalet lodjur i renskötselområdet år 2001uppskattas grovt till ca 800 individer (inklusive årsungar).Tillfällig vargförekomst har dokumenterats i totalt nio samebyar fördelat på samtliga län.Förekomst av björn och kungsörn rapporteras i samtliga samebyar.Den minskade medelstilldelningen till länsstyrelserna under de senaste åren har medfört attdet varit svårt att bibehålla kvaliteten på inventeringarna. Främst gäller detta lodjursinventeringen. År 2001 anvisades 3 miljoner kronor till länsstyrelserna i fjällänen för inventeringsverksamheten. Samebyarna tilldelades år 2001 via Sametinget 3 miljoner förinventeringsarbetet kopplat till ersättningssystemet.
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39. |
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40. |
- Östergren, Johan, et al.
(author)
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High variability in spawning migration of sea trout, Salmo trutta, in two northern Swedish rivers
- 2011
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In: Fisheries Management and Ecology. - : Wiley. - 0969-997X .- 1365-2400. ; 18, s. 72-82
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- P>Telemetry was used to examine spawning migration of sea trout, Salmo trutta L. (n = 126), in two rivers in northern Sweden. The spawning areas defined by radio-tagged fish differed between the river systems. In the River Vindelalven, sea trout spawned in the main stem and 80% of tagged individuals returned to areas where hatchery-reared juveniles had been previously stocked. In the River Pitealven, 74% of tagged sea trout ascended tributaries for spawning. Tagged fish were categorised into three groups of migratory pattern. cart (classification and regression tree) analysis indicated that distance from tagging location to spawning site (S(dist)) explained the migratory patterns. Large S(dist) separated fish with stepwise upstream migration from those with up- and downstream migrations and one-directional direct migration. Fish tagged early in the season migrated the longest distance to spawning areas. Stocking locations and sex explained the large search behaviour up- and downstream in the rivers. The findings are important for the sustainable management of sea trout in the Gulf of Bothnia.
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41. |
- Östergren, Johan, et al.
(author)
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Importance of life-history and landscape characteristics for genetic structure and genetic diversity of brown trout (Salmo trutta L.)
- 2012
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In: Ecology of Freshwater Fish. - : Wiley. - 0906-6691 .- 1600-0633. ; 21, s. 119-133
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Investigating the influence of evolutionary forces on the genetic structure and genetic diversity remains a major challenge. Yet, it is of considerable interest for conservation and management of a species. This study investigates the influence of life-history and landscape features, such as altitude, connectivity and habitat size, on genetic diversity and genetic structure of brown trout (Salmo trutta L.) with stream-resident, lake-dwelling and sea-migrating life-history in two river systems in northern Sweden. Using regression tree analysis including ecological and landscape characteristics, we show that life history is the most important variable explaining genetic diversity and population differentiation. Sea-migrating populations show high diversity and low differentiation, and lake- and stream-resident populations show low diversity and high population differentiation, among all samples. No overall genetic correlation with geographical distance was noted; however, among sea-migrating populations within the River Vindelälven drainage, this pattern was observed. This study illustrates that life-history and landscape features help to explain genetic structure and genetic variation. The information is important for conservation and management actions, such as fisheries regulations, habitat restorations, stocking of hatchery fish, defining management units and introducing genetic monitoring programmes.
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42. |
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