Work exposure and associated risk of hospitalisation with pneumonia and influenza: A nationwide study.

BACKGROUND: Pneumonia and influenza are major health concerns and constitute a high economic burden. However, few data are available on the associated risk of pneumonia and influenza and work exposure on a large population scale. AIM: This study aimed to examine the associated risk of pneumonia and influenza by type of work exposure. METHODS: By cross-linking administrative Danish registries, we classified people in 10 different profession types. The main outcome was hospitalisation with pneumonia or influenza. A multivariable Poisson regression analysis was used to assess the associated incidence rate ratio (IRR) of being hospitalised with pneumonia or influenza by type of profession. RESULTS: A total of 1,327,606 people added risk time to the analyses. In a multivariable model, work in day care, public transportation, sewers and nursing home care was associated with an increased risk of hospitalisation with pneumonia compared to work within public administration: IRR=1.20 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.12-1.28), IRR=1.21 (95% CI 1.09-1.34), IRR=1.61 (95% CI 1.19-2.19) and IRR=1.10 (95% CI 1.03-1.18), respectively. In a multivariable analysis, people working within public transportation were associated with an increased risk of hospitalisation with influenza compared to people working within public administration: IRR=2.54 (95% CI 1.79-3.58). CONCLUSIONS: Working in day care, public transportation, sewers and nursing home care increased the associated risk of hospitalisation with pneumonia, and working within public transportation increased the associated risk of being hospitalised with influenza compared to working within public administration.

Bystander Efforts and 1-Year Outcomes in Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest.

BACKGROUND: The effect of bystander interventions on long-term functional outcomes among survivors of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest has not been extensively studied. METHODS: We linked nationwide data on out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in Denmark to functional outcome data and reported the 1-year risks of anoxic brain damage or nursing home admission and of death from any cause among patients who survived to day 30 after an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. We analyzed risks according to whether bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or defibrillation was performed and evaluated temporal changes in bystander interventions and outcomes. RESULTS: Among the 2855 patients who were 30-day survivors of an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest during the period from 2001 through 2012, a total of 10.5% had brain damage or were admitted to a nursing home and 9.7% died during the 1-year follow-up period. During the study period, among the 2084 patients who had cardiac arrests that were not witnessed by emergency medical services (EMS) personnel, the rate of bystander CPR increased from 66.7% to 80.6% (P<0.001), the rate of bystander defibrillation increased from 2.1% to 16.8% (P<0.001), the rate of brain damage or nursing home admission decreased from 10.0% to 7.6% (P<0.001), and all-cause mortality decreased from 18.0% to 7.9% (P=0.002). In adjusted analyses, bystander CPR was associated with a risk of brain damage or nursing home admission that was significantly lower than that associated with no bystander resuscitation (hazard ratio, 0.62; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.47 to 0.82), as well as a lower risk of death from any cause (hazard ratio, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.50 to 0.99) and a lower risk of the composite end point of brain damage, nursing home admission, or death (hazard ratio, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.53 to 0.84). The risks of these outcomes were even lower among patients who received bystander defibrillation as compared with no bystander resuscitation. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, we found that bystander CPR and defibrillation were associated with risks of brain damage or nursing home admission and of death from any cause that were significantly lower than those associated with no bystander resuscitation. (Funded by TrygFonden and the Danish Heart Foundation.).

Associations of health literacy with socioeconomic position, health risk behavior, and health status: a large national population-based survey among Danish adults.

BACKGROUND: Health literacy concerns the ability of citizens to meet the complex demands of health in modern society. Data on the distribution of health literacy in general populations and how health literacy impacts health behavior and general health remains scarce. The present study aims to investigate the prevalence of health literacy levels and associations of health literacy with socioeconomic position, health risk behavior, and health status at a population level. METHODS: A nationwide cross-sectional survey linked to administrative registry data was applied to a randomly selected sample of 15,728 Danish individuals aged ≥25 years. By the short form HLS-EU-Q16 health literacy was measured for the domains of healthcare, disease prevention, and health promotion. Adjusted multinomial logistic regression analyses were used to estimate associations of health literacy with demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, health risk behavior (physical activity, smoking, alcohol consumption, body weight), and health status (sickness benefits, self-assessed health). RESULTS: Overall, 9007 (57.3%) individuals responded to the survey. Nearly 4 in 10 respondents faced difficulties in accessing, understanding, appraising, and applying health information. Notably, 8.18% presented with inadequate health literacy and 30.94% with problematic health literacy. Adjusted for potential confounders, regression analyses showed that males, younger individuals, immigrants, individuals with basic education or income below the national average, and individuals receiving social benefits had substantially higher odds of inadequate health literacy. Among health behavior factors (smoking, high alcohol consumption, and inactivity), only physical behavior [sedentary: OR: 2.31 (95% CI: 1.81; 2.95)] was associated with inadequate health literacy in the adjusted models. The long-term health risk indicator body-weight showed that individuals with obesity [OR: 1.78 (95% CI: 1.39; 2.28)] had significantly higher odds of lower health literacy scores. Poor self-assessed health [OR: 4.03 (95% CI: 3.26; 5.00)] and payments of sickness absence compensation benefits [OR: 1.74 (95% CI: 1.35; 2.23)] were associated with lower health literacy scores. CONCLUSIONS: Despite a relatively highly educated population, the prevalence of inadequate health literacy is high. Inadequate health literacy is strongly associated with a low socioeconomic position, poor health status, inactivity, and overweight, but to a lesser extent with health behavior factors such as smoking and high alcohol consumption.

Mortality and return to work in patients transported by emergency ambulance after involvement in a traffic accident.

INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND: Traffic accidents constitute a common reason for injury. Little is known about long-term outcomes for patients following a traffic accident. Therefore, in this present paper, we examine 1-day, 30-day and 1-year mortality, and return to work (RTW) during a 1-year period. METHODS: Patients (between 18 and 65 years of age) who had an ambulance dispatched to them following a traffic accident and who were employed prior to the accident were identified from the Electronic Prehospital Emergency Patient (amPHI™) database in the North Denmark Region (catchment population ≈600,000) during 2006-2014. Outcomes of 1- and 30- and 365-day mortality and 1-year return to work (RTW), with mortality as competing risk. We stratified by intensive care unit (ICU) admission; and the anatomical region of injury (head/neck, thorax, abdomen, extremities and multiple injuries) is reported. RESULTS: Of 6072 patients in our study population, 59 (1%) died within 1 day and 76 (1.3%) within 30 days; 88 (1.5%) were dead within a year. Thirty-day mortality was 1.7% for the 290 patients admitted to the ICU, and 1.2% for the remaining 5782 patients. Within the study population, RTW rate was 92.7% (N = 5984). RTW was 84.8% among 290 ICU-admitted patients versus 93.1% for the remaining 5782 patients. RTW rate was 94.6% for the 1793 patients discharged with a diagnosis of head/neck injury. Of 671 patients with a discharge diagnosis for the thoracic region, 92.6% returned to work. Of 402 patients with abdominal injury diagnoses, 90.8% returned to work. Of 1603 patients discharged with a diagnosis of extremity injury, the RTW rate was 93.6%. Of 192 patients with a discharge diagnosis of injury in multiple regions, 91.7% returned to work. CONCLUSION: Overall, mortality rates were low and RTW rates high in patients who had an ambulance dispatched due to a traffic accident. Those admitted to the ICU had the lowest RTW rate, yet still around 80% returned to work.

Endometrial cancer does not increase the 30-day risk of venous thromboembolism following hysterectomy compared to benign disease. A Danish National Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to clarify if endometrial cancer patients are at higher risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) following hysterectomy, compared to patients undergoing hysterectomy for benign gynecological disease. METHODS: In a nationwide registry-based cohort study, patients undergoing hysterectomy for endometrial cancer or benign disease were followed 30 days after surgery. The Danish Gynecological Cancer Database (DGCD) and the Danish National Patient Register (DNPR) were linked with four other administrative registries to describe the population and retrieve data on venous thromboembolism and mortality. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) for 30-day postoperative VTE. RESULTS: We identified 5513 patients with endometrial cancer, and 45,825 patients with benign disease undergoing hysterectomy in the period 2005-2014. The overall incidence of 30-day VTE following hysterectomy was 0.2% (103/51,338). Thirty (0.5%) patients with endometrial cancer and 73 (0.16%) patients with benign disease developed VTE. In a multivariable logistic regression analysis, significant predictors of 30-day OR for VTE were open surgery (minimally invasive surgery vs. open: OR = 0.46; 95% CI, 0.30-0.71; p < 0.001), lymphadenectomy (OR = 4.00; 95% CI, 1.89-8.46; p < 0.001), BMI > 40 (OR = 2.34;95% CI, 1.10-5.01; p = 0.03) and previous VTE (OR = 34; 95% CI, 22.7-51.3; p < 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in the 30-day OR for VTE in endometrial cancer compared to benign disease (OR = 1.47; 95% CI, 0.74-2.91; p = 0.27). CONCLUSIONS: This study did not identify endometrial cancer to be an independent risk factor for VTE following hysterectomy compared to benign disease. We identified open surgery, lymphadenectomy, BMI above 40 and previous VTE as independent risk factors for 30-day postoperative VTE.

Infancy weight gain, parental socioeconomic position, and childhood overweight and obesity: a Danish register-based cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Rapid infant weight gain (RIWG) is a very strong predictor of childhood overweight and obesity (COO). Socioeconomic position (SEP) is also related to the risk of COO and parents of different SEP may differ in their reaction to accelerated infant weight gain. Together this could lead to differences in how weight gain and COO risk relate across SEP. This study aimed to analyse possible interaction of SEP and RIWG on COO risk. METHODS: A register-based longitudinal cohort study followed 19,894 healthy, term infants, born in Denmark between December 2011 and May 2015. Logistic regression models were used to estimate odds ratios (OR) of COO risk at 2 years (22-26 months) of age with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) for categories of infancy weight gain based on changes in weight-for-age z-scores between 0 and 8-10 months of age (slow (<- 0.67), mean (- 0.67-0.67), rapid (> 0.67-1.34) and very rapid (> 1.34)). Possible multiplicative and additive interaction of SEP (based on household income and maternal education) on the relationship between infancy weight gain and COO were analysed. RESULTS: In total, 19.1 and 15.1% experienced rapid or very rapid weight gain, respectively, and 1497 (7.5%) children were classified with COO at follow-up. These prevalences were higher in those with lower levels of SEP. Adjusted OR for COO were 3.09 (95% CI [2.66-3.59]) and 7.58 (95% CI [6.51-8.83]) for rapid and very rapid weight gain, respectively, when household income was included in the model. Results were similar in the model including maternal education. No signs of interactions were detected on a multiplicative scale. Weak signs of additive interaction were present, but these values did not reach significance. CONCLUSION: Both rapid and very rapid weight gain were associated with substantially higher risks of COO but these associations were not modified by SEP. This indicates that promotion of healthy weight gain should take place in all population groups irrespective of their SEP.

Association between T-wave discordance and the development of heart failure in left bundle branch block patients: Results from the Copenhagen ECG study.

BACKGROUND: In left bundle branch block (LBBB), discrepancies between depolarization and repolarization of the heart can be assessed by similar direction (concordant) or opposite direction (discordant) of the lateral T-waves compared to the direction of the QRS complex and by the QRS-T angle. We examined the association between discordant T-waves and high QRS-T angles for heart failure development in primary care LBBB patients. METHODS: Between 2001 and 2011, we identified 2540 patients from primary care with LBBB without overt heart failure. We examined the development of heart failure in relation to two ECG measures: (1) LBBB as either discordant (two or three monophasic T-waves in the opposite direction of the QRS complex in leads I, V5 or V6) or concordant, and (2) the frontal plane QRS-T angle in quartile groups. RESULTS: In total, 244 of 913 patients (26.7%) with discordant LBBB developed heart failure compared to 302 of 1627 patients (16.7%) with concordant LBBB. Multivariable Cox regression comparing discordant with concordant LBBB showed a hazard ratio (HR) of 2.58 (95% Confidence interval [CI] 1.71-3.89) for heart failure development within 30 days of follow-up and a HR of 1.45 (95%CI 1.19-1.77) after 30 days. For QRS-T angle, comparing the highest quartile (160°-180°) with the lowest quartile (0°-110°) we found a HR of 2.25 (95%CI 1.26-4.02) within 30 days and a HR of 1.67 (95%CI 1.25-2.23) after 30 days. CONCLUSION: T-wave discordance in lateral ECG leads and a high QRS-T angle are associated with heart failure development in primary care LBBB patients.

The relationship between serum potassium concentrations and electrocardiographic characteristics in 163,547 individuals from primary care.

AIMS: Potassium disturbances are common and associated with increased morbidity and mortality, even in patients without prior cardiovascular disease. We examined six electrocardiographic (ECG) measures and their association to serum potassium levels. METHODS AND RESULTS: From the Copenhagen General Practitioners' Laboratory, we identified 163,547 individuals aged ≥16 years with a first available ECG and a concomitant serum potassium measurement during 2001-2011. Restricted cubic splines curves showed a non-linear relationship between potassium and the Fridericia corrected QT (QTcF) interval, T-wave amplitude, morphology combination score (MCS), PR interval, P-wave amplitude and duration. Therefore, potassium was stratified in two intervals K: 2.0-4.1 mmol/L and 4.2-6.0 mmol/L for further analyses. Within the low potassium range, we observed: QTcF was 12.8 ms longer for each mmol/L decrease in potassium (p < 0.0001); T-wave amplitude was 43.1 µV lower for each mmol/L decrease in potassium (p < 0.0001); and MCS was 0.13 higher per mmol/L decrease in potassium (p < 0.001). Moreover, P-wave duration and PR interval were prolonged by 2.7 and 4.6 ms for each mmol/L decrease in potassium (p < 0.0001), respectively. Within the lowest potassium range (2.0-4.1 mmol/L) P-wave amplitude was 3.5 µV higher for each mmol/L decrease in potassium (p < 0.0001). Within the high potassium range associations with the above-mentioned ECG parameters were much weaker.

Perceived stress as a risk factor of unemployment: a register-based cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Although unemployment and high levels of perceived stress have been associated in cross-sectional studies, the direction of causation is unknown. We prospectively examined if high levels of perceived everyday life stress increased the risk of subsequent unemployment and further if differences existed between socioeconomic status-groups. METHODS: We included 9335 18-64-year-old employed respondents of a health survey (North Denmark Health Profile 2010) in which Cohen's Perceived Stress Scale was used to assess the level of perceived stress. Data were linked individually to national administrative registers. Cox proportional hazards model was used to investigate the association between perceived stress quintiles and risk of unemployment during 98 weeks of follow-up. Analyses were further performed in subgroups defined by education and income. RESULTS: In total, 224 people (10.4%) of the high stress group became unemployed during follow-up, which was higher than the lower stress groups. After adjusting for gender, age, education and income, the risk of unemployment was 1.64 (95% CI: 1.28;2.11) in the high stress group compared to the low stress group. After adjusting for gender and age, a similar trend was observed across different education levels and among the lower income groups, but no higher risk of unemployment due to perceived stress was found among the higher income groups. However, there was no statistically significant interaction between perceived stress and income level (p = 0.841) or perceived stress and education level (p = 0.587). CONCLUSION: Perceived everyday life stress nearly doubled the risk of subsequent unemployment in a working population. No statistically significant interactions between SES and perceived stress were found. This indicates that stress prevention among the working population should not solely focus on stress in the workplace but also include stress from everyday life.

Office blood pressure or ambulatory blood pressure for the prediction of cardiovascular events.

AIMS: To determine the added value of (i) 24-h ambulatory blood pressure relative to office blood pressure and (ii) night-time ambulatory blood pressure relative to daytime ambulatory blood pressure for 10-year person-specific absolute risks of fatal and non-fatal cardiovascular events. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 7927 participants were included from the International Database on Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in relation to Cardiovascular Outcomes. We used cause-specific Cox regression to predict 10-year person-specific absolute risks of fatal and non-fatal cardiovascular events. Discrimination of 10-year outcomes was assessed by time-dependent area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). No differences in predicted risks were observed when comparing office blood pressure and ambulatory blood pressure. The median difference in 10-year risks (1st; 3rd quartile) was -0.01% (-0.3%; 0.1%) for cardiovascular mortality and -0.1% (-1.1%; 0.5%) for cardiovascular events. The difference in AUC (95% confidence interval) was 0.65% (0.22-1.08%) for cardiovascular mortality and 1.33% (0.83-1.84%) for cardiovascular events. Comparing daytime and night-time blood pressure, the median difference in 10-year risks was 0.002% (-0.1%; 0.1%) for cardiovascular mortality and -0.01% (-0.5%; 0.2%) for cardiovascular events. The difference in AUC was 0.10% (-0.08 to 0.29%) for cardiovascular mortality and 0.15% (-0.06 to 0.35%) for cardiovascular events. CONCLUSION: Ten-year predictions obtained from ambulatory blood pressure are similar to predictions from office blood pressure. Night-time blood pressure does not improve 10-year predictions obtained from daytime measurements. For an otherwise healthy population sufficient prognostic accuracy of cardiovascular risks can be achieved with office blood pressure.

Short-term mortality risk of serum potassium levels in hypertension: a retrospective analysis of nationwide registry data.

Aims: Diuretics and renin­angiotensin­aldosterone system inhibitors are central in the treatment of hypertension, but may cause serum potassium abnormalities. We examined mortality in relation to serum potassium in hypertensive patients. Methods and Results: From Danish National Registries, we identified 44 799 hypertensive patients, aged 30 years or older, who had a serum potassium measurement within 90 days from diagnosis between 1995 and 2012. All-cause mortality was analysed according to seven predefined potassium levels: <3.5 (hypokalaemia), 3.5­3.7, 3.8­4.0, 4.1­4.4, 4.5­4.7, 4.8­5.0, and >5.0 mmol/L (hyperkalaemia). Outcome was 90-day mortality, estimated with multivariable Cox proportional hazard model, with the potassium interval of 4.1­4.4 mmol/L as reference. During 90-day follow-up, mortalities in the seven strata were 4.5, 2.7, 1.8, 1.5, 1.7, 2.7, and 3.6%, respectively. Adjusted risk for death was statistically significant for patients with hypokalaemia [hazard ratio (HR): 2.80, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 2.17­3.62], and hyperkalaemia (HR: 1.70, 95% CI: 1.36­2.13). Notably, normal potassium levels were also associated with increased mortality: K: 3.5­3.7 mmol/L (HR: 1.70, 95% CI: 1.36­2.13), K: 3.8­4.0 mmol/L (HR: 1.21, 95% CI: 1.00­1.47), and K: 4.8­5.0 mmol/L (HR: 1.48, 95% CI: 1.15­1.92). Thus, mortality in relation to the seven potassium ranges was U-shaped, with the lowest mortality in the interval of 4.1­4.4 mmol/L. Conclusion: Potassium levels outside the interval of 4.1­4.7 mmol/L were associated with increased mortality risk in patients with hypertension.

The indirect and direct pathways between physical fitness and academic achievement on commencement in post-compulsory education in a historical cohort of Danish school youth.

BACKGROUND: Some studies have found positive associations between physical fitness and academic achievements. Pupils' academic achievements should indicate scholastic abilities to commence a post-compulsory education. However, the effect magnitude of physical fitness and academic achievements on commencement in post-compulsory education is unknown. We examined the pathways between physical fitness and academic achievement on pupils' commencement in post-compulsory education. METHODS: This historical cohort study followed 530 girls and 554 boys from the Danish municipality of Aalborg in the period 2008-2014, 13 to 15 years old in 2010. Physical fitness was assessed through a watt-max cycle ergometer test represented as VO2max (mL·kg-1·min-1). Academic achievement, commencement status and information on covariates were obtained from Danish nationwide registers. Causal inference based mediation analysis was used to investigate the indirect and direct pathways by separating the total effect of physical fitness on post-compulsory education commencement. RESULTS: Adjusting for sex, age, ethnicity and socioeconomic status, the overall mediation analysis showed an odds ratio (OR) of 1.87 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.30; 2.73) for the total effect, corresponding to an increase in odds of post-compulsory education commencement when the physical fitness was increased by 10 units of VO2max. The separated total effect showed a natural direct OR of 1.36 (95% CI: 0.93; 1.98) and a natural indirect (i.e., through academic achievement) OR of 1.37 (95% CI: 1.20; 1.57). Thus, 51% (95% CI: 27%; 122%) of the effect of physical fitness on post-compulsory education commencement was mediated through academic achievement. CONCLUSION: Physical fitness had a positive effect on post-compulsory education commencement. A substantial part of this effect was mediated through academic achievement.

Return to Work in Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Survivors: A Nationwide Register-Based Follow-Up Study.

BACKGROUND: Data on long-term function of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survivors are sparse. We examined return to work as a proxy of preserved function without major neurologic deficits in survivors. METHODS AND RESULTS: In Denmark, out-of-hospital cardiac arrests have been systematically reported to the Danish Cardiac Arrest Register since 2001. During 2001-2011, we identified 4354 patients employed before arrest among 12 332 working-age patients (18-65 years), of whom 796 survived to day 30. Among 796 survivors (median age, 53 years [quartile 1-3, 46-59 years]; 81.5% men), 610 (76.6%) returned to work in a median time of 4 months [quartile 1-3, 1-19 months], with a median time of 3 years spent back at work. A total of 74.6% (N=455) remained employed without using sick leave during the first 6 months after returning to work. This latter proportion of survivors returning to work increased over time (66.1% in 2001-2005 versus 78.1% in 2006-2011; P=0.002). In multivariable Cox regression analysis, factors associated with return to work with ≥6 months of sustainable employment were as follows: (1) arrest during 2006-2011 versus 2001-2005, hazard ratio (HR), 1.38 (95% CI, 1.05-1.82); (2) male sex, HR, 1.48 (95% CI, 1.06-2.07); (3) age of 18 to 49 versus 50 to 65 years, HR, 1.32 (95% CI, 1.02-1.68); (4) bystander-witnessed arrest, HR, 1.79 (95% CI, 1.17-2.76); and (5) bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation, HR, 1.38 (95% CI, 1.02-1.87). CONCLUSIONS: Of 30-day survivors employed before arrest, 76.6% returned to work. The percentage of survivors returning to work increased significantly, along with improved survival during 2001-2011, suggesting an increase in the proportion of survivors with preserved function over time.

Survival After Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest in Relation to Age and Early Identification of Patients With Minimal Chance of Long-Term Survival.

BACKGROUND: Survival after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest has increased during the last decade in Denmark. We aimed to study the impact of age on changes in survival and whether it was possible to identify patients with minimal chance of 30-day survival. METHODS AND RESULTS: Using data from the nationwide Danish Cardiac Arrest Registry (2001─2011), we identified 21 480 patients ≥18 years old with a presumed cardiac-caused out-of-hospital cardiac arrest for which resuscitation was attempted. Patients were divided into 3 preselected age-groups: working-age patients 18 to 65 years of age (33.7%), early senior patients 66 to 80 years of age (41.5%), and late senior patients >80 years of age (24.8%). Characteristics in working-age patients, early senior patients, and late senior patients were as follows: witnessed arrest in 53.8%, 51.1%, and 52.1%; bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation in 44.7%, 30.3%, and 23.4%; and prehospital shock from a defibrillator in 54.7%, 45.0%, and 33.8% (all P<0.05). Between 2001 and 2011, return of spontaneous circulation on hospital arrival increased: working-age patients, from 12.1% to 34.6%; early senior patients, from 6.4% to 21.5%; and late senior patients, from 4.0% to 15.0% (all P<0.001). Furthermore, 30-day survival increased: working-age patients, 5.8% to 22.0% (P<0.001); and early senior patients, 2.7% to 8.4% (P<0.001), whereas late senior patients experienced only a minor increase (1.5% to 2.0%; P=0.01). Overall, 3 of 9499 patients achieved 30-day survival if they met 2 criteria: had not achieved return of spontaneous circulation on hospital arrival and had not received a prehospital shock from a defibrillator. CONCLUSIONS: All age groups experienced a large temporal increase in survival on hospital arrival, but the increase in 30-day survival was most prominent in the young. With the use of only 2 criteria, it was possible to identify patients with a minimal chance of 30-day survival.

Socioeconomic inequality and mortality--a regional Danish cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Socioeconomic inequalities in mortality pose a serious impediment to enhance public health even in highly developed welfare states. This study aimed to improve the understanding of socioeconomic disparities in all-cause mortality by using a comprehensive approach including a range of behavioural, psychological, material and social determinants in the analysis. METHODS: Data from The North Denmark Region Health Survey 2007 among residents in Northern Jutland, Denmark, were linked with data from nationwide administrative registries to obtain information on death in a 5.8-year follow-up period (1(st) February 2007- 31(st) December 2012). Socioeconomic position was assessed using educational status as a proxy. The study population was assigned to one of five groups according to highest achieved educational level. The sample size was 8,837 after participants with missing values or aged below 30 years were excluded. Cox regression models were used to assess the risk of death from all causes according to educational level, with a step-wise inclusion of explanatory covariates. RESULTS: Participants' mean age at baseline was 54.1 years (SD 12.6); 3,999 were men (45.3%). In the follow-up period, 395 died (4.5%). With adjustment for age and gender, the risk of all-cause mortality was significantly higher in the two least-educated levels (HR = 1.5, 95%, CI = 1.2-1.8 and HR = 3.7, 95% CI = 2.4-5.9, respectively) compared to the middle educational level. After adjustment for the effect of subjective and objective health, similar results were obtained (HR = 1.4, 95% CI = 1.1-1.7 and HR = 3.5, 95% CI = 2.0-6.3, respectively). Further adjustment for the effect of behavioural, psychological, material and social determinants also failed to eliminate inequalities found among groups, the risk remaining significantly higher for the least educated levels (HR = 1.4, 95% CI = 1.1-1.9 and HR = 4.0, 95% CI = 2.3-6.8, respectively). In comparison with the middle level, the two highest educated levels remained statistically insignificant throughout the entire analysis. CONCLUSION: Socioeconomic inequality influenced mortality substantially even when adjusted for a range of determinants that might explain the association. Further studies are needed to understand this important relationship.

Associations between follow-up screening after gestational diabetes and early detection of diabetes--a register based study.

BACKGROUND: Women whose pregnancy was complicated by gestational diabetes have a 7-fold higher risk of developing diabetes, primarily type 2. Early detection can prevent or delay the onset of late complications, for which follow-up screening is important. This study investigated the extent of participation in follow-up screening and the possible consequences of nonattendance in the Region of North Jutland, Denmark. METHOD: In Danish national registers covering the years 1994-2011 we identified 2171 birthing women whose pregnancy was complicated by first-time gestational diabetes. Control visits to general practitioners and biochemical departments after giving birth were charted. Following national guidelines we defined four intervals for assessment of participation in follow-up screening. Diagnosis of diabetes or treatment with glucose-lowering agents after giving birth were also identified. Participation in follow-up screening and risk of diabetes was calculated. Time to obtaining diagnosis of diabetes or initiating treatment was analysed by Cox regression models. All models were adjusted for age, ethnicity and income. RESULTS: High attendance was found during the first control interval, after which attendance decreased with time after giving birth for both controls at general practitioners and biochemical departments. All differences in proportions were statistically significant. Women attending controls at general practitioners had a significantly higher risk of diabetes diagnosis and treatment after gestational diabetes than women not attending. The results for women attending testing at biochemical departments also showed an increased risk of initiation of treatment. Women attending at least one general practitioners control had a significantly higher risk of early diabetes diagnosis or treatment. Time to initiation of treatment was significantly higher for testing at biochemical departments. Women with high incomes had a significantly lower risk of diabetes diagnosis or initiation of treatment compared to low-income women. CONCLUSION: Participation in follow-up screening after gestational diabetes is low in the North Denmark Region. Follow-up screening ensures early detection of diabetes and initiation of treatment. Our results emphasize the importance of development of interventions to improve early detection and prevention of diabetes after gestational diabetes.

Individual social capital and survival: a population study with 5-year follow-up.

BACKGROUND: The concept of social capital has received increasing attention as a determinant of population survival, but its significance is uncertain. We examined the importance of social capital on survival in a population study while focusing on gender differences. METHODS: We used data from a Danish regional health survey with a five-year follow-up period, 2007-2012 (n = 9288, 53.5% men, 46.5% women). We investigated the association between social capital and all-cause mortality, performing separate analyses on a composite measure as well as four specific dimensions of social capital while controlling for covariates. Analyses were performed with Cox proportional hazard models by which hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated. RESULTS: For women, higher levels of social capital were associated with lower all-cause mortality regardless of age, socioeconomic status, health, and health behaviour (HR = 0.586, 95% CI = 0.421-0.816) while no such association was found for men (HR = 0.949, 95% CI = 0.816-1.104). Analysing the specific dimensions of social capital, higher levels of trust and social network were significantly associated with lower all-cause mortality in women (HR = 0.827, 95% CI = 0.750-0.913 and HR = 0.832, 95% CI = 0.729-0.949, respectively). For men, strong social networks were associated with a higher risk of all-cause mortality (HR = 1.132, 95% CI = 1.017-1.260). Civic engagement had a similar effect for both men (HR = 0.848, 95% CI = 0.722-0.997) and women (HR = 0.848, 95% CI = 0.630-1.140). CONCLUSIONS: We found differential effects of social capital in men compared to women. The predictive effects on all-cause mortality of four specific dimensions of social capital varied. Gender stratified analysis and the use of multiple indicators to measure social capital are thus warranted in future research.