A Study of Self-Care Practice in Routine Radiotherapy Care: Identifying Differences Between Practitioners and Non-Practitioners in Sociodemographic, Clinical, Functional, and Quality-of-Life-Related Characteristics.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to describe self-care practice during radiotherapy for cancer and to identify potential differences between practitioners and non-practitioners of self-care regarding sociodemographic, clinical, functional, and quality-of-life-related characteristics. METHODS: In this descriptive study, 439 patients (87% response rate) undergoing radiotherapy responded to a study questionnaire regarding self-care, sociodemographic, clinical (eg, experienced symptoms), functional, and quality-of-life-related characteristics. RESULTS: Of the 439 patients, 189 (43%) practiced at least one self-care strategy, while 250 (57%) did not. In total, the patients described 332 self-care practices, resulting in 14 different categories of self-care strategies. The 5 most common indicators of practicing self-care were fatigue, general wellbeing, psychological symptoms, nausea, vomiting and improving physical condition. The 5 most common self-care strategies were physical activity, increased recovery, healthy eating, distraction, and skincare. Patients who were married, were older than 69, patients with less education than university education, patients undergoing a combination of internal and external radiotherapy, patients experiencing fewer than 8 symptoms, and better quality of life, practiced self-care to a lower extent than did other patients. Functional capacity did not differ between self-care practitioners and non-practitioners. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Of the patients undergoing radiotherapy, slightly less than half practiced self-care during an ordinary week of radiotherapy. Because older and less-educated patients were less likely to practice self-care, cancer care practitioners should consider paying particular attention to helping such patients with their self-care practice.

Gene expression of leptin, leptin receptor isoforms and inflammatory cytokines in placentas of obese women - Associations to birth weight and fetal sex.

INTRODUCTION: Leptin signaling in placentas of obese women may influence fetal growth and may be dependent on fetal sex. The aim of this study was to investigate placental gene expression of leptin, its receptor and inflammatory cytokines in obese mothers in relation to offspring birth weight and sex. METHODS: In total, 109 placental tissue samples from severely obese women (body mass index in first trimester ≥35 kg/m2) giving birth vaginally at term to a healthy child were included. Quantitative real-time PCR was used for the analysis of leptin (LEP), its receptor LEPR with two splice variants, interleukin (IL)1B, chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 8 (CXCL8), tumour necrosis factor (TNF), IL6, IL10, hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF1A) and insulin receptor (INSR). The subjects were divided into three groups based on LEP expression percentiles (<25th percentile; 25-75th percentile and >75th percentile). RESULTS: A reverse U-shaped association between LEP expression and birth weight z-scores was found (R2 = 0.075, p = 0.005). Placental LEPRb expression was downregulated (p = 0.034) in those with highest LEP expression. Female infants had higher birth weight z-scores than males (0.58 (-1.49-2.88) vs 0.21 (-1.50-2.93), p = 0.020) and their placental LEPRb expression was upregulated (p = 0.047). The associations between expression of different genes differed by sex. DISCUSSION: A reverse U-shaped relationship between placental LEP expression and offspring birth weight z-scores was found together with sexual dimorphism in LEPRb expression indicating a complex regulation of fetal growth by placental leptin signaling in maternal obesity.

Expression of genes involved in inflammation and growth - does sampling site in human full-term placenta matter?

Objective To investigate the placental gene expression of substances in the inflammatory cascade and growth factors at nine different well-defined sampling sites in full-term placentas from 12 normal weight healthy non-smoking women with an uncomplicated singleton pregnancy. Methods All placentas (six girls and six boys) were delivered vaginally. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to analyze toll receptor-2 and -4, interleukin-6 and -8, tumor necrosis factor-α, leptin, ghrelin, insulin-like growth factor-1 and -2, hepatocyte growth factor, hepatocyte growth factor receptor and insulin receptor (IR). Results The leptin gene and the IR gene showed higher expression in lateral regions near the chorionic plate compared to central regions near the basal plate (P = 0.028 and P = 0.041, respectively). Conclusion Our results suggest that the sampling site may influence the gene expression for leptin and IR in placental tissue obtained from full-term normal pregnancies. We speculate that this may be due to differences in placental structure and perfusion and may be important when future studies are designed.

Female sex hormones in relation to insulin resistance after hysterectomy: A pilot study.

BACKGROUND & AIM: Surgery causes development of insulin resistance. Women undergoing hysterectomy have different female sex hormonal status, ranging from premenopausal to postmenopausal. The aim of the study was to explore the relation between the female sex hormones and insulin resistance (IR%) after hysterectomy. METHODS: A secondary analysis from a randomised controlled single-centre study at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Örebro University Hospital, Sweden. Twenty women were randomised to robot-assisted laparoscopic or abdominal hysterectomy. Blood were drawn before and after surgery for measurement of oestrogens, progesterone, and gonadotropins alongside determination of insulin sensitivity using the hyperinsulinemic normolycaemic clamp. RESULTS: Female sex hormonal status was not correlated to insulin sensitivity before operation. Premenopausal women developed more IR% than postmenopausal women (p = 0.012). Premenopausal women also showed a significant decrease in absolute levels of oestradiol (E2) (p = 0.016), and the relative decrease in E2 from preoperative to postoperative values (E2%) was significantly higher (p = 0.001). There was a significant positive correlation in the entire study population between E2% and IR% (r = 0.72, p = 0.001, r2 0.51) that remained when adjusted for age (p = 0.028), BMI (p = 0.001), and preoperative insulin sensitivity (p = 0.011) separately. CONCLUSIONS: Premenopausal women developed a higher degree of postoperative insulin resistance that was associated with a parallel relative change in oestradiol levels compared with the postmenopausal women. It remains unclear whether these are independent phenomena in the overall stress response or whether a causal relationship exists.

Patients' reasoning regarding the decision to participate in clinical cancer trials: an interview study.

BACKGROUND: Clinical cancer trials are crucial for the implementation of new treatments in the clinical setting, but it is equally crucial that patients are given the opportunity to make a well-informed decision about participation. The inclusion process is complex, including both oral and written information about the trial. The process of patients' decision-making regarding clinical cancer trials has not yet been sufficiently studied. This interview study aims to explore the process of patients' reasoning regarding the decision to participate in a clinical cancer trial. METHODS: The study is based on 27 individual face-to-face interviews with patients who had decided to participate in a clinical cancer trial. The interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim and then analysed using inductive content analysis. RESULTS: Content analysis revealed 17 subthemes grouped into five themes: (1) an unhesitating decision to participate; (2) a decision based on flimsy grounds and guided by emotion; (3) feeling safe and secure with my decision; (4) faced with a choice versus what choice do I have? and (5) hoping for help while helping others. The decision to participate in a clinical cancer trial was often immediate and guided by emotions, based on a trusting relationship with healthcare personnel rather than on careful reading of written information. Palliative patients, in particular, sometimes had unrealistic beliefs about the effectiveness of the trial treatment. CONCLUSIONS: It is vital that the decision to participate in a clinical cancer trial is preceded by an honest dialogue about possible positive and negative effects of the trial treatments, including other options such as supportive care in the palliative setting. Our findings also raise the questions of how important written information is for the decision-making process and also whether genuine informed consent is possible. To reach a higher degree of informed consent, it is most important that the oral information is given in a thorough and unbiased manner.

Course and characteristics of work disability 3 years before and after lumbar spine decompression surgery- a national population-based study.

Despite decompression surgery being a widespread intervention for patients with dorsopathies (i.e. back pain) affecting the lumbar spine, the scientific knowledge on patterns and characteristics of work disability before and after the surgery is limited. Sickness absence (SA) and disability pension (DP) were examined three years before and after surgery in 8558 patients aged 25-60 years who underwent lumbar spine decompression surgery in Sweden. They were compared to individuals with diagnosed dorsopathies but no surgery and individuals from the general population as matched comparison groups. According to Group Based Trajectory models, in patients with decompression surgery, 39% had low levels of SA/DP during the entire study period and 15% started with low levels of SA/DP, which increased in the year before, and declined to almost zero in the second year after surgery. Three trajectory groups (12%, 17%, and 18%) started at different levels of SA/DP, which increased in the years before, and declined in the third year after surgery. The trajectory groups in the comparison groups showed lower levels of work disability. Sex, education, and the use of antidepressants and analgesics the year before surgery played an important role to explain the variance of trajectory groups in patients with surgery.

Metabolic and inflammatory responses and subsequent recovery in robotic versus abdominal hysterectomy: A randomised controlled study.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Surgery causes inflammatory and metabolic responses in the body. The aim of the study was to investigate whether robotic-assisted total laparoscopic hysterectomy induces less insulin resistance than abdominal hysterectomy, and to compare inflammatory response and clinical recovery between the two techniques. METHODS: A randomised controlled study at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Örebro University Hospital, Sweden. Twenty women scheduled for a planned total hysterectomy with or without salpingo-oophorectomy between October 2014 and May 2015, were randomly allocated to robotic-assisted total laparoscopic hysterectomy or abdominal hysterectomy. Insulin resistance after surgery was measured by the hyperinsulinemic normoglycaemic clamp method, inflammatory response measured in blood samples, and clinical recovery outcomes registered. RESULTS: There were no differences in development of insulin resistance between the robotic group and the abdominal group (mean ± SD: 39% ± 22 vs. 40% ± 19; p = 0.948). The robotic group had a significantly shorter hospital stay (median 1 vs. 2 days; p = 0.005). Inflammatory reaction differed; in comparison to the robotic group, the abdominal group showed significantly higher increases in serum interleukin 6 levels, white blood cell count and cortisol from preoperative values to postoperative peak values. CONCLUSIONS: Robotic laparoscopic surgery reduced inflammatory responses and recovery time, but these changes were not accompanied by decreased insulin resistance. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: www.ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier no NCT02291406.

Translation and cultural adaption of the decisions module for colorectal cancer screening into a Swedish version - the SCREESCO questionnaire.

OBJECTIVES: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is suitable for population screening due to its high incidence and the recognizable and treatable prephase, and the present study is part of the larger study; Screening for Swedish Colons (SCREESCO). In Sweden, there is, to our knowledge, no questionnaire assessing shared decision making (SDM) with regard to CRC screening and, therefore, the aim of the study was to translate and culturally adapt the CRC screening module of the National Survey of Medical Decisions (DECISIONS) into a Swedish context. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A qualitative design inspired by guidelines based on methods for cross-cultural adaptation of questionnaires was used. In addition, focus group discussions, individual interviews and think-aloud (TA) sessions were performed. RESULTS: Of the 54 items included in the original DECISION survey, 32 were excluded, 22 were modified, and three were added as a result of the qualitative study. How the health care organization communicated and CRC screening knowledge was communicated were found to be the most important cultural differences between Sweden and the USA. The final questionnaire consists of 24 items. CONCLUSION: The process of translation and cultural adaptation of the CRC screening module of the DECISIONS survey resulted in the removal and modifying of a considerable number of items. The major rationale for the removal and modifying of items can be explained by the different cultural traditions between Sweden and the USA when communicating with the health care system regarding screening participation and how CRC screening information and knowledge is communicated.

Sickness Absence and Disability Pension After Breast Cancer Diagnosis: A 5-Year Nationwide Cohort Study.

Purpose To explore future diagnosis-specific sickness absence and disability pension among women with breast cancer compared with women without breast cancer. Also, to examine associations with disease-related and sociodemographic factors among those with breast cancer. Methods Longitudinal register data on 3,547 women living in Sweden (age 20 to 65 years) who were first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005, and a matched comparison cohort (n = 14,188), were analyzed for the annual prevalence of diagnosis-specific sickness absence and disability pension over 5 years. Logistic regressions were used to explore associations of disease-related and sociodemographic factors with future sickness absence and disability pension among women with breast cancer. Results Immediately after being diagnosed with breast cancer, the proportion of women with sickness absence was high but decreased continuously from the 1st through 5th year after diagnosis (71%, 40%, 30%, 22%, and 19%, respectively). In comparison, the range for women without breast cancer was 17% to 11%, respectively. The higher prevalence of sickness absence after breast cancer was mainly a result of breast cancer diagnosis, not a mental diagnosis, or other somatic diagnoses. Advanced cancer at diagnosis, > 90 days sickness absence before diagnosis, low education, and being born outside Sweden were associated with higher odds ratios for sickness absence and disability pension (odds ratio range, 1.40 to 6.45). Conclusion The level of sickness absence increased substantially in women with breast cancer during the first year after diagnosis and approached the level of breast cancer-free women in the following years; however, even in the first year, most women were not on sickness absence for a substantial time, and even in high-risk groups, many were not on sickness absence or disability pension in the following years. Information about relatively low future sickness absence and disability pension levels can be used by patients when planning their work, by health care professionals, and by social insurance officers. Employers and Occupational Health Services need this information to adequately handle workplace adjustments.

The importance of people's values and preferences for colorectal cancer screening participation.

Background: To explore how individuals reason when they make decisions about participating in colorectal cancer (CRC) screening. Methods: Individuals randomized to FIT or colonoscopy included in the Screening of Swedish Colons (SCREESCO) program was invited to focus group discussions and individual telephone interviews. The concept of shared decision-making (SDM: information; values/preferences; involvement) was used as a matrix for the analyses. To validate findings, additional focus group discussions using the nominal group technique were performed. Results: Lack of knowledge of CRC and CRC screening was prominent for participants and non-participants, while the results differed between the groups in relation to their values and preferences. The influence of significant others promoted participation while it prevented it among non-participants. Those who participated and those who did not made it clear that there was no need to involve health care professionals when making the decision. Conclusions: Based on the results, a display of different ways to spread knowledge and communicate about CRC and CRC-screening could be applied such as, community-based information campaigns, decisions aids, interactive questionnaires, chat-functions and telephone support. The disparity in values and preferences between participants and non-participants may be the key to understand why non-participants make their decisions not to participate and warrant further exploration.

Enhanced Recovery after Surgery Protocol in Abdominal Hysterectomies for Malignant versus Benign Disease.

BACKGROUND: The enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol combines unimodal evidence-based interventions aiming to enhance recovery after surgery and reduce length of stay (LOS). We introduced an ERAS protocol in gynecological surgery and compared outcomes after hysterectomies performed for malignant vs. benign indications. METHODS: This prospective cohort study was conducted at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Örebro University Hospital, Sweden, among 121 consecutive patients undergoing abdominal hysterectomy and salpingo-oophorectomy for malignant (n = 40) or benign (n = 81) indications between 2012 and 2014. Clinical data were prospectively collected and extracted from the patient records and from a specific database. The primary outcomes were LOS and proportion of patients achieving target LOS (2 days). RESULTS: Patients operated for malignant vs. benign disease did not differ significantly in terms of LOS (2 (1-5) vs. 2 (1-11) days; p = 0.505), proportion discharged at target LOS (62 vs. 69%; p = 0.465; OR 0.74, 95% CI 0.3-1.6), complications (2 vs. 7% in primary stay, 8 vs. 11% within 30 days after discharge), reoperations (0 vs. 2%), or readmissions (2 vs. 1%). CONCLUSION: The ERAS protocol may be equally applicable to patients undergoing hysterectomy either for a malignant or for a benign disease.

Vaginal Gene Expression During Treatment With Aromatase Inhibitors.

BACKGROUND: Aromatase inhibitor (AI) treatment suppresses estrogen biosynthesis and causes genitourinary symptoms of menopause such as vaginal symptoms, ultimately affecting the quality of life for many postmenopausal women with breast cancer. Thus, the aim of this study was to examine vaginal gene expression in women during treatment with AIs compared with estrogen-treated women. The secondary aim was to study the presence and localization of vaginal aromatase. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Vaginal biopsies were collected from postmenopausal women treated with AIs and from age-matched control women treated with vaginal estrogen therapy. Differential gene expression was studied with the Affymetrix Gene Chip Gene 1.0 ST Array (Affymetrix Inc, Santa Clara, CA) system, Ingenuity pathway analysis, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: The expression of 279 genes differed between the 2 groups; AI-treated women had low expression of genes involved in cell differentiation, proliferation, and cell adhesion. Some differentially expressed genes were found to interact indirectly with the estrogen receptor alpha. In addition, aromatase protein staining was evident in the basal and the intermediate vaginal epithelium layers, and also in stromal cells with a slightly stronger staining intensity found in AI-treated women. CONCLUSION: In this study, we demonstrated that genes involved in cell differentiation, proliferation, and cell adhesion are differentially expressed in AI-treated women. The expression of vaginal aromatase suggests that this could be the result of local and systemic inhibition of aromatase. Our results emphasize the role of estrogen for vaginal cell differentiation and proliferation and future drug candidates should be aimed at improving cell differentiation and proliferation.

Hand hygiene and aseptic techniques during routine anesthetic care - observations in the operating room.

BACKGROUND: More knowledge is needed about task intensity in relation to hand hygiene in the operating room during anesthetic care in order to choose effective improvement strategies. The aim of this study was to explore the indications and occurrence of hand hygiene opportunities and the adherence to hand hygiene guidelines during routine anesthetic care in the operating room. METHODS: Structured observational data on hand hygiene during anesthetic care during 94 surgical procedures was collected using the World Health Organization's observational tool in a surgical department consisting of 16 operating rooms serving different surgical specialties such as orthopedic, gynecological, urological and general surgery. RESULTS: A total of 2,393 opportunities for hand hygiene was recorded. The number of hand hygiene opportunities when measured during full-length surgeries was mean = 10.9/hour, SD 6.1 with an overall adherence of 8.1%. The corresponding numbers for the induction phase were, mean =77.5/h, SD 27.4 with an associated 3.1% adherence to hand hygiene guidelines. Lowest adherence was observed during the induction phase before an aseptic task (2.2%) and highest during full-length surgeries after body fluid exposure (15.9%). CONCLUSIONS: There is compelling evidence for low adherence to hand hygiene guidelines in the operating room and thus an urgent need for effective improvement strategies. The conclusion of this study is that any such strategy should include education and practical training in terms of how to carry out hand hygiene and aseptic techniques and how to use gloves correctly. Moreover it appears to be essential to optimize the work processes in order to reduce the number of avoidable hand hygiene opportunities thereby enhancing the possibilities for adequate use of HH during anesthetic care.

Placental gene expression of inflammatory markers and growth factors--a case control study of obese and normal weight women.

OBJECTIVE: To survey the placental gene expression of inflammatory markers and growth factors in non-smoking obese women with an uncomplicated pregnancy without associated morbidity and delivery at term compared with normal weight women. METHODS: Placental tissue samples from 32 obese women (body mass index, BMI≥35.0 kg/m2) were compared with samples from 94 normal weight women (BMI 18.5-25.0 kg/m2) matched for age (±1 year), gestational age (±3 days), parity and mode of delivery. Semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to analyse toll receptor-2 and -4, interleukin-6 and -8, tumour necrosis factor-α, leptin, adiponectin, insulin-like growth factor-1 and -2, hepatocyte growth factor, hepatocyte growth factor receptor and insulin receptor. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in gene expression in placental tissue samples from obese and normal weight women. CONCLUSION: We found no difference in the occurrence of inflammatory marker and growth factor mRNA levels in placental tissue samples from a large group of obese women without associated morbidity and with healthy infants compared to a closely matched control group of healthy normal weight women. Compared with the previous studies, this anomalous finding may be explained by the absence of associated morbidity in the obese women in our study.

Implementing a structured Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocol reduces length of stay after abdominal hysterectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of introducing an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocol, modified for gynecological surgery, on length of stay and complications following abdominal hysterectomy. DESIGN: Observational study. SETTING: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Örebro University Hospital, Sweden. POPULATION: Eighty-five patients undergoing abdominal hysterectomy for benign or malignant indications between January and December 2012, with or without salpingo-oophorectomy. Outcomes were compared with all consecutive patients who had undergone the same surgery from January to December 2011, immediately before establishing the ERAS protocol (n = 120). METHODS: The ERAS protocol was initiated in January 2012 as part of a targeted implementation program. Data were extracted from patient records and from a specific database. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Length of stay and the proportion of patients achieving target length of stay (2 days). RESULTS: Length of stay was significantly reduced in the study population after introducing the ERAS protocol from a mean of 2.6 (SD 1.1) days to a mean of 2.3 (SD 1.2) days (p = 0.011). The proportion of patients discharged at 2 days was significantly increased from 56% pre-ERAS to 73% after ERAS (p = 0.012). No differences were found in complications (5% vs. 3.5% in primary stay, 12% vs. 15% within 30 days after discharge), reoperations (2% vs. 1%) or readmission (4% vs. 4%). CONCLUSIONS: Introducing the ERAS protocol for abdominal hysterectomy reduced length of stay without increasing complications or readmissions.

Comparison between mixed and laminar airflow systems in operating rooms and the influence of human factors: experiences from a Swedish orthopedic center.

BACKGROUND: The importance of laminar airflow systems in operating rooms as protection from surgical site infections has been questioned. The aim of our study was to explore the differences in air contamination rates between displacement ventilation and laminar airflow systems during planned and acute orthopedic implant surgery. A second aim was to compare the influence of the number of people present, the reasons for traffic flow, and the door-opening rates between the 2 systems. METHODS: Active air sampling and observations were made during 63 orthopedic implant operations. RESULTS: The laminar airflow system resulted in a reduction of 89% in colony forming units in comparison with the displacement system (P < .001). The air samples taken in the preparation rooms showed high levels of bacterial growth (≈ 40 CFU/m(3)). CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows that laminar airflow-ventilated operating rooms offer high-quality air during surgery, with very low levels of colony forming units close to the surgical wound. The continuous maintenance of laminar air flow and other technical systems are crucial, because minor failures in complex systems like those in operating rooms can result in a detrimental effect on air quality and jeopardize the safety of patients. The technical ventilation solutions are important, but they do not guarantee clean air, because many other factors, such as the organization of the work and staff behavior, influence air cleanliness.

Aromatase inhibitors affect vaginal proliferation and steroid hormone receptors.

OBJECTIVE: Women with breast cancer who are treated with aromatase inhibitors often experience vaginal atrophy symptoms and sexual dysfunction. This work aims to study proliferation and the presence and distribution of steroid hormone receptors in vaginal biopsies in relation to vaginal atrophy and vaginal pH in women with breast cancer who are on adjuvant endocrine treatment and in healthy postmenopausal women. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study that compares postmenopausal aromatase inhibitor-treated women with breast cancer (n = 15) with tamoxifen-treated women with breast cancer (n = 16) and age-matched postmenopausal women without treatment (n = 19) or with vaginal estrogen therapy (n = 16). Immunohistochemistry was used to study proliferation and steroid hormone receptor staining intensity. Data was correlated with estrogen and androgen levels, vaginal atrophy scores, and vaginal pH. RESULTS: Aromatase inhibitor-treated women had a lower grade of proliferation, weaker progesterone receptor staining, and stronger androgen receptor staining, which correlated with plasma estrone levels, vaginal atrophy scores, and vaginal pH. CONCLUSIONS: Women with aromatase inhibitor-treated breast cancer exhibit reduced proliferation and altered steroid hormone receptor staining intensity in the vagina, which are related to clinical signs of vaginal atrophy. Although these effects are most probably attributable to estrogen suppression, a possible local inhibition of aromatase cannot be ruled out.

Changes in symptoms and lifestyle factors in patients seeking healthcare for gastrointestinal symptoms: an 18-year follow-up study.

BACKGROUND: Gastrointestinal symptoms and lifestyle change over time. The data from this 18-year longitudinal study are intended to further elucidate the long-term natural course of functional gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms and possible influencing factors. AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between lifestyle factors over time by reassessing symptom profiles in patients who presented with GI symptoms in 1990. METHOD: The study population comprises a subset of individuals enrolled in the Swedish Dyspepsia Study, which commenced in 1990. In 1990, each participant in the Swedish Dyspepsia Study underwent physical assessment and completed a computer-based questionnaire on eight GI symptoms and lifestyle factors. An identical questionnaire was completed in 2008. RESULTS: In total, 137 participants, 85 women and 52 men, were included in the follow-up study. None of the symptoms increased in frequency. Four of the symptoms decreased in frequency: abdominal pain [odds ratio (OR) 2.70], flatulence (OR 4.09), nausea (OR 3.05), and acid regurgitation (OR 1.59). Significant lifestyle changes included increased BMI (P<0.0001), decreased tobacco smoking (P<0.0001), and milk drinking (P=0.0080). Increased exercise was correlated with a decrease in acid regurgitation (OR 3.05) and vomiting (OR 7.38), but an increase in diarrhea (OR 0.23) and nausea (OR 0.33). Decreased smoking was correlated with a decrease in acid regurgitation (OR 3.45) and heartburn (OR 2.91). CONCLUSION: The results indicated that the lifestyle changes in the studied population followed the same pattern as seen in the general population, and changes in lifestyle factors may have an impact on GI symptoms and may guide symptom management in the patient, all in order to reduce personal suffering and healthcare costs in the form of fewer visits to the doctor and lower numbers of drug prescriptions.

Sexual dysfunction in women on adjuvant endocrine therapy after breast cancer.

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to investigate sexual function in postmenopausal breast cancer patients treated with aromatase inhibitors. METHODS: A population-based, cross-sectional study was conducted among postmenopausal breast cancer patients on adjuvant endocrine treatment and age-matched controls with and without estrogen treatment. Sexual function was assessed with a standardized questionnaire. RESULTS: In all, 42.4% of aromatase inhibitor-treated breast cancer patients were dissatisfied with their sex life in general, and 50.0% reported low sexual interest; this was significantly more common than in tamoxifen-treated patients and controls (P < 0.05). Aromatase inhibitor-treated patients reported insufficient lubrication in 73.9% and dyspareunia in 56.5% of cases, which were significantly more common than in controls, irrespective of hormonal use (P < 0.05). Tamoxifen-treated patients reported significantly more dyspareunia (31.3%; P < 0.05) but resembled controls in all other concerns. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that sexual dysfunction in aromatase inhibitor-treated women is a greatly underestimated problem.

The application of evidence-based measures to reduce surgical site infections during orthopedic surgery - report of a single-center experience in Sweden.

BACKGROUND: Current knowledge suggests that, by applying evidence-based measures relating to the correct use of prophylactic antibiotics, perioperative normothermia, urinary tract catheterization and hand hygiene, important contributions can be made to reducing the risk of postoperative infections and device-related infections. The aim of this study was to explore and describe the application of intraoperative evidence-based measures, designed to reduce the risk of infection. In addition, we aimed to investigate whether the type of surgery, i.e. total joint arthroplasty compared with tibia and femur/hip fracture surgery, affected the use of protective measures. METHOD: Data on the clinical application of evidence-based measures were collected structurally on site during 69 consecutively included operations involving fracture surgery (n = 35) and total joint arthroplasties (n = 34) using a pre-tested observation form. For observations in relation to hand disinfection, a modified version of the World Health Organization hand hygiene observation method was used. RESULTS: In all, only 29 patients (49%) of 59 received prophylaxis within the recommended time span. The differences in the timing of prophylactic antibiotics between total joint arthroplasty and fracture surgery were significant, i.e. a more accurate timing was implemented in patients undergoing total joint arthroplasty (p = 0.02). Eighteen (53%) of the patients undergoing total joint arthroplasty were actively treated with a forced-air warming system. The corresponding number for fracture surgery was 12 (34%) (p = 0.04).Observations of 254 opportunities for hand hygiene revealed an overall adherence rate of 10.3% to hand disinfection guidelines. CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that the utilization of evidence-based measures to reduce infections in clinical practice is not sufficient and there are unjustifiable differences in care depending on the type of surgery. The poor adherence to hand hygiene precautions in the operating room is a serious problem for patient safety and further studies should focus on resolving this problem. The WHO Safe Surgery checklist "time out" worked as an important reminder, but is not per se a guarantee of safety; it is the way we act in response to mistakes or lapses that finally matters.