Rainbows over the world's public health: determinants of health models in the past, present, and future.

The need to visualise the complexity of the determinants of population health and their interactions inspired the development of the rainbow model. In this commentary we chronicle how variations of this model have emerged, including the initial models of Haglund and Svanström (1982), Dahlgren and Whitehead (1991), and the Östgöta model (2014), and we illustrate how these models have been influential in both public health and beyond. All these models have strong Nordic connections and are thus an important Nordic contribution to public health. Further, these models have underpinned and facilitated other examples of Nordic leadership in public health, including practical efforts to address health inequalities and design new health policy approaches.Apart from documenting the emergence of rainbow models and their wide range of contemporary uses, we examine a range of criticisms levelled at these models - including limitations in methodological development and in scope. We propose the time is ripe for an updated generic determinants of health model, one that elucidates and preserves the core value in older models, while recognising the developments that have occurred over the past decades in our understanding of the determinants of health. We conclude with an example of a generic model that fulfills the general purposes of a determinants of health model while maintaining the necessary scope for further adjustments to be made in the future, as well as adjustments to location or context-specific purposes, in education, research, health promotion and beyond.

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Coronary Artery Disease Patients: Potential Improvements in Mastery and Depressive Symptoms.

Depressive symptoms after coronary events are associated with a worse prognosis. When changing the focus from psychopathology towards a resilience framework, treatments such as mindfulness meditation could offer novel ways to address psychological distress among coronary artery disease (CAD) patients. We studied the feasibility of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) for CAD patients with depressive symptoms. Seventy-nine CAD patients with elevated depressive symptoms were invited to an 8-week MBSR course. Twenty-four patients (30%) accepted and 16 (20%) completed MBSR. Depressive symptoms decreased immediately after the course (p = .006). After 12 months, this improvement remained, and Mastery scores increased (p = .005). A reference group of 108 CAD patients did not show any significant changes in depressive symptoms or Mastery between 1 and 12 months after a coronary event. MBSR thus appears to be a feasible alternative for CAD patients with elevated depressive symptoms. Future studies are warranted to study if MBSR can improve psychological functioning in CAD patients.Clinicaltrials.gov (Registration Number: NCT03340948).

Physical activity related to mastery and vitality in a Swedish adult population with economic difficulties.

BACKGROUND: People with low socio-economic status report lower levels of physical activity (PA). There is insufficient knowledge about the availability of psychological resources for those who are physically active despite having a low socio-economic status. The aim of this study is to investigate the association between PA level and mastery and vitality, respectively, within an adult population with self-reported economic difficulties. METHOD: Data from a cross-sectional, population-based study (n = 817) were used. Linear regression was used to estimate the unstandardised regression coefficient (ß) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI), describing associations between PA levels (independent variable) and scale scores of psychological resources in terms of mastery and vitality (outcome variables). Three models were constructed: Model I unadjusted; Model II adjusted for sex and age; and Model III adjusted for sex, age, smoking and food quality. RESULT: After adjusting for sex, age, smoking and food quality and using low-level PA as the reference, high-level PA, but not intermediate-level PA, was related to higher scale scores of mastery (ß = 0.72 [95% CI 0.08 to 1.37]). For vitality, both high-level PA and intermediate-level PA were related to higher scale scores (ß = 9.30 [95% CI 5.20 to 13.40] and ß = 6.70 [95% CI 1.40 to 12.00] respectively). CONCLUSION: In an adult population with self-reported economic difficulties, higher levels of physical activity were related to higher mastery and vitality. Our results support that the association between physical activity and psychological resources in terms of mastery and vitality should be considered in the context of targeted health dialogues. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: Not applicable.

SF-36 predicts 13-year CHD incidence in a middle-aged Swedish general population.

PURPOSE: To study the predictive ability of each of the eight scales of SF-36 on 13-year all-cause mortality and incident coronary heart disease (CHD) in a general middle-aged population. METHODS: The population-based, longitudinal "Life-conditions, Stress and Health" study, in 2003-2004 enrolled 1007 persons aged 45-69 years (50% female), randomly sampled from the general population in Östergötland, Sweden. Variables at baseline included the SF-36 (health-related quality of life, HRQoL) and self-reported disease. Incident CHD (morbidity and mortality) and all-cause mortality data for the study population during the first 13 years from baseline were obtained from national Swedish registries. RESULTS: Seven of the eight SF-36 scales predicted CHD (sex- and age-adjusted Hazard Ratios up to 2.15; p ≤ 0.05), while only the Physical Functioning scale significantly predicted all-cause mortality. Further adjustments for presence of (self-reported) disease did not, in most cases, alter these significant predictions. CONCLUSION: Low SF-36 scores predict risk of CHD, also after adjustment for present disease, supporting the biopsychosocial model of health and disease. Measures of HRQoL yield important information and can add to the cardiopreventive toolbox, including primary prevention efforts, as it is such a simple and relatively inexpensive tool.

Can physical activity compensate for low socioeconomic status with regard to poor self-rated health and low quality-of-life?

BACKGROUND: Both high socioeconomic status (SES) and high physical activity (PA) are associated with better self-rated health (SRH) and higher quality-of-life (QoL). AIM: To investigate whether high levels of PA may compensate for the association between low SES and subjective health outcomes in terms of poorer SRH and lower QoL. METHOD: Data from a cross-sectional, population-based study (n = 5326) was utilized. Multiple logistic regression models were used to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) for the associations between indicators of SES (economic situation and educational level), SRH and QoL, as well as between the combination of SES and PA in relation to SRH and QoL. RESULT: Participants with high PA and economic problems had approximately the same OR for good SRH as those with low PA and without economic problems (OR 1.75 [95% CI 1.20-2.54] and 1.81 [1.25-2.63] respectively). Participants with high PA and low education had higher odds for good SRH (OR 3.34 [2.96-5.34] compared to those with low PA and high education (OR 1.46 [0.89-2.39]).Those with high PA and economic problems had an OR of 2.09 [1.42-3.08], for high QoL, while the corresponding OR for those with low PA and without economic problems was 4.38 [2.89-6.63]. CONCLUSION: Physically active people with low SES, had the same or even better odds to report good SRH compared to those with low PA and high SES. For QoL the result was not as consistent. The findings highlight the potential for promotion of PA to reduce SES-based inequalities in SRH.

The joint subclinical elevation of CRP and IL-6 is associated with lower health-related quality of life in comparison with no elevation or elevation of only one of the biomarkers.

BACKGROUND: Measures of health-related quality of life (HRQoL), like the Short Form (SF)-36, have been suggested to correlate with inflammatory biomarkers. It is, however, unclear whether a joint measure of two inflammatory biomarkers would bring additional information in comparison with evaluation of one inflammatory biomarker. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate associations between SF-36 and low-grade inflammation in a Swedish population, with emphasis on a combined measure of C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) as a proxy for low-grade inflammation. METHODS: In a randomly selected sample of a middle-aged Swedish general population (n = 905; aged 45-69 years, 50% women), relations between SF-36 parameters and the biomarkers were tested. Regression and correlation analyses were adjusted for sex, age, presence of disease, lifestyle, and psychological factors. RESULTS: After adjustment for sex and age, HRQoL was significantly lower in the group with a joint elevation of CRP and IL-6 in comparison with either the group with no elevation or the groups showing elevation of one of the two biomarkers. Also after full adjustments, the combined measure of elevated CRP and IL-6, with few exceptions, was associated with significantly lower HRQoL in comparison with elevations in one of them, difference ranging from 4 (Mental Health scale) to 18 scale steps (Role-Physical scale). CONCLUSION: This study confirms that there is a relationship between HRQoL and low-grade inflammation. In particular, SF-36 scores are significantly lower in a group with joint elevation of IL-6 and CRP, in comparison with elevation of either one of them.

Psychological Resources Are Independently Associated with Markers of Inflammation in a Middle-Aged Community Sample.

PURPOSE: To elucidate possible independent associations of psychological resources with inflammatory markers, all linked with coronary heart disease (CHD). METHOD: In a middle-aged general population (n = 944), psychological resources (coping, self-esteem, and sense of coherence (SOC)), a global measure of quality of life (Cantril's self-anchoring ladder, also called "ladder of life"), and psychological risk factors (hopelessness, vital exhaustion, and depressive symptoms) were used in linear regression models to evaluate associations with the inflammatory markers interleukin (IL)-6, C-reactive protein (CRP), and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9. Adjustments were done for age, sex, medical conditions, and cardiovascular risk factors. RESULTS: After full adjustments, self-esteem was independently associated with all three biomarkers. Ladder of life was associated with IL-6 and log-CRP; coping, vital exhaustion, and depressive symptoms with IL-6; and SOC with MMP-9 (p < 0.05 for all associations). CONCLUSION: Numerous significant associations of psychological resources and risk factors with IL-6, CRP, and MMP-9 were found in a community-based sample. The associations of psychological resources were mostly independent, while the psychological risk factors seemed preferentially dependent on lifestyle factors as smoking, physical activity, and body mass index (BMI). This suggests that the psychological resources' (in particular self-esteem) protective effects on CHD are linked to inflammatory markers.

Exploring trends in and determinants of educational inequalities in self-rated health.

AIMS: Educational inequalities in self-rated health (SRH) in European welfare countries are documented, but recent trends in these inequalities are less well understood. We examined educational inequalities in SRH in different age groups, and the contribution of selected material, behavioural and psychosocial determinants from 2000 to 2008. METHODS: Data were derived from cross-sectional surveys conducted in 2000, 2004 and 2008 including 37,478, 34,876 and 32,982 respondents, respectively, aged 25-75 in mid-Sweden. Inequalities were analysed by age-standardized and age-stratified rate ratios of poor SRH and age-standardized prevalence of determinants, and contribution of determinants by age-adjusted logistic regression. RESULTS: Relative educational inequalities in SRH increased among women from 2000 (rate ratio (RR) 1.70, 95% CI 1.55-1.85) to 2008 (RR 2.07, 95% CI 1.90-2.26), but were unchanged among men (RR 1.91-2.01). The increase among women was mainly due to growing inequalities in the age group 25-34 years. In 2008, significant age differences emerged with larger inequalities in the youngest compared with the oldest age group in both genders. All determinants were more prevalent in low educational groups; the most prominent were lack of a financial buffer, smoking and low optimism. Educational differences were unchanged over the years for most determinants. In all three surveys, examined determinants together explained a substantial part of the educational inequalities in SRH. CONCLUSIONS: Increased relative educational health inequalities among women, and persisting inequalities among men, were paralleled by unchanged, large differences in material/structural, behavioural and psychosocial factors. Interventions to reduce these inequalities need to focus on early mid-life.

Do depressive symptoms mediate the relationship between hopelessness and diurnal cortisol rhythm?

BACKGROUND: Research has revealed a well-established relationship of depressive symptoms and hopelessness with a variety of physical illnesses that are associated with a dysfunction of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal-axis. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to test if depressive symptoms mediate the relationship between hopelessness and cortisol, a measure of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal-axis. METHODS: Hopelessness, depressive symptoms, and diurnal cortisol rhythm were measured in 257 adults (128 women and 129 men; age range, 20-74 years) in this cross-sectional study. To test the hypothesis, two linear regression analyses and asymmetrical confidence intervals around the regression weights were conducted. A second set of analyses was calculated to be able to exclude the possibility of hopelessness as a mediator between depressive symptoms and cortisol. RESULTS: As predicted, after adjusting for age, gender, awakening time, and medication use, more hopelessness predicted more depressive symptoms and more depressive symptoms predicted a flatter diurnal cortisol rhythm. The 95% confidence intervals revealed that the indirect relationship between hopelessness and diurnal cortisol rhythm was significant. The analyses with hopelessness as a potential mediator revealed that hopelessness does not mediate the association between depressive symptoms and cortisol. CONCLUSIONS: While the relationship between hopelessness and cortisol was mediated by depressive symptoms in this cross-sectional study, many other risk factors of depression have not been examined. Thus, future longitudinal studies should examine the relationships between those risk factors of depression and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal-axis.

Psychological resources are associated with reduced incidence of coronary heart disease. An 8-year follow-up of a community-based Swedish sample.

BACKGROUND: A large number of studies have provided clear evidence for a link between the risk of coronary heart disease and psychological risk factors. Much less attention has been given to the potential protective effect of psychological resources. PURPOSE: The major aim of this study was to investigate the independent association between psychological resources and incidence of coronary heart disease (CHD) in an 8-year follow-up study of a Swedish community-based cohort. METHODS: The cohort consisted of 484 men and 497 women, aged 45-69 years at baseline. The incidence of first-time major event of CHD was analysed in relation to baseline levels of psychological resources, including mastery, self-esteem, and sense of coherence as well as psychological risk factors including cynicism and hostile affect, vital exhaustion, hopelessness, and depressive symptoms. In Cox proportional hazard models, adjustments were made for age, sex, eight traditional cardiovascular risk factors, and depressive symptoms. RESULTS: A total of 56 CHD events had occurred after the 8-year follow-up. After adjustment for age, sex, and eight traditional risk factors, a significantly decreased risk of CHD was found for mastery (HR 0.62 per SD, p = 0.003), self-esteem (HR 0.64, p = 0.004), and sense of coherence (HR 0.70, p = 0.031). An increased risk of CHD was found for vital exhaustion (HR 1.46, p = 0.014), hopelessness (HR 1.59, p = 0.003), and depressive symptoms (HR 1.45, p = 0.009). After further adjustment for depressive symptoms, significant associations remained for mastery (HR 0.67, p = 0.034), self-esteem (HR 0.69, p = 0.048), and hopelessness (HR 1.48, p = 0.023). CONCLUSIONS: The psychological resources, mastery and self-esteem, showed robust protective effects on CHD, also after adjustment for established risk factors as well as depressive symptoms. In parallel, hopelessness was an independent risk factor for CHD. The results may have implications for novel approaches in preventive efforts.

Effects of education, income and employment on ICU and post-ICU survival - A nationwide Swedish cohort study of individual-level data with 1-year follow up.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to examine relationships between education, income, and employment (socioeconomic status, SES) and intensive care unit (ICU) survival and survival 1 year after discharge from ICU (Post-ICU survival). METHODS: Individual data from ICU patients were linked to register data of education level, disposable income, employment status, civil status, foreign background, comorbidities, and vital status. Associations between SES, ICU survival and 1-year post-ICU survival was analysed using Cox's regression. RESULTS: We included 58,279 adults (59% men, median length of stay in ICU 4.0 days, median SAPS3 score 61). Survival rates at discharge from ICU and one year after discharge were 88% and 63%, respectively. Risk of ICU death (Hazard ratios, HR) was significantly higher in unemployed and retired compared to patients who worked prior to admission (1.20; 95% CI: 1.10-1.30 and 1.15; (1.07-1.24), respectively. There was no consistent association between education, income and ICU death. Risk of post-ICU death decreased with greater income and was roughly 16% lower in the highest compared to lowest income quintile (HR 0.84; 0.79-0.88). Higher education levels appeared to be associated with reduced risk of death during the first year after ICU discharge. CONCLUSIONS: Significant relationships between low SES in the critically ill and increased risk of death indicate that it is important to identify and support patients with low SES to improve survival after intensive care. Studies of survival after critical illness need to account for participants SES.

[SK courses in lifestyle habits. Updated proposals and course organizers' experiences]. / SK-kurser i levnadsvanor rustar läkare att motivera hälsosamt val.

The physician has an important role in identifying unhealthy lifestyles, offering counselling and, if necessary, referring the patient to another profession or care unit. Therefore, knowledge and skills related to lifestyle habits are included in the goal description for residents in all clinical specialities.  SK courses in lifestyle habits should be based on National Guidelines for Prevention and Treatment - Support for Governance and Management (2018), issued by the Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare. Preferably, the course should include training sessions where the participants can practice the counselling techniques. The ethical principles provide the foundation for work related to lifestyle habits. The course should include evidence-based knowledge on how lifestyle habits affect symptoms, risk factors, and diseases, as well as the effect of changing lifestyle habits. Also, discussions about local routines and the physician's role in addressing lifestyle habits are valuable components of the course.

Health-related quality of life scores after intensive care are almost equal to those of the normal population: a multicenter observational study.

INTRODUCTION: Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients treated in intensive care has been reported to be lower compared with age- and sex-adjusted control groups. Our aim was to test whether stratifying for coexisting conditions would reduce observed differences in HRQoL between patients treated in the ICU and a control group from the normal population. We also wanted to characterize the ICU patients with the lowest HRQoL within these strata. METHODS: We did a cross-sectional comparison of scores of the short-form health survey (SF-36) questionnaire in a multicenter study of patients treated in the ICU (n = 780) and those from a local public health survey (n = 6,093). Analyses were in both groups adjusted for age and sex, and data stratified for coexisting conditions. Within each stratum, patients with low scores (below -2 SD of the control group) were identified and characterized. RESULTS: After adjustment, there were minor and insignificant differences in mean SF-36 scores between patients and controls. Eight (n = 18) and 22% (n = 51) of the patients had low scores (-2 SD of the control group) in the physical and mental dimensions of SF-36, respectively. Patients with low scores were usually male, single, on sick leave before admission to critical care, and survived a shorter time after being in ICU. CONCLUSIONS: After adjusting for age, sex, and coexisting conditions, mean HRQoL scores were almost equal in patients and controls. Up to 22% (n = 51) of the patients had, however, a poor quality of life as compared with the controls (-2 SD). This group, which more often consisted of single men, individuals who were on sick leave before admission to the ICU, had an increased mortality after ICU. This group should be a target for future support.

Plasma type I collagen α1 chain in relation to coronary artery disease: findings from a prospective population-based cohort and an acute myocardial infarction prospective cohort in Sweden.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the association between type I collagen α1 chain (COL1α1) levels and coronary artery disease (CAD) by using absolute quantification in plasma. Also, to investigate the correlates of COL1α1 to clinical characteristics and circulating markers of collagen metabolism. DESIGN: Life conditions, Stress and Health (LSH) study: prospective cohort study, here with a nested case-control design.Assessing Platelet Activity in Coronary Heart Disease (APACHE) study: prospective cohort study. SETTING: LSH: primary care setting, southeast Sweden.APACHE: cardiology department, university hospital, southeast Sweden. PARTICIPANTS: LSH: 1007 randomly recruited individuals aged 45-69 (50% women). Exclusion criteria was serious disease. After 13 years of follow-up, 86 cases with primary endpoint were identified and sex-matched/age-matched to 184 controls. APACHE: 125 patients with myocardial infarction (MI), 73 with ST-elevation MI and 52 with non-ST-elevation MI. EXCLUSION CRITERIA: Intervention study participation, warfarin treatment and short life expectancy. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary outcome was the association between baseline COL1α1 and first-time major event of CAD, defined as fatal/non-fatal MI or coronary revascularisation after 13 years. Secondary outcomes were the association between the collagen biomarkers PRO-C1 (N-terminal pro-peptide of type I collagen)/C1M (matrix metalloproteinase-mediated degradation of type I collagen) and CAD; temporal change of COL1α1 after acute MI up to 6 months and lastly, correlates between COL1α1 and patient characteristics along with circulating markers of collagen metabolism. RESULTS: COL1α1 levels were associated with CAD, both unadjusted (HR=0.69, 95% CI=0.56 to 0.87) and adjusted (HR=0.55, 95% CI=0.41 to 0.75). PRO-C1 was associated with CAD, unadjusted (HR=0.62, 95% CI=0.47 to 0.82) and adjusted (HR=0.61, 95% CI=0.43 to 0.86), while C1M was not. In patients with MI, COL1α1 remained unchanged up to 6 months. COL1α1 was correlated to PRO-C1, but not to C1M. CONCLUSIONS: Plasma COL1α1 was independently and inversely associated with CAD. Furthermore, COL1α1 appeared to reflect collagen synthesis but not degradation. Future studies are needed to confirm whether COL1α1 is a clinically useful biomarker of CAD.

Socioeconomic differences in outpatient healthcare utilisation are mainly seen for musculoskeletal problems in groups with poor self-rated health.

AIM: To assess whether there are socioeconomic (SES) differences in outpatient visits within groups of comparable morbidity (medical disease and self-rated health) and whether psychosocial factors can explain these differences. METHODS: Baseline data for SES, presence of disease, self-rated health (SRH), and psychosocial factors were collected during 2003-04 from 923 men and women aged 45-69 years in southeast Sweden. Outcome data were all registered outpatient healthcare visits to physicians during 2004-08. Cumulative incidences and standardised rate ratios (SSR) were calculated for strata of comparable morbidity for all visits, for visits due to cardiovascular disorders (CVD)/diabetes and for musculoskeletal problems. RESULTS: Low SES was associated with more outpatient visits due to musculoskeletal problems (SRR for education 1.52, 95% CI 1.35-1.73; for occupation 1.40, 95% CI 1.26-1.56) and accentuated in groups with poor SRH. The SES effect was significant for visits to primary care and to hospitals, for men and women, and independent of present disease, SRH, and psychosocial factors. Low SES was significantly associated with more total outpatient visits at primary healthcare centres. In contrast, for outpatient visits due to CVD/diabetes, high SES was related to more visits to hospitals among people with good SRH at baseline. CONCLUSIONS: We found a consistent pattern for outpatient visits related to musculoskeletal problems where people with low SES counted more visits and this was most prominent in groups of poor SRH. The results demonstrate the need to apply different morbidity measures when studying inequalities in healthcare utilisation.

Pentraxin-3 detected in human saliva shows limited correlation with biomarkers associated with systemic inflammation.

Pentraxin-3 (PTX3) is a conserved protein of the innate immune system which has been less studied than the pentraxin C-reactive protein (CRP), but it is of relevance in, for example, vascular pathology and pregnancy morbidities. Since the interest in salivary biomarkers in general is increasing, we asked whether PTX3 could be detected in saliva and if any substantial diurnal variation occurs. In addition, we evaluated association with biomarkers of systemic inflammation (interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-6, and IL-8 and CRP), body mass index (BMI), smoking, and age. PTX3 in morning and evening saliva from 106 middle-aged participants of the general population was investigated by ELISA and total protein levels by spectrophotometry. PTX3 was detectable in saliva, and concentrations varied over the day with higher morning concentrations, but the PTX3 relative protein levels (percentage of total protein) were significantly higher in the evening. Sex and age did not impact salivary PTX3, but smoking was associated with lower PTX3 levels. BMI correlated positively with PTX3 in evening saliva. There was no general association with biomarkers of systemic inflammation, except for IL-6. Salivary PTX3 likely reflects the local inflammatory milieu, and adjustments for sampling time, smoking habits, and BMI are needed to adequately interpret PTX3 in saliva.

Emotional support predicts more sickness absence and poorer self assessed work ability: a two-year prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: While back pain and stressful work environment are shown to be important causes of sickness absence the effect of psychosocial resources on sickness absence, and on self assessed work ability, is less commonly investigated. The aim of this study was to assess these associations in a two-year follow-up study. METHODS: 341 working people aged 45 to 64, randomly drawn from the population, responded to a questionnaire at baseline and at a two-year follow-up. Poisson regression was used to analyse the association of psychosocial factors (psychosocial instruments on work environment, emotional support and psychological resources) and previous back pain (low back and/or neck) at baseline with sickness absence (spells and days) at follow-up, controlling for effects of age, sex, BMI, smoking, alcohol, occupation, disease and previous sickness absence. Logistic regression was used to study the associations of psychosocial factors and previous back pain at baseline with self assessed prognosis of poor work ability six months from follow-up. Finally, a multivariate analysis tested the independent effects of previous back pain and 3 psychosocial factors derived in a factor analysis: 1. work environment; 2. emotional support; 3. psychological resources, on work ability and absence days and spells. RESULTS: 80% of the sickness absence spells within the last 12 months before follow-up were short-term (≤ 14 days). In the final model, high emotional support predicted more sickness absence spells (RR 1.36; 1.11-1.67) and days (RR 1.68, 1.22-2.31). Previous back pain (OR 2.56; 1.13-5.81), high emotional support (OR 1.58; 1.02-2.46), and low psychological resources (OR 0.62; 0.44-0.89) were related to poorer self assessed prognosis of work ability at follow up. CONCLUSIONS: In a general middle aged working population high emotional support was related to more sickness absence and also poorer self assessed prognosis of work ability. Our findings suggest that both sickness absence and self assessed work ability are dependent of life outside work and can be affected by a person's close community.

Evaluation of the usefulness of EQ-5D as a patient-reported outcome measure using the Paretian classification of health change among patients with chronic heart failure.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of EQ-5D as a patient-reported outcome measure using different analytical methods. Especially we used the Paretian Classification of Health Change, to see if this gave better information compared to measures that are more traditional. For the evaluation we used data from patients with chronic heart failure (HF). METHODS: We compared results of EQ-5D at baseline and at 1 year's follow up for HF patients with preserved or reduced ejection fraction (EF), HFpEF (EF > 50%, n = 930) and HFrEF (EF < 40%, n = 3831) using individual patient data from the Swedish Heart Failure Registry. Statistical analysis included EQ-5D index and proportions for all five dimensions of the EQ-5D. In addition, we also used the Paretian classification of Health Change to judge overall improvements (improved in at least one dimension and not worsened in any other dimension) or worsening (vice versa) in EQ-5D profiles. RESULTS: Mean EQ-5D index showed minor changes at the one-year follow-up, likewise in both groups. The proportions reporting moderate, or severe, problems increased for all five dimensions of the EQ-5D in the HFpEF group. In the HFrEF group this was seen only for three dimensions, with no change for "anxiety/depression" and reduction of problems for "usual activities ". The Paretian classification showed that 24% (n = 200) of the HFpEF group and 34% (n = 1059) of the HFrEF group reported overall improvement while 43% (n = 355) and 39% (n = 1212) respectively reported overall worsening. Multiple logistic regressions showed different patterns of determinants e.g. that treatment in a cardiology clinic only affected overall health outcome in the HFrEF group. CONCLUSION: The usefulness of EQ-5D is dependent on the analytical method used. While the index showed minor differences between groups, analyses of specific dimensions showed different patterns of change in the two groups with better prognosis for the HFrEF group. The Paretian classification of Health Change could further identify subgroups that showed overall improvements or overall worsening. This method can therefore help to identify needs for more tailored interventions in health services.

Measuring psychosocial factors in health surveys using fewer items.

The present study investigated the possibility of reducing length of psychosocial scales, while maintaining validity, using easily manageable techniques. Data were collected 2003-2004 in a Swedish general population; n = 1007, ages 45-69, 50% women. Eight psychosocial scales were reduced from 6-20 to 3-7 items maintaining Cronbach's alpha >0.7 and correlation coefficients between full and reduced scales > 0.85. Relationships to biomarkers for inflammation, self-rated health and 8-year incidence of coronary heart disease showed no difference between full and reduced scales. It was possible, using these easily manageable methods, to reduce scale length without threatening validity for use in population surveys.