Association between changed self-rated health and the risk of venous thromboembolism in Malmö Preventive Program: a cohort study.

Poor self-rated health (SRH) is associated with incident arterial cardiovascular disease in both sexes. Studies on the association between SRH and incident venous thromboembolism (VTE) show divergent results in women and no association in men. This study focuses on the association between change in SRH and incident VTE in a cohort of 11,558 men and 6682 women who underwent a baseline examination and assessment of SRH between 1974 and 1992 and a re-examination in 2002-2006. To investigate if changes in SRH over time affect the risk of incident VTE in men and women. During a follow-up time from the re-examination of more than 16 years, there was a lower risk for incident VTE among women if SRH changed from poor at baseline to very good/excellent (HR 0.46, 95% CI 0.28; 0.74) at the re-examination. Stable good SRH (good to very good/excellent at the re-examination, HR 0.60, 95% CI 0.42; 0.89), or change from good SRH at baseline into poor/fair at the re-examination (HR 0.68, 95% CI 0.51; 0.90) were all significantly associated with a reduced risk for VTE. All comparisons were done with the group with stable poor SRH. This pattern was not found among men. Regardless of a decreased or increased SRH during life, having an SRH of very good/excellent at any time point seems to be associated with a decreased risk of VTE among women.

How do patients experience and use home blood pressure monitoring? A qualitative analysis with UTAUT 2.

Background: Hypertension is an important cardiovascular risk factor with potentially harmful consequences. Home blood pressure monitoring is a promising method for following the effect of hypertension treatment. The use of technology-enabled care and increased patient involvement might contribute to more effective treatment methods. However, more knowledge is needed to explain the motivations and consequences of patients engaging in what has been called 'do-it-yourself healthcare'. Aim: This study aimed to investigate patients' experiences of home blood pressure monitoring through the theoretical frame of the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT 2). Methods: The study had a qualitative design, with focus group interviews using the web-based platform Zoom. The data were analysed using qualitative deductive content analysis, inspired by Graneheim and Lundman. Results: The results are presented using the seven theoretical constructs of UTAUT 2: Performance Expectancy, Effort Expectancy, Social Influence, Facilitating Conditions, Hedonistic Motivation, Price Value and Habit. We found one overarching theme ‒ 'It's all about the feeling of security'. The patients were influenced by relatives or healthcare personnel and experienced the home monitoring process as being easy to conduct. The patients emphasised that the quality of the blood pressure monitor was more important than the price. Patients reported home monitoring of blood pressure as a feasible method to follow-up care of their hypertension. Discussion: This study indicates that among motivated patients, home blood pressure measurement entails minimal effort, increases security, and leads to better communication about blood pressure between healthcare personnel and patients.

Self-monitoring of hypertension is an increasingly common method and may increase measurement accuracy and patient involvement.Through the theoretical lens of the UTAUT2, home blood pressure monitoring seems to increase patients´ feeling of security.The respondents did not report negative experiences and might have been more prone to use technology-enabled care.Home blood pressure monitoring seems to be easily adopted by motivated patients with an interest in self-monitoring their disease.

Building up bit by bit, parent's experiences of equine-assisted intervention among children and adolescents with mental illness: a grounded theory study.

BACKGROUND: Mental ill health among children and adolescents has increased worldwide. Mental health difficulties from a young age are associated with school absence and educational underachievement. A holistic perspective of treatments besides medical treatment is essential Thus, there is a need for research regarding equine-assisted intervention (EAI). PURPOSE: The present study aimed to understand the outcomes of an equine-assisted intervention for children and adolescents with mental ill health from the perspectives of parents and close relatives. METHODS: This study used a qualitative research design informed by Charmaz's Grounded Theory, with a purposive sample including six in-depth interviews. RESULTS: The theory "building up bit by bit" was constructed, explaining the recognition that their children/adolescents were built up bit by bit and created a stronger self-identity. The participants referred to changes in the child's or adolescent's way of being and emotional regulation, which constituted building blocks leading to the child's or adolescent's 1. increased Harmony. 2. enhanced Self-identity, and 3. improved Capability. CONCLUSION: Parents and close relatives experienced that their child or adolescent was built up bit by bit and gained a stronger foundation to stand on. This led to increased harmony in everyday life with stronger self-worth, better performance, and reduced school absenteeism.

Lifestyle and cardiovascular risk factors in a Swedish primary care population with self-reported psychiatric symptoms.

Objective: Individuals with psychiatric illness suffer from poorer physical health compared with the general population and have a higher risk of developing cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. This cross-sectional study aims to describe the prevalence of lifestyle and cardiovascular risk factors and the association with self-reported psychiatric symptoms in a population of 40-year-old individuals screened with targeted Health Dialogues in southern Sweden. Methods: All 40-year-old individuals registered at 99 primary healthcare centers in southern Sweden were invited to participate. Self-reported lifestyle habits on a web questionnaire, anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, and blood tests were collected. The Health Dialogue resulted in a risk level assessment for different lifestyle habits and a meeting with a trained coach. Results: A total of 1831 individuals completed a Health Dialogue between 1st January 2021 and 30th June 2022. There were more individuals with high-risk levels for several lifestyle habits in the group with self-reported psychiatric illness compared with the rest of the study population. The analysis showed that physical inactivity, unhealthy diet, high-risk alcohol intake, tobacco use, psychosocial strain, higher BMI, and waist-hip ratio were associated with increased levels of psychiatric symptoms after adjustment for sex and socioeconomic factors. Conclusion: Unhealthy lifestyle habits were associated with self-reported psychiatric symptoms in 40-year-old individuals assessed with targeted Health Dialogues in a primary care context. Organized screening might contribute to early detection of modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Individuals with psychiatric symptoms should be prioritized for screening of unhealthy lifestyle behaviors.