Different pathways for preterm birth between singleton and twin pregnancies: a population-based registry study of 481 176 nulliparous women.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the contribution of pregnancy-related complications on the prevalence of extremely, very and late preterm births in singleton and twin pregnancies. To study the risk of spontaneous preterm birth in twin pregnancies compared with singleton pregnancies. DESIGN: Population-based registry study. SETTING: Medical birth registry of Norway and Statistics Norway. POPULATION: Nulliparous women with singleton (n = 472 449) or twin (n = 8727) births during 1999-2018. METHODS: Prevalence rates of pregnancy-related complications for extremely, very and late preterm birth in twin and singleton pregnancies were calculated with 95% confidence intervals. Multivariable logistic regression was applied to assess odds ratios for preterm birth, adjusted for obstetric and socio-economic factors. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Extremely preterm (<28+0  weeks of gestation), very preterm (28+0 -33+6  weeks of gestation) and late preterm (34+0 -36+6  weeks of geatation) birth. RESULTS: Preterm birth was significantly more prevalent in twin pregnancies than in singleton pregnancies in all categories: all preterm (54.7% vs 6.1%), extremely preterm (3.6% vs 0.4%), very preterm (18.2% vs 1.4%) and late preterm (33.0% vs 4.3%) births. Stillbirth, congenital malformation and pre-eclampsia were more prevalent in twin pregnancies than in singleton pregnancies, but the prevalence of complications differed in the three categories of preterm birth. Pre-eclampsia was more prevalent in singleton than in twin pregnancies ending in extremely and very preterm birth. The adjusted odds of spontaneous preterm live birth were between 19- and 54-fold greater in twin pregnancies than in singleton pregnancies. CONCLUSIONS: Singleton and twin pregnancies seem to have different pathways leading to extremely, very and late preterm birth.

Association between maternal country of birth and preterm birth: A population-based register study of 910,752 deliveries.

Aims: The aim of this study was to analyse associations between maternal country of birth and preterm birth among women giving birth in Norway. Methods: A population-based register study was conducted employing official national databases in Norway. All singleton births, with neonates without major anomalies, between 1999 and 2014 were included (N=910,752). We estimated odds ratios (ORs) for extremely preterm birth (<28 weeks gestation), very preterm birth (28-33 weeks gestation) and late preterm birth (34-36 weeks gestation) by maternal country of birth. We conducted multivariable regression analyses, adjusting for maternal, obstetric and socio-economic confounders. Results: For extremely preterm births (0.4% of the study population), women with an unknown country of birth (adjusted OR (aOR)=3.09; 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.26-4.22) and women born in sub-Saharan Africa (aOR=1.66; CI 1.40-1.96) had the highest ORs compared to Norwegian-born women. For very preterm births (1.2% of the study population), women with an unknown country of birth (aOR=1.72; CI 1.36-2.18) and women born in South Asia (aOR=1.48; CI 1.31-1.66) had the highest ORs. For late preterm births (3.8% of the study population), women born in East Asia Pacific/Oceania (aOR=1.33; CI 1.25-1.41) and South Asia (aOR=1.30; CI 1.21-1.39) had the highest ORs. Conclusions: After adjusting for maternal, obstetric and socio-economic risk factors, maternal country of birth remained significantly associated with preterm birth. Women with an unknown country of birth and women born in sub-Saharan Africa were found to be at increased risk of extremely preterm birth.

Frailty assessment of older adults, first-time applicants of public home care service in Norway.

OBJECTIVE: Early detection of frailty is essential to prevent or delay disability. The most appropriate screening tool for frailty among home-dwelling older adults is under debate. The present study estimates the prevalence of frailty among older adults, first-time applicants of public home care service in Norway, and investigates the appropriateness of gait speed and Short Physical Performance Battery as screening-tools for frailty. DESIGN AND SETTING: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 116 older adults >65 years applying for public home care service for the first time. Frailty was assessed by an adapted version of the Fried Frailty Phenotype. The test accuracies of gait speed and Short Physical Performance Battery to detect frailty were calculated for a general population >70 years in Norway. RESULTS: 62.1% of the participants were frail, 29.3% were prefrail, and 8.6% were robust. Mean gait speed and Short Physical Performance Battery-scores were significantly lower in frail compared to prefrail individuals, and significantly lower in prefrail compared to robust individuals. The sensitivity and specificity of gait speed at a cut point of 0.8 m/s to detect physical frailty phenotype was 99% and 68%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The high prevalence of frailty in the present study indicates that screening for frailty should be considered at an earlier time point than when older adults apply for public home care service for the first time. Gait speed may be an appropriate screening tool for frailty in a general population >70 years in Norway.KEY POINTSThe prevalence of frailty among older adults, first-time applicants of public home care services in Norway is major.Screening for frailty should be considered before older adults apply for public home care service for the first time.Gait speed at a cut point at 0.8 m/s may be an appropriate screening tool for frailty in a general population >70 years in Norway.

Personality traits and the risk of becoming lonely in old age: A 5-year follow-up study.

BACKGROUND: Although many people experience loneliness in old age, there is little knowledge of predisposing personality factors. The aim of the present study was to explore to what extent personality traits are associated with the risk of becoming lonely, in women and men aged 60-79 years at baseline. METHODS: The panel data are from The Norwegian study on Life course, Ageing and Generations (NorLAG). Our sample consisted of 516 men and 419 women aged 60-79 years, who were surveyed in both 2002-2003 (baseline) and 2007-2008 (follow-up), and who reported not being lonely at baseline. Personality traits were measured by the Big Five scale. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to investigate the association between a personality trait and the risk of becoming lonely, with adjustment for age, mental health and living with a partner. RESULTS: At follow-up 59 women and 54 men reported loneliness (14.1% vs. 10.5%, p = 0.092). Among women, high agreeableness at baseline was significantly associated with a higher risk of becoming lonely. Among men, low agreeableness, low conscientiousness and high neuroticism at baseline were significantly associated with a higher risk of becoming lonely. CONCLUSIONS: Personality traits related differently to loneliness depending on gender. These findings may be useful when developing strategies for preventing loneliness in old age.

Substance abuse-related admissions in a mixed Norwegian intensive care population.

BACKGROUND: Alcohol and drug abuse are potentially modifiable risk factors for critical illness. The aims of this study were to describe patients with substance abuse-related admissions (abbreviated SARA) in a mixed intensive care (ICU) population in Oslo, and to compare these patients with patients with non-SARA. METHODS: Cross-sectional prospective study of a mixed medical and surgical ICU-population in Oslo, Norway. Data were collected consecutively using a questionnaire, medical records, and toxicology results. SARA included admissions due to acute or chronic complications of alcohol or drug abuse, as well as substance abuse-related injuries. RESULTS: Of the 852 patients included, 168 (20%) had SARA; 102 (12%) alcohol-related and 66 (8%) drug-related. Male patients aged 18-39 had the highest proportion of SARA (47/97, 49%). Among the trauma patients, 69/182 (38%) were influenced by alcohol and drugs at the time of injury. Patients with SARA were significantly younger (median age 48 vs 66), had lower Charlson comorbidity index (mean 1.4 vs 2.5) and shorter length of stay (median days 2.4 vs 4.9), than non-SARA patients. Hospital mortality was similar when adjusting for age (OR 0.8, P = .27, non-SARA as reference). CONCLUSION: Overall, one in five ICU admissions was associated with substance abuse. For male patients aged 18-39 this ratio was nearly half. More than one third of the trauma patients were influenced by alcohol or drugs at time of injury.

The self-assessment of clinical competence and the need for further training: A cross-sectional survey of advanced practice nursing students.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: (a) To describe and analyse advanced practice nursing students' self-assessment of their clinical competence and need for further training and (b) to analyse the possible predictive variables in their self-assessment. BACKGROUND: The self-assessment of clinical competence in nursing education is important for identifying professional development and educational needs to improve patient care. DESIGN: A cross-sectional survey following STROBE guidelines was used. METHODS: Ninety-nine students from three universities/university colleges in Norway participated in the study, and data were collected using a revised version of the Professional Nurse Self-Assessment Scale II. Descriptive, correlation and regression analyses were performed. RESULTS: The students gave the highest self-assessment ratings for their clinical competence in taking full responsibility and for their need for further training in medication effects and interactions. Although the students gave themselves low ratings for the use of electronic devices, they assessed their need for further training in this area as average. Clinical work experience as a registered nurse and previous higher education level were not significant predictors of clinical competence nor the need for further training. CONCLUSION: The findings indicate that self-assessment is appropriate for students in advanced practice nursing programmes. This study implies that programmes in advanced practice nursing need to familiarise students with the possibilities of information technology. It questions the entry requirement that stipulates that prospective students must have several years of clinical work experience as registered nurses before entering advanced practice nursing programmes. These programmes need to communicate that competencies other than direct clinical practice are also needed for students' future roles. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: The study contributes to the exploration of how students self-assess own clinical competence and need for further training in advanced practice nursing programmes. Further research should evaluate the development of clinical competence.

To what extent can clinical characteristics be used to distinguish encephalitis from encephalopathy of other causes? Results from a prospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: Recognizing patients with encephalitis may be challenging. The cardinal symptom, encephalopathy, has a wide array of differential diagnoses. In this prospective study we aimed to explore the etiology of encephalitis and to assess the diagnostic accuracy of symptoms and clinical findings in patients with encephalitis in an encephalopathic population. METHODS: Patients with acute onset of encephalopathy (n = 136) were prospectively enrolled from January 2014-December 2015 at Oslo University Hospital, Ullevaal. Clinical and biochemical characteristics of patients who met the case definition of encephalitis were compared to patients with encephalopathy of other causes. RESULTS: Among 136 patients with encephalopathy, 19 (14%) met the case-definition of encephalitis. For 117 patients other causes of encephalopathy were found, infection outside the CNS was the most common differential diagnosis. Etiology of encephalitis was confirmed in 53% (4 bacterial, 4 viral, 1 parasitic, and 1 autoimmune). Personality change, nausea, fever, focal neurology, recent travel history, and low inflammation markers were significantly more abundant in patients with encephalitis, but the diagnostic accuracy for individual parameters were low (area under the curve (AUC) < 0.7). The combination of fever (OR = 6.6, 95% CI, 1.6-28), nausea (OR = 8.9, 95% CI, 1.7-46) and a normal level of ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate < 17 mm/hr, OR = 6.9, 95% CI, 1.5-33) was significant in multivariate analysis with an AUC (area under the curve) of 0.85 (95% CI, 0.76-0.94). Moderately increased pleocytosis in CSF (5-100 × 106/L) further increased the diagnostic accuracy of this combination, AUC 0.90 (95% CI, 0.81-0.98). CONCLUSIONS: There is a wide diversity in differential diagnoses in patients with encephalopathy, and no single symptom or finding can be used to predict encephalitis with high accuracy in this group. The combination of fever, nausea and a low ESR in an encephalopathic population, increased the diagnostic accuracy of encephalitis compared to solitary parameters. The triad could be a useful clinical tool for early diagnosis of encephalitis, and these patients should be considered for further diagnostics such as lumbar puncture (LP).

The predictive value of coronary artery calcium detected by computed tomography in a prospective study on cardiac allograft vasculopathy in heart transplant patients.

The predictive value of coronary artery calcium (CAC) in heart transplant (HTX) patients is not established. We explored if the absence of CAC on computed tomography (CT) could exclude moderate and severe cardiac allograft vasculopathy [CAV2-3 ; the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation (ISHLT) recommended nomenclature] and significant coronary artery stenosis (diameter reduction ≥50%) and predict long-term clinical outcomes. HTX recipients (n = 133) were prospectively included and underwent CT for CAC scoring and invasive coronary angiography (ICA) 7.8 ± 5.0 years after HTX. CAC was detected in 73 (55%) patients. The absence of CAC on CT had a negative predictive value of 97% for ISHLT CAV2-3 and 88% for significant stenosis on ICA. During 7.5 ± 2.6 years of follow-up after CAC CT (n = 127), there were 57 (45%) nonfatal major adverse cardiac events and 23 (18%) deaths or graft losses registered as first events. Patients with CAC had significantly more events (P = 0.011). In an adjusted Cox regression analysis, the presence of CAC was significantly associated with a negative outcome (HR 1.8, 95% CI 1.1-3.0; P = 0.023). The absence of CAC predicted low prevalences of ISHLT CAV2-3 and significant coronary artery stenosis in HTX patients. The presence of CACS was significantly associated with a worse long-term outcome.

Levator ani defects and the severity of symptoms in women with anterior compartment pelvic organ prolapse.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: The aims of this study were to evaluate the prevalence of levator ani muscle (LAM) avulsions in a selected cohort of patients with primary anterior compartment pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and to assess whether LAM avulsions, as an independent factor, affect the degree of POP symptoms and sexual dysfunction. Additionally, clinical and demographic variables of women with and those without avulsions were compared. METHODS: We carried out a cross-sectional analysis of a prospective cohort study including 197 women scheduled for anterior compartment POP surgery. LAM avulsions were diagnosed on transperineal 4D ultrasound. Preoperative symptom severity and sexual dysfunction were evaluated using validated questionnaires (Pelvic Floor Disability Index [PFDI-20] and Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire-Short Form 12 [PISQ-12]). Linear regression was performed with avulsion as the main independent variable against total PFDI-20 and domain scores, bulge symptoms, and PISQ-12 score. Clinical and demographic variables for women with and without avulsions were compared using independent samples t test, Mann-Whitney U test or Chi-squared test. RESULTS: The prevalence of LAM avulsions was 50.3%. Avulsions were not associated with symptom severity or sexual dysfunction. "Chronic disease causing pain, fatigue or increased intra-abdominal pressure" was the only independent factor associated with all domains of the PFDI-20. Women with avulsions were younger at presentation, older at their first delivery, had lower BMI, and more often had a history of forceps delivery (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: LAM avulsions were highly prevalent in this preoperative POP cohort. Avulsions were not associated with the severity of POP symptoms or sexual dysfunction. Women with avulsions seem to require fewer additional cofactors for developing POP.

Maternal body mass index as a predictor for delivery method.

INTRODUCTION: High maternal body mass index (BMI) is associated with complications during pregnancy and delivery such as gestational diabetes, hypertensive disorders, perineal injuries and macrosomia. The aim of this study was to assess the association between maternal BMI and delivery method in non-breech, singleton deliveries, after 36 weeks of gestation, in women with no more than one previous cesarean section, in Oslo University Hospital, Ullevål. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This retrospective register study used data from the hospital obstetrical database in 2011-2012, forming a cohort of 8821 women. Women were categorized into five different BMI classes and stratified into subgroups according to parity and previous cesarean delivery. Mode of delivery was categorized to spontaneous delivery, instrumental vaginal delivery, planned cesarean section and emergency cesarean section. RESULTS: Incidence of emergency cesarean delivery increased with increasing maternal BMI. Among primiparous women with overweight or obesity, the caesarean delivery rate was doubled (23.2 and 29.1%, respectively), compared with women with underweight or normal weight (12.5 and 13.7%). Also among parous women, maternal BMI ≥30 doubled the risk for cesarean delivery. The strongest risk factor for planned or emergency cesarean delivery was previous cesarean section [adjusted odds ratio 16.41 (confidence interval 12.19-22.08) and 8.72 (6.33-12.02), respectively]. Maternal BMI ≥30 increased the risk of planned cesarean delivery by 77%, and doubled the risk of emergency cesarean delivery. CONCLUSIONS: Prepregnancy BMI ≥30 was an independent risk factor for delivery by emergency cesarean section for both primiparous and parous women.

Health-related quality of life in women with endometriosis, compared with the general population and women with rheumatoid arthritis.

INTRODUCTION: Women with endometriosis have reduced health-related quality of life (HRQoL). However, comparisons to the general population and other patient groups are lacking. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The present cross-sectional questionnaire study included 157 women with endometriosis, 156 women from the general population, and 837 women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). During a period from 2012 to 2013, women aged 18-45 years were recruited from the Norwegian Endometriosis Association and from a random sample of women residing in Oslo, Norway. HRQoL data from women with RA were included from a survey conducted in 2009 among patients of the Oslo Rheumatoid Arthritis Register. The Short Form-36 (SF-36) questionnaire was used to measure HRQoL. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the endometriosis group had significantly reduced mean scores for all SF-36 scales. The difference was largest for the scale bodily pain with a mean score of 47.6 in the endometriosis group vs 81.5 in the control group. Compared with the RA group, the endometriosis group had significantly reduced mean scores for the three SF-36 scales vitality, social functioning, and mental health. The mean scores of these scales in the endometriosis group were 33.4, 62.7, and 66.3, respectively, vs 42.7, 68.8, and 72.6 in the RA group. CONCLUSIONS: Women with moderate to severe endometriosis seem to have overall impaired HRQoL compared with women from the general population, and poorer mental HRQoL compared with women with RA.

Anxiety, depression and relationship satisfaction in the pregnancy following stillbirth and after the birth of a live-born baby: a prospective study.

BACKGROUND: Experiencing a stillbirth can be a potent stressor for psychological distress in the subsequent pregnancy and possibly after the subsequent birth. The impact on women's relationship with her partner in the subsequent pregnancy and postpartum remains uncertain. The objectives of the study were 1) To investigate the prevalence of anxiety and depression in the pregnancy following stillbirth and assess gestational age at stillbirth and inter-pregnancy interval as individual risk factors. 2) To assess the course of anxiety, depression and satisfaction with partner relationship up to 3 years after the birth of a live-born baby following stillbirth. METHODS: This study is based on data from the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study, a population-based pregnancy cohort. The sample included 901 pregnant women: 174 pregnant after a stillbirth, 362 pregnant after a live birth and 365 previously nulliparous. Anxiety and depression were assessed by short-form subscales of the Hopkins Symptoms Checklist, and relationship satisfaction was assessed by the Relationship Satisfaction Scale. These outcomes were measured in the third trimester of pregnancy and 6, 18 and 36 months postpartum. Logistic regression models were applied to study the impact of previous stillbirth on depression and anxiety in the third trimester of the subsequent pregnancy and to investigate gestational age and inter-pregnancy interval as potential risk factors. RESULTS: Women pregnant after stillbirth had a higher prevalence of anxiety (22.5%) and depression (19.7%) compared with women with a previous live birth (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 5.47, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.90-10.32 and aOR 1.91, 95% CI 1.11-3.27) and previously nulliparous women (aOR 4.97, 95% CI 2.68-9.24 and aOR 1.91, 95% CI 1.08-3.36). Gestational age at stillbirth (> 30 weeks) and inter-pregnancy interval <  12 months were not associated with depression and/or anxiety. Anxiety and depression decreased six to 18 months after the birth of a live-born baby, but increased again 36 months postpartum. Relationship satisfaction did not differ between groups. CONCLUSION: Women who have experienced stillbirth face a significantly greater risk of anxiety and depression in the subsequent pregnancy compared with women with a previous live birth and previously nulliparous women.

Cultured Human Retinal Pigment Epithelial (hRPE) Sheets: A Search for Suitable Storage Conditions.

The advancement of human retinal pigment epithelial cell (hRPE) replacement therapy is partly dependent on optimization of cell culture, cell preservation, and storage medium. This study was undertaken to search for a suitable storage temperature and storage medium for hRPE. hRPE monolayer sheets were cultured under standard conditions at 37°C and then randomized for storage at six temperatures (4, 16, 20, 24, 28, and 37°C) for 7 days. After revealing a suitable storage temperature, hRPE sheets were subsequently stored with and without the silk protein sericin added to the storage medium. Live/dead assay, light microscopy, pH, and phenotypic expression of various proteins were used to assess cell cultures stored at different temperatures. After 7 days of storage, hRPE morphology was best preserved at 4°C. Addition of sericin to the storage medium maintained the characteristic morphology of the preserved cells, and improved pigmentation and levels of pigmentation-related proteins in the cultured hRPE sheets following a 7-day storage period at 4°C.

A 1-year follow-up of a randomized clinical trial with focus on manual and electric toothbrushes' effect on dental hygiene in nursing homes.

OBJECTIVE: A 2-month randomized clinical trial (RCT) study comparing electric and manual toothbrushes used by residents in nursing homes showed significant reduction in plaque score for both groups. The aim of this follow up study was to study if the effect sustained in a longer perspective when toothbrushes were used according to resident's own preference. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One year after baseline of the RCT-study, 100 participants were re-examined. The simplified oral hygiene index (OHI-S) was used as outcome measure on dental plaque. RESULTS: The mean age was 86.6, 78.1% had three or more medical diagnoses and 52.2% had moderate to severe cognitive impairment. The mean number of natural teeth was 18.8. After 1 year, mean plaque scores was significantly reduced within the population, from 1.2 to 0.7 (p < .001). A total of 46 participants preferred to use an electric toothbrush and 54 preferred manual. No significant difference in plaque score was found between electric and manual toothbrushes. CONCLUSION: After 1 year, the improvement in dental hygiene from the RCT study sustained for users of both electric and manual toothbrush. Focus upon tooth brushing seems to be efficient and both manual and electric toothbrushes should be available in nursing homes.

Military small arms fire in association with acute decrements in lung function.

OBJECTIVE: After introduction of unleaded ammunition, Norwegian Armed Forces received reports of acute respiratory symptoms in soldiers after exposure to fumes from firing the standard weapon, HK416. The aim of the present study was to examine lung function before and after exposure to fumes from HK416 in a double-blinded standardised study design using three different types of ammunition. METHODS: Fifty-four healthy, non-smoking male volunteers (19-62 years) fired the weapons for 60 min with either leaded, unleaded or 'modified' unleaded ammunition. Gaseous and particulate emissions were monitored. Spirometry and exhaled nitric oxide (eNO) were performed within 14 days before (T0), shortly after (T1) and 24 hours after (T2) shooting. Methacholine provocation and diffusing capacity of carbon monoxide (DLCO) were carried out at T0 and T2. RESULTS: The mean forced expiratory volume in 1 s on a group level was significantly reduced both at T1 and T2 compared with T0, with means and 95% CI of 226 mL (158 to 294 mL) and 285 mL (218 to 351 mL), respectively. The same significant pattern was seen for DLCO, forced vital capacity and eNO. The methacholine test indicated a slight increase in bronchial hyper-reactivity. However, there were no significant differences between types of ammunition used. CONCLUSION: Exposure to fumes from military weapons might be a respiratory hazard for soldiers who do live-fire training regularly or are in a closed combat environment.

Antibiotic-prescribing habits among Norwegian dentists: a survey over 25 years (1990-2015).

Bacterial antibiotic resistance is a steadily growing global problem, which today is compared with issues such as global warming, ozone depletion, and extinction of species. Consequently, calls come from global, Pan-European, and national authorities to gain insight into, limit, and stringently qualify the use of antibiotics in human and veterinary medicine, as well as in food production. Dentists are not considered to be frequent prescribers of antibiotics. However, few studies have identified how much, and in which situations, dentists prescribe such drugs. The aims of the present study were to survey Norwegian dentists' antibiotic-prescribing habits in 2015 and to compare the findings with previous studies (1990 and 2004) and with the actual numbers of dispensed prescriptions obtained from the 'Norwegian National Prescription Register'. The results from 1990 to 2004 show that there was a general increase in antibiotic prescriptions by Norwegian dentists, followed by a reduction or flattening of the prescription volume curve from 2004 to 2015. Despite this, possibilities for further improvements have been identified and recommendations given for targeted campaigns to reduce the prescription volume in dentistry by a further 30%, which has been ordered by the Norwegian National Assembly.

ß-Thromboglobulin may not reflect platelet activation during haemodialysis with the HeprAN membrane.

BACKGROUND: When blood passes through the extracorporeal circuit during haemodialysis (HD) undesirable effects including platelet degranulation and coagulation activation take place. ß-thromboglobulin (ß-TG) is a sensitive marker of platelet activation. The aim of this study was to investigate platelet degranulation and coagulation activation during HD with the heparin-coated dialysis membrane HeprAN. METHODS: Four HD sessions were evaluated in each of 12 chronic HD patients. None of the patients used oral warfarin, other anticoagulants or antiplatelet drugs. In the first session the HeprAN membrane or a conventional polyflux membrane was used in a randomized manner and thereafter alternately in a cross-over design, and 50% of the conventional dalteparin dose was given at start of HD. Prothrombin fragment 1 + 2 (PF1 + 2), ß-TG and anti-factor Xa activity were measured repeatedly. RESULTS: No dialysis sessions were terminated early due to clotting of the extracorporeal system. Activation of intravascular coagulation as assessed by change in PF1 + 2 during 4 hours of HD was the same with the two membranes. ß-TG concentration decreased significantly during 4 hours of HD with the HeprAN membrane but remained stable with the polyflux membrane. CONCLUSION: There were no differences in clotting scores or coagulation activation with the two membranes. The decrease in ß-TG during HD with the HeprAN membrane suggests ß-TG to be an inferior marker of platelet degranulation when using a heparin-coated dialysis membrane. A possible mechanism for the decline in ß-TG concentration may be adherence of this heparin-binding protein to the heparin-coated dialysis membrane.

Effectiveness of a group-based self-management program for people with chronic fatigue syndrome: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of a group-based self-management program for people with chronic fatigue syndrome. DESIGN: A randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Four mid-sized towns in southern Norway and two suburbs of Oslo. SUBJECTS: A total of 137 adults with chronic fatigue syndrome. INTERVENTION: A self-management program including eight biweekly meetings of 2.5 hours duration. The control group received usual care. MAIN MEASURES: Primary outcome measure: Medical Outcomes Study-Short Form-36 physical functioning subscale. SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Fatigue severity scale, self-efficacy scale, physical and mental component summary of the Short Form-36, and the illness cognition questionnaire (acceptance subscale). Assessments were performed at baseline, and at six-month and one-year follow-ups. RESULTS: At the six-month follow-up, a significant difference between the two groups was found concerning fatigue severity ( p = 0.039) in favor of the control group, and concerning self-efficacy in favor of the intervention group ( p = 0.039). These significant differences were not sustained at the one-year follow-up. No significant differences were found between the groups concerning physical functioning, acceptance, and health status at any of the measure points. The drop-out rate was 13.9% and the median number of sessions attended was seven (out of eight). CONCLUSIONS: The evaluated self-management program did not have any sustained effect, as compared with receiving usual care.

Domains associated with successful quality improvement in healthcare - a nationwide case study.

BACKGROUND: There is a distinct difference between what we know and what we do in healthcare: a gap that is impairing the quality of the care and increasing the costs. Quality improvement efforts have been made worldwide by learning collaboratives, based on recognized continual improvement theory with limited scientific evidence. The present study of 132 quality improvement projects in Norway explores the conditions for improvement from the perspectives of the frontline healthcare professionals, and evaluates the effectiveness of the continual improvement method. METHODS: An instrument with 25 questions was developed on prior focus group interviews with improvement project members who identified features that may promote or inhibit improvement. The questionnaire was sent to 189 improvement projects initiated by the Norwegian Medical Association, and responded by 70% (132) of the improvement teams. A sub study of their final reports by a validated instrument, made us able to identify the successful projects and compare their assessments with the assessments of the other projects. A factor analysis with Varimax rotation of the 25 questions identified five domains. A multivariate regression analysis was used to evaluate the association with successful quality improvements. RESULTS: Two of the five domains were associated with success: Measurement and Guidance (p = 0.011), and Professional environment (p = 0.015). The organizational leadership domain was not associated with successful quality improvements (p = 0.26). CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that quality improvement projects with good guidance and focus on measurement for improvement have increased likelihood of success. The variables in these two domains are aligned with improvement theory and confirm the effectiveness of the continual improvement method provided by the learning collaborative. High performing professional environments successfully engaged in patient-centered quality improvement if they had access to: (a) knowledge of best practice provided by professional subject matter experts, (b) knowledge of current practice provided by simple measurement methods, assisted by (c) improvement knowledge experts who provided useful guidance on measurement, and made the team able to organize the improvement efforts well in spite of the difficult resource situation (time and personnel). Our findings may be used by healthcare organizations to develop effective infrastructure to support improvement and to create the conditions for making quality and safety improvement a part of everyone's job.

Shoulder MRI features with clinical correlations in subacromial pain syndrome: a cross-sectional and prognostic study.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies on shoulder patients have suggested that the prevalence of rotator cuff or bursa abnormalities are weakly related to symptoms and that similar findings are often found in asymptomatic persons. In addition, it is largely unknown whether structural changes identified by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) affect outcome after treatment for shoulder pain. The purpose of this study was therefore to evaluate the presence of structural changes on MRI in patients with subacromial pain syndrome and to determine to what extent these changes are associated with symptoms and predict outcome after treatment (evaluated by the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI)). METHODS: A prospective, observational assessment of a subset of shoulder patients who were included in a randomized study was performed. All participants had an MRI of the shoulder. An MRI total score for findings at the AC joint, subacromial bursa and rotator cuff was calculated. Multiple linear regression analysis was applied to examine the relationship between the MRI total score and the outcome measure at baseline and to examine to what extent the MRI total score was associated with the change in the SPADI score from baseline to the one year follow-up. RESULTS: There was a weak, inverse association between the SPADI score at baseline and the MRI total score (ß = -3.1, with 95% CI -5.9 to -0.34; p = 0.03), i.e. the SPADI score was higher for patients with a lower MRI total score. There was an association between the change in the SPADI score from baseline to the one year follow-up and the MRI total score (ß = 8.1, 95% CI -12.3 to -3.8; p < 0.001), with a poorer outcome for patients with a higher MRI total score. Both tendinosis (p = 0.01) and bursitis (p = 0.04) were associated with a poorer outcome after one year. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, MRI findings were significantly associated with the change in the SPADI score from baseline and to one year follow-up, with a poorer outcome after treatment for the patients with higher MRI total score, tendinosis and bursitis on MRI. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov no NCT01441830 . September 28, 2011.