Assessing the performance of the family folder system for collecting community-based health information in Tigray Region, North Ethiopia: a capture-recapture study.

OBJECTIVES: To assess completeness and accuracy of the family folder in terms of capturing community-level health data. STUDY DESIGN: A capture-recapture method was applied in six randomly selected districts of Tigray Region, Ethiopia. PARTICIPANTS: Child health data, abstracted from randomly selected 24 073 family folders from 99 health posts, were compared with similar data recaptured through household survey and routine health information made by these health posts. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Completeness and accuracy of the family folder data; and coverage selected child health indicators, respectively. RESULTS: Demographic data captured by the family folders and household survey were highly concordant, concordance correlation for total population, women 15-49 years age and under 5-year child were 0.97 (95% CI 0.94 to 0.99, p<0.001), 0.73 (95% CI 0.67 to 0.88) and 0.91 (95% CI 0.85 to 0.96), respectively. However, the live births, child health service indicators and child health events were more erratically reported in the three data sources. The concordance correlation among the three sources, for live births and neonatal deaths was 0.094 (95% CI -0.232 to 0.420) and 0.092 (95% CI -0.230 to 0.423) respectively, and for the other parameters were close to 0. CONCLUSION: The family folder system comprises a promising development. However, operational issues concerning the seamless capture and recording of events and merging community and facility data at the health centre level need improvement.

Stool Gluten Peptide Detection Is Superior to Urinary Analysis, Coeliac Serology, Dietary Adherence Scores and Symptoms in the Detection of Intermittent Gluten Exposure in Coeliac Disease: A Randomised, Placebo-Controlled, Low-Dose Gluten Challenge Study.

Monitoring adherence to a gluten-free diet is an important goal of coeliac disease management. Urine and stool gluten immunogenic peptide (GIP) assays provide an objective readout of gluten ingestion, with the former favoured due to its convenience and acceptability. This study assessed stool GIP excretion after low-dose gluten challenge designed to mimic accidental gluten exposure. A total of 52 coeliac participants undertook a randomised, double-blind gluten (50-1000 mg) or placebo challenge. Stool and urinary GIP, serology, dietary adherence and symptoms were assessed. Stool GIP was 100% sensitive for gluten intake ≥250 mg and 71% for 50 mg. Peak GIP detection was 12-36 h after gluten exposure. The mean stool GIP after 1000 mg gluten ingestion remained above the limit of quantification for 5 days. Urine GIP assessment had poor sensitivity for GIP excretion compared to stool. Serology, dietary adherence score and symptoms did not correlate with gluten excretion during lead-in. We conclude that stool GIP detection is highly sensitive, with levels related to gluten dose and time from ingestion. Weekly or bi-weekly testing will detect low-level exposure more effectively than urine GIP assessments or traditional methods. In this seronegative, apparently well-treated cohort, a high frequency of baseline-positive GIP suggests ongoing gluten exposure, but the assessment of patient behaviour and assay specificity is needed.

Cumulative incidence of type 1 diabetes in two cohorts of children with different national gluten recommendations in infancy.

AIMS: Between 1985 and 1996, Sweden experienced an "epidemic" of celiac disease with a fourfold increase in incidence in young children. Timing and amount of gluten introduced during infancy have been thought to explain this "epidemic". We aimed to study whether the cumulative incidence of type 1 diabetes differs between children born during the "epidemic" compared to children born after. METHODS: This is a national register study in Sweden comparing the cumulative incidence of type 1 diabetes in two birth cohorts of 240 844 children 0-17 years old born 1992-1993, during the "epidemic", and 179 530 children born 1997-1998, after the "epidemic". Children diagnosed with type 1 diabetes were identified using three national registers. RESULTS: The cumulative incidence of type 1 diabetes by the age of 17 was statistically significantly higher in those born after the "epidemic" 0.77% than in those born during the "epidemic" 0.68% (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The incidence of type 1 diabetes is higher in those born after the epidemic compared to those born during the epidemic, which does not support the hypothesis that gluten introduction increases the incidence of T1D. Changes in gluten introduction did not halt the increased incidence of type 1 diabetes in Sweden.

Celiac disease and upper secondary school achievement in Sweden A retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Both undiagnosed celiac disease and some chronic childhood diseases are associated with lower academic achievement. However, there is little knowledge of achievements in those diagnosed with celiac disease. Our aim was to investigate school achievements in upper secondary school among Swedish adolescents with celiac disease. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study using register data. We analyzed choice of upper secondary school program, completion of upper secondary school including achievements of basic eligibility for college/university, and final grade in individuals with celiac disease diagnosed before 15 years of age, born 1991-97. We compared with the Swedish population of the same birth years. Analyses were adjusted for sex, year of birth, living region at 17 years of age, and parental education as well as income. RESULTS: The cohort included 734 074 individuals, whereof 3 257 (62% females) with celiac disease. There was no significant difference in choice of upper secondary school program. No significant difference was found in completion or achieving basic eligibility for college/university in adjusted analyses. The mean final grade in the celiac disease group was 13.34 (standard deviation 4.85) compared to 12.78 (standard deviation 5.01) in the reference population (p < 0.001), out of a maximum of 20. The effect of celiac disease on final grade remained in adjusted analyses (p = 0.012). CONCLUSIONS: We found that diagnosed celiac disease does not negatively affect school achievements in upper secondary school. This finding suggests the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up programs of celiac disease could reverse potential deleterious academic processes.

[120 Swedish PhD candidates in general practice have been admitted to the Swedish National Research School in General Practice during the first 10-year period]. / Tioårsuppföljning av Nationella forskarskolan i allmänmedicin.

Since the start of the Swedish National Research School in General Practice, 120 Swedish PhD candidates in general practice have been admitted to the school, out of whom 89 during the first 10-year period. We have evaluated the academic achievements of the 53 (60%) PhD candidates that finished their thesis 2011-2020 by a questionnaire and bibliometric data collected from the Web of Science Core Collection. The questionnaire was answered by 52 (98%) and showed that 45 (87%) had continued with research work after their dissertation. Ten (19%) had done a post doc and four (8%) had become associate professors, out of whom one (2%) was a full professor. We found 519 peer-reviewed scientific publications authored by the alumni. The co-authors of these publications were affiliated all around the world, mainly in Sweden, followed by Australia and Germany. The National Research School will continue to strive towards increased quality of primary care research.

Five-year follow-up of new cases after a coeliac disease mass screening.

OBJECTIVE: We previously performed a population-based mass screening of coeliac disease in children aged 12 years in two birth cohorts resulting in 296 seropositive children, of whom 242 were diagnosed with coeliac disease after duodenal biopsies. In this follow-up study, we wanted to identify new cases in the screening population that tested negative-either converting from potential coeliac disease (seropositive but normal duodenal mucosa) or converting from seronegative at screening to diagnosed coeliac disease. METHODS: All seropositive children were invited to a follow-up appointment 5 years after the screening with renewed serological testing and recommended endoscopic investigation if seropositive. Seronegative children in the screening study (n=12 353) were linked to the National Swedish Childhood Coeliac Disease Register to find cases diagnosed in healthcare during the same period. RESULTS: In total, 230 (77%) came to the follow-up appointment, including 34 of 39 with potential coeliac disease. Of these, 11 (32%) had converted to coeliac disease. One new case was found in the National Swedish Childhood Coeliac Disease Register who received the diagnosis through routine screening in children with type 1 diabetes. CONCLUSIONS: There is a high risk of conversion to coeliac disease among those with potential disease. However, a negative screening test was associated with a very low risk for a clinical diagnosis within a follow-up period of 5 years.

Real-world Follow-up Practice of Children With Coeliac Disease: A Cross-sectional Study From Western Sweden.

Coeliac disease (CD) is one of the most common chronic diseases of childhood. Follow-up of CD aims to ensure dietary adherence and prevent disease complications, but there are few real-world data on how its management in children is conducted. This study aimed to survey the follow-up practice of pediatric CD in Western Sweden. Two web-based surveys were distributed to all 22 pediatric outpatient clinics rendering answers from 48 physicians and 12 dietitians. Overall, clinical practice was similar throughout the region and in line with national and international CD guidelines, including an annual to biannually follow-up frequency and dietary adherence assessment through unstructured interviewing and serology measurements. The study identified possible areas of improvement, such as implementing a formal transition process to adult care and the use of validated questionaries to assess dietary adherence. Additionally, a positive attitude towards electronic-health technologies (eHealth) as part of CD follow-up was identified.

Cost-utility analysis of esketamine and electroconvulsive therapy in adults with treatment-resistant depression.

BACKGROUND: Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) has long been used for treating individuals with treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Esketamine has recently emerged as a new treatment for TRD due to its rapid antidepressant effects. To further inform the decision regarding choice of treatment, this paper aims to evaluate whether ECT or esketamine is the more cost-effective option. METHODS: The cost-effectiveness was derived as cost per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) using a Markov model from a societal and life-time perspective. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was calculated. Health states included different depression and remission states and death. Data to populate the model was derived from randomised controlled trials and other research. Various sensitivity analyses were carried out to test the robustness of the model. RESULTS: The base case scenario shows that ECT is cost-effective compared to esketamine and yields more QALYs at a lower cost. The sensitivity analysis shows that ECT is cost-effective in all scenarios and ECT dominates esketamine in 12 scenarios. CONCLUSIONS: This study found that, from a cost-effectiveness point of view, ECT should be the first-hand option for individuals with TRD, when other first line treatments have failed. Considering the lack of economic evaluation of ECT and esketamine, this study is of great value to decision makers.

Associations Between Subclass Profile of IgG Response to Gluten and the Gastrointestinal and Motor Symptoms in Children With Cerebral Palsy.

OBJECTIVE: Gastrointestinal problems are often seen in children with cerebral palsy, although the etiology and underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. Recent data point to significantly elevated levels of IgG antibody to dietary gluten in cerebral palsy independent of celiac disease, a gluten-mediated autoimmune enteropathy. We aimed to further characterize this antibody response by examining its subclass distribution and target reactivity in the context of relevant patient symptom profile. METHODS: Study participants included children with cerebral palsy (n = 70) and celiac disease (n = 85), as well as unaffected controls (n = 30). Serum IgG antibody to gluten was investigated for subclass distribution, pattern of reactivity towards target proteins, and relationship with gastrointestinal symptoms and motor function. RESULTS: The anti-gluten IgG antibody response in the cerebral palsy cohort was constituted of all 4 subclasses. In comparison with celiac disease, however, IgG1, IgG2, and IgG3 subclasses were significantly lower, whereas the IgG4 response was significantly higher in cerebral palsy. Within the cohort of cerebral palsy patients, levels of anti-gluten IgG1, IgG3, and IgG4 were greater in those with gastrointestinal symptoms, and the IgG3 subclass antibody correlated inversely with gross motor function. The anti-gluten IgG antibodies targeted a broad range of gliadin and glutenin proteins. CONCLUSIONS: These findings reveal an anti-gluten IgG subclass distribution in cerebral palsy that is significantly different from that in celiac disease. Furthermore, the observed association between IgG subclass and symptom profile is suggestive of a relationship between the immune response and disease pathophysiology that may indicate a role for defects in gut immune and barrier function in cerebral palsy.

Is mass screening for coeliac disease a wise use of resources? A health economic evaluation.

BACKGROUND: Living with undiagnosed symptomatic coeliac disease is connected with deteriorated health, and persons with coeliac disease often wait a long time for their diagnosis. A mass screening would lower the delay, but its cost-effectiveness is still unclear. Our aim was to determine the cost-effectiveness of a coeliac disease mass screening at 12 years of age, taking a life course perspective on future benefits and drawbacks. METHODS: The cost-effectiveness was derived as cost per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) using a Markov model. As a basis for our assumptions, we mainly used information from the Exploring the Iceberg of Celiacs in Sweden (ETICS) study, a school-based screening conducted in 2005/2006 and 2009/2010, where 13,279 12-year-old children participated and 240 were diagnosed with coeliac disease, and a study involving members of the Swedish Coeliac Association with 1031 adult participants. RESULTS: The cost for coeliac disease screening was 40,105 Euro per gained QALY. Sensitivity analyses support screening based on high compliance to a gluten-free diet, rapid progression from symptom-free coeliac disease to coeliac disease with symptoms, long delay from celiac disease with symptoms to diagnosis, and a low QALY score for undiagnosed coeliac disease cases. CONCLUSIONS: A coeliac disease mass screening is cost-effective based on the commonly used threshold of 50,000 Euro per gained QALY. However, this is based on many assumptions, especially regarding the natural history of coeliac disease and the effects on long-term health for individuals with coeliac disease still eating gluten.

Family socio-economic status and childhood coeliac disease seem to be unrelated-A cross-sectional screening study.

AIM: The aim of our study was to examine whether there is a difference in coeliac disease prevalence in regard to parents' education level and occupation, and whether this differs between screened and clinically diagnosed children at the age of 12 years. METHODS: The study, Exploring the Iceberg of Celiacs in Sweden (ETICS), was a school-based screening study of 12-year-old children that was undertaken during the school years 2005/2006 and 2009/2010. Data on parental education and occupation were reported from parents of the children. Specifically, by parents of 10 710 children without coeliac disease, 88 children diagnosed with coeliac disease through clinical care, and 231 who were diagnosed during the study. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant associations between occupation and coeliac disease for either the clinically detected (prevalence ratio 1.16; confidence interval 0.76-1.76) or screening-detected coeliac disease cases (prevalence ratio 0.86; confidence interval 0.66-1.12) in comparison with children with no coeliac disease. Also, there were no statistically significant associations for parental education and coeliac disease diagnosis. CONCLUSION: There was no apparent relationship between coeliac disease and socio-economic position. Using parents' socio-economic status as a tool to help identify children more likely to have coeliac disease is not recommended.

The Impact of Parental Diabetes on the Prevalence of Childhood Obesity.

Background: Obesity among children and adolescents is a worldwide public health concern. Type 1 diabetes (T1D) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) incidence are increasing, with heredity and socioeconomic status as possible risk factors. How these factors affect the risk of childhood obesity remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between obesity and parental diabetes among 12-year-olds in Sweden, and how it relates to parental education level. Methods: We used data collected within the Exploring the Iceberg of Celiacs in Sweden (ETICS) study, a cross-sectional multicenter national screening study for celiac disease in 12-year-old children. Relative risk (RR) and confidence interval (CI) were calculated for the association between parental diabetes and obesity, also stratifying for gender and highest parental education. Results: Among 11,050 children, for both children with parental T1D and T2D, 31% of the children were overweight or obese, compared with 21% among other children. Comparing those with parental T1D with those without parental T1D within gender, boys had a statistically significant higher risk [RR 1.6 (95% CI 1.3-2.0)], and girls had a nonsignificant increased risk [RR 1.3 (95% CI 0.95-1.8)], of being overweight. For children with parental T2D, both boys and girls had a statistically significant increased risk of 1.5. Parental education showed no sign of influencing the RRs. Conclusions: Parental diabetes is associated with an increased risk of overweight among children, independent of parental education. Concomitant parental diabetes and overweight should be particularly alarming criteria when prioritizing preventive interventions at an early age.

Health systems responsiveness among older adults: Findings from the World Health Organization Study on global AGEing and adult health.

Health system responsiveness is an indicator that can be used for evaluating how well healthcare systems respond to people's needs in non-clinical areas such as communication, autonomy and confidentiality. This study analyses health system responsiveness from the perspective of community-dwelling adults aged 50 and over in China, Ghana, India, the Russian Federation and South Africa using cross-sectional data from the World Health Organization Study on global AGEing and adult health. The aim is to assess and compare how individual, health condition and healthcare factors impact differently on outpatient and inpatient responsiveness. Poor responsiveness is measured according to participants' responses to questions on a five-point Likert scale. Five univariate and multiple logistic regression models test associations between individual, health condition and healthcare factors and poor responsiveness. The final model adjusts for country. Key results are that travel time is a major contributor to poor responsiveness across all countries. Similarly there are wealth inequalities in responsiveness. However no clear difference in responsiveness was observed in presentations for chronic versus other types of conditions. This study provides an interesting baseline on older patients' perceived treatment within outpatient and inpatient facilities in five diverse low- and middle-income countries.

Recurrent Pain and Academic Achievement in School-Aged Children: A Systematic Review.

Recurrent pain and school failures are common problems in children visiting the school nurses office. The overall aim of the current study was to investigate the relationship between recurrent pain and academic achievement in school-aged children. Literature was searched in seven electronic databases and in relevant bibliographies. Study selection, data extraction, and study and evidence quality assessments were performed systematically with standardized tools. Twenty-one studies met the inclusion criteria and 13 verified an association between recurrent pain (headache, stomachache, and musculoskeletal pain) and negative academic achievement. Two longitudinal studies indicated a likely causal effect of pain on academic achievement. All studies had substantial methodological drawbacks and the overall quality of the evidence for the identified associations was low. Thus, children's lack of success in school may be partly attributed to recurrent pain problems. However, more high-quality studies are needed, including on the direction of the association and its moderators and mediators.

Rate, Risk Factors, and Outcomes of Nonadherence in Pediatric Patients With Celiac Disease: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The only treatment for celiac disease is strict adherence to a gluten-free diet (GFD). We performed a systematic review to investigate the rate of adherence to a GFD in children with celiac disease, risk factors that affect adherence, and outcomes of non-adherence. METHODS: We searched PubMed, Cochrane Library, EBSCO, and Scopus for studies through January 2019. We included observational studies of ≥50 children diagnosed with celiac disease and recommended for placement on a GFD. We collected data on adherence assessment (self-report, serology tests, structured dietary interview, biopsies, or assays for gluten immunogenic peptides), risk factors, and outcomes related to adherence. Findings were presented with medians, range, and a narrative synthesis. RESULTS: We identified 703 studies; of these, 167 were eligible for full-text assessment and 49 were included in the final analysis, comprising 7850 children. Rates of adherence to a GFD ranged from 23% to 98%. Comparable rates (median rates of adherence, 75%-87%) were found irrespective of how assessments were performed. Adolescents were at risk of non-adherence and children whose parents had good knowledge about celiac disease adhered more strictly. Non-adherence associated with patient growth, symptoms, and quality of life. CONCLUSION: In a systematic review of 49 studies of children with celiac disease, we found substantial variation in adherence to a GFD among patients. Rate of adherence was not associated with method of adherence measurement, so all methods appear to be useful, with lack of consensus on the ideal metric. Studies are needed to determine the best method to ensure adherence and effects on long-term health.

Celiac Dietary Adherence Test simplifies Determining Adherence to a Gluten-free Diet in Swedish Adolescents.

OBJECTIVES: The aims of the study were to ascertain whether the Celiac Dietary Adherence Test (CDAT) could contribute in determining adherence to a gluten-free diet in patients with celiac disease and to evaluate the diet adherence and well being of a study population 5 years after a celiac disease screening known as "Exploring the Iceberg of Celiacs in Sweden." METHODS: Through the screening, 90 adolescents (born 1997) were diagnosed with biopsy-proven celiac disease at 12 years of age. Of them, 70 (78%) came to a 5-year follow-up where anti-tissue transglutaminase antibodies 2 was tested and a questionnaire was filled in, including CDAT, which consists of 7 questions related to adherence. Nonparametrical tests were used to determine associations between adherence measures. RESULTS: Among the adolescents, 86% were adherent to a gluten-free diet 5 years after screening, 38% reported their general well being as excellent, 50% very well, and 12% well. Statistically significant associations were seen between anti-tissue transglutaminase antibodies 2 and the CDAT score (P = 0.033), and the self-reported adherence question and the CDAT score (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The screening-detected adolescents reported a high level of well being and adherence to a gluten-free diet 5 years after screening. We conclude that the CDAT can be used in clinical practice as an estimation of adherence to a gluten-free diet. It would be most suitable to use in conjunction with currently used adherence measures, but can also be used as a stand-alone method when others are not accessible.

Social determinants of under-5 child health: A qualitative study in Wolkayit Woreda, Tigray Region, Ethiopia.

Despite the significant reductions seen in under-5 child mortality in Ethiopia over the last two decades, more than 10,000 children still die each year in Tigray Region alone, of whom 75% die from preventable diseases. Using an equity lens, this study aimed to investigate the social determinants of child health in one particularly vulnerable district as a means of informing the health policy decision-making process. An exploratory qualitative study design was adopted, combining focus group discussions and qualitative interviews. Seven Focus Group Discussions with mothers of young children, and 21 qualitative interviews with health workers were conducted in Wolkayit district in May-June 2015. Data were subjected to thematic analysis. Mothers' knowledge regarding the major causes of child mortality appeared to be good, and they also knew about and trusted the available child health interventions. However, utilization and practice of these interventions was limited by a range of issues, including cultural factors, financial shortages, limited female autonomy on financial resources, seasonal mobility, and inaccessible or unaffordable health services. Our findings pointed to the importance of a multi-sectoral strategy to improve child health equity and reduce under-5 mortality in Wolkayit. Recommendations include further decentralizing child health services to local-level Health Posts, and increasing the number of Health Facilities based on local topography and living conditions.

The effects of maternal and child HIV infection on health equity in Tigray Region, Ethiopia, and the implications for the health system: a case-control study.

Services that aim to prevent mother-to-child HIV transmission (PMTCT) can simultaneously reduce the overall impact of HIV infection in a population while also improving maternal and child health outcomes. By taking a health equity perspective, this retrospective case control study aimed to compare the health status of under-5 children born to HIV-positive and HIV-negative mothers in Tigray Region, Ethiopia. Two hundred and thirteen HIV-positive women (cases), and 214 HIV-negative women (controls) participated through interviews regarding their oldest children. Of the children born to HIV-positive mothers, 24% had not been tested, and 17% of those who had been tested were HIV-positive themselves. Only 29% of the HIV-positive children were linked to an ART programme. Unexpectedly, exposed HIV-negative children had fewer reports of perceived poor health as compared to unexposed children. Over 90% of all the children, regardless of maternal HIV status, were breastfed and up-to-date with the recommended immunizations. The high rate of HIV infection among the babies of HIV-positive women along with their low rates of antiretroviral treatment raises serious concerns about the quality of outreach to pregnant women in Tigray Region, and of the follow-up for children who have been exposed to HIV via their mothers.

Questionnaire showed that Swedish paediatric clinics complied well with the revised European guidelines for diagnosing coeliac disease.

AIM: In 2012, revised criteria for diagnosing childhood coeliac disease were published by the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition and incorporated into the revised Swedish guidelines the same year. These made it possible, in certain cases, to diagnose coeliac disease without taking small bowel biopsies. This survey assessed the extent to which the new guidelines were implemented by Swedish paediatric clinics two years after their introduction. METHODS: In October 2014, we distributed a paper questionnaire including five questions on diagnostic routines to the 40 paediatric clinics in university or regional hospitals in Sweden that perform small bowel biopsies. RESULTS: All 36 (90%) clinics that responded used anti-tissue transglutaminase antibodies as the initial diagnostic test and some also used serological markers. Most clinics (81%) used endoscopy and took multiple duodenal biopsies, whereas only a few (19%) occasionally employed a suction capsule. Almost all clinics (86%) omitted taking small bowel biopsies in symptomatic children with repeatedly high coeliac serology and positive genotyping, thereby avoiding the need for invasive endoscopy under anaesthesia. CONCLUSION: The 2012 Swedish Paediatric Coeliac Disease Diagnostic Guidelines had been widely accepted and implemented in routine health care two years after their introduction.