The PATCH study: Prevalence of Hearing Loss During Ageing and Treatment Choices in Osteogenesis Imperfecta: A Danish Nationwide Register-Based Cohort Study.

Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a group of rare hereditary collagen disorders. Hearing loss (HL) is a known complication linked to changes in the bones of the middle ear seen in OI. We aimed to determine the prevalence, age at debut, incidence, and risk of HL, surgery on bones of the middle ear, and use of hearing aids. A Danish nationwide, register-based cohort study. Data were extracted from the Danish National Patient register. Anyone with an OI diagnosis between January 1st 1977 and December 31st 2018, matched 1:5 with a reference population (Ref.Pop) on birthyear and sex, were included. 864 persons (487 women) with OI were included in the study and 4276 (2330 women) in the Ref.Pop. The sub-hazard ratio (SHR) for any HL was 4.56 [95% CI 3.64-5.71], with a prevalence of 17.0% and 4.0% in the OI cohort and Ref.Pop. Median age at debut was 42 and 58 years, respectively. The risk of otosclerosis and/or surgery was higher in the OI cohort (SHR 22.51 [95% CI 12.62-40.14]), with a median age at debut of 43 and 32 years in the OI cohort and Ref.Pop, respectively. Hearing aid use was more frequent in the OI cohort (SHR 4.16 [95% CI 3.21-5.40]) than in the Ref.Pop. The median age at debut was 45 and 60 years in the OI cohort and Ref.Pop, respectively. Persons with OI have a higher risk and prevalence of HL, hearing aids, and surgery, debuting younger, and prevalence increases with age.

Osteogenesis Imperfecta: Skeletal and Non-skeletal Challenges in Adulthood.

Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a Mendelian connective tissue disorder associated with increased bone fragility and other clinical manifestations most commonly due to abnormalities in production, structure, or post-translational modification of type I collagen. Until recently, most research in OI has focused on the pediatric population and much less attention has been directed at the effects of OI in the adult population. This is a narrative review of the literature focusing on the skeletal as well as non-skeletal manifestations in adults with OI that may affect the aging individual. We found evidence to suggest that OI is a systemic disease which involves not only the skeleton, but also the cardiopulmonary and gastrointestinal system, soft tissues, tendons, muscle, and joints, hearing, eyesight, dental health, and women's health in OI and potentially adds negative affect to health-related quality of life. We aim to guide clinicians as well as draw attention to obvious knowledge gaps and the need for further research in adult OI.

Vitamin K2 and D in Patients With Aortic Valve Calcification: A Randomized Double-Blinded Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: Menaquinone-7 (MK-7), also known as vitamin K2, is a cofactor for the carboxylation of proteins involved in the inhibition of arterial calcification and has been suggested to reduce the progression rate of aortic valve calcification (AVC) in patients with aortic stenosis. METHODS: In a randomized, double-blind, multicenter trial, men from the community with an AVC score >300 arbitrary units (AU) on cardiac noncontrast computer tomography were randomized to daily treatment with tablet 720 µg MK-7 plus 25 µg vitamin D or matching placebo for 24 months. The primary outcome was the change in AVC score. Selected secondary outcomes included change in aortic valve area and peak aortic jet velocity on echocardiography, heart valve surgery, change in aortic and coronary artery calcification, and change in dp-ucMGP (dephosphorylated-undercarboxylated matrix Gla-protein). Safety outcomes included all-cause death and cardiovascular events. RESULTS: From February 1, 2018, to March 21, 2019, 365 men were randomized. Mean age was 71.0 (±4.4) years. The mean (95% CI) increase in AVC score was 275 AU (95% CI, 225-326 AU) and 292 AU (95% CI, 246-338 AU) in the intervention and placebo groups, respectively. The mean difference on AVC progression was 17 AU (95% CI, -86 to 53 AU; P=0.64). The mean change in aortic valve area was 0.02 cm2 (95% CI, -0.09 to 0.12 cm2; P=0.78) and in peak aortic jet velocity was 0.04 m/s (95% CI, -0.11 to 0.02 m/s; P=0.21). The progression in aortic and coronary artery calcification score was not significantly different between patients treated with MK-7 plus vitamin D and patients receiving placebo. There was no difference in the rate of heart valve surgery (1 versus 2 patients; P=0.99), all-cause death (1 versus 4 patients; P=0.37), or cardiovascular events (10 versus 10 patients; P=0.99). Compared with patients in the placebo arm, a significant reduction in dp-ucMGP was observed with MK-7 plus vitamin D (-212 pmol/L versus 45 pmol/L; P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In elderly men with an AVC score >300 AU, 2 years MK-7 plus vitamin D supplementation did not influence AVC progression. REGISTRATION: URL: https://www. CLINICALTRIALS: gov; Unique identifier: NCT03243890.

Prevalence and consequences of spinal pain among people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus in Denmark.

PURPOSE: To describe 1-week and 1-year prevalence of spinal pain and its consequences in relation to leisure activity, work-life, and care-seeking in people with type 1 and 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). METHODS: A cross-sectional survey including adults diagnosed with DM from two Danish secondary care centres. Using the Standardised Nordic Questionnaire, spinal pain prevalence (cervical, thoracic, lumbar) and its consequences were evaluated (proportions, 95% confidence intervals) and compared to the general population. RESULTS: Among 3767 people, 1-week and 1-year spinal pain prevalence were 11.6-32.4 and 18.5-49.6%, respectively, highest for lumbar pain (24.6-49.6%). The prevalence was similar between DM types for cervical and thoracic pain, but higher in type 2 for lumbar spine. Women had higher pain prevalence across spinal regions and DM types, while cervical and thoracic pain estimates were higher for age < 60 vs. ≥ 60. Within the past year, > 50% reported pain > 30 days, high proportions had reduced their activities (leisure time, 43.7-63.9%; work, 20.7-33.3%), 13.3-28.1% reported sick-leave > 30 days, and 44.3-48.5% had sought care due to spinal pain. CONCLUSION: Spinal pain is common in people with type 1 and 2 DM, resulting in considerable consequences for work/leisure activities, sick-leave, and healthcare utilisation as compared to the general population.

Increased risk of dementia in hypothyroidism: A Danish nationwide register-based study.

OBJECTIVE: Globally, the prevalence of individuals with dementia is increasing, and identification of risk factors is of paramount interest. Using population-based registers, we evaluated whether hypothyroidism is a risk factor for dementia. DESIGN: Register-based cohort study. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Risk of dementia was evaluated in two cohorts. The DNPR cohort comprises 111,565 hypothyroid patients, diagnosed between 1995 and 2012, and 446,260 euthyroid age- and sex-matched individuals (median follow-up 6.2 years). The OPENTHYRO cohort comprises 233,844 individuals with at least one measurement of serum thyrotropin (TSH) between 1995 and 2011, of whom 2,894 had hypothyroidism (median follow-up 7.2 years). Primary outcome was dementia defined as an International Classification of Diseases 10 code, or prescription of medicine for dementia. RESULTS: In the DNPR cohort, risk of dementia was significantly increased in subjects with hypothyroidism (HR 1.22; 95% CI: 1.17-1.27), which attenuated after adjusting for pre-existing comorbidity (HR 0.82; 95% CI: 0.79-0.86). Stratification of age into ≤56 and >56 years showed an inverse relationship between age and risk of dementia (HR≤56 years. 2.03; 95% CI: 1.62-2.53 and HR>56 years . 1.00; 95% CI: 0.96-1.05). In the OPENTHYRO cohort, the risk of dementia was significantly increased for each 6 months of elevated TSH (HR 1.12; 95% CI: 1.07-1.16). CONCLUSIONS: Hypothyroidism is associated with increased risk of dementia. The association is influenced by comorbidity and age. Every 6 months of elevated TSH increased the risk of dementia by 12%, suggesting that also the length of hypothyroidism influences the risk of dementia.

Use of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors and risk of splanchnic vein thrombosis: A Danish nationwide new-user active comparator cohort study.

Use of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors, on the basis of spontaneous adverse event reports, has recently been suspected of causing splanchnic vein thrombosis. Here, we report the results of a population-based new-user active comparator cohort study addressing this hypothesis, comparing DPP-4 inhibitor initiators (n = 75 042) with initiators of glucagon-like-peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) or sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors (n = 38 718). We estimated the hazard ratio (HR) associating DPP-4 inhibitor use with risk of splanchnic vein thrombosis using Cox regression. In a crude analysis, the incidence rate of splanchnic vein thrombosis was 0.22/1000 person-years among DPP-4 inhibitor initiators, compared to 0.17 among GLP-1RA/SGLT2 inhibitor initiators, corresponding to an unadjusted absolute incidence rate difference of 0.05 (95% confidence interval [CI] -0.04 to 0.14) and an HR of 1.29 (95% CI 0.78 to 2.15). Adjusting for potential confounders using stabilized inverse probability of treatment weighing, we obtained an absolute incidence rate difference of 0.03/1000 person-years (95% CI -0.07 to 0.14) and an HR of 1.18 (95% CI 0.62 to 2.26). No evidence of increased risk of splanchnic vein thrombosis was found in supplementary analyses, including an absence of any dose-response patterns. As such, we found no association between DPP-4 inhibitor use and splanchnic vein thrombosis risk.

Health-Related Quality of Life in Adults with Osteogenesis Imperfecta.

Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a systemic connective tissue disorder most often caused by mutations in collagen type 1 related genes. Patients with OI suffer from multiple fractures and various degrees of growth deficiency and bone deformity. It is unknown whether the systemic effect of defect collagen type 1 influences the quality of life in patients with OI. We therefore aimed to investigate health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in a well-characterized cohort of adult patients with OI. We included 85 adult patients with mild to severe OI (types I, III, and IV) and obtained information about skeletal- and non-skeletal phenotypes and patient demographics. We investigated physical and mental HRQoL using a validated questionnaire, SF-36, and compared the data to values obtained in a population without OI. Patients with mild, moderate, and severe OI all had lower mean scores on domains describing physical HRQoL and a lower mean physical component score compared to the general population, p < 0.001. Patients with severe OI had lower mean scores on physical HRQoL, p < 0.05. The scores on domains reflecting mental HRQoL were more inhomogenously affected, but did not differ significantly from the general population. OI has an impact on physical and some aspects of mental HRQoL. The scores on physical health were correlated to severity of the OI disease. The mental component score in the OI patients was unaffected and comparable with the general population.

Bone microarchitecture and estimated strength in 499 adult Danish women and men: a cross-sectional, population-based high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomographic study on peak bone structure.

High-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT) allows in vivo assessment of cortical and trabecular bone mineral density (BMD), geometry, and microarchitecture at the distal radius and tibia in unprecedented detail. In this cross-sectional study, we provide normative and descriptive HR-pQCT data from a large population-based sample of Danish Caucasian women and men (n = 499) aged 20-80 years. In young adults (<35 years), women (n = 100) compared to men (n = 64) had smaller total and cortical areas, inferior metric trabecular indices, higher network inhomogeneity, lower cortical porosity, and lower finite element estimated bone strength. The changes in parameters with age were estimated from multiple regression analyses. In men, with age the greatest changes (from parameter minimum or maximum) until 80 years were found for cortical porosity (1.91 IQR), BV/TV (-1.09 IQR), and trabecular thickness (-0.87 IQR) in the radius and BV/TV (-1.55 IQR), cortical BMD (-1.25 IQR), and cortical porosity (1.25 IQR) in the tibia. In women changes were most pronounced for cortical porosity (4.76 IQR), trabecular inhomogeneity (3.84 IQR), and cortical BMD (-2.86 IQR) in the radius and cortical BMD (-5.06 IQR), cortical porosity (3.86 IQR), and cortical area (-1.64 IQR) in the tibia. These findings emphasize the age- and sex-related differences in bone morphology, with men having a structural advantage over women from early adult life translating into superior indices of bone strength. With age women are further disadvantaged compared to men by greater decrements in cortical and trabecular architecture in the radius and cortical architecture in the tibia.

Pregnancy complications and birth outcome in patients with osteogenesis imperfecta - A population-based register study.

OBJECTIVE: Patients with Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI) have varying degrees of bone fragility and increased fracture rates. There is a paucity of data related to complications to pregnancies in patients with OI and to their offspring. With this study we aim to evaluate the risk of complications to pregnancies, delivery, and offspring in pregnancies where the mother or father have OI. DESIGN: Nationwide, register-based, cohort study. SETTING: Danish health register-based data. POPULATION: All pregnancies registered in the Danish health registers where one parent has OI and a reference population of all other pregnancies in the general population from 1997 to 2018. METHODS: Descriptive epidemiology MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Pregnancy and delivery complications (e.g. prevalence of pre-eclampsia, eclampsia and perinatal haemorrhage), and complications in the offspring (e.g. prevalence of low birth weight, low Apgar Score, need of CPAP or NICU, prevalence of congenital malformations (using the EUROCAT classification), incidence of osteogenesis imperfecta, prevalence of birth related fractures and hospital contacts during the first year of life) from pregnancies with parental OI. RESULTS: We identified 433 OI related pregnancies among 134 mothers with OI and 73 fathers with OI. The rates of pregnancy and delivery complications were similar between the OI cohorts and the reference population. More (31 % vs 19 %) children were delivered by caesarean section in the OI cohort than in the reference population. CONCLUSION: Pregnancies, where one parent have OI, result in live births to term with very few complications.

Hyperthyroidism and the risk of non-thyroid cancer: a Danish register-based long-term follow-up study.

Objective: Cancer is the second most common cause of death worldwide. It is currently debated whether thyroid dysfunction is a modifiable cancer risk factor. Our aim was to evaluate the risk of cancer in patients with hyperthyroidism. Methods: This is a register-based nationwide cohort study of individuals with a diagnosis of hyperthyroidism. Each hyperthyroid case was matched with four reference individuals according to age and sex. Using Fine and Gray competing risk regression models, we studied the association of hyperthyroidism and subsequent all-cause cancer diagnoses, adjusted for preexisting morbidity. Sub-analyses were stratified for cause of hyperthyroidism (Graves' disease and toxic nodular goiter, age when diagnosed with hyperthyroidism, sex, and cancer localization (lung, prostate, breast, and colorectal cancer)). Results: The cohort consisted of 95,469 patients with hyperthyroidism (followed for a median of 10.9 years (range: 5.2-17.2)), and 364,494 reference individuals (followed for a median of 11.2 years (range: 5.4-17.4)). Hyperthyroidism was associated with increased all-cause cancer risk (sub-distribution hazard ratio (SHR): 1.12; 95% CI: 1.10-1.14), as well as an increased risk of breast (SHR: 1.07; 95% CI: 1.02-1.13), lung (SHR: 1.20; 95% CI: 1.16-1.26), and prostate cancer (SHR: 1.10; 95% CI: 1.02-1.19), but not colorectal cancer (SHR: 1.04; 95% CI: 0.99-1.09). Sub-analyses stratified for age when diagnosed with hyperthyroidism and cause of hyperthyroidism yielded similar results. Conclusion: In this register-based study, patients with hyperthyroidism had an increased risk of cancer, in particular lung, prostate, and breast cancer. Whether a causal link exists remains to be proven.

Effects of power training in older patients with multiple sclerosis on neurodegeneration, neuromuscular function, and physical function. A study protocol for the "power training in older multiple sclerosis patients (PoTOMS) randomized control trial.

Introduction: Approximately one-third of all persons with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) are older, i.e., having an age ≥60 years. Whilst ageing and MS separately elicit deteriorating effects on brain morphology, neuromuscular function, and physical function, the combination of ageing and MS may pose a particular challenge. To counteract such detrimental changes, power training (i.e., a type of resistance exercise focusing on moderate-to-high loading at maximal intended movement velocity) presents itself as a viable and highly effective solution. Power training is known to positively impact physical function, neuromuscular function, as well as brain morphology. Existing evidence is promising but limited to young and middle-aged pwMS, with the effects of power training remaining to be elucidated in older pwMS. Methods: The presented 'Power Training in Older MS patients (PoTOMS)' trial is a national, multi-center, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial. The trial compares 24 weeks of usual care(n = 30) to 24 weeks of usual care and power training (n = 30). The primary outcome is whole brain atrophy rate. The secondary outcomes include changes in brain micro and macro structures, neuromuscular function, physical function, cognitive function, bone health, and patient-reported outcomes. Ethics and dissemination: The presented study is approved by The Regional Ethics Committee (reference number 1-10-72-222-20) and registered at the Danish Data Protection Agency (reference number 2016-051-000001). All study findings will be published in scientific peer-reviewed journals and presented at relevant scientific conferences independent of the results. The www.clinicaltrials.gov identifier is NCT04762342.

Defibrillator charging before rhythm analysis significantly reduces hands-off time during resuscitation: a simulation study.

BACKGROUND: Our objective was to reduce hands-off time during cardiopulmonary resuscitation as increased hands-off time leads to higher mortality. METHODS: The European Resuscitation Council (ERC) 2005 and ERC 2010 guidelines were compared with an alternative sequence (ALT). Pulseless ventricular tachycardia and asystole were presented randomly to all participants in a simulation setting. A manikin (Resusci Anne; Laerdal Scandinavia A/S, Stavanger, Norway) and a defibrillator (LIFEPACK 12; Physio-Control, Inc, Redmond, WA, USA) were used. In ALT, chest compressions were only interrupted for postcharging rhythm analysis and immediate shock delivery. Comparing ALT to ERC 2005 and ERC 2010 shock delivery was done using paddles and pads, respectively. RESULTS: Sample sizes were calculated with α of .05 and 90% power. Hence, we needed 4 and 12 participants, respectively. In ERC 2005 vs ALT, 10 physicians were included. All had prior experience in advanced life support. Chest compressions were shorter interrupted using ALT (mean, 6.7 vs 13.0 seconds). Analyzing data for ventricular tachycardia scenarios only, hands-off time was shorter using ALT (mean, 7.1 vs 18.2 seconds). In ERC 2010 vs ALT, 12 physicians were included. Two physicians had not prior experience in advanced life support. Hands-off time was reduced using ALT (mean, 3.9 vs 5.6 seconds). Looking solely at ventricular tachycardia scenarios, hands-off time was shortened using ALT (mean, 4.5 vs 7.6 seconds). No significant reduction was observed in either of the asystole scenarios. CONCLUSION: In a simulation setting, we demonstrated that charging of the defibrillator before rhythm analysis significantly reduced hands-off time compared with the ERC 2005 and ERC 2010 guidelines.

Prevalence and consequences of musculoskeletal pain in the upper and lower extremities: A cross-sectional analysis of patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes in Denmark.

AIMS: To describe the one-week and 12-month prevalence of musculoskeletal pain in the upper and lower extremities and consequences in relation to care seeking, leisure time activity, and work life in patients with type 1 and 2 diabetes. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey including adults diagnosed with type 1 and 2 diabetes from two Danish secondary care databases. Questions covered pain prevalence (shoulder, elbow, hand, hip, knee, ankle) and its consequences based on the Standardised Nordic Questionnaire. Data was presented using proportions (95 % confidence intervals). RESULTS: The analysis included 3767 patients. The one-week prevalence was 9.3-30.8 % and 12-month prevalence 13.9-41.8 %, highest for shoulder pain (30.8-41.8 %). The prevalence was similar between type 1 and 2 diabetes for the upper extremity, but higher in type 2 for the lower extremity. Women had a higher pain prevalence for any joint for both diabetes types, while estimates did not vary between age groups (<60 or ≥60 years). More than half of the patients had reduced their activities at work or leisure time, and more than one-third had sought care during the past year because of pain. CONCLUSIONS: Musculoskeletal pain in the upper and lower extremities is common in patients with type 1 and 2 diabetes from Denmark, with considerable consequences for work and leisure activities.

The risk of fragility fractures following initiation of gabapentin and pregabalin-A Danish, nationwide, high-dimensional propensity score-matched cohort study.

Gabapentin and pregabalin have been associated with an increased risk of fragility fractures. Due to differences in pharmacokinetics, we aimed to assess the fracture-risk difference between the two medicines. We performed a Danish nationwide new user, high-dimensional propensity score-matched cohort study to assess the 90-day risk of fragility fractures among adults, from January 1996 to December 2018. We applied a high-dimensional propensity score to match new users of gabapentin with new users of pregabalin in a 1:1 intention-to-treat approach. Hazard ratios (HRs), incidence rates (IRs) and incidence rate difference (IRD) were obtained. We identified 388 236 eligible patients of which 294 223 and 98 869 initiated gabapentin and pregabalin, respectively. We included 48 272 matched pairs for further analysis. The mean age was 56 (IQR 44-69) years, and the average follow-up was approximately 11 500 person-years (PY). The IRs of fragility fractures were 23.7 (95%CI 21.0-26.7) and 23.2 (95%CI 20.5-26.2) per 1000 PY for gabapentin and pregabalin-exposed patients, respectively. This yielded an HR of 1.02 (95%CI 0.86-1.21) when using gabapentin as the intervention drug and pregabalin as the reference drug. The IRD was estimated to 0.5 PY (95%CI -3.5-4.5). In conclusion, short-term risk of fragility fractures among gabapentin initiators was not different compared to those initiating pregabalin.

Key4OI Recommendations for Lung Function Guidance in Osteogenesis Imperfecta: Based on an Internationally Performed Comprehensive International Consortium for Health Outcomes Measurement Procedure.

INTRODUCTION: Pulmonary involvement in Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI) can be severe but may be overlooked in milder cases. The Care4BrittleBones Foundation initiated this project to develop a set of global outcome measures focusing on respiratory-related issues in patients with OI. The objective was to reach an international consensus for a standardized set of outcomes and associated measuring instruments for the pulmonary care of individuals with OI. Based on the initial tests and questionnaires, we suggest parameters for when pulmonologists should seek guidance from the growing literature on OI pulmonary care and/or recognized experts in the field. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: The project team consisted of a multidisciplinary mix of 12 people from six countries, including an OI patient representative, and facilitated by the Care4BrittleBones Foundation director. The International Consortium for Health Outcomes Measurement (ICHOM) process was followed, which includes the Delphi method, used to collect the opinions of the expert team. Patient input was present in each meeting due to the inclusion of a patient representative. In addition, online focus groups were held. They consisted of adults with OI from different countries, and they determined which questions matter the most to the OI community worldwide. RESULTS: After three Delphi rounds, the expert team reached a consensus on the final set of measuring instruments, which included pulmonary function testing and patient self-reporting of symptoms related to breathing and sleep. Two questionnaires were decided upon: St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (shortened version) and four questions regarding sleep. Patients should be screened for a history of pneumonia. Advanced testing for select patients by a pulmonologist would include further pulmonary function tests and a chest radiograph. CONCLUSIONS: A standardized set of outcome measures related to pulmonary care of individuals with OI was determined based on what is important to both experts and patients. This included patient-reported outcome measures and basic pulmonary function testing. Using these outcome measures, it can be determined which patients are at high risk for pulmonary complications.

Reasons for not using intraosseous access in critical illness.

AIM: To identify reasons for not using intraosseous access (IO) when intravenous access is difficult during resuscitation. METHODS: Questionnaire made available to members of selected Scandinavian medical societies. RESULTS: Of 759 responders to the questionnaire, 23.5% (n=178) had experienced one or more situations where there was a need for IO but none was placed. The most common stated reasons for not performing IO were a lack of equipment (48.3%), a lack of knowledge about the procedure (32.6%), and intravenous access preferred over IO (23.0%). CONCLUSIONS: The main reasons for not using IO were lack of equipment and lack of training. The authors recommend increased training in IO use and greater availability of IO equipment for front-line staff in Scandinavian countries. The use of non-purpose-designed needles for IO should be evaluated.

The Effect of Laser Thermal Ablation on Quality of Life: Improvements in Patients with Solid-Cystic Thyroid Nodules.

Background: Evidence of the efficacy of laser thermal ablation (LTA) in benign thyroid nodules is abundant. However, little is known about the effect on quality of life (QoL) of this treatment. Methods: Prospective cohort study investigating the effect of LTA before, three, and six months after LTA on QoL using the thyroid-specific patient-reported outcome (ThyPRO) measure. Patients receiving LTA (laser group [LG]) was compared with a well-characterized control group (CG) from the Danish civil registry. Results: The LG comprised 54 patients, with no age or sex differences compared with the CG (n = 739). Sixty-nine percent of the patients had a recurrent cystic thyroid nodule, 6% had a solid nodule, while the remaining 25% were of mixed character. The median nodule volume was 6.8 mL (interquartile range [IQR]: 4.0-11.1) before LTA, and 1.8 mL (IQR: 0.6-4.1) at 6 months post-LTA (p < 0.001), corresponding to a median reduction of 78%. All cystic fluid (median: 6 mL; IQR: 2.0-9.0) was aspirated before LTA. Median treatment time was 400 seconds (IQR: 300-600), applying a median energy of 823 J (IQR: 600-1200). At baseline and according to the ThyPRO scales, the LG differed significantly from the CG by having more goiter symptoms, hyperthyroid symptoms, tiredness, and cognitive complaints (p < 0.05 for all variables), but only the difference in the goiter symptom scale was of a clinically important magnitude. At three months, the LG experienced a large improvement in goiter symptoms (effect size [ES] = 1.05), a moderate improvement in cosmetic complaints (ES = 0.50), and a moderate improvement in the overall QoL (ES = 0.64). Only the improvements in the goiter symptom and the cosmetic complaint scales were clinically important. Six months after LTA, the anxiety scale showed further improvement of moderate size (ES = 0.52). At 6 months, the results above were maintained, and 79% of patients experienced a large and clinically important improvement in the goiter symptom scale and no clinically important differences were found between the LG and the CG. Conclusions: In this unblinded, prospective observational study, measures of disease-specific QoL were significantly improved compared with preprocedure levels, in patients with solid-cystic nodules.

Fractures following pregnancy in Osteogenesis imperfecta - A self-controlled case series using Danish Health Registers.

Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a rare inherited connective tissue disorder with considerable clinical and genetic heterogeneity. The clinical hallmark of OI is liability to fractures due to reduced bone strength. Pregnancy and lactation are periods of increased calcium demand resulting in a decrease in maternal bone mineral density (BMD). This self-controlled case series evaluates fracture risk 12- and 19-months prior to conception compared to a period of 12- and 19 months following childbirth in women with OI. This study is based on data from the Danish National Patient Register collected between 1995 and 2018. Modified Poisson models were fitted to estimate Incidence Rate Ratio in the post/pre-pregnancy period/s, adjusted by parity and age. The 12-month observation group included 111 women with 205 pregnancies, and the 19-month observation 108 women with 197 pregnancies. We calculated fracture rates (IR) of 48.78 [95%CI 18.55-79.01] per 1000 person years 12 months prior to conception, and of 27.87 [95%CI 10.60-45.14] in the 12 months post-delivery. Comparing pre- and post-pregnancy period we found an incidence rate ratio (IRR) of 1.00 [95%CI 0.42-2.40]. When adjusting for parity and age at delivery no significant change in the IRR was noted. In the 19 months observation-period, the IR per 1000 person years prior to conception was 74.84 [95%CI 44.25-105.43] and the IR postpartum was 36.86 [95%CI 17.55-56.17], leading to an IRR of 0.61 [95%CI 0.31-1.18]. We could not identify any increased risk of fractures when comparing fracture rates during pregnancy and 12 or 19 months postpartum to fracture rates 12 or 19 months prior to conception.

Osteoarthritis in osteogenesis imperfecta: A nationwide register-based cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI) is a genetic disease characterized by skeletal fragility. Collagen type 1 is found in many tissues and collagen abnormalities may result in organ specific symptomatology. Musculoskeletal pain is a known issue for patients with OI, osteoarthritis (OA) can be a likely cause. Only few studies have investigated the relationship between OI and OA but demonstrated a greater propensity in OI patients to develop rapidly progressing OA. Therefore, we wanted to investigate if OA is more frequent in patients with OI compared to the general population. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the risk of osteoarthritis in patients with OI. DESIGN: A Danish nationwide, population-based and register-based longitudinal open cohort study. PARTICIPANTS: From 1977 to 2019, all patients registered with an OI diagnosis and a reference population matched on age and sex 5:1. MEASUREMENTS: Sub-hazard ratios for any, hip, and knee osteoarthritis comparing the OI cohort to the reference population. RESULTS: We identified 907 patients with OI (493 women) and included 4535 patients in the reference population (2465 women). The Sub Hazard Ratio was 2.20 [95% CI 1.73-2.79] for any osteoarthritis with 11.4% of the OI population and 5.4% of the reference population being registered. We found lower incidences of upper extremity joint OA compared to lower joint OA, but upper extremity joint OA was significantly more frequent in the OI population 2.1% vs 0.6%, SHR 3.19 [95% CI 1.78-5.70]. CONCLUSION: Patients with OI have a higher risk of OA than the reference population. MINIABSTRACT: Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI) is a hereditary connective tissue disorder with skeletal fragility and extraskeletal manifestations. Osteoarthritis is a frequent joint disease and the incidence increases with age. In a population-register-based study, the risk of osteoarthritis was higher in patients with OI at an earlier age compared to a reference population.

Risk of eye diseases in osteogenesis imperfecta - A nationwide, register-based cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a hereditary disease caused by affected collagen type 1. Collagen type 1 is an important structural component of the eye. Ocular manifestations in OI are described in literature, but little is known about the risk of eye diseases in OI. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the risk of eye diseases in OI. DESIGN: A Danish nationwide register-based cohort study based on data from the Danish National Patient Register. PARTICIPANTS: All patients registered with an OI diagnosis between January 1977 and December 2018 matched 1:5 with a reference population on gender and birth month and birth year. MEASUREMENTS: Incidence rates (IR) per 1000 patient years and sub-hazard ratio (SHR) for any eye disease, corneal diseases, cataract, refraction disorders, vitreous haemorrhage, retinal detachment, retinopathy, angiopathy, retinal haemorrhage, retinal degeneration, retinal changes, optic nerve disorders, and traumatic eye lesions. RESULTS: We identified 907 OI patients (493 women) and 4535 persons (2465 women) in the reference population. The IR for any eye disease was 4.07 [95% CI 3.41-4.85] in the OI cohort and 1.96 [95% CI 1.89-2.12] in the reference cohort. The two diseases with highest incidence was cataract (2.41 [95%CI 1.93-3.03] vs 1.29 [95% CI 1.12-1.47], SHR 1.76 [95% CI 1.34-2.33]) and glaucoma (1.08 [95% CI 0.77-1.51] vs 0.42 [95% CI 0.33-0.54], SHR 2.33 [95% CI 1.55-3.53]). The absolute risk of most other eye diseases was low, but the SHR indicated a higher risk in the OI cohort compared to the reference group showing statistically increased risk of refractive disorders, vitreous haemorrhage, retinal detachment or ruptures, other retinal diseases (i.e., retinopathy, angiopathy, retinal haemorrhage, degeneration, retinal changes), and optic nerve disorders. Corneal diseases and traumatic eye lesions were not statistically significantly increased in OI-patients. CONCLUSION: Patients with OI have a higher risk of cataract, refractive disorders, glaucoma, vitreous haemorrhages, retinal detachment/ruptures, retinal diseases, and optic nerve disorders.