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Jonsson S, Jonsson H, Lundin E, Häggström C, Idahl A. Pelvic inflammatory disease and risk of epithelial ovarian cancer: a national population-based case-control study in Sweden. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2024; 230:75.e1-75.e15. [PMID: 37778677 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2023.09.094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Epithelial ovarian cancer is an insidious disease, and women are often diagnosed when the disease is beyond curative treatment. Accordingly, identifying modifiable risk factors is of paramount importance. Inflammation predisposes an individual to cancer in various organs, but whether pelvic inflammatory disease is associated with an increased risk of epithelial ovarian cancer has not been fully determined. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate a possible association between clinically verified pelvic inflammatory disease and the risk of epithelial ovarian cancer. STUDY DESIGN In this national population-based case-control study, all women in Sweden diagnosed with epithelial ovarian cancer between 1999 and 2020 and 10 controls for each were identified, matched for age and residential district. Using several Swedish nationwide registers, data on previous pelvic inflammatory disease and potential confounding factors (age, parity, educational level, and previous gynecologic surgery) were retrieved. Adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were estimated using conditional logistic regression. Histotype-specific analyses were performed for the subgroup of women diagnosed with epithelial ovarian cancer between 2015 and 2020. Moreover, hormonal contraceptives and menopausal hormone therapy were adjusted in addition to the aforementioned confounders. RESULTS This study included 15,072 women with epithelial ovarian cancer and 141,322 controls. Most women (9102 [60.4%]) had serous carcinoma. In a subgroup of cases diagnosed between 2015 and 2020, high-grade serous carcinoma (2319 [60.0%]) was identified. A total of 168 cases (1.1%) and 1270 controls (0.9%) were diagnosed with pelvic inflammatory disease. Previous pelvic inflammatory disease was associated with an increased risk of epithelial ovarian cancer (adjusted odds ratio, 1.39; 95% confidence interval, 1.17-1.66) and serous carcinoma (adjusted odds ratio, 1.46; 95% confidence interval, 1.18-1.80) for the entire study population. For the subgroup of women diagnosed in 2015-2020, pelvic inflammatory disease was associated with high-grade serous carcinoma (adjusted odds ratio, 1.43; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-2.04). The odds ratios of the other histotypes were as follows: endometrioid (adjusted odds ratio, 0.13; 95% confidence interval, 0.02-1.06), mucinous (adjusted odds ratio, 1.55; 95% confidence interval, 0.56-4.29), and clear cell carcinoma (adjusted odds ratio, 2.30; 95% confidence interval, 0.90-5.86). A dose-response relationship was observed between the number of pelvic inflammatory disease episodes and the risk of epithelial ovarian cancer (Ptrend<.001). CONCLUSION A history of pelvic inflammatory disease is associated with an increased risk of epithelial ovarian cancer and a dose-response relationship is evident. Histotype-specific analyses show an association with increased risk of serous epithelial ovarian cancer and high-grade serous carcinoma and potentially also with clear cell carcinoma, but there is no significant association with other histotypes. Infection and inflammation of the upper reproductive tract might have serious long-term consequences, including epithelial ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Jonsson
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.
| | - Håkan Jonsson
- Department of Epidemiology and Global Health, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Eva Lundin
- Pathology Unit, Department of Medical Biosciences, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Christel Häggström
- Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Registry Centre North, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Annika Idahl
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
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Bishop L, Almquist YB, Pitkänen J, Martikainen P. Offspring hospitalization for substance use and changes in parental mental health: A Finnish register-based study. ADVANCES IN LIFE COURSE RESEARCH 2023; 57:100561. [PMID: 38054862 DOI: 10.1016/j.alcr.2023.100561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023]
Abstract
Prior research indicates that parental psychiatric disorders increase their offspring's risk of substance use problems. Though the association is likely bidirectional, the effects of an adult child's substance use on parental mental health remain understudied. We examined parents' psychotropic medication use trajectories by parental sex and educational attainment before and after a child's alcohol- or narcotics-attributable hospitalization. We identified Finnish residents, born 1979-1988, with a first hospitalization for substance use during emerging adulthood (ages 18-29, n = 12,851). Their biological mothers (n = 12,283) and/or fathers (n = 10,765) were followed for the two years before and after the hospitalization. Psychotropic medication use was measured in three-month periods centered around the time of child's hospitalization, and the probability of psychotropic medication use at each time point was assessed using generalized estimating equations logit models. Among mothers, the prevalence of psychotropic medication use increased during the year before, peaked during the 0-3 months after hospitalization, and remained at a similarly elevated level until the end of follow-up. The prevalence among fathers increased gradually and linearly across follow-up, with minimal changes evident either directly before or after the hospitalization. Parents' educational attainment did not modify these trajectories. Our results highlight the importance of considering linked lives when quantifying substance use-attributable harms and underscore the need for future research examining the intergenerational spillover effects of substance use in both directions, particularly in mother-child dyads.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Bishop
- Population Research Unit, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland; Max Planck-University of Helsinki Center for Social Inequalities in Population Health, 00014 Helsinki, Finland; Department of Public Health Sciences, Stockholm University, 10691 Stockholm, Sweden; International Max Planck Research School for Population, Health and Data Science, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, 18057 Rostock, Germany.
| | - Ylva B Almquist
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Stockholm University, 10691 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Joonas Pitkänen
- Population Research Unit, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland; Max Planck-University of Helsinki Center for Social Inequalities in Population Health, 00014 Helsinki, Finland; International Max Planck Research School for Population, Health and Data Science, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, 18057 Rostock, Germany
| | - Pekka Martikainen
- Population Research Unit, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland; Max Planck-University of Helsinki Center for Social Inequalities in Population Health, 00014 Helsinki, Finland; Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, 18057 Rostock, Germany
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Karanti A, Bublik L, Kardell M, Annerbrink K, Lichtenstein P, Runeson B, Pålsson E, Landén M. Patient educational level and management of bipolar disorder. BJPsych Open 2021; 7:e63. [PMID: 33678216 PMCID: PMC8058931 DOI: 10.1192/bjo.2021.19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Socioeconomic factors can affect healthcare management. AIMS The aim was to investigate if patient educational attainment is associated with management of bipolar disorder. METHOD We included patients with bipolar disorder type 1 (n = 4289), type 2 (n = 4020) and not otherwise specified (n = 1756), from the Swedish National Quality Register for Bipolar Disorder (BipoläR). The association between patients' educational level and pharmacological and psychological interventions was analysed by binary logistic regression. We calculated odds ratios after adjusting for demographic and clinical variables. RESULTS Higher education was associated with increased likelihood of receiving psychotherapy (adjusted odds ratio 1.34, 95% CI 91.22-1.46) and psychoeducation (adjusted odds ratio 1.18, 95% CI 1.07-1.46), but with lower likelihood of receiving first-generation antipsychotics (adjusted odds ratio 0.76, 95% CI 0.62-0.94) and tricyclic antidepressants (adjusted odds ratio 0.76, 95% CI 0.59-0.97). Higher education was also associated with lower risk for compulsory in-patient care (adjusted odds ratio 0.79, 95% CI 0.67-0.93). CONCLUSIONS Pharmacological and psychological treatment of bipolar disorder differ depending on patients' educational attainment. The reasons for these disparities remain to be explained.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alina Karanti
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Lana Bublik
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Mathias Kardell
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Kristina Annerbrink
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Paul Lichtenstein
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden
| | - Bo Runeson
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Centre for Psychiatry Research, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden
| | - Erik Pålsson
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Mikael Landén
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden; and Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
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GPs' drug treatment for depression by patients' educational level: registry-based study. BJGP Open 2021; 5:BJGPO-2020-0122. [PMID: 33563702 PMCID: PMC8170601 DOI: 10.3399/bjgpo-2020-0122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2020] [Accepted: 09/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Antidepressant drugs are often prescribed in general practice. Evidence is conflicting on how patient education influences antidepressant treatment. Aim To investigate the association between educational attainment and drug treatment in adult patients with a new depression diagnosis, and to what extent sex and age influence the association. Design & setting A nationwide registry-based cohort study was undertaken in Norway from 2014–2016. Method The study comprised all residents of Norway born before 1996 and alive in 2015. Information was obtained on all new depression diagnoses in general practice in 2015 (primary care database) and data on all dispensed depression medication (Norwegian Prescription Database [NorPD]) 12 months after the date of diagnosis. Independent variables were education, sex, and age. Associations with drug treatment were estimated using a Cox proportional hazard model and performed separately for sex. Results Out of 49 967 patients with new depression (61.6% women), 15 678 were dispensed drugs (30.4% women, 33.0% men). Highly educated women were less likely to receive medication (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.93; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.88 to 0.98) than women with low education. No such differences appeared among men. Women aged 20–29 years were more likely to be treated with drugs than those aged 30–59 years, and women aged ≥70 years were more likely to receive drugs (HR = 1.65; 95% CI = 1.54 to 1.77) than those aged 20–29 years. The pattern was similar but less pronounced for men. Conclusion Educational differences in antidepressant therapy among women may reflect different treatment approaches that clinicians should be aware of to avoid unintended variation. Reasons for this variation and consequences for quality of treatment should be explored.
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Cheung K, El Marroun H, Dierckx B, Visser LE, Stricker BH. Maternal Sociodemographic Factors Are Associated with Methylphenidate Initiation in Children in the Netherlands: A Population-Based Study. Child Psychiatry Hum Dev 2021; 52:332-342. [PMID: 32566998 PMCID: PMC7973638 DOI: 10.1007/s10578-020-01016-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Multiple factors may contribute to the decision to initiate methylphenidate treatment in children such as maternal sociodemographic factors of which relatively little is known. The objective was to investigate the association between these factors and methylphenidate initiation. The study population included 4243 children from the Generation R Study in the Netherlands. Maternal sociodemographic characteristics were tested as determinants of methylphenidate initiation through a time-dependent Cox regression analysis. Subsequently, we stratified by mother-reported ADHD symptoms (present in 4.2% of the study population). When ADHD symptoms were absent, we found that girls (adjusted HR 0.25, 95%CI 0.16-0.39) and children born to a mother with a non-western ethnicity (compared to Dutch-Caucasian) (adjusted HR 0.42, 95%CI 015-0.68) were less likely to receive methylphenidate. They were more likely to receive methylphenidate when their mother completed a low (adjusted HR 2.29, 95%CI 1.10-4.77) or secondary (adjusted HR 1.71, 95%CI 1.16-2.54) education. In conclusion, boys and children born to a mother of Dutch-Caucasian ethnicity were more likely to receive methylphenidate, irrespective of the presence of ADHD symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Cheung
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus Medical Center, PO Box 2040, 3000 CA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
- Health and Youth Care Inspectorate, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - H El Marroun
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Pediatrics, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Psychology, Education and Child Studies, Erasmus School of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - B Dierckx
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - L E Visser
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus Medical Center, PO Box 2040, 3000 CA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Haga Teaching Hospital, The Hague, The Netherlands
| | - B H Stricker
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus Medical Center, PO Box 2040, 3000 CA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Health and Youth Care Inspectorate, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Knaappila N, Marttunen M, Fröjd S, Lindberg N, Kaltiala R. Changes in cannabis use according to socioeconomic status among Finnish adolescents from 2000 to 2015. J Cannabis Res 2020; 2:44. [PMID: 33526131 PMCID: PMC7819333 DOI: 10.1186/s42238-020-00052-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite reduced sanctions and more permissive attitudes toward cannabis use in the USA and Europe, the prevalences of adolescent cannabis use have remained rather stable in the twenty-first century. However, whether trends in adolescent cannabis use differ between socioeconomic groups is not known. The aim of this study was to examine trends in cannabis use according to socioeconomic status among Finnish adolescents from 2000 to 2015. METHODS A population-based school survey was conducted biennially among 14-16-year-old Finns between 2000 and 2015 (n = 761,278). Distributions for any and frequent cannabis use over time according to socioeconomic adversities were calculated using crosstabs and chi-square test. Associations between any and frequent cannabis use, time, and socioeconomic adversities were studied using binomial logistic regression results shown by odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS At the overall level, the prevalences of lifetime and frequent cannabis use varied only slightly between 2000 and 2015. Cannabis use was associated with socioeconomic adversities (parental unemployment in the past year, low parental education, and not living with both parents). The differences in any and frequent cannabis use between socioeconomic groups increased significantly over the study period. CONCLUSIONS Although the overall changes in the prevalence of adolescent cannabis use were modest, cannabis use increased markedly among adolescents with the most socioeconomic adversities. Socioeconomic adversities should be considered in the prevention of adolescent cannabis use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noora Knaappila
- Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Tampere, 33014 Tampere, Finland
| | - Mauri Marttunen
- Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, PO Box 22, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Sari Fröjd
- Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Tampere, 33014 Tampere, Finland
| | - Nina Lindberg
- Department of Adolescent Psychiatry, Helsinki University Central Hospital, PO Box 590, 00029 HUS, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Riittakerttu Kaltiala
- Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Tampere, 33014 Tampere, Finland
- Vanha Vaasa Hospital, Vierinkiventie 1, 65380 Vaasa, Finland
- Department of Adolescent Psychiatry, Tampere University Hospital, 33380 Pitkäniemi, Finland
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Åndell E, Tomson T, Åmark P, Pihlström N, Tedroff K, Carlsson S. Childhood-onset seizures: A long-term cohort study of use of antiepileptic drugs, and drugs for neuropsychiatric conditions. Epilepsy Res 2020; 168:106489. [DOI: 10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2020.106489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2020] [Revised: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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Costs and Use of Health Care in Patients With Celiac Disease: A Population-Based Longitudinal Study. Am J Gastroenterol 2020; 115:1253-1263. [PMID: 32349030 DOI: 10.14309/ajg.0000000000000652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Celiac disease (CD) affects 1% of the population. Its effect on healthcare cost, however, is barely understood. We estimated healthcare use and cost in CD, including their temporal relationship to diagnosis. METHODS Through biopsy reports from Sweden's 28 pathology departments, we identified 40,951 prevalent patients with CD (villous atrophy) as of January 1, 2015, and 15,086 incident patients with CD diagnosed in 2008-2015, including 2,663 who underwent a follow-up biopsy to document mucosal healing. Each patient was compared with age- and sex-matched general population comparators (n = 187,542). Using nationwide health registers, we retrieved data on all inpatient and nonprimary outpatient care, prescribed diets, and drugs. RESULTS Compared with comparators, healthcare costs in 2015 were, on average, $1,075 (95% confidence interval, $864-1,278) higher in prevalent patients with CD aged <18 years, $715 ($632-803) in ages 18-64 years, and $1,010 ($799-1,230) in ages ≥65 years. Half of all costs were attributed to 5% of the prevalent patients. Annual healthcare costs were $391 higher 5 years before diagnosis and increased until 1 year after diagnosis; costs then declined but remained 75% higher than those of comparators 5 years postdiagnosis (annual difference = $1,044). Although hospitalizations, nonprimary outpatient visits, and medication use were all more common with CD, excess costs were largely unrelated to the prescription of gluten-free staples and follow-up visits for CD. Mucosal healing in CD did not reduce the healthcare costs. DISCUSSION The use and costs of health care are increased in CD, not only before, but for years after diagnosis. Mucosal healing does not seem to lower the healthcare costs.
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Arikan İ, Özyigit F. Evaluation of rational drug use knowledge level in patients with musculoskeletal disorders. J Back Musculoskelet Rehabil 2019; 32:119-124. [PMID: 30248041 DOI: 10.3233/bmr-181252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND For treatment of chronic musculoskeletal disorders pains to be successful, drug interventions are required. OBJECTIVE In this study, we aimed to evaluate the Rational Drug Use Knowledge Level (RDUKL) in patients with musculoskeletal disorders and some relevant factors. METHOD The study was carried out in October 2017 on patients treated in the Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Hospital in Turkey. The prepared questionnaire and RDUKL scale were administered to 239 patients by face-to-face interviews. The ANOVA test, chi-squared test and logistic regression model were used for the statistical evaluation. RESULTS Forty-three percent of the study group was found to have Rational Drug Use Knowledge (RDUK). The patients who used medicines under family supervision had twice as much RDUK as those who did not use medicines under family supervision, and those who were university graduates had six times as much RDUK as those who had primary education or below. Scale score was found to be low in patients with fibromyalgia and high in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (p< 0.05). CONCLUSION RDUKL was found to be low in the group with chronic diseases and high average age. Besides training, it is important to provide patients with family support about their illness and its treatment. Thus, positive contributions can be made to the increase of the RDUKL.
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Affiliation(s)
- İnci Arikan
- Department of Public Health, Medical Faculty of Kütahya Health Sciences University, Kütahya 43100, Turkey
| | - Filiz Özyigit
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical Faculty of Kütahya Health Sciences University, Kütahya 43100, Turkey
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Wang JZ, Le S, Alexanian C, Boddu S, Merleev A, Marusina A, Maverakis E. No Causal Link between Phosphodiesterase Type 5 Inhibition and Melanoma. World J Mens Health 2018; 37:313-321. [PMID: 30350485 PMCID: PMC6704303 DOI: 10.5534/wjmh.180050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2018] [Accepted: 06/18/2018] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose To examine the association between phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor use and melanoma by 1) conducting a systematic review of observational studies; and 2) determining if low PDE5A gene expression in human melanoma correlated with decreased overall survival. Materials and Methods A systematic search of observational studies examining the association between PDE5 inhibitor use and melanoma was performed through ClinicalTrials.gov, the Cochrane Library, EMBASE, PubMed, and Web of Science databases, and seven eligible studies were identified. PDE5A gene expression was analyzed with RNA sequencing data from 471 human melanoma samples obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas. Results Four studies reported a positive association between PDE5 inhibitor use and melanoma, and three studies found no correlation. RNA sequencing data analysis revealed that under-expression of the PDE5A gene did not impact clinical outcomes in melanoma. Conclusions There is currently no evidence to suggest that PDE5 inhibition in patients causes increased risk for melanoma. The few observational studies that demonstrated a positive association between PDE5 inhibitor use and melanoma often failed to account for major confounders. Nonetheless, the substantial evidence implicating PDE5 inhibition in the cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)-mediated melanoma pathway warrants further investigation in the clinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenny Z Wang
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Stephanie Le
- Department of Dermatology, University of California Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | | | - Sucharita Boddu
- Department of Dermatology, University of California Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Alexander Merleev
- Department of Dermatology, University of California Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Alina Marusina
- Department of Dermatology, University of California Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Emanual Maverakis
- Department of Dermatology, University of California Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA, USA.
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Bjerkeli PJ, Mulinari S, Zettermark S, Merlo J. Sociodemographic patterns in pharmacy dispensing of medications for erectile dysfunction in Sweden. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 2017; 74:209-218. [PMID: 29101427 PMCID: PMC5765196 DOI: 10.1007/s00228-017-2361-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2017] [Accepted: 10/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between sociodemographic factors and pharmacy dispensing of medications for erectile dysfunction (ED) in the general population of middle-aged and elderly men. By considering a number of medical conditions that could promote or contraindicate use of ED medication, the analysis could help capture prescription patterns that might not be explained by medical needs. Methods Individual-level pharmacy dispensing data from 2006 for a population-based cohort of 216,148 men aged 45–79 years in the county Scania, Sweden, were analysed. Multiple logistic regression was applied, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was calculated to quantify the discriminatory accuracy (DA) of the associations. National trends in pharmacy dispensing of ED medication between 2006 and 2016 were also analysed. Results Pharmacy dispensing of ED medication increased between 2006 and 2016, particularly among men aged 65–79 years (from 6.8 to 9.2%). Dispensing of ED medication was positively associated with higher socioeconomic position, and divorced and widowed men were more likely to fill a prescription with ED medication than married men. These associations remained after adjusting for medical conditions. The DA of the associations was, however, rather low (AUC = 0.69 among 45–64 year olds and AUC = 0.65 among 65–79 year olds). Conclusions Pharmacy dispensing of ED medication seem linked to the individuals socioeconomic position, age and marital status suggesting sociodemographic disparities in the pharmacy dispensing targeting sexual function. However, the low DA of the associations shows the limited capacity of these factors to predict ED medication use at the individual level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pernilla J Bjerkeli
- Unit for Social Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, CRC, Lund University, Jan Waldenströms gata 35, 205 02, Malmö, Sweden. .,Department for Biomedicine and Public Health Research, University of Skövde, Box 408, SE 541 28, Skövde, Sweden.
| | - Shai Mulinari
- Unit for Social Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, CRC, Lund University, Jan Waldenströms gata 35, 205 02, Malmö, Sweden.,Department of Sociology, Faculty of Social Sciences, Lund University, Box 114, SE-221 00, Lund, Sweden
| | - Sofia Zettermark
- Unit for Social Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, CRC, Lund University, Jan Waldenströms gata 35, 205 02, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Juan Merlo
- Unit for Social Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, CRC, Lund University, Jan Waldenströms gata 35, 205 02, Malmö, Sweden
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Bexelius TS, Ljung R, Mattsson F, Lu Y, Lindblad M. Angiotensin II receptor blockers and risk of acute pancreatitis - a population based case-control study in Sweden. BMC Gastroenterol 2017; 17:36. [PMID: 28270103 PMCID: PMC5341438 DOI: 10.1186/s12876-017-0595-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2016] [Accepted: 03/01/2017] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Acute pancreatitis is a potentially lethal disease, with a rising incidence in the Western world. Yet, no pharmacological prevention or specific treatment for acute pancreatitis exists. Also, the connection with severity of acute pancreatitis is unknown. Experimental and epidemiological research suggests a protective effect of angiotensin II receptor blockers. Methods During 2006 to 2008, we performed a nationwide case–control study on Swedish residents aged 40–84 years. First-time cases with acute pancreatitis were identified in the National Patient Register and data on dispensed prescriptions was retrieved from the Prescribed Drug Register. Controls were randomly selected from the general population in Sweden frequency-matched on sex, age, and calendar year. To estimate relative risk of acute pancreatitis, by degree of severity, among users of angiotensin II receptor blockers, as compared to non-users, we used multivariable logistic regression analysis to calculate odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI). Results Among 6,161 cases of acute pancreatitis and 61,637 controls, current use of angiotensin II receptor blockers was followed by a decreased risk of acute pancreatitis, compared to non-users, adjusted OR 0 · 77 (95% CI 0 · 69–0 · 86). No protective association, but an increased risk was found for users of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (adjusted OR 1 · 11, 95% CI: 1 · 01–1 · 21), analysed for comparison reasons. There was a significant decreased risk associated with both severe acute pancreatitis, (OR 0 · 71 (0 · 59–0 · 85), and mild acute pancreatitis; adjusted OR 0 · 81 (0 · 70–0 · 94). Conclusion This population-based case–control study indicates that use of angiotensin II receptor blockers might be associated with a lesser risk of acute pancreatitis, and that the protective association was significant among cases of both severe and mild acute pancreatitis. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12876-017-0595-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomas S Bexelius
- Upper Gastrointestinal Research, Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. .,Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Box 281, S-171 77, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Rickard Ljung
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Fredrik Mattsson
- Upper Gastrointestinal Research, Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Yunxia Lu
- Upper Gastrointestinal Research, Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Program in Public Health, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Mats Lindblad
- Upper Gastrointestinal Research, Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of CLINTEC, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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13
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Ljungman C, Kahan T, Schiöler L, Wettermark B, Boström KB, Hasselström J, Hjerpe P, Manhem K. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and blood pressure control in patients treated for hypertension: results from the Swedish primary care cardiovascular database. Blood Press 2017; 26:220-228. [PMID: 28276722 DOI: 10.1080/08037051.2017.1290503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim of this observational cohort study was to investigate blood pressure level and the possibility to reach target blood pressure during concomitant use of NSAID in hypertensive patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS From the Swedish primary care cardiovascular database (SPCCD) a cohort of 5463 patients (2007 to 2008) with at least one prescription of NSAID dispensed 6 months prior to the last blood pressure measurement were included. Clinical data were extracted from computerized medical records and linked to the Prescribed Drug Register. Multivariable logistic regression models were used for analysis. RESULTS Patients with NSAID usage were younger, more often female, with lower creatinine concentrations, more musculoskeletal diagnosis and less cardiovascular comorbidity compared to patients without dispensed NSAID (p < .0001 for all). Regular dose of NSAID was not associated with a decreased possibility to reach target blood pressure. A correlation between the dose of naproxen and an increase in SBP of 7 mm Hg was found. Impairment in renal function did not influence the association between blood pressure control and NSAID (p = .27). CONCLUSION In hypertensive patients with concomitant use of NSAID the chance to reach target blood pressure was not impaired. In intermediate and frequent users of NSAID there was a dose response relation with naproxen and SBP which was not found in diclofenac and ibuprofen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotta Ljungman
- a Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine/Cardiology , Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg , Göteborg , Sweden
| | - Thomas Kahan
- b Department of Clinical Sciences, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine , Karolinska Institutet, Danderyd Hospital , Stockholm , Sweden
| | - Linus Schiöler
- c Section of Occupational and Environmental Medicine , Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg , Göteborg , Sweden
| | - Björn Wettermark
- d Department of Medicine , Centre for Pharmacoepidemiology, Karolinska Institutet , Stockholm , Sweden.,e Public Healthcare Services Committee , Stockholm County Council , Stockholm , Sweden
| | | | - Jan Hasselström
- g Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Division of Family Medicine , Karolinska Institutet , Stockholm , Sweden
| | - Per Hjerpe
- f Närhälsan R & D Primary Care , R&D-Centre Skaraborg , Skövde , Sweden
| | - Karin Manhem
- a Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine/Cardiology , Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg , Göteborg , Sweden
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Does the number of siblings affect health in midlife? Evidence from the Swedish Prescribed Drug Register. DEMOGRAPHIC RESEARCH 2016. [DOI: 10.4054/demres.2016.35.43] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
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15
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Qvarnström M, Kahan T, Kieler H, Brandt L, Hasselström J, Boström KB, Manhem K, Hjerpe P, Wettermark B. Persistence to antihypertensive drug classes: A cohort study using the Swedish Primary Care Cardiovascular Database (SPCCD). Medicine (Baltimore) 2016; 95:e4908. [PMID: 27749548 PMCID: PMC5059050 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000004908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim was to study persistence to, and switching between, antihypertensive drug classes and to determine factors associated with poor persistence.This was an observational cohort study. The Swedish Primary Care Cardiovascular Database includes data from medical records, socioeconomic data, filled prescriptions, and hospitalizations from national registries for 75,000 patients with hypertension. Patients included in the study were initiated on antihypertensive drug treatment in primary healthcare in 2006 to 2007. We defined class persistence as the proportion remaining on the initial drug class, including 30 days of gap. Patients with a filled prescription of another antihypertensive drug class after discontinuation of the initial drug, including 30 days of gap, were classified as switchers. Persistence to the various drug classes were compared with that for diuretics.We identified 4997 patients (mean age 60 ± 12 years in men and 63 ± 13 years in women). Out of these, 95 (2%) filled their first prescription for fixed combination therapy and 4902 (98%) for monotherapy, including angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (37%), angiotensin receptor blockers (4%), beta blockers (21%), calcium channel blockers (8%), and diuretics (28%). Persistence to the initial drug class was 57% after 1 year and 43% after 2 years. There were no differences in persistence between diuretics and any of the other antihypertensive drug classes, after adjustment for confounders. Discontinuation (all adjusted) was more common in men (P = 0.004), younger patients (P < 0.001), those with mild systolic blood pressure elevation (P < 0.001), and patients born outside the Nordic countries (P < 0.001). Among 1295 patients who switched drug class after their first prescription, only 21% had a blood pressure recorded before the switch occurred; and out them 69% still had high blood pressures.In conclusion, there appears to be no difference in drug class persistence between diuretics and other major antihypertensive drug classes, when factors known to be associated with poor persistence are taken into account.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Qvarnström
- Department of Medicine, Center for Pharmacoepidemiology, Karolinska Institutet
- Correspondence: Miriam Qvarnström, Department of Medicine, Center for Pharmacoepidemiology, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, T2, Karolinska University Hospital, SE-171 76 Stockholm, Sweden (e-mail: )
| | - Thomas Kahan
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Danderyd Hospital, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet
| | - Helle Kieler
- Department of Medicine, Center for Pharmacoepidemiology, Karolinska Institutet
| | - Lena Brandt
- Department of Medicine, Center for Pharmacoepidemiology, Karolinska Institutet
| | - Jan Hasselström
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Center for Family and Community Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm
| | | | - Karin Manhem
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine/Cardiology, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg
| | - Per Hjerpe
- Närhälsan R&D Primary Care, R&D-Center Skaraborg, Skövde
| | - Björn Wettermark
- Department of Medicine, Center for Pharmacoepidemiology, Karolinska Institutet
- Department of Healthcare Development, Public Healthcare Services Committee, Stockholm County Council, Stockholm, Sweden
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Haastrup PF, Paulsen MS, Christensen RD, Søndergaard J, Hansen JM, Jarbøl DE. Medical and non-medical predictors of initiating long-term use of proton pump inhibitors: a nationwide cohort study of first-time users during a 10-year period. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2016; 44:78-87. [PMID: 27137875 DOI: 10.1111/apt.13649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2015] [Revised: 11/12/2015] [Accepted: 04/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Studies of the increasing use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) have mainly focused on prevalent long-term use and associations with gastrointestinal morbidity and comedication. Little is known about non-medical characteristics of first-time users of PPI, and predictors of initiating long-term use of PPIs. AIMS To describe medical and non-medical characteristics of first-time PPI users during a 10-year period and to analyse predictors of initiation of long-term use (>60 defined daily doses (DDDs) within 6 months) of PPIs. METHODS A nationwide cohort study of first-time users of PPI. Data were collected from Danish national registers. Individuals redeeming their first prescription for a PPI (omeprazole, lansoprazole, pantoprazole, rabeprazole, esomeprazole) in 2001 and 2011 were identified. Redemption of more than 60 DDDs of PPI within 6 months defined long-term use. Logistic regression models were used to determine the associations between previous diagnoses, comedication and socio-economic characteristics and initiation of long-term use of PPIs in 2011. RESULTS From 2001 to 2011 incidence of first-time users increased with an incidence rate ratio of 1.53 and mean quantity of PPI redeemed at first prescription increased by 44.6%. In 2011 a total of 37.6% redeemed >60 DDDs within 6 months, and 96% of the long-term users did not have a diagnosis registered which indicated treatment. New onset long-term use was significantly associated with low income and low educational level when adjusting for other predisposing variables. CONCLUSIONS Proton pump inhibitor treatment is increasingly initiated with larger quantities prescribed for indications that are unidentifiable from the registers. Morbidity and comedication seem to be the strongest predictors of new onset long-term use of PPIs. However, there is also an independent social gradient.
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Affiliation(s)
- P F Haastrup
- Research Unit of General Practice, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense C, Denmark
| | - M S Paulsen
- Research Unit of General Practice, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense C, Denmark
| | - R D Christensen
- Research Unit of General Practice, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense C, Denmark
| | - J Søndergaard
- Research Unit of General Practice, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense C, Denmark
| | - J M Hansen
- Department of Medical Gastroenterology, Odense University Hospital, Odense C, Denmark
| | - D E Jarbøl
- Research Unit of General Practice, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense C, Denmark
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Schilling C, Mortimer D, Dalziel K, Heeley E, Chalmers J, Clarke P. Using Classification and Regression Trees (CART) to Identify Prescribing Thresholds for Cardiovascular Disease. PHARMACOECONOMICS 2016; 34:195-205. [PMID: 26578402 DOI: 10.1007/s40273-015-0342-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Many guidelines for clinical decisions are hierarchical and nonlinear. Evaluating if these guidelines are used in practice requires methods that can identify such structures and thresholds. Classification and regression trees (CART) were used to analyse prescribing patterns of Australian general practitioners (GPs) for the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Our aim was to identify if GPs use absolute risk (AR) guidelines in favour of individual risk factors to inform their prescribing decisions of lipid-lowering medications. METHODS We employed administrative prescribing information that is linked to patient-level data from a clinical assessment and patient survey (the AusHeart Study), and assessed prescribing of lipid-lowering medications over a 12-month period for patients (n = 1903) who were not using such medications prior to recruitment. CART models were developed to explain prescribing practice. Out-of-sample performance was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, and optimised via pruning. RESULTS We found that individual risk factors (low-density lipoprotein, diabetes, triglycerides and a history of CVD), GP-estimated rather than Framingham AR, and sociodemographic factors (household income, education) were the predominant drivers of GP prescribing. However, sociodemographic factors and some individual risk factors (triglycerides and CVD history) only become relevant for patients with a particular profile of other risk factors. The ROC area under the curve was 0.63 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.60-0.64). CONCLUSIONS There is little evidence that AR guidelines recommended by the National Heart Foundation and National Vascular Disease Prevention Alliance, or conditional individual risk eligibility guidelines from the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, are adopted in prescribing practice. The hierarchy of conditional relationships between risk factors and socioeconomic factors identified by CART provides new insights into prescribing decisions. Overall, CART is a useful addition to the analyst's toolkit when investigating healthcare decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chris Schilling
- Centre for Health Policy, School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, 3051, Australia.
| | - Duncan Mortimer
- Centre for Health Economics, Monash Business School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Kim Dalziel
- Centre for Health Policy, School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, 3051, Australia
| | - Emma Heeley
- The George Institute for Global Health, The University of Sydney and the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, NSW, 2050, Australia
| | - John Chalmers
- The George Institute for Global Health, The University of Sydney and the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, NSW, 2050, Australia
| | - Philip Clarke
- Centre for Health Policy, School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, 3051, Australia
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18
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Mirva H, Johanna T, Jussi T, Aaltonen K. Income differences in the type of antihypertensive medicines used in ambulatory settings in Finland: a register-based study. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 2015; 71:1263-70. [DOI: 10.1007/s00228-015-1911-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2015] [Accepted: 07/14/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Sjölander M, Eriksson M, Asplund K, Norrving B, Glader EL. Socioeconomic Inequalities in the Prescription of Oral Anticoagulants in Stroke Patients With Atrial Fibrillation. Stroke 2015; 46:2220-5. [PMID: 26081841 DOI: 10.1161/strokeaha.115.009718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2015] [Accepted: 05/14/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Oral anticoagulants (OACs) are effective against ischemic stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation. Our aim was to investigate differences in the prescribing of OACs after ischemic stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation based on age, sex, country of birth, and socioeconomic status. METHODS Patients with first-ever ischemic stroke and atrial fibrillation without OAC treatment were included from the Swedish stroke register from 2009 to 2012. The outcome was OAC prescribed at discharge. Income, education, country of birth, and risk factors were obtained from official registers. Risk factors and health status were controlled for in multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS Of 12 088 stroke patients, 36.3% were prescribed an OAC. Prescribing was less common with older age and, in patients born in other Nordic countries (odds ratio [OR], 0.82; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.68-0.98) or countries outside of Europe (OR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.42-0.99) compared with those born in Sweden. University education (OR, 1.20; 95% CI, 1.05-1.36) and highest income (OR, 1.19; 95% CI, 1.06-1.33) were associated with higher levels of OAC prescribing compared with those with primary school education or lowest income level. CONCLUSION Differences by age, income, education, and country of birth were found in the prescribing of OACs after stroke. Differences were not explained by common risk factors. This indicates socioeconomic inequalities in the prescribing of preventive treatment after stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Sjölander
- From the Department of Statistics (M.S., M.E.), Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Neuroscience (M.S.), and Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine (K.A., E.-L.G.), Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden; and Department of Clinical Sciences, Section of Neurology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden (B.N.).
| | - Marie Eriksson
- From the Department of Statistics (M.S., M.E.), Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Neuroscience (M.S.), and Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine (K.A., E.-L.G.), Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden; and Department of Clinical Sciences, Section of Neurology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden (B.N.)
| | - Kjell Asplund
- From the Department of Statistics (M.S., M.E.), Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Neuroscience (M.S.), and Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine (K.A., E.-L.G.), Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden; and Department of Clinical Sciences, Section of Neurology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden (B.N.)
| | - Bo Norrving
- From the Department of Statistics (M.S., M.E.), Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Neuroscience (M.S.), and Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine (K.A., E.-L.G.), Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden; and Department of Clinical Sciences, Section of Neurology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden (B.N.)
| | - Eva-Lotta Glader
- From the Department of Statistics (M.S., M.E.), Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Neuroscience (M.S.), and Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine (K.A., E.-L.G.), Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden; and Department of Clinical Sciences, Section of Neurology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden (B.N.)
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20
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Mårild K, Lebwohl B, Green PHR, Murray JA, Ludvigsson JF. Blockers of Angiotensin Other Than Olmesartan in Patients With Villous Atrophy: A Nationwide Case-Control Study. Mayo Clin Proc 2015; 90:730-7. [PMID: 26046408 PMCID: PMC4469984 DOI: 10.1016/j.mayocp.2015.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2014] [Revised: 02/20/2015] [Accepted: 04/02/2015] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine the association between the previous use of nonolmesartan angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) or any angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) and subsequent villous atrophy (VA) in patients with small-intestinal VA as compared with general population-matched controls. PATIENTS AND METHODS A case-control study was used to link nationwide histopathology data on 2933 individuals with VA (Marsh grade 3) to the Swedish Prescribed Drug Register to examine the association between the use of ACEIs as well as the specific use of ARBs other than olmesartan and subsequent VA. Olmesartan is not available in Sweden, so this exposure was not examined. All individuals with VA had biopsies performed between July 1, 2005, and January 29, 2008, and matched on age, sex, calendar period of birth, and county of residence to 14,571 controls from the general population. RESULTS Use of nonolmesartan ARBs was not associated with VA (odds ratio, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.64-1.09; P=.19). Neither was VA associated with a previous medication of any ACEI (odds ratio, 1.08; 95% CI, 0.90-1.30; P=.41). Restricting the analysis to individuals with repeated prescriptions for ACEIs or ARBs revealed only marginally changed risk estimates for VA. CONCLUSION The lack of association between the use of ACEIs and nonolmesartan ARBs and subsequent VA suggests that these medications are not a major risk factor for the development of VA in the general population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karl Mårild
- Division of Epidemiology, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway; Department of Medical Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Benjamin Lebwohl
- Celiac Disease Center, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, Columbia University, New York, NY
| | - Peter H R Green
- Celiac Disease Center, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, Columbia University, New York, NY
| | - Joseph A Murray
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Departments of Medicine and Immunology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - Jonas F Ludvigsson
- Department of Medical Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Pediatrics, Örebro University Hospital, Örebro, Sweden
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Dzayee DAM, Moradi T, Beiki O, Alfredsson L, Ljung R. Recommended drug use after acute myocardial infarction by migration status and education level. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 2015; 71:499-505. [PMID: 25721250 DOI: 10.1007/s00228-015-1821-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2014] [Accepted: 02/08/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The purpose of this study is to investigate the association between migration status and education level and the use of recommended drugs after first acute myocardial infarction (MI). METHODS A nationwide cohort study performed in Sweden from January 1, 2006 to August 1, 2008. The cohort consisted of 49,037 incident cases of first acute MI. In total, 37,570 individuals survived 180 days after MI, of whom 4782 (12.7%) were foreign-born. We used logistic regression to estimate the odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) of the association between migration status and education level and prescribed drugs after MI. RESULTS One third of the patients who were not on any recommended cardiovascular drugs before MI continued to be without recommended cardiovascular drugs after MI. Among those with no cardiovascular drugs before MI, we found no difference in recommended drug use after MI by migration status (OR 1.00, 95% CI 0.89-1.12). Among those with some but not all recommended cardiovascular drugs before MI, foreign-born cases had a slightly non-significant lower use of recommended drugs (OR 0.92, 95% CI 0.83-1.03). Foreign-born patients with low education had a slightly lower use of recommended drug compared to Sweden-born. Women with low education had a lower use of drugs after MI (Sweden born, OR 0.85; 95% CI 0.74-0.96 and foreign born OR 0.51; 95% CI 0.34-0.77). CONCLUSION There is no apparent difference between foreign-born and Sweden-born in recommended drug use after MI. However, our study reveals an inequity in secondary prevention therapy after myocardial infarction by education level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dashti Ali Mustafa Dzayee
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Unit of Cardiovascular Epidemiology, Karolinska Institutet, Nobels väg 13, Box 210, 171 77, Stockholm, Sweden,
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Skoog J, Midlöv P, Beckman A, Sundquist J, Halling A. Drugs prescribed by general practitioners according to age, gender and socioeconomic status after adjustment for multimorbidity level. BMC FAMILY PRACTICE 2014; 15:183. [PMID: 25421269 PMCID: PMC4246463 DOI: 10.1186/s12875-014-0183-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2014] [Accepted: 10/24/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Background Age, gender and socioeconomic status have been shown to be associated with the use of prescription drugs, even after adjustment for multimorbidity. General practitioners have a holistic and patient-centred perspective and our hypothesis is that this may reflect on the prescription of drugs. In Sweden the patient may seek secondary care without a letter of referral and the liability of the prescription of drugs accompanies the patient, which makes it suitable for this type of research. In this study we examine the odds of having prescription drug use in the population and the rates of prescription drugs among patients, issued in primary health care, according to age, gender and socioeconomic status after adjustment for multimorbidity level. Method Data were collected on all individuals above 20 years of age in Östergötland county with about 400 000 inhabitants in year 2006. The John Hopkins ACG Case-mix was used as a proxy for multimorbidity level. Odds ratio (OR) of having prescription drugs issued in primary health care in the population and rates of prescription drug use among patients in primary health care, stated as incidence rate ratio (IRR), according to age, gender and socioeconomic status were calculated and adjusted for multimorbidity. Results After adjustment for multimorbidity, individuals 80 years or older had higher odds ratio (OR 3.37 (CI 95% 3.22-3.52)) and incidence rate ratio (IRR 6.24 (CI 95% 5.79-6.72)) for prescription drug use. Male individuals had a lower odds ratio of having prescription drugs (OR 0.66 (CI 95% 0.64-0.69)), but among patients males had a slightly higher incidence rate of drug use (IRR 1.06 (CI 95% 1.04-1.09)). Individuals with the highest income had the lowest odds ratio of having prescription drugs and individuals with the second lowest income had the highest odds ratio of having prescription drugs (OR 1.10 (CI 95% 1.07-1.13)). Individuals with the highest education had the lowest odds ratio of having prescription drugs (OR 0.61 (CI 95% 0.54-0.67)). Conclusion Age, gender and socioeconomic status are associated with large differences in the use of prescribed drugs in primary health care, even after adjustment for multimorbidity level. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12875-014-0183-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Skoog
- Department of Clinical Sciences in Malmö, Center for Primary Health Care Research, Lund University, SE-205 02, Malmö, Sweden.
| | - Patrik Midlöv
- Department of Clinical Sciences in Malmö, Center for Primary Health Care Research, Lund University, SE-205 02, Malmö, Sweden.
| | - Anders Beckman
- Department of Clinical Sciences in Malmö, Center for Primary Health Care Research, Lund University, SE-205 02, Malmö, Sweden.
| | - Jan Sundquist
- Department of Clinical Sciences in Malmö, Center for Primary Health Care Research, Lund University, SE-205 02, Malmö, Sweden. .,Stanford Prevention Research Center, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
| | - Anders Halling
- Department of Clinical Sciences in Malmö, Center for Primary Health Care Research, Lund University, SE-205 02, Malmö, Sweden. .,Research Unit of General Practice, Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, J.B. Winsløws Vej 9A, DK-5000, Odense C, Denmark.
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Kriegbaum M, Kildemoes HW, Rasmussen JN, Hendriksen C, Vass M, Mortensen EL, Osler M. Childhood socioeconomic position, young adult intelligence and fillings of prescribed medicine for prevention of cardiovascular disease in middle-aged men. BMJ Open 2014; 4:e004178. [PMID: 24441056 PMCID: PMC3902485 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2013-004178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To explore the relationship between childhood socioeconomic position (SEP) and filling of medicine prescriptions for prevention of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), with young adult intelligence (IQ) as a potential mediator. DESIGN Birth cohort study with logistic and Cox-proportional hazard regression analyses of associations between childhood SEP, retrieved from birth certificates, and prevalence, initiation of and refill persistency for CVD preventive medicine. SETTING Denmark. PARTICIPANTS 8736 Danish men born in 1953, who had no CVD at the start of follow-up in 1995, were followed in the Danish National Prescription Register for initiation of and refill persistency for antihypertensives and statins, until the end of 2007 (age 54 years). RESULTS Low childhood SEP at age 18 was not associated with prescription fillings of antihypertensives, but was weakly associated with initiation of statins (HR = 1.19 (95% CI 1.00 to1.42)). This estimate was attenuated when IQ was entered into the model (HR=1.10 (95% CI 0.91 to 1.23)). Low childhood SEP was also associated with decreased refill persistency for statins (HR=2.23 (95% CI 1.13 to 4.40)). Thus, the HR for SEP only changed slightly (HR=2.24 (95% CI 1.11 to 4.52)) when IQ was entered into the model, but entering other covariates (education and body mass index in young adulthood and income in midlife) into the model attenuated the HR to 2.04 (95% CI 1.00 to 4.16). CONCLUSIONS Low childhood SEP was related to more frequent initiation of and poorer refill persistency for statins. IQ in young adulthood explained most of the association between childhood SEP and initiation of statins, but had no impact on refill persistency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margit Kriegbaum
- Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Ljung R, Sennerstam R, Mattsson F, Auer G, Lagergren J. Anticoagulant medication at time of needle biopsy for breast cancer in relation to risk of lymph node metastasis. Int J Cancer 2013; 135:238-41. [PMID: 24346771 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.28671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2013] [Accepted: 12/05/2013] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Anticoagulant treatment might enhance the natural defense against tumor cell dissemination caused by diagnostic needle biopsy by counteracting thrombocyte coating of such cells. To clarify whether women using anticoagulant treatment at the time of biopsy have a lower occurrence of lymph node metastasis, we conducted a nationwide Swedish cohort study of 26,528 female incident breast cancer patients in 2006-2011. Point risk ratio (RR) of risk of lymph node metastasis among users of anticoagulant treatment adjusted for age, T-stage, socioeconomic factors, and concomitant medication was RR = 0.94, (95% CI: 0.87-1.03), and lower in younger women (RR = 0.80, 95% CI 0.50-1.29). Although nonsignificant, these associations may underestimate a true negative association since women using anticoagulant treatment are likely to have more concomitant diseases, lead an unhealthier lifestyle, and have lower participation in mammography screening. These findings provide some support for the hypothesis that anticoagulant medications might counteract breast cancer spread caused by needle biopsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rickard Ljung
- Upper Gastrointestinal Surgery Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Unit of Epidemiology, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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Madsen M, Andersen PK, Gerster M, Andersen AMN, Osler M, Christensen K. Are familial factors underlying the association between socioeconomic position and prescription medicine? A register-based study on Danish twins. BMJ Open 2013; 3:e003292. [PMID: 24227869 PMCID: PMC3831100 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2013-003292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Although well established, the association between socioeconomic position and health and health behaviour is not clearly understood, and it has been speculated that familial factors, for example, dispositional factors or exposures in the rearing environment, may be underlying the association. The objective was to compare prescription fillings within twin pairs who are partly or fully genetically identical and share childhood exposures. DESIGN Twin cohort study. SETTING Denmark. PARTICIPANTS Data from the Danish Twin Registry were linked to registers in Statistics Denmark and the Danish Registry of Medicinal Product statistics. A total of 8582 monozygotic (MZ) and 15 788 dizygotic same sex (DZSS) twins were included. OUTCOME MEASURES Number of prescription fillings during follow-up (1995-2005) was analysed according to education and income. Results of unpaired and intrapair analyses were compared. RESULTS An inverse social gradient in filling of prescriptions for all-purpose and system-specific drugs was observed in the unpaired analyses. In the intrapair analyses, associations were attenuated some in DZSS and more in MZ twins. Filling of drugs targeting the nervous system was still strongly associated with income in the intrapair analyses. CONCLUSIONS Familial factors seem to account for part of the observed social inequality in filling of prescription medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mia Madsen
- Unit of Epidemiology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Danish Aging Research Center, Odense, Denmark
| | | | - Mette Gerster
- Unit of Biostatistics, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | | | - Merete Osler
- Danish Aging Research Center, Odense, Denmark
- Glostrup University Hospital, Research Center for Prevention and Health, Glostrup, Denmark
| | - Kaare Christensen
- Unit of Epidemiology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
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Heibert Arnlind M, Wettermark B, Sjöborg B, Dahlén E, Loikas D, Wikström Jonsson E. Socioeconomic status and the quality of prescribing asthma drugs in Sweden. J Asthma 2013; 50:842-9. [PMID: 23777543 DOI: 10.3109/02770903.2013.816318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Socioeconomic status (SES) is strongly associated with morbidity as well as with health care utilization and expenditure. The association between SES and quality of prescribing of asthma drugs is less studied. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to examine the association between socioeconomic factors, i.e. education, income and country of birth, and the prevalence, incidence and adherence to guidelines for antiasthmatic drugs. METHODS This registry study includes all Swedish citizens aged 25-44 years who redeemed at least one prescription of an antiasthmatic drug during 2010. Incidence and prevalence was calculated. The adherence to guidelines was studied using two defined quality indicators. Heavy users were also assessed. RESULTS Incidence for antiasthmatic drugs was 18.4 per 1000 person-years and the prevalence 50.9 per 1000 inhabitants. Previously untreated patients who redeemed fixed combination ranged from 45% to 49%. Patients who purchase long-acting beta-2-adrenoceptor agonists (LABA) without inhaled corticosteroid ranged from 43% to 59%. Six percent of the population was classified as heavy users. CONCLUSION The study showed a high incidence and prevalence of asthma drug use with a poor adherence to guidelines for rational drug prescribing. Fixed combination as first line asthma treatment as well as purchasing LABA without concomitant ICS was more common in patients born outside Scandinavia. Heavy users of short-acting bronchodilators were associated with male sex, high age, low income levels and low levels of education.
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Hasselström J, Zarrinkoub R, Holmquist C, Hjerpe P, Ljungman C, Qvarnström M, Wettermark B, Manhem K, Kahan T, Bengtsson Boström K. The Swedish Primary Care Cardiovascular Database (SPCCD): 74 751 hypertensive primary care patients. Blood Press 2013; 23:116-25. [DOI: 10.3109/08037051.2013.814829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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Torssander J. From child to parent? The significance of children's education for their parents' longevity. Demography 2013; 50:637-59. [PMID: 23055239 DOI: 10.1007/s13524-012-0155-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
In addition to own education and other socioeconomic resources, the education of one's children may be important for individual health and longevity. Mothers and fathers born between 1932 and 1941 were analyzed by linking them to their children in the Swedish Multi-generation Register, which covers the total population. Controlling for parents' education, social class, and income attenuates but does not remove the association between children's education and parents' mortality risk. Shared but unmeasured familial background characteristics were addressed by comparing siblings in the parental generation. In these fixed-effects analyses, comparing parents whose children had tertiary education with parents whose children completed only compulsory schooling (the reference group) yields a hazard ratio of 0.79 (95 % CI: 0.70-0.89) when the socioeconomic position of both parents is controlled for. The relationship is certainly not purely causal, but part of it could be if, for example, well-educated adult children use their resources to find the best available health care for their aging parents. I therefore introduce the concept of "social foreground" and suggest that children's socioeconomic resources may be an important factor in trying to further understand social inequalities in health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenny Torssander
- Swedish Institute for Social Research, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden.
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Semark B, Engström S, Brudin L, Tågerud S, Fredlund K, Borgquist L, Petersson G. Factors influencing the prescription of drugs of different price levels. Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf 2013; 22:286-93. [DOI: 10.1002/pds.3402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2012] [Revised: 09/26/2012] [Accepted: 12/03/2012] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Birgitta Semark
- School of Health and Caring Sciences; Linnaeus University; Kalmar Sweden
- eHealth Institute; Linnaeus University; Kalmar Sweden
| | - Sven Engström
- Unit of Research and Development for Primary Health Care; Futurum; Jönköping Sweden
| | - Lars Brudin
- Department of Clinical Physiology; County Hospital; Kalmar Sweden
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences; University of Linköping; Sweden
| | - Sven Tågerud
- School of Natural Sciences; Linnaeus University; Kalmar Sweden
| | | | - Lars Borgquist
- Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Family Medicine; University of Linköping; Sweden
| | - Göran Petersson
- School of Health and Caring Sciences; Linnaeus University; Kalmar Sweden
- eHealth Institute; Linnaeus University; Kalmar Sweden
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Björkenstam E, Hjern A, Mittendorfer-Rutz E, Vinnerljung B, Hallqvist J, Ljung R. Multi-exposure and clustering of adverse childhood experiences, socioeconomic differences and psychotropic medication in young adults. PLoS One 2013; 8:e53551. [PMID: 23341951 PMCID: PMC3547022 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0053551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2012] [Accepted: 12/03/2012] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Stressful childhood experiences have negative long-term health consequences. The present study examines the association between adverse childhood experiences, socioeconomic position, and risk of psychotropic medication in young adulthood. Methods This register-based cohort study comprises the birth cohorts between 1985 and 1988 in Sweden. We followed 362 663 individuals for use of psychotropic medication from January 2006 until December 2008. Adverse childhood experiences were severe criminality among parents, parental alcohol or drug abuse, social assistance recipiency, parental separation or single household, child welfare intervention before the age of 12, mentally ill or suicidal parents, familial death, and number of changes in place of residency. Estimates of risk of psychotropic medication were calculated as odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using logistic regression analysis. Results Adverse childhood experiences were associated with increased risks of psychotropic medication. The OR for more than three adverse childhood experiences and risk of psychotropic medication was for women 2.4 (95% CI 2.3–2.5) and for men 3.1 (95% CI 2.9–3.2). The risk of psychotropic medication increased with a higher rate of adverse childhood experiences, a relationship similar in all socioeconomic groups. Conclusions Accumulation of adverse childhood experiences increases the risk of psychotropic medication in young adults. Parental educational level is of less importance when adjusting for adverse childhood experiences. The higher risk for future mental health problems among children from lower socioeconomic groups, compared to peers from more advantaged backgrounds, seems to be linked to a higher rate of exposure to adverse childhood experiences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Björkenstam
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Division of Social Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
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Nordin M, Dackehag M, Gerdtham UG. Socioeconomic inequalities in drug utilization for Sweden: evidence from linked survey and register data. Soc Sci Med 2012; 77:106-17. [PMID: 23219166 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2012.11.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2011] [Revised: 10/11/2012] [Accepted: 11/12/2012] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
This study analyzes the socioeconomic gradient in drug utilization. We use The Swedish Prescribed Drug Register, merged with the Survey of Living Conditions (the ULF), and the study sample consists of 8138 individuals. We find a positive education gradient (but no income gradient) in drug utilization, after controlling for health indicators. Whereas high-educated men use a larger number of drugs, high-educated women use both a larger number of drugs and more expensive drugs. For males, but not as clearly for females, we find that the education gradient is weaker for more health-related drugs but stronger for more expensive drugs. We conclude that the main reason for the education gradient in drug utilization is doctors' behaviour rather than compliance with medication and affordability of drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Nordin
- Department of Economics, Lund University, PO Box 7082, 220 07 Lund, Sweden.
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Hjellvik V, Mahic M, Tverdal A. [Education and use of drugs in Norway]. TIDSSKRIFT FOR DEN NORSKE LEGEFORENING 2012; 132:2166-70. [PMID: 23076484 DOI: 10.4045/tidsskr.11.1431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Many studies have demonstrated that a low socioeconomic status is associated with poor health. The aim of the study was to investigate whether use of prescription drugs, generally and within selected categories, varies with education. MATERIAL AND METHOD Data on education from the 2001 Population and Housing Census for 645,023 men and women born in the period 1960-1969 and living in Norway in 2001 were linked to data from the Norwegian Prescription Database on drugs dispensed in the period 2004-2009. The overall frequency of drug dispensing was compared with six levels of education. The relative risk associated with limited education (≤ 10 years) compared with long education (> 10 years) of having at least one drug dispensed during the period was calculated for 42 selected drug categories. RESULTS There was a dose-response relationship between education and the number of drug prescriptions dispensed. Subjects with lower secondary education collected prescription drugs about three times as often on average as subjects with researcher education. The average relative risk of drug dispensing for subjects with short education (≤ 10 years) compared with long (>10 years) for the 42 selected drug categories was 1.29 for men and 1.31 for women. INTERPRETATION Given that dispensing of drugs is an expression of state of health, our findings support earlier studies that have shown that there is social inequality in the health of the adult population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vidar Hjellvik
- Avdeling for legemiddelepidemiologi, Nasjonalt folkehelseinstitutt, Norway.
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Asplund K, Hulter Åsberg K, Appelros P, Bjarne D, Eriksson M, Johansson Å, Jonsson F, Norrving B, Stegmayr B, Terént A, Wallin S, Wester PO. The Riks-Stroke Story: Building a Sustainable National Register for Quality Assessment of Stroke Care. Int J Stroke 2010; 6:99-108. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1747-4949.2010.00557.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 139] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Background Riks-Stroke, the Swedish Stroke Register, is the world's longest-running national stroke quality register (established in 1994) and includes all 76 hospitals in Sweden admitting acute stroke patients. The development and maintenance of this sustainable national register is described. Methods Riks-Stroke includes information on the quality of care during the acute phase, rehabilitation and secondary prevention of stroke, as well as data on community support. Riks-Stroke is unique among stroke quality registers in that patients are followed during the first year after stroke. The data collected describe processes, and medical and patient-reported outcome measurements. The register embraces most of the dimensions of health-care quality (evidence-based, safe, provided in time, distributed fairly and patient oriented). Result Annually, approximately 25 000 patients are included. In 2009, approximately 320 000 patients had been accumulated (mean age 76-years). The register is estimated to cover 82% of all stroke patients treated in Swedish hospitals. Among critical issues when building a national stroke quality register, the delicate balance between simplicity and comprehensiveness is emphasised. Future developments include direct transfer of data from digital medical records to Riks-Stroke and comprehensive strategies to use the information collected to rapidly implement new evidence-based techniques and to eliminate outdated methods in stroke care. Conclusions It is possible to establish a sustainable quality register for stroke at the national level covering all hospitals admitting acute stroke patients. Riks-Stroke is fulfilling its main goals to support continuous quality improvement of Swedish stroke services and serve as an instrument for following up national stroke guidelines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kjell Asplund
- Riks-Stroke, Medicine, Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | | | - Peter Appelros
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital, Örebro, Sweden
| | | | - Marie Eriksson
- Riks-Stroke, Medicine, Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Åsa Johansson
- Riks-Stroke, Medicine, Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Fredrik Jonsson
- Riks-Stroke, Medicine, Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Bo Norrving
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
| | - Birgitta Stegmayr
- Epidemiologic Center, National Board of Health and Welfare, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Andreas Terént
- Department of Medicine, Uppsala University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Sari Wallin
- Riks-Stroke, Medicine, Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Per-Olov Wester
- Riks-Stroke, Medicine, Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
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Prescribed-drug utilization and polypharmacy in a general population in Greece: association with sociodemographic, health needs, health-services utilization, and lifestyle factors. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 2010; 67:185-92. [DOI: 10.1007/s00228-010-0940-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2010] [Accepted: 10/07/2010] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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Abstract
AbstractThe mortality rate from cardiovascular diseases is high in Serbia. Analysis of antihypertensive drugs utilization is the basis for assessment of cardiovascular pharmacotherapy appropriateness. The aim of this study was to analyze the trend in antihypertensive drugs utilization among outpatients in Niš region, South Serbia compared to some Nordic countries (Norvay, Sweden) and Australia as well as to analyze trends in educational and drug promotion activities directed to primary healthcare workers within the same region. Using the ATC/DDD methodology, we analyzed the utilization of antihypertensive drugs dispensed on prescription in the Nis region over the 2003–2007 period. The study was retrospective, based on data obtained from Central City Pharmacy Nis. Educational and drug promotion activities were noted from the records of Medical Faculty, University of Nis, and from the records of local branches of pharmaceutical companies active in Serbia. Wilcoxon’s test was used in order to calculate the statistical significance of difference. A significant increase of 79.8% (153.8/ 276.6 DDD/inhabitants/day) in antihypertensive drug consumption was observed in the same period. This analysis showed there were substantial increases in the use of diuretics (134.7%), ACE inhibitors (79.5%) and calcium channel blockers (116.1%), especially amlodipin (241.2%). During the observed period, annual numbers of educational activities and of pharmaceutical sales representatives employed within the region increased for almost one fourth. This analysis pointed to a significant increase in the use of antihypertensive drugs in the Nis region, which was matched with increase in educational and drug promotion activities within the region, so that in 2006–2007 total consumption was approximate to some referential countries (Norvay, Sweden).
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Rosén M, Axelsson S, Lindblom J. When can RCTs and observational intervention studies mislead us and what can we do about it? Int J Clin Pract 2009; 63:1562-4. [PMID: 19832814 DOI: 10.1111/j.1742-1241.2009.02202.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- M Rosén
- The Swedish Council on Technology Assessment in Health Care (SBU), SE-114 86 Stockholm, Sweden.
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Current awareness: Pharmacoepidemiology and drug safety. Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf 2009. [DOI: 10.1002/pds.1644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
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Selmer R, Sakshaug S, Skurtveit S, Furu K, Tverdal A. Statin treatment in a cohort of 20 212 men and women in Norway according to cardiovascular risk factors and level of education. Br J Clin Pharmacol 2008; 67:355-62. [PMID: 19523016 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2125.2008.03360.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS To study the influence of patients' education and cardiovascular risk factors on the probability of statin treatment. METHODS A prospective cohort study of participants in regional health surveys in Norway 2000-2002 with statin use recorded in the Norwegian Prescription Database 2004-2006 as outcome measure. Information on history of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and diabetes, lipid levels, blood pressure, use of cardiovascular drugs, body mass index, family history, smoking, physical activity, marital status and place of residence was obtained at baseline. A total of 20,212 men and women aged 40-41, 45-46 and 59-61 years who reported never use of statins were included. Educational level was retrieved from Statistics Norway. Adjusted relative risks (RR) were estimated by Poisson regression. RESULTS Whereas 655 participants reported a history of CVD or diabetes, 19,557 reported no such history. In the non-CVD/diabetes group 1,620 persons (8%) became statin users and 222 persons (34%) in the CVD/diabetes group. RR of becoming a statin user for high vs. low education increased from 0.64 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.55, 0.73] to 0.91 (95% CI 0.79, 1.05) after adjustment in the non-CVD/diabetes group and from 0.94 (95% CI 0.70, 1.26) to 1.35 (95% CI 1.00, 1.81) in the CVD/diabetes group. CONCLUSIONS Patients with no history of CVD/diabetes were prescribed statins according to cardiovascular risk independent of education. There was a tendency to a higher probability of statin treatment among highly educated compared with people of lower educational level in the group with a history of CVD or diabetes, after adjustment for other CVD risk factors, particularly in women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Randi Selmer
- Department of Pharmacoepidemiology, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway.
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