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Mehl A, Klaus AK, Reif M, Rodrigues Recchia D, Zerm R, Ostermann T, Brinkhaus B, Kröz M. Validation of the Internal Coherence Scale (ICS) in Healthy Geriatric Individuals and Patients Suffering from Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 and Cancer. Geriatrics (Basel) 2024; 9:63. [PMID: 38804320 PMCID: PMC11130969 DOI: 10.3390/geriatrics9030063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2023] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND With increased life expectancy, the coexistence of functional impairment and multimorbidity can negatively impact life quality and coherence in geriatric individuals. The self-report 10-item Internal Coherence (ICS) measures how individuals cope with and make sense of disease-specific life challenges. The aim of this study was to validate the ICS in a sample of geriatric individuals. METHODS AND PROCEDURE In a cross-sectional study, geriatric individuals with and without chronic diseases were recruited. A factor analysis with principal component extraction (PCA) and a structural equation model (SEM) was conducted to assess the ICS factor structure in a geriatric sample. To measure convergent validity, the following scales were used: Short Health Survey (SF-12), Karnofsky Performance Index (KPI), Trait autonomic regulation (Trait aR), Sense of Coherence Scale (SOC), and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). RESULTS A sample of n = 104 (70-96 years of age) patients with Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 (n = 22), cancer diseases (n = 31) and healthy controls (n = 51) completed the ICS. PCA and SEM yielded the original two-factor solution: 1. Inner resilience and coherence and 2. Thermo coherence. Overall internal consistency for this cohort was satisfying (Cronbach's α with rα = 0.72), and test-retest reliability was moderate (rrt = 0.53). ICS scores were significantly correlated to all convergent criteria ranging between r = 0.22 * and 0.49 ** (p < 0.05 *; p < 0.01 **). CONCLUSION Study results suggest that the ICS appears to be a reliable and valid tool to measure internal coherence in a geriatric cohort (70-96 years). However, moderate test-retest reliability prompts the consideration of potential age-effects that may bias the reliability for this specific cohort.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annette Mehl
- Research Institute Havelhöhe, Kladower Damm 221, 14089 Berlin, Germany; (A.-K.K.); (R.Z.); (M.K.)
| | - Anne-Kathrin Klaus
- Research Institute Havelhöhe, Kladower Damm 221, 14089 Berlin, Germany; (A.-K.K.); (R.Z.); (M.K.)
| | - Marcus Reif
- Society for Clinical Research, Hardenbergstraße 20, 10623 Berlin, Germany;
| | - Daniela Rodrigues Recchia
- Lehrstuhl für Forschungsmethodik und Statistik in der Psychologie, University Witten/Herdecke, 58455 Witten, Germany; (D.R.R.); (T.O.)
| | - Roland Zerm
- Research Institute Havelhöhe, Kladower Damm 221, 14089 Berlin, Germany; (A.-K.K.); (R.Z.); (M.K.)
- Department of Internal Medicine, Havelhöhe Hospital, Kladower Damm 221, 14089 Berlin, Germany
| | - Thomas Ostermann
- Lehrstuhl für Forschungsmethodik und Statistik in der Psychologie, University Witten/Herdecke, 58455 Witten, Germany; (D.R.R.); (T.O.)
- Institute for Integrative Medicine, University Witten/Herdecke, Gerhard Kienle Weg 8, 58313 Herdecke, Germany
| | - Benno Brinkhaus
- Institute for Social Medicine, Epidemiology and Health Economics, Charité, Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Luisenstr. 57, 10117 Berlin, Germany;
| | - Matthias Kröz
- Research Institute Havelhöhe, Kladower Damm 221, 14089 Berlin, Germany; (A.-K.K.); (R.Z.); (M.K.)
- Institute for Integrative Medicine, University Witten/Herdecke, Gerhard Kienle Weg 8, 58313 Herdecke, Germany
- Klinik Arlesheim, Research Department, Pfeffinger Weg 1, 4144 Arlesheim, Switzerland
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Bjelkarøy MT, Benth JŠ, Simonsen TB, Siddiqui TG, Cheng S, Kristoffersen ES, Lundqvist C. Measuring pain intensity in older adults. Can the visual analogue scale and the numeric rating scale be used interchangeably? Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2024; 130:110925. [PMID: 38143014 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2023.110925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Visual analogue scale (VAS) and numeric rating scale (NRS) are two commonly used instruments for measuring pain intensity. Both instruments are validated for use in both clinical and research settings, and share a range of similar aspects. Some studies have shown that the two instruments may be used interchangeably, but the results are conflicting. In this study we assessed whether the VAS and the NRS instruments may be used interchangeably when measuring pain intensity in older adults. METHODS Data were collected in a cross-sectional study, as part of the follow-up in a larger longitudinal study conducted at the Akershus University Hospital, Norway 2021 to 2022 and included 39 older adults aged ≥65. Participants were regarded as a normal older adult population as they were not recruited on basis of a specific condition or reports of pain. The participants were asked to rate their pain intensity on an average day using VAS and NRS. Bland-Altman analysis was performed to assess agreement between the two instruments. RESULTS Thirty-seven participants with mean (SD) age of 77 (5.9) were included in the analysis. Mean (SD) pain assessed by VAS and NRS was 2.8 (1.8) and NRS 4.7 (2.2), respectively. A mean difference (SD) of 2.0 (1.9) between the scores of the two instruments was statistically significantly different from zero (p < 0.001) confirming bias. The 95% limits of agreement were estimated to be -1.7 to 5.7. A post-hoc analysis, removing an outlier, resulted in similar conclusions. CONCLUSION There was poor agreement between the VAS and NRS scale for measuring pain intensity in older adults. This suggests that the two instruments should not be used interchangeably when assessing pain intensity in this population. ETHICAL APPROVAL Regional Committees for Medical and Health Research Ethics [2016/2289]. TRIAL REGISTRATION NCT03162081, 22 May 2017.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Torheim Bjelkarøy
- Health Services Research Unit, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway; Institute of Clinical Medicine, Campus Ahus, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Lørenskog, Norway.
| | - Jūratė Šaltytė Benth
- Health Services Research Unit, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway; Institute of Clinical Medicine, Campus Ahus, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Lørenskog, Norway.
| | | | - Tahreem Ghazal Siddiqui
- Health Services Research Unit, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway; Institute of Clinical Medicine, Campus Ahus, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Lørenskog, Norway.
| | - Socheat Cheng
- Health Services Research Unit, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway; Institute of Clinical Medicine, Campus Ahus, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Lørenskog, Norway
| | - Espen Saxhaug Kristoffersen
- Department of Neurology, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway; Department of General Practice, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Christofer Lundqvist
- Health Services Research Unit, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway; Institute of Clinical Medicine, Campus Ahus, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Lørenskog, Norway; Department of Neurology, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway.
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Bjelkarøy MT, Simonsen TB, Siddiqui TG, Cheng S, Grambaite R, Benth JŠ, Lundqvist C. Mortality and health-related quality of life in older adults with long-term use of opioids, z-hypnotics or benzodiazepines: a prospective observational study at 5 years follow-up. BMJ Open 2024; 14:e079347. [PMID: 38387984 PMCID: PMC10882342 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-079347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Disease and medication use in older age is a consequence of age-related declining health. Multimorbidity followed by polypharmacy is common. Central nervous system depressing (CNSD) drugs such as opioids, benzodiazepines and z-hypnotics are not recommended for long-term use in older adults but are in use by many. We aimed to assess mortality and change in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in older adults with long-term use of CNSDs. METHOD A prospective observational study was conducted at Akershus University Hospital, Norway, 2017-2019, with follow-up in 2021-2022, including 246 participants aged 65-90. At 5-year follow-up, 78 (32%) participants had passed away. Mortality data were collected from patient electronic health records. Of the surviving 168 (68%), we collected further follow-up data from 38 (16%) participants. Follow-up included demographic and clinical data. The EuroQuol Group EQ-5D-5L questionnaire was used to measure HRQoL. Analysis include Cox regression model for survival data and linear mixed model for change in HRQoL over time. RESULTS At follow-up, 78 (31.7%) were deceased. Mean survival time was 3.3 years. Total time for survival data was 4.7 years. Mortality was higher among participants with long-term use of CNSD (HR 1.9 95% CI (1.2 to 3.2), p=0.01). The multivariable analysis found being older (HR 1.1 95% CI (1.0 to 1.1), p=0.020) and male sex (HR 2.1 95% CI (1.2 to 3.5), p=0.008) to be associated with increased risk of mortality. According to the linear mixed model (n=38), there was no significant difference between surviving users and non-users in change in HRQoL EQ-5D-5L index from baseline to follow-up. CONCLUSION Mortality was higher for long-term users of CNSDs at 5-year follow-up. Being older and male sex were associated with mortality. Among survivors, there was no significant difference between the groups in change of HRQoL over time. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT03162081; 22 May 2017.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Socheat Cheng
- Akershus University Hospital, Lorenskog, Norway
- University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ramune Grambaite
- Akershus University Hospital, Lorenskog, Norway
- Department of Psychology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
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Bjelkarøy MT, Simonsen TB, Siddiqui TG, Halset S, Cheng S, Grambaite R, Benth JŠ, Gerwing J, Kristoffersen ES, Lundqvist C. Brief Intervention as a Method to Reduce Z-Hypnotic Use by Older Adults: Feasibility Case Series. JMIR Form Res 2024; 8:e51862. [PMID: 38329779 PMCID: PMC10884901 DOI: 10.2196/51862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Revised: 01/06/2024] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Z-hypnotics or z-drugs are commonly prescribed for insomnia and sleep difficulties in older adults. These drugs are associated with adverse events and dependence and are not recommended for long-term use. Despite evidence of older adults being more sensitive to a wide array of adverse events and clinical guidelines advocating limiting use, inappropriate use in this population is still prevalent. Previous intervention studies have focused mainly on prescriber information. Simple, individually focused intervention designs are less studied. Brief intervention (BI) is a simple, easily transferable method mainly used to treat patients at risk of alcohol overuse. OBJECTIVE Our objective was to design and test the feasibility and acceptability of a BI intervention adapted to address individual, inappropriate use of z-hypnotics among older adults. This preparatory study aimed to optimize the intervention in advance of a quantitative randomized controlled trial investigating the treatment effect in a larger population. METHODS This feasibility case series was conducted at Akershus University Hospital, Norway, in autumn 2021. We included 5 adults aged ≥65 years with long-term (≥4 weeks) use of z-hypnotics and 2 intervening physicians. Additionally, 2 study investigators contributed with process evaluation notes. The BI consists of information on the risk of inappropriate use and individualized advice on how to reduce use. The focus of the intervention is behavioral and aims, in cooperation with the patient and based on shared decision-making, to change patient behavior regarding sleep medication rather than physician-based detoxification and termination of z-hypnotic prescriptions. Qualitative and descriptive quantitative data were collected from intervening physicians, study investigators, and participants at baseline, immediately after the intervention, and at the 6-week follow-up. RESULTS Data were obtained from 2 physicians, 2 study investigators, and 5 participants (4 women) with a median age of 84 years. The average time spent on the BI consultation was 15 minutes. All 5 participants completed the intervention without problems. The participants and 2 intervening physicians reported the intervention as acceptable and were satisfied with the delivery of the intervention. After the intervention, 2 participants stopped their use of z-hypnotics completely and participated in the follow-up interview. Study investigators identified logistical challenges regarding location and time requirements. Identified aspects that may improve the intervention and reduce dropouts included revising the intervention content, focusing on rebound insomnia, adding an information leaflet, and supporting the patient in the period between the intervention and follow-up. The notion that the intervention should best be located and conducted by the patient's own general practitioner was supported by the participants. CONCLUSIONS We identified important aspects to improve the designed intervention and found that the BI is feasible and acceptable for incorporation into a larger randomized trial investigating the treatment effect of BI for reducing z-hypnotic use by older adults. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03162081; http://tinyurl.com/rmzx6brn.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Torheim Bjelkarøy
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Campus Ahus, Lørenskog, Norway
- Health Services Research Unit Helsetjenesteforskning, Akershus University Hosptial, Lørenskog, Norway
| | - Tone Breines Simonsen
- Health Services Research Unit Helsetjenesteforskning, Akershus University Hosptial, Lørenskog, Norway
| | - Tahreem Ghazal Siddiqui
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Campus Ahus, Lørenskog, Norway
- Health Services Research Unit Helsetjenesteforskning, Akershus University Hosptial, Lørenskog, Norway
| | - Sigrid Halset
- Department of Geriatrics, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway
| | - Socheat Cheng
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Campus Ahus, Lørenskog, Norway
- Health Services Research Unit Helsetjenesteforskning, Akershus University Hosptial, Lørenskog, Norway
| | - Ramune Grambaite
- Health Services Research Unit Helsetjenesteforskning, Akershus University Hosptial, Lørenskog, Norway
- Department of Psychology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Jūratė Šaltytė Benth
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Campus Ahus, Lørenskog, Norway
- Health Services Research Unit Helsetjenesteforskning, Akershus University Hosptial, Lørenskog, Norway
| | - Jennifer Gerwing
- Health Services Research Unit Helsetjenesteforskning, Akershus University Hosptial, Lørenskog, Norway
| | - Espen Saxhaug Kristoffersen
- Department of Neurology, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway
- Department of General Practice, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Christofer Lundqvist
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Campus Ahus, Lørenskog, Norway
- Health Services Research Unit Helsetjenesteforskning, Akershus University Hosptial, Lørenskog, Norway
- Department of Neurology, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway
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Kralj M, Šolić K, Lovrić R. The (Mis)use of Psychotropic Drugs and Addiction to Anxiolytics among Older Adults Living at Home or in Retirement Homes: Implications for Quality of Life. Healthcare (Basel) 2023; 11:2908. [PMID: 37958052 PMCID: PMC10647519 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11212908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2023] [Revised: 10/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/04/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Nowadays, the growing number of people aged 65+ has become a global phenomenon. At that age, the most common medical problems are multimorbidity and inappropriate polypharmacy, which have a negative impact on the quality of life in older adults. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to examine comorbidity, the use of psychopharmaceuticals, and symptoms of addiction to anxiolytics among older adults living at home or in retirement homes, and to examine the differences in quality of life in relation to the use and misuse of psychotropic drugs. The research included 383 people aged 65+ living in the Republic of Croatia (EU). A standardized questionnaire CAGE was used to collect data about the use of psychotropic drugs. Quality of life was examined using the WHOQOL-BREF scale. The average age of respondents was 83 years. There is a significantly higher prevalence of anxiety disorders (p = 0.001) in respondents who live at home. Psychopharmaceuticals were used by 218 (56.9%) respondents, equally in both groups of respondents. A total of 77 (20.1%) respondents had been using anxiolytics for more than five years, while 26 (6.8%) of them had significant clinical symptoms of addiction to anxiolytics. All domains and the overall quality of life scale were significantly lower (p < 0.001) in respondents who have clinical symptoms of anxiolytic addiction. The results indicate that the use of psychotropic drugs by respondents is inappropriate. Respondents who inappropriately and excessively use psychotropic drugs have a significantly worse quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirjana Kralj
- Faculty of Medicine, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, 31000 Osijek, Croatia; (M.K.); (K.Š.)
- Nursing Institute “Professor Radivoje Radić”, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
| | - Krešimir Šolić
- Faculty of Medicine, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, 31000 Osijek, Croatia; (M.K.); (K.Š.)
| | - Robert Lovrić
- Nursing Institute “Professor Radivoje Radić”, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
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Bjelkarøy MT, Cheng S, Siddiqui TG, Benth JŠ, Grambaite R, Kristoffersen ES, Lundqvist C. The association between pain and central nervous system depressing medication among hospitalised Norwegian older adults. Scand J Pain 2022; 22:483-493. [PMID: 34913326 DOI: 10.1515/sjpain-2021-0120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Central nervous system depressant medications (CNSD) including benzodiazepines, z-hypnotics and opioids are regularly prescribed for the older patient. These medications are linked to dependence and associated with severe side effects in some older patients. Consensus recommendations for this group suggest limiting their use. We have recently described a high proportion of long-term CNSD use and dependence among older in-hospital patients. In this study, we aim to investigate factors associated with pain intensity and presentation of pain among older adults with long-term use of CNSDs compared to non-users. METHODS Two hundred and forty six elderly hospitalised patients were recruited consecutively in a cross-sectional study. Data was collected from patients and electronic health records (EHR). Independent variables were sex, age, education, emotional symptoms (hospital anxiety and depression scale [HADS]), cognitive function (Mini-mental State Examination test [MMSE]), comorbidity (cumulative illness rating score - geriatrics [CIRS-G]), loneliness (the six-item De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale) and prolonged (≥4 weeks) use of any CNSDs or prolonged use of opioids (≥4 weeks). All variables, including pain intensity, were collected at one time point consistent with the cross-sectional study design. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics and linear regression models using the above mentioned variables and pain intensity (visual analogue scale for pain intensity [VAS] pain 0-100) as outcome. Additional information regarding pain presentation was extracted from the patients' EHR. RESULTS Mean pain intensity VAS (SD) was 35.2 (30.4) and 18.1 (24.2) respectively, for patients with vs. without prolonged use of CNSDs. In the multivariable linear regression analysis, prolonged use of CNSDs and opioids were positively associated with pain intensity (VAS) (regression coefficient (95% CI) 20.7 (11.0; 30.3), p<0.001, and 19.8 (5.7; 33.8), p=0.006, respectively), while sex, age, education, MMSE, HADS, CIRS-G and loneliness scores were not. Pain related to back (23.2%) and lower extremities (23.2%) were most common pain sites, and those with one or more pain sites reported overall higher pain intensity compared to those with no reported pain sites (p<0.006). CONCLUSIONS Prolonged use of CNSD medications as well as prolonged use of opioids are both positively associated with pain intensity. The results may have implications for treatment and long-term pain management for older patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Torheim Bjelkarøy
- Health Services Research Unit, Akershus University Hospital, Lorenskog, Norway
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Campus Ahus, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Lorenskog, Norway
| | - Socheat Cheng
- Health Services Research Unit, Akershus University Hospital, Lorenskog, Norway
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Campus Ahus, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Lorenskog, Norway
| | - Tahreem Ghazal Siddiqui
- Health Services Research Unit, Akershus University Hospital, Lorenskog, Norway
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Campus Ahus, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Lorenskog, Norway
| | - Jūratė Šaltytė Benth
- Health Services Research Unit, Akershus University Hospital, Lorenskog, Norway
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Campus Ahus, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Lorenskog, Norway
| | - Ramune Grambaite
- Health Services Research Unit, Akershus University Hospital, Lorenskog, Norway
- Department of Psychology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Espen Saxhaug Kristoffersen
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Campus Ahus, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Lorenskog, Norway
- Department of General Practice, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Christofer Lundqvist
- Health Services Research Unit, Akershus University Hospital, Lorenskog, Norway
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Campus Ahus, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Lorenskog, Norway
- Department of Neurology, Akershus Univeristy Hospital, Lorenskog, Norway
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