Patient acceptable symptom state and treatment failure threshold values for work productivity and activity Impairment and EQ-5D-5L in osteoarthritis

OBJECTIVE

To estimate patient acceptable symptom state (PASS) and treatment failure (TF) threshold values for Work Productivity and Activity Impairment (WPAI) measure and EQ-5D-5L among people with hip or knee osteoarthritis (OA) 3 and 12 months following participation in a digital self-management intervention (Joint Academy®).

METHODS

Among the participants, we computed work and activity impairments scores (both 0-100, with a higher value reflecting higher impairment) and the Swedish hypothetical- (range: - 0.314 to 1) and experience-based (range: 0.243-0.976) EQ-5D-5L index scores (a higher score indicates better health status) at 3- (n = 14,607) and 12-month (n = 2707) follow-ups. Threshold values for PASS and TF were calculated using anchor-based adjusted predictive modeling. We also explored the baseline dependency of threshold values according to pain severity at baseline.

RESULTS

Around 42.0% and 48.3% of the participants rated their current state as acceptable, while 4.2% and 2.8% considered the treatment had failed at 3 and 12 months, respectively. The 3-month PASS/TF thresholds were 16/29 (work impairment), 26/50 (activity impairment), 0.92/0.77 (hypothetical EQ-5D-5L), and 0.87/0.77 (the experience-based EQ-5D-5L). The thresholds at 12 months were generally comparable to those estimated at 3 months. There were baseline dependencies in PASS/TF thresholds with participants with more severe baseline pain considering poorer (more severe) level of WPAI/EQ-5D-5L as satisfactory.

CONCLUSION

PASS and TF threshold values for WPAI and EQ-5D-5L might be useful for meaningful interpretation of these measures among people with OA. The observed baseline dependency of estimated thresholds limits their generalizability and values should be applied with great caution in other settings/populations.

Caveolin-1 gene expression provides additional prognostic information combined with PAM50 risk of recurrence (ROR) score in breast cancer

Combining information from the tumor microenvironment (TME) with PAM50 Risk of Recurrence (ROR) score could improve breast cancer prognostication. Caveolin-1 (CAV1) is a marker of an active TME. CAV1 is a membrane protein involved in cell signaling, extracellular matrix organization, and tumor-stroma interactions. We sought to investigate CAV1 gene expression in relation to PAM50 subtypes, ROR score, and their joint prognostic impact. CAV1 expression was compared between PAM50 subtypes and ROR categories in two cohorts (SCAN-B, n = 5326 and METABRIC, n = 1980). CAV1 expression was assessed in relation to clinical outcomes using Cox regression and adjusted for clinicopathological predictors. Effect modifications between CAV1 expression and ROR categories on clinical outcome were investigated using multiplicative and additive two-way interaction analyses. Differential gene expression and gene set enrichment analyses were applied to compare high and low expressing CAV1 tumors. All samples expressed CAV1 with the highest expression in the Normal-like subtype. Gene modules consistent with epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), hypoxia, and stromal activation were associated with high CAV1 expression. CAV1 expression was inversely associated with ROR category. Interactions between CAV1 expression and ROR categories were observed in both cohorts. High expressing CAV1 tumors conferred worse prognosis only within the group classified as ROR high. ROR gave markedly different prognostic information depending on the underlying CAV1 expression. CAV1, a potential mediator between the malignant cells and TME, could be a useful biomarker that enhances and further refines PAM50 ROR risk stratification in patients with ROR high tumors and a potential therapeutic target.

Atherosclerotic plaque features relevant to rupture-risk detected by clinical photon-counting CT ex vivo: a proof-of-concept study

BACKGROUND

To identify subjects with rupture-prone atherosclerotic plaques before thrombotic events occur is an unmet clinical need. Thus, this proof-of-concept study aims to determine which rupture-prone plaque features can be detected using clinically available photon-counting computed tomography (PCCT).

METHODS

In this retrospective study, advanced atherosclerotic plaques (ex vivo, paraffin-embedded) from the Carotid Plaque Imaging Project were scanned by PCCT with reconstructed energy levels (45, 70, 120, 190 keV). Density in HU was measured in 97 regions of interest (ROIs) representing rupture-prone plaque features as demonstrated by histopathology (thrombus, lipid core, necrosis, fibrosis, intraplaque haemorrhage, calcium). The relationship between HU and energy was then assessed using a mixed-effects model for each plaque feature.

RESULTS

Plaques from five men (age 79 ± 8 [mean ± standard deviation]) were included in the study. Comparing differences in coefficients (b1diff) of matched ROIs on plaque images obtained by PCCT and histology confirmed that calcium was distinguishable from all other analysed features. Of greater novelty, additional rupture-prone plaque features proved discernible from each other, particularly when comparing haemorrhage with fibrous cap (p = 0.017), lipids (p = 0.003) and necrosis (p = 0.004) and thrombus compared to fibrosis (p = 0.048), fibrous cap (p = 0.028), lipids (p = 0.015) and necrosis (p = 0.017).

CONCLUSIONS

Clinically available PCCT detects not only calcification, but also other rupture-prone features of human carotid plaques ex vivo.

RELEVANCE STATEMENT

Improved atherosclerotic plaque characterisation by photon-counting CT provides the ability to distinguish not only calcium, but also rupture-prone plaque features such as haemorrhage and thrombus. This may potentially improve monitoring and risk stratification of atherosclerotic patients in order to prevent strokes.

KEY POINTS

• CT of atherosclerotic plaques mainly detects calcium. • Many components, such as intra-plaque haemorrhage and lipids, determine increased plaque rupture risk. • Ex vivo carotid plaque photon-counting CT distinguishes haemorrhage and thrombus. • Improved plaque photon-counting CT evaluation may refine risk stratification accuracy to prevent strokes.

Apolipoproteins and the risk of giant cell arteritis-a nested case-control study

BACKGROUND

The etiology of giant cell arteritis (GCA) and its predictors are incompletely understood. Previous studies have indicated reduced risk of future development of GCA in individuals with obesity and/or diabetes mellitus. There is limited information on blood lipids before the onset of GCA. The objective of the study was to investigate the relation between apolipoprotein levels and future diagnosis of GCA in a nested case-control analysis.

METHODS

Individuals who developed GCA after inclusion in a population-based health survey (the Malmö Diet Cancer Study; N = 30,447) were identified by linking the health survey database to the local patient administrative register and the national patient register. A structured review of medical records was performed. Four controls for every validated case, matched for sex, year of birth, and year of screening, were selected from the database. Anthropometric measures, self-reported physical activity, based on a comprehensive, validated questionnaire, and non-fasting blood samples had been obtained at health survey screening. Concentrations of apolipoprotein A-I (ApoA-I) and apolipoprotein B (ApoB) in stored serum were measured using an immunonephelometric assay. Potential predictors of GCA were examined in conditional logistic regression models.

RESULTS

There were 100 cases with a confirmed clinical diagnosis of GCA (81% female; mean age at diagnosis 73.6 years). The median time from screening to diagnosis was 12 years (range 0.3-19.1). The cases had significantly higher ApoA-I at baseline screening compared to controls (mean 168.7 vs 160.9 mg/dL, odds ratio [OR] 1.57 per standard deviation (SD); 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.18-2.10) (SD 25.5 mg/dL). ApoB levels were similar between cases and controls (mean 109.3 vs 110.4 mg/dL, OR 0.99 per SD; 95% CI 0.74-1.32) (SD 27.1 mg/dL). The ApoB/ApoA1 ratio tended to be lower in cases than in controls, but the difference did not reach significance. The association between ApoA-I and GCA development remained significant in analysis adjusted for body mass index and physical activity (OR 1.48 per SD; 95% CI 1.09-1.99).

CONCLUSION

Subsequent development of GCA was associated with significantly higher levels of ApoA-I. These findings suggest that a metabolic profile associated with lower risk of cardiovascular disease may predispose to GCA.

Inflammatory rheumatic diseases and the risk of drug use disorders: a register-based cohort study in Sweden

To investigate the association between chronic inflammatory rheumatic diseases (CIRD) and drug use disorder (DUD). Individuals aged ≥ 30 years in 2009 that met the following conditions were included: residing in the Skåne region, Sweden, with at least one healthcare contact in person and no history of DUD (ICD-10 codes F11-F16, F18-F19) during 1998-2009 (N = 649,891). CIRD was defined as the presence of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), ankylosing spondylitis (AS), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), or systemic lupus erythematosus. Treating CIRD as a time-varying exposure, we followed people from January 1, 2010 until a diagnosis of DUD, death, relocation outside the region, or December 31, 2019, whichever occurred first. We used flexible parametric survival models adjusted for attained age, sociodemographic characteristics, and coexisting conditions for data analysis. There were 64 (95% CI 62-66) and 104 (88-123) incident DUD per 100,000 person-years among those without and with CIRD, respectively. CIRD was associated with an increased risk of DUD in age-adjusted analysis (hazard ratio [HR] 1.77, 95% CI 1.49-2.09). Almost identical HR (1.71, 95% CI 1.45-2.03) was estimated after adjustment for sociodemographic characteristics, and it slightly attenuated when coexisting conditions were additionally accounted for (1.47, 95% CI 1.24-1.74). Fully adjusted HRs were 1.49 (1.21-1.85) for RA, 2.00 (1.38-2.90) for AS, and 1.58 (1.16-2.16) for PsA. More stringent definitions of CIRD didn't alter our findings. CIRD was associated with an increased risk of DUD independent of sociodemographic factors and coexisting conditions. Key Points • A register-based cohort study including 649,891 individuals aged≥30 residing in the Skåne region, Sweden, was conducted. • Chronic inflammatory rheumatic diseases were associated with higher risks of drug use disorder independent of sociodemographic factors and coexisting conditions.

[18F]PSMA-1007 PET is comparable to [99mTc]Tc-DMSA SPECT for renal cortical imaging

BACKGROUND

Scintigraphy using technetium-99m labelled dimercaptosuccinic acid ([99mTc]Tc-DMSA), taken up in the proximal tubules, is the standard in functional imaging of the renal cortex. Recent guidelines recommend performing [99mTc]Tc-DMSA scintigraphy with single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) targeted positron emission tomography (PET) is used for staging and localization of recurrence in prostate cancer. A high renal uptake is often seen on PSMA PET, concordant with known PSMA expression in proximal tubules. This suggests PSMA PET could be used analogous to [99mTc]Tc-DMSA scintigraphy for renal cortical imaging. [18F]PSMA-1007 is a promising radiopharmaceutical for this purpose due to low urinary clearance. In this study, we aimed to compare [18F]PSMA-1007 PET to [99mTc]Tc-DMSA SPECT regarding split renal uptake and presence of renal uptake defects, in patients with prostate cancer. Three readers interpreted PET and SPECT images regarding presence of renal uptake defects, with each kidney split into cranial, mid and caudal segments. Kidneys were segmented in PET and SPECT images, and left renal uptake as a percentage of total renal uptake was measured.

RESULTS

Twenty patients with prostate cancer were included. 2 participants had single kidneys; thus 38 kidneys were evaluated. A total of 29 defects were found on both [99mTc]Tc-DMSA SPECT and [18F]PSMA-1007 PET. Cohen's kappa for concordance regarding presence of any defect was 0.76 on a per-segment basis and 0.67 on a per-kidney basis. Spearman's r for left renal uptake percentage between [99mTc]Tc-DMSA SPECT and [18F]PSMA-1007 PET was 0.95.

CONCLUSIONS

[18F]PSMA-1007 PET is comparable to [99mTc]Tc-DMSA SPECT for detection of uptake defects in this setting. Measurements of split renal function made using [18F]PSMA-1007 PET are valid and strongly correlated to measurements made with [99mTc]Tc-DMSA SPECT.

Trajectories of immune-related serum proteins and quality of life in patients with pancreatic and other periampullary cancer: the CHAMP study

BACKGROUND

There is still a profound lack of efficient therapeutic strategies against pancreatic and other periampullary adenocarcinoma. Surgery is seldom possible, leaving palliative chemotherapy the only option for most patients. Chemotherapy treatment is however often accompanied by serious side-effects, and the identification of biomarkers for early prediction of disease and treatment-associated symptoms could help alleviate patient suffering. This study investigated the dynamic interrelationship between immune-related serum proteins, routine biomarkers, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) factors during chemotherapy treatment of patients enrolled in the prospective, observational study Chemotherapy, Host response And Molecular dynamics in Periampullary cancer (CHAMP).

METHODS

Proximity extension assay was applied to analyse 92 immune-associated proteins in longitudinal serum samples from 75 patients, 18 treated with curative and 57 with palliative intent. HRQoL data were available from all patients at baseline (BL), from 41 patients at three months, and from 23 patients at six months. Information on routine laboratory parameters albumin, CA19-9, CEA and CRP were collected from medical charts.

RESULTS

In total nine proteins; chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 23 (CCL23), cluster of differentiation 4 (CD4), cluster of differentiation 28 (CD28), decorin (DCN), galectin-1 (Gal-1), granzyme B (GZMB), granzyme H (GZMH), matrix metallopeptidase 7 (MMP7), and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) were strongly correlated (Spearman's Rho ≤ -0.6 or ≥ 0.6) with either cognitive functioning (DCN), emotional functioning (DCN, MCP-1), dyspnoea (CD28, GZMB, GZMH) or insomnia (CCL23, CD4, Gal-1, MMP7) during treatment. Associations between routine laboratory parameters (CA 19-9, CA-125, CRP, CEA and albumin) and HRQoL factors were overall weaker. None of the investigated proteins were associated with pain.

CONCLUSIONS

This is, to our knowledge, the first study exploring associations between serum biomarkers and HRQoL in patients with pancreatic or other periampullary cancer, and some findings merit further validation. The associations of DCN and MCP-1with impaired cognitive and/or emotional functioning are of particular interest, given their established link to various neurodegenerative conditions. Chemotherapy is known to cause persistent cognitive dysfunction with effects on memory and executive function, referred to as "chemo brain". It would therefore be of great value to identify biomarkers for early detection and management of this debilitating condition.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Clinical Trial Registration: NCT03724994.

Gut hormone-based pharmacology: novel formulations and future possibilities for metabolic disease therapy

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists are established pharmaceutical therapies for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and obesity. They mimic the action of GLP-1 to reduce glucose levels through stimulation of insulin secretion and inhibition of glucagon secretion. They also reduce body weight by inducing satiety through central actions. The GLP-1 receptor agonists used clinically are based on exendin-4 and native GLP-1 and are available as formulations for daily or weekly s.c. or oral administration. GLP-1 receptor agonism is also achieved by inhibitors of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4), which prevent the inactivation of GLP-1 and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), thereby prolonging their raised levels after meal ingestion. Other developments in GLP-1 receptor agonism include the formation of small orally available agonists and compounds with the potential to pharmaceutically stimulate GLP-1 secretion from the gut. In addition, GLP-1/glucagon and GLP-1/GIP dual receptor agonists and GLP-1/GIP/glucagon triple receptor agonists have shown the potential to reduce blood glucose levels and body weight through their effects on islets and peripheral tissues, improving beta cell function and stimulating energy expenditure. This review summarises developments in gut hormone-based therapies and presents the future outlook for their use in type 2 diabetes and obesity.

Use of non-surgical treatments on the journey to knee replacement in patients with knee osteoarthritis: a 10-year population-based case-control study

AIM

To investigate temporal trends in primary care visits, physiotherapy visits, dispensed non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and opioids in knee osteoarthritis (OA) patients who have and have not undergone knee replacement.

METHODS

We analysed 5665 OA patients from the Skåne Healthcare Register, Sweden, who underwent knee replacement between 2015 and 2019. Controls were OA patients without knee replacement, matched 1:1 by sex, age, time and healthcare level of initial OA diagnosis, and assigned a pseudo-index date corresponding to their case's knee replacement date. Annual prevalence and prevalence ratio of primary care and physiotherapy visits, dispensed NSAIDs and opioids (all for any cause) in the 10 years before knee replacement were estimated using Poisson regression.

RESULTS

The annual prevalence of all-cause primary care visits, physiotherapy visits and opioid use was similar between cases and controls until 3 years before the index date when it started to increase among the cases. The year before the index date, the prevalence ratio (cases vs controls) for physiotherapy use was 1.8 (95% CI 1.7, 1.8), while for opioid use 1.6 (1.5, 1.7). NSAID use was consistently higher among cases, even 10 years before the index date when the prevalence ratio versus controls was 1.3 (1.2, 1.3), increasing to 1.8 (1.7, 1.9) in the year preceding the index date.

CONCLUSIONS

Management of OA patients who have and have not undergone knee replacement appears largely similar except for higher use of NSAIDs in knee replacement cases. Symptomatic treatments start to increase a few years before the surgery in knee replacement cases.

Hemodynamic forces from 4D flow magnetic resonance imaging predict left ventricular remodeling following cardiac resynchronization therapy

BACKGROUND

Patients with heart failure and left bundle branch block (LBBB) may receive cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), but current selection criteria are imprecise, and many patients have limited treatment response. Hemodynamic forces (HDF) have been suggested as a marker for CRT response. The aim of this study was therefore to investigate left ventricular (LV) HDF as a predictive marker for LV remodeling after CRT.

METHODS

Patients with heart failure, EF < 35% and LBBB (n = 22) underwent CMR with 4D flow prior to CRT. LV HDF were computed in three directions using the Navier-Stokes equations, reported in median N [interquartile range], and the ratio of transverse/longitudinal HDF was calculated for systole and diastole. Transthoracic echocardiography was performed before and 6 months after CRT. Patients with end-systolic volume reduction ≥ 15% were defined as responders.

RESULTS

Non-responders had smaller HDF than responders in the inferior-anterior direction in systole (0.06 [0.03] vs. 0.07 [0.03], p = 0.04), and in the apex-base direction in diastole (0.09 [0.02] vs. 0.1 [0.05], p = 0.047). Non-responders had larger diastolic HDF ratio compared to responders (0.89 vs. 0.67, p = 0.004). ROC analysis of diastolic HDF ratio for identifying CRT non-responders had AUC of 0.88 (p = 0.005) with sensitivity 57% and specificity 100% for ratio > 0.87. Intragroup comparison found higher HDF ratio in systole compared to diastole for responders (p = 0.003), but not for non-responders (p = 0.8).

CONCLUSION

Hemodynamic force ratio is a potential marker for identifying patients with heart failure and LBBB who are unlikely to benefit from CRT. Larger-scale studies are required before implementation of HDF analysis into clinical practice.

AI-based quantification of whole-body tumour burden on somatostatin receptor PET/CT

BACKGROUND

Segmenting the whole-body somatostatin receptor-expressing tumour volume (SRETVwb) on positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) images is highly time-consuming but has shown value as an independent prognostic factor for survival. An automatic method to measure SRETVwb could improve disease status assessment and provide a tool for prognostication. This study aimed to develop an artificial intelligence (AI)-based method to detect and quantify SRETVwb and total lesion somatostatin receptor expression (TLSREwb) from [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-TOC/TATE PET/CT images.

METHODS

A UNet3D convolutional neural network (CNN) was used to train an AI model with [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-TOC/TATE PET/CT images, where all tumours were manually segmented with a semi-automatic method. The training set consisted of 148 patients, of which 108 had PET-positive tumours. The test group consisted of 30 patients, of which 25 had PET-positive tumours. Two physicians segmented tumours in the test group for comparison with the AI model.

RESULTS

There were good correlations between the segmented SRETVwb and TLSREwb by the AI model and the physicians, with Spearman rank correlation coefficients of r = 0.78 and r = 0.73, respectively, for SRETVwb and r = 0.83 and r = 0.81, respectively, for TLSREwb. The sensitivity on a lesion detection level was 80% and 79%, and the positive predictive value was 83% and 84% when comparing the AI model with the two physicians.

CONCLUSION

It was possible to develop an AI model to segment SRETVwb and TLSREwb with high performance. A fully automated method makes quantification of tumour burden achievable and has the potential to be more widely used when assessing PET/CT images.

Deep learning algorithm performs similarly to radiologists in the assessment of prostate volume on MRI

OBJECTIVES

Prostate volume (PV) in combination with prostate specific antigen (PSA) yields PSA density which is an increasingly important biomarker. Calculating PV from MRI is a time-consuming, radiologist-dependent task. The aim of this study was to assess whether a deep learning algorithm can replace PI-RADS 2.1 based ellipsoid formula (EF) for calculating PV.

METHODS

Eight different measures of PV were retrospectively collected for each of 124 patients who underwent radical prostatectomy and preoperative MRI of the prostate (multicenter and multi-scanner MRI's 1.5 and 3 T). Agreement between volumes obtained from the deep learning algorithm (PV_DL) and ellipsoid formula by two radiologists (PV_EF1 and PV_EF2) was evaluated against the reference standard PV obtained by manual planimetry by an expert radiologist (PV_MPE). A sensitivity analysis was performed using a prostatectomy specimen as the reference standard. Inter-reader agreement was evaluated between the radiologists using the ellipsoid formula and between the expert and inexperienced radiologists performing manual planimetry.

RESULTS

PV_DL showed better agreement and precision than PV_EF1 and PV_EF2 using the reference standard PV_MPE (mean difference [95% limits of agreement] PV_DL: -0.33 [-10.80; 10.14], PV_EF1: -3.83 [-19.55; 11.89], PV_EF2: -3.05 [-18.55; 12.45]) or the PV determined based on specimen weight (PV_DL: -4.22 [-22.52; 14.07], PV_EF1: -7.89 [-30.50; 14.73], PV_EF2: -6.97 [-30.13; 16.18]). Inter-reader agreement was excellent between the two experienced radiologists using the ellipsoid formula and was good between expert and inexperienced radiologists performing manual planimetry.

CONCLUSION

Deep learning algorithm performs similarly to radiologists in the assessment of prostate volume on MRI.

KEY POINTS

• A commercially available deep learning algorithm performs similarly to radiologists in the assessment of prostate volume on MRI. • The deep-learning algorithm was previously untrained on this heterogenous multicenter day-to-day practice MRI data set.

Digital self-management of hip and knee osteoarthritis and trajectories of work and activity impairments

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the trajectories of work and activity impairments among people participating in a digital self-management program for osteoarthritis (OA).

METHODS

We conducted an observational longitudinal study using data for baseline, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months follow ups from people participating in a digital OA treatment between June 2018 and September 2021. The Work Productivity and Activity Impairment-Osteoarthritis (WPAI-OA) questionnaire was used to measure work and activity impairments. We applied linear mixed models and group-based trajectory modelling (GBTM) to assess the trajectories of work and activity impairments and their variability. Dominance analysis was performed to explore the relative importance of baseline characteristics in predicting the trajectory subgroup membership.

RESULTS

A total of 14,676 participants with mean (± standard deviation) age 64.0 (± 9.1) years and 75.5% females were included. The adjusted mean improvements in work impairment from baseline were 5.8% (95% CI 5.3, 6.4) to 6.1% (95% CI 5.5, 6.8). The corresponding figures for activity impairment were 9.4% (95% CI 9.0, 9.7) to 11.3% (95% CI 10.8, 11.8). GBTM identified five (low baseline-declining, moderate baseline-declining, high baseline-declining, very high baseline-substantially declining, and very high baseline-persistent) and three (low baseline-declining, mild baseline-declining, high baseline-declining) subgroups with distinct trajectories of activity and work impairments. Dominance analysis showed that baseline pain was the most important predictor of membership in trajectory subgroups.

CONCLUSION

While participation in a digital self-management program for OA was, on average, associated with improvements in work and activity impairments, there were substantial variations among the participants. Baseline pain may provide useful insights to predict trajectories of work and activity impairments.

Ageing people with intellectual disabilities and the association between frailty factors and social care: A Swedish national register study

The aim of this study was to describe the social care provided for different age groups of people with intellectual disability, 55 years or above, and to investigate the association between such care and frailty factors for those with diagnosed level of intellectual disabilities. Descriptive and logistic regression analyses were used. Commonest forms of social care among the 7936 people were Residential care, Daily activities and Contact person. Home help and Security alarm increased with age. The frailty factors significantly associated with increased social care were age, polypharmacy and severe levels of intellectual disabilities. Persons most likely to be in residential care were in the age group 65-79 with polypharmacy and severe disability. The results indicate a need for further research of how frailty factors are considered in social care and longstanding medication, especially then severe intellectual disability hinders communication. A national strategic plan for preventive interventions should be developed to ensure the best possible healthy ageing.

Increased risk of Graves´ophthalmopathy in patients with increasing TRAb after radioiodine treatment and the impact of CTLA4 on TRAb titres

INTRODUCTION

Treatment of Graves´ disease (GD) with radioiodine increases the risk of developing Graves´ ophthalmopathy (GO), and the link between thyroid and orbital tissue may be the presence of TSH-receptors. Radioiodine increases the titers of TRAb and the aim was to investigate the relationship between GO and TRAb titers after treatment with radioiodine and to define the impact of risk genes.

METHODS

GD patients without ophthalmopathy or previous treatment with radioiodine were prospectively included at treatment with radioiodine for hyperthyroidism. A follow-up was performed 1 year later for the registration of GO development. The study was performed at a University Hospital Clinic; a referral center of all patients treated with radioiodine in the south of Sweden. The main outcome measures were the development of TRAb, anti-TPO, and anti-TG after 3 months and GO after 12 months and relationship to the genetic background (HLA, CTLA-4, and CYR61).

RESULTS

Three months of radioiodine TRAb titers increased in two thirds of patients (p < 0.0005) but not in the other third. Anti-TPO titers were associated with TRAb (R = 0.362, p < 0.0001) but not anti-TG. At follow-up 1 year later (n = 204) 32 patients developed GO with a proportion of 70% in the group increasing in TRAb titers and 30% in the group with unchanged or lower TRAb titers (p-value < 0.0005). Patients with GO had higher titers of TRAb than patients without GO. CTLA-4 (rs231775 SNP) was significantly (p < 0.005) associated with TRAb titers above the median three months after radioiodine.

CONCLUSIONS

The increase in TRAb titers after treatment with radioiodine is associated with GO and a genetic variation in CTLA-4 is associated with higher titers of TRAb.

Computational Fluid Dynamics Support for Fontan Planning in Minutes, Not Hours: The Next Step in Clinical Pre-Interventional Simulations

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling may aid in planning of invasive interventions in Fontan patients. Clinical application of current CFD techniques is however limited by complexity and long computation times. Therefore, we validated a “lean” CFD method to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and an “established” CFD method, ultimately aiming to reduce complexity to enable predictive CFD during ongoing interventions. Fifteen Fontan patients underwent MRI for CFD modeling. The differences between lean and established approach, in hepatic and total flow percentage to the left pulmonary artery (%LPA), power loss and relative wall shear stress area were 1.5 ± 4.0%, -0.17 ± 1.1%, -0.055 ± 0.092 mW and 1.1 ± 1.4%. Compared with MRI, the lean and established method showed a bias in %LPA of -1.9 ± 3.4% and -1.8 ± 3.1%. Computation time was for the lean and established approach 3.0 ± 2.0 min and 7.0 ± 3.4 h, respectively. We conclude that the proposed lean method provides fast and reliable results for future CFD support during interventions.

Pulmonary blood volume measured by cardiovascular magnetic resonance: influence of pulmonary transit time methods and left atrial volume

BACKGROUND

Increased pulmonary blood volume (PBV) is a measure of congestion and is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events. PBV can be quantified using cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging as the product of cardiac output and pulmonary transit time (PTT), the latter measured from the contrast time-intensity curves in the right and left side of the heart from first-pass perfusion (FPP). Several methods of estimating PTT exist, including pulmonary transit beats (PTB), peak-to-peak, and center of gravity (CoG). The aim of this study was to determine the accuracy and precision for these methods of quantifying the PBV, taking the left atrium volume (LAV) into consideration.

METHODS

Fifty-eight participants (64 ± 11 years, 24 women) underwent 1.5 T CMR. PTT was quantified from (1) a basal left ventricular short-axis image (FPP), and (2) the reference method with a separate contrast administration using an image intersecting the pulmonary artery (PA) and the LA (CoG(PA-LA)).

RESULTS

Compared to the reference, PBV for (a) PTB(FPP) was 14 ± 17% larger, (b) peak-peak(FPP) was 17 ± 16% larger, and (c) CoG(FPP) was 18 ± 10% larger. Subtraction of the LAV (available for n = 50) decreased overall differences to - 1 ± 19%, 2 ± 18%, and 3 ± 12% for PTB(FPP), peak-peak(FPP), and CoG(FPP), respectively. Lowest interobserver variability was seen for CoG(FPP) (- 2 ± 7%).

CONCLUSIONS

CoG(PA-LA) and FPP methods measured the same PBV only when adjusting for the LAV, since FPP inherently quantifies a volume consisting of PBV + LAV. CoG(FPP) had the best precision and lowest interobserver variability among the FPP methods of measuring PBV.

The combined impact of ankle-brachial index and transcutaneous oxygen pressure on mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes and foot ulcers

AIMS

A diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is associated with increased cardiovascular risk and mortality, independently of ulcer etiology (ischemic, neuro-ischemic or neuropathic). Ankle-brachial index (ABI) is the most commonly used test when diagnosing peripheral macrovascular disease and is a well-known marker for increased cardiovascular risk. Transcutaneous oxygen pressure (TcPO₂) is considered to better evaluate microvascular function and has in previous studies shown correlations with both wound healing and survival. The aim of this study was to evaluate the combined impact of a low TcPO₂ (<30 mmHg) and a pathological ABI (<0.9 or ≥1.4) on three-year mortality in patients with DFU.

METHODS

Type 2 diabetes patients aged <90 years, with at least one DFU who underwent vascular assessment with ABI and TcPO₂ were screened for participation. The primary endpoint was mortality after three years, assessed from the National Death Registry in Sweden.

RESULTS

The study enrolled 235 participants with a median age of 76 years. Individuals with either an abnormally high or low ABI in combination with a low TcPO₂ had the worst survival rates, with three-year mortality of 54%, compared to 42% in those with one abnormal variable (either ABI or TcPO₂), and 21% in those with normal ABI and TcPO₂.

CONCLUSIONS

Combining ABI and TcPO₂ when risk stratifying DFU patients seems to provide additional predictive information, not only concerning ulcer healing and limb salvage, but also on survival.

Normative values of the vibration perception thresholds at finger pulps and metatarsal heads in healthy adults

Aims

To establish normative values of vibration perception thresholds (VPTs), using multi-frequency vibrometry at finger pulps and at metatarsal heads of the foot in healthy adults. We also aimed to investigate factors that could potentially affect VPTs such as age, sex, height, weight, foot- or handedness and skin temperature.

Methods

VPTs were examined in 924 healthy and randomly selected subjects in the southern Sweden (mean 46 years; 628 women and 296 men). Inclusion criterias were adult subjects (>18 years) in considerable health without diabetes mellitus or other nerve affecting disorders. VPTs were measured at the finger pulps of index and little finger, as well as the first and fifth metatarsal heads of the foot, through multi-frequency vibrometry using the VibroSense Meter® I device. Patient characteristics were recorded and skin temperature was measured before assessment of VPTs.

Results

We present normative values of VPTs for a large population of both male and female subjects in various ages. VPTs detoriated as age increased (0.09–0.59 dB per year; p<0.001), i.e. progressing with normal aging. Increasing skin temperature affected VPTs in finger pulps, but not at metatarsal heads, with -0.2 to -1.6 dB, i.e. vibration perception improved with higher temperatures. Height was only found to affect the VPTs of metatarsal heads (250 Hz: 0.42 dB per cm). Sex, weight and handedness did not affect the VPTs.

Conclusion

We investigated the normative values of VPTs and presented affecting factors as age, skin temperature and height. With these results, VPT testing through multi-frequency vibrometry is enabled to be used in a clinical practice as a diagnostic tool when investigating neuropathy and other neurological disorders.

Cumulative incidence of midline incisional hernia and its surgical treatment after radical cystectomy and urinary diversion for bladder cancer: A nation-wide population-based study

Background and objective

To study the cumulative incidence and surgical treatment of midline incisional hernia (MIH) after cystectomy for bladder cancer.

Methods

In the nationwide Bladder Cancer Data Base Sweden (BladderBaSe), cystectomy was performed in 5646 individuals. Cumulative incidence MIH and surgery for MIH were investigated in relation to age, gender, comorbidity, previous laparotomy and/or inguinal hernia repair, operative technique, primary/secondary cystectomy, postoperative wound dehiscence, year of surgery, and period-specific mean annual hospital cystectomy volume (PSMAV).

Results

Three years after cystectomy the cumulative incidence of MIH and surgery for MIH was 8% and 4%, respectively. The cumulative incidence MIH was 12%, 9% and 7% in patients having urinary diversion with continent cutaneous pouch, orthotopic neobladder and ileal conduit. Patients with postoperative wound dehiscence had a higher three-year cumulative incidence MIH (20%) compared to 8% without. The corresponding cumulative incidence surgery for MIH three years after cystectomy was 9%, 6%, and 4% for continent cutaneous, neobladder, and conduit diversion, respectively, and 11% for individuals with postoperative wound dehiscence (vs 4% without). Using multivariable Cox regression, secondary cystectomy (HR 1.3 (1.0–1.7)), continent cutaneous diversion (HR 1.9 (1.1–2.4)), robot-assisted cystectomy (HR 1.8 (1–3.2)), wound dehiscence (HR 3.0 (2.0–4.7)), cystectomy in hospitals with PSMAV 10–25 (HR 1.4 (1.0–1.9)), as well as cystectomy during later years (HRs 2.5–3.1) were all independently associated with increased risk of MIH.

Conclusions

The cumulative incidence of MIH was 8% three years postoperatively, and increase over time. Avoiding postoperative wound dehiscence after midline closure is important to decrease the risk of MIH.

Investigating the effect of social networking site use on mental health in an 18-34 year-old general population; a cross-sectional study using the 2016 Scania Public Health Survey

BACKGROUND

Social Networking Sites (SNS) are commonly used, especially by young adults. Their impact on mental health is unclear. Moreover, little is known about how social factors, e.g. Perceived Emotional Support (PES), may affect this association. Mental health issues are increasingly burdening the young generation and society as a whole. This study aims to investigate the association between frequency of SNS use and number of SNS contacts with the mental health of a young, Swedish population. Additionally, the potential effect modification of PES will be analysed in regard to these relationships.

METHOD

This cross-sectional study applied logistic regression analyses to data on 1341 participants (aged 18-34), retrieved from the Scania Public Health Survey (2016). Analyses were stratified by gender and the GHQ-12 scale assessed poor mental health. A 2-way interaction model was used to test for effect modification by PES regarding the association between SNS use and mental health.

RESULTS

Increased risk for poor mental health was found in women only. Using SNS almost hourly vs. less often resulted in an odds ratio (OR) of 1.66 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.16-2.38). The corresponding figures for having ≥600 contacts vs. ≤599 were (1.89; 1.21-2.97). Having low PES and using SNS almost hourly was associated with an OR of 3.12 (CI = 1.69-5.76; synergy index (SI) = 1.25). Low PES and ≥ 600 contacts resulted in an OR of 6.07 (CI = 1.73-21.33), whereby interaction was detected (SI = 2.88).

CONCLUSION

Women, but not men, with frequent SNS use and a high number of SNS contacts were more likely to have poor mental health, which was exacerbated in women with low PES. Facilitating PES could be an approach for improving mental health among young adults. Future studies on the use of SNS should focus more on gender analyses.

Hemopexin and α1-microglobulin heme scavengers with differential involvement in preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction

Hemopexin and α1-microglobulin act as scavengers to eliminate free heme-groups responsible for hemoglobin-induced oxidative stress. The present study evaluated maternal and fetal plasma concentrations of these scavengers in the different phenotypes of placenta-mediated disorders. Singleton pregnancies with normotensive fetal growth restriction [FGR] (n = 47), preeclampsia without FGR (n = 45) and preeclampsia with FGR (n = 51) were included prospectively as well as uncomplicated pregnancies (n = 49). Samples were collected at delivery and ELISA analysis was applied to measure the hemopexin and α1-microglobulin concentrations. In maternal blood in preeclampsia with and without FGR, hemopexin was significantly lower (p = 0.003 and p<0.001, respectively) and α1-microglobulin was significantly higher (p<0.001 in both) whereas no difference existed in normotensive FGR mothers compared to controls. In contrast, in fetal blood in growth restricted fetuses with and without preeclampsia, both hemopexin and α1-microglobulin were significantly lower (p<0.001 and p = 0.001 for hemopexin, p = 0.016 and p = 0.013 for α1-microglobulin, respectively) with no difference in fetuses from preeclampsia without FGR in comparison to controls. Thus, hemopexin and α1-microglobulin present significantly altered concentrations in maternal blood in the maternal disease -preeclampsia- and in cord blood in the fetal disease -FGR-, which supports their differential role in placenta-mediated disorders in accordance with the clinical presentation of these disorders.

Occurrence of cold sensitivity in carpal tunnel syndrome and its effects on surgical outcome following open carpal tunnel release

Cold sensitivity is common following nerve injuries in the upper extremity, but is less well studied in carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). We investigated cold sensitivity in CTS and its effects on surgical outcome. A search of the Swedish National Registry for Hand Surgery (HAKIR) for open carpal tunnel releases (OCTR) from 2010-2016 identified 10,746 cases. Symptom severity questionnaires (HQ-8; HAKIR questionnaire 8, eight Likert-scale items scored 0-100, one item on cold sensitivity) and QuickDASH scores before and after surgery were collected. Patient mean age was 56 ± SD 16 years, and 7,150/10,746 (67%) were women. Patients with severe cold sensitivity (defined as cold intolerance symptom severity score > 70; n = 951), scored significantly higher on QuickDASH at all time points compared to those with mild cold sensitivity (cold intolerance symptom severity scores ≤ 30, n = 1,532); preoperatively 64 [50-75] vs. 40 [25-55], at three months 32 [14-52] vs. 18 [9-32] and at 12 months 25 [7-50] vs. 9 [2-23]; all p < 0.0001. Severe cold sensitivity predicted higher postoperative QuickDASH scores at three [12.9 points (95% CI 10.2-15.6; p < 0.0001)] and at 12 months [14.8 points (11.3-18.4; p < 0.0001)] compared to mild cold sensitivity, and adjustment for a concomitant condition in the hand/arm, including ulnar nerve compression, did not influence the results. Cold sensitivity improves after OCTR. A higher preoperative degree of cold sensitivity is associated with more preoperative and postoperative disability and symptoms than a lower degree of cold sensitivity, but with the same improvement in QuickDASH score.

Synergistic platelet inhibition between Omega-3 and acetylsalicylic acid dose titration; an observational study

BACKGROUND

Omega-3 and acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) are two widely used "over-the-counter" drugs. Previous research has shown multiple electrode aggregometry (MEA) can detect ASA and varying Omega-3 platelet inhibiting effects. Synergistic platelet inhibiting effects of ASA and Omega-3 have been found using other methods than MEA. The aim of this study was to investigate the antiplatelet effects of Omega-3, and ASA synergism with MEA.

METHODS

Ten healthy male volunteers ingested Omega-3 (1260 mg/day) for 5 days. MEA was used to analyse platelet function before and after Omega-3 intake. Aggregation was initiated using three different agonists and measured as area under the curve (AUC): adenosine diphosphate (ADP), thrombin receptor activating peptide (TRAP) and arachidonic acid (ASPI). Two concentrations of ASA were dose titrated ex vivo to 2 out of 3 ASPI test cells in order to measure synergism between Omega-3 and ASA.

RESULTS

Following 5 days Omega-3 intake, ADP, TRAP and ASPI AUC did not change significantly. In vitro ASA before Omega-3 intake, reduced ASPI AUC < 30 U, indicating a strong platelet inhibiting effect. Below this AUC level, the 5 days Omega-3 intake increased ASPI-AUC with the ex vivo added low dose ASA (P = 0.02) and high dose ASA (P = 0.04).

CONCLUSIONS

No synergism between ASA and Omega-3 was found using the MEA ASPI test. The surprising increase in ASPI-AUC following Omega-3 intake and ex vivo ASA suggest that there are methodological issuses with the MEA ASPI test.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Trial registration ISRCTN78027929 . Registered 19 May 2015.

Autoantibody and Cytokine Profiles during Treatment with Belimumab in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

We investigated whether belimumab treatment impacts on levels of autoantibodies and cytokines of interest in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Longitudinally collected serum samples from 78 belimumab-treated Swedish SLE patients were analysed. Serum cytokine levels were determined using Luminex xMAP technology, and nuclear antigen autoantibody specificities using addressable laser bead immunoassay. In patients with detectable levels at baseline, interferon (IFN)-α2 levels were lower at month 6 (median; interquartile range (IQR): 8.9; 1.5-54.9 pg/mL) versus baseline (28.4; 20.9-100.3 pg/mL; p = 0.043). Interleukin (IL)-6 (baseline: 7.1; 2.9-16.1 pg/mL) decreased from month 6 (0.5; 0.5-6.3 pg/mL; p = 0.018) and throughout a 24 month follow-up. IL-10 (baseline: 12.6; 2.8-29.7 pg/mL) showed more rapid decreases from month 3 (1.8; 0.6-9.1 pg/mL; p = 0.003). Levels of anti-dsDNA (p < 0.001), anti-Smith antigen (Sm) (p = 0.002), anti-U1 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein (U1RNP) (p < 0.001), anti-Sm-U1RNP complex (p = 0.028), and anti-ribosomal P (p = 0.012) antibodies decreased from month 3 and remained decreased. Anti-Sm positivity at baseline was associated with higher probability and/or shorter time to achieve sustained SLE responder index-4 response (hazard ratio (HR): 2.52; 95% CI: 1.20-5.29; p = 0.015), independently of other factors. Decline of IL-6 levels through month 3 was greater in responders. In summary, belimumab treatment lowered IFN-α2, IL-6, and IL-10 levels, as well as levels of multiple autoantibodies, however after different time spans. Notably, anti-Sm positivity and early decline in IL-6 levels were associated with favorable treatment outcome.

Glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide and risk of cardiovascular events and mortality: a prospective study

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

Evidence that glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide (GIP) and/or the GIP receptor (GIPR) are involved in cardiovascular biology is emerging. We hypothesised that GIP has untoward effects on cardiovascular biology, in contrast to glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), and therefore investigated the effects of GIP and GLP-1 concentrations on cardiovascular disease (CVD) and mortality risk.

METHODS

GIP concentrations were successfully measured during OGTTs in two independent populations (Malmö Diet Cancer-Cardiovascular Cohort [MDC-CC] and Prevalence, Prediction and Prevention of Diabetes in Botnia [PPP-Botnia]) in a total of 8044 subjects. GLP-1 (n = 3625) was measured in MDC-CC. The incidence of CVD and mortality was assessed via national/regional registers or questionnaires. Further, a two-sample Mendelian randomisation (2SMR) analysis between the GIP pathway and outcomes (coronary artery disease [CAD] and myocardial infarction) was carried out using a GIP-associated genetic variant, rs1800437, as instrumental variable. An additional reverse 2SMR was performed with CAD as exposure variable and GIP as outcome variable, with the instrumental variables constructed from 114 known genetic risk variants for CAD.

RESULTS

In meta-analyses, higher fasting levels of GIP were associated with risk of higher total mortality (HR[95% CI] = 1.22 [1.11, 1.35]; p = 4.5 × 10^-5) and death from CVD (HR[95% CI] 1.30 [1.11, 1.52]; p = 0.001). In accordance, 2SMR analysis revealed that increasing GIP concentrations were associated with CAD and myocardial infarction, and an additional reverse 2SMR revealed no significant effect of CAD on GIP levels, thus confirming a possible effect solely of GIP on CAD.

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

In two prospective, community-based studies, elevated levels of GIP were associated with greater risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality within 5-9 years of follow-up, whereas GLP-1 levels were not associated with excess risk. Further studies are warranted to determine the cardiovascular effects of GIP per se.

Chemotherapy, host response and molecular dynamics in periampullary cancer: the CHAMP study

BACKGROUND

Pancreatic cancer is a devastating disease with a dismal prognosis. Despite profound medical advances in systemic therapies for other types of aggressive tumours during recent years, a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer is still often synonymous with a fatal outcome. The term periampullary cancer includes pancreatic cancer and applies to the group of tumours found in proximity to the ampulla of Vater. Molecular events and immune response in the host during chemotherapy remain largely unexplored in this group of tumours. Therefore, the "Chemotherapy, Host Response and Molecular Dynamics in Periampullary Cancer (CHAMP)" study aims to monitor these processes to gain new insight into this perplexing disease.

METHODS

The CHAMP study is a prospective, single-arm observational study. All patients diagnosed with pancreatic or other periampullary adenocarcinoma undergoing adjuvant or palliative chemotherapy treatment in the Department of Oncology, Skåne University Hospital, are invited to participate. Clinical and pathological data will be compiled at study entry. A single tissue microarray (TMA) block is constructed for each patient with a resected tumour and blood samples are drawn before, during and after chemotherapy in order to sample peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), cytokines and circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA). Next generation sequencing will be performed on tumour tissue and ctDNA to detect changes in the clonal landscape over space and time.

DISCUSSION

Despite the recent emergence of some promising biomarkers for periampullary cancer, there has been a lack of success in clinical implementation. Cancer cells continuously adapt and become resistant to treatment during chemotherapy. To be able to keep pace with and hopefully overtake this rapid evolution we must, with the help of new diagnostic tools, be ready to adapt and alter treatment accordingly. It seems to us that the only way forward is to gain a better understanding of the dynamics of the disease during treatment. With insights gained from the CHAMP study we hope to find answers to key questions in this largely unexplored territory.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

This study has been registered 30th October 2018 at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03724994.

Persistent whole day meal effects of three dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors on glycaemia and hormonal responses in metformin-treated type 2 diabetes

AIM

Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibition has effects on both fasting and postprandial glucose. However, the extent of this effect over the whole day and whether different DPP-4 inhibitors have the same effects have not been established. We therefore explored the whole day effects of three different DPP-4 inhibitors versus placebo on glucose, islet and incretin hormones after ingestion of breakfast, lunch and dinner in subjects with metformin-treated and well-controlled type 2 diabetes.

METHODS

The study was single-centre and crossover designed, involving 24 subjects [12 men, 12 women, mean age 63 years, body mass index 31.0 kg/m² , glycated haemoglobin 44.7 mmol/mol (6.2%)], who underwent four test days in random order. Each whole day test included ingestion of standardized breakfast (525 kcal), lunch (780 kcal) and dinner (560 kcal) after intake of sitagliptin (100 mg) or vildagliptin (50 mg twice), or saxagliptin (5 mg) or placebo.

RESULTS

Compared with placebo, DPP-4 inhibition reduced glucose levels, increased beta-cell function (insulin secretory rate in relation to glucose), suppressed glucagon, increased intact glucagon-like-peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) but suppressed total GLP-1 and GIP after all three meals. The effects were sustained throughout the daytime period with similar changes after each meal and did not differ between the DPP-4 inhibitors.

CONCLUSIONS

DPP-4 inhibition has persistent daytime effects on glucose, islet and incretin hormones with no difference between three different DPP-4 inhibitors.

Re-evaluation of HER2 status in 606 breast cancers-gene protein assay on tissue microarrays versus routine pathological assessment

Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) status in breast cancer is routinely determined through immunohistochemistry (IHC) and/or in situ hybridisation (ISH) performed on whole tissue sections (WS). The purpose was to evaluate whether a gene protein assay (GPA) combining IHC with ISH, performed on breast cancer tissue microarray (TMA), is suitable for large-scale retrospective HER2 status evaluation. TMAs from 606 tumours from a Swedish population-based cohort (2005-2012) were stained with GPA. GPA IHC on TMA yielded weaker staining than IHC on WS during routine pathological assessment (86.0% agreement). However, final HER2 status agreement between GPA on TMA and WS based on both IHC and ISH was 97.7%. Only 14 tumours were discordant and one tumour with IHC score 1+ on both TMA and WS was HER2 amplified on TMA. In conclusion, GPA on TMA is suitable for large-scale retrospective evaluation of HER2 status.

Abatacept in rheumatoid arthritis: survival on drug, clinical outcomes, and their predictors-data from a large national quality register

BACKGROUND

There are limited data regarding efficacy of abatacept treatment for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) outside clinical trials. Quality registers have been useful for observational studies on tumor necrosis factor inhibition in clinical practice. The aim of this study was to investigate clinical efficacy and tolerability of abatacept in RA, using a national register.

METHODS

RA patients that started abatacept between 2006 and 2017 and were included in the Swedish Rheumatology Quality register (N = 2716) were investigated. Survival on drug was estimated using Kaplan-Meier analysis. The European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) good response and Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) response (improvement of ≥ 0.3) rates (LUNDEX corrected for drug survival) at 6 and at 12 months were assessed. Predictors of discontinuation were investigated by Cox regression analyses, and predictors of clinical response by logistic regression. Significance-based backward stepwise selection of variables was used for the final multivariate models.

RESULTS

There was a significant difference in drug survival by previous biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (bDMARD) exposure (p < 0.001), with longer survival in bionaïve patients. Men (hazard ratio (HR) 0.86, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.74-0.98) and methotrexate users (HR 0.85, 95% CI 0.76-0.95) were less likely to discontinue abatacept, whereas a high pain score predicted discontinuation (HR 1.14 per standard deviation, 95% CI 1.07-1.20). The absence of previous bDMARD exposure, male sex, and a low HAQ score were independently associated with LUNDEX-corrected EULAR good response. The absence of previous bDMARD exposure also predicted LUNDEX-corrected HAQ response.

CONCLUSIONS

In this population-based study of RA, bDMARD naïve patients and male patients were more likely to remain on abatacept with a major clinical response.

Quality of life of older persons in nursing homes after the implementation of a knowledge-based palliative care intervention

BACKGROUND

The goals of palliative care are to relieve suffering and promote quality of life. Palliative care for older persons has been less prioritised than palliative care for younger people with cancer, which may lead to unnecessary suffering and decreased quality of life at the final stage of life.

AIM

To evaluate whether a palliative care intervention had any influence on the perceived quality of life of older persons (≥65 years).

METHODS

This study was conducted as a complex intervention performed with an experimental crossover design. The intervention was implemented in 20 nursing homes, with a six-month intervention period in each nursing home. Twenty-three older persons (≥65 years) in the intervention group and 29 in the control group were interviewed using the WHOQOL-BREF and WHOQOL-OLD questionnaires at both baseline and follow-up. The collected data were analysed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test to compare paired data between baseline and follow-up.

RESULTS

In the intervention group, no statistically significant increases in quality of life were found. This result contrasted with the control group, which revealed statistically significant declines in quality of life at both the dimension and item levels. Accordingly, this study showed a trend of decreased health after nine months in both the intervention and control groups.

CONCLUSION

It is reasonable to believe that quality of life decreases with age as part of the natural course of the ageing process. However, it seems that the palliative care approach of the intervention prevented unnecessary quality of life decline by supporting sensory abilities, autonomy and social participation among older persons in nursing homes. From the ageing perspective, it may not be realistic to strive for an increased quality of life in older people living in nursing homes; maybe the goal should be to delay or prevent reduced quality of life. Based on this perspective, the intervention prevented decline in quality of life in nursing home residents.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

The high number of deaths shows the importance to identify palliative care needs in older persons at an early stage to prevent or delay deterioration of quality of life.

Quantification of blood flow in the fetus with cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging using Doppler ultrasound gating: validation against metric optimized gating

INTRODUCTION

Fetal cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging is used clinically and for research, but has been previously limited due to lack of direct gating methods. A CMR-compatible Doppler ultrasound (DUS) gating device has resolved this. However, the DUS-gating method is not validated against the current reference method for fetal phase-contrast blood flow measurements, metric optimized gating (MOG). Further, we investigated how different methods for vessel delineation affect flow volumes and observer variability in fetal flow acquisitions.

AIMS

To 1) validate DUS gating versus MOG for quantifying fetal blood flow; 2) assess repeatability of DUS gating; 3) assess impact of region of interest (ROI) size on flow volume; and 4) compare time-resolved and static delineations for flow volume and observer variability.

METHODS

Phase-contrast CMR was acquired in the fetal descending aorta (DAo) and umbilical vein by DUS gating and MOG in 22 women with singleton pregnancy in gestational week 360 (265-400) with repeated scans in six fetuses. Impact of ROI size on measured flow was assessed for ROI:s 50-150% of the vessel diameter. Four observers from two centers provided time-resolved and static delineations. Bland-Altman analysis was used to determine agreement between both observers and methods.

RESULTS

DAo flow was 726 (348-1130) ml/min and umbilical vein flow 366 (150-782) ml/min by DUS gating. Bias±SD for DUS-gating versus MOG were - 45 ± 122 ml/min (-6 ± 15%) for DAo and 19 ± 136 ml/min (2 ± 24%) for umbilical vein flow. Repeated flow measurements in the same fetus showed similar volumes (median CoV = 11% (DAo) and 23% (umbilical vein)). Region of interest 50-150% of vessel diameter yielded flow 35-120%. Bias±SD for time-resolved versus static DUS-gated flow was 33 ± 39 ml/min (4 ± 6%) for DAo and 11 ± 84 ml/min (2 ± 15%) for umbilical vein flow.

CONCLUSIONS

Quantification of blood flow in the fetal DAo and umbilical vein using DUS-gated phase-contrast CMR is feasible and agrees with the current reference method. Repeatability was generally high for CMR fetal blood flow assessment. An ROI similar to the vessel area or slightly larger is recommended. A static ROI is sufficient for fetal flow quantification using currently available CMR sequences.

Cystatin C and creatinine-based eGFR levels and their correlation to long-term morbidity and mortality in older adults

BACKGROUND

The prevailing diagnostic criteria for CKD are age-independent, but have been challenged in light of the eGFR decline associated with normal aging. The stages of CKD communicate magnitude of risk of ESRD, cardiovascular morbidity, and mortality.

AIMS

This study aims to provide more insight into the morbidity and mortality associated with eGFR levels corresponding to the current CKD stages in older adults.

METHODS

The 2931 older adults in the Good Aging in Skåne study were randomized from the general population. The exposure variable used was eGFR level (CKD-EPI based on creatinine and cystatin C) with eGFR 60-89 mL/min/1.73 m2 as a reference; the outcomes were mortality, acute cardiovascular disease, congestive heart failure, and rapid kidney function decline (RKFD; defined as a decline in eGFR by 3 mL/min/1.73 m2 per year or more).

RESULTS

The mean age at baseline was 73 (SD 11) and mean follow-up time 11 (SD 5) years. Mortality was higher at lower eGFR levels with adjusted HR (95% CI) being 1.58 (1.34-1.88), 1.22 (1.05-1.41), 1 (reference), and 0.90 (0.67-1.21) for eGFR < 45, 45-59, 60-89 and ≥ 90 mL/min/1.73 m2, respectively. For acute CVD the adjusted HR (95% CI) were 1.23 (0.81-1.87), 1.21 (0.87-1.69), 1 (reference), and 0.53 (0.28-1.00) for the same eGFR levels.

CONCLUSIONS

This study confirms that mortality in older adults increases with decreasing eGFR at eGFR levels below today's threshold for CKD. The correlation was less certain for lower eGFR and incident cardiovascular disease.

The rate and perioperative mortality of caesarean section in Sierra Leone

Introduction

Sierra Leone has the world’s highest maternal mortality, partly due to low access to caesarean section. Limited data are available to guide improvement. In this study, we aimed to analyse the rate and mortality of caesarean sections in the country.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective study of all caesarean sections and all reported in-facility maternal deaths in Sierra Leone in 2016. All facilities performing caesarean sections were visited. Data on in-facility maternal deaths were retrieved from the Maternal Death Surveillance and Response database. Caesarean section mortality was defined as in-facility perioperative mortality.

Results

In 2016, there were 7357 caesarean sections in Sierra Leone. This yields a population rate of 2.9% of all live births, a 35% increase from 2012, with district rates ranging from 0.4% to 5.2%. The most common indications for surgery were obstructed labour (42%), hypertensive disorders (25%) and haemorrhage (22%). Ninety-nine deaths occurred during or after caesarean section, and the in-facility perioperative caesarean section mortality rate was 1.5% (median 0.7%, IQR 0–2.2). Haemorrhage was the leading cause of death (73%), and of those who died during or after surgery, 80% had general anaesthesia, 75% received blood transfusion and 22% had a uterine rupture diagnosed.

Conclusions

The caesarean section rate has increased rapidly in Sierra Leone, but the distribution remains uneven. Caesarean section mortality is high, but there is wide variation. More access to caesarean sections for maternal and neonatal complications is needed in underserved areas, and expansion should be coupled with efforts to limit late presentation, to offer assisted vaginal delivery when indicated and to ensure optimal perioperative care.

Fimbriae reprogram host gene expression - Divergent effects of P and type 1 fimbriae

Pathogens rely on a complex virulence gene repertoire to successfully attack their hosts. We were therefore surprised to find that a single fimbrial gene reconstitution can return the virulence-attenuated commensal strain Escherichia coli 83972 to virulence, defined by a disease phenotype in human hosts. E. coli 83972pap stably reprogrammed host gene expression, by activating an acute pyelonephritis-associated, IRF7-dependent gene network. The PapG protein was internalized by human kidney cells and served as a transcriptional agonist of IRF-7, IFN-β and MYC, suggesting direct involvement of the fimbrial adhesin in this process. IRF-7 was further identified as a potent upstream regulator (-log (p-value) = 61), consistent with the effects in inoculated patients. In contrast, E. coli 83972fim transiently attenuated overall gene expression in human hosts, enhancing the effects of E. coli 83972. The inhibition of RNA processing and ribosomal assembly indicated a homeostatic rather than a pathogenic end-point. In parallel, the expression of specific ion channels and neuropeptide gene networks was transiently enhanced, in a FimH-dependent manner. The studies were performed to establish protective asymptomatic bacteriuria in human hosts and the reconstituted E. coli 83972 variants were developed to improve bacterial fitness for the human urinary tract. Unexpectedly, P fimbriae were able to drive a disease response, suggesting that like oncogene addiction in cancer, pathogens may be addicted to single super-virulence factors.

Urinary tract infections affect millions of individuals annually, and many patients suffer from recurring infections several times a year. Antibiotic resistance is increasing rapidly and new strategies are needed to treat even these common bacterial infections. One approach is to use the protective power of asymptomatic bacterial carriage, which has been shown to protect the host against symptomatic urinary tract infection. Instilling “nice” bacteria in the urinary bladder is therefore a promising alternative approach to antibiotic therapy. In an effort to increase the therapeutic use of asymptomatic bacteriuria, we reintroduced bacterial adhesion molecules into the therapeutic Escherichia coli strain 83972 and inoculated patients who are in need of alternative therapy. To our great surprise, the P fimbriated variant caused symptoms, despite lacking other virulence factors commonly thought to be necessary to cause disease. In contrast, type 1 fimbriae, did not provoke symptoms but enhanced the beneficial properties of the wild-type strain. This is explained by a divergent effect of these fimbrial types on host gene expression, where P fimbriae activate the IRF-7 transcription factor that regulates pathology in infected kidneys, suggesting that a single, potent virulence gene may be sufficient to create virulence in human hosts.

Evaluation of person-centeredness in nursing homes after a palliative care intervention: pre- and post-test experimental design

BACKGROUND

The needs of care based on palliative principles are stressed for all people with progressive and/or life-limiting conditions, regardless of age and the place in which care is provided. Person-centred palliative care strives to make the whole person visible and prioritizes the satisfaction of spiritual, existential, social, and psychological needs to the same extent as physical needs. However, person-centred palliative care for older persons in nursing homes seems to be sparse, possibly because staff in nursing homes do not have sufficient knowledge, skills, and training in managing symptoms and other aspects of palliative care.

METHODS

This study aimed to evaluate whether an educational intervention had any effect on the staff's perception of providing person-centred palliative care for older persons in nursing homes.

METHODS

A knowledge-based palliative care intervention consisting of five 2-h seminars during a 6-month period was implemented at 20 nursing homes in Sweden. In total, 365 staff members were participated, 167 in the intervention group and 198 in the control group. Data were collected using two questionnaires, the Person-centred Care Assessment Tool (P-CAT) and the Person-Centred Climate Questionnaire (PCQ-S), answered before (baseline) and 3 months after (follow-up) the educational intervention was completed. Descriptive, comparative, and univariate logistical regression analyses were performed.

RESULTS

Both the intervention group and the control group revealed high median scores in all subscales at baseline, except for the subscale amount of organizational and environmental support in the P-CAT. The staff's high rating level of person-centred care before the intervention provides limited space for further improvements at follow-up.

CONCLUSION

This study shows that staff perceived that managers' and the organization's amount of support to them in their everyday work was the only area for improvement in order to maintain person-centred care. The experiences among staff are crucial knowledge in understanding how palliative care can be made person-centred in spite of often limited resources in nursing homes. The dose and intensity of education activities of the intervention model need to be tested in future research to develop the most effective implementation model.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

NCT02708498 . Date of registration 26 February 2016.

Scrutinizing the cut-off for "pathological" meniscal body extrusion on knee MRI

OBJECTIVES

Medial meniscal body extrusion ≥ 3 mm on MRI is often considered "pathologic." The aims of this study were to (1) assess the adequacy of 3 mm as cut-off for "pathological" extrusion and (2) find an optimal cut-off for meniscal extrusion cross-sectionally associated with radiographic knee osteoarthritis, bone marrow lesions (BMLs), and cartilage damage.

METHODS

Nine hundred fifty-eight persons, aged 50-90 years from Framingham, MA, USA, had readable 1.5 T MRI scans of the right knee for meniscal body extrusion (measured in mm). BMLs and cartilage damage were read using the whole organ magnetic resonance imaging score (WORMS). Knee X-rays were read according to the Kellgren and Lawrence (KL) scale. We evaluated the performance of the 3-mm cut-off with respect to the three outcomes and estimated a new cut-off maximizing the sum of sensitivity and specificity.

RESULTS

The study persons had mean age of 62.2 years, 57.0% were women and the mean body mass index was 28.5 kg/m2. Knees with radiographic osteoarthritis, BMLs, and cartilage damage had overall more meniscal extrusion than knees without. The 3-mm cut-off had moderate sensitivity and low specificity for all three outcomes (sensitivity between 0.68 [95% CI 0.63-0.73] and 0.81 [0.73-0.87], specificity between 0.49 [0.45-0.52] and 0.54 [0.49-0.58]). Using 4 mm maximized the sum of sensitivity and specificity and improved the percentage of correctly classified subjects (from between 54 and 61% to between 64 and 79%).

CONCLUSIONS

The 4-mm cut-off may be used as an alternative cut-off for denoting pathological meniscal extrusion.

KEY POINTS

• Medial meniscal body extrusion is strongly associated with osteoarthritis. • The 3-mm cut-off for medial meniscal body extrusion has high sensitivity but low specificity with respect to bone marrow lesions, cartilage damage, and radiographic osteoarthritis. • The 4-mm cut-off maximizes the sensitivity and specificity with respect to all three osteoarthritis features.

Prevalence of diabetes and presence of autoantibodies against zinc transporter 8 and glutamic decarboxylase at diagnosis and at follow up of Graves' disease

PURPOSE

The aim of this work was to investigate, in patients with newly diagnosed Graves' disease (GD), the frequency of islet autoantibodies including autoantibodies against Zink transporter 8 (ZnT8A), as well as to investigate the relation between thyroid autoantibodies, islet autoantibodies and diabetes both before GD diagnosis and at follow-up.

METHODS

Blood samples from 278 patients with newly diagnosed GD were analyzed for autoantibodies against glutamic acid decarboxylase (GADA), insulinoma-associated protein-2 (IA2-A), three variants of zinc transporter 8 (ZnT8A), thyroid peroxidase (TPOA) and the TSH receptor (TRAb). Information on other autoimmune diseases, as well as development of diabetes during follow up was gathered from patient's medical journal.

RESULTS

At GD diagnosis, 13.7% were positive for islet autoantibodies, with the majority being positive for GADA (8.7%) and ZnT8A (7.6%). TPOA were found positive in 71% and TRAb in 83%. No association was found between islet autoantibodies and thyroid autoantibodies or diabetes diagnosis during follow up. Positive association was found between islet autoantibodies and all forms of diabetes, diagnosed both before and after GD (OR: 2.5, CI: 1.1-6.8, p = 0.03) but not to other autoimmune diseases at GD diagnosis.

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of GADA and ZnT8A in patients with GD is high and might indicate wide range endocrine autoimmunity, as well as risk for non-autoimmune diabetes rather than exclusively mark beta cell autoimmunity and type 1 diabetes.

Matrix Metalloproteinases in COPD and atherosclerosis with emphasis on the effects of smoking

Background

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMP´s) are known biomarkers of atherosclerosis. MMP´s are also involved in the pathophysiological processes underlying chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Cigarette smoking plays an important role in both disease states and is also known to affect the concentration and activity of MMP´s systemically. Unfortunately, the epidemiological data concerning the value of MMP´s as biomarkers of COPD and atherosclerosis with special regards to smoking habits are limited.

Methods

450 middle-aged subjects with records of smoking habits and tobacco consumption were examined with comprehensive spirometry, carotid ultrasound examination and biomarker analysis of MMP-1, -3, -7, -10 and -12. Due to missing data 33 subjects were excluded.

Results

The remaining 417 participants were divided into 4 different groups. Group I (n = 157, no plaque and no COPD), group II (n = 136, plaque but no COPD), group III (n = 43, COPD but no plaque) and group IV (n = 81, plaque and COPD). Serum levels of MMP-1,-7,-10-12 were significantly influenced by smoking, and MMP-1, -3, -7 and-12 were elevated in subjects with COPD and carotid plaque. This remained statistically significant for MMP-1 and-12 after adjusting for traditional risk factors.

Conclusion

COPD and concomitant plaque in the carotid artery were associated with elevated levels of MMP-1 and -MMP-12 even when adjusting for risk factors. Further studies are needed to elucidate if these two MMP´s could be useful as biomarkers in a clinical setting. Smoking was associated with increased serum levels of MMP´s (except for MMP-3) and should be taken into account when interpreting serum MMP results.

Understanding the complexity of socioeconomic disparities in type 2 diabetes risk: a study of 4.3 million people in Sweden

OBJECTIVE

Investigating demographic and socioeconomic factors as intersecting rather than as separate dimensions may improve our understanding of the heterogeneous distribution of type 2 diabetes in the population. However, this complexity has scarcely been investigated and we still do not know the accuracy of these factors for predicting type 2 diabetes. Improved understanding of the demographic and socioeconomic disparities predicting type 2 diabetes risk in the population would contribute to more precise and effective public health interventions.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We analyzed the risk of type 2 diabetes among 4 334 030 individuals aged 40-84 years who by 2010 had resided in Sweden for at least 5 years. We stratified the study population into 120 strata defined by categories of age, gender, income, education, and immigration status. We calculated measures of absolute risk (prevalence) and relative risk (prevalence ratio), and quantified the discriminatory accuracy of the information for predicting type 2 diabetes in the population.

RESULTS

The distribution of type 2 diabetes risk in the population was highly heterogeneous. For instance, immigrated men aged 70-79 years with low educational achievement and low income had a risk around 32 times higher than native women aged 40-49 years with high income and high educational achievement (ie, 17.6% vs 0.5%). The discriminatory accuracy of the information was acceptable.

CONCLUSION

A more detailed, intersectional mapping of socioeconomic and demographic distribution of type 2 diabetes can assist in public health management aiming to reduce the prevalence of the disease.

Relative survival following hemi-and total hip arthroplasty for hip fractures in Sweden

BACKGROUND

Hip fractures are a common problem in the ageing population. Hip arthroplasty is the common treatment option for displaced intracapsular neck of femur fractures. Even though hip replacements are successful in restoring mobility, reducing pain and diminishing loss of health-related quality of life, the potential impact of a hip fracture on life expectancy as well as the postoperative mortality need consideration. The purpose of this study was to describe the mid-term relative survival rate for a cohort of Swedish patients whom underwent total- or hemiarthroplasty surgery following hip fracture. We also explored whether the survival rate is prosthesis-type specific and influenced by comorbidities, sex, socioeconomic and surgical factors.

METHODS

Using prospectively collected information of the Swedish Hip Arthroplasty Register-linked database we identified 43,891 patients operated between 2005 and 2012. Patient- and surgery-specific data in combination with socio-economic data were available for this analysis. We studied relative survival rate and used multivariable modelling with Cox Proportional Hazards Model in Transformed Time.

RESULTS

Compared to the Swedish general population the baseline excess hazard was very high in the first half year after the operation, thereafter the excess hazard decreased but remained non-negligible through the 8 years' follow-up period. The mortality rate of males was higher compared to women. Higher Elixhauser comorbidity index (ECI) was associated with worsening survival. However, patients who had ECI = 0 had higher mortality than patients with ECI =1 the first 420 days post fracture. Patients with a hemiarthroplasty had a worse survival than patients with a total hip arthroplasty. Of the hospital types considered university hospitals had lower survival rate. Younger patients had a greater loss of expected life span than patients who suffer hip fracture in their more advanced ages.

CONCLUSIONS

Swedish hip fracture patients who undergo arthroplasty surgery had a high excess hazard of dying in the first half year following surgery, and this excess hazard never subsided to negligible levels at least up to 8 years after surgery. Interestingly having no prior record of illnesses worsened the initial mortality. Men living alone had the highest long-term excess mortality.

Transcutaneous oxygen pressure as a predictor for short-term survival in patients with type 2 diabetes and foot ulcers: a comparison with ankle-brachial index and toe blood pressure

AIMS

Ankle-brachial index (ABI) is the most commonly used test when diagnosing peripheral vascular disease and is considered a marker for cardiovascular risk. Transcutaneous oxygen pressure (TcPO₂), a test associated with microvascular function, has in several studies shown better correlation with diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) healing. Whether a low TcPO₂ could be a marker for mortality in the high-risk population of DFU patients has not been evaluated before. The aim of this study was to evaluate the predictive value of TcPO₂ in comparison with ABI and toe blood pressure (TBP) on 1-year mortality in type 2 diabetes patients with DFU.

METHODS

Type 2 diabetes patients aged ≤ 90 years, with one DFU who attended our multidisciplinary DFU-unit during year 2013-2015 and were screened with TcPO₂, ABI and TBP were retrospectively evaluated. One-year mortality was assessed from the national death register in Sweden.

RESULTS

A total of 236 patients (30% women) with a median age of 76 (69-82) years were evaluated in this study. Within 1 year, 14.8% of the patients died. TcPO₂ < 25 mmHg was associated with a higher 1-year mortality compared with TcPO₂ ≥ 25 mmHg (27.7 vs. 11.6%, p = 0.003). TBP and ABI did not significantly influence 1-year mortality. In a Cox regression analysis adjusted for confounders, TcPO₂ was independently predicting 1-year mortality with a hazard ratio for TcPO₂ < 25 mmHg of 2.8 (95% CI 1.34-5.91, p = 0.006).

CONCLUSIONS

This study indicates that a low TcPO₂ is an independent prognostic marker for 1-year mortality among patients with type 2 diabetes and DFU.

Comprehensive proteome analysis of nasal lavage samples after controlled exposure to welding nanoparticles shows an induced acute phase and a nuclear receptor, LXR/RXR, activation that influence the status of the extracellular matrix

BACKGROUND

Epidemiological studies have shown that many welders experience respiratory symptoms. During the welding process a large number of airborne nanosized particles are generated, which might be inhaled and deposited in the respiratory tract. Knowledge of the underlying mechanisms behind observed symptoms is still partly lacking, although inflammation is suggested to play a central role. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of welding fume particle exposure on the proteome expression level in welders suffering from respiratory symptoms, and changes in protein mediators in nasal lavage samples were analyzed. Such mediators will be helpful to clarify the pathomechanisms behind welding fume particle-induced effects.

METHODS

In an exposure chamber, 11 welders with work-related symptoms in the lower airways during the last month were exposed to mild-steel welding fume particles (1 mg/m3) and to filtered air, respectively, in a double-blind manner. Nasal lavage samples were collected before, immediately after, and the day after exposure. The proteins in the nasal lavage were analyzed with two different mass spectrometry approaches, label-free discovery shotgun LC-MS/MS and a targeted selected reaction monitoring LC-MS/MS analyzing 130 proteins and four in vivo peptide degradation products.

RESULTS

The analysis revealed 30 significantly changed proteins that were associated with two main pathways; activation of acute phase response signaling and activation of LXR/RXR, which is a nuclear receptor family involved in lipid signaling. Connective tissue proteins and proteins controlling the degradation of such tissues, including two different matrix metalloprotease proteins, MMP8 and MMP9, were among the significantly changed enzymes and were identified as important key players in the pathways.

CONCLUSION

Exposure to mild-steel welding fume particles causes measurable changes on the proteome level in nasal lavage matrix in exposed welders, although no clinical symptoms were manifested. The results suggested that the exposure causes an immediate effect on the proteome level involving acute phase proteins and mediators regulating lipid signaling. Proteases involved in maintaining the balance between the formation and degradation of extracellular matrix proteins are important key proteins in the induced effects.

Family history of diabetes and its relationship with insulin secretion and insulin sensitivity in Iraqi immigrants and native Swedes: a population-based cohort study

AIMS

Middle Eastern immigrants to western countries are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes. However, the heritability and impact of first-degree family history (FH) of type 2 diabetes on insulin secretion and action have not been adequately described.

METHODS

Citizens of Malmö, Sweden, aged 30-75 years born in Iraq or Sweden were invited to participate in this population-based study. Insulin secretion (corrected insulin response and oral disposition index) and action (insulin sensitivity index) were assessed by oral glucose tolerance tests.

RESULTS

In total, 45.7% of Iraqis (616/1348) and 27.4% of native Swedes (201/733) had FH in parent(s), sibling(s) or single parent and sibling, i.e., FH+. Approximately 8% of Iraqis and 0.7% of Swedes had ≥ 3 sibling(s) and parent(s) with diabetes, i.e., FH++. Irrespective of family size, prediabetes and diabetes increased with family burden (FH- 29.4%; FH+ 38.8%; FH++ 61.7%) without significant differences across ethnicities. With increasing level of family burden, insulin secretion rather than insulin action decreased. Individuals with a combination of ≥ 3 siblings and parents with diabetes presented with the lowest levels of insulin secretion.

CONCLUSIONS

The Iraqi immigrant population often present with a strong familial burden of type 2 diabetes with the worst glycemic control and highest diabetes risk in individuals with ≥ 3 siblings and parents with diabetes. Our data show that in a population still free from diabetes familial burden influences insulin secretion to a higher degree than insulin action and may be a logical target for intervention.

Increased blood cadmium levels were not associated with increased fracture risk but with increased total mortality in women: the Malmö Diet and Cancer Study

This study aimed to investigate if high levels of blood cadmium at baseline were associated with increased fracture risk during follow-up in middle-aged women. No increased fracture risk was observed during follow-up, but women with higher levels of cadmium had an increased overall mortality.

INTRODUCTION

Exposure to high levels of cadmium has been associated with an increased fracture risk. The aim was to investigate a perceived association between low levels of blood cadmium (B-Cd) at baseline and risk of first incident fracture.

METHODS

From the population-based Malmö Diet and Cancer Study Cardiovascular cohort, 2920 middle-aged women with available background questionnaire and B-Cd measurements were included. Women were divided into quartiles (Q) according to their cadmium levels (Cd-Q1 <0.18 μg/L, Cd-Q2 0.18-0.28 μg/L, Cd-Q3 0.28-0.51 μg/L, and Cd-Q4 >0.51 μg/L). National registries were analysed for prospective risk of fractures or death. Associations between B-Cd and fracture risk were assessed by survival analysis (Cox regression analysis).

RESULTS

In total, 998 first incident fractures occurred in women during a follow-up lasting 20.2 years (median) (12.5-21.2 years) (25th-75th percentile). Women in Cd-Q4 were more often current smokers than in Cd-Q1 78.4 vs. 3.3% (p < 0.001) and the number of cigarettes smoked per day correlated with B-Cd (r = 0.49; p < 0.001). The risk of fracture was not associated with baseline B-Cd in adjusted models. The hazard ratio (HR) Cd-Q4 vs. Cd-Q1 was 1.06 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.89-1.27). In the multivariate Cox regression, independent variables for increased fracture risk were history of gastric ulcer and increasing age, whereas increasing body mass index (BMI) lowered fracture risk. Overall mortality was significantly higher for women with high B-Cd, HR 2.06 (95% CI 1.57-2.69).

CONCLUSIONS

Higher blood levels of cadmium did not increase fracture risk in middle-aged women but reduced overall survival.

Significance of quality of care for quality of life in persons with dementia at risk of nursing home admission: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Quality of life in persons with dementia is, in large part, dependent on the quality of care they receive. Investigating both subjective and objective aspects of quality of care may reveal areas for improvement regarding their care, which information may ultimately enable persons with dementia to remain living in their own homes while maintaining quality of life. The aim of this study was to 1) describe self-reported quality of life in persons with dementia at risk of nursing home admission. 2) describe subjective and objective aspects of quality of care, 3) investigate the significance of quality of care for quality of life.

METHODS

A cross-sectional interview study design was used, based on questionnaires about quality of life (QoL-AD) and different aspects of quality of care (CLINT and quality indicators). The sample consisted of 177 persons with dementia living in urban and rural areas in Skåne County, Sweden. Descriptive and comparative statistics (Mann-Whitney U-test) were used to analyse the data.

RESULTS

Based upon Lawton's conceptual framework for QoL in older people, persons with pain showed significantly lower quality of life in the dimensions behavioural competence (p = 0.026) and psychological wellbeing (p = 0.006) compared with those without pain. Satisfaction with care seemed to have a positive effect on quality of life. The overall quality of life was perceived high even though one-third of the persons with dementia had daily pain and had had a weight loss of ≥4% during the preceding year. Furthermore, 23% of the persons with dementia had fallen during the last month and 40% of them had sustained an injury when falling.

CONCLUSION

This study indicates need for improvements in home care and services for persons with dementia at risk for nursing home admission. Registered nurses are responsible for nursing interventions related to pain, patient safety, skin care, prevention of accidents, and malnutrition. Therefore, it is of great importance for nurses to have knowledge about areas that can be improved to be able to tailor interventions and thereby improve quality of care outcomes such as quality of life in persons with dementia living at home.

Experimental validation of contrast-enhanced SSFP cine CMR for quantification of myocardium at risk in acute myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND

Accurate assessment of myocardium at risk (MaR) after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is necessary when assessing myocardial salvage. Contrast-enhanced steady-state free precession (CE-SSFP) is a recently developed cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) method for assessment of MaR up to 1 week after AMI. Our aim was to validate CE-SSFP for determination of MaR in an experimental porcine model using myocardial perfusion single-photon emission computed tomography (MPS) as a reference standard and to test the stability of MaR-quantification over time after injecting gadolinium-based contrast.

METHODS

Eleven pigs were subjected to either 35 or 40 min occlusion of the left anterior descending artery followed by six hours of reperfusion. A technetium-based perfusion tracer was administered intravenously ten minutes before reperfusion. In-vivo and ex-vivo CE-SSFP CMR was performed followed by ex-vivo MPS imaging. MaR was expressed as % of left ventricular mass (LVM).

RESULTS

There was good agreement between MaR by ex-vivo CMR and MaR by MPS (bias: 1 ± 3% LVM, r 2 = 0.92, p < 0.001), between ex-vivo and in-vivo CMR (bias 0 ± 2% LVM, r 2 = 0.94, p < 0.001) and between in-vivo CMR and MPS (bias -2 ± 3% LVM, r 2 = 0.87, p < 0.001. No change in MaR was seen over the first 30 min after contrast injection (p = 0.95).

CONCLUSIONS

Contrast-enhanced SSFP cine CMR can be used to measure MaR, both in vivo and ex vivo, in a porcine model with good accuracy and precision over the first 30 min after contrast injection. This offers the option to use the less complex ex-vivo imaging when determining myocardial salvage in experimental studies.

A new automatic algorithm for quantification of myocardial infarction imaged by late gadolinium enhancement cardiovascular magnetic resonance: experimental validation and comparison to expert delineations in multi-center, multi-vendor patient data

BACKGROUND

Late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) using magnitude inversion recovery (IR) or phase sensitive inversion recovery (PSIR) has become clinical standard for assessment of myocardial infarction (MI). However, there is no clinical standard for quantification of MI even though multiple methods have been proposed. Simple thresholds have yielded varying results and advanced algorithms have only been validated in single center studies. Therefore, the aim of this study was to develop an automatic algorithm for MI quantification in IR and PSIR LGE images and to validate the new algorithm experimentally and compare it to expert delineations in multi-center, multi-vendor patient data.

METHODS

The new automatic algorithm, EWA (Expectation Maximization, weighted intensity, a priori information), was implemented using an intensity threshold by Expectation Maximization (EM) and a weighted summation to account for partial volume effects. The EWA algorithm was validated in-vivo against triphenyltetrazolium-chloride (TTC) staining (n = 7 pigs with paired IR and PSIR images) and against ex-vivo high resolution T1-weighted images (n = 23 IR and n = 13 PSIR images). The EWA algorithm was also compared to expert delineation in 124 patients from multi-center, multi-vendor clinical trials 2-6 days following first time ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) (n = 124 IR and n = 49 PSIR images).

RESULTS

Infarct size by the EWA algorithm in vivo in pigs showed a bias to ex-vivo TTC of -1 ± 4%LVM (R = 0.84) in IR and -2 ± 3%LVM (R = 0.92) in PSIR images and a bias to ex-vivo T1-weighted images of 0 ± 4%LVM (R = 0.94) in IR and 0 ± 5%LVM (R = 0.79) in PSIR images. In multi-center patient studies, infarct size by the EWA algorithm showed a bias to expert delineation of -2 ± 6 %LVM (R = 0.81) in IR images (n = 124) and 0 ± 5%LVM (R = 0.89) in PSIR images (n = 49).

CONCLUSIONS

The EWA algorithm was validated experimentally and in patient data with a low bias in both IR and PSIR LGE images. Thus, the use of EM and a weighted intensity as in the EWA algorithm, may serve as a clinical standard for the quantification of myocardial infarction in LGE CMR images.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

CHILL-MI: NCT01379261 .

MITOCARE

NCT01374321 .

Left ventricular fluid kinetic energy time curves in heart failure from cardiovascular magnetic resonance 4D flow data

BACKGROUND

Measurement of intracardiac kinetic energy (KE) provides new insights into cardiac hemodynamics and may improve assessment and understanding of heart failure. We therefore aimed to investigate left ventricular (LV) KE time curves in patients with heart failure and in controls.

METHODS

Patients with heart failure (n = 29, NYHA class I-IV) and controls (n = 12) underwent cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) including 4D flow. The vortex-ring boundary was computed using Lagrangian coherent structures. The LV endocardium and vortex-ring were manually delineated and KE was calculated as ½mv(2) of the blood within the whole LV and the vortex ring, respectively.

RESULTS

The systolic average KE was higher in patients compared to controls (2.2 ± 1.4 mJ vs 1.6 ± 0.6 mJ, p = 0.048), but lower when indexing to EDV (6.3 ± 2.2 μJ/ml vs 8.0 ± 2.1 μJ/ml, p = 0.025). No difference was seen in diastolic average KE (3.2 ± 2.3 mJ vs 2.0 ± 0.8 mJ, p = 0.13) even when indexing to EDV (9.0 ± 4.4 μJ/ml vs 10.2 ± 3.3 μJ/ml, p = 0.41). In patients, a smaller fraction of diastolic average KE was observed inside the vortex ring compared to controls (72 ± 6% vs 54 ± 9%, p < 0.0001). Three distinctive KE time curves were seen in patients which were markedly different from findings in controls, and with a moderate agreement between KE time curve patterns and degree of diastolic dysfunction (Cohen's kappa = 0.49), but unrelated to NYHA classification (p = 0.12), or 6-minute walk test (p = 0.72).

CONCLUSION

Patients with heart failure exhibit higher systolic average KE compared to controls, suggesting altered intracardiac blood flow. The different KE time curves seen in patients may represent a conceptually new approach for heart failure classification.