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Ingholt MM, Simonsen L, Mamelund SE, Noahsen P, van Wijhe M. The 1919-21 influenza pandemic in Greenland. Int J Circumpolar Health 2024; 83:2325711. [PMID: 38446074 PMCID: PMC10919313 DOI: 10.1080/22423982.2024.2325711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
In Alaska, the 1918-20 influenza pandemic was devastating, with mortality rates up to 90% of the population, while in other arctic regions in northern Sweden and Norway mortality was considerably lower. We investigated the timing and age-patterns in excess mortality in Greenland during the period 1918-21 and compare these to other epidemics and the 1889-92 pandemic. We accessed the Greenlandic National Archives and transcribed all deaths from 1880 to 1921 by age, geography, and cause of death. We estimated monthly excess mortality and studied the spatial-temporal patterns of the pandemics and compared them to other mortality crises in the 40-year period. The 1918-21 influenza pandemic arrived in Greenland in the summer of 1919, one year delayed due to ship traffic interruptions during the winter months. We found that 5.2% of the Greenland population died of the pandemic with substantial variability between counties (range, 0.1% to 11%). We did not see the typical pandemic age-pattern of high young-adult mortality, possibly due to high baseline mortality in this age-group or remoteness. However, despite substantial mortality, the mortality impact was not standing out relative to other mortality crises, or of similar devastation reported in Alaskan populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathias Mølbak Ingholt
- PandemiX Center, Department of Science and Environment, Roskilde University, Roskilde, Denmark
- Cambridge Group for the History of Population and Social Structure, Department of Geography, Downing Place, Cambridge, UK
| | - Lone Simonsen
- PandemiX Center, Department of Science and Environment, Roskilde University, Roskilde, Denmark
| | | | - Paneeraq Noahsen
- Governmental agency, National Board of Health in Greenland, Nuuk, Greenland
| | - Maarten van Wijhe
- PandemiX Center, Department of Science and Environment, Roskilde University, Roskilde, Denmark
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2
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Gantzel RH, Bagge CN, Villadsen GE, Rex KF, Grønbæk H, Pedersen ML. The prevalence and disease course of autoimmune liver diseases in Greenland. Int J Circumpolar Health 2024; 83:2327693. [PMID: 38465864 DOI: 10.1080/22423982.2024.2327693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Autoimmune liver diseases are rare serious diseases causing chronic inflammation and fibrosis in the liver parenchyma and bile ducts. Yet, the prevalence and burden of autoimmune liver diseases are largely unexplored in Arctic native populations. We investigated the prevalence and management of autoimmune liver diseases in Greenland using nationwide cross-sectional register data and subsequent medical chart reviews validating diagnoses and extracting liver histology examinations and medical treatments. The overall prevalence of autoimmune liver diseases in Greenland was 24.6 per 100,000 (95% CI: 14.7-41.3). This was based on 7 patients with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) (12.3 per 100,000), 3 patients with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) (5.3 per 100,000), 4 patients with AIH/PBC overlap disease (7.0 per 100,000), and no patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis. All diagnoses were confirmed by liver histology examinations. Medical treatments adhered to internal recommendations and induced complete remission in most patients with AIH, and complete or partial remission in 1 patient with PBC and 3 patients with AIH/PBC overlap disease. One patient had established cirrhosis at the time of diagnosis, while 2 patients progressed to cirrhosis. In conclusion, the prevalence of autoimmune liver diseases was lower in Greenland than in Scandinavia and among Alaska Inuit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rasmus Hvidbjerg Gantzel
- Steno Diabetes Center Greenland, Queen Ingrid's Hospital, Nuuk, Greenland
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Medicine, Regional Hospital Gødstrup, Herning, Denmark
| | - Carina Nørskov Bagge
- Steno Diabetes Center Greenland, Queen Ingrid's Hospital, Nuuk, Greenland
- Gastrounit, Medical Division, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark
| | - Gerda Elisabeth Villadsen
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | - Henning Grønbæk
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Michael Lynge Pedersen
- Steno Diabetes Center Greenland, Queen Ingrid's Hospital, Nuuk, Greenland
- Greenland Center for Health Research, Institute of Health and Nature, University of Greenland, Nuuk, Greenland
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Nielsen MT, Hykkelbjerg Nielsen M, Andersen S, Riahi S, Geisler UW, Lynge Pedersen M, Albertsen N. Quality of care among patients diagnosed with atrial fibrillation in Greenland. Int J Circumpolar Health 2024; 83:2311965. [PMID: 38332615 PMCID: PMC10860410 DOI: 10.1080/22423982.2024.2311965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
This cross-sectional study sought to assess the prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF) diagnosis in Greenland among various age groups and examine the corresponding quality of care. We collected data from Greenland's electronic medical records and evaluated the quality of care using six internationally recommended indicators, which are: percentage of AF patients with an assessment of smoking status within the previous year, an assessment of body mass index within the previous year, assessment of blood pressure within the previous year, measurement of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), treatment with an anticoagulant and percentage of patients with a measurement of serum-creatinine. We found the prevalence of AF among patients aged 20 years or older in Greenland to be 1.75% (95% CI 1.62-1.88). We found an increasing prevalence of AF with age and a greater proportion of men than women until the age of 74 years. Our study suggests that the associated quality of care could be higher as the requirement of only one of the six quality indicators was met. A lack of registration may partly explain this, and initiatives to improve the quality of care are recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maja Hykkelbjerg Nielsen
- Steno Diabetes Centre Greenland, Queen Ingrid’s Hospital, Nuuk, Greenland
- Greenland Centre for Health Research, Institute of Health and Nature, University of Greenland, Nuuk, Greenland
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Incuba/Skejby, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Stig Andersen
- Greenland Centre for Health Research, Institute of Health and Nature, University of Greenland, Nuuk, Greenland
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Aalborg, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Sam Riahi
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Aalborg, Aalborg, Denmark
- Department of Cardiology, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
| | | | - Michael Lynge Pedersen
- Steno Diabetes Centre Greenland, Queen Ingrid’s Hospital, Nuuk, Greenland
- Greenland Centre for Health Research, Institute of Health and Nature, University of Greenland, Nuuk, Greenland
| | - Nadja Albertsen
- Greenland Centre for Health Research, Institute of Health and Nature, University of Greenland, Nuuk, Greenland
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Aalborg, Aalborg, Denmark
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Coiro M, McLoughlin S, Steinthorsdottir M, Vajda V, Fabrikant D, Seyfullah LJ. Parallel evolution of angiosperm-like venation in Peltaspermales: a reinvestigation of Furcula. New Phytol 2024. [PMID: 38623034 DOI: 10.1111/nph.19726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
Leaf venation is a pivotal trait in the success of vascular plants. Whereas gymnosperms have single or sparsely branched parallel veins, angiosperms developed a hierarchical structure of veins that form a complex reticulum. Its physiological consequences are considered to have enabled angiosperms to dominate terrestrial ecosystems in the Late Cretaceous and Cenozoic. Although a hierarchical-reticulate venation also occurs in some groups of extinct seed plants, it is unclear whether these are stem relatives of angiosperms or have evolved these traits in parallel. Here, we re-examine the morphology of the enigmatic foliage taxon Furcula, a potential early Mesozoic angiosperm relative, and argue that its hierarchical vein network represents convergent evolution (in the Late Triassic) with flowering plants (which developed in the Early Cretaceous) based on details of vein architecture and the absence of angiosperm-like stomata and guard cells. We suggest that its nearest relatives are Peltaspermales similar to Scytophyllum and Vittaephyllum, the latter being a genus that originated during the Late Triassic (Carnian) and shares a hierarchical vein system with Furcula. We further suggest that the evolution of hierarchical venation systems in the early Permian, the Late Triassic, and the Early Cretaceous represent 'natural experiments' that might help resolve the selective pressures enabling this trait to evolve.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Coiro
- Department of Palaeontology, University of Vienna, 1090, Vienna, Austria
- Ronin Institute for Independent Scholarship, Montclair, NJ, 07043, USA
| | - Stephen McLoughlin
- Department of Palaeobiology, Swedish Museum of Natural History, 114 18, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Margret Steinthorsdottir
- Department of Bioinformatics and Genetics, Swedish Museum of Natural History, 114 18, Stockholm, Sweden
- Bolin Centre for Climate Research, Stockholm University, 114 19, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Vivi Vajda
- Department of Palaeobiology, Swedish Museum of Natural History, 114 18, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Dolev Fabrikant
- The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, 9190501, Israel
| | - Leyla J Seyfullah
- Department of Palaeontology, University of Vienna, 1090, Vienna, Austria
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Ipsen EØ, Dalvad J, Koch A, Bundgaad JS. Overview of health research in Greenland from 2001 to 2020. Scand J Public Health 2024:14034948241245184. [PMID: 38600438 DOI: 10.1177/14034948241245184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
AIMS Health research in Greenlanders is challenged by a small population, few dedicated researchers and limited funding. Some research areas have proven impactful but gaps in knowledge are unknown. We aimed to quantify health research in Greenland, providing insights for researchers, policymakers and funding agencies to guide future research. METHODS We identified all peer-reviewed health research publications with the term 'Greenland***' in title or abstract from 2001 to 2020 through the platform entitled The Lens. Our bibliometric analysis included number of publications, publication rate, research types, research topics, citations and author affiliations, as well as funding. RESULTS From 2001 to 2020, a total of 640 health research publications concerning Greenland or Greenlanders were identified, with an average annual publication growth rate of 2.9%. The major health research topics studied in Greenland were infectious diseases, environmental health and general health. Several research fields, including rheumatology, nephrology and dermatology among others proved understudied at best. Three Danish universities contributed with 33% of all publications, with the International Journal of Circumpolar Health (N=176, 28%) being the top journal destination. The most productive author had 119 article authorships during the period. CONCLUSION During the past 20 years, Greenland's annual publication rate has been steadily increasing, with an average of 32 articles about health research published each year, which is a higher publication rate than world average. The health research in Greenland is primarily epidemiologic with infectious disease being the most studied research area. Most publications were anchored in Denmark and centred around a few highly productive authors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emil Ø Ipsen
- Department of Internal Medicine, Nuuk, Greenland
| | - Jos Dalvad
- Department of Internal Medicine, Nuuk, Greenland
| | - Anders Koch
- Department of Internal Medicine, Nuuk, Greenland
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Heart Centre, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Denmark
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Prevention, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Ilisimatusarfik, University of Greenland, Nuuk, Greenland
| | - Johan S Bundgaad
- Queen Ingrid Primary Health Care Centre, Nuuk, Greenland
- Department of Cardiology, The Heart Centre, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Denmark
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Backe MB, Kallestrup P, Rasmussen K, Jørgensen ME, Pedersen ML. Burden of selected chronic non-communicable diseases in a primary healthcare setting in Nuuk, Greenland, compared to a Danish suburb. Scand J Prim Health Care 2024:1-7. [PMID: 38578458 DOI: 10.1080/02813432.2024.2334746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) constitute a massive global burden and are the leading cause of death and disability worldwide. In Greenland, the prevalence of NCDs has historically been low. However, during the past approximately 70 years, life circumstances have changed dramatically resulting in increased life expectancy. Today, the proportion of inhabitants in Greenland ≥65 years has nearly tripled since the 1980s, and the prevalence of obesity and diabetes has increased rapidly within the past decades. The aim of this study was to describe the burden of selected NCDs in a primary care setting in Nuuk and compare it to a modern westernized suburban general practice in Denmark. METHODS The study was performed as a cross sectional register-based study using data extracted from the electronic medical records (EMR) based on diagnosis codes from inhabitants living in Nuuk, Greenland, and a suburb in Denmark. Estimates of prevalence were age-standardized to the WHO world standard population. RESULTS In both Nuuk and the Danish suburb, the highest prevalence was observed for hypertension (13.2% for both populations), followed by asthma (4.4 and 9.5%, respectively) and diabetes (4.3 and 2.9%, respectively). The age-standardized prevalences of diabetes, COPD, atrial fibrillation, and heart failure, were significantly higher in Nuuk, while seven NCDs including asthma, ischemic heart disease, arthritis urica, psoriasis, hyperthyreosis, hypothyreosis and osteoporosis were significantly higher in the Danish suburb. CONCLUSION In contrast to the disease pattern observed in Greenland in the last century, the prevalence of diagnosed NCDs in Nuuk is no longer rare. Thus, the overall prevalence of NCDs in the population of Nuuk is now comparable to or even higher than in the suburb in Denmark. This calls for increased focus on all NCDs in the primary healthcare system in Greenland and adaption of the primary healthcare services to a changed disease spectrum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Balslev Backe
- Steno Diabetes Center Greenland, Nuuk, Greenland
- Greenland Center for Health Research, Institute of Health and Nature, University of Greenland, Nuuk, Greenland
- Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Per Kallestrup
- Skødstrup Lægepraksis, General Practice Clinic, Skødstrup, Denmark
- Research Unit for General Practice, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Public Health, Center for Global Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Kurt Rasmussen
- Skødstrup Lægepraksis, General Practice Clinic, Skødstrup, Denmark
| | - Marit Eika Jørgensen
- Steno Diabetes Center Greenland, Nuuk, Greenland
- Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen, Herlev, Denmark
- Center for Public Health in Greenland, University of Southern Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Michael Lynge Pedersen
- Steno Diabetes Center Greenland, Nuuk, Greenland
- Greenland Center for Health Research, Institute of Health and Nature, University of Greenland, Nuuk, Greenland
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Flyger J, Mejldal A, Nielsen B, Niclasen B, Nielsen AS. A quality assurance study of the development of quality of care in outpatient clinics for treatment of addiction in Greenland. Nord J Psychiatry 2024:1-7. [PMID: 38557415 DOI: 10.1080/08039488.2024.2329583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION In 2016, a new addiction treatment service, Allorfik, was introduced in Greenland. Allorfik has, throughout the implementation and after, used auditing of patient records with feedback to develop the quality of care in treatment. Audits and feedback are routinely done in each treatment center. This study wishes to investigate the development of the quality of treatment through the case notes from the journal audits. METHODOLOGY This study is based on case notes audits from 2019, 2020 and 2021. In the audits, the focus has been on the quality of documentation and content for ten specific areas in each patient record. Each area was scored on a Likert scale of 0-4 for both outcomes. Statistical analyses were done using Stata 17, and P-values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. We present baseline characteristics for patients and illustrate the development of quality for both outcomes as time trends with scatter plots. RESULTS The analysis was based on data from 454 patients and audits of their case notes. The mean number of weeks in treatment is 12.72, and the mean age for the people in the audited case notes is 39. Time had a positive effect on both outcomes, and so each month, documentation increased by 0.21 points (p-value = <0.001), and content increased by 0.27 points (p-value = <0.001). CONCLUSION For documentation and content, the quality level has increased significantly with time, and the quality of case notes is at an excellent level at the final audits of all treatment centers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Flyger
- Unit of Clinical Alcohol Research, Clinical Institute, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Institute of Nursing and Health Science, Ilisimatusarfik - University of Greenland, Greenland, Denmark
| | - Anna Mejldal
- Unit of Clinical Alcohol Research, Clinical Institute, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Open Patient data Explorative Network, The Region of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Bent Nielsen
- Unit of Clinical Alcohol Research, Clinical Institute, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Birgit Niclasen
- Institute of Nursing and Health Science, Ilisimatusarfik - University of Greenland, Greenland, Denmark
- Allorfik - the National Addiction Treatment Services, Greenland, Denmark
| | - Anette Søgaard Nielsen
- Unit of Clinical Alcohol Research, Clinical Institute, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Open Patient data Explorative Network, The Region of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
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Kraef C, Öbrink-Hansen K, Hertz M, Hagen TL, Deutch S, Holler JG, Olesen BR, Holm M, Gaini S, Koch A, Benfield T, Rosenvinge FS, Johansen IS. Hospital-based antimicrobial stewardship in Denmark, Greenland and the Faroe Islands - current landscape and barriers. J Hosp Infect 2024; 146:66-75. [PMID: 38354955 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhin.2024.01.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To describe the current organization and implementation of formalized, multi-disciplinary hospital-based antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) structures in Denmark, the Faroe Islands and Greenland. METHODS A structured electronic questionnaire was sent to all trainees and specialists in clinical microbiology (N=207) and infectious diseases (N=260), as well as clinical pharmacists (N=20) and paediatricians (N=10) with expertise in infectious diseases. The survey had 30 multiple-choice, rating-scale, and open-ended questions based on an international consensus checklist for hospital AMS, adapted to a Danish context. RESULTS Overall, 145 individual responses representing 20 hospitals were received. Nine hospitals (45%) reported a formal AMS strategy, eight (40%) a formal organizational multi-disciplinary structure and a multi-disciplinary AMS team, and six (30%) a designated professional as a leader of the AMS team. A majority of hospitals reported access to updated guidelines (80%) and regularly monitored and reported the quantity of antibiotics prescribed (70% and 65%, respectively). Only one hospital (5%) reported a dedicated, sustainable and sufficient AMS budget, three hospitals (15%) audited courses of therapy for specific agents/clinical conditions and four hospitals (20%) had a document clearly defining roles, procedures of collaboration and responsibilities for AMS. A total of 42% of all individual respondents had received formal AMS training. Main barriers were a lack of financial resources (52%), a lack of mandate from the hospital management (30%) and AMS not being a priority (18%). CONCLUSIONS Core elements important for multi-disciplinary hospital-based AMS can be strengthened in Danish hospitals. Funding, clear mandates, prioritization from the hospital management and the implementation of multi-disciplinary AMS structures may help close the identified gaps.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Kraef
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - K Öbrink-Hansen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Internal Medicine, Gødstrup Hospital, Herning, Denmark
| | - M Hertz
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - T L Hagen
- Department of Internal Medicine, Aalborg University Hospital Thisted, Thisted, Denmark
| | - S Deutch
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - J G Holler
- Department of Pulmonary and Infectious Diseases, North Zealand Hospital, Hillerød, Denmark
| | - B R Olesen
- Pharmacist, Administration, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - M Holm
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - S Gaini
- Medical Department, National Hospital of the Faroe Islands, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands; Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Faroe Islands, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands
| | - A Koch
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital - Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; Center for Health Research in Greenland, Ilisimatusarfik, University of Greenland, Greenland; Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Prevention, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - T Benfield
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital - Hvidovre, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - F S Rosenvinge
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - I S Johansen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
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Liu Y, Zhang B, Yao Y, Zhao Q, Xu C, Yan X, Zhang L. Revealing the spatiotemporal patterns of water vapor and its link to North Atlantic Oscillation over Greenland using GPS and ERA5 data. Sci Total Environ 2024; 918:170596. [PMID: 38307279 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/04/2024]
Abstract
Precipitation plays an important role in the interannual mass variations of Greenland Ice Sheet (GrIS) and is highly influenced by atmospheric circulation change. The relationship between precipitation and North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) has been revealed by many studies, but the role of water vapor transportation in the NAO-precipitation relationship was rarely investigated. Therefore, to fill the knowledge gap of how water vapor changes and responds to NAO in space and time, we applied Multichannel Singular Spectral Analysis (MSSA) to the Global Positioning System (GPS) and the fifth-generation reanalysis dataset of the European Center for Medium-Range Weather Forecasting (ERA5) Precipitable Water Vapor (PWV) data to extract the interannual PWV signals in Greenland. Results show that the interannual PWV signals overall increased in 2008-2011, decreased in 2011-2015, and increased in 2015-2021. The amplitudes of the interannual signals derived from both the GPS PWV and ERA5 basin-averaged PWV exhibited an overall southwest-northeast decreasing gradient. We also found anticorrelation between the interannual PWV signals and the NAO signal over Greenland but the correlation coefficients are not statistically significant, and the correlation coefficients in most cases were less than -0.65, indicating that positive (negative) NAO phase decreased (increased) the water vapor content. The Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) results illustrated that the interannual signals derived from both the GPS site-dependent and the ERA5 basin-averaged PWV had similar dominant frequencies to that of the NAO signal, reinforcing their correlations. This study reveals the spatiotemporal pattern of the interannual water vapor and its linkage to the NAO, providing a new perspective for understanding the climate change on Greenland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Liu
- School of Geodesy and Geomatics, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, China
| | - Bao Zhang
- School of Geodesy and Geomatics, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, China.
| | - Yibin Yao
- School of Geodesy and Geomatics, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, China; Hubei Luojia Laboratory, Wuhan 430079, China; Key Laboratory of Geospace Environment and Geodesy, Ministry of Education, Wuhan 430079, China
| | - Qingzhi Zhao
- College of Geomatics, Xi'a University of Science and Technology, Xi'an 710054, China
| | - Chaoqian Xu
- School of Geodesy and Geomatics, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, China
| | - Xiao Yan
- Hubei Luojia Laboratory, Wuhan 430079, China; State Key Laboratory of Geodesy and Earth's Dynamics, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430077, China
| | - Liang Zhang
- School of Geodesy and Geomatics, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, China
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Ejsing MN, Homøe P, Demant MN, Jensen RG, Marcussen J, Jensen CJ, Seibæk L. Children with otitis media in Greenland - A qualitative study of parental experiences. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2024; 178:111888. [PMID: 38354594 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2024.111888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The Greenlandic population has one of the world's highest prevalence of otitis media (OM). Approximately 9-14% of all children suffer from OM during childhood. Due to the climate, lack of infrastructure, and minimal access to specialist services, the Greenlandic healthcare system operates under significant challenges. To support treatment implementation, we explored parental experiences of having a child with recurrent acute otitis media (rAOM) and chronic suppurative otitis media in Greenland (CSOM). METHODS We applied a qualitative methodology with semi-structured interviews, to investigate parents' individual experiences. We included parents from six selected towns and settlements in Greenland, who were primary caregivers to minimum one child who had suffered from rAOM or CSOM. The interviews followed a semi-structured interview guide. RESULTS Eight interviews were conducted with ten parents (nine mothers, one father) to 13 children (nine girls, four boys) aged two to 20 years (median age five years). We carried out a hermeneutic-phenomenological, Ricoeur-inspired text analysis of data. The first episode of OM was associated with uncertainty about the condition, including pain relief and treatment. However, recurrence led to symptom recognition and a changed disease perception among the parents: from being a simple case of childhood OM to a recognition of a chronic condition that might lead to delayed linguistic development and hearing impairment. CONCLUSION Under difficult healthcare situations, parents represented a unique resource in care and treatment implementation. Parents often feel alone with the responsibility of care and had concerns for their child's hearing and language development, and they wished for their experiences and observations to be actively included in consultations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Nedergaard Ejsing
- Institute of Health and Nature, Ilisimatusarfik/ University of Greenland, Manutooq 1, 3905, Nuussuaq, Greenland
| | - Preben Homøe
- Greenland Center of Health Research, Institute of Health and Nature, Ilisimatusarfik/ University of Greenland, Manutooq 1, 3905, Nuussuaq, Greenland
| | - Malene Nøhr Demant
- Greenland Center of Health Research, Institute of Health and Nature, Ilisimatusarfik/ University of Greenland, Manutooq 1, 3905, Nuussuaq, Greenland
| | - Ramon Gordon Jensen
- Greenland Center of Health Research, Institute of Health and Nature, Ilisimatusarfik/ University of Greenland, Manutooq 1, 3905, Nuussuaq, Greenland
| | - Jette Marcussen
- Institute of Health and Nature, Ilisimatusarfik/ University of Greenland, Manutooq 1, 3905, Nuussuaq, Greenland
| | - Carsten Juul Jensen
- Institute of Health and Nature, Ilisimatusarfik/ University of Greenland, Manutooq 1, 3905, Nuussuaq, Greenland
| | - Lene Seibæk
- Institute of Health and Nature, Ilisimatusarfik/ University of Greenland, Manutooq 1, 3905, Nuussuaq, Greenland.
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Bjerregaard P, Svartá DL, Ottendahl CB, Larsen CVL. Increasing health inequality among Inuit in Greenland from 1993 to 2018: Different patterns for household assets, urbanization and a sociocultural index as indicators of social position. SSM Popul Health 2024; 25:101635. [PMID: 38486800 PMCID: PMC10937147 DOI: 10.1016/j.ssmph.2024.101635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Income inequality affects population health and wellbeing negatively. In Greenland, health inequality has been shown to exist among social groups, regionally and according to urbanization, and between Inuit and migrants from Denmark. The purpose of the study was to compare the changes in health inequality from 1993 to 2018 according to three measures of social position, i.e. a socioeconomic measure (household assets), a measure of urbanization and a composite sociocultural index. We hypothesized that social inequality in health increased parallel to the increasing economic inequality in Greenland. The sample was based on four population health surveys conducted among the Inuit in Greenland in 1993, 2005-2010, 2014 and 2018. The total number of interviews was 9024 and the total number of individuals interviewed was 5829, as participants were invited to several surveys as part of a cohort. As statistical measure of social disparity we used the slope index of inequality (SII) adjusted for age and sex. Analyses were performed with daily smoking, suicidal thoughts and obesity as health outcomes. Daily smoking was most prevalent among participants with low social position whereas obesity was most prevalent among participants with high social position. With household assets as indicator of social position, the results showed high and increasing social inequality for both daily smoking and obesity. Social inequality for daily smoking increased over time also for urbanization and the sociocultural index. The hypothesis that social inequality increased over time was thus confirmed for daily smoking and obesity but not for suicidal thoughts. With the results from the present study there is solid evidence to guide prevention and health care towards social equality in health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Bjerregaard
- Centre for Public Health in Greenland, National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Studiestræde 6, 1455 Copenhagen K, Denmark
| | - Durita Lyngsø Svartá
- Centre for Public Health in Greenland, National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Studiestræde 6, 1455 Copenhagen K, Denmark
| | - Charlotte Brandstrup Ottendahl
- Centre for Public Health in Greenland, National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Studiestræde 6, 1455 Copenhagen K, Denmark
| | - Christina Viskum Lytken Larsen
- Centre for Public Health in Greenland, National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Studiestræde 6, 1455 Copenhagen K, Denmark
- Institute of Health and Nature, University of Greenland, Manutooq 1, 3905 Nuussuaq, Greenland
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Etchart L, Lecomte N, Dechaume-Moncharmont FX, Moreau J, Lang J, Pagnon T, Sittler B, Teixeira M, Bollache L, Gilg O. Extended incubation recesses in sanderlings are impacted by temperature and body condition. Proc Biol Sci 2024; 291:20232264. [PMID: 38378147 PMCID: PMC10878808 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2023.2264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Complex incubation strategies have evolved to solve the trade-off between parent survival and care for their eggs with often brief departures (recesses) that maximize egg survival, and infrequent extended recesses maximizing adult condition. Here we examined incubation behaviour of sanderlings (Calidris alba), a species that exhibits both biparental and uniparental incubation behaviour. During 11 breeding seasons in Greenland, we have quantified incubation variability with thermologgers placed in nests. We estimated the impact of environmental conditions and individual characteristics on the occurrence and the duration of recesses. We found that extended recesses are a unique feature of uniparentals, and their frequency and duration increased in colder temperatures. The relationship was mediated by body condition, with individuals in poor condition performing longer extended recesses in colder temperatures. This suggests that extended recesses may represent a shift towards self-maintenance at the expense of the egg care, allowing birds to continue incubating under unfavourable conditions. Our study illustrates how extended recesses may be a key breeding strategy to overcome high energetic costs associated with incubation. Quantifying such behavioural flexibility paves the way for tracking future behavioural responses of individuals in the face of changing environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Léa Etchart
- UMR 6249 Chrono-environnement, CNRS, Université de Franche-Comté, 25000 Besançon, France
- Canada Research Chair in Polar and Boreal Ecology and Centre d'Études Nordiques, Université de Moncton, Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada
| | - Nicolas Lecomte
- Canada Research Chair in Polar and Boreal Ecology and Centre d'Études Nordiques, Université de Moncton, Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada
| | | | - Jérôme Moreau
- UMR 6282 CNRS, Université de Bourgogne, 6 boulevard Gabriel, 21000 Dijon, France
- Groupe de Recherche en Ecologie Arctique, 21440 Francheville, France
| | - Johannes Lang
- Groupe de Recherche en Ecologie Arctique, 21440 Francheville, France
- Working Group for Wildlife Research at the Clinic for Birds, Reptiles, Amphibians and Fish, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Thomas Pagnon
- UMR 6249 Chrono-environnement, CNRS, Université de Franche-Comté, 25000 Besançon, France
- Groupe de Recherche en Ecologie Arctique, 21440 Francheville, France
| | - Benoit Sittler
- Groupe de Recherche en Ecologie Arctique, 21440 Francheville, France
- Chair for Nature Conservation and Landscape Ecology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Maria Teixeira
- UMR 6282 CNRS, Université de Bourgogne, 6 boulevard Gabriel, 21000 Dijon, France
| | - Loïc Bollache
- UMR 6249 Chrono-environnement, CNRS, Université de Franche-Comté, 25000 Besançon, France
- Groupe de Recherche en Ecologie Arctique, 21440 Francheville, France
| | - Olivier Gilg
- UMR 6249 Chrono-environnement, CNRS, Université de Franche-Comté, 25000 Besançon, France
- Groupe de Recherche en Ecologie Arctique, 21440 Francheville, France
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Chambault P, Teilmann J, Tervo O, Sinding MHS, Heide-Jørgensen MP. The nightscape of the Arctic winter shapes the diving behavior of a marine predator. Sci Rep 2024; 14:3908. [PMID: 38365829 PMCID: PMC10873309 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-53953-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Predator-prey interactions in marine ecosystems are dynamically influenced by light, as demonstrated by diel vertical migrations of low-trophic level organisms. At high latitudes, the long winter nights can provide foraging opportunities for marine predators targeting vertically migrating prey closer to the surface at night. However, there is limited documentation of such diel patterns in marine predators under extreme light regimes. To address this, we recorded the diving behavior of 17 harbour porpoises just south of the Arctic circle in West Greenland, from summer to winter. Unlike classical diel vertical migration, the porpoises dove 24-37% deeper at night and the frequency of deep dives (> 100 m) increased tenfold as they entered the darkest months. The daily mean depth was negatively correlated with daylength, suggesting an increased diving activity when approaching the polar night. Our findings suggest a light-mediated strategy in which harbour porpoises would either target (i) benthic prey, (ii) pelagic prey migrating seasonally towards the seafloor, or (iii) vertically migrating prey that may be otherwise inaccessible in deeper waters at night, therefore maximizing feeding activity during extended periods of darkness. Extreme light regimes observed at high latitudes are therefore critical in structuring pelagic communities and food webs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philippine Chambault
- Greenland Institute of Natural Resources, Strandgade 91, 2, 1401, Copenhagen, Denmark.
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, The University of California, 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064, USA.
| | - Jonas Teilmann
- Marine Mammal Research, Department of Ecoscience, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Outi Tervo
- Greenland Institute of Natural Resources, Strandgade 91, 2, 1401, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mikkel Holger S Sinding
- Section for Computational and RNA Biology, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, 1350, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Zervas A, Stougaard P, Thøgersen MS. Complete genome sequence of "Bacillaceae sp. strain IKA-2": a cold-active, amylase-producing bacterium from ikaite columns in SW Greenland. Microbiol Resour Announc 2024; 13:e0088723. [PMID: 38134028 PMCID: PMC10868235 DOI: 10.1128/mra.00887-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacillaceae sp. strain IKA-2 is a bacterium isolated from the permanently cold and alkaline ikaite columns in the Ikka Fjord in SW Greenland (61°12'05″N; 48°00'50″W). The bacterium grows well at 10°C in a substrate buffered to pH 10. It has a genome size of 4,424,890 bp and a guanine-cytosine (GC) content of 36.2%. The genome harbors genes involved in hydrolysis of long carbohydrates and in protection against cold shock.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. Zervas
- Department of Environmental Science, Aarhus University, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - P. Stougaard
- Department of Environmental Science, Aarhus University, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - M. S. Thøgersen
- Department of Environmental Science, Aarhus University, Roskilde, Denmark
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Rist S, Rask S, Ntinou IV, Varpe Ø, Lindegren M, Ugwu K, Larsson M, Sjöberg V, Nielsen TG. Cumulative Impacts of Oil Pollution, Ocean Warming, and Coastal Freshening on the Feeding of Arctic Copepods. Environ Sci Technol 2024. [PMID: 38321867 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c09582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
The Arctic is undergoing rapid changes, and biota are exposed to multiple stressors, including pollution and climate change. Still, little is known about their joint impact. Here, we investigated the cumulative impact of crude oil, warming, and freshening on the copepod species Calanus glacialis and Calanus finmarchicus. Adult females were exposed to ambient conditions (control; 0 °C + 33 psu) and combined warming and freshening: 5 °C + 27 psu (Scenario 1), 5 °C + 20 psu (Scenario 2) for 6 days. All three conditions were tested with and without dispersed crude oil. In Scenario 1, fecal pellet production (FPP) significantly increased by 40-78% and 42-122% for C. glacialis and C. finmarchicus, respectively. In Scenario 2, FPP decreased by 6-57% for C. glacialis, while it fluctuated for C. finmarchicus. For both species, oil had the strongest effect on FPP, leading to a 68-83% reduction. This overshadowed the differences between climatic scenarios. All variables (temperature, salinity, and oil) had significant single effects and several joint effects on FPP. Our results demonstrate that Arctic copepods are sensitive to environmentally realistic concentrations of crude oil and climate change. Strong reductions in feeding can reduce the copepods' energy content with potential large-scale impacts on the Arctic marine food web.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sinja Rist
- National Institute of Aquatic Resources (DTU Aqua), Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Sofie Rask
- National Institute of Aquatic Resources (DTU Aqua), Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Iliana V Ntinou
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Bergen, 5006 Bergen, Norway
- Bjerknes Centre for Climate Research, University of Bergen, 5006 Bergen, Norway
| | - Øystein Varpe
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Bergen, 5006 Bergen, Norway
- Bjerknes Centre for Climate Research, University of Bergen, 5006 Bergen, Norway
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, 5006 Bergen, Norway
| | - Martin Lindegren
- National Institute of Aquatic Resources (DTU Aqua), Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Kevin Ugwu
- Man-Technology-Environment Research Centre (MTM), Örebro University, 70182 Örebro, Sweden
| | - Maria Larsson
- Man-Technology-Environment Research Centre (MTM), Örebro University, 70182 Örebro, Sweden
| | - Viktor Sjöberg
- Man-Technology-Environment Research Centre (MTM), Örebro University, 70182 Örebro, Sweden
| | - Torkel Gissel Nielsen
- National Institute of Aquatic Resources (DTU Aqua), Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
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Andersen K, Hansen T, Jørgensen ME, Senftleber N. Healthcare Burden in Greenland of Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Adults with Inherited Loss of Sucrase-Isomaltase Function. Appl Clin Genet 2024; 17:15-21. [PMID: 38328770 PMCID: PMC10849137 DOI: 10.2147/tacg.s437484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Congenital sucrase isomaltase deficiency (CSID) is in general a very rare disease. However, 2-3% of the Greenlandic population are homozygous (HO) carriers of an Arctic-specific loss-of-function (LoF) variant in the sucrase-isomaltase (SI) encoding gene, causing CSID. The condition is characterized by gastrointestinal symptoms such as stomachache, diarrhea, and weight loss when consuming sucrose, the most common dietary sugar. However, the awareness of the condition in the population and the healthcare system seems to be limited, potentially leading to a higher healthcare burden. Hence, we aimed to investigate whether HO-carriers visit the healthcare system more with gastrointestinal symptoms compared to the control groups by using registry data. Methods We performed a case-control study identifying cases and controls using genotype information from the 1999-2001 and 2005-2010 Greenlandic health population cohorts. The cases were defined as HO LoF SI-carriers and controls were defined as non-carriers and were matched (1:1) on sex, age, place of residence, and European genetic admixture. We used electronic medical records to assess the number of electronic medical record contacts (EMRc) related to gastrointestinal symptoms and the number of gastrointestinal-related diagnostic procedures. Results A total of 80 HO-carriers and 80 non-carriers were included. The HO-carriers had 19% more EMRc related to gastrointestinal symptoms (IRR, 1.19, 95% CI [1.02;1.40], p=0.02) and had a 41% higher incidence of gastrointestinal related diagnostic procedures compared to controls (IRR, 1.41, 95% CI [1.05-1.92], p=0.02). Only one HO-carrier was aware of the condition according to the electronic medical records. Conclusion HO-carriers of the LoF SI-variant had both significantly more gastrointestinal-related EMRc and significantly more diagnostic procedures conducted due to gastrointestinal symptoms. Only one HO-carrier was aware of the condition. Given the high prevalence of HO-carriers in the Greenlandic population, we anticipate that diagnosing more patients with CSID and providing dietary advice could potentially reduce symptom burden and healthcare visits among HO-carriers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristine Andersen
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Steno Diabetes Center Greenland, Nuuk, Greenland
| | - Torben Hansen
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Marit Eika Jørgensen
- Steno Diabetes Center Greenland, Nuuk, Greenland
- Clinical Research, Copenhagen University Hospital – Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen, Herlev, Denmark
- Centre for Public Health in Greenland, National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Ninna Senftleber
- Steno Diabetes Center Greenland, Nuuk, Greenland
- Clinical Research, Copenhagen University Hospital – Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen, Herlev, Denmark
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Ottendahl CB, Seidler IK, Beck A, Pedersen CP, Bjerregaard P, Larsen CVL. Developing the ACEIG-scale: An adverse childhood experience scale for Inuit youth in Greenland. Child Abuse Negl 2024; 148:106471. [PMID: 37821291 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2023.106471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) have been identified as a major public health challenge in Greenland. No previous studies have created a multi-item ACE- scale among an Arctic Indigenous population. OBJECTIVE To develop a multi-item ACE-scale among Inuit youth in Greenland (the ACEIG scale). METHODS The ACEIG scale was created with data from the 'Wellbeing among Inuit youth in Greenland'-survey. Scale items were based on a recognised ACE-scale and further adapted to the context of Inuit youth in Greenland by adding items relevant for the population. The scale was validated through item response theory (IRT) and reliability was assessed by Cronbach's alpha. RESULTS Four items relevant for Inuit youth in Greenland were added to the recognised ACE scale (bullying, death of parent, gambling problems in close family, and suicide in close relations). The scale was reduced by IRT, as three items (bullying, divorce of parents and parents passing away) exceeded the difficulty index threshold. The ACEIG scale therefore consists of 10 items: alcohol problems in close family, marijuana use in close family, domestic violence, being victim of physical violence, being victim of psychological violence, any type of sexual abuse, sexual abuse (intercourse), sexual abuse (more than once), suicide in close relations, and gambling problems in close family. Cronbach's alpha was 0.7. CONCLUSION The ACEIG scale includes 10 items with acceptable reliability. The scale can inform future screening tools to identify vulnerable youth and target interventions. Future studies should investigate the association between the ACEIG scale and health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ivalu Katajavaara Seidler
- National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark; Ilisimatusarfik, University of Greenland, Nuuk, Greenland
| | - Astrid Beck
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital, Denmark
| | | | - Peter Bjerregaard
- National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Christina Viskum Lytken Larsen
- National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark; Ilisimatusarfik, University of Greenland, Nuuk, Greenland
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Tatari CR, Andersen B, Kirkegaard P. "We're the very bottom, so it's going to be hard for you to 'catch any fish' around here…" understanding vulnerable Greenlanders' perspectives on cancer and barriers to screening in Denmark- A qualitative study. Int J Equity Health 2024; 23:11. [PMID: 38254148 PMCID: PMC10802048 DOI: 10.1186/s12939-024-02094-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer is a major global health concern. Unfortunately, Indigenous populations such as Greenlanders living in Denmark, face significant disparities in cancer risk, incidence, diagnosis, care quality, and outcomes. In Denmark, vulnerable Greenlanders face challenges accessing cancer screening. The aim of this study was to explore their perceptions of cancer, barriers to participation in cancer screening, and potential for developing a tailored intervention. METHODS This qualitative study was based on participant observations and qualitative interviews. The sample comprised 46 participants from four distinct drop-in centres. Of these, 28 were vulnerable Greenlanders (19 women and 9 men), 9 were staff members (6 women and 3 men), and 6 were relatives (4 women and 2 men). The data were analysed through inductive content analysis. RESULTS Vulnerable Greenlanders in Denmark believed they were responsible for their own health and were generally satisfied with the healthcare system. However, they found it challenging to manage their own health and many depended on support from others. Fear of cancer and death shaped their attitudes towards screening. CONCLUSION For vulnerable Greenlanders in Denmark participation in cancer screening programmes was positively viewed for most but could be challenging. Different intervention ideas raised by the vulnerable Greenlanders, relatives and staff members could guide the development of strategies to increase participation rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilla Rahr Tatari
- Department of Public Health Programmes, University Research Clinic for Cancer Screening, Randers Regional Hospital, Randers, Denmark.
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
| | - Berit Andersen
- Department of Public Health Programmes, University Research Clinic for Cancer Screening, Randers Regional Hospital, Randers, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Pia Kirkegaard
- Department of Public Health Programmes, University Research Clinic for Cancer Screening, Randers Regional Hospital, Randers, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
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Hermesdorf L, Liu Y, Michelsen A, Westergaard-Nielsen A, Mortensen LH, Jepsen MS, Sigsgaard C, Elberling B. Long-term changes in the daytime growing season carbon dioxide exchange following increased temperature and snow cover in arctic tundra. Glob Chang Biol 2024; 30:e17087. [PMID: 38273494 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.17087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
Increasing temperatures and winter precipitation can influence the carbon (C) exchange rates in arctic ecosystems. Feedbacks can be both positive and negative, but the net effects are unclear and expected to vary strongly across the Arctic. There is a lack of understanding of the combined effects of increased summer warming and winter precipitation on the C balance in these ecosystems. Here we assess the short-term (1-3 years) and long-term (5-8 years) effects of increased snow depth (snow fences) (on average + 70 cm) and warming (open top chambers; 1-3°C increase) and the combination in a factorial design on all key components of the daytime carbon dioxide (CO2 ) fluxes in a wide-spread heath tundra ecosystem in West Greenland. The warming treatment increased ecosystem respiration (ER) on a short- and long-term basis, while gross ecosystem photosynthesis (GEP) was only increased in the long term. Despite the difference in the timing of responses of ER and GEP to the warming treatment, the net ecosystem exchange (NEE) of CO2 was unaffected in the short term and in the long term. Although the structural equation model (SEM) indicates a direct relationship between seasonal accumulated snow depth and ER and GEP, there were no significant effects of the snow addition treatment on ER or GEP measured over the summer period. The combination of warming and snow addition turned the plots into net daytime CO2 sources during the growing season. Interestingly, despite no significant changes in air temperature during the snow-free time during the experiment, control plots as well as warming plots revealed significantly higher ER and GEP in the long term compared to the short term. This was in line with the satellite-derived time-integrated normalized difference vegetation index of the study area, suggesting that more factors than air temperature are drivers for changes in arctic tundra ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lena Hermesdorf
- Center for Permafrost (CENPERM), Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Yijing Liu
- Center for Permafrost (CENPERM), Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anders Michelsen
- Center for Permafrost (CENPERM), Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Andreas Westergaard-Nielsen
- Center for Permafrost (CENPERM), Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Louise Hindborg Mortensen
- Center for Permafrost (CENPERM), Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Malte Skov Jepsen
- Center for Permafrost (CENPERM), Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- National Museum of Denmark, Environmental Archaeology and Materials Science, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Charlotte Sigsgaard
- Center for Permafrost (CENPERM), Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Bo Elberling
- Center for Permafrost (CENPERM), Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Gantzel RH, Vesterdal JD, Haase AM, Petersen AJ, Grønbæk H, Pedersen ML. The Prevalence of Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Greenland. Inflamm Bowel Dis 2023; 29:1879-1885. [PMID: 36702537 DOI: 10.1093/ibd/izad002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is sparsely investigated in Arctic populations. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD) in Greenland. METHODS Cross-sectional nationwide data on demography, anthropometry, biochemistry, and pharmacotherapy were extracted from the electronic medical records in Greenland. Diagnoses of UC and CD were based on International Classification of Diseases-Tenth Revision and International Classification of Primary Care-Second Edition coding and treatment with mesalazine. Data from Statistics Greenland were used for prevalence calculations. RESULTS In total, 254 patients in Greenland experienced IBD, with 214 cases of UC and 40 cases of CD. The overall IBD prevalence was 0.45%, distributed as 0.38% with UC and 0.07% with CD. The IBD prevalence was similar across the 5 regions of Greenland. However, a higher prevalence was observed in the region main towns with the largest populations (0.53%) compared with the small towns along the coastline (0.29%). UC patients were prescribed mesalazine treatment with a frequency of 78%. Furthermore, 10% of all IBD patients received treatment with nonspecific immunomodulators and 7% received biologics. CONCLUSIONS This study estimates the prevalence and uncovers characteristics of IBD in Greenland. Although CD may be underdiagnosed or less prevalent, the overall prevalence of IBD in Greenland parallels Scandinavian countries and North America. These results boost the knowledge on autoimmune diseases in arctic populations and may guide clinicians in their management of IBD in Greenland. Furthermore, the results may encourage research in IBD across the Arctic regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rasmus Hvidbjerg Gantzel
- Steno Diabetes Center Greenland, Nuuk, Greenland
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | - Anne-Mette Haase
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | - Henning Grønbæk
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Michael Lynge Pedersen
- Steno Diabetes Center Greenland, Nuuk, Greenland
- Greenland Center for Health Research, Institute of Health and Nature, University of Greenland, Nuuk, Greenland
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21
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Bjerregaard P, Ottendahl CB, Jensen T, Nørtoft K, Jørgensen ME, Larsen CVL. Muscular strength, mobility in daily life and mental wellbeing among older adult Inuit in Greenland. The Greenland population health survey 2018. Int J Circumpolar Health 2023; 82:2184751. [PMID: 36880125 PMCID: PMC10013347 DOI: 10.1080/22423982.2023.2184751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The purpose was to analyse the association of muscular strength, muscle pain and reduced mobility in daily life with mental wellbeing among older Inuit men and women in Greenland. Data (N = 846) was collected as part of a countrywide cross-sectional health survey in 2018. Hand grip strength and 30-seconds chair stand test were measured according to established protocols. Mobility in daily life was assessed by five questions about the ability to perform specific activities of daily living. Mental wellbeing was assessed by questions about self-rated health, life satisfaction and Goldberg's General Health Questionnaire. In binary multivariate logistic regression models adjusted for age and social position, muscular strength (OR 0.87-0.94) and muscle pain (OR 1.53-1.79) were associated with reduced mobility. In fully adjusted models, muscle pain (OR 0.68-0.83) and reduced mobility (OR 0.51-0.55) but were associated with mental wellbeing. Chair stand score was associated with life satisfaction (OR 1.05). With an increasingly sedentary lifestyle, increasing prevalence of obesity and increasing life expectancy the health consequences of musculoskeletal dysfunction are expected to grow. Prevention and clinical handling of poor mental health among older adults need to consider reduced muscle strength, muscle pain and reduced mobility as important determinants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Bjerregaard
- Centre for Public Health in Greenland, National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark
| | | | - Tenna Jensen
- Centre for Public Health in Greenland, National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark.,Institute of Nursing and Health Science, University of Greenland, Greenland
| | - Kamilla Nørtoft
- Centre for Public Health in Greenland, National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark
| | - Marit Eika Jørgensen
- Centre for Public Health in Greenland, National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark.,Institute of Nursing and Health Science, University of Greenland, Greenland.,Steno Diabetes Center Greenland, Nuuk, Greenland.,Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Christina Viskum Lytken Larsen
- Centre for Public Health in Greenland, National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark.,Institute of Nursing and Health Science, University of Greenland, Greenland
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22
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Overvad M, Díaz LJ, Bjerregaard P, Pedersen ML, Larsen CVL, Grarup N, Hansen T, Rossing P, Jørgensen ME. The effect of diabetes and the diabetogenic TBC1D4 p.Arg684ter variant on kidney function in Inuit in Greenland. Int J Circumpolar Health 2023; 82:2191406. [PMID: 36944026 PMCID: PMC10035948 DOI: 10.1080/22423982.2023.2191406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to examine the effect of diabetes and the diabetogenic TBC1D4 variant on kidney function in Greenland in a population-based setting. Health survey data and TBC1D4 genotypes from 5,336 Greenlanders were used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) of albuminuria (>30 mg/g creatinine) and chronic kidney disease (CKD, eGFR <60 ml/min/1.73m2), comparing individuals with and without diabetes, including the effect of TBC1D4 variant. Of the 3,909 participants with complete data, 9.3% had diabetes. Albuminuria was found in 27.6% and 9.5% and CKD was found in 10.8% and 6.3% among those with and without diabetes, respectively. Diabetes was cross-sectionally associated with an increased risk of albuminuria (OR (95% CI) = 2.37 (1.69,3.33); p < 0.001) and the TBC1D4 variant protected against albuminuria (OR (95% CI) = 0.44 (0.22,0.90); p = 0.02) in a multivariable model. Neither diabetes nor the TBC1D4 variant significantly associated with CKD. The presence/absence of diabetes did not predict changes in eGFR and UACR in longitudinal analyses. Diabetes conferred an increased risk of albuminuria, and the TBC1D4 variant was associated with a decreased risk of albuminuria, but neither was associated with CKD. The potential renoprotective association of the TBC1D4 variant on albuminuria calls for further studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Overvad
- National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Clinical Epidemiology, Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Lars Jorge Díaz
- Clinical Epidemiology, Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Peter Bjerregaard
- National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Michael Lynge Pedersen
- Greenland Center for Health Research, University of Greenland, Nuuk, Greenland
- Steno Diabetes Center Greenland, Nuuk, Greenland
| | - Christina Viskum Lytken Larsen
- National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Greenland Center for Health Research, University of Greenland, Nuuk, Greenland
| | - Niels Grarup
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Torben Hansen
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Peter Rossing
- Clinical Epidemiology, Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen, Herlev, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Marit Eika Jørgensen
- National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Clinical Epidemiology, Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen, Herlev, Denmark
- Greenland Center for Health Research, University of Greenland, Nuuk, Greenland
- Steno Diabetes Center Greenland, Nuuk, Greenland
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23
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Seidler IK, Hansen NL, Bloch AP, Larsen CVL. A systematic review on risk and protective factors for suicide and suicidal behaviour among Greenland Inuit. Int J Circumpolar Health 2023; 82:2226284. [PMID: 37343597 DOI: 10.1080/22423982.2023.2226284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Since the 1970s, suicide has been a major public health issue in Greenland. The World Health Organization has emphasised the importance of the identification of both risk and protective factors in relation to suicide. The aim of this paper was to identify scientific literature on risk and protective factors for suicide and suicidal behaviour among Greenland Inuit. Searches in PubMed and PsycInfo resulted in 420 studies that were screened by three of the authors. After screening, the authors included 15 studies that were subject to quality assessment and data extraction. All 15 studies reported on risk factors, and only three mentioned protective factors. Most reported risk factors were on an individual level and were related to socioeconomic status, mental health, alcohol and substance use, and life stress. Risk factors related to the family mainly related to adverse childhood experiences, while the community level concerned access to education, work, and conflicts. The results indicate a large knowledge gap about protective factors for suicide and suicidal behaviour. The few protective factors reported were related to men having a family, high socioeconomic status, and being born between 1901 and 1950.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivalu Katajavaara Seidler
- National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Institute of Health and Nature, University of Greenland, Nuuk, Greenland
| | - Nanna Lund Hansen
- National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Arnârak Patricia Bloch
- National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Christina Viskum Lytken Larsen
- National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Institute of Health and Nature, University of Greenland, Nuuk, Greenland
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24
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Almdal K, Storkholm J, Bernth-Andersen S, Hansen CP. The results of pancreatic surgery in Inuit patients from Greenland 1999-2022. Int J Circumpolar Health 2023; 82:2208392. [PMID: 37158539 PMCID: PMC10171119 DOI: 10.1080/22423982.2023.2208392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The study evaluates the outcome after surgery for pancreatic and periampullary tumors in Greenlandic Inuit with overall survival (OS) of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) as secondary outcome. Results were compared with Danish patients with an identical tumor stage and age operated at the same hospital during the same period from 31. January 1999 to 31. January 2021. Follow up was minimum one year. Preoperative health data shoved a higher rate of smoking among Greenlandic patients, but a lower preoperative comorbidity than in Danish patients. Patients from Greenland had a lower resection rate and a higher rate of palliative operations. Postoperative complications and in-hospital mortality were not significantly different. Adjuvant oncologic treatment was well accepted by Greenlandic patients but less common in a palliative setting than in Danish patients. The one, two, and five-year survival in Greenlandic and Danish patients after radical operation for PDAC was 54.4% vs. 74.6%, 23.4% vs. 48.6%, and 0.0% vs. 23.4%, respectively. The overall survival with non-resectable PDAC was 5.9 and 8.8 months, respectively. It is concluded that although patients from Greenland have the same access to specialized treatment, the outcome after treatment for pancreatic and periampullary cancer is less favorable than in Danish patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerstin Almdal
- Department of Surgery, Dronning Ingrid's Hospital, Nuuk, Greenland
| | - Jan Storkholm
- Department of Surgery and Transplantation, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
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25
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Nielsen MH, Backe MB, Pedersen ML. Low prevalence of diagnosed asthma in Greenland - a call for increased focus on diagnosing. Int J Circumpolar Health 2023; 82:2195136. [PMID: 36987776 PMCID: PMC10062239 DOI: 10.1080/22423982.2023.2195136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to estimate prevalence of patients with asthma in Greenland according to age, gender and residence and to investigate the associated quality of care. The study was performed as a cross-sectional study with data extracted from the Greenlandic electronical medical record. A total of 870 patients aged 12 years or above were diagnosed with asthma at the end of 2022, corresponding to a prevalence of 1.9%. In 2020, the total prevalence was 0.2%. The prevalence of patients aged 12 years or above with asthma was highest among patients in Nuuk (3.3%) compared with patients in the remaining parts of Greenland (1.1%). More women than men were diagnosed with asthma, and the prevalence increased with age from 20 to 59 years. The prevalence of current smokers was high among the asthma population. The quality of care was significantly higher among patients living in Nuuk for all process indicators compared with patients from the remaining parts of Greenland. The prevalence of asthma in Greenland is low compared to other comparable populations and might be underestimated. Initiatives supporting increased focus on diagnosing asthma are thus warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maja Hykkelbjerg Nielsen
- Steno Diabetes Center Greenland, Queen Ingrid's Hospital, Nuuk, Greenland
- Greenland Center for Health Research, Institute of Health and Nature, University of Greenland, Nuuk, Greenland
- Faculty of Health, Department of Clinical Medicine, Incuba/Skejby, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Marie Balslev Backe
- Steno Diabetes Center Greenland, Queen Ingrid's Hospital, Nuuk, Greenland
- Greenland Center for Health Research, Institute of Health and Nature, University of Greenland, Nuuk, Greenland
- Department of Clinical Research, Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Michael Lynge Pedersen
- Steno Diabetes Center Greenland, Queen Ingrid's Hospital, Nuuk, Greenland
- Greenland Center for Health Research, Institute of Health and Nature, University of Greenland, Nuuk, Greenland
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26
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Lomstein FB, Kjærgaard M, Skovgaard N, Pedersen ML, Backe MB. Reporting chronic kidney disease in Greenland. Int J Circumpolar Health 2023; 82:2261223. [PMID: 37742312 PMCID: PMC10519261 DOI: 10.1080/22423982.2023.2261223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major health burden affecting more than 10% of the global population. It is a multifactorial disease with many risk factors attributed lifestyle diseases. The prevalence of CKD in Greenland is unknown; however, the prevalence of risk factors contributing to CKD is increasing.Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of CKD in Greenland.Methods: The study was a cross-sectional register-study including all Greenlandic residents aged ≥20 years with serum creatinine analysis within the last 2 years. We identified those with CKD based on eGFR and UACR and those registered with a CKD diagnosis code. Two limitations of the study are possible lack of data completeness and the reliance of a single time point to report CKD.Results: A total of 2,157 patients were identified with CKD with an age-standardised prevalence of 3.01%. Only 75 patients were registered with a diagnosis code for CKD. Approximately 80% of patients were classified with CKD stages 1-2.Conclusion: This is the first study reporting CKD in Greenland. We found a lower prevalence of CKD than reported by other studies, and a low number of patients correctly diagnosed with CKD. We call for increased awareness and diagnosis coding of CKD in Greenland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian Bøgild Lomstein
- Department of Cardiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Cardiology, Gødstrup Hospital, Herning, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Steno Diabetes Center Greenland, Queen Ingrid’s Hospital, Nuuk, Greenland
| | - Marie Kjærgaard
- Department of Internal Medicine, Queen Ingrid’s Hospital, Nuuk, Greenland
- Department of Nephrology, Sygehus Lillebælt, Kolding, Denmark
| | - Nils Skovgaard
- Steno Diabetes Center Greenland, Queen Ingrid’s Hospital, Nuuk, Greenland
- Greenland’s Centre for Health Research, Institute of Health and Nature, University of Greenland, Nuuk, Greenland
| | - Michael Lynge Pedersen
- Steno Diabetes Center Greenland, Queen Ingrid’s Hospital, Nuuk, Greenland
- Greenland’s Centre for Health Research, Institute of Health and Nature, University of Greenland, Nuuk, Greenland
| | - Marie Balslev Backe
- Steno Diabetes Center Greenland, Queen Ingrid’s Hospital, Nuuk, Greenland
- Greenland’s Centre for Health Research, Institute of Health and Nature, University of Greenland, Nuuk, Greenland
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen, Herlev, Denmark
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27
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Botvid SHC, Storgaard Hove L, Sauer Mikkelsen C, Skovgaard N, Lynge Pedersen M, Balslev Backe M. Patterns in contacts with primary health care centres in Greenland. Int J Circumpolar Health 2023; 82:2217007. [PMID: 37219998 DOI: 10.1080/22423982.2023.2217007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the activity within the primary health care (PHC) in Greenland by identifying the patterns of all registered contacts made by patients in 2021, and to compare the most frequently used types of contacts and diagnostic codes in Nuuk to the rest of Greenland. The study was designed as a cross-sectional register study using data from the national electronic medical records (EMR) and diagnostic codes from the ICPC-2-system. In 2021, 83.7% (46,522) of the Greenlandic population were in contact with the PHC, resulting in 335,494 registered contacts. The majority of the contacts with PHC was made by females (61.3%). On average, females were in contact with PHC 8.4 times per patient per year, while males were in contact with PHC 5.9 times per patient per year. The most frequently used diagnostic group was "General and unspecified", followed by "Musculoskeletal" and "Skin". The results are in line with studies from other northern countries and indicate an easily accessible PHC system, with a predominance of female contacts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Hedvig Christina Botvid
- Queen Ingrid's Health Care Center, Queen Ingrid's Hospital, Nuuk, Greenland
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Carsten Sauer Mikkelsen
- Hudklinikken i Brønderslev, Research Center, Department of Dermato-venereology, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Nils Skovgaard
- Steno Diabetes Center Greenland, Inuunerissaavik Steno Kalaallit Nunaat, Nuuk, Greenland
- Greenland Center for Health Research, Institute of Health and Nature, University of Greenland, Nuuk, Greenland
| | - Michael Lynge Pedersen
- Steno Diabetes Center Greenland, Inuunerissaavik Steno Kalaallit Nunaat, Nuuk, Greenland
- Greenland Center for Health Research, Institute of Health and Nature, University of Greenland, Nuuk, Greenland
| | - Marie Balslev Backe
- Steno Diabetes Center Greenland, Inuunerissaavik Steno Kalaallit Nunaat, Nuuk, Greenland
- Greenland Center for Health Research, Institute of Health and Nature, University of Greenland, Nuuk, Greenland
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28
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Banzon T, Elklit A. Greenlandic norms for the parent-report and self-report versions of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Int J Circumpolar Health 2023; 82:2279790. [PMID: 37956158 PMCID: PMC10653636 DOI: 10.1080/22423982.2023.2279790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) is a brief screening questionnaire of child behaviour, used to evaluate mental health. It is applicable for children 2-17 years, available to both parents and professionals, and exists in a self-report version available from the age of 11 years. This paper aims to generate Greenlandic norms on the self-report and parent-report versions of the SDQ. In 2023, the self-report version was translated, and a representative sample of children and adolescents completed the SDQ (N = 641). In 2008, the parent-report version was translated into Greenlandic and used in a study of children's well-being (N = 939). Data from both samples were analysed, generating normative scores. Results show significant differences between genders (effect sizes of .006-.145), and discrepancies between parent and self-report. Parents report higher total problems for boys, while self-reporting indicate higher total problems for girls. Cut-off values are higher for self-report norms than parent-report norms. Mean scores on the SDQ total score and subscales differ across age, area of living, caregiver constellation and caregiver's educational level (effect sizes of .011-.064). With the availability of Greenlandic norms, we anticipate further use of the SDQ in clinical practice and research settings, strengthening screening and assessment of children and adolescents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trine Banzon
- The Danish National Center for Psychotraumatology, Department of Psychology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- LD research group, Department of Psychology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Ask Elklit
- The Danish National Center for Psychotraumatology, Department of Psychology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
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29
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Larsen HE, Geisler UW, Gustafsson F, Jørgensen ME, Pedersen ML. Prevalence and clinical features of heart failure in Greenland. Int J Circumpolar Health 2023; 82:2178068. [PMID: 36803445 PMCID: PMC9946303 DOI: 10.1080/22423982.2023.2178068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Heart Failure (HF) constitutes a significant burden for healthcare around the world. In Greenland, risk factors like smoking, diabetes, and obesity are prevalent. Yet, the prevalence of HF remains unexplored. This register-based cross-sectional study uses data from the national medical record in Greenland to estimate the age- and gender-specific prevalence of HF and to describe the characteristics of patients with HF in Greenland. A total of 507 patients (26% women) with a mean age of 65 years were included based on a diagnosis of HF. The overall prevalence was 1.1% and higher among men compared to women (1.6% vs. 0.6%, p < 0.05). The highest prevalence was among men above 84 years (11.1%). More than half (53%) had a body mass index above 30 kg/m2 and 43% were current daily smokers. The proportion diagnosed with ischaemic heart disease (IHD) was 33%. The overall prevalence of HF in Greenland is consistent with that in other high-income countries, yet high among men in some age groups, compared to Danish men. Almost half the patients were obese and/or smokers. A low prevalence of IHD was observed indicating that other factors may play a role in developing HF among Greenlanders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hjalte Erichsen Larsen
- Greenland Center for Health Research, Institute of Health and Nature, University of Greenland, Nuuk, Greenland,Medical Department, Queen Ingrid’s Hospital, Nuuk, Greenland,CONTACT Hjalte Erichsen Larsen Greenland Center for Health Research, Institute of Health and Nature, University of Greenland, Dronning Ingridsvej 14, 503, 3900Nuuk, Greenland
| | | | - Finn Gustafsson
- Department of Cardiology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Marit Eika Jørgensen
- Greenland Center for Health Research, Institute of Health and Nature, University of Greenland, Nuuk, Greenland,Clinical Research, Steno Diabetes Center Greenland, Nuuk, Greenland,Centre for Public Health in Greenland National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark
| | - Michael Lynge Pedersen
- Greenland Center for Health Research, Institute of Health and Nature, University of Greenland, Nuuk, Greenland,Clinical Research, Steno Diabetes Center Greenland, Nuuk, Greenland
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30
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Frandsen S, Pedersen AJ, Gredal O, Møller S, Geissler UW, Nørøxe DS. Treatment of glioblastoma in Greenlandic patients. Int J Circumpolar Health 2023; 82:2285077. [PMID: 37992407 PMCID: PMC10997297 DOI: 10.1080/22423982.2023.2285077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM), WHO grade IV, is the most common primary malignant brain tumour among adults with a devastating overall survival of 14-22 months. Standard treatment of GBM includes maximum safe resection, radiotherapy plus concomitant and adjuvant temozolomide (TMZ), given over a period of approximately 9 months. Treatment and follow-up for Greenlandic patients with GBM are managed at Rigshospitalet (RH), Copenhagen. Greenlandic GBM patients, therefore, travel back and forth to RH, often unaccompanied, and challenged by cognitive failure or other symptoms from their disease and/or treatment. Few Greenlandic patients are diagnosed with GBM annually, but considering the poor prognosis and short remaining lifespan, it would be preferable to limit their travels. TMZ is administrated as capsules. Health personnel at Queen Ingrid's Hospital (DIH), Nuuk, are trained in treating other oncological diseases and handling side effects. Hence, it could be investigated whether administration of adjuvant TMZ at DIH could be feasible after personnel education as well as economic consideration and compensation, in close collaboration with neuro oncologists at RH. In this article, we describe the Greenlandic cancer treatment, and the typical workflow from diagnosis of GBM to treatment to progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Frandsen
- Department of Medicine, Queen Ingrid’s Hospital, Nuuk, Greenland
- Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Ole Gredal
- Department of Medicine, Queen Ingrid’s Hospital, Nuuk, Greenland
| | - Søren Møller
- Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Dorte Schou Nørøxe
- Department of Medicine, Queen Ingrid’s Hospital, Nuuk, Greenland
- Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
- DCCC Brain Tumor Center, Copenhagen, Denmark
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31
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Kihm JH, Zawierucha K, Rho HS, Park TYS. Homology of the head sensory structures between Heterotardigrada and Eutardigrada supported in a new species of water bear (Ramazzottiidae: Ramazzottius). Zoological Lett 2023; 9:22. [PMID: 38012802 PMCID: PMC10680360 DOI: 10.1186/s40851-023-00221-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Phylum Tardigrada is represented by microscopic eight-legged panarthropods that inhabit terrestrial and marine environments. Although tardigrades are emerging model animals for areas of research including physiology, evolutionary biology, and astrobiology, knowledge of their external morphology remains insufficient. For instance, homologies between marine and terrestrial relatives largely remain unexplored. In the present study we provide detailed pictures of the head sensory organs in a new tardigrade, Ramazzottius groenlandensis sp. nov. Specimens were collected from a mixed moss and lichen sample on Ella Island, East Greenland. The new species differs from congeneric species in the presence of polygonal sculpturing on the dorsal cuticle, which is accentuated in the posterior region of the body, a lateral papilla on leg IV, and distinctive egg morphology. A Bayesian phylogenetic analysis (18S rRNA + 28S rRNA + COI) places the new species within the genus Ramazzottius with high confidence. Interestingly, the new species shows a full set of well-developed cephalic organs, which correspond to all sensory fields found in eutardigrades. Details on the full set of head organs were present only for heterotardigrades. The surface of these organs is covered with small pores, which presumably play a sensory role. This discovery suggests the homology of head sensory structures between heterotardigrades and eutardigrades, implying that the distinctive arrangement and positioning of sensory organs on the head is a plesiomorphic feature of tardigrades. Moreover, we find that the Ramazzottius oberhaeuseri morphotype forms a morphogroup, not a monophyletic species complex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji-Hoon Kihm
- Division of Earth Sciences, Korea Polar Research Institute, 26 Songdomirae-ro, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon, 21990, Korea.
| | - Krzysztof Zawierucha
- Department of Animal Taxonomy and Ecology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego 6, Poznań, 61-614, Poland
| | - Hyun Soo Rho
- East Sea Environmental Research Center, East Sea Research Institute, Korea Institute of Ocean Science & Technology, 48 Haeyanggwahak-gil, Uljin, Gyeongsangbuk-do, 36315, Korea
| | - Tae-Yoon S Park
- Division of Earth Sciences, Korea Polar Research Institute, 26 Songdomirae-ro, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon, 21990, Korea
- Polar Sciences, University of Science and Technology, 217 Gajeong-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34113, Korea
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32
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Coiro M, Allio R, Mazet N, Seyfullah LJ, Condamine FL. Reconciling fossils with phylogenies reveals the origin and macroevolutionary processes explaining the global cycad biodiversity. New Phytol 2023; 240:1616-1635. [PMID: 37302411 PMCID: PMC10953041 DOI: 10.1111/nph.19010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The determinants of biodiversity patterns can be understood using macroevolutionary analyses. The integration of fossils into phylogenies offers a deeper understanding of processes underlying biodiversity patterns in deep time. Cycadales are considered a relict of a once more diverse and globally distributed group but are restricted to low latitudes today. We still know little about their origin and geographic range evolution. Combining molecular data for extant species and leaf morphological data for extant and fossil species, we study the origin of cycad global biodiversity patterns through Bayesian total-evidence dating analyses. We assess the ancestral geographic origin and trace the historical biogeography of cycads with a time-stratified process-based model. Cycads originated in the Carboniferous on the Laurasian landmass and expanded in Gondwana in the Jurassic. Through now-vanished continental connections, Antarctica and Greenland were crucial biogeographic crossroads for cycad biogeography. Vicariance is an essential speciation mode in the deep and recent past. Their latitudinal span increased in the Jurassic and restrained toward subtropical latitudes in the Neogene in line with biogeographic inferences of high-latitude extirpations. We show the benefits of integrating fossils into phylogenies to estimate ancestral areas of origin and to study evolutionary processes explaining the global distribution of present-day relict groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Coiro
- Department of PalaeontologyUniversity of Vienna1090ViennaAustria
- Ronin Institute for Independent ScholarshipMontclairNJ07043USA
| | - Rémi Allio
- Centre de Biologie pour la Gestion des Populations, INRAE, CIRAD, IRD, Montpellier SupAgroUniversité de Montpellier34988MontpellierFrance
| | - Nathan Mazet
- CNRS, Institut des Sciences de l'Evolution de Montpellier, Université de MontpellierPlace Eugène Bataillon34095MontpellierFrance
| | | | - Fabien L. Condamine
- CNRS, Institut des Sciences de l'Evolution de Montpellier, Université de MontpellierPlace Eugène Bataillon34095MontpellierFrance
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Albertsen N, Hansen AS, Skovgaard N, Riahi S, Lynge Pedersen M, Andersen S. Ischemic Strokes Are Common Among Young Greenlanders: A Cross-Sectional Study. Stroke 2023; 54:e438-e439. [PMID: 37548007 DOI: 10.1161/strokeaha.123.042989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Nadja Albertsen
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, Aalborg University Hospital, Denmark (N.A., A.-S.H., S.A.)
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Aalborg, Denmark (N.A., S.R., S.A.)
- Greenland's Center for Health Research, University of Greenland (N.A., N.S., M.L.P., S.A.)
| | - Anne-Sofie Hansen
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, Aalborg University Hospital, Denmark (N.A., A.-S.H., S.A.)
| | - Nils Skovgaard
- Greenland's Center for Health Research, University of Greenland (N.A., N.S., M.L.P., S.A.)
| | - Sam Riahi
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Aalborg, Denmark (N.A., S.R., S.A.)
- Department of Cardiology, Aalborg University Hospital, Denmark (S.R.)
| | - Michael Lynge Pedersen
- Greenland's Center for Health Research, University of Greenland (N.A., N.S., M.L.P., S.A.)
- Steno Diabetes Center, Nuuk, Greenland (M.L.P.)
| | - Stig Andersen
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, Aalborg University Hospital, Denmark (N.A., A.-S.H., S.A.)
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Aalborg, Denmark (N.A., S.R., S.A.)
- Greenland's Center for Health Research, University of Greenland (N.A., N.S., M.L.P., S.A.)
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Mioduchowska M, Pawłowska J, Mazanowski K, Weydmann-Zwolicka A. Contrasting Marine Microbial Communities of the Fram Strait with the First Confirmed Record of Cyanobacteria Prochlorococcus marinus in the Arctic Region. Biology (Basel) 2023; 12:1246. [PMID: 37759645 PMCID: PMC10525857 DOI: 10.3390/biology12091246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
The seawater microbiome is crucial in marine ecosystems because of its role in food chains and biogeochemical cycles; thus, we studied the composition of the pelagic marine microbiome collected in the upper 50 m on the opposite sides of Fram Strait: Spitsbergen and Greenland shelves. We found out that it differed significantly, with salinity being the main environmental variable responsible for these differences. The Spitsbergen shelf was dominated by Atlantic Waters, with a rather homogenous water column in terms of salinity and temperature down to 300 m; hence, the marine microbial community was also homogenous at all sampled depths (0, 25, 50 m). On the contrary, stations on the Greenland shelf were exposed to different water masses of both Arctic and Atlantic origin, which resulted in a more diverse microbial community there. Unexpectedly, for the very first time, we identified cyanobacterium Prochlorococcus marinus in Arctic waters (Spitsbergen shelf, 75-77° N). Till now, the distribution of this cyanobacteria in oceans has been described only between 40° N and 40° S. Considering the accelerated rate of climate warming in the Arctic, our results indicated that the seawater microbiome can be viewed as an amplifier of global change and that the Atlantification is in progress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Mioduchowska
- Department of Evolutionary Genetics and Biosystematics, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, 80-308 Gdansk, Poland
- Laboratory of Plankton Biology, Department of Marine Biology and Biotechnology, University of Gdansk, 81-378 Gdynia, Poland;
| | - Joanna Pawłowska
- Department of Paleoceanography, Institute of Oceanology Polish Academy of Sciences, 81-712 Sopot, Poland;
| | - Karol Mazanowski
- Laboratory of Plankton Biology, Department of Marine Biology and Biotechnology, University of Gdansk, 81-378 Gdynia, Poland;
| | - Agata Weydmann-Zwolicka
- Laboratory of Plankton Biology, Department of Marine Biology and Biotechnology, University of Gdansk, 81-378 Gdynia, Poland;
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Merkel FR, Labansen AL, Autzen TF, Simon M, Hermannsen L. Quantifying marine traffic intensity in Northwest Greenland and the potential disturbance of two seabird colonies. Mar Pollut Bull 2023; 194:115398. [PMID: 37657192 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/03/2023]
Abstract
Marine traffic poses a growing threat to wildlife in the marine environment, including Arctic seabirds, which are exposed to high vessel densities when breeding in coastal areas. However, little is known about the magnitude of the problem. Here, we utilized underwater acoustic monitoring to quantify marine traffic and above-water disturbances at two thick-billed murre colonies in Greenland in 2016. We detected a total of 307 vessels, and only 4 % was known from automatic monitoring systems. Based on proximity, noise emission, and boating behavior, we classified 11 vessels as disturbing and an additional 12 as potentially disturbing for the seabirds. One colony facing population decline was located closest to the main boating route and experienced 2-5 times more disturbances than the other (increasing) colony, suggesting a negative impact of marine traffic. Our study shows that underwater acoustics can be a useful method to quantify above-water disturbances of seabird colonies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flemming Ravn Merkel
- Greenland Institute of Natural Resources, Kivioq 2, PO Box 570, 3900 Nuuk, Greenland; Department of Ecoscience, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark.
| | - Aili Lage Labansen
- Greenland Institute of Natural Resources, Kivioq 2, PO Box 570, 3900 Nuuk, Greenland
| | - Thyge Feldskou Autzen
- Greenland Institute of Natural Resources, Kivioq 2, PO Box 570, 3900 Nuuk, Greenland
| | - Malene Simon
- Greenland Climate Research Centre, Greenland Institute of Natural Resources, Kivioq 2, PO Box 570, 3900 Nuuk, Greenland
| | - Line Hermannsen
- Department of Ecoscience, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark
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Albertsen N, Hansen AS, Skovgaard N, Pedersen ML, Andersen S, Riahi S. Is the Pattern Changing? Atrial Fibrillation and Screening with Holter Electrocardiograms among Ischemic Stroke Patients in Greenland from 2016 to 2021. J Clin Med 2023; 12:5378. [PMID: 37629419 PMCID: PMC10455734 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12165378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Revised: 08/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
A standardized examination regime for ischemic stroke (IS) patients was implemented in Greenland in 2010. Prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF) of 32% was found among discharged IS patients from 2011 to 2012, and our study aims to estimate the use of Holter ECGs for AF diagnostics and the current prevalence of AF among IS patients in Greenland. Patients discharged from Queen Ingrid's Hospital in Nuuk between 2016 and 2021 with an ICD-10 diagnosis of IS or stroke without specification were included. Data on Holter recordings, age, gender, medical treatment with rivaroxaban or warfarin, and ICD-10 and ICPC codes for AF were extracted for each patient. The overall incidence of IS from 2016 to 2021 was 133/100,000 and unchanged since 2012. Sixty-eight of the study's IS patients (14.5%) had AF, and 46% of IS patients with Holter data accessible had a recording according to international recommendations. Our results indicate that fewer IS patients in Greenland have AF than previously. However, the insufficient use of Holter as a diagnostic tool may explain part of the drop, as well as improved preventive treatment with rivaroxaban among AF patients in Greenland. Regardless, IS remains common, and a focus on diagnostics and preventable risk factors should be maintained.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadja Albertsen
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, Aalborg University Hospital, 9000 Aalborg, Denmark; (A.S.H.); (S.A.)
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, 9000 Aalborg, Denmark;
- Center for Health Research, Ilisimatursarfik (University of Greenland), 3900 Nuuk, Greenland (M.L.P.)
| | - Anne Sofie Hansen
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, Aalborg University Hospital, 9000 Aalborg, Denmark; (A.S.H.); (S.A.)
| | - Nils Skovgaard
- Center for Health Research, Ilisimatursarfik (University of Greenland), 3900 Nuuk, Greenland (M.L.P.)
| | - Michael Lynge Pedersen
- Center for Health Research, Ilisimatursarfik (University of Greenland), 3900 Nuuk, Greenland (M.L.P.)
- Steno Diabetes Center Nuuk, 3900 Nuuk, Greenland
| | - Stig Andersen
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, Aalborg University Hospital, 9000 Aalborg, Denmark; (A.S.H.); (S.A.)
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, 9000 Aalborg, Denmark;
- Center for Health Research, Ilisimatursarfik (University of Greenland), 3900 Nuuk, Greenland (M.L.P.)
| | - Sam Riahi
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, 9000 Aalborg, Denmark;
- Department of Cardiology, Aalborg University Hospital, 9000 Aalborg, Denmark
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von Friesen LW, Paulsen ML, Müller O, Gründger F, Riemann L. Glacial meltwater and seasonality influence community composition of diazotrophs in Arctic coastal and open waters. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2023; 99:fiad067. [PMID: 37349965 DOI: 10.1093/femsec/fiad067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 04/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The Arctic Ocean is particularly affected by climate change with unknown consequences for primary productivity. Diazotrophs-prokaryotes capable of converting atmospheric nitrogen to ammonia-have been detected in the often nitrogen-limited Arctic Ocean but distribution and community composition dynamics are largely unknown. We performed amplicon sequencing of the diazotroph marker gene nifH from glacial rivers, coastal, and open ocean regions and identified regionally distinct Arctic communities. Proteobacterial diazotrophs dominated all seasons, epi- to mesopelagic depths and rivers to open waters and, surprisingly, Cyanobacteria were only sporadically identified in coastal and freshwaters. The upstream environment of glacial rivers influenced diazotroph diversity, and in marine samples putative anaerobic sulphate-reducers showed seasonal succession with highest prevalence in summer to polar night. Betaproteobacteria (Burkholderiales, Nitrosomonadales, and Rhodocyclales) were typically found in rivers and freshwater-influenced waters, and Delta- (Desulfuromonadales, Desulfobacterales, and Desulfovibrionales) and Gammaproteobacteria in marine waters. The identified community composition dynamics, likely driven by runoff, inorganic nutrients, particulate organic carbon, and seasonality, imply diazotrophy a phenotype of ecological relevance with expected responsiveness to ongoing climate change. Our study largely expands baseline knowledge of Arctic diazotrophs-a prerequisite to understand underpinning of nitrogen fixation-and supports nitrogen fixation as a contributor of new nitrogen in the rapidly changing Arctic Ocean.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa W von Friesen
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Strandpromenaden 5, DK-3000 Helsingør, Denmark
| | - Maria L Paulsen
- Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Ny Munkegade 114-116, DK-8000 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Oliver Müller
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Bergen, Thormøhlens gate 53A, NO-5006 Bergen, Norway
| | - Friederike Gründger
- Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Ny Munkegade 114-116, DK-8000 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Lasse Riemann
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Strandpromenaden 5, DK-3000 Helsingør, Denmark
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Noahsen P, Faber LL, Isidor S, Fonager J, Rasmussen M, Hansen HL. The COVID-19 pandemic in Greenland, epidemic features and impact of early strict measures, March 2020 to June 2022. Euro Surveill 2023; 28:2200767. [PMID: 37470739 PMCID: PMC10360370 DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es.2023.28.29.2200767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic was of major concern in Greenland. There was a high possibility of rapid transmission in settlements, and an increased risk of morbidity and mortality because of comorbidities in the population and limited access to specialised healthcare in remote areas.AimTo describe the epidemiology of the COVID-19 pandemic in Greenland and evaluate the effects of a strict COVID-19 strategy until risk groups were immunised.MethodsWe studied the epidemiology during March 2020 to June 2022. We describe the non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs), PCR-confirmed COVID-19 cases and vaccination coverage with data from the registries of the Greenlandic health authority.ResultsWe found 21,419 confirmed cases per 100,000 inhabitants (54% female, 46% male), 342 per 100,000 were hospitalised and 16 per 100,000 were admitted to the intensive care unit. The COVID-19 mortality rate was 39 per 100,000, all those affected were aged above 65 years. No excess overall mortality was observed. The vaccination coverage by June 2022 was 71.67 and 41% for one, two and three doses, respectively.ConclusionSARS-CoV-2 circulation in Greenland was low, given strict restrictions until all eligible inhabitants had been offered immunisation. The main impact of the pandemic was from May 2021 onwards with increasing numbers of confirmed cases. This occurred after introduction of the vaccine programme, which may have had an influence on the severity of the associated morbidity and mortality experienced. Halting community transmission of SARS-CoV-2 with NPIs until the majority of the population had been immunised was a successful strategy in Greenland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paneeraq Noahsen
- National Board of Health in Greenland, Nuuk, Greenland
- Ilisimatusarfik, University of Greenland, Nuuk, Greenland
- Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
- Arctic Health Research Centre, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
| | | | - Silvia Isidor
- Ilisimatusarfik, University of Greenland, Nuuk, Greenland
| | - Jannik Fonager
- Virus Research and Development section, Virus and Microbiological Special Diagnostics, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Morten Rasmussen
- Virus Research and Development section, Virus and Microbiological Special Diagnostics, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Ciracì E, Rignot E, Scheuchl B, Tolpekin V, Wollersheim M, An L, Milillo P, Bueso-Bello JL, Rizzoli P, Dini L. Melt rates in the kilometer-size grounding zone of Petermann Glacier, Greenland, before and during a retreat. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2220924120. [PMID: 37155853 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2220924120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Warming of the ocean waters surrounding Greenland plays a major role in driving glacier retreat and the contribution of glaciers to sea level rise. The melt rate at the junction of the ocean with grounded ice-or grounding line-is, however, not well known. Here, we employ a time series of satellite radar interferometry data from the German TanDEM-X mission, the Italian COSMO-SkyMed constellation, and the Finnish ICEYE constellation to document the grounding line migration and basal melt rates of Petermann Glacier, a major marine-based glacier of Northwest Greenland. We find that the grounding line migrates at tidal frequencies over a kilometer-wide (2 to 6 km) grounding zone, which is one order of magnitude larger than expected for grounding lines on a rigid bed. The highest ice shelf melt rates are recorded within the grounding zone with values from 60 ± 13 to 80 ± 15 m/y along laterally confined channels. As the grounding line retreated by 3.8 km in 2016 to 2022, it carved a cavity about 204 m in height where melt rates increased from 40 ± 11 m/y in 2016 to 2019 to 60 ± 15 m/y in 2020 to 2021. In 2022, the cavity remained open during the entire tidal cycle. Such high melt rates concentrated in kilometer-wide grounding zones contrast with the traditional plume model of grounding line melt which predicts zero melt. High rates of simulated basal melting in grounded glacier ice in numerical models will increase the glacier sensitivity to ocean warming and potentially double projections of sea level rise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrico Ciracì
- Radar Science and Engineering Section, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91109
- Department of Earth System Science, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697
| | - Eric Rignot
- Radar Science and Engineering Section, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91109
- Department of Earth System Science, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697
| | - Bernd Scheuchl
- Department of Earth System Science, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697
| | | | | | - Lu An
- College of Surveying and Geo-informatics, Tongji University, 200092 Shanghai, China
- Center for Spatial Information Science and Sustainable Development Applications, Tongji University, 200092 Shanghai, China
| | - Pietro Milillo
- Cullen College of Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77004
- Microwaves and Radar Institute, German Aerospace Center, 82234 Munich, Germany
| | | | - Paola Rizzoli
- Microwaves and Radar Institute, German Aerospace Center, 82234 Munich, Germany
| | - Luigi Dini
- Space Geodesy Centre Giuseppe Colombo, Italian Space Agency, 75100 Matera, Italy
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Brix A, Flagstad K, Backe MB, Pedersen ML, Nielsen MH. Low Prevalence of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Greenland-A Call for Increased Focus on the Importance of Diagnosis Coding. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2023; 20:ijerph20095624. [PMID: 37174144 PMCID: PMC10177777 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20095624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2022] [Revised: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of patients diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) according to age, gender, and residence in Greenland and to investigate the associated quality of care. The study was performed as an observational cross-sectional study using data on patients diagnosed with COPD, extracted from the electronical medical record (EMR) in Greenland. The total prevalence of patients aged 20-79 years diagnosed with COPD in Greenland in 2022 was 2.2%. The prevalence was significantly higher in the capital Nuuk compared to the remaining parts of Greenland (2.4% vs. 2.0%, respectively). Significantly more women than men were diagnosed with COPD, but the lung function of men was found to be significantly reduced/impaired compared to women. The prevalence of patients aged 40 years or above was 3.8%. The quality of care was significantly higher among patients living in Nuuk compared to the remaining parts of Greenland for eight out of ten quality indicators. The prevalence of COPD in Greenland is lower than in other comparable populations and might be underestimated. Continued focus on early detection of new cases and initiatives to improve and expand monitoring of quality-of-care measurements, including both additional clinical and patient reported outcomes, are recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Brix
- Queen Ingrid's Primary Health Care Center, 3900 Nuuk, Greenland
| | | | - Marie Balslev Backe
- Steno Diabetes Center Greenland, 3900 Nuuk, Greenland
- Greenland Center for Health Research, Institute of Health and Nature, University of Greenland, 3905 Nuuk, Greenland
- Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen, 2730 Herlev, Denmark
| | - Michael Lynge Pedersen
- Steno Diabetes Center Greenland, 3900 Nuuk, Greenland
- Greenland Center for Health Research, Institute of Health and Nature, University of Greenland, 3905 Nuuk, Greenland
| | - Maja Hykkelbjerg Nielsen
- Steno Diabetes Center Greenland, 3900 Nuuk, Greenland
- Greenland Center for Health Research, Institute of Health and Nature, University of Greenland, 3905 Nuuk, Greenland
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
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Niclasen S, Andersen S, Albertsen N, Krarup HB. The influence of Scandinavian presence on Greenlandic lactase persistence. Scand J Gastroenterol 2023; 58:349-353. [PMID: 36305359 DOI: 10.1080/00365521.2022.2139155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The study aims to estimate the prevalence of lactase non-persistence (LNP) among Greenlandic Inuit and Scandinavians living in Nuuk and East Greenland. The C to T transition in LCT - 13910 (rs4988235) is an autosomal inherited variant that provides the ability to lifelong lactase production, necessary to digest milk. The transition is very common in North European populations. However, LNP has only been sparsely studied in Greenland and never in Eastern Greenland, and genotype data has not previously been reported. METHODS Whole blood samples were collected from 535 participants, and rs4988235 was typed using a PCR-based method. Ethnicity was defined by parents' place of birth. Results were compared between East and West Greenland and Inuit and Scandinavians using Pearson's Chi2 test. RESULTS 82.2% of the participants were Inuit, and 17.8% were of Scandinavian ancestry. Among Inuit, 88.5% had LNP compared to 7.5% among Scandinavians (p < 0.001). The prevalence of LNP in Inuit varied significantly between East and West Greenland (p < 0.001). In the capital, 67.6% of Inuit had LNP compared to 98.6% in Tasiilaq and 100% in the villages around Tasiilaq. DISCUSSION The difference in LNP between East and West Greenland and the Inuit and Scandinavian population found in our study suggests that the original Inuit population was lactose maldigesters. Our findings suggest that the -13910 T allele was introduced into the original Inuit population by the Danes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Símun Niclasen
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
- Arctic Health Research Centre, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Stig Andersen
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
- Arctic Health Research Centre, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
- Department of Internal Medicine, Queen Ingrid's Hospital, Nuuk, Greenland
- Greenland Institute for Health Research, Ilisimatusarfik, Greenland University, Nuuk, Greenland
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Nadja Albertsen
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
- Arctic Health Research Centre, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
- Greenland Institute for Health Research, Ilisimatusarfik, Greenland University, Nuuk, Greenland
| | - Henrik Bygum Krarup
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
- Department of Molecular Diagnostics, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
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Haugaard CF, Andreasen S, Eriksen PRG, Olsen C, Kiss K, Bjørndal K, Westergaard-Nielsen M, Homøe P. Malignancy rates of salivary gland tumors in Greenlandic Inuit comparable to non-endemic populations; epidemiological mapping of salivary gland tumors 1990-2019. Acta Oncol 2023; 62:231-236. [PMID: 36951901 DOI: 10.1080/0284186x.2023.2191337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Salivary gland tumors are assumed to be predominantly malignant in the Greenlandic Inuit population, but there is limited literature on the subject. We conducted a retrospective cohort study using national registers to describe the histological tumor types, location, incidence, and survival of benign and malignant salivary gland tumors. METHODS We analyzed data on all Greenlandic Inuit with an epithelial-derived salivary gland tumor from 1990 to 2019. We extracted data from the Central Personal Registry and crossmatched it with the Danish Pathology Data Bank. All specimens were reviewed by a specialized pathologist. We noted patient and histological characteristics, calculated crude and age-adjusted incidence rates, overall survival, and excess mortality. RESULTS Our study found that 76% of salivary gland tumors in the Greenlandic Inuit population were benign, with pleomorphic adenoma being the most common. Malignant tumors accounted for 24% of cases, with lymphoepithelial carcinoma being the most common type. The most common place of origin for malignant tumors was the parotid gland (71%) and the submandibular gland (15%). The median age of onset for malignant tumors was 47 years. Age-adjusted incidence rates of malignant tumors for men and women were 3.00 and 4.12 per 100,000 person-years, respectively. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that the proportion of malignant salivary gland tumors in the Greenlandic Inuit population is similar to other nonendemic populations. Our incidence rates are higher than previously reported, likely due to differences in methodology and definitions of the Inuit population. This study provides valuable insights into the epidemiology of salivary gland tumors in the Greenlandic Inuit population and may have implications for other Inuit populations as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carl Frederik Haugaard
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Maxillofacial Surgery, Zealand University Hospital, Koege, Denmark
| | - Simon Andreasen
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Maxillofacial Surgery, Zealand University Hospital, Koege, Denmark
| | - Patrick R G Eriksen
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Maxillofacial Surgery, Zealand University Hospital, Koege, Denmark
| | - Caroline Olsen
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Katalin Kiss
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Kristine Bjørndal
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery and Audiology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Marie Westergaard-Nielsen
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery and Audiology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Preben Homøe
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Maxillofacial Surgery, Zealand University Hospital, Koege, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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43
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Seidler IK, Tolstrup JS, Bjerregaard P, Crawford A, Larsen CVL. Time trends and geographical patterns in suicide among Greenland Inuit. BMC Psychiatry 2023; 23:187. [PMID: 36944963 PMCID: PMC10031872 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-023-04675-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Between 1980 and 2018 Greenland has had one of the highest suicide rates in the world with an average rate of 96 suicides per 100,000 people annually. The aim of this study is to investigate suicide rates in Greenland according to age, birth cohort, period, sex, place of residence and suicide method from 1970 until 2018. METHODS Suicide rates were examined using register and census data from 1970-2018 among Greenland Inuit. Rates were calculated by Poisson regression in Stata and by use of Excel. In analyses of the period trends, rates were standardized according to the World Standard Population 2000-2025. RESULTS The suicide rate has been declining since a peak at 120 suicides per 100,000 people annually in the 1980s but remained high at a rate of 81.3 suicides per 100,000 people annually from 2015-2018. Descriptive analyses point to the decrease in male suicides as the primary factor for the overall decreasing rates while the rate among women has been increasing. Simultaneously, the proportion of women who used a violent suicide method increased from 60% in 1970-1979 to 90% in 2010-2018. The highest rates are seen among young people, especially young men aged 20-24 years and youth suicide rates increased with later birth cohorts. When the rates started to increase in the 1980s both the capital Nuuk and East Greenland had the highest rates. Since then, the rate in Nuuk has declined while the rate in East Greenland was three times the national rate from 2015-2018. CONCLUSIONS From 1970 to 1989 the suicide rate increased from 28.7 to 120.5 per 100,000 people mirroring a rapid societal transition in the post-colonial period. The rate has slowly declined from the peak in the 1980s but remains at a very high level. Young people in general are at risk, but the steady increase in the rate among women is worrying and there is a need to investigate underlying causes for this development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivalu Katajavaara Seidler
- National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark.
- Institute for Health and Nature, University of Greenland, Nuuk, Greenland.
| | | | - Peter Bjerregaard
- National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Christina Viskum Lytken Larsen
- National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Institute for Health and Nature, University of Greenland, Nuuk, Greenland
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Carlson DF, Vivó-Pons A, Treier UA, Mätzler E, Meire L, Sejr M, Krause-Jensen D. Mapping intertidal macrophytes in fjords in Southwest Greenland using Sentinel-2 imagery. Sci Total Environ 2023; 865:161213. [PMID: 36584947 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.161213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Changes in the distribution of coastal macrophytes in Greenland, and elsewhere in the Arctic are difficult to quantify as the region remains challenging to access and monitor. Satellite imagery, in particular Sentinel-2 (S2), may enable large-scale monitoring of coastal areas in Greenland but its use is impacted by the optically complex environments and the scarcity of supporting data in the region. Additionally, the canopies of the dominant macrophyte species in Greenland do not extend to the sea surface, limiting the use of indices that exploit the reflection of near-infrared radiation by vegetation due to its absorption by seawater. Three hypotheses are tested: I) 10-m S2 imagery and commonly used detection methods can identify intertidal macrophytes that are exposed at low tide in an optically complex fjord system in Greenland impacted by marine and land terminating glaciers; II) detached and floating macrophytes accumulate in patches that are sufficiently large to be detected by 10-m S2 images; III) iceberg scour and/or turbid meltwater runoff shape the spatial distribution of intertidal macroalgae in fjord systems with marine-terminating glaciers. The NDVI produced the best results in optically complex fjord systems in Greenland. 12 km2 of exposed intertidal macrophytes were identified in the study area at low tide. Floating mats of macrophytes ranged in area from 400 m2 to 326,800 m2 and were most common at the mouth of the fjord. Icebergs and turbidity appear to play a role in structuring the distribution of intertidal macrophytes and the retreat of marine terminating glaciers could allow macrophytes cover to expand. The challenges and solutions presented here apply to most fjords in Greenland and, therefore, the methodology may be extended to produce a Greenland-wide estimate of intertidal macrophytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel F Carlson
- Arctic Research Centre, Aarhus University, Ole Worms Allé 1, Aarhus 8000, Denmark; Optical Oceanography, Institute of Carbon Cycles, Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, Max-Planck Str. 1, 21502 Geesthacht, Germany.
| | - Antoni Vivó-Pons
- Arctic Research Centre, Aarhus University, Ole Worms Allé 1, Aarhus 8000, Denmark; Centre for Ocean Life, National Institute of Aquatic Resources, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet, Lyngby 2800, Denmark
| | - Urs A Treier
- Department of Biology, Ecoinformatics and Biodiversity, Aarhus University, Ny Munkegade 116, Aarhus 8000, Denmark
| | | | - Lorenz Meire
- Greenland Climate Research Centre, Greenland Institute of Natural Resources, Kivioq 2, Nuuk 3900, Greenland; Department of Estuarine and Delta Systems, Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, Yerseke, the Netherlands
| | - Mikael Sejr
- Arctic Research Centre, Aarhus University, Ole Worms Allé 1, Aarhus 8000, Denmark; Department of Ecoscience, Marine Ecology, Aarhus University, C.F. Møllers Allé, Building 1131, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Dorte Krause-Jensen
- Arctic Research Centre, Aarhus University, Ole Worms Allé 1, Aarhus 8000, Denmark; Department of Ecoscience, Marine Ecology, Aarhus University, C.F. Møllers Allé, Building 1131, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
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45
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Mullie P, Deliens T, Clarys P. East-Greenland traditional nutrition: a reanalysis of the Høygaard et al. nutritional data (1936-1937). Br J Nutr 2023; 129:813-9. [PMID: 34933697 DOI: 10.1017/S0007114521005055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Greenlandic traditional nutrition was unique in the arctic environment. The aim of the present study was to reanalyse the Høygaard et al. data, focusing on two micronutrients object of discussion, i.e. Ca and vitamin C. Høygaard et al. left Copenhagen in August 1936 and stayed in East-Greenland until August 1937. The members of the expedition recorded nutritional intake whilst residing in families. However, the nutritional intake was analysed on a household level. In total, thirty-five adults and fourty-one children participated. Median total energy expenditure in kcal per d was estimated at 2978 and 2627 for male and female adults, respectively, and 1997 for children and adolescents. Median (IQR) energy consumption in kcal per d was 3881 (1568) for male and 2910 (882) for female adults. This was 2442 (857) and 2023 (1122) for male and female children and adolescents. Median (IQR) Ca intake in mg.d-1 was 555 (1110) for male and 484 (883) for female adults. This was 458 (747) and 358 (838) for male and female children and adolescents. Median (IQR) vitamin C intake in mg.d-1 was 79 (77) for male and 59 (56) for female adults. This was 44 (47) and 60 (52) for male and female children and adolescents. In this study, the importance of traditional foods in reaching an acceptable energy balance was emphasised, together with the confirmation of a low Ca intake in East-Greenland traditional dietary pattern, and the important role of algae consumption in Inuit traditional dietary pattern to avoid scurvy.
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Senftleber NK, Ramne S, Moltke I, Jørgensen ME, Albrechtsen A, Hansen T, Andersen MK. Genetic Loss of Sucrase-Isomaltase Function: Mechanisms, Implications, and Future Perspectives. Appl Clin Genet 2023; 16:31-39. [PMID: 36994449 PMCID: PMC10041990 DOI: 10.2147/tacg.s401712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Genetic variants causing loss of sucrase-isomaltase (SI) function result in malabsorption of sucrose and starch components and the condition congenital sucrase-isomaltase deficiency (CSID). The identified genetic variants causing CSID are very rare in all surveyed populations around the globe, except the Arctic-specific c.273_274delAG loss-of-function (LoF) variant, which is common in the Greenlandic Inuit and other Arctic populations. In these populations, it is, therefore, possible to study people with loss of SI function in an unbiased way to elucidate the physiological function of SI, and investigate both short-term and long-term health effects of reduced small intestinal digestion of sucrose and starch. Importantly, a recent study of the LoF variant in Greenlanders reported that adult homozygous carriers have a markedly healthier metabolic profile. These findings indicate that SI inhibition could potentially improve metabolic health also in individuals not carrying the LoF variant, which is of great interest considering the massive number of individuals with obesity and type 2 diabetes worldwide. Therefore, the objectives of this review, are 1) to describe the biological role of SI, 2) to describe the metabolic impact of the Arctic SI LoF variant, 3) to reflect on potential mechanisms linking reduced SI function to metabolic health, and 4) to discuss what knowledge is necessary to properly evaluate whether SI inhibition is a potential therapeutic target for improving cardiometabolic health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ninna Karsbæk Senftleber
- Clinical Research, Copenhagen University Hospital – Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Stina Ramne
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ida Moltke
- Section for Computational and RNA Biology, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Marit Eika Jørgensen
- Clinical Research, Copenhagen University Hospital – Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen, Herlev, Denmark
- Centre for Public Health in Greenland, National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Steno Diabetes Center Greenland, Nuuk, Greenland
| | - Anders Albrechtsen
- Section for Computational and RNA Biology, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Torben Hansen
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mette K Andersen
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Correspondence: Mette K Andersen, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3B, Mærsk Tårnet, 8. sal, 2200 København N., Copenhagen, Denmark, Tel +45 35325282, Email
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47
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Sejr MK, Bruhn A, Dalsgaard T, Juul-Pedersen T, Stedmon CA, Blicher M, Meire L, Mankoff KD, Thyrring J. Glacial meltwater determines the balance between autotrophic and heterotrophic processes in a Greenland fjord. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2207024119. [PMID: 36534802 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2207024119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Global warming accelerates melting of glaciers and increases the supply of meltwater and associated inorganic particles, nutrients, and organic matter to adjacent coastal seas, but the ecosystem impact is poorly resolved and quantified. When meltwater is delivered by glacial rivers, the potential impact could be a reduction in light and nutrient availability for primary producers while supplying allochthonous carbon for heterotrophic processes, thereby tipping the net community metabolism toward heterotrophy. To test this hypothesis, we determined physical and biogeochemical parameters along a 110-km fjord transect in NE Greenland fjord, impacted by glacial meltwater from the Greenland Ice Sheet. The meltwater is delivered from glacier-fed river outlets in the inner parts of the fjord, creating a gradient in salinity and turbidity. The planktonic primary production was low, 20-45 mg C m-2 d-1, in the more turbid inner half of the fjord, increasing 10-fold to around 350 mg C m-2 d-1 in the shelf waters outside the fjord. Plankton community metabolism was measured at three stations, which displayed a transition from net heterotrophy in the inner fjord to net autotrophy in the coastal shelf waters. Respiration was significantly correlated to turbidity, with a 10-fold increase in the inner turbid part of the fjord. We estimated the changes in meltwater input and sea ice coverage in the area for the last 60 y. The long-term trend and the observed effects demonstrated the importance of freshwater runoff as a key driver of coastal ecosystem change in the Arctic with potential negative consequences for coastal productivity.
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48
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Bjerregaard P, Larsen CVL, Olesen I, Ottendahl CB, Backer V, Senftleber N, Christensen MMB, Larsen TJ, Byberg S, Hansen T, Jørgensen ME. The Greenland population health survey 2018 - methods of a prospective study of risk factors for lifestyle related diseases and social determinants of health amongst Inuit. Int J Circumpolar Health 2022; 81:2090067. [PMID: 35711125 PMCID: PMC9225753 DOI: 10.1080/22423982.2022.2090067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Since 1993, regular population health surveys in Greenland have supported and monitored the public health strategy of Greenland and have monitored cardiometabolic and lung diseases. The most recent of these surveys included 2539 persons aged 15+ from 20 communities spread over the whole country. The survey instruments included personal interviews, self-administered questionnaires, blood sampling, anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, ECG, oral glucose test, pulmonary function, hand grip strength and chair stand test. Blood samples were analysed for glucose, glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), insulin, incretin hormones, cholesterol, kidney function, fatty acids in erythrocyte membranes and mercury, urine for albumin-creatinine ratio, and aliquots were stored at -80°C for future use. Data were furthermore collected for studies of the gut microbiome and diabetes complications. Survey participants were followed up with register data. The potential of the study is to contribute to the continued monitoring of risk factors and health conditions as part of Greenland's public health strategy and to study the epidemiology of cardiometabolic diseases and other chronic diseases and behavioural risk factors. The next population health survey is planned for 2024. The emphasis of the article is on the methods of the study and results will be presented in other publications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Bjerregaard
- National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Christina Viskum Lytken Larsen
- National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.,Institute of Health and Nature, University of Greenland, Nuuk, Greenland
| | - Ingelise Olesen
- Institute of Health and Nature, University of Greenland, Nuuk, Greenland
| | | | - Vibeke Backer
- Department of otorhinolaryngology Head & Neck surgery and Audiology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ninna Senftleber
- Steno Diabetes Center Greenland, Nuuk, Greenland.,Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Trine Jul Larsen
- Institute of Health and Nature, University of Greenland, Nuuk, Greenland
| | | | - Torben Hansen
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Marit Eika Jørgensen
- National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.,Institute of Health and Nature, University of Greenland, Nuuk, Greenland.,Steno Diabetes Center Greenland, Nuuk, Greenland.,Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen, Denmark
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49
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Nielsen MH, Backe MB, Pedersen ML. Prevalence of patients using antihypertensive medication in Greenland, and an assessment of the importance of diagnosis for the associated quality of care - a cross-sectional study. Int J Circumpolar Health 2022; 81:2110675. [PMID: 35938701 PMCID: PMC9364711 DOI: 10.1080/22423982.2022.2110675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to estimate the age- and sex specific prevalence of patients using antihypertensive medication in Greenland, and compared the quality of care between patients with and without a diagnosis for hypertension. The study was a cross-sectional study comparing patients using antihypertensive medication in 2020 (6,629 patients) and 2021 (7,008 patients), respectively. For data from 2021, patients with a medical diagnosis code were identified. Data was obtained from the Greenlandic electronic medical record. The population of Greenland was used as background population. Quality of care was evaluated based on suggested indicators by international guidelines and goals from Steno Diabetes Centre Greenland. The prevalence of patients aged ≥20 years using antihypertensive medication had increased from 16.7% in 2020 to 17.5% in 2021. The prevalence increased by age and was higher among women compared to men. In 2021, the prevalence of patients aged ≥20 years with a medical diagnosis code for hypertension was 7.9%. The use of antihypertensive medication in Greenland is common. The associated quality of care was low. However, process indicators were significantly improved when patients had a medical diagnosis code. Future focus must be on initiating initiatives ensuring that more patients are registered with a medical diagnosis code.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maja Hykkelbjerg Nielsen
- Steno Diabetes Centre Greenland, Queen Ingrid's Hospital, Nuuk, Greenland.,Greenland Centre for Health Research, Institute of Health and Nature, University of Greenland, Nuuk, Greenland
| | - Marie Balslev Backe
- Steno Diabetes Centre Greenland, Queen Ingrid's Hospital, Nuuk, Greenland.,Greenland Centre for Health Research, Institute of Health and Nature, University of Greenland, Nuuk, Greenland
| | - Michael Lynge Pedersen
- Steno Diabetes Centre Greenland, Queen Ingrid's Hospital, Nuuk, Greenland.,Greenland Centre for Health Research, Institute of Health and Nature, University of Greenland, Nuuk, Greenland
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50
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López-Blanco E, Langen PL, Williams M, Christensen JH, Boberg F, Langley K, Christensen TR. The future of tundra carbon storage in Greenland - Sensitivity to climate and plant trait changes. Sci Total Environ 2022; 846:157385. [PMID: 35870583 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.157385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Revised: 07/02/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The continuous change in observed key indicators such as increasing nitrogen deposition, temperatures and precipitation will have marked but uncertain consequences for the ecosystem carbon (C) sink-source functioning of the Arctic. Here, we use multiple in-situ data streams measured by the Greenland Ecosystem Monitoring programme in tight connection with the Soil-Plant-Atmosphere model and climate projections from the high-resolution HIRHAM5 regional model. We apply this modelling framework with focus on two climatically different tundra sites in Greenland (Zackenberg and Kobbefjord) to assess how sensitive the net C uptake will expectedly be under warmer and wetter conditions across the 21st century and pin down the relative contribution to the overall C sink strength from climate versus plant trait variability. Our results suggest that temperatures (5-7.7 °C), total precipitation (19-110 %) and vapour pressure deficit will increase (32-36 %), while shortwave radiation will decline (6-9 %) at both sites by 2100 under the RCP8.5 scenario. Such a combined effect will, on average, intensify the net C uptake by 9-10 g C m-2 year-1 at both sites towards the end of 2100, but Zackenberg is expected to have more than twice the C sink strength capacity of Kobbefjord. Our sensitivity analysis not only reveals that plant traits are the most sensitive parameters controlling the net C exchange in both sites at the beginning and end of the century, but also that the projected increase in the net C uptake will likely be similarly influenced by future changes in climate and existing local nutrient conditions. A series of experiments forcing realistic changes in plant nitrogen status at both sites corroborates this hypothesis. This work proves the unique synergy between monitoring data and numerical models to assist robust model calibration/validation and narrow uncertainty ranges and ultimately produce more reliable C cycle projections in understudied regions such as Greenland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Efrén López-Blanco
- Department of Environment and Minerals, Greenland Institute of Natural Resources, Kivioq 2, PO Box 570, 3900 Nuuk, Greenland; Department of Ecoscience, Arctic Research Center, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark.
| | - Peter L Langen
- Department of Environmental Sciences, iClimate, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Mathew Williams
- School of GeoSciences and NCEO, University of Edinburgh, Alexander Crum Brown Road, EH9 3FF Edinburgh, UK
| | - Jens Hesselbjerg Christensen
- Niels Bohr Institute, Copenhagen University, Tagensvej 16, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark; Danish Meteorological Institute, Lyngbyvej 100, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; NORCE, Norwegian Research Centre AS, Bjerknes Centre for Climate Research, P.O.B 22 Nygårdstangen, 5838 Bergen, Norway
| | - Fredrik Boberg
- Danish Meteorological Institute, Lyngbyvej 100, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Kirsty Langley
- Asiaq, Greenland Survey, Qatserisut 8, 3900 Nuuk, Greenland
| | - Torben Røjle Christensen
- Department of Ecoscience, Arctic Research Center, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark; Oulanka Research Station, Oulu University, PO Box 8000, 90014, Finland
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