Search

Summary Background Although the association between low socioeconomic status and non-communicable diseases is well established, the effect of socioeconomic factors on many infectious diseases is less clear, particularly in high-income countries. We examined the associations between socioeconomic characteristics and 29 infections in Sweden. Methods We did an individually matched case-control study in Sweden. We defined a case as a person aged 18–65 years who was notified with one of 29 infections between 2005 and 2014, in Sweden. Cases were individually matched with respect to sex, age, and county of residence with five randomly selected controls. We extracted the data on the 29 infectious diseases from the electronic national register of notified infections and infectious diseases (SmiNet). We extracted information on country of birth, educational and employment status, and income of cases and controls from Statistics Sweden's population registers. We calculated adjusted matched odds ratios (amOR) using conditional logistic regression to examine the association between infections or groups of infections and place of birth, education, employment, and income. Findings We included 173 729 cases notified between Jan 1, 2005, and Dec 31, 2014 and 868 645 controls. Patients with invasive bacterial diseases, blood-borne infectious diseases, tuberculosis, and antibiotic-resistant infections were more likely to be unemployed (amOR 1·59, 95% CI 1·49–1·70; amOR 3·62, 3·48–3·76; amOR 1·88, 1·65–2·14; and amOR 1·73, 1·67–1·79, respectively), to have a lower educational attainment (amOR 1·24, 1·15–1·34; amOR 3·63, 3·45–3·81; amOR 2·14, 1·85–2·47; and amOR 1·07, 1·03–1·12, respectively), and to have a lowest income (amOR 1·52, 1·39–1·66; amOR 3·64, 3·41–3·89; amOR 3·17, 2·49–4·04; and amOR 1·2, 1·14–1·25, respectively). By contrast, patients with food-borne and water-borne infections were less likely than controls to be unemployed (amOR 0·74, 95% CI 0·72–0·76), to have lower education (amOR 0·75, 0·73–0·77), and lowest income (amOR 0·59, 0·58–0·61). Interpretation These findings indicate persistent socioeconomic inequalities in infectious diseases in an egalitarian high-income country with universal health care. We recommend using these findings to identify priority interventions and as a baseline to monitor programmes addressing socioeconomic inequalities in health. Funding The Public Health Agency of Sweden.

Patients with stress-induced exhaustion disorder (SED) demonstrate cognitive dysfunction similar to patients with minor traumatic brain injury (TBI). We have previously detected elevated concentrations of astrocyte-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) in patients with TBI. As such, we hypothesized that astrocyte-derived EVs could be higher in patients with SED than in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) and healthy controls. Patients with SED (n = 31), MDD (n = 31), and healthy matched controls (n = 61) were included. Astrocyte-derived EVs (previously known as microparticles) were measured in plasma with flow cytometry and labeled against glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and aquaporin 4 (AQP4). In addition, platelet EVs and their CD40 ligand expression were measured. Patients with SED had significantly higher concentrations of AQP4 and GFAP-positive EVs and EVs co-expressing AQP4/GFAP than patients with MDD and healthy controls. Patients with MDD had significantly higher concentrations of GFAP-positive EVs and EVs co-expressing AQP4/GFAP than healthy controls. Platelet EVs did not differ between groups. CD40 ligand expression was significantly higher in patients with SED and MDD than in controls. In conclusion, the present study suggests that patients with SED, and to some extent, patients with MDD, have increased leakage of astrocyte-derived EVs through the blood–brain barrier.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has been implicated in the pathophysiology of stress-related mental disorders. However, VEGF levels have seldom been compared across mental disorders and never by isoforms. Pathophysiological processes involving leakage of astrocyte-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) across the blood–brain barrier could be associated with VEGF levels in patients with stress-related mental disorders. This cross-sectional study compared plasma levels of VEGF121, VEGF165, and VEGF121 + VEGF165 (VEGFtotal) in patients with stress-induced exhaustion disorder (SED) (n = 31), patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) (n = 31), and healthy controls (n = 61). It also analyzed the correlation between VEGF and astrocyte-derived EVs in plasma. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure VEGF121 and VEGF165 in citrate plasma, and flow cytometry was used to measure astrocyte-derived EVs in plasma. The mean concentration of soluble VEGF121 (sVEGF121) was significantly higher in patients with SED than healthy controls (P = 0.043). Mean sVEGF165 was significantly lower in patients with MDD than patients with SED (P = 0.004) or healthy controls (P = 0.037). Mean sVEGFtotal was significantly higher in patients with SED than in patients with MDD (P = 0.021) and also higher in patients with SED than healthy controls (P = 0.040). Levels of sVEGF121 were positively correlated with levels of astrocyte-derived EVs only in patients with SED (P = 0.0128). The same was true of levels of sVEGFtotal and astrocyte-derived EVs (P = 0.0046). Differing levels of VEGF isoforms may reflect different pathophysiological mechanisms in SED and MDD. Further research is needed to better understand the potential roles of VEGF isoforms and astrocyte-derived EVs in mental disorders.

Psittacosis is a zoonotic disease transmitted by birds. In Sweden, where psittacosis is notifiable, an average of eight cases per year were reported between 2002 and 2012. In 2013, an unusual increase in cases in southern Sweden was associated with exposure to wild birds. To further explore specific risk factors connected to wild birds and identify other risk factors for sporadic psittacosis, we conducted a case-control study including all domestically acquired psittacosis cases reported between December 2014 and April 2016 in Sweden. Cases were age-, sex- and geo-matched to controls randomly selected from a population register. Cases and controls completed a questionnaire investigating detailed exposures to wild and domestic birds. We compared cases to controls, calculating adjusted matched odds ratios (amOR) using conditional logistic regression. Thirty-one cases were notified: all cases lived in southern Sweden and 26 were ill during winter season. Two risk factors were independently associated with psittacosis infection: cleaning a wild bird feeder (amOR = 18.95; 95% CI: 2.11-170.03) and owning domestic birds (amOR = 5.55, 95% CI: 1.16-26.61). Our results suggest that exposure to bird faeces, for example when cleaning a wild bird feeder, was the main route of transmission. Following this study, the Public Health Agency of Sweden published recommendations on good practices when cleaning surfaces contaminated with bird faeces and recommended use of bird feeders with a design limiting faeces accumulation.

SUMMARYIn 2013–2014, the Public Health Agency of Sweden developed a web-based participatory surveillance system, Hӓlsorapport, based on a random sample of individuals reporting symptoms weekly online, to estimate the community incidence of self-reported acute gastrointestinal (AGI), acute respiratory (ARI) and influenza-like (ILI) illnesses and their severity. We evaluated Hӓlsorapport's acceptability, completeness, representativeness and its data correlation with other surveillance data. We calculated response proportions and Spearman correlation coefficients (r) between (i) incidence of illnesses in Hӓlsorapport and (ii) proportions of specific search terms to medical-advice website and reasons for calling a medical advice hotline. Of 34 748 invitees, 3245 (9·3%) joined the cohort. Participants answered 81% (139 013) of the weekly questionnaires and 90% (16 351) of follow-up questionnaires. AGI incidence correlated with searches on winter-vomiting disease [r = 0·81, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0·69–0·89], and ARI incidence correlated with searches on cough (r = 0·77, 95% CI 0·62–0·86). ILI incidence correlated with the web query-based estimated incidence of ILI patients consulting physicians (r = 0·63, 95% CI 0·42–0·77). The high response to different questionnaires and the correlation with other syndromic surveillance systems suggest that Hӓlsorapport offers a reasonable representation of AGI, ARI and ILI patterns in the community and can complement traditional and syndromic surveillance systems to estimate their burden in the community.

Background In a study from 2013 that prioritised communicable diseases for surveillance in Sweden, we identified Lyme borreliosis as one of the diseases with highest priority. In 2014, when the present study was designed, there were also plans to make neuroborreliosis notifiable within the European Union. Aim We compared possibilities of surveillance of neuroborreliosis in Sweden through two different sources: the hospital discharge register and reporting from the clinical microbiology laboratories. Methods We examined the validity of ICD-10 codes in the hospital discharge register by extracting personal identification numbers for all cases of neuroborreliosis, defined by a positive cerebrospinal fluid–serum anti-Borrelia antibody index, who were diagnosed at the largest clinical microbiology laboratory in Sweden during 2014. We conducted a retrospective observational study with a questionnaire sent to all clinical microbiology laboratories in Sweden requesting information on yearly number of cases, age group and sex for the period 2010 to 2014. Results Among 150 neuroborreliosis cases, 67 (45%) had received the ICD-10 code A69.2 (Lyme borreliosis) in combination with G01.9 (meningitis in bacterial diseases classified elsewhere), the combination that the Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare recommends for neuroborreliosis. All 22 clinical laboratories replied to our questionnaire. Based on laboratory reporting, the annual incidence of neuroborreliosis in Sweden was 6.3 cases per 100,000 in 2014. Conclusion The hospital discharge register was unsuitable for surveillance of neuroborreliosis, whereas laboratory-based reporting was a feasible alternative. In 2018, the European Commission included Lyme neuroborreliosis on the list of diseases under epidemiological surveillance.

Objective: An increase in numbers of cases of sick leave due to stress have been reported from several European countries during recent decades. Chronic stress-induced exhaustion disorder is associated with physiological and neurobiological perturbations that may contribute to cognitive problems and long-term exhaustion. Rehabilitation of patients with chronic stress-induced exhaustion disorder is therefore challenging. This narrative review summarizes the evidence regarding the effectiveness of different interventions for the rehabilitation of patients with chronic stress-induced exhaustion disorder. Methods: Both structured and unstructured searches of research studies and reports were performed in order to find knowledge sources. The structured search had 2 predefined inclusion criteria: (i) chronic stress-induced exhaustion/clinical burnout/severe burnout/stress-induced exhaustion; and (ii) rehabil-itation with improvement of symptoms and/or return to work as outcomes. Results: Cognitive behavioural interventions and multimodal interventions seem to reduce symptoms. Workplace interventions, either work-focused cognitive behavioural or workplace dialogue, seem to improve return to work. Sleep is important for both symptom improvement and return to work, and interventions for improving sleep might therefore be important. For improvement of cognitive function, which is a main complaint among patients with chronic stress-induced exhaustion disorder, aerobic and cognitive training may have some effect. Conclusion: In summary, the few studies of high-quality that examine interventions for rehabilitation of chronic stress-induced exhaustion disorder show only marginal effects. Thus, it is important to prevent the onset of chronic stress-induced exhaustion disorder.

Here were report the increased numbers of Campylobacter detections in blood samples, first noted in July 2014, in Sweden. We investigated whether this increase was a result of a general increase in incidence of Campylobacter infections in Sweden or if the observed increase resulted from increased testing or from a change in laboratory methods. Campylobacter is the most common bacterial cause of gastroenteritis in Europe, with over 200 000 laboratoryconfirmed cases occurring yearly. Although the outcome of Campylobacter gastroenteritis is typically good, infections have been occasionally linked to systemic invasive disease and postinfectious complications. On the basis of previous studies, the incidence of campylobacteraemia varies between 0.1% and 0.4% of the total incidence of Campylobacter infections [1–3]. However, clinical significance of campylobacteraemia is poorly understood, and it has been suspected to have been an underestimated event [1,4]. To investigate whether the incidence of Campylobacter infections had generally increased in Sweden, we reviewed data on all notified Campylobacter cases (including cases of bacteraemia) between 2010 and 2014. Because of nationwide mandatory reporting, both treating physicians and clinical microbiology laboratories in Sweden (population of 9.64 million people) report all Campylobacter infections to the database maintained at the Public Health Institute of Sweden, from which a total of 39 832 cases of Campylobacter infections were identified (Fig. 1a). From those, 133 were cases of

Background In the winter and spring of 2011 a large outbreak of cryptosporidiosis occurred in Skellefteå municipality, Sweden. This study summarizes the outbreak investigation in terms of outbreak size, duration, clinical characteristics, possible source(s) and the potential for earlier detection using calls to a health advice line. Methods The investigation included two epidemiological questionnaires and microbial analysis of samples from patients, water and other environmental sources. In addition, a retrospective study based on phone calls to a health advice line was performed by comparing patterns of phone calls between different water distribution areas. Results Our analyses showed that approximately 18,500 individuals were affected by a waterborne outbreak of cryptosporidiosis in Skellefteå in 2011. This makes it the second largest outbreak of cryptosporidiosis in Europe to date. Cryptosporidium hominis oocysts of subtype IbA10G2 were found in patient and sewage samples, but not in raw water or in drinking water, and the initial contamination source could not be determined. The outbreak went unnoticed to authorities for several months. The analysis of the calls to the health advice line provides strong indications early in the outbreak that it was linked to a particular water treatment plant. Conclusions We conclude that an earlier detection of the outbreak by linking calls to a health advice line to water distribution areas could have limited the outbreak substantially. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12889-017-4233-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Repeated intra-articular bleedings in patients with haemophilia results in a crippling arthropathy for which no specific treatment is currently available. Recent studies have shown that neoangiogenesis is involved in the pathologic process. The aim of this study was to determine whether angiogenesis is dysregulated in haemophilic joint disease (HJD).Synovial tissue and synovial fluid were collected from patients with severe haemophilia undergoing knee or hip replacement and from a control group consisting of non-haemophilic patients undergoing diagnostic procedures. In a second set of patients, blood samples were collected in patients with mild, moderate and severe haemophilia A when free from current bleeding. Analysis of microvascular density, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression and pericyte coverage was performed by immunofluorescence. Analyses of VEGF concentrations in plasma, platelet lysates and synovial fluid were performed by ELISA.Microvascular density and VEGF expression were significantly increased in synovial tissue from haemophilic patients compared with controls (P = 0.005 and P = 0.02, respectively). There was no difference in pericyte coverage of synovial vessels or levels of VEGF in plasma, platelet lysates or synovial fluid.Angiogenesis observed as synovial microvascular density, and VEGF expression is increased in HJD. As pericyte coverage was similar in synovial vessels from haemophilic and non-haemophilic patients, we assume that the vessels were mature, suggesting that the rate of new vessel formation is low in the chronic phase of haemophilic joint disease.

SUMMARYIn Sweden, acute gastrointestinal illness (AGI) incidence, severity, impact on productivity, related healthcare usage and associated costs are not ascertained. We measured these in 2013–2014 using a population-based cohort reporting weekly. We defined AGI as ⩾3 episodes of loose stools or vomiting/24 h; or loose stools or vomiting with ⩾2 other gastrointestinal symptoms. After each AGI episode, we collected information about perceived severity, healthcare use and absenteeism. We calculated incidence rates, AGI absenteeism and costs comprising direct healthcare costs and productivity loss due to work/school absenteeism. A total of 3241 participants reported 1696 AGI episodes [incidence 360/1000 person-years, 95% confidence interval (CI) 326–395; highest in the

Background The Swedish school-based vaccination programme offers HPV vaccine to girls born >= 1999 in 5-6th grade. In 2012, all counties introduced free-of-charge catch-up vaccination campaigns targeting girls born 1993-1998. Varying vaccine uptake in the catch-up group by December 2012 suggested that some implementation strategies were more successful than others. In order to inform future vaccination campaigns, we assessed the impact of different implementation strategies on the county-level catch-up vaccine uptake. Methods We conducted an ecological study including all Swedish counties (n = 21), asking regional health offices about the information channels they used and where vaccination of the catch-up target group took place in their counties. The uptake of >= 1 dose by 30 September 2014 was estimated using data from the voluntary national vaccination register. We investigated associations between counties' catch-up vaccine uptake, information channels and vaccination settings by calculating incidence rate ratios (IRR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI), using negative binomial regression models. Results County level catch-up vaccine uptake varied between 49-84%. All counties offered vaccination through primary health care settings. Apart from this eight (34%) also offered the vaccine in some of their schools, four (19%) in all their schools, and two (10%) in other health care centres. The information channels most frequently used were: information at the national on-line health care consulting web-page (100%), letter/invitations (90%), and advertisement (81%). Counties offering vaccination to girls in all schools and counties offering vaccination in some of their schools, reached higher vaccine uptake compared to counties not offering vaccination in any of their schools (all schools adjusted IRR: 1.3, 95% CI: 1.1-1.5, some schools adjusted IRR: 1.2, 95% CI: 1.1-1.3). Conclusion Counties offering HPV vaccination to catch-up groups in schools reached the highest vaccine uptake. No information channel explained differences in county-level vaccine uptake. Our findings suggest that catch-up vaccination outside the national vaccination program can reach a high uptake at the population level if it is implemented primarily with an organized delivery (e.g. in schools).

A source of infection is rarely identified for sporadic cases of Legionnaires' disease. We found that professional drivers are five times more commonly represented among community acquired sporadic cases in England and Wales than expected. We therefore investigated possible risk exposures in relation to driving or spending time in a motor vehicle. A case control study including all surviving community acquired sporadic cases in England and Wales with onset between 12 July 2008 and 9 March 2009 was carried out. Cases were contacted by phone and controls were consecutively recruited by sequential digital dialling matched by area code, sex and age group. Those who consented were sent a questionnaire asking questions on driving habits, potential sources in vehicles and known risk factors. The results were analysed using logistic regression. 75 cases and 67 controls were included in the study. Multivariable analysis identified two exposures linked to vehicle use associated with an increased risk of Legionnaires' disease: Driving through industrial areas (OR 7.2, 95%CI 1.5-33.7) and driving or being a passenger in a vehicle with windscreen wiper fluid not containing added screenwash (OR 47.2, 95%CI 3.7-603.6). Not adding screenwash to windscreen wiper fluid is a previously unidentified risk factor and appears to be strongly associated with community acquired sporadic cases of Legionnaires' disease. We estimated that around 20% of community acquired sporadic cases could be attributed to this exposure. A simple recommendation to use screenwash may mitigate transmission of Legionella bacteria to drivers and passengers.

Background In 2010–2011, two large waterborne outbreaks caused by Cryptosporidium hominis affected two cities in Sweden, Östersund and Skellefteå. We investigated potential post-infection health consequences in people who had reported symptoms compatible with cryptosporidiosis during the outbreaks using questionnaires. Methods We compared cases linked to these outbreaks with non-cases in terms of symptoms present up to eleven months after the initial infection. We examined if cases were more likely to report a list of symptoms at follow-up than non-cases, calculating odds ratios (OR) and 95 % confidence intervals (CI) obtained through logistic regression. Results A total of 872 (310 cases) and 743 (149 cases) individuals responded to the follow-up questionnaires in Östersund and Skellefteå respectively. Outbreak cases were more likely to report diarrhea (Östersund OR: 3.3, CI: 2.0-5.3. Skellefteå OR: 3.6, CI: 2.0-6.6), watery diarrhea (Östersund OR: 3.4, CI: 1.9-6.3. Skellefteå OR: 2.8, CI: 1.5-5.1) abdominal pain (Östersund OR: 2.1, CI: 1.4-3.3, Skellefteå OR: 2.7, CI: 1.5-4.6) and joint pain (Östersund OR: 2.0, CI: 1.2-3.3, Skellefteå OR: 2.0, CI: 1.1-3.6) at follow-up compared to non-cases. Conclusions Our findings suggest that gastrointestinal- and joint symptoms can persist several months after the initial infection with Cryptosporidium and should be regarded as a potential cause of unexplained symptoms in people who have suffered from the infection. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12889-015-1871-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Background When surgical treatment of dysplastic hip osteoarthrosis is necessary, osteotomy is preferable to fusion or THR. We evaluated periacetabular osteotomy as a method of choice. Patients and methods We treated 36 symptomatic dysplastic hip joints (32 patients) with the Bernese periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) between 1994 and 2001. We used the ilio-inguinal (I-I) approach in 32 hips and a modified Smith-Petersen (S-P) approach in 4. The patients were followed for mean 4 (1.5-8) years. In 1 patient with coxa valga, a varus femoral osteotomy was performed 1 year after PAO. 2 hips, in which we used the modified S-P approach, necessitated a capsulotomy. Results The median Merle d'Aubigne score increased from 13 points preoperatively to 16 points postoperatively. This improvement in terms of pain, motion and ambulation was accompanied by spatial reorientation and correction. The lateral center edge angle of Wiberg (CE) improved from an average of 7 degrees to 28 degrees. The anterior center edge angle of Lequesne (FP) improved from an average of 18 degrees to 28 degrees. The acetabular index angle (AC) improved from an average of 22 degrees to 10 degrees. Major complications included 1 partial lesion of the sciatic nerve, 1 malunion and 1 combined nonunion of the pubic and ischiatic osteotomy. 2 patients underwent subsequent total hip replacement (THR) for progressive osteoarthrosis with pain. Interpretation We found good radiographic correction of deformities, improvement of hip function and pain relief with an acceptable complication rate. With appropriate patient selection, this procedure is the most physiological treatment of symptomatic hip dysplasia in young adults. In addition to relieving symptoms, it may prevent and postpone the development of secondary osteoarthrosis.

In November 2010, approximate to 27,000 (approximate to 45%) inhabitants of Östersund, Sweden, were affected by a waterborne outbreak of cryptosporidiosis. The outbreak was characterized by a rapid onset and high attack rate, especially among young and middle-aged persons. Young age, number of infected family members, amount of water consumed daily, and gluten intolerance were identified as risk factors for acquiring cryptosporidiosis. Also, chronic intestinal disease and young age were significantly associated with prolonged diarrhea. Identification of Ctyptosporidium hominis subtype lbA10G2 in human and environmental samples and consistently low numbers of oocysts in drinking water confirmed insufficient reduction of parasites by the municipal water treatment plant. The current outbreak shows that use of inadequate microbial barriers at water treatment plants can have serious consequences for public health. This risk can be minimized by optimizing control of raw water quality and employing multiple barriers that remove or inactivate all groups of pathogens.

Purpose To address the null hypothesis that surgeons shown radiographs of little finger metacarpal neck fractures with measured fracture angulation would recommend surgery as often as surgeons shown unmarked radiographs. Methods Members of the Science of Variation Group, an international collaboration of fully trained orthopedic and trauma surgeons, were asked to review 20 little finger metacarpal neck fracture cases, which included a vignette and 3 high-quality radiographs. Members were then randomized to review radiographs with or without measured fracture angulation on the lateral view and select operative or nonoperative management. Results Surgeons shown radiographs with measured angulation were more likely to recommend surgery, and there was less variability among these surgeons, particularly for fractures with less angular deformity. Conclusions Measured fracture angulation has a small but significant influence on treatment recommendations for little finger metacarpal neck fractures. Copyright (C) 2014 by the American Society for Surgery of the Hand. All rights reserved

Background Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), epidermal growth factor (EGF) and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) have previously been suggested to be potential biomarkers for chronic stress induced exhaustion. The knowledge about VEGF has increased during the last decades and supports the contention that VEGF plays an important role in stress and depression. There is scarce knowledge on the possible relationship of EGF and MCP-1 in chronic stress and depression. This study further examines the role of VEGF, EGF and MCP-1 in women with chronic stress induced exhaustion and healthy women during a follow-up period of two years. Methods and Findings Blood samples were collected from 105 women with chronic stress induced exhaustion on at least 50% sick leave for at least three months, at inclusion (T0), after 12 months (T12) and after 24 months (T24). Blood samples were collected at inclusion (T0) in 116 physically and psychiatrically healthy women. The plasma levels of VEGF, EGF and MCP-1 were analyzed using Biochip Array Technology. Women with chronic stress induced exhaustion had significantly higher plasma levels of VEGF and EGF compared to healthy women at baseline, T12 and at T24. There was no significant difference in plasma levels of MCP-1. Plasma levels of VEGF and EGF decreased significantly in women with chronic stress induced exhaustion during the two years follow-up. Conclusions The replicated findings of elevated levels of VEGF and EGF in women with chronic stress induced exhaustion and decreasing plasma levels of VEGF and EGF during the two years follow-up add important knowledge to the pathophysiology of chronic stress induced exhaustion.

Until August, 161 cases of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) were recorded in Sweden for 2011, leading to an incidence of 1.7 per 100,000 population. Fifty to 59 year-olds (24%) were most affected, 55% of the cases were males. An increase in TBE in Sweden has occurred in the last decade and might be explained by enlarged tick populations, more contact between TBE virus infected ticks and man, and also by growing awareness of the disease. Climatic conditions may have contributed to the increase.

SummaryThe administration of recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa) by continuous infusion has provided a safe and convenient alternative to bolus injections in haemophiliacs with inhibitors, but it has only been reported in a single case with congenital factorVII (FVII) deficiency. The results of 12 consecutive surgical procedures in 7 patients with congenital FVII deficiency are reported here. rFVIIa was always given in continuous infusion, aiming at plasma FVII activity of 0.5 IU/mL. Treatment was given for 2 to 7 days with a mean total dose of 7.8 mg rFVIIa. Blood loss was as expected from the different types of procedures and the only thromboembolic complication was a superficial thrombophlebitis at the infusion site. This mode of substitution was therefore safe, effective and well tolerated.

Developmental hip dysplasia (DDH) is characterized by an anomalous growth of the hipjoint. Without adequate treatment, the natural history of DDH is development of secondary osteoarthritis in adulthood. The correction of the deformities modifies the biomechanics of the hip, which is important in order to slow down the progression of osteoarthritis and maybe to prevent and postpone this development. The Bernese periacetabular osteotomy is a procedure which reorientates the acetabular articular surface. Several surgical approaches have been used to achieve the same effective osteotomy. No surgical approach represents "the optimum", with selection of appropriate exposure representing a balance of advantages and disadvantages. We used the ilioinguinal approach in 32 periacetabular osteotomies for acetabular dysplasia performed between 1996 and 2002. The operation was successful in 30 patients with acceptable operation time and blood loss and few complications. The advantages and disadvantages with the ilioinguinal approach as compared to other possibile incisions are discussed.

Patellar tendinitis is an overuse syndrome affecting the origin of the patellar tendon and its underlying part. Ultrasonography is useful to investigate tendinous pathology. It describes the anatomical lesions and their extent. Surgical excision of irreversible lesions, demonstrated on ultrasonography, is a logical attitude which provides good results.

We have evaluated the haemostatic efficacy of plasma derived, highly purified, solvent-detergent treated factor IX concentrate (Nanotiv), to which a nanofiltration step has recently been added to improve safety with regard to parvovirus B19, hepatitis A and other nonlipid enveloped viruses. Thirteen surgical procedures, including eight orthopaedic operations, were carried out using continuous infusion of Nanotiv in 10 haemophilia B patients (nine severe and one mild). Tranexamic acid was used for 11 of the 13 procedures. The mean factor IX levels on the day of surgery and postoperative days 1-3 were 0.77, 0.89, 0.80 and 0.73 IU mL(-1), respectively. The haemostatic effect was rated as normal or excellent and no blood transfusions were needed. One patient had thrombophlebitis twice at the infusion site. The remaining cases received heparin, 5 units per 100 IU of Nanotiv, and had neither superficial nor deep venous thromboembolic complications. The requirement for factor IX in the four joint replacement operations was 663 IU kg(-1) during the first 9 days, which compares favourably with previous materials. Thus, continuous infusion with this highly purified factor IX concentrate with improved viral safety is effective for surgery in haemophilia B.

The concept of partial rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) has been confirmed by arthroscopic examination and palpation. We present a prospective study of 43 patients who were diagnosed arthroscopically as suffering from a partial rupture of the ACL by the same surgeon. The patients followed a rehabilitation protocol and were examined by an independent observer after 5 years. Twenty-five patients had a stable knee, whereas 18 eventually suffered a complete ACL rupture. ACL partial rupture is easily recognizable with arthroscopy, but the quantity and state of the still intact fibres is difficult to assess.

Between 1982 and 1985, 23 Kessel total shoulder arthroplasties were performed on 22 patients. A clinical and roentgenographic review was performed by an independent observer. Three patients had their prostheses removed and three had revision surgery, leaving 17 shoulders in 16 patients available for study, all with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). All patients were relieved of pain and noticed a general improvement in activities of daily living. Passive flexion and rotation were increased, but active movements remained unchanged. Roentgenographically, radiolucent zones developed around the scapular component on all patients within one year but only around one of the humeral components. Total shoulder arthroplasties with the Kessel prosthesis in RA relieved pain and improved shoulder and arm function. The long-term results were complicated by a high incidence of loosening of the glenoid component, probably a feature of the constrained design of the Kessel prosthesis.

Between 1973 and 1985 eighteen patients with bone tumours and two patients with comminuted fractures had their proximal humerus replaced with a custom made isoelastic hemiendoprosthesis. In 1987 a clinical and radiographical review was performed of eleven patients with a mean follow up time of seven years, range 3-10 years. Four patients had pain at rest and six patients experienced severe pain on exertion. Active range of motion was poor and constituted only half of the corresponding range of passive motion. Shoulder girdle muscles were generally weak, only one patient could keep the arm straight in a flexed or abducted position. All patients had returned to their previous occupations, but their ability to perform ADL functions was poor. Rotator cuff insufficiency was considered to be the major cause of poor shoulder function. In comparison to most other surgical alternatives in tumour cases endoprosthetic replacement of the proximal humerus appears to be a safe and reliable method. The endoprosthesis gives stability to the arm and normal elbow and hand function is preserved.

Effects of intravenous somatostatin on the secretion, motility and absorption in the upper gastrointestinal tract after 75 g oral glucose were examined in healthy subjects with a quantitative multiple indicator dilution method. This report deals with the effects on the gallbladder emptying and the pancreatic enzyme output. Intake of a hypertonic glucose solution induces rapid gallbladder emptying. After early peaks, both biliary and pancreatic enzyme outputs remain at a steady lower level to the end. Somatostatin, started 20 min before the oral load, inhibited dose-dependently the gallbladder emptying and pancreatic enzyme secretion. A maximal inhibition was attained by 1.5 microgram . min-1, and 0.05 microgram . min-1 somatostatin gave a significant 40% reduction. The inhibition persisted in the postinfusion period and was followed by delayed rebound outputs. The gallbladder emptying was completely arrested for variable periods of time, but the pancreatic enzyme secretion was never totally blocked. The promptly established arrest of the gallbladder differed from the slowly initiated inhibition of the gastric and intestinal propulsion. It is proposed that the multiple ways of action of somatostatin and different stimulatory levels contribute to the discrepancies. The study shows that somatostatin induces dose-dependent, long-lasting inhibitions of the biliary and pancreatic responses to oral glucose. The minimal effective dose was a hundred times lower than the dose tested in previous studies in man.

The study was performed in order to evaluate the effect of fasciotomy of the lower leg on venous circulation and venous muscle pump function. Twenty patients with unilateral fasciotomy were investigated with photoplethysmography (PPG), strain-gauge plethysmography, foot volumetry and Doppler ultrasound. In the operated legs shorter venous refilling times were registered both with PPG (P less than 0.01) and foot volumetry (P less than 0.05). PPG recordings from different parts of the leg showed regional changes in venous circulation with shorter refilling times only with the transducer placed over the affected muscular compartment. With foot volumetry a reduced expelled volume was found in patients earlier treated with extensive fasciotomies. The results of the study indicate that an intact muscle fascia is of importance for venous return and venous pump function.

Intramuscular pressures were measured in 12 patients with symptoms of medial tibial syndrome and in 12 patients with chronic anterior compartment syndrome. Measurements were performed with the wick catheter technique simultaneously in the deep posterior and the anterior tibial muscle compartments before, during, and after exercise. In the deep posterior compartment there was no pressure increase during or after exercise as compared to controls in either patient group. However, a significant pressure increase was present in the anterior tibial compartment during and after exercise in the patients with chronic anterior compartment syndrome as compared to normal resting values. The medial tibial syndrome patients demonstrated in the anterior tibial muscle compartment, exercise and post-exercise pressures, which were between those of the healthy controls and the chronic anterior compartment syndrome patients. The so-caLled medial tibial syndrome is probably not a compartment syndrome in the deep posterior muscle compartment. Intramuscular pressure measurement is a valuable tool in diagnosing a chronic compartment syndrome and in selecting patients in whom fasciotomy of the affected compartment is indicated.

I studied the results of fasciotomy of the affected muscle compartment in eight patients with chronic anterior-compartment syndrome (involvement of the anterior tibial compartment) and in nine patients with medial tibial syndrome (involvement of the deep posterior compartment), all of whom had pain with exercise. In the patients with chronic anterior-compartment syndrome, the preoperative intramuscular pressure in the anterior tibial compartment, as measured by the wick-catheter method, was increased ten minutes after exercise to 52 +/- 36 millimeters of mercury. After fasciotomy this pressure was significantly lowered to 4 +/- 6 millimeters of mercury (p less than 0.01). In the patients with medial tibial syndrome, the preoperative intramuscular pressure in the deep posterior compartment was normal ten minutes after exercise (8 +/- 4 millimeters of mercury) and did not significantly change after the fasciotomy (5 +/- 6 millimeters of mercury). The clinical results after fasciotomy were good in both groups of patients. There was complete relief of pain in all of the patients with chronic anterior-compartment syndrome and in five of the nine patients with medial tibial syndrome. The other four patients considered their condition to be improved in spite of some remaining symptoms.

Twenty adults (32 hips) with acetabular dysplasia were followed up for an average of 22 years to determine the natural history of the disorder. Initially, all hips had a center-edge (CE) angle of Wiberg of 20 degrees or less and an essentially intact Shenton's line with no roentgenographic evidence of osteoarthritis. Average patient age initially was 43 years (range, 27-57 years) and at final follow-up examination, 65 years. Various parameters of hip integrity were measured, including the CE angle of Wiberg, acetabular angle of Sharp, percentage of the femoral head covered by the acetabulum, acetabular depth, and inclination of the lateral lip of the acetabulum. None of these indicators proved a reliable prognostic aid for predicting the rate at which the osteoarthritis process supervened in any one case.

Two groups of patients who had Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease were studied. The first group of patients consisted of eighty-eight patients (ninety-nine affected hips) followed in three hospitals for an average of forty years. The second group consisted of sixty-eight patients (seventy-two affected hips), all of whose radiographs from the onset of disease to maturity were available and all of whom had been treated in one hospital. The patients in this second group were followed for an average of thirty years. Each hip in both study groups could be placed into one of five classes of deformity based on its radiographic appearance at maturity. Each class showed a characteristic pattern of involvement during the active stages of the disease and had a specific long-term clinical and radiographic course. The clinical and radiographic course of an involved hip subsequent to childhood was related to the type of congruency that existed between the femoral head and acetabulum. Three types of congruency were recognized: (1) spherical congruency (Class-I and II hips) - in hips in this category arthritis does not develop; (2) aspherical congruency (Class-III and IV hips) - mild to moderate arthritis develops in late adulthood in these hips; and (3) aspherical incongruency (Class-V hips) - severe arthritis develops before the age of fifty years in these hips.

5 adrenalectomized subjects and 8 healthy volunteers underwent an insulin test during which acid secretion and plasma adrenaline, noradrenaline, dopamine and gastrin concentrations were measured. Plasma glucose concentration fell by greater than 50% in all subjects. The mean plasma adrenaline concentration increased markedly (greater than 1,000%) in the normal group but was unchanged in the adrenalectomized group. In all subjects, plasma noradrenaline concentration increased moderately, whereas plasma dopamine levels remained unchanged. Clear-cut increments in plasma gastrin concentration were seen only on 3 participants, each of whom responded to insulin hypoglycaemia with an extremely high adrenaline release. Basal and peak acid output were similar in adrenalectomized and normal subjects. The results suggest that circulating catecholamines contribute to the control of gastrin and acid secretion in man only during circumstances with high plasma catecholamine levels, e.g. severe stress.

The effects of i.v. somatostatin, 6.0–0.05 μg · min-1, on the gastric emptying and on the transit times and glucose absorption in the proximal 70 cm of the small bowel after 75 g of oral glucose were examined in healthy subjects with a multiple-marker dilution method. In the controls the stomach emptied the hypertonic glucose solution in 3 h and 48 ± 4 g of glucose was absorbed in the intestinal test segment. Approximately even proportions were absorbed from the emptied glucose portions throughout the experiments; variations were caused by the varying transit time, the absorption being more complete the longer the time to transit the segment. Somatostatin, started 20 min before oral glucose and infused for 1 or 2 h, prolonged dose-dependently the transit time. A maximal prolongation from 15 ± 2 min in the controls to 55 ± 7 min (p -1, and 0.05 μg · min-1 somatostatin gave a significant twofold slowing. The inhibition of the intestinal motility persisted in the postinfusion period and was followed by a late sudden acceleration of the propagation speed. The gastric emptying rate was reduced by somatostatin, but the inhibition was slowly established and of marginal consequences for the absorption. 2-Hour infusions of more than 1.5 μg · min-1 delayed the complete emptying. Somatostatin reduced dose-dependently the glucose absorption rate in the segment. In the controls the absorption rate of 9.5 ± 1.4% · min-1 of transit decreased to 4.2 ± 0.7% min-1 (p -1 and to 2.6 ± 0.1 % · min-1 (p -1 of somatostatin and was further lowered by higher doses. The lower effectiveness was compensated by the prolonged transit times so that the totally absorbed glucose in the segment approached the control value. An absolute reduction was only recorded in early phases of the experiments before the transit was slowed and it seems to result in spite of prolonged transit from infusion rates of 1.5 μg · min-1 or more somatostatin. Dose-related side effects from the digestive tract and due to hypoglycemia in the late postinfusion period were common with infusion rates exceeding 0.5 μg · min-1. The study shows that exogenous somatostatin delays and evens out the uptake of oral glucose in the proximal small bowel by dose-dependent inhibitory effects on the gastrointestinal motility and reductions of the glucose absorption rate. The effects could be produced by somatostatin doses a hundred times lower than previously tested for effects in the human gastrointestinal tract.

Intramuscular pressure, fiber type distribution, relative cross-sectional area of slow-twitch muscle fibers, muscle lactate, and water content were studied in eight patients with medial tibial syndrome and in eight patients with chronic anterior compartment syndrome. The variables were determined before and after standardized exercise that provoked lower leg pain. In patients with medial tibial syndrome, the intramuscular pressures in the deep posterior compartment were not elevated before or 10 min after exercise. In patients with chronic anterior compartment syndrome, there was a significant post-exercise increase from 9 +/- 9 to 48 +/- 35 mmHg (P less than 0.01) in the anterior tibial compartment. The patients with medial tibial syndrome and chronic anterior compartment syndrome had a predominance of slow-twitch fibers in the deep posterior (69% and 77%, respectively) as well as in the anterior tibial (69% and 80%, respectively) compartments. The slow-twitch muscle fibers covered less cross-sectional area than could be expected from the fiber composition. Muscle lactate concentration did not increase after exercise in any of the patient groups in contrast to the healthy controls in whom there was an increase (P less than 0.05). The lactate change ratio (post-exercise/pre-exercise) correlated negatively to the percentage of slow-twitch muscle fibers (P less than 0.05) in the patients but not in the healthy controls. Muscle water content increased for both patient groups in the anterior tibial but not in the deep posterior compartment. The findings indicate that the chronic anterior compartment syndrome is related to changes on the muscle fiber level and to a subsequently changed anaerobic metabolism and fluid infiltration.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The immune response to aerobic and anaerobic intestinal bacteria in a patient with Crohn's disease with an intestinal fistula was investigated with various serological techniques. Two aerobic bacterial species, E. dispar and P. mirabilis, and four strict anaerobic bacterial species, B. fragilis ss. fragilis, F. varium and two different strains of C. perfringens, were isolated from fistula secretion of the patient. These strains were used as antigens for tube agglutination, passive hemagglutination, indirect immunofluorescence and immune hemolysis assays with serum specimens obtained before and after operation of the patient. Immune responses were demonstrated to the aerobic as well as to the anaerobic bacterial strains isolated from the patient's fistula. In connection with the operation an active immune response was demonstrated to the aerobic and anaerobic bacterial isolates. Antibodies belonging to IgG and IgA took part in the active immune response while IgM was very little involved. Antibodies responsible for passive hemagglutination reactions were resistant to treatment with beta-mercaptoethanol. Antibodies to aerobic and anaerobic Gram-negative rods were shown to have complement fixing activity. The importance of the demonstrated antibodies for the host's defence against normal intestinal microorganisms and the inflammatory reaction as a consequence of chronic antigenic stimulation in the diseased part of the intestine in patients with Crohn's disease is discussed.

Patients with terminal ileitis or regional enterocolitis have been examined for signs of infection due to Yersinia enterocolitica serotype 3. The patients were grouped according to the length of preoperative history. Among 18 patients with preoperative symptoms of one week or less there were nine with positive signs of Yersinia enterocolitica infection. None of these patients developed the chronic form of Crohn's disease while two of the primarily Yersinia negative patients progressed to the chronic form. Among nine patients with preoperative symptoms of one week to three months there was one patient with positive signs of Yersinia enterocolitica infection. This patient has remained healthy whereas seven of the negative ones progressed to the chronic form of Crohn's disease. None of the patients with established Crohn's disease of the chronic form had signs of recent Yersinia infection. The findings indicate that patients with acute terminal ileitis and positive signs of Yersinia infection are not likely to progress to the chronic form of Crohn's disease. Bacteriologic and serologic investigation for Yersinia infection are therefore of prognostic value.

The brain and spinal cord were examined with MR imaging in 30 myelomeningocele patients 3-32 years old to study the prevalence of syringohydromyelia and Chiari malformations and to correlate these conditions with developmental scoliosis and spontaneously arrested hydrocephalus. Twelve patients had neurologic deficits above the level of the myelomeningocele and 10 had spontaneously arrested hydrocephalus. MR visualized syringohydromyelia in four patients with widened or focally bulging spinal cords and in eight patients with atrophic spinal cords. All patients had Chiari malformations, 28 of type II and two of type I. Syringohydromyelia was not correlated with type of scoliosis, result of ventriculoperitoneal shunting procedures, radiologic level of the myelomeningocele, or extent of the Chiari malformation. The two patients with the most rapid progression of thoracic scoliosis had the most extensive syringohydromyelia and radiologically low lumbar levels. Neurologic deterioration due to syringohydromyelia and Chiari malformations is probably more common in myelomeningocele than has been recognized previously and may cause developmental scoliosis, loss of ambulation, impaired extremity function, and progressive cranial nerve paralysis.

We studied plasma gastrin levels in 12 healthy men before and after 4, 8 and 10 days of total food deprivation. The gastrin levels during the starvation period were significantly lower than the preexposure values. No such changes were observed in 6 other men, serving as controls, who were allowed to eat ad libitum during the experiment. Blood glucose levels and urinary output of catecholamines were measured concurrently. A pronounced hypoglycemia and a doubting of the urinary output of adrenaline were observed during the fasting period. Thus, depression of plasma gastrin concentrations occurs during starvation despite the presence of some potent gastrin-releasing factors, such as hypoglycemia and increased release of adrenaline. It is suggested that these depressions could be due to the absence of another potent stimulator of gastrin release, namely food in the stomach, or to neurogenic inhibition of gastrin release secondary to a stress-induced elevation of the sympathetic tone.

Twenty-five patients with thirty congenitally dislocated hips in which avascular necrosis developed after closed reduction were followed for an average of thirty-nine years from the time of reduction. Twenty-four of the thirty hips had moderate or severe osteoarthritis and twenty-two of the twenty-five patients had significant pain or loss of function, or both, by the time they were forty-two years old, The deformities produced by avascular necrosis that were related to osteoarthritis included: (1) loss of sphericity of the femoral head, (2) persistent lateral and proximal subluxation, (3) irregularity of the medial part of the femoral head, and (4) acetabular dysplasia. The study suggests that if avascular necrosis develops following closed reduction of a congenitally dislocated hip, attempts should be made to prevent lateral and proximal subluxation of the femoral head and to correct thse abnormalities, if possible, once they occur.

Gastrin and somatostatin were measured in alkaline gastric instillates in normal subjects, patients with duodenal ulcer disease in quiescent state and in patients with achlorhydria. Both peptides were released into the lumen. The gastrin-somatostatin ratio (G/S) in healthy subjects was approximately three. Duodenal ulcer patients had significantly lower G/S ratio due to lower gastrin and higher somatostatin levels whereas in patients with achlorhydria, the G/S ratio did not differ from normal subjects.

Free-living wild birds worldwide act as reservoir for Chlamydia psittaci, but the risk of transmission to humans through contact with wild birds has not been widely documented. From 12 January to April 9 2013, a total of 25 cases of psittacosis were detected in southern Sweden, about a threefold increase compared with the mean of the previous 10 years. A matched case-control study investigating both domestic and wild bird exposure showed that cases were more likely than controls to have cleaned wild bird feeders or been exposed to wild bird droppings in other ways (OR: 10.1; 95% CI: 2.1-47.9). We recommend precautionary measures such as wetting bird feeders before cleaning them, to reduce the risk of transmission of C. psittaci when in contact with bird droppings. Furthermore, C. psittaci should be considered for inclusion in laboratory diagnostic routines when analysing samples from patients with atypical pneumonia, since our findings suggest that psittacosis is underdiagnosed.