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Background: The concept of schizotypal personality disorder (SPD) emerged from observations of personality characteristics common in relatives of schizophrenic patients. While often studied in family designs, few studies and none with genetic measures, have examined SPD in epidemiological samples. Methods: We studied individuals born in Sweden 1940–2000 with an ICD-10 diagnosis of SPD with no prior schizophrenia (SZ) diagnosis (n = 2292). Demographic features, patterns of comorbidity, and Family Genetic Risk Scores (FGRS) were assessed from multiple Swedish registries. Prediction of progression to SZ was assessed by Cox models. Results: SPD was rare, with a prevalence of 0.044%, and had high levels of comorbidity with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), OCD, ADHD, and major depression (MD), and increased rates of being single, unemployed and in receipt of welfare. Affected individuals had elevated levels of FGRS for SZ (+0.42), ASD (+0.30), MD (+0.29), and ADHD (+0.20). Compared to cases of schizophrenia, they had significantly lower rates of FGRSSZ, but significantly elevated rates of genetic risk for ASD, MD, and ADHD. Over a mean follow-up of 8.7 years, 14.6% of SPD cases received a first diagnosis of SZ, the risk for which was significantly increased by levels of FGRSSZ, male sex, young age at SPD diagnosis and an in-patient SPD diagnosis and significantly decreased by comorbidity with MD, ASD, and ADHD. Conclusions: Our results not only support the designation of SPD as a schizophrenia spectrum disorder but also suggest potentially important etiologic links between SPD and ASD and, to a lesser extent, ADHD, OCD, and MD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundAlthough studies have shown associations between neighbourhood quality and chronic disease outcomes, such associations are potentially confounded by the selection of different types of people into different neighbourhood environments. We sought to identify the causal effects of neighbourhood deprivation on type 2 diabetes risk, by comparing refugees in Sweden who were actively dispersed by government policy to low-deprivation, moderate-deprivation, or high-deprivation neighbourhoods.MethodsIn this quasi-experimental study, we analysed national register data for refugees who arrived in Sweden aged 25-50 years, at a time when the government policy involved quasi-random dispersal of refugees to neighbourhoods with different levels of poverty and unemployment, schooling, and social welfare participation. Individuals in our sample were assigned to a neighbourhood categorised as high deprivation (≥1 SD above the mean), moderate deprivation (within 1 SD of the mean), or low deprivation (≥1 SD below the mean). The primary outcome was new diagnosis of type 2 diabetes between Jan 1, 2002, and Dec 31, 2010. We used multivariate logistic and linear regressions to assess the effects of neighbourhood deprivation on diabetes risk, controlling for potential confounders affecting neighbourhood assignment and assessing effects of cumulative exposure to different neighbourhood conditions.FindingsWe included data for 61 386 refugees who arrived in Sweden during 1987-91 and who were assigned to one of 4833 neighbourhoods. Being assigned to an area deemed high deprivation versus low deprivation was associated with an increased risk of diabetes (odds ratio [OR] 1·22, 95% CI 1·07-1·38; p=0·001). In analyses that included fixed effects for assigned municipality, the increased diabetes risk was estimated to be 0·85 percentage points (95% CI -0·030 to 1·728; p=0·058). Neighbourhood effects grew over time such that 5 years of additional exposure to high-deprivation versus low-deprivation neighbourhoods was associated with a 9% increase in diabetes risk.InterpretationThis study makes use of a pre-existing governmental natural experiment to show that neighbourhood deprivation increased the risk of diabetes in refugees in Sweden. This finding has heightened importance in the context of the current refugee crisis in Europe.FundingUS National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, US National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, US National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, Swedish Research Council.

Patients with bipolar disorder have higher rates of type 2 diabetes (T2D) compared to the general population. Neighbourhood deprivation is associated with T2D and bipolar disorder. The aim of this study was to explore the potential effect of neighbourhood deprivation on incident T2D in patients with bipolar disorder. This nationwide open cohort study (1997–2018) included adults in Sweden ≥20 years with bipolar disorder (90,780 patients) to examine the subsequent risk of T2D. The association between neighbourhood deprivation and T2D was explored using Cox regression analysis, with hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). All models were conducted in both men and women and adjusted for individual‐level sociodemographic factors and comorbidities. Neighbourhood deprivation was significantly associated with T2D in patients with bipolar disorder. The HRs were 1.61 (95% CI 1.40–1.86) for men and 1.83 (1.60–2.10) for women living in high deprivation neighbourhoods compared to those from low deprivation neighbourhoods. After adjustment, these results remained significant: 1.35 (1.17–1.56) in men and 1.39 (1.20–1.60) in women living in high deprivation neighbourhoods. The suggested graded association of higher incident T2D among patients with bipolar disorder, observed when levels of neighbourhood deprivation increased, raises important clinical and public health concerns. The results may help develop a contextual approach to prevention of T2D in patients with bipolar disorder that includes the neighbourhood environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To clarify, in a national sample, associations between risk for seven psychiatric and substance use disorders and five key transitions in Sweden's public educational system. Methods: Swedish-born individuals (1972–1995, N = 1 997 910) were followed through 12-31-2018, at mean age 34.9. We predicted, from these educational transitions, risk for major depression (MD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), bipolar disorder (BD), schizophrenia (SZ), anorexia nervosa (AN), alcohol use disorder (AUD), and drug use disorder (DUD), assessed from Swedish national registers, by Cox regression, censoring individuals with onsets ⩽17. We also predicted risk from the deviation of grades from family-genetic expectations (deviation 1) and from changes in grades from ages 16 to 19 (deviation 2). Results: We observed four major risk patterns across transitions in our disorders: (i) MD and BD, (ii) OCD and SZ, (iii) AUD and DUD, and (iv) AN. Failing early educational transitions had the greatest impact on risk for OCD and SZ while for other disorders, not progressing from basic to upper high school had the largest effect. Completing vocational v. college-prep upper high school was strongly associated with risk for AUD and DUD, had little relation with MD, OCD, BD, and SZ risk, and was protective for AN. Deviation 1 predicted risk most strongly for SZ, AN, and MD. Deviation 2 predicted risk most strongly for SZ, AUD, and DUD. Conclusions: The pattern of educational transitions and within family and within person development deviations are strongly and relatively specifically associated with future risk for seven psychiatric and substance-use disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: We need to better understand the frequency and predictors of opioid use disorder (OUD) after first opioid prescription (OP). Methods: We followed 1 516 392 individuals from the Swedish population born 1980–2000, from 1 July 2007, until 31 Dec 2017. We examined putative risk predictors with univariable and multivariable Cox Models and the potential causal effects of predictors by propensity score and co-sibling analyses. Result: Of the individuals in our cohort, 24.8% (375 404) received a first OP, of whom 3034 (0.90%) developed a subsequent first OUD. The hazard ratio (HR) (± 95% CIs) for OUD after OP equaled 7.10 (6.75–7.46), with a mean time to onset of 3.41 (2.39) years. The strongest putative risk factors for development of OUD after OP were prior psychiatric and substance use disorders, criminal behavior, parental divorce/death, poor school performance, current community deprivation, divorce, and male sex. Few predictors differed across sexes. OP renewal was associated with a HR of 3.66 (3.41–3.93) for OUD. Co-sibling and propensity score analyses suggested that at least a moderate proportion of the risk factor-OUD association was likely causal. A risk score to predict OUD after OP had an AUC of 0.85, where nearly 60% of cases scoring in the top decile. Conclusions: In a general population sample, an OP represents a substantial risk factor for subsequent OUD. Many of the risk factors for OUD after OP can be readily assessed at the time of potential OP, permitting clinicians to evaluate the risk of iatrogenic OUD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The aim was to explore the association between neighborhood deprivation and all‐cause mortality and cause‐specific mortalities in patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. A better understanding of this potential relationship may help to identify patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder with an increased mortality risk. Methods: This nationwide study included practically all adults (≥30 years) diagnosed with schizophrenia (n = 34,544) and bipolar disorder (n = 64,035) in Sweden (1997–2017). The association between neighborhood deprivation and mortality was explored using Cox regression. All models were conducted in both men and women and adjusted for individual‐level sociodemographic factors and comorbidities. Results: There was an association between level of neighborhood deprivation and all‐cause mortality in both groups. The adjusted hazard ratios for all‐cause mortality associated with high compared to low neighborhood deprivation were 1.18 (95% confidence interval 1.11–1.25) in patients with schizophrenia and 1.33 (1.26–1.41) in patients with bipolar disorder. The two most common mortality causes in both groups were coronary heart disease and cancer. The mortality due to coronary heart disease increased when neighborhood deprivation increased and reached 1.37 (1.18–1.60) in patients with schizophrenia and 1.70 (1.44–2.01) in patients with bipolar disorder living in the most deprived neighborhoods. Conclusions: This study shows that neighborhood deprivation is an important risk factor for all‐cause mortality and most cause‐specific mortalities among patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. These findings could serve as aid to policymakers when allocating healthcare resources and to clinicians who encounter patients with these conditions in deprived neighborhoods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Previous studies on major depressive disorder (MDD) among immigrants have reported mixed results. Using data from primary healthcare settings in Sweden, we compared the incidence of MDD among first- and second-generation immigrants aged 15–39 years with natives. Methods: This was a retrospective nationwide open cohort study. Eligible individuals were born 1965–1983, aged 15–39 years at baseline, and resided in Sweden for at least one year during the study period 2000–2015. We identified MDD cases through the Primary Care Registry (PCR). The follow-up for each individual started when they met the inclusion criteria and were registered in the PCR and ended at MDD diagnosis, death, emigration, moving to a county without PCR coverage, or the end of the study period, whichever came first. Results: The final sample included 1,341,676 natives and 785,860 immigrants. The MDD incidence rate per 1000 person-years ranged from 6.1 (95% confidence intervals: 6.1, 6.2) to 16.6 (95% confidence intervals: 16.2, 17.0) in native males and second-generation female immigrants with a foreign-born father, respectively. After adjusting for income, the MDD risk did not differ substantially between first-generation male and female immigrants and natives. However, male and female second-generation immigrants had a 16–29% higher adjusted risk of MDD than natives. Conclusions: This cohort study using primary healthcare data in Sweden, albeit incomplete, indicated that second-generation immigrants seem to be at a particularly high risk of MDDs. The underlying mechanisms need further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sweden has witnessed a significant increase in the rate of firearm-related homicide. We therefore aimed to study the characteristics of individuals suspected of homicide, attempted homicide, preparation to commit homicide as well as conspiracy to commit homicide with a firearm in Sweden. By using information from different registers, suspected individuals between 2000 and 2017 and aged 15 to 60 were included in the study. A total of 889 individuals were evaluated. A notable part were females (5.1%). Latent Class Analysis identified three classes, where two classes were high-offending-classes, and one class was a low-offending-class. The identification of these classes may be used for more effective preventive measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sweden has witnessed an increase in the rates of sexual crimes including rape. Knowledge of who the offenders of these crimes are is therefore of importance for prevention. We aimed to study characteristics of individuals convicted of rape, aggravated rape, attempted rape or attempted aggravated rape (abbreviated rape+), against a woman ≥18 years of age, in Sweden. By using information from the Swedish Crime Register, offenders between 15 and 60 years old convicted of rape+ between 2000 and 2015 were included. Information on substance use disorders, previous criminality and psychiatric disorders were retrieved from Swedish population-based registers, and Latent Class Analysis (LCA) was used to identify classes of rape+ offenders. A total of 3 039 offenders were included in the analysis. A majority of them were immigrants (n = 1 800; 59.2%) of which a majority (n = 1 451; 47.7%) were born outside of Sweden. The LCA identified two classes: Class A — low offending class (LOC), and Class B — high offending class (HOC). While offenders in the LOC had low rates of previous criminality, psychiatric disorders and substance use disorders, those included in the HOC had high rates of previous criminality, psychiatric disorders and substance use disorders. While HOC may be composed by more "traditional" criminals probably known by the police, the LOC may represent individuals not previously known by the police. These two separated classes, as well as our finding in regard to a majority of the offenders being immigrants, warrants further studies that take into account the contextual characteristics among these offenders. Rape, aggravated rape, attempted rape or attempted aggravated rape (rape+) are increasing in Sweden. The majority of those convicted of rape+ are immigrants. LCA identifies two classes of rape+ offenders: LOC and HOC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Few studies have investigated sexual dysfunction in immigrant patients with type 2 diabetes in Sweden. The aim of this study was to examine the association between ethnicity and sexual dysfunction and to analyze if this association remains after adjusting for explanatory variables including age, marital status, HbA1c, triglycerides, and hypertension. This cross-sectional study was conducted at four primary health care centers in the Swedish town of Södertälje. A total of 354 persons with type 2 diabetes (173 Assyrians/Syrians and 181 Swedish-born patients) participated in the survey. The main outcome measure was the self-reported presence of sexual dysfunction based on two questions, one regarding loss of ability to have sexual intercourse and the other loss of sexual desire. Response rates were 78% and 86%, respectively. Findings The total prevalence of loss of ability to have intercourse was 29.5%. In the multivariate models, the odds of loss of ability to have intercourse was significantly higher in the oldest age group (OR = 5.80; 95% CI, 2.33–14.40), in men (OR = 3.33; 95% CI, 1.33–8.30), and in unmarried individuals (OR = 2.40; 95% CI, 1.02–5.70). The odds of reporting loss of sexual desire was higher in Assyrians/Syrians than in Swedish-born patients and increased from 2.00 in the age- and gender-adjusted model to 2.70 in the fully adjusted model when all confounders were taken into account. Conclusions Sexual dysfunction appears to be more common in Assyrians/Syrians than in Swedish-born patients. Health care workers should actively ask about sexual function in their patients with type 2 diabetes.

The associations of multiple pollutants and cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity, and the spatial variations of these associations have not been nationally studied in Sweden. The main aim of this study was, thus, to spatially analyze the associations between ambient air pollution (black carbon, carbon monoxide, particulate matter (both <10 µm and <2.5 µm in diameter) and Sulfur oxides considered) and CVD admissions while controlling for neighborhood deprivation across Sweden from 2005 to 2010. Annual emission estimates across Sweden along with admission records for coronary heart disease, ischemic stroke, atherosclerotic and aortic disease were obtained and aggregated at Small Areas for Market Statistics level. Global associations were analyzed using global Poisson regression and spatially autoregressive Poisson regression models. Spatial non‐stationarity of the associations was analyzed using Geographically Weighted Poisson Regression. Generally, weak but significant associations were observed between most of the air pollutants and CVD admissions. These associations were non‐homogeneous, with more variability in the southern parts of Sweden. Our study demonstrates significant spatially varying associations between ambient air pollution and CVD admissions across Sweden and provides an empirical basis for developing healthcare policies and intervention strategies with more emphasis on local impacts of ambient air pollution on CVD outcomes in Sweden. Plain Language Summary: There are significant place‐specific associations between air pollutants and cardiovascular disease (CVD) admissions across Sweden. The southern parts of Sweden show more spatial variability of these place‐specific associations than other parts. More epidemiologic emphasis should be placed on local impacts of air pollution on CVD outcomes in Sweden. Key Points: There are significant place‐specific associations between air pollutants and cardiovascular disease (CVD) admissions across SwedenThe southern parts of Sweden show more spatial variability of these place‐specific associations than other partsMore epidemiologic emphasis should be placed on local impacts of air pollution on CVD outcomes in Sweden [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Comorbidity indices are often used to measure comorbidities in register-based research. We aimed to adapt the Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) to a Swedish setting. Methods: Four versions of the CCI were compared and evaluated by disease-specific experts. Results: We created a cohesive coding system for CCI to 1) harmonize the content between different international classification of disease codes (ICD-7,8,9,10), 2) delete incorrect codes, 3) enhance the distinction between mild, moderate or severe disease (and between diabetes with and without end-organ damage), 4) minimize duplication of codes, and 5) briefly explain the meaning of individual codes in writing. Conclusion: This work may provide an integrated and efficient coding algorithm for CCI to be used in medical register-based research in Sweden. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Polypharmacy is becoming a global health problem. The aims of this study were to evaluate the temporal trends in the prevalence of polypharmacy in Sweden and to explore polypharmacy disparities by age, gender, education, and immigration status. Methods: Polypharmacy and excessive polypharmacy were evaluated using data extracted from the Swedish Prescribed Drug Register between 2006 and 2014. Polypharmacy was defined as being exposed to five or more drugs and excessive polypharmacy was defined as being exposed to 10 or more drugs during 1 month respectively. Average annual percent change (AAPC) was calculated using Joinpoint Statistical Software. Results: The prevalence of polypharmacy increased from 16.9% in 2006 to 19.0% in 2014 with an AAPC of 1.3; the prevalence of excess polypharmacy increased from 3.8% in 2006 to 5.1% in 2014 with an AAPC of 3.4. The prevalence of polypharmacy and excessive polypharmacy increased dramatically with age and peaked up to 79.6% and 36.4% in individuals aged 90 and above respectively. Females and individuals with lower education level were associated with a higher rate of polypharmacy and excessive polypharmacy. Immigrants from Middle-Eastern countries had the highest rate of polypharmacy and excessive polypharmacy, whereas individuals from Western Europe countries had the lowest rate. Conclusion: The prevalence of polypharmacy has increased gradually in Sweden during the past decade. Individuals with older age, female sex, or lower education have a higher rate of polypharmacy and excessive polypharmacy. Immigrants from Middle-Eastern countries showed a higher rate of polypharmacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Our aim was to study the potential effect of neighborhood deprivation on incident heart failure (HF) in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM).Methods: The study population included adults (n = 434,542) aged 30 years or older with DM followed from 2005 to 2015 in Sweden for incident HF. The association between neighborhood deprivation and the outcome was explored using Cox regression analysis, with hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). All models were conducted in both men and women and adjusted for age, educational level, family income, employment status, region of residence, immigrant status, marital status, mobility, and comorbidities. DM patients living in neighborhoods with high or moderate levels of deprivation were compared with those living in neighborhoods with low deprivation scores (reference group).Results: There was an association between level of neighborhood deprivation and HF in DM patients. The HRs were 1.27, 95% CI 1.21-1.33, for men and 1.30, 95% CI 1.23-1.37, for women) among DM patients living in high deprivation neighborhoods compared with those from low deprivation neighborhoods. After adjustments for potential confounders, the higher HRs of HF remained significant: 1.11, 95% CI 1.06-1.16, in men and 1.15, 95% CI 1.09-1.21, in women living in high deprivation neighborhoods.Conclusions: Increased incidence rates of HF among DM patients living in deprived neighborhoods raise important clinical and public health concerns. These findings could serve as an aid to policy-makers when allocating resources in primary health-care settings as well as to clinicians who encounter patients in deprived neighborhoods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We seek to identify factors that facilitate or inhibit transmission of drug abuse (DA) from high-risk parents to their children. In 44,250 offspring of these parents, ascertained from a Swedish national sample for having a mother and/or father with DA, we explored, using Cox models, how the prevalence of DA was predicted by potentially malleable risk factors in these high-risk parents, their spouses and the rearing environment they provided. Analyses of offspring of discordant high-risk siblings and offspring of discordant sibling-in-laws and step-parents aided causal inference. Risk for DA in the children was associated with high-risk and married-in parental externalizing psychopathology, a range of other features of these parents (e.g., low education and receipt of welfare), and aspects of the rearing environment (e.g., neighborhood deprivation and number of nearby drug dealers). Offspring of discordant high-risk siblings, siblings-in-laws and step-parents suggested that nearly all these associations were partly causal. A multivariate analysis utilizing offspring of discordant high-risk siblings identified the six most significant potentially malleable risk factors for offspring DA: (1) criminal behavior (CB) in married-in parent, (2) community peer deviance, (3) broken family, (4) DA in high-risk parent, (5) CB in high-risk parent and (6) number of family moves. Children in the lowest decile of risk had a 50% reduction in their DA prevalence, similar to that seen in the general population. We conclude that transmission of DA from high-risk parents to children partly results from a range of potentially malleable risk factors that could serve as foci for intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The hospitalization rate of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT) in a nationwide study is not established. We determined age- and sex-specific hospitalization rates and time trends for hospitalized PSVT in the Swedish population between 1987 and 2010. Methods: This nationwide study is based on the Swedish Hospital Discharge Register. The patients with first PSVT diagnoses between January 1987 and December 2010 were identified. Results: A total of 42,765 individuals with PSVT were diagnosed (mean age 60 years; 44% males). The overall age- and sex-adjusted hospitalization rate was 20 per 100,000 person-years. The hospitalization rate increased with advancing age with highest hospitalization rates in individuals aged 80-84 years (67.12 per 100,000 person-years) and did not change significantly over time. A total of 20,011 (46.8%) patients had "lone" PSVT without any comorbidities. Lone PSVT patients were younger than PSVT patients with comorbidities (mean age 54 vs. 67 years, p = .0002). Conclusions: This study showed a slight preponderance for females and stable hospitalization rate of PSVT over time; the hospitalization rate increased with age. A high proportion of PSVT patients had no comorbidities. They were affected at a younger age than patients with comorbidities, which suggests an inherent predisposition. Key messages: This study represents the first extensive and nationwide hospitalization study of PSVT. Hospitalization is highest in old age but a bimodal pattern was observed with a small peak in the first years of life. Patients with lone PSVT are younger than those with comorbidities; which suggests an inherent predisposition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ovarian cancer is a heterogeneous disease. Data regarding familial risks for specific proband, age at diagnosis and histology are limited. Such data can assist genetic counseling and help elucidate etiologic differences among various histologic types of ovarian malignancies. By using the Swedish Family-Cancer Database, we calculated relative risks (RRs) for detailed family histories using a two-way comparison, which implied e.g. estimation of RRs for overall ovarian cancer when family history was histology-specific ovarian cancer, and conversely, RRs for histology-specific ovarian cancer when family history was overall ovarian cancer. In families of only mother, only sisters or both mother and sisters diagnosed with ovarian cancer, cancer risks for ovary were 2.40, 2.59 and 10.40, respectively; and were higher for cases diagnosed before the age of 50 years. All histological types showed a familial risk in two-way analyses, except mucinous and sex cord-stromal tumors. RRs for concordant histology were found for serous (2.47), endometrioid (3.59) and mucinous ovarian cancers (6.91). Concordant familial risks were highest for mucinous cancer; for others, some discordant associations, such as endometrioid-undifferentiated (9.27) and serous-undifferentiated (4.80), showed the highest RRs. Familial risks are high for early-onset patients and for those with multiple affected relatives. Sharing of different histological types of ovarian cancer is likely an indication of the complexity of the underlying mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims Pharmacotherapy can be an important part of the continuum of care for alcohol use disorder (AUD). The Swedish universal health-care system emphasizes provision of care to marginalized groups. The primary aim was to test associations of neighborhood deprivation and disadvantaged social status with receipt of AUD pharmacotherapy in this context. Design Data from linked population registers were used to follow an open cohort over 7 years. Setting Sweden. Participants Alcohol-related ICD-10 codes reported for all hospitalizations in the Swedish Hospital Discharge Register and all clinic/office visits in the Outpatient Care Register between 2005 and 2012 were used to identify 62 549 cases with AUD. Measurements The primary outcome was any AUD pharmacotherapy (naltrexone, disulfiram, acamprosate, nalmefene) picked up by patients between 2005 and 2012 (versus none), based on the Swedish Prescribed Drug Register. Neighborhood deprivation was defined using aggregated data from the Total Population Register; indicators of disadvantaged social status (income, education, country of origin) also came from this source. Findings Approximately half the cases (53.7%) picked up one or more AUD pharmacotherapy prescriptions. In adjusted models, people living in neighborhoods with moderate [odds ratio (OR) = 0.90, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.86, 0.95] or high levels of deprivation (OR = 0.75, 95% CI = 0.70, 0.79) compared with low deprivation, those with lower incomes (for example, lowest quartile: OR = 0.70, 95% CI = 0.66, 0.73 compared with highest) and less education (for example, < 10 years: OR = 0.82, 95% CI = 0.78, 0.85 compared with 12+ years) and people born outside Sweden (OR = 0.74, 95% CI = 0.71, 0.78 compared with Swedish-born) were significantly less likely to pick up a prescription for AUD pharmacotherapy during the study period. Conclusions There appear to be socio-economic disparities in the receipt of pharmacotherapy for alcohol use disorder in Sweden. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Medical adherence is important in the treatment of depression. Primary medical adherence, i.e. patients collecting their newly prescribed medications from pharmacies, is very different depending on the drug prescribed Objective To assess the rate of primary medical adherence in patients prescribed antidepressants and to identify characteristics that make patients less likely to pick up prescriptions. Methods An observational study was performed using primary health care data from Sweden on patients who were prescribed antidepressants. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression was used to determine differences in pick-up rate according to patient characteristics. Main outcome Pick-up rate, defined as collection of a prescription within 30 days. Results A total of 11 624 patients received an antidepressant prescription during the study period, and the overall pick-up rate was 85.1%. The pick-up rate differed according to country of birth: individuals born in the Middle East and other countries outside Europe had lower primary medical adherence than Swedes, with adjusted odds ratios (ORs) of 0.58 and 0.67, respectively. Patients at ages 64-79 years had a higher pick-up rate compared with those aged 25-44 years (OR 1.71). Divorced patients had a lower rate compared with married patients (OR 0.80). Conclusion Immigrants from the Middle East and other countries outside Europe and younger and divorced patients had lower primary medical adherence, which calls for clinical attention and preventive measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. Few large-scale studies have examined the prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and the number of visits among IBS patients in a primary health care setting. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of IBS in primary health care in four Swedish counties. Another aim was to study the number of visits among the IBS patients. Design. A register-based study. Setting. A primary health care database with information on patients from 71 primary health care centres in the Swedish counties of Stockholm, Uppsala, Värmland, and Gotland. Subjects. The primary health care database contains individual-level data for 919 954 patients for the period 2001-2007. Main outcome measures. Prevalence of IBS diagnosis. Results. 10 987 patients had a diagnosis of IBS, which corresponds to a prevalence of 1.2%. IBS was most common in the 25-44 years age group (37% of IBS patients); 71% of IBS patients were female, and 81% of IBS patients visited their GP six or more times, compared with 46% of non-IBS patients. However, 95% of the IBS patients visited their GP three times or fewer for IBS. Conclusion and implications. The prevalence of IBS was low among Swedish primary health care patients. This might suggest that IBS patients are insufficiently diagnosed in Swedish primary health care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The relapse rate for psychiatric disorders after postpartum psychosis is high. Apart from subsequent puerperal periods, previous studies have not examined when relapses in psychiatric disorders occur. In addition, little is known about the impact of certain individual factors on the risk of non-puerperal readmission among women with previous postpartum psychosis. Aims: The first aim was to examine the association between non-puerperal readmission due to psychiatric disorders and years of follow-up (in total, 30 years) in women with postpartum psychosis. The second aim was to examine the impact of age, type of psychosis, previous hospitalization for psychiatric disorders and level of education on the risk of non-puerperal readmission due to psychiatric disorders. Methods: All Swedish women aged 20-44 with postpartum psychosis ( n =3140) were followed between 1975 and 2004 for non-puerperal readmission due to psychiatric disorders. A Cox frailty regression model was used to estimate hazard ratios for non-puerperal readmission. Results: The risk of non-puerperal readmission, although gradually decreasing with time, remained high many years after the postpartum psychosis. The risk of non-puerperal readmission was significantly higher among women with schizophrenia, lower levels of education and previous psychiatric hospitalization. Conclusions: Postpartum psychosis is often part of a lifelong recurrent psychiatric disorder. Women with schizophrenia, lower levels of education and hospitalization due to a psychiatric disorder prior to postpartum psychosis have a higher risk of non-puerperal readmission. Clinical implications: The findings constitute important knowledge for all healthcare workers encountering women with a previous postpartum psychosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To examine if there is an association between country of birth in parents and small-for-gestational-age (defined as a birthweight of more than two standard deviations (SDs) below the mean) in first singletons births. Methods: In this follow-up study, national population and healthcare registers were used to identify small-for-gestational-age births in all first singleton births in Sweden between 1 January 1982 and 31 December 2006. Odds ratios, standardised with regard to maternal age at birth, period of birth, marital status, family income, geographical region, employment, maternal height, and smoking history, were estimated by maternal and paternal country of birth. Singletons with both parents born in Sweden were used as reference group. Results: There were 1,060,467 records for first singletons births over the study period, of whom 3.5% were small-for-gestational-age. The rate was higher in newborns with non-Swedish born than in those with Swedish born mothers (4.1 and 3.3%, respectively). Immigrants from Southern European countries, Africa, and Asia had higher risks of small-for-gestational-age in than those in the reference group, and the risks were even higher in compatriot parents. Conclusions: Country of birth affected the risk of small-for-gestational-age. Maternity care should pay a special attention to pregnancies in certain population groups. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

We studied the effect of new environment on the risk in and mortality of gynecological cancers in first- and second-generation immigrants in Sweden. We used the nationwide Swedish Family-Cancer Database to calculate standardized incidence/mortality ratios (SIRs/SMRs) of cervical, endometrial and ovarian cancers among immigrants in comparison to the native Swedes. Risk of cervical cancer increased among first-generation immigrants with Danish (SIR = 1.64), Norwegian (1.33), former Yugoslavian (1.21) and East European (1.35) origins, whereas this risk decreased among Finns (0.88) and Asians (SIRs varies from 0.11 in Iranians to 0.54 in East Asians). Risk of endometrial (SIRs varies from 0.28 in Africans to 0.86 in Finns) and ovarian (SIRs varies from 0.23 in Chileans to 0.82 in Finns) cancers decreased in first-generation immigrants. The overall gynecological cancer risk for the second-generation immigrants, independent of the birth region, was almost similar to that obtained for the first generations. The birth region-specific SMRs of gynecological cancers in first- and second-generation immigrants co-varied with the SIRs. Risk of gynecological cancers among the first-generation immigrants is similar to that in their original countries, except for cervical cancer among Africans and endometrial cancer among North Americans and East Europeans. Our findings show that risk and mortality of gynecological cancers observed in the first-generation immigrants remain in the second generation. We conclude that the risk and protective factors of gynecological cancers are preserved upon immigration and through generations, suggesting a role for behavioral factors or familial aggregation in the etiology of these diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To examine the role of gender, age at immigration and length of stay on incidence trends of common cancers, we studied risk of colorectal, lung, breast and prostate cancers in immigrants to Sweden from 1958 to 2008. The nationwide Swedish Family-Cancer Database was used to calculate standardized incidence ratios for common cancers among immigrants compared to Swedes. Immigrants were classified into 'high-risk' countries when their risk was increased, into 'low-risk' when their risk was decreased and into 'other' when their risk was nonsignificant. Among those who immigrated at younger age (<30 years), we found an increasing trend for colorectal cancer risk in low-risk men and high-risk women. Among those who immigrated at older age (≥30 years), a decreasing lung cancer risk in high-risk men and an increasing breast cancer risk in low-risk women were observed. The increasing trend of prostate cancer risk was independent of age at immigration. The risk trends for 'other' immigrants were between the risks of low- and high-risk countries. The gender-specific shifts in cancer risks in immigrants toward the risk in natives indicate a major role of sex, age at immigration and environmental exposures in colorectal and lung cancers risks. In contrast, the unchanged trend of breast cancer among those who immigrated at younger ages and an increasing trend for those who migrated at older ages may suggest a limited effect for environmental exposures, especially at younger age. Our study points out a role of age at immigration on the risk trend of cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: We wanted to define lung cancer incidence rates by histological subtype among immigrants in Sweden to explore the effect of new environments on the incidence of lung cancer by histological subtype in different ethnic populations. Methods: The nationwide Swedish Family-Cancer Database w used to calculate age-standardized incidence rates (ASR) (per 100,000) and standardized incidence ratios (SIRs). The patient series covered 19,255 male and 14,601 female Swedes, and 3236 male and 1751 female immigrants. Results: By time since immigration, Former Yugoslavian (ASR=46.4) and Asian Arab (38.8) men, and Danish (23.3), Norwegian (19.5) and Finnish (14.5) women had the highest rates for lung cancer, while the lowest rate was seen among Asian Arab women (5.8). The highest adenocarcinoma rates were seen among South European men (11.5), and Danish (7.4) and Norwegian (6.9) women, while squamous cell (SCC) and small cell carcinomas rates were the highest among former Yugoslavian (16.0) and Baltic (8.8) men, respectively. Former Yugoslavian men (2.6) had the highest rate for large cell carcinoma. Compared to Swedes, former Yugoslavian men had the highest significant risk for SCC (SIR=3.62), small cell (3.14) and large cell (4.21) carcinomas, whereas the highest adenocarcinoma risk was seen among Asian Arabs (2.35). Danish women had the highest risks for SCC (1.91) and small cell carcinoma (2.56). Conclusion: The ethnic-specific lung cancer rates by histology followed the rates in the countries of origin. Our findings may suggest that preservation of smoking habits in the host country is linked to the ethnic diversity of lung cancer incidence by histology. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background and aims. The incidence of celiac disease (CD) shows large, worldwide variation. However, whether its causes are environmental (gluten-containing diet) or genetic (specific haplotype) have not been established. The aim of the present study is to examine the incidence of CD among second-generation immigrants and adoptees from abroad to disentangle genetic/ethnic versus environmental influences (assuming that immigrants have similar gluten exposures to native Swedes, and thus differ from them only in terms of their genetic background). Methods. Second-generation immigrants and adoptees from abroad were identified in the MigMed 2 Database and were followed until diagnosis of CD, death, or the end of study. Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) were calculated among these immigrants with native Swedes as the reference group. Results. A total of 1,050,569 children were defined as second-generation immigrants and the overall SIR of CD (SIR == 0.89, 95% confidence interval 0.84--0.94) was significantly lower than that of native Swedes. The incidence of CD among children with parents from Western, Eastern, and Northern European countries was similar to that in native Swedes, but was lower for those with parents from low-prevalence countries, especially Eastern and Southeast Asian countries. A total of 51,557 children born in foreign countries were adopted by Swedes. Adoptees from Eastern Asia had a significantly decreased SIR of CD. Conclusions. The decreased incidence of CD in second-generation immigrants and some groups of adoptees from abroad strongly suggests that ethnic genetic heterogeneity may contribute to the worldwide variation in CD incidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: More knowledge concerning the association between physical activity and objectively measured attributes of the built environment is needed. Previous studies on the association between objectively measured neighborhood walkability, physical activity, and walking have been conducted in the U.S. or Australia and research findings are available from only one country in Europe – Belgium. The first aim of this Swedish study of 2269 adults was to examine the associations between neighborhood walkability and walking for active transportation or leisure, and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and whether these hypothesized associations are moderated by age, gender, income, marital status and neighborhood-level socioeconomic status. The second aim was to determine how much of the total variance of the walking and physical activity outcomes can be attributed to neighborhood-level differences. Neighborhood walkability was objectively measured by GIS methods. An index consisting of residential density, street connectivity, and land use mix was constructed to define 32 highly and less walkable neighborhoods in Stockholm City. MVPA was measured objectively during 7 days with an accelerometer and walking was assessed using the validated International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Multilevel linear as well as logistic models (mixed-effects, mixed-distribution models) were used in the analysis. The statistically significant and “adjusted” results for individuals living in highly walkable neighborhoods, as compared to those living in less walkable neighborhoods, were: (1) 77% and 28% higher odds for walking for active transportation and walking for leisure, respectively, (2) 50 min more walking for active transportation/week, and (3) 3.1 min more MVPA/day. The proportion of the total variance at the neighborhood level was low and ranged between 0.0% and 2.1% in the adjusted models. The findings of the present study stress that future policies concerning the built environment must be based on context-specific evidence, particularly in the light of the fact that neighborhood redevelopments are time-consuming and expensive. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective. Increasing global migration has led to profound demographic changes in most industrialised countries. A growing body of research has investigated various health aspects among immigrant groups and found that some immigrant groups have poorer health than the majority population. It has been suggested that poor acculturation in the host country could lie behind the increased risk of worsened health among certain immigrant groups. The aim was to investigate the cross-sectional association between acculturation, measured as age at migration or length of residence, and self-rated health among young immigrants. Design. The simple, random samples of 7137 women and 7415 men aged 16-34 years were based on pooled, independent data collected during the period 1992-1999 obtained from the Swedish Annual Level of Living Survey (SALLS). Logistic regression was applied in the estimation of odds ratios (OR) for poor self-rated health, after accounting for age, sex, socioeconomic status (SES) and social networks. The non-response rate varied between 23.6 and 28.3% in the different immigrant groups. Results. The odds of poor self-rated health increased with increasing age at migration to Sweden among first-generation immigrants. For those who had resided in Sweden less than 15 years the odds of poor self-rated health were significantly increased. In addition, most of the immigrant groups had higher odds of poor self-rated health than the reference group. Conclusions. Health care workers and policy makers need to be aware that immigrants who arrive in the host country at higher ages and/or have lived in the host country for a shorter period of time might need special attention as they are more likely to suffer from poor self-rated health, a valid health status indicator that can be used in population health monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To analyze whether hospitalization for a psychiatric disorder predicts Parkinson's disease (PD) in men and women in different age groups after accounting for socioeconomic status and geographical region. Data from the MigMed database were used to identify all people in Sweden hospitalized for psychiatric disorder and PD during the study period (1987 to 2001). Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) for PD were calculated among those with and without hospitalization for psychiatric disorder. There were 1876 cases of PD among those with psychiatric disorder during the study period. The risk of developing PD was strongest among those under age 50; the SIR was 11.56 (95% CI 9.15–14.41). The risk was attenuated with increasing age in both men and women. There were similar risk patterns in all subtypes of psychiatric disorders in PD patients. The overall risk of PD among people with psychiatric disorders was higher for women than men. A psychiatric disorder is an appreciable risk factor for the development of PD, particularly in people under age 50. The association between PD and psychiatric disorders should be taken into account by clinicians and health care providers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Few previous studies have analyzed the association between different dimensions of social capital and mental disorders. This study examines whether there is an association between a relatively new theoretical concept describing the amount of trust between individuals and societal institutions, i.e. linking social capital, and hospitalization due to depression or psychosis. The entire Swedish population aged 25–64, a total of 4.5 million men and women, was followed from January 1, 1997, until the first hospital admission due to depression or psychosis during the study period, or the end of the study on December 31, 1999. Small area neighborhood units were used to define neighborhoods. The definition of linking social capital was based on mean voting participation in each neighborhood unit, categorized in tertiles. Multilevel logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios and neighborhood-level variance in four different models. The results showed strong associations between linking social capital and hospitalization due to depression or psychosis. These associations decreased considerably in both men and women, but still remained significant, after adjustment for age, housing tenure, education, employment status, marital status, and country of birth. However, the results for depression (both men and women) no longer remained significant after adjustment for neighborhood deprivation. In contrast, the results for psychosis decreased considerably but remained significant after adjustment for neighborhood deprivation. The association between low levels of voting participation and hospitalization due to depression or psychosis might reflect neighborhood differences in linking social capital, which could affect vulnerable individuals negatively. Decision-makers should take into account the evidence of a neighborhood effect on mental health in decisions regarding the sites of psychiatric clinics and other kinds of community support for psychiatric patients. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Purpose: Epilepsy is a common disabling condition, with high heritability according to twin studies. Characterization of familial risks for common subtypes of epilepsy will advance the search for the heritable causes of these conditions and their underlying mechanisms. We aim at defining familial risks for siblings to be hospitalized because of epilepsy. Methods: A nationwide ad hoc epilepsy database was constructed by linking the Multigeneration Register on 0- to 69-year-old siblings to the Hospital Discharge Register for data on epilepsies covering the years 1987–2001. Standardized risk ratios (SIRs) were calculated for affected sibling pairs by comparing them to those whose siblings had no epilepsy. Results: Among a total of 26,799 hospitalized cases, 598 affected siblings were identified with a familial SIR of 2.35; the SIR was highest at ages 0–4 years (6.82). Infantile spasms showed the highest risk for any subtype (10.45), when a co-sibling was diagnosed with any epilepsy. When both siblings were diagnosed with a concordant (same) subtype of epilepsy, the SIRs were high, i.e. 8.43 for generalized idiopathic epilepsy, 2.56 for partial epilepsy, 24.72 for status epilepticus and 24.39 for other epilepsies. Generalized idiopathic epilepsy was also associated with grand mal (4.06) and other epilepsies (7.61). The numbers of cases were small but concordant diagnoses always showing higher SIRs compared with discordant diagnoses. Conclusions: Within the limits of the present sample size, our results suggest high familial aggregation for certain subtypes of epilepsy for which distinct genetic mechanisms may underlie. Copyright © 2006 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]