Factors associated with undiagnosed obstructive sleep apnoea in hypertensive primary care patients

Objective. In hypertensive primary care patients below 65 years of age, ( i ) to describe the occurrence of undiagnosed obstructive sleep apnoea ( OSA ), and ( ii ) to identify the determinants of moderate/severe OSA. Design. Cross-sectional. Setting. Four primary care health centres in Sweden. Patients. 411 consecutive patients ( 52% women ), mean age 57.9 years ( SD 5.9 years ), with diagnosed and treated hypertension ( BP >140/90 ). Main outcome measures. Occurrence of OSA as measured by the apnoea hypopnoea index ( AHI ). Results. Mild ( AHI 5–14.9/h ) and moderate/severe ( AHI > 15/h ) OSA were seen among 29% and 30% of the patients, respectively. Comparing those without OSA with those with mild or moderate/severe OSA, no differences were found in blood pressure, pharmacological treatment ( anti-hypertensive, anti-depressive, and hypnotics ), sleep, insomnia symptoms, daytime sleepiness, or depressive symptoms. Obesity ( BMI > 30 kg/m2 ) was seen in 30% and 68% of the patients with mild and moderate/severe OSA, respectively. Male gender, BMI > 30 kg/m2, snoring, witnessed apnoeas, and sleep duration >8 hours were determinants of obstructive sleep apnoea. Conclusion. Previously undiagnosed OSA is common among patients with hypertension in primary care. Obesity, snoring, witnessed apnoeas, long sleep duration, and male gender were the best predictors of OSA, even in the absence of daytime sleepiness and depressive symptoms

Psychometric Properties of the 9-item European Heart Failure Self-Care Behavior Scale Using Confirmatory Factor Analysis and Rasch Analysis Among Iranian Patients

Background: The 9-item European Heart Failure Self-Care Behavior scale (EHFScB-9) is a self-reported questionnaire commonly used to capture the self-care behavior of people with heart failure (HF). Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the EHFScB-9’s factorial structure and categorical functioning of the response scale and differential item functioning (DIF) across subpopulations in Iran. Methods: Patients with HF (n = 380; 60.5% male; mean [SD] age, 61.7 [9.1] years) participated in this study. The median (interquartile range) of the duration of their HF was 6.0 (2.4Y8.8) months. Most of the participants were in New York Heart Association classification II (NYHA II, 61.8%); few of them had left ventricular ejection fraction assessment (11.3%). All participants completed the EHFScB-9. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to test the factorial structure of the EHFScB-9; Rasch analysis was used to analyze categorical functioning and DIF items across 2 characteristics (gender and NYHA). Results: The 2-factor structure (‘‘adherence to regimen’’ and ‘‘consulting behavior’’) of the EHFScB-9 was confirmed, and the unidimensionality of each factor was found. Categorical functioning was supported for all items. No items displayed substantial DIF across gender (DIF contrast, j0.25Y0.31). Except for item 3 (‘‘Contact doctor or nurse if legs/feet are swollen’’; DIF contrast, j0.69), no items displayed substantial DIF across NYHA classes (DIF contrast,j0.40 to 0.47). Conclusions: Despite the DIF displayed in 1 item across the NYHA classes, the EHFScB-9 demonstrated sound psychometric properties in patients with HF

The relationship between the laboratory diagnosis of Lyme neuroborreliosis and climate factors in Kalmar County Sweden - an overview between 2008 and 2019

The purpose of this study was to describe the epidemiology of Lyme neuroborreliosis (LNB) in Kalmar County, in southern Sweden, between 2008 and 2019, and to analyse the relationship between the LNB incidence and climate factors. Data containing cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cell counts and borrelia CSF/serum antibody index results was received from the departments of clinical chemistry and microbiology at Kalmar County hospital. For this study, we defined LNB as a case with a positive borrelia antibody CSF/serum index and CSF leukocytes > 5 x 10(6)/L. Climate data including mean temperature, humidity and precipitation covering Kalmar County was collected from the Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute. A total of 5051 paired serum-CSF samples from 4835 patients were investigated of which 251 laboratory LNB cases were found. The average annual LNB incidence in Kalmar County 2008-2019 was 8.8 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. Positive relationships were observed between mean temperature and LNB incidence (p < 0.001) as well as precipitation and LNB incidence (p =0.003), both with a one calendar month delay. The results suggest an association between climate factors such as mean temperature and precipitation and LNB incidence, presumably through increased/decreased human-tick interactions. This calls for increased awareness of LNB in both the short perspective after periods of warmth and heavy precipitation as well as in a longer perspective in relation to possible climate change. Further studies with larger study groups, covering other geographical areas and over longer periods of time are needed to confirm these findings

The relationship between physical activity and appetite in patients with heart failure: A prospective observational study

Introduction: Physical activity and appetite are important components for maintaining health. Yet, the association between physical activity and appetite in heart failure (HF) populations is not completely understood. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between physical activity, functional capacity, and appetite in patients with HF. Methods: This was a prospective observational study. In total, 186 patients diagnosed with HF, New York Heart Association (NYHA) class II-IV (mean age 70.7, 30% female), were included. Physical activity was measured using a multi-sensor actigraph for seven days and with a self-reported numeric rating scale. Physical capacity was measured by the six-minute walk test. Appetite was measured using the Council on Nutrition Appetite Questionnaire. Data were collected at inclusion and after 18 months. A series of linear regression analyses, adjusted for age, NYHA class, and B-type natriuretic peptide were conducted. Results: At baseline, higher levels of physical activity and functional capacity were significantly associated with a higher level of appetite in the unadjusted models. In the adjusted models, number of steps (p = 0.019) and the six-minute walk test (p = 0.007) remained significant. At the 18-month follow-up, all physical activity variables and functional capacity were significantly associated with appetite in the unadjusted regression models. In the adjusted models, number of steps (p = 0.001) and metabolic equivalent daily averages (p = 0.040) remained significant. Conclusion: A higher level of physical activity measured by number of steps/day was associated with better self-reported appetite, both at baseline and the 18-month follow-up. Further research is needed to establish causality and explore the intertwined relationship between activity and appetite in patients with HF.Funding Agencies|Centre for Clinical Research Sormland, Uppsala University, Eskilstuna, Sweden; Swedish Heart and Lung Foundation; Medical Research Council of Southeast Sweden; King Gustaf V and Queen Victorias Freemason Foundation</p

Psychometric properties of the 8-item Chronic Pain Acceptance Questionnaire (CPAQ-8) in a Swedish Chronic Pain Cohort

Background: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for chronic pain has good empirical support. Pain acceptance is most often assessed with the Chronic Pain Acceptance Questionnaire (CPAQ). Recently a shorter 8-item version,the CPAQ-8, was developed.Objectives: To further validate the CPAQ-8 in a Swedish context and to test its sensitivity to treatment effects, an as-yet unknown property of the instrument.Methods: A total of 891 patients completed the CPAQ, along with scales for anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale), kinesiophobia (Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia) and quality of life (Short Form-36). Confirmatoryfactor analyses were performed to examine the factor structure. Convergent validity was tested with Pearson’s correlations. Changes over time were evaluated with paired t-test.Results: The confirmatory factor analyses showed that the CPAQ 2-factor model had a better fit compared with the 1-factor model, both for the 8- and 20-item versions. All CPAQ-8 scales demonstrated good internal consistency (alpha≥ 0.80). They also correlated significantly with related constructs, supporting convergent validity. The CPAQ-8 explained a large share of the total variance in CPAQ-20 and was also able to track rehabilitation changes (large effectsize, d = 0.89).Conclusion: CPAQ-8 demonstrated good psychometric properties and sensitivity to rehabilitation changes. Further research that considers other cultural contexts may lead enhance the applications of this instrument

Mode of anesthesia and postoperative symptoms following abdominal hysterectomy in a fast-track setting

Objective. To determine whether postoperative symptoms differ between women who undergo abdominal benign hysterectomy in a fast-track model under general anesthesia or spinal anesthesia with intrathecal morphine. Design. Secondary analysis from a randomized, open, multicenter study. Setting. Five hospitals in south-east Sweden. Population. One-hundred and eighty women scheduled for benign hysterectomy were randomized; 162 completed the study; 82 were allocated to spinal and 80 to general anesthesia. Methods. The Swedish Postoperative Symptoms Questionnaire, completed daily for 1 week and thereafter once a week until 5 weeks postoperatively. Main Outcome Measures. Occurrence, intensity and duration of postoperative symptoms. Results. Women who had hysterectomy under spinal anesthesia with intrathecal morphine experienced significantly less discomfort postoperatively compared with those who had the operation under general anesthesia. Spinal anesthesia reduced the need for opioids postoperatively. The most common symptoms were pain, nausea and vomiting, itching, drowsiness and fatigue. Abdominal pain, drowsiness and fatigue occurred significantly less often and with lower intensity among the spinal anesthesia group. Although postoperative nausea and vomiting was reported equally in the two groups, vomiting episodes were reported significantly more often during the first day after surgery in the spinal anesthesia group. Spinal anesthesia was associated with a higher prevalence of postoperative itching. Conclusions. Spinal anesthesia with intrathecal morphine carries advantages regarding postoperative symptoms and recovery following fast-track abdominal hysterectomy.Original Publication: Ninnie Borendal Wodlin, Lena Nilsson, Kristofer Arestedt and Preben Kjölhede, Mode of anesthesia and postoperative symptoms following abdominal hysterectomy in a fast-track setting, 2011, ACTA OBSTETRICIA ET GYNECOLOGICA SCANDINAVICA, (90), 4, 369-379. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0412.2010.01059.x Copyright: Informa Healthcare http://informahealthcare.com/</p

Psychometric evaluation of the Telenursing Interaction and Satisfaction Scale

Aims and Objectives Interaction between caller and telenurse in telenursing is important for caller satisfaction and subsequent compliance. Despite this, satisfaction measures with focus on interaction in telenursing are scarce and rarely anchored in nursing theory. The aim was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Telenursing Interaction and Satisfaction Scale (TISS) with focus on data quality, factor structure, convergent validity, and reliability.Methodological Design and Justification This psychometric study was based on cross-sectional data.Research Methods, Instruments, and/or Interventions Callers to the National Medical Advisory Service in Sweden (n = 616) completed the 60-item Telenursing Interaction and Satisfaction Questionnaire based on Coxs Interaction Model of Client Health Behavior. Twenty-five of these items were selected to form the TISS in four subscales according to the model. Data quality was evaluated in terms of missing data patterns and score distributions. The factor structure was evaluated with confirmatory factor analysis for ordinal data, convergent validity with Spearman correlations, internal consistency with ordinal alpha, scale reliability with composite reliability coefficients, and test-retest reliability with intraclass correlations.Results The amount of missing data was acceptable and equally distributed. Data deviated significantly from a normal distribution. All response options were endorsed. The factor analysis confirmed the hypothesised four-factor structure; factor loadings ranged from 0.56 to 0.97 and factor correlations were high (0.88-0.96). Internal consistency (ordinal alpha = 0.82-0.97), scale reliability (0.88-0.99), and test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.77-0.86) were satisfactory for all scales.Study Limitations The study design did not allow drop-out analysis.Conclusions The TISS showed satisfactory psychometric properties in the study sample. It provides a measure that enables quantitative measurement of caller satisfaction with interaction in telenursing.Funding Agencies|Forskningsradet i Sydostra Sverige [FORSS-847311, FORSS-930659]; Region Ostergotland [RO LiO-925191, RO LiO-938203]</p

Factors associated with increased physical activity among patients prescribed physical activity in Swedish routine health care including an offer of counselor support : a 1-year follow-up

Background The study addresses knowledge gaps in research regarding influences of routine health care delivery of physical activity on prescription (PAP). The aim was to investigate if patient and health care characteristics are associated with increased physical activity 1 year after prescription among patients offered counselor support in addition to health care professionals prescription. The study was conducted in primary and secondary care in a Swedish health care region. Methods All PAP recipients during 1 year were invited (N = 1503) to participate in this observational prospective study. Data were collected from medical records and questionnaires (baseline and follow-up). Descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regression analysis were used. The outcome variable was increased physical activity after 1 year. Study variables were patient and health care characteristics. Results Three hundred and fifty-five patients with complete follow-up data were included. The mean age was 62 years (SD = 14; range, 18-90) and 68% were females. Almost half (47%) had increased physical activity 1 year after PAP. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that increased physical activity at follow-up was positively associated with lower baseline activity, counselor use, and positive perception of support. Counselor users with low baseline activity had higher odds ratio for increased physical activity at follow-up than non-users (OR = 7.2, 95% CI = 2.2-23.5 vs. OR = 3.2, 95% CI = 1.4-7.5). Positive perception of support was associated with increased physical activity among counselor users but not among non-users. Conclusions An increase in physical activity after PAP was related to low baseline activity, positive perception of support, and use of counselor support after PAP. Qualified counseling support linked to PAP seems to be important for achieving increased physical activity among patients with lower baseline activity.Funding Agencies|Department of Research and Development, Region Kronoberg [4896]</p

Mode of anesthesia and postoperative symptoms following abdominal hysterectomy in a fast-track setting

Objective. To determine whether postoperative symptoms differ between women who undergo abdominal benign hysterectomy in a fast-track model under general anesthesia or spinal anesthesia with intrathecal morphine. Design. Secondary analysis from a randomized, open, multicenter study. Setting. Five hospitals in south-east Sweden. Population. One-hundred and eighty women scheduled for benign hysterectomy were randomized; 162 completed the study; 82 were allocated to spinal and 80 to general anesthesia. Methods. The Swedish Postoperative Symptoms Questionnaire, completed daily for 1 week and thereafter once a week until 5 weeks postoperatively. Main Outcome Measures. Occurrence, intensity and duration of postoperative symptoms. Results. Women who had hysterectomy under spinal anesthesia with intrathecal morphine experienced significantly less discomfort postoperatively compared with those who had the operation under general anesthesia. Spinal anesthesia reduced the need for opioids postoperatively. The most common symptoms were pain, nausea and vomiting, itching, drowsiness and fatigue. Abdominal pain, drowsiness and fatigue occurred significantly less often and with lower intensity among the spinal anesthesia group. Although postoperative nausea and vomiting was reported equally in the two groups, vomiting episodes were reported significantly more often during the first day after surgery in the spinal anesthesia group. Spinal anesthesia was associated with a higher prevalence of postoperative itching. Conclusions. Spinal anesthesia with intrathecal morphine carries advantages regarding postoperative symptoms and recovery following fast-track abdominal hysterectomy.Original Publication: Ninnie Borendal Wodlin, Lena Nilsson, Kristofer Arestedt and Preben Kjölhede, Mode of anesthesia and postoperative symptoms following abdominal hysterectomy in a fast-track setting, 2011, ACTA OBSTETRICIA ET GYNECOLOGICA SCANDINAVICA, (90), 4, 369-379. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0412.2010.01059.x Copyright: Informa Healthcare http://informahealthcare.com/</p