The Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLQ): Initial validity testing in a Norwegian sample.

This study tested the Norwegian version of the Health Literacy Questionnaire. The questionnaire (44 items across nine scales) was completed by 368 nursing students. Despite some overlap between scale 7 (“navigating in the health care system”) and scale 8 (“ability to find good health information”), the questionnaire appears to serve as a good measurement for health literacy in the Norwegian population.publishedVersio

Evaluating Routine Blood Tests According to Clinical Symptoms and Diagnostic Criteria in Individuals with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Creatina quinasa; Encefalomielitis miàlgica/síndrome de fatiga crònica; Anàlisis de sang de rutinaCreatina quinasa; Encefalomielitis miálgica/síndrome de fatiga crónica; Análisis de sangre de rutinaCreatine kinase; Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome; Routine blood testsThere is a lack of research regarding blood tests within individuals with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) and between patients and healthy controls. We aimed to compare results of routine blood tests between patients and healthy controls. Data from 149 patients diagnosed with ME/CFS based on clinical and psychiatric evaluation as well as on the DePaul Symptom Questionnaire, and data from 264 healthy controls recruited from blood donors were compared. One-way ANCOVA was conducted to examine differences between ME/CFS patients and healthy controls, adjusting for age and gender. Patients had higher sedimentation rate (mean difference: 1.38, 95% CI: 0.045 to 2.714), leukocytes (mean difference: 0.59, 95% CI: 0.248 to 0.932), lymphocytes (mean difference: 0.27, 95% CI: 0.145 to 0.395), neutrophils (mean difference: 0.34, 95% CI: 0.0 89 to 0.591), monocytes (mean difference: 0.34, 95% CI: 0.309 to 0.371), ferritin (mean difference: 28.13, 95% CI: −1.41 to 57.672), vitamin B12 (mean difference: 83.43, 95% CI: 62.89 to 124.211), calcium (mean difference: 0.02, 95% CI: −0.02 to 0.06), alanine transaminase (mean difference: 3.30, 95% CI: −1.37 to -7.971), low-density lipoproteins (mean difference: 0.45, 95% CI: 0.104 to 0.796), and total proteins (mean difference: 1.53, 95% CI: −0.945 to 4.005) than control subjects. The patients had lower potassium levels (mean difference: 0.11, 95% CI: 0.056 to 0.164), creatinine (mean difference: 2.60, 95% CI: 0.126 to 5.074) and creatine kinase (CK) (mean difference: 37.57, 95% CI: −0.282 to 75.422) compared to the healthy controls. Lower CK and creatinine levels may suggest muscle damage and metabolic abnormalities in ME/CFS patients.This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors

Evaluating routine blood tests according to clinical symptoms and diagnostic criteria in individuals with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome

There is a lack of research regarding blood tests within individuals with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) and between patients and healthy controls. We aimed to compare results of routine blood tests between patients and healthy controls. Data from 149 patients diagnosed with ME/CFS based on clinical and psychiatric evaluation as well as on the DePaul Symptom Questionnaire, and data from 264 healthy controls recruited from blood donors were compared. One-way ANCOVA was conducted to examine differences between ME/CFS patients and healthy controls, adjusting for age and gender. Patients had higher sedimentation rate (mean difference: 1.38, 95% CI: 0.045 to 2.714), leukocytes (mean difference: 0.59, 95% CI: 0.248 to 0.932), lymphocytes (mean difference: 0.27, 95% CI: 0.145 to 0.395), neutrophils (mean difference: 0.34, 95% CI: 0.0 89 to 0.591), monocytes (mean difference: 0.34, 95% CI: 0.309 to 0.371), ferritin (mean difference: 28.13, 95% CI: −1.41 to 57.672), vitamin B12 (mean difference: 83.43, 95% CI: 62.89 to 124.211), calcium (mean difference: 0.02, 95% CI: −0.02 to 0.06), alanine transaminase (mean difference: 3.30, 95% CI: −1.37 to -7.971), low-density lipoproteins (mean difference: 0.45, 95% CI: 0.104 to 0.796), and total proteins (mean difference: 1.53, 95% CI: −0.945 to 4.005) than control subjects. The patients had lower potassium levels (mean difference: 0.11, 95% CI: 0.056 to 0.164), creatinine (mean difference: 2.60, 95% CI: 0.126 to 5.074) and creatine kinase (CK) (mean difference: 37.57, 95% CI: −0.282 to 75.422) compared to the healthy controls. Lower CK and creatinine levels may suggest muscle damage and metabolic abnormalities in ME/CFS patients.publishedVersio

Subjektiv velvære som velferdsindikator og velferdsmål

Framveksten av sosial indikator-bevegelsen og livskvalitetsforskning på 1960- og 1970-tallet ses i sammenheng med en økende miljøbevissthet og skuffelse over den økonomiske vekstens velsignelser. Subjektivt velvære slik det ble målt av livskvalitetsforskere kunne oppfattes som direkte og konkrete operasjonaliseringer av velferdsteoriens «nytte». Men ønsket om å bruke subjektivt velvære som velferdsindikator har blitt møtt med mye skepsis. Artikkelen drøfter innsigelser som går på (1) manglende verdimessigrelevans, (2) måleproblemer, (3) komparative preferanser og verdiorienteringer, (4) habituering (tilvenning) og genetiske komponenter i subjektivt velvære. Vi avslutter med å vise hvorledes mange av disse innvendingene i løpet av de siste ti årene har blitt imøtegått, dels avvist som irrelevante. Målt subjektivt velvære, i litt ulike varianter, er i ferd med å vinne innpass i offisiell statistikkproduksjon, og den kjente Stiglitz-rapporten ses av mange som en vikig seier i indikatorsammenheng

Factors associated with low vs increased perceived mastery of clinical work over ten years of practice: a prospective study of Norwegian doctors

Background A higher sense of mastery of doctors’ clinical work could benefit not only their own mental health but also their work performance and patient care. However, we know little about factors associated with perceived mastery of clinical work among physicians. Our aim was therefore to study characteristics of those with stable low levels and of those with increased levels of mastery over a period of ten years of medical practice. Methods N = 631 doctors were surveyed in their final year of medical school in 1993/94 (T1) and 10 (T2), 15 (T3) and 20 (T4) years later. Low and increased perceived mastery of clinical work were measured between T2, T3 and T4. Response rates for all items measuring low and increased mastery were 238/522 (46%) and 256/522 (49%) respectively. The following explanatory variables were included: demographics, medical school factors, personality and contextual work-related and non-work-related factors. Results N = 73 (31%) of the doctors reported stable low mastery from T2 to T4. The following variables were significantly associated with low mastery in the adjusted analyses: vulnerability (OR: 1.30, P < .000, CI: 1.12 to 1.50), drinking alcohol to cope with stress during medical school (OR: 2.66, P = .04, CI: 1.03 to 6.85) and social support (OR: 0.78, P = .002, CI: 0.66 to 0.91). N = 39 (15%) reported increased mastery during the ten-year period from T2 to T4. Perceived job demands (OR: 0.66, P = .02, CI: 0.45 to 0.98) and taking up a leading position (OR: 3.04, P = .01, CI: 1.31 to 7.07) were associated with increased mastery after adjustment. Conclusions Stable low sense of mastery over time is associated with having a vulnerable personality, a history of having used alcohol to cope with stress during medical school and lack of contemporary social support. Conversely, increased sense of mastery is associated with taking up a leading position and having the perception that job demands are decreasing over time. These findings indicate that perceived mastery of clinical work may not be a trait, but a state modifiable over tim

Improvement in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index Score predicts improvement in skin pain over time in patients with psoriasis

Pain and discomfort are common and often severe skin symptoms in patients with psoriasis. However, no studies have investigated skin pain and discomfort over time, or factors that explain changes in these symptoms. The aims of the present study were to describe the changes in skin pain, skin discomfort and Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) over time, and to investigate whether change in PASI predicted change in skin pain intensity. A total of 129 patients participated in this exploratory, longitudinal study. Data were obtained through interviews and questionnaires. The results indicated reduction in skin symptoms and psoriasis severity over a period of 3 months. However, a majority of patients with skin pain at baseline reported also skin pain at follow-up. Furthermore, changes in PASI predicted changes in skin pain intensity. In conclusion, improvement in psoriasis severity predicts improvement in skin pain

Improvement in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index Score predicts improvement in skin pain over time in patients with psoriasis

Pain and discomfort are common and often severe skin symptoms in patients with psoriasis. However, no studies have investigated skin pain and discomfort over time, or factors that explain changes in these symptoms. The aims of the present study were to describe the changes in skin pain, skin discomfort and Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) over time, and to investigate whether change in PASI predicted change in skin pain intensity. A total of 129 patients participated in this exploratory, longitudinal study. Data were obtained through interviews and questionnaires. The results indicated reduction in skin symptoms and psoriasis severity over a period of 3 months. However, a majority of patients with skin pain at baseline reported also skin pain at follow-up. Furthermore, changes in PASI predicted changes in skin pain intensity. In conclusion, improvement in psoriasis severity predicts improvement in skin pain. Key words: PASI; skin pain; psoriasis

Factors associated with low vs increased perceived mastery of clinical work over ten years of practice: a prospective study of Norwegian doctors

Background A higher sense of mastery of doctors’ clinical work could benefit not only their own mental health but also their work performance and patient care. However, we know little about factors associated with perceived mastery of clinical work among physicians. Our aim was therefore to study characteristics of those with stable low levels and of those with increased levels of mastery over a period of ten years of medical practice. Methods N = 631 doctors were surveyed in their final year of medical school in 1993/94 (T1) and 10 (T2), 15 (T3) and 20 (T4) years later. Low and increased perceived mastery of clinical work were measured between T2, T3 and T4. Response rates for all items measuring low and increased mastery were 238/522 (46%) and 256/522 (49%) respectively. The following explanatory variables were included: demographics, medical school factors, personality and contextual work-related and non-work-related factors. Results N = 73 (31%) of the doctors reported stable low mastery from T2 to T4. The following variables were significantly associated with low mastery in the adjusted analyses: vulnerability (OR: 1.30, P < .000, CI: 1.12 to 1.50), drinking alcohol to cope with stress during medical school (OR: 2.66, P = .04, CI: 1.03 to 6.85) and social support (OR: 0.78, P = .002, CI: 0.66 to 0.91). N = 39 (15%) reported increased mastery during the ten-year period from T2 to T4. Perceived job demands (OR: 0.66, P = .02, CI: 0.45 to 0.98) and taking up a leading position (OR: 3.04, P = .01, CI: 1.31 to 7.07) were associated with increased mastery after adjustment. Conclusions Stable low sense of mastery over time is associated with having a vulnerable personality, a history of having used alcohol to cope with stress during medical school and lack of contemporary social support. Conversely, increased sense of mastery is associated with taking up a leading position and having the perception that job demands are decreasing over time. These findings indicate that perceived mastery of clinical work may not be a trait, but a state modifiable over tim

Improvement in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index Score predicts improvement in skin pain over time in patients with psoriasis

Pain and discomfort are common and often severe skin symptoms in patients with psoriasis. However, no studies have investigated skin pain and discomfort over time, or factors that explain changes in these symptoms. The aims of the present study were to describe the changes in skin pain, skin discomfort and Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) over time, and to investigate whether change in PASI predicted change in skin pain intensity. A total of 129 patients participated in this exploratory, longitudinal study. Data were obtained through interviews and questionnaires. The results indicated reduction in skin symptoms and psoriasis severity over a period of 3 months. However, a majority of patients with skin pain at baseline reported also skin pain at follow-up. Furthermore, changes in PASI predicted changes in skin pain intensity. In conclusion, improvement in psoriasis severity predicts improvement in skin pain