The Nordic Arthroplasty Register Association: A unique collaboration between 3 national hip arthroplasty registries with 280,201 THRs

Background and purpose The possibility of comparing results and of pooling the data has been limited for the Nordic arthroplasty registries, because of different registration systems and questionnaires. We have established a common Nordic database, in order to compare demographics and the results of total hip replacement surgery between countries. In addition, we plan to study results in patient groups in which the numbers are too small to be studied in the individual countries

Internet-Based Follow-Up Questionnaire for Measuring Patient-Reported Outcome after Total Hip Replacement Surgery-Reliability and Response Rate

Objective: This randomized methodologic study sought to test the reliability of an Internet questionnaire and investigate the differences in response rates between traditional pen-and-paper questionnaires and Internet questionnaires for measuring patient-reported outcome after total hip replacement surgery. Methods: From the Swedish Hip Arthroplasty Register, 2400 patients were chosen at random but stratified by age, sex, and diagnosis for inclusion in a 4-year follow-up using the health-related quality of life tool EQ-5D and visual analogue scales for pain and satisfaction. The patients were randomized to answer the follow-up model protocol either via a password-protected Internet questionnaire or via a mailed pen-and-paper questionnaire. Results: A reliability test for the Internet follow-up instrument showed adequate correlation. However, the Internet group and the pen-and-paper group differed significantly (P < 0.001) with a 92% response rate in the latter and 49% in the former. Adjusted to the normal age distribution of the total hip replacement population, the Internet response rate was 34%. Conclusions: The patient-administered Internet questionnaire alone does not give a sufficient response rate in the total hip replacement population to replace the pen-and-paper questionnaire. However, the system is reliable and could be used for measuring patient-reported outcome if supplemented with traditional pen-and-paper questionnaires for Internet nonrespondents. It is expected that this answer procedure will soon predominate in view of the general development of Internet functions. Register work may then become less resource-consuming and the results may be analyzed in real time. Copyright (C) 2011, International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR). Published by Elsevier Inc

Identifying the root causes of damage on the wheels of heavy haul locomotives and its mitigation

The paper illustrates how damage patterns in the form of rolling contact fatigue (RCF) on wheels, can be employed to identify and improve underlying operational conditions. The focus is on RCF of locomotive wheels operating on the Iron Ore Line in northern Sweden and Norway. Seasonal changes and damage patterns are charted. Potential root causes for observed damage patterns are identified and investigated. Mitigating actions are proposed and the efficiency of implemented actions is quantified

Identifying the root causes of damage on the wheels of heavy haul wheel damage phenomena

The paper illustrates how damage patterns, in particular in the form of rolling contact fatigue (RCF), can be employed to identify underlying operational conditions. In particular the focus is on RCF of wheel occurring at the Iron Ore line in north Sweden and Norway. The paper charts seasonal changes and damage patterns, and potential root causes are identified and investigated. Finally mitigating actions are proposed