Er verknaden av angst og depresjon på uføretrygding undervurdert?

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate anxiety and depression as risk factors for receiving disability pension. The empirical data originates from the Nord-Trøndelag health survey conducted in 1995-1997, and information from the National Office for Social Insurance on the participants’ beneficial status following the health survey. The study utilizes a prospective design, where participants supply information concerning their psychic health in a context segregated from the application for disability pension. The results demonstrate anxiety and depression as well as comorbid anxiety and depression as marked risk factors for later receiving disability pension. The effects of anxiety, depression and comorbid anxiety and depression on disability pensioning are sturdy after adjustment for age and gender, somatic diagnosis, somatic symptoms and simultaneous somatic symptoms and diagnosis. After adjustment for presented variables, effects from depression and comorbid anxiety and depression remain significant when disability pensioning without psychiatric diagnoses are regarded as end states. The results further suggest that effects from anxiety and depression solely, and comorbid, cause independent effects that do not interact or fade when occurring simultaneous with somatic disease. In closing, anxiety and depression being underestimated in disability statistics are discussed, as well as implications for clinical use and community interventions, and how psychological research and theory applies to this

Er verknaden av angst og depresjon på uføretrygding undervurdert?

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate anxiety and depression as risk factors for receiving disability pension. The empirical data originates from the Nord-Trøndelag health survey conducted in 1995-1997, and information from the National Office for Social Insurance on the participants’ beneficial status following the health survey. The study utilizes a prospective design, where participants supply information concerning their psychic health in a context segregated from the application for disability pension. The results demonstrate anxiety and depression as well as comorbid anxiety and depression as marked risk factors for later receiving disability pension. The effects of anxiety, depression and comorbid anxiety and depression on disability pensioning are sturdy after adjustment for age and gender, somatic diagnosis, somatic symptoms and simultaneous somatic symptoms and diagnosis. After adjustment for presented variables, effects from depression and comorbid anxiety and depression remain significant when disability pensioning without psychiatric diagnoses are regarded as end states. The results further suggest that effects from anxiety and depression solely, and comorbid, cause independent effects that do not interact or fade when occurring simultaneous with somatic disease. In closing, anxiety and depression being underestimated in disability statistics are discussed, as well as implications for clinical use and community interventions, and how psychological research and theory applies to this.Formålet med dette studiet var å vurdere i kva grad angst og depresjon utgjer risikofaktorar for uføretrygding. Det empiriske materialet er frå helseundersøkinga i Nord-Trøndelag som vart gjennomført 1995-97, samt data frå rikstrygdeverket som gjev informasjon om deltakarane sin trygdestatus i etterkant av helseundersøkinga. Studiet nyttar eit prospektivt design, der deltakarane gjev informasjon om psykiske plager i ein kontekst uavhengig av trygdespørsmålet. Resultata syner at angstliding og depresjon samt komorbid angstliding og depresjon alle utgjer markante risikofaktorar for å verta uføretrygda. Effektane av angstliding, depresjon og komorbid angstliding og depresjon på uføretrygdingsrisiko er robuste ved kontroll for alder og kjønn, somatiske diagnosar, somatiske symptom og samtidige somatiske symptom og diagnosar. Ved kontroll for alle nemnde variablar, er effektane av depresjon og komorbid angstliding og depresjon stadig signifikante når uføretrygding utan psykiske diagnosar er satt som endepunkt. Resultata syner at effektane av angstliding og depresjon isolert og komorbid er sjølvstendige effektar som ikkje interagerer og reduserast når dei opptrer komorbid med somatisk sjukdom. Avslutningsvis vert det diskutert om resultata indikerar at angstliding og depresjon er undervurdert i statistikk frå rikstrygdeverket, kva implikasjonar resultata har for klinikk og samfunnsintervensjonar, samt korleis psykologisk forsking og kunnskap bør nyttast i høve til uføretrygdingsproblematikk

Lockdown and non-COVID-19 deaths: cause-­specific mortality during the first wave of the 2020 pandemic in Norway: a population-­based register study

Objective To explore the potential impact of the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic on all cause and cause-specific mortality in Norway. Design Population-based register study. Setting The Norwegian cause of Death Registry and the National Population Register of Norway. Participants All recorded deaths in Norway from March to May from 2010 to 2020. Main outcome measures Rate (per 100 000) of all-cause mortality and causes of death in the European Shortlist for Causes of Death from March to May 2020. The rates were age standardised and adjusted to a 100% register coverage and compared with a 95% prediction interval (PI) from linear regression based on corresponding rates for 2010–2019. Results 113 710 deaths were included, of which 10 226 were from 2020. We did not observe any deviation from predicted total mortality. There were fewer than predicted deaths from chronic lower respiratory diseases excluding asthma (11.4, 95% PI 11.8 to 15.2) and from other non-ischaemic, non-rheumatic heart diseases (13.9, 95% PI 14.5 to 20.2). The death rates were higher than predicted for Alzheimer’s disease (7.3, 95% PI 5.5 to 7.3) and diabetes mellitus (4.1, 95% PI 2.1 to 3.4). Conclusions There was no significant difference in the frequency of the major causes of death in the first wave of the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic in Norway compared with corresponding periods 2010–2019. There was an increase in diabetes mellitus and Alzheimer’s deaths. Reduced mortality due to some heart and lung conditions may be linked to infection control measures.publishedVersio

Associations between adverse childhood experiences and adversities later in life. Survey data from a high-risk Norwegian sample

Background: A history of childhood abuse and neglect (CAN) is associated with exposure to later negative life events. CAN at an early age, multiple cooccurring exposures (cumulative events), and a high severity and frequency of exposure have potential detrimental long-term effects. Objective: The present study examines the relationship between the severity of CAN and the prevalence of school difficulties and hardship at school, adult adversity and mental health. Participants and Settings: Participants were recruited from in- and out patient mental health or substance abuse treatment facilities, child protective services (CPS),and prisons (N=809, age range = 13–66, mean age= 27.62,SD=10.47). Methods: Exposure to childhood maltreatment was assessed by the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire Short Form (CTQ-SF). After adjusting for gender and age, we conducted a risk ratio regression analysis to investigate associations between severity of child abuse and neglect and hardship at school, adult adversity and adult mental health. Results: The moderate and severe level groups of CAN had statistically significant higher risk ratios for experiences of school difficulties, hardship at school, adult adversity and mental health problems. A robust dose-response was found between severity levels. Conclusion: At an individual level the findings highlight the association between exposure to abuse and adult adversity, underscoring the importance of targeting individuals with high risk of exposure to CAN to reduce the negative long-term risk for Polyvictimization.publishedVersio

Trajectories and stability of self-reported short sleep duration from adolescence to adulthood

The trajectories and stability of self-reported sleep duration recorded at ages 13, 15, and 23 years on reported sleep duration at age 30 years among 1105 students (55% male) who participated in the Norwegian Longitudinal Health and Behaviour Study were examined. Questionnaire data were used to obtain demographic and sleep variables. Dichotomised short sleep duration was based on normative values and set as ≤8.5 h (age 13 years), ≤8 h (age 15 years) and ≤7 h (ages 23 and 30 years). Results indicated a significant overall reduction in total sleep duration (h per night) across age groups. Sleep duration (continuous) at age 15 and 23 years (whole group) was moderately but positively correlated with sleep duration at age 30 years (P < 0.01). When split by sex, at age 15 years, this association was present among females only (P < 0.01); however, at age 23 years, this association was present in both male and females (both P < 0.001). Categorical short sleep at age 23 years (whole group) was associated with short sleep at age 30 years (unadjusted odds ratio = 3.67, 95% confidence interval 2.36-5.69). Following sex stratification, this effect was significant for both males (unadjusted odds ratio = 3.77, 95% confidence interval: 2.22-6.42) and females (unadjusted odds ratio = 2.71, 95% confidence interval: 1.46-5.04). No associations were noted for categorical short sleep at ages 13 or 15 years, and subsequent short sleep at 30 years. Habitual short sleep duration during middle adulthood is not sustained from the time of early adolescence. Rather, these trends appear to be formed during early adulthood

Lived experiences: A focus group pilot study within the MentALLY project of mental healthcare among European users

Background Mental healthcare is an important component in societies’ response to mental health problems. Although the World Health Organization highlights availability, accessibility, acceptability and quality of healthcare as important cornerstones, many Europeans lack access to mental healthcare of high quality. Qualitative studies exploring mental healthcare from the perspective of people with lived experiences would add to previous research and knowledge by enabling in-depth understanding of mental healthcare users, which may be of significance for the development of mental healthcare. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to describe experiences of mental healthcare among adult Europeans with mental health problems. Method In total, 50 participants with experiences of various mental health problems were recruited for separate focus group interviews in each country. They had experiences from both the private and public sectors, and with in- and outpatient mental healthcare. The focus group interviews (N = 7) were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed through thematic analysis. The analysis yielded five themes and 13 subthemes. Results The theme Seeking and trying to find help contained three subthemes describing personal thresholds for seeking professional help, not knowing where to get help, and the importance of receiving help promptly. The theme Awaiting assessment and treatment contained two subthemes including feelings of being prioritized or not and feelings of being abandoned during the often-lengthy referral process. The theme Treatment: a plan with individual parts contained three subthemes consisting of demands for tailored treatment plans in combination with medications and human resources and agreement on treatment. The theme Continuous and respectful care relationship contained two subthemes describing the importance of continuous care relationships characterised by empathy and respect. The theme Suggestions for improvements contained three subthemes highlighting an urge to facilitate care contacts and to increase awareness of mental health problems and a wish to be seen as an individual with potential. Conclusion Facilitating contacts with mental healthcare, a steady contact during the referral process, tailored treatment and empathy and respect are important aspects in efforts to improve mental healthcare. Recommendations included development of collaborative practices between stakeholders in order to increase general societal awareness of mental health problems. Peer Review reportspublishedVersio

Mortality following first-time hospitalization with acute myocardial infarction in Norway, 2001-2014: Time trends, underlying causes and place of death

Background Trends on cause-specific mortality following acute myocardial infarction (AMI) are poorly described and no studies have analyzed where do AMI patients die. We analyzed trends in 28-day and one-year mortality following an incident AMI with focus on changes over time in the underlying cause and place of death. Methods We identified in the ‘Cardiovascular Disease in Norway’ Project all patients 25+ years, hospitalized with an incident AMI in Norway, 2001–2014. Information on date, underlying cause and place of death was obtained from the Cause of Death Registry. Results Of 144,473 patients included in the study, 11.4% died within first 28 days. The adjusted 28-day mortality declined by 5.2% per year (ptrend < 0.001). Of 118,881 patients surviving first 28 days, 10.1% died within one year. The adjusted one-year CVD mortality declined by 6.2% per year (ptrend < 0.001) while non-CVD mortality increased by 1.4% per year (ptrend < 0.001), mainly influenced by increased risk of dying from neoplasms. We observed a shift over time in the underlying cause of death toward more non-CVD deaths, and in the place of death toward more deaths occurring in nursing homes. Conclusions We observed a decline in 28-day mortality following an incident AMI hospitalization. One-year CVD mortality declined while one-year risk of dying from non-CVD conditions increased. The resulting shift toward more non-CVD deaths and deaths occurring outside a hospital need to be considered when formulating priorities in treating and preventing adverse events among AMI survivors.acceptedVersio

Heart failure in Norway, 2000-2014: analyzing incident, total and readmission rates using data from the Cardiovascular Disease in Norway (CVDNOR) Project

Postponed access until 23rd October 2020.Aims To examine trends in heart failure (HF) hospitalization rates and risk of readmissions following an incident HF hospitalization. Methods and results During 2000–2014, we identified in the Cardiovascular Disease in Norway Project 142 109 hospitalizations with HF as primary diagnosis. Trends of incident and total (incident and recurrent) HF hospitalization rates were analysed using negative binomial regression models. Changes over time in 30-day and 3-year risk of HF recurrences or cardiovascular disease (CVD)-related readmissions were analysed using Fine and Grey competing risk regression, with death as competing events. Age-standardized rates declined on average 1.9% per year in men and 1.8% per year in women for incident HF hospitalizations (both Ptrend < 0.001) but did not change significantly in either men or women for total HF hospitalizations. In men surviving the incident HF hospitalization, 30-day and 3-year risk of a HF recurrent event increased 1.7% and 1.2% per year, respectively. Similarly, 30-day and 3-year risk of a CVD-related hospitalization increased 1.5% and 1.0% per year, respectively (all Ptrend < 0.001). No statistically significant changes in the risk of HF recurrences or CVD-related readmissions were observed among women. In-hospital mortality for a first and recurrent HF episode declined over time in both men and women. Conclusions Incident HF hospitalization rates declined in Norway during 2000–2014. An increase in the risk of recurrences in the context of reduced in-hospital mortality following an incident and recurrent HF hospitalization led to flat trends of total HF hospitalization rates.acceptedVersio

Differential associations between types of social media use and university students' non-suicidal self-injury and suicidal behavior

Under embargo until: 2022-11-2Objective To examine differential associations between types of social media use and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) and suicidal behaviors. Methods Participants were N = 40,065 Norwegian college and university students, age 18–25, from the 2018 Students' Health and Wellbeing (SHoT) study. Students reported on their use of social media for seven specific activities, which we categorized into active and passive non-social use, passive social use, active public social, and active private social use. We also considered students' tendency for negative social comparisons on social media. Outcomes were past-year NSSI, NSSI ideation, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempt. Covariates were age, gender, total daily screen time and financial stress. Results Results of multiple logistic regression revealed differential associations between types of social media use and outcomes. Notably, active social private use (e.g., messaging friends) was associated with decreased odds of all outcomes, whereas active social public use (e.g., status updates) was associated with increased odds of NSSI ideation, NSSI, and suicide attempt. Social comparison was associated with increased odds of all outcomes. Conclusion Our results suggest that specific types of social media use are differentially associated with NSSI and suicidal outcomes among university students.acceptedVersio

Evaluating national guidelines for monitoring early growth using routinely collected data in Bergen, Norway

Aims: The overarching aim of this study was to evaluate the Norwegian guidelines for growth monitoring using routinely collected data from healthy children up to five years of age. We analysed criteria for both status (size for age) and change (centile crossing) in growth. Methods: Longitudinal data were obtained from the electronic health record (EHR) at the well-baby clinic for 2130 children included in the Bergen growth study 1 (BGS1). Measurements of length, weight, weight-for-length, body mass index (BMI) and head circumference were converted to z-scores and compared with the World Health Organization (WHO) growth standards and the national growth reference. Results: Using the WHO growth standard, the proportion of children above +2SD was generally higher than the expected 2.3% for all traits at birth and for length at all ages. Crossing percentile channels was common during the first two years of life, particularly for length/height. By the age of five years, 37.9% of the children had been identified for follow-up regarding length/height, 33% for head circumference and 13.6% for high weight-for-length/BMI. Conclusions: The proportion of children beyond the normal limits of the charts is higher than expected, and a surprisingly large number of children were identified for rules concerning length or growth in head circumference. This suggests the need for a revision of the current guidelines for growth monitoring in Norway.publishedVersio