HIT-6 and EQ-5D-5L in patients with migraine: assessment of common latent constructs and development of a mapping algorithm

The European Journal of Health Economics - The aims of this study were to assess whether there is a conceptual overlap between the questionnaires HIT-6 and EQ-5D and to develop a mapping algorithm...     

Reproduction patterns among classical Hodgkin lymphoma survivors treated with BEACOPP and ABVD in Sweden,Denmark and Norway—A population-based matched cohort study

Childbirth rates in classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) survivors have historically been reduced compared to the general population. Understanding if contemporary treatment protocols are associated with reduced fertility is crucial as treatment guidelines shift toward more liberal use of intensive chemotherapy. We identified 2834 individuals aged 18-40 years with cHL in Swedish and Danish lymphoma registers, and in the clinical database at Oslo University Hospital diagnosed 1995-2018, who were linked to national medical birth registers. Cox regression adjusted for stage, performance status, year, and age at diagnosis was used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) contrasting time to first childbirth by treatment groups (ABVD, 2-4 BEACOPP, 6-8 BEACOPP) up to 10 years after diagnosis. Overall, 74.8% of patients were treated with ABVD, 3.1% with 2-4 BEACOPP and 11.2% with 6-8 BEACOPP. Adjusted HRs comparing childbirth rates in individuals treated with 6-8 BEACOPP, and 2-4 BEACOPP to ABVD were 0.53 (CI: 0.36-0.77) and 0.33 (CI: 0.12-0.91) for males, and 0.91 (CI: 0.61-1.34) and 0.38 (CI: 0.12-1.21) for females. Cumulative incidence of childbirths after 10 years was 19.8% (CI: 14.5%-27.0%) for males and 34.3% (CI: 25.8%-45.6%) for females treated with 6-8 BEACOPP. Proportions of children born after assisted reproductive technique (ART) treatments were 77.4% (CI: 60.2-88.6%) for males following 6-8 BEACOPP, and <11% for females. Among ABVD treated patients the corresponding proportions were 12.2% (CI: 8.5%-17.3%) and 10.6% (CI: 7.4%-14.9%). BEACOPP treatment is associated with decreased childbirth rates compared to ABVD in male, but not female, cHL patients, despite widespread access to ART in the Nordics.     

How women experience and cope with daily hassles after sexual abuse – a retrospective qualitative study

The impact of stress on health can depend on factors such as frequency, heightening of stress during a given period or the presence of one or a few repeated hassles of psychological importance. The aim of this study was to gain a deeper understanding of how adult women experience and cope with daily hassles after sexual abuse. Ten interviews were analysed using the grounded theory method. The theoretical model of ‘protecting armor in daily life’ emerged. The aftermath of sexual abuse related coping with daily stress can be understood as a three‐phase process: (1) avoiding and escaping—coping after experiencing sexual abuse; (2) accepting and disclosing—starting a process of recovery; and (3) reconciling and repossessing—living with the experience in the present. The model contributes to a deeper understanding of the everyday life of women who have experienced sexual abuse. Increased knowledge of coping behaviours that can be used to deal with daily hassles may also serve as a tool for health professionals, other helpers and family to help these women rebuild a good life.     

Glycine‐modified growth hormone secretagogues identified in seized doping material

A number of unknown pharmaceutical preparations seized by Danish customs authorities were submitted for liquid chromatography–high resolution mass spectrometry (LC–HRMS) analysis. Comparison with reference standards unequivocally identified the content of the powders as analogs of the growth hormone secretagogues GHRP‐2 (Pralmorelin), GHRP‐6, Ipamorelin, and modified growth hormone releasing factor (modified GRF 1–29), which can be used as performance‐enhancing substances in sports. In all cases, the detected modification involved the addition of an extra glycine amino acid at the N‐terminus, and analytical methods targeting growth hormone secretagogues should hence be updated accordingly.