The prevalence of respiratory symptoms and asthma among school children in three different areas of Norway

The role of exposure to ambient air pollution has been a topic of interest as a potential risk factor for respiratory symptoms and asthma. We expected that the prevalence rates would vary in Norway between the capital, Oslo, the mountainous area Hallingdal and the industrial area Odda. Surveys were conducted in school children, aged 6-16 years, in; Oslo (n=2577), Hallingdal (n=1177) and Odda (n=831). The parent-reported prevalence of wheeze in past year was almost similar in Oslo (13. 1 (95% CI 11. 7-14. 5)) and Upper Hallingdal (14. 2 (13. 1–15. 3)), but lower in Odda (9. 0 (7. 0–11. 0)). The findings for severe respiratory symptoms were almost equal. The age patters within each area differed. The risk of wheeze ever (p < 0.001) and wheeze in past year (p=0.04) decreased with increasing age in Odda, while there was an increase in the risk of exercise induced wheeze in Oslo (p=0.02) and Hallingdal (p < 0.001). The lifetime prevalence of asthma was lowest in Odda (5. 4 (3. 8–7. 0)) compared to Oslo (9. 4 (8. 2–10. 6)) and Hallingdal (8. 5 (6. 8–10. 2)). There was a positive association between physical activity and wheeze in past year. The results do not support the hypothesis that respiratory morbidity is more common in urban than rural areas, age and physical activity can influence the prevalence rates of respiratory symptoms in school children.     

Clinical significance of abdominal scintigraphy using 99mTc-HMPAO-labelled leucocytes in patients with seronegative spondyloarthropathies

Abdominal scintigraphy shows silent gut inflammation in patients with spondyloarthropathies (Sp) without clinical evidence of gut inflammation. Abdominal scintigraphy images are different than those obtained in patients with ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease and are not related to the anti-inflammatory drugs administered. The aim of this study was to examine the clinical associations of findings on abdominal scintigraphy in patients with Sp. A total of 204 Sp patients (European Spondylarthropathy Study Group 1991 criteria) and 54 non-Sp controls receiving non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were studied. Abdominal scintigraphy images were obtained at 30 and 120 min after injection of technetium-99m hexamethylpropylene amine oxime (^99mTc-HMPAO)-labelled leucocytes. ^99mTc-HMPAO-labelled leucocyte scans were positive in 104 Sp patients (50.9%) and in six non-Sp controls (2.9%) (P<0.001; OR=8.32; 95% CI=3.23-22.67). Silent gut inflammation was not associated with any of the following: age of onset, duration of evolution, sex, family history of Sp or psoriasis, articular manifestations, extra-articular manifestations, radiological findings or HLA-B27 positivity. Positive abdominal scintigraphy was associated with active disease (P<0.0001; OR=52.7; 95% CI=19-145.6) and an increase in the C-reactive protein (P<0.005; OR=3.4; 95% CI=1.5-7.4). It is concluded that (a) abdominal scintigraphy using ^99mTc-HMPAO-labelled leucocytes is of value in detecting the silent gut inflammation in Sp patients, and (b) silent gut inflammation is related to the clinical activity, but is not associated with any particular type of illness or with HLA-B27.     

Risk-Adjusted Cancer Screening and Prevention (RiskAP): Complementing Screening for Early Disease Detection by a Learning Screening Based on Risk Factors

BackgroundRisk-adjusted cancer screening and prevention is a promising and continuously emerging option for improving cancer prevention. It is driven by increasing knowledge of risk factors and the ability to determine them for individual risk prediction. However, there is a knowledge gap between evidence of increased risk and evidence of the effectiveness and efficiency of clinical preventive interventions based on increased risk. This gap is, in particular, aggravated by the extensive availability of genetic risk factor diagnostics, since the question of appropriate preventive measures immediately arises when an increased risk is identified. However, collecting proof of effective preventive measures, ideally by prospective randomized preventive studies, typically requires very long periods of time, while the knowledge about an increased risk immediately creates a high demand for action.SummaryTherefore, we propose a risk-adjusted prevention concept that is based on the best current evidence making needed and appropriate preventive measures available, and which is constantly evaluated through outcome evaluation, and continuously improved based on these results. We further discuss the structural and procedural requirements as well as legal and socioeconomical aspects relevant for the implementation of this concept.     

Artificial Sweeteners in Breast Milk: A Clinical Investigation with a Kinetic Perspective

Artificial sweeteners (ASs) are calorie-free chemical substances used instead of sugar to sweeten foods and drinks. Pregnant women with obesity or diabetes are often recommended to substitute sugary products with ASs to prevent an increase in body weight. However, some recent controversy surrounding ASs relates to concerns about the risk of obesity caused by a variety of metabolic changes, both in the mother and the offspring. This study addressed these concerns and investigated the biodistribution of ASs in plasma and breast milk of lactating women to clarify whether ASs can transfer from mother to offspring through breast milk. We recruited 49 lactating women who were provided with a beverage containing four different ASs (acesulfame-potassium, saccharin, cyclamate, and sucralose). Blood and breast milk samples were collected before and up to six hours after consumption. The women were categorized: BMI < 25 (n = 20), BMI > 27 (n = 21) and type 1 diabetes (n = 8). We found that all four ASs were present in maternal plasma and breast milk. The time-to-peak was 30–120 min in plasma and 240–300 min in breast milk. Area under the curve (AUC) ratios in breast milk were 88.9% for acesulfame-potassium, 38.9% for saccharin, and 1.9% for cyclamate. We observed no differences in ASs distributions between the groups.     

Skin Sensitization in School Children in Northern and Southern Norway

It has been suggested that environmental exposures and living conditions can explain some of the worldwide variation in atopic disorders. Norway has large environmental contrasts within the country. We compared skin prick sensitization rates among school children living in the southern subarctic and in the northern artic part of Norway. Approximately one quarter of the children were sensitized, mostly against pollen and animal dander, while mite and mould sensitization seemed to be a minor problem. Sensitization rates and profiles were similar in the north and south despite differences in living conditions and environmental exposures.     

A mixed method evaluation of a group‐based educational programme for CPAP use in patients with obstructive sleep apnea

Rationale, aims and objectives Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has a low long‐term adherence. Educational interventions are few and sparsely described regarding content, pedagogical approach and participants' perceptions. The aim was to describe adherence to CPAP treatment, knowledge about OSA/CPAP, as well as OSA patients' perceptions of participating in a group‐based programme using problem‐based learning (PBL) for CPAP initiation. Educational programme The PBL programme incorporated elements from theories and models concerning motivation and habits. Tutorial groups consisting of four to eight patients met at six sessions during 6 months. Methods A sequential explanatory mixed method design was used on 25 strategically selected patients. Quantitative data regarding, clinical variables, OSA severity, CPAP use, and knowledge were collected at baseline, after 2 weeks and 6 months. Qualitative data regarding patients' perceptions of participation were collected after 6 months by semi‐structured interviews using a phenomenographic approach. Results 72% of the patients were adherent to CPAP treatment after 2 weeks and 6 months. All patients improved their baseline knowledge about OSA and CPAP after 2 weeks and sustained it after 6 months. Anxiety and fear, as well as difficulties and needs were motivational factors for participation. Patients described the difficulties of behavioural change, an awareness that improvements do not occur immediately, a realization of the importance of both technical and emotional support and the need for a healthier lifestyle. Conclusion and practice implications A group‐based programme using PBL seems to facilitate adaptive and developmental learning and result in acceptable CPAP adherence levels.