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Wensaas KA, Simonsen KA, Welle-Nilsen LK, Litleskare S. Extended access to general practice services during weekends in the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Scand J Public Health 2024; 52:247-252. [PMID: 38073156 DOI: 10.1177/14034948231213466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The incidence, symptoms, and trajectories of COVID-19 in the community were unknown in the early phase of the pandemic. Consequently, organizing a primary health care response was challenging. The aim of this study was to investigate whether reorganizing general practice services with extended weekend access for patients was feasible, and to assess the extent to which patients used this service. DESIGN Observational study with registration after a simple intervention. SETTING General practice services in the second half of March 2020 when the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic hit Bergen, the second largest city in Norway. SUBJECTS All general practices in Bergen were asked to be available during weekends for their patients with respiratory tract infections (RTIs), by telephone, video-, or e-consultation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Number of practices participating, patients connected to these practices, and consultations for RTIs and suspected COVID-19. RESULTS During the first weekend, 33 of 71 practices (45%) covering 51% of the population participated. The following weekend this increased to 39 practices (53%) covering 64% of the population. The first weekend 25 practices reported a total of 336 consultations for RTIs, eight of which were for confirmed and 113 were for suspected COVID-19. The corresponding numbers reported from 23 practices the second weekend were 158 RTI consultations, four for confirmed and 41 for suspected COVID-19. CONCLUSIONS On short notice about half the practices in Bergen were made accessible during weekends for their patients with RTIs. The number of consultations per practice was small, but combined this amounted to a substantial improvement in the emergency services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Knut-Arne Wensaas
- Research Unit for General Practice, NORCE Norwegian Research Centre, Norway
| | | | | | - Sverre Litleskare
- Research Unit for General Practice, NORCE Norwegian Research Centre, Norway
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Silva-Valencia J, Lapadula C, Westfall JM, Gaona G, de Lusignan S, Kristiansson RS, Ling ZJ, Goh LH, Soto-Becerra P, Cuba-Fuentes MS, Wensaas KA, Flottorp S, Baste V, Chi-Wai Wong W, Pui Ng AP, Ortigoza A, Manski-Nankervis JA, Hallinan CM, Zingoni P, Scattini L, Heald A, Tu K. Effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health visits in primary care: an interrupted time series analysis from nine INTRePID countries. EClinicalMedicine 2024; 70:102533. [PMID: 38495523 PMCID: PMC10940140 DOI: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2024.102533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The COVID-19 pandemic impacted mental health disorders, affecting both individuals with pre-existing conditions and those with no prior history. However, there is limited evidence regarding the pandemic's impact on mental health visits to primary care physicians. The International Consortium of Primary Care Big Data Researchers (INTRePID) explored primary care visit trends related to mental health conditions in Argentina, Australia, Canada, China, Norway, Peru, Singapore, Sweden, and the USA. Methods We conducted an interrupted time series analysis in nine countries to examine changes in rates of monthly mental health visits to primary care settings from January 1st, 2018, to December 31st, 2021. Sub-group analysis considered service type (in-person/virtual) and six categories of mental health conditions (anxiety/depression, bipolar/schizophrenia/other psychotic disorders, sleep disorders, dementia, ADHD/eating disorders, and substance use disorder). Findings Mental health visit rates increased after the onset of the pandemic in most countries. In Argentina, Canada, China, Norway, Peru, and Singapore, this increase was immediate ranged from an incidence rate ratio of 1·118 [95% CI 1.053-1.187] to 2.240 [95% CI 2.057-2.439] when comparing the first month of pandemic with the pre-pandemic trend. Increases in the following months varied across countries. Anxiety/depression was the leading reason for mental health visits in most countries. Virtual visits were reported in Australia, Canada, Norway, Peru, Sweden, and the USA, accounting for up to 40% of the total mental health visits. Interpretation Findings suggest an overall increase in mental health visits, driven largely by anxiety/depression. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many of the studied countries adopted virtual care in particular for mental health visits. Primary care plays a crucial role in addressing mental ill-health in times of crisis. Funding Canadian Institutes of Health Research grant #173094 and the Rathlyn Foundation Primary Care EMR Research and Discovery Fund.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Silva-Valencia
- Center for Research in Primary Health Care (CINAPS), Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Peru
| | - Carla Lapadula
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | | | - Simon de Lusignan
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | - Zheng Jye Ling
- Division of Family Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Lay Hoon Goh
- Division of Family Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | | | | | - Knut-Arne Wensaas
- Research Unit for General Practice, NORCE Norwegian Research Centre AS, Bergen, Norway
| | - Signe Flottorp
- Centre for Epidemic Interventions Research, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
- Department of General Practice, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Valborg Baste
- National Centre for Emergency Primary Health Care, NORCE Norwegian Research Centre, Bergen, Norway
| | - William Chi-Wai Wong
- Department of Family Medicine and Primary Care, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
- Department of Family Medicine and Primary Care, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Amy Pui Pui Ng
- Department of Family Medicine and Primary Care, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
- Department of Family Medicine and Primary Care, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Angela Ortigoza
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jo-Anne Manski-Nankervis
- Department of General Practice and Primary Care, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Christine Mary Hallinan
- Department of General Practice and Primary Care, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Paula Zingoni
- Ministry of Health of the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Luciano Scattini
- Ministry of Health of the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Adrian Heald
- School of Medical Sciences, Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Gastroenterology, University of Manchester, UK
| | - Karen Tu
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Departments of Research and Innovation and Family Medicine-North York General Hospital, Toronto Western Family Health Team-University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Peng K, Tu K, Li Z, Hallinan CM, Laughlin A, Manski-Nankervis JA, Apajee J, Lapadula MC, Ortigoza A, Da Roza CC, Baste V, Flottorp S, Wensaas KA, Goh LH, Ling ZJ, Kristiansson R, Gaona G, Pace WD, Westfall JM, Ng APP, Wong WCW. Global impacts of COVID-19 pandemic on sexual and reproductive health services: An international comparative study on primary care from the INTRePID Consortium. BJOG 2024; 131:508-517. [PMID: 37935645 DOI: 10.1111/1471-0528.17704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To understand how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted sexual and reproductive health (SRH) visits. DESIGN An ecological study comparing SRH services volume in different countries before and after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. SETTING Seven countries from the INTernational ConsoRtium of Primary Care BIg Data Researchers (INTRePID) across four continents. POPULATION Over 3.8 million SRH visits to primary care physicians in Australia, China, Canada, Norway, Singapore, Sweden and the USA. METHODS Difference in average SRH monthly visits before and during the pandemic, with negative binomial regression modelling to compare predicted and observed number of visits during the pandemic for SRH visits. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Monthly number of visits to primary care physicians from 2018 to 2021. RESULTS During the pandemic, the average volume of monthly SRH visits increased in Canada (15.6%, 99% CI 8.1-23.0%) where virtual care was pronounced. China, Singapore, Sweden and the USA experienced a decline (-56.5%, 99% CI -74.5 to -38.5%; -22.7%, 99% CI -38.8 to -6.5%; -19.4%, 99% CI -28.3 to -10.6%; and -22.7%, 99% CI -38.8 to -6.5%, respectively); while Australia and Norway showed insignificant changes (6.5%, 99% CI -0.7 to -13.8% and 1.7%, 99% CI -6.4 to -9.8%). The countries that maintained (Australia, Norway) or surpassed (Canada) pre-pandemic visit rates had the greatest use of virtual care. CONCLUSIONS In-person SRH visits to primary care decreased during the pandemic. Virtual care seemed to counterbalance that decline. Although cervical cancer screening appeared insensitive to virtual care, strategies such as incorporating self-collected samples for HPV testing may provide a solution in a future pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kangning Peng
- Department of Family Medicine and Primary Care, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- School of Public Health, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Karen Tu
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Departments of Research and Innovation and Family Medicine-North York General Hospital, Toronto Western Family Health Team-University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Zhuo Li
- Department of Family Medicine and Primary Care, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Christine Mary Hallinan
- Department of General Practice, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Adrian Laughlin
- Department of General Practice, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jo-Anne Manski-Nankervis
- Department of General Practice, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jemisha Apajee
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - María Carla Lapadula
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Angela Ortigoza
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Cecilia Clara Da Roza
- Department of Family Medicine and Primary Care, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Valborg Baste
- National Centre for Emergency Primary Health Care, NORCE Norwegian Research Centre, Bergen, Norway
| | - Signe Flottorp
- Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
- Department of General Practice, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Knut-Arne Wensaas
- Research Unit for General Practice, NORCE Norwegian Research Centre AS, Bergen, Norway
| | - Lay Hoon Goh
- Division of Family Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore City, Singapore
| | - Zheng Jye Ling
- Division of Family Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore City, Singapore
| | - Robert Kristiansson
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Health Services Research, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | | | | | | | - Amy Pui Pui Ng
- Department of Family Medicine and Primary Care, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Department of Family Medicine and Primary Care, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - William Chi-Wai Wong
- Department of Family Medicine and Primary Care, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Department of Family Medicine and Primary Care, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
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Kjerpeseth LJ, Hjellvik V, Gulseth HL, Karlstad Ø, Lopez-Doriga Ruiz P, Wensaas KA, Furu K. Prevalence and treatment of gestational diabetes in Norway 2010-2020. Diabetes Res Clin Pract 2024; 207:111025. [PMID: 38000666 DOI: 10.1016/j.diabres.2023.111025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023]
Abstract
AIMS Estimate prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and its treatment in Norway 2010-2020 and explore impact of new national GDM guidelines in 2017. METHODS We identified women giving birth in a nationwide cohort study using registers on births, prescriptions, education, primary and specialist care. For each year, we estimated prevalence of GDM overall, by BMI, age, education, and mother's birthplace; proportions of GDM pregnancies receiving pharmacological treatment; and distribution of the gestational week when GDM was diagnosed. RESULTS In 633,169 pregnancies, prevalence of GDM increased from 2.6 % in 2010 to 6.0 % in 2016, then stabilized. Similar patterns were seen across strata of BMI, age, education, and maternal birthplace, although prevalence was higher with higher BMI, higher age, lower education, and mothers born in Asia, Africa, or Middle East. The proportion of the GDM population pharmacologically treated increased from 11.6 % in 2010 to 13.6 % in 2016 and 31.6 % in 2020. GDM was diagnosed in recommended gestational week 24-28 in 19 % versus 45 % of GDM pregnancies in 2010 and 2020, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Both the proportion diagnosed with GDM within recommended time of screening, and who received pharmacological treatment, increased substantially following new guidelines in 2017. Prevalence of GDM increased from 2010 to 2016, then plateaued.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lars J Kjerpeseth
- Department of Chronic Diseases, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Vidar Hjellvik
- Department of Chronic Diseases, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Hanne L Gulseth
- Division of Mental and Physical Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Øystein Karlstad
- Department of Chronic Diseases, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway.
| | | | - Knut-Arne Wensaas
- Research Unit for General Practice, NORCE Norwegian Research Centre AS, Bergen, Norway.
| | - Kari Furu
- Department of Chronic Diseases, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway.
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Hetlevik Ø, Wensaas KA, Baste V, Emberland KE, Özgümüs T, Håberg SE, Rortveit G. Prevalence and predictors of post-COVID-19 symptoms in general practice - a registry-based nationwide study. BMC Infect Dis 2023; 23:721. [PMID: 37880583 PMCID: PMC10599052 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-023-08727-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND With Norwegian national registry data, we assessed the prevalence of post-COVID-19 symptoms at least 3 months after confirmed infection, and whether sociodemographic factors and pre-pandemic health problems were risk factors for these symptoms. METHODS All persons with a positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR test from February 2020 to February 2021 (exposed) were compared to a group without a positive test (unexposed) matched on age, sex, and country of origin. We used Cox regression to estimate hazard ratios (HR) for 18 outcome symptoms commonly described as post-COVID-19 related, registered by GPs. We compared relative risks (RR) for fatigue, memory disturbance, or shortness of breath among exposed and unexposed using Poisson regression models, assessing sex, age, education, country of origin, and pre-pandemic presence of the same symptom and comorbidity as possible risk factors, with additional analyses to assess hospitalisation for COVID-19 as a risk factor among exposed. RESULTS The exposed group (N = 53 846) had a higher prevalence of most outcome symptoms compared to the unexposed (N = 485 757), with the highest risk for shortness of breath (HR 2.75; 95%CI 2.59-2.93), fatigue (2.08; 2.00-2.16) and memory disturbance (1.41;1.26-1.59). High HRs were also found for disturbance of smell/taste and hair loss, but frequencies were low. Concerning risk factors, sociodemographic factors were at large similarly associated with outcome symptoms in both groups. Registration of the outcome symptom before the pandemic increased the risk for fatigue, memory disturbance and shortness of breath after COVID-19, but these associations were weaker among exposed. Comorbidity was not associated with fatigue and shortness of breath in the COVID-19 group. For memory disturbance, the RR was slightly increased with the higher comorbidity score both among exposed and unexposed. CONCLUSION COVID-19 was associated with a range of symptoms lasting more than three months after the infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Øystein Hetlevik
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Postbox 7804, Bergen, NO-5020, Norway.
| | - Knut-Arne Wensaas
- Research Unit for General Practice, NORCE Norwegian Research Centre, Bergen, Norway
| | - Valborg Baste
- National Centre for Emergency Primary Health Care, NORCE Norwegian Research Centre, Bergen, Norway
| | - Knut Erik Emberland
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Postbox 7804, Bergen, NO-5020, Norway
| | - Türküler Özgümüs
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Postbox 7804, Bergen, NO-5020, Norway
| | - Siri Eldevik Håberg
- Centre for Fertility and Health, The Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Guri Rortveit
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Postbox 7804, Bergen, NO-5020, Norway
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Jonnagaddala J, Hoang U, Wensaas KA, Tu K, Ortigoza A, Silva-Valencia J, Cuba-Fuentes MS, Godinho MA, de Lusignan S, Liaw ST. Integrated Management Systems (IMS) to Support and Sustain Quality One Health Services: International Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic by the IMIA Primary Care Working Group. Yearb Med Inform 2023; 32:55-64. [PMID: 37414035 PMCID: PMC10751124 DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1768725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/08/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES One Health considers human, animal and environment health as a continuum. The COVID-19 pandemic started with the leap of a virus from animals to humans. Integrated management systems (IMS) should provide a coherent management framework, to meet reporting requirements and support care delivery. We report IMS deployment during, and retention post the COVID-19 pandemic, and exemplar One Health use cases. METHODS Six volunteer members of the International Medical Association's (IMIA) Primary Care Working Group provided data about any IMS and One Health use to support the COVID-19 pandemic initiatives. We explored how IMS were: (1) Integrated with organisational strategy; (2) Utilised standardised processes, and (3) Met reporting requirements, including public health. Selected contributors provided Unified Modelling Language (UML) use case diagram for a One Health exemplar. RESULTS There was weak evidence of synergy between IMS and health system strategy to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there were rapid pragmatic responses to COVID-19, not citing IMS. All health systems implemented IMS to link COVID test results, vaccine uptake and outcomes, particularly mortality and to provide patients access to test results and vaccination certification. Neither proportion of gross domestic product alone, nor vaccine uptake determined outcome. One Health exemplars demonstrated that animal, human and environmental specialists could collaborate. CONCLUSIONS IMS use improved the pandemic response. However, IMS use was pragmatic rather than utilising an international standard, with some of their benefits lost post-pandemic. Health systems should incorporate IMS that enables One Health approaches as part of their post COVID-19 pandemic preparedness.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Uy Hoang
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, UK
| | | | - Karen Tu
- Department of Family & Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Angela Ortigoza
- Department of Family & Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Javier Silva-Valencia
- Center for Research in Primary Health Care (CINAPS), School of Medicine, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Peru
| | - María Sofía Cuba-Fuentes
- Center for Research in Primary Health Care (CINAPS), School of Medicine, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Peru
| | | | - Simon de Lusignan
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, UK
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Larsen L, Wensaas KA, Emberland KE, Rortveit G. Respiratory tract infections in Norwegian primary care 2006-2015: a registry-based study. Scand J Prim Health Care 2022; 40:173-180. [PMID: 35485789 PMCID: PMC9397465 DOI: 10.1080/02813432.2022.2069711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Examine characteristics and time trends of respiratory tract infection (RTI) consultations in Norwegian primary care and compare consultations in daytime general practice and out-of-hours (OOH) services. DESIGN Registry-based study using reimbursement claims data. SETTING All in-person primary care consultations during 2006-2015. PATIENTS All patients visiting primary care during the study period. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The main outcome variable was RTI consultations. Differences regarding service type (general practice or OOH services) and changes over time were investigated. We report associations with patient age and sex, season, point-of-care C-reactive protein (CRP) test use, and sickness certificate issuing. RESULTS RTI consultations (n = 16 304 777) represented 11.6% of all consultations (N = 140 199 637) in primary care over the ten-year period. The annual number of RTI consultations per 1000 inhabitants decreased from 335 to 314, while the number of consultations for any reason increased. Of RTI consultations, 83.2% occurred in general practice. OOH services had a higher proportion of RTI consultations (21.4%) compared with general practice (10.6%). Young children (0-4 years) represented 18.9% of all patients in RTI consultations. CRP testing was used in 56.2% of RTI consultations, and use increased over time. Sickness certificates were issued in 31.9% of RTI consultations with patients of working age (20-67 years). CONCLUSION Most RTI consultations occurred in general practice, although the proportion was higher in OOH services. Laboratory testing and/or issuing of sickness certificates were part of most consultations. This could be an important reason for seeking health care. Key PointsPatients with a respiratory tract infection (RTI) are mostly managed in primary care, where they represent much of the workload.Most consultations for RTIs took place in daytime general practice, but out-of-hours services had a higher proportion of RTI consultations.RTIs were the dominating reason for encounter among young children both in out-of-hours services and daytime general practice.CRP tests were used in over half of RTI consultations, and their use expanded over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leo Larsen
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, Section for General Practice, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Knut-Arne Wensaas
- Department of Health, Research Unit for General Practice, NORCE Norwegian Research Centre AS, Bergen, Norway
| | - Knut Erik Emberland
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, Section for General Practice, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Health, Research Unit for General Practice, NORCE Norwegian Research Centre AS, Bergen, Norway
| | - Guri Rortveit
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, Section for General Practice, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Health, Research Unit for General Practice, NORCE Norwegian Research Centre AS, Bergen, Norway
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Tu K, Sarkadi Kristiansson R, Gronsbell J, de Lusignan S, Flottorp S, Goh LH, Hallinan CM, Hoang U, Kang SY, Kim YS, Li Z, Ling ZJ, Manski-Nankervis JA, Ng APP, Pace WD, Wensaas KA, Wong WC, Stephenson E. Changes in primary care visits arising from the COVID-19 pandemic: an international comparative study by the International Consortium of Primary Care Big Data Researchers (INTRePID). BMJ Open 2022; 12:e059130. [PMID: 35534063 PMCID: PMC9086267 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-059130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Through the INTernational ConsoRtium of Primary Care BIg Data Researchers (INTRePID), we compared the pandemic impact on the volume of primary care visits and uptake of virtual care in Australia, Canada, China, Norway, Singapore, South Korea, Sweden, the UK and the USA. METHODS Visit definitions were agreed on centrally, implemented locally across the various settings in INTRePID countries, and weekly visit counts were shared centrally for analysis. We evaluated the weekly rate of primary care physician visits during 2019 and 2020. Rate ratios (RRs) of total weekly visit volume and the proportion of weekly visits that were virtual in the pandemic period in 2020 compared with the same prepandemic period in 2019 were calculated. RESULTS In 2019 and 2020, there were 80 889 386 primary care physician visits across INTRePID. During the pandemic, average weekly visit volume dropped in China, Singapore, South Korea, and the USA but was stable overall in Australia (RR 0.98 (95% CI 0.92 to 1.05, p=0.59)), Canada (RR 0.96 (95% CI 0.89 to 1.03, p=0.24)), Norway (RR 1.01 (95% CI 0.88 to 1.17, p=0.85)), Sweden (RR 0.91 (95% CI 0.79 to 1.06, p=0.22)) and the UK (RR 0.86 (95% CI 0.72 to 1.03, p=0.11)). In countries that had negligible virtual care prepandemic, the proportion of visits that were virtual were highest in Canada (77.0%) and Australia (41.8%). In Norway (RR 8.23 (95% CI 5.30 to 12.78, p<0.001), the UK (RR 2.36 (95% CI 2.24 to 2.50, p<0.001)) and Sweden (RR 1.33 (95% CI 1.17 to 1.50, p<0.001)) where virtual visits existed prepandemic, it increased significantly during the pandemic. CONCLUSIONS The drop in primary care in-person visits during the pandemic was a global phenomenon across INTRePID countries. In several countries, primary care shifted to virtual visits mitigating the drop in in-person visits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Tu
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Departments of Research and Innovation and Family Medicine-North York General Hospital, Toronto Western Family Health Team-University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Jessica Gronsbell
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Statistical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Simon de Lusignan
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Signe Flottorp
- Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
- Department of General Practice, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Lay Hoon Goh
- Division of Family Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Uy Hoang
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Seo Young Kang
- International Healthcare Center, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Young Sik Kim
- Department of Family Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Zhou Li
- Department of Family Medicine and Primary Care, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Zheng Jye Ling
- Division of Family Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Amy Pui Pui Ng
- Department of Family Medicine and Primary Care, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
- Department of Family Medicine and Primary Care, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | | | - Knut-Arne Wensaas
- Research Unit for General Practice, NORCE Norwegian Research Centre AS, Bergen, Norway
| | - William Cw Wong
- Department of Family Medicine and Primary Care, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
- Department of Family Medicine and Primary Care, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Ellen Stephenson
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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9
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Hunskar GS, Rortveit G, Litleskare S, Eide GE, Hanevik K, Langeland N, Wensaas KA. Prevalence of fibromyalgia 10 years after infection with Giardia lamblia: a controlled prospective cohort study. Scand J Pain 2022; 22:348-355. [PMID: 34679267 DOI: 10.1515/sjpain-2021-0122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To investigate whether acute infection with Giardia lamblia is associated with fibromyalgia 10 years after infection and whether fibromyalgia is associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and chronic fatigue (CF) in this setting. METHODS A cohort study was established after an outbreak of G. lamblia in Bergen, Norway, 2004. Laboratory-confirmed cases and a matched control group were followed for 10 years. The main outcome was fibromyalgia 10 years after giardiasis, defined by the 2016 revisions of the fibromyalgia diagnostic criteria using the Fibromyalgia Survey Questionnaire (FSQ). RESULTS The prevalence of fibromyalgia was 8.6% (49/572) among Giardia exposed compared to 3.1% (21/673) in controls (p<0.001). Unadjusted odds for having fibromyalgia was higher for Giardia exposed compared to controls (odds ratio (OR): 2.91, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.72, 4.91), but adjusted for IBS and CF it was not (OR: 1.05, 95% CI: 0.57, 1.95). Among participants without CF the odds for fibromyalgia was 6.27 times higher for participants with IBS than those without (95% CI: 3.31, 11.91) regardless of exposure. Among participants without IBS the odds for fibromyalgia was 4.80 times higher for those with CF than those without (95% CI: 2.75, 8.37). CONCLUSIONS We found a higher prevalence of fibromyalgia among Giardia exposed compared to controls 10 years after the acute infection. Fibromyalgia was strongly associated with IBS and CF, and the difference between the exposed and controls can be attributed to the high prevalence of IBS and CF among the Giardia exposed. Notably, this study was not designed to establish causality between Giardia exposure and the outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gunnhild S Hunskar
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Dermatology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
- Research Unit for General Practice, NORCE Norwegian Research Centre, Bergen, Norway
| | - Guri Rortveit
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Research Unit for General Practice, NORCE Norwegian Research Centre, Bergen, Norway
| | - Sverre Litleskare
- Research Unit for General Practice, NORCE Norwegian Research Centre, Bergen, Norway
| | - Geir Egil Eide
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Centre for Clinical Research, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Kurt Hanevik
- Norwegian National Advisory Unit for Tropical Infectious Diseases, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Nina Langeland
- Norwegian National Advisory Unit for Tropical Infectious Diseases, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Knut-Arne Wensaas
- Research Unit for General Practice, NORCE Norwegian Research Centre, Bergen, Norway
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10
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Emberland KE, Wensaas KA, Litleskare S, Larsen L, Morch K, Ruths S, Rortveit G. Antibiotics for gastroenteritis in general practice and out-of-hour services in Norway 2006-15. Fam Pract 2022; 39:19-25. [PMID: 34263906 PMCID: PMC8769278 DOI: 10.1093/fampra/cmab080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND When patients with gastroenteritis (GE) seek health care, they are generally managed in primary care. Little is known about the use of antibiotic treatment in these cases. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to investigate time trends and patient characteristics associated with antibiotic treatment for GE in Norwegian primary care in a 10-year period. METHODS We linked data from two nationwide registries, reimbursement claims data from Norwegian primary care (the KUHR database) and The Norwegian Prescription Database, for the period 2006-15. GE consultations were extracted, and courses of systemic antibiotics dispensed within 1 day were included for further analyses. RESULTS Antibiotic treatment was linked to 1.8% (n = 23 663) of the 1 279 867 consultations for GE in Norwegian primary care in the period 2006-15. The proportion of GE consultations with antibiotic treatment increased from 1.4% in 2006 to 2.2% in 2012 and then decreased to 1.8% in 2015. Fluoroquinolones (28.9%) and metronidazole (26.8%) were most frequently used. Whereas the number of fluoroquinolones courses decreased after 2012, the number of metronidazole courses continued to increase until year 2015. The antibiotic treatment proportion of GE consultations was lowest in young children and increased with increasing age. CONCLUSION Antibiotic treatment is infrequently used in GE consultations in Norwegian primary care. Although there was an overall increase in use during the study period, we observed a reduction in overall use after year 2012. Young children were treated with antibiotics in GE consultations less frequent than older patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Knut Erik Emberland
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.,Research Unit for General Practice, NORCE Norwegian Research Centre, Bergen, Norway
| | - Knut-Arne Wensaas
- Research Unit for General Practice, NORCE Norwegian Research Centre, Bergen, Norway
| | - Sverre Litleskare
- Research Unit for General Practice, NORCE Norwegian Research Centre, Bergen, Norway
| | - Leo Larsen
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Kristine Morch
- Norwegian National Advisory Unit on Tropical Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.,Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Sabine Ruths
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.,Research Unit for General Practice, NORCE Norwegian Research Centre, Bergen, Norway
| | - Guri Rortveit
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.,Research Unit for General Practice, NORCE Norwegian Research Centre, Bergen, Norway
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11
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Bjorvatn B, Wensaas KA, Emberland KE, Fadnes LT, Litleskare S, Diaz E, Ruths S, Rørtveit G, Waage S. Restless legs syndrome - a study from general practice. Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen 2021; 141:21-0333. [PMID: 34758599 DOI: 10.4045/tidsskr.21.0333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The prevalence of restless legs syndrome (RLS) among adults in the general population is around 5-10 %. Few studies have been conducted on the prevalence among patients who consult their general practitioner. There are also few studies on associations between RLS and other common complaints such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), chronic fatigue (CF) and chronic muscle and back pain (CMBP). MATERIAL AND METHOD The study was conducted as a questionnaire survey at medical offices in Southern and Western Norway in the autumn of 2017 and spring of 2018, when patients waiting to see their general practitioner (GP) were invited to participate. A total of 2 634 people took part (62.2 % women, average age 49.6 years). The response rate was 86.8 %. Restless legs syndrome (RLS) was defined on the basis of international criteria. Associations between RLS and IBS, CF and CMBP were analysed by means of chi-squared tests and logistic regression. RESULTS AND INTERPRETATION The proportion of patients with RLS was 14.3 %. Of the patients with RLS, 44.8 % reported that their symptoms were moderately to very distressing, and 85.8 % that they did not use medication for it. The proportion of patients with RLS was significantly higher among patients with IBS (21.8 % versus 13.6 %, p = 0.009), CF (18.2 % versus 13.1 %, p = 0.003) and CMBP (23.2 % versus 12.2 %, p < 0.0005). GPs should be aware that many patients have RLS and that the condition is associated with other common complaints.
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12
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Mortensen N, Jonasson SA, Lavesson IV, Emberland KE, Litleskare S, Wensaas KA, Rortveit G, Langeland N, Hanevik K. Correction: Characteristics of hospitalized patients during a large waterborne outbreak of Campylobacter jejuni in Norway. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0259407. [PMID: 34705871 PMCID: PMC8550597 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0259407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
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13
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Sandler CX, Wyller VBB, Moss-Morris R, Buchwald D, Crawley E, Hautvast J, Katz BZ, Knoop H, Little P, Taylor R, Wensaas KA, Lloyd AR. Long COVID and Post-infective Fatigue Syndrome: A Review. Open Forum Infect Dis 2021; 8:ofab440. [PMID: 34631916 PMCID: PMC8496765 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofab440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 08/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Fatigue is a dominant feature of both acute and convalescent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) (sometimes termed "long-COVID"), with up to 46% of patients reporting fatigue that lasts from weeks to months. The investigators of the international Collaborative on Fatigue Following Infection (COFFI) conducted a systematic review of post-COVID fatigue and a narrative review on fatigue after other infections, and made recommendations for clinical and research approaches to assessing fatigue after COVID-19. In the majority of COVID-19 cohort studies, persistent fatigue was reported by a significant minority of patients, ranging from 13% to 33% at 16-20 weeks post-symptom onset. Data from the prospective cohort studies in COFFI and others indicate that fatigue is also a prevalent outcome from many acute systemic infections, notably infectious mononucleosis, with a case rate for clinically significant Post-infective fatigue after exclusion of recognized medical and psychiatric causes, ranging from 10%-35% at 6 months. To better characterize post-COVID fatigue, the COFFI investigators recommend the following: application of validated screening questionnaires for case detection; standardized interviews encompassing fatigue, mood, and other symptoms; and investigative approaches to identify end-organ damage and mental health conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Vegard B B Wyller
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Blindern, Oslo, Norway
| | - Rona Moss-Morris
- Health Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Dedra Buchwald
- Institute for Research and Education to Advance Community Health, Washington State University, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Esther Crawley
- Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol. Bristol. Centre for Academic Child Health, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Jeannine Hautvast
- Department of Primary and Community Care, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Ben Z Katz
- Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Department of Pediatrics, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Ann & Robert H Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, Division of Infectious Diseases, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Hans Knoop
- Department of Medical Psychology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Paul Little
- Primary Care Research Centre, Primary Care Public Health and Medical Education Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Renee Taylor
- College of Applied Health Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Knut-Arne Wensaas
- Research Unit for General Practice, NORCE Norwegian Research Centre, Bergen, Norway
| | - Andrew R Lloyd
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Correspondence: Andrew Lloyd, MBBS, PhD, FRACP, FAHMS, Level 5, Wallace Wurth Building, Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia ()
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14
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Some psychiatric disorders have been associated with increased risk of miscarriage. However, there is a lack of studies considering a broader spectrum of psychiatric disorders to clarify the role of common as opposed to independent mechanisms. AIMS To examine the risk of miscarriage among women diagnosed with psychiatric conditions. METHOD We studied registered pregnancies in Norway between 2010 and 2016 (n = 593 009). The birth registry captures pregnancies ending in gestational week 12 or later, and the patient and general practitioner databases were used to identify miscarriages and induced abortions before 12 gestational weeks. Odds ratios of miscarriage according to 12 psychiatric diagnoses were calculated by logistic regression. CONCLUSIONS A wide range of psychiatric disorders were associated with increased risk of miscarriage. The heightened risk of miscarriage among women diagnosed with psychiatric disorders highlights the need for awareness and surveillance of this risk group in antenatal care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria C Magnus
- Centre for Fertility and Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway; MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit at the University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom; and Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Alexandra Havdahl
- Nic Waals Institute, Lovisenberg Diaconal Hospital, Oslo, Norway; Department of Mental Disorders, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway; and MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit at the University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Nils-Halvdan Morken
- Noren, Bergen, Norway; and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Knut-Arne Wensaas
- Research Unit for General Practice, NORCE Norwegian Research Centre, Bergen, Norway
| | - Allen J Wilcox
- Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Durham, North Carolina, United States
| | - Siri E Håberg
- Centre for Fertility and Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
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15
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Haugom LEA, Ruths S, Emberland KE, Eliassen KER, Rortveit G, Wensaas KA. Consultations and antibiotic treatment for urinary tract infections in Norwegian primary care 2006-2015, a registry-based study. BMC Fam Pract 2021; 22:127. [PMID: 34167484 PMCID: PMC8229743 DOI: 10.1186/s12875-021-01470-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 05/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Extensive use of antibiotics and the resulting emergence of antimicrobial resistance is a major health concern globally. In Norway, 82% of antibiotics is prescribed in primary care and one in four prescriptions are issued for the treatment of urinary tract infections (UTI). The aim of this study was to investigate time trends in antibiotic treatment following a consultation for UTI in primary care. METHODS For the period 2006-2015 we linked data from the Norwegian Registry for Control and Payment of Health Reimbursements on all patient consultations for cystitis and pyelonephritis in general practice and out-of-hours (OOH) services, and data from the Norwegian Prescription Database on all dispensed prescriptions of antibiotics. RESULTS Altogether 2,426,643 consultations by attendance for UTI took place in the study period, of these 94.5% for cystitis and 5.5% for pyelonephritis. Of all UTI consultations, 79.4% were conducted in general practice and 20.6% in OOH services. From 2006 to 2015, annual numbers of cystitis and pyelonephritis consultations increased by 33.9 and 14.0%, respectively. The proportion of UTI consultations resulting in an antibiotic prescription increased from 36.6 to 65.7% for cystitis, and from 35.3 to 50.7% for pyelonephritis. These observed changes occurred gradually over the years. Cystitis was mainly treated with pivmecillinam (53.9%), followed by trimethoprim (20.8%). For pyelonephritis, pivmecillinam was most frequently used (43.0%), followed by ciprofloxacin (20.5%) and sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (16.3%). For cystitis, the use of pivmecillinam increased the most during the study period (from 46.1 to 56.6%), and for pyelonephritis, the use of sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (from 11.4 to 25.5%) followed by ciprofloxacin (from 18.2 to 23.1%). CONCLUSIONS During the 10-year study period there was a considerable increase in the proportion of UTI consultations resulting in antibiotic treatment. Cystitis was most often treated with pivmecillinam, and this proportion increased during the study period. Treatment of pyelonephritis was characterized by more use of broader-spectrum antibiotics, use of both sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim and ciprofloxacin increased during the study period. These trends, indicative of enduring changes in consultation and treatment patterns for UTIs, will have implications for future antibiotic stewardship measures and policy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lars Emil Aga Haugom
- Research Unit for General Practice, NORCE Norwegian Research Centre, Postboks 22 Nygårdstangen, 5838, Bergen, Norway.
| | - Sabine Ruths
- Research Unit for General Practice, NORCE Norwegian Research Centre, Postboks 22 Nygårdstangen, 5838, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Knut Erik Emberland
- Research Unit for General Practice, NORCE Norwegian Research Centre, Postboks 22 Nygårdstangen, 5838, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | | | - Guri Rortveit
- Research Unit for General Practice, NORCE Norwegian Research Centre, Postboks 22 Nygårdstangen, 5838, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Knut-Arne Wensaas
- Research Unit for General Practice, NORCE Norwegian Research Centre, Postboks 22 Nygårdstangen, 5838, Bergen, Norway
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16
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Mortensen N, Jonasson SA, Lavesson IV, Emberland KE, Litleskare S, Wensaas KA, Rortveit G, Langeland N, Hanevik K. Characteristics of hospitalized patients during a large waterborne outbreak of Campylobacter jejuni in Norway. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0248464. [PMID: 33755697 PMCID: PMC7987138 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0248464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 02/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Very few reports describe all hospitalized patients with campylobacteriosis in the setting of a single waterborne outbreak. This study describes the demographics, comorbidities, clinical features, microbiology, treatment and complications of 67 hospitalized children and adults during a large waterborne outbreak of Campylobacter jejuni in Askoy, Norway in 2019, where more than 2000 people in a community became ill. We investigated factors that contributed to hospitalization and treatment choices. Data were collected from electronic patient records during and after the outbreak. Fifty adults and seventeen children were included with a biphasic age distribution peaking in toddlers and middle-aged adults. Most children, 14 out of 17, were below 4 years of age. Diarrhea was the most commonly reported symptom (99%), whereas few patients (9%) reported bloody stools. Comorbidities were frequent in adults (63%) and included cardiovascular disease, pre-existing gastrointestinal disease or chronic renal failure. Comorbidities in children (47%) were dominated by pulmonary and gastrointestinal diseases. Adult patients appeared more severely ill than children with longer duration of stay, higher levels of serum creatinine and CRP and rehydration therapy. Ninety-two percent of adult patients were treated with intravenous fluid as compared with 12% of children. Almost half of the admitted children received antibiotics. Two patients died, including a toddler. Both had significant complicating factors. The demographic and clinical findings presented may be useful for health care planning and patient management in Campylobacter outbreaks both in primary health care and in hospitals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolay Mortensen
- Children and Youth Clinic, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Microbiology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | | | | | - Knut Erik Emberland
- Research Unit for General Practice, NORCE Norwegian Research Centre, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Sverre Litleskare
- Research Unit for General Practice, NORCE Norwegian Research Centre, Bergen, Norway
| | - Knut-Arne Wensaas
- Research Unit for General Practice, NORCE Norwegian Research Centre, Bergen, Norway
| | - Guri Rortveit
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Nina Langeland
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Kurt Hanevik
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Medicine, Norwegian National Advisory Unit on Tropical Infectious Diseases, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
- * E-mail:
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17
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Randel KR, Schult AL, Botteri E, Hoff G, Bretthauer M, Ursin G, Natvig E, Berstad P, Jørgensen A, Sandvei PK, Olsen ME, Frigstad SO, Darre-Næss O, Norvard ER, Bolstad N, Kørner H, Wibe A, Wensaas KA, de Lange T, Holme Ø. Colorectal Cancer Screening With Repeated Fecal Immunochemical Test Versus Sigmoidoscopy: Baseline Results From a Randomized Trial. Gastroenterology 2021; 160:1085-1096.e5. [PMID: 33227280 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2020.11.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Revised: 10/29/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS The comparative effectiveness of sigmoidoscopy and fecal immunochemical testing (FIT) for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening is unknown. METHODS Individuals aged 50-74 years living in Southeast Norway were randomly invited between 2012 and 2019 to either once-only flexible sigmoidoscopy or FIT screening every second year. Colonoscopy was recommended after sigmoidoscopy if any polyp of ≥10 mm, ≥3 adenomas, any advanced adenomas, or CRC was found or, subsequent to, FIT >15 μg hemoglobin/g feces. Data for this report were obtained after complete recruitment in both groups and included 2 full FIT rounds and part of the third round. Outcome measures were participation, neoplasia detection, and adverse events. Age-standardized detection rates and age-adjusted odds ratios (ORs) were calculated. RESULTS We included 139,291 individuals: 69,195 randomized to sigmoidoscopy and 70,096 to FIT. The participation rate was 52% for sigmoidoscopy, 58% in the first FIT round, and 68% for 3 cumulative FIT rounds. Compared to sigmoidoscopy, the detection rate for CRC was similar in the first FIT round (0.25% vs 0.27%; OR, 0.92; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.75-1.13) but higher after 3 FIT rounds (0.49% vs 0.27%; OR, 1.87; 95% CI, 1.54-2.27). Advanced adenoma detection rate was lower in the first FIT round compared to sigmoidoscopy at 1.4% vs 2.4% (OR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.53-0.62) but higher after 3 cumulative FIT rounds at 2.7% vs 2.4% (OR, 1.14; 95% CI, 1.05-1.23). There were 33 (0.05%) serious adverse events in the sigmoidoscopy group compared to 47 (0.07%) in the FIT group (P = .13). CONCLUSIONS Participation was higher and more CRC and advanced adenomas were detected with repeated FIT compared to sigmoidoscopy. The risk of perforation and bleeding was comparable. Clinicaltrials.gov, Number: NCT01538550.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristin R Randel
- Section for Colorectal Cancer Screening, Cancer Registry of Norway, Oslo, Norway; Department of Research and Development, Telemark Hospital Trust, Skien, Norway; Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Anna L Schult
- Section for Colorectal Cancer Screening, Cancer Registry of Norway, Oslo, Norway; Department of Medicine, Vestre Viken Hospital Trust Bærum, Gjettum, Norway; Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Edoardo Botteri
- Section for Colorectal Cancer Screening, Cancer Registry of Norway, Oslo, Norway
| | - Geir Hoff
- Section for Colorectal Cancer Screening, Cancer Registry of Norway, Oslo, Norway; Department of Research and Development, Telemark Hospital Trust, Skien, Norway; Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Michael Bretthauer
- Clinical Effectiveness Research Group, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo; Norway Department of Transplantation Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Giske Ursin
- Cancer Registry of Norway, Oslo, Norway; Department of Nutrition, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway; Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Erik Natvig
- Section for Colorectal Cancer Screening, Cancer Registry of Norway, Oslo, Norway
| | - Paula Berstad
- Section for Colorectal Cancer Screening, Cancer Registry of Norway, Oslo, Norway
| | - Anita Jørgensen
- Section for Colorectal Cancer Screening, Cancer Registry of Norway, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Marie Ek Olsen
- Department of Pathology, Østfold Hospital Trust, Grålum, Norway
| | - Svein Oskar Frigstad
- Department of Medicine, Vestre Viken Hospital Trust Bærum, Gjettum, Norway; Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ole Darre-Næss
- Department of Medicine, Vestre Viken Hospital Trust Bærum, Gjettum, Norway
| | - Espen R Norvard
- Department of Pathology, Vestre Viken Hospital Trust Drammen, Drammen, Norway
| | - Nils Bolstad
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Hartwig Kørner
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Stavanger University Hospital Stavanger, Norway; Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Arne Wibe
- Norwegian University of Science and Technology; Department of Surgery, St. Olav's hospital, Trondheim University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Knut-Arne Wensaas
- Research Unit for General Practice, NORCE Norwegian Research Centre, Bergen, Norway
| | - Thomas de Lange
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway; Department of Medical Research, Vestre Viken Hospital Trust Bærum, Gjettum, Norway; Department of Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital-Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Øyvind Holme
- Section for Colorectal Cancer Screening, Cancer Registry of Norway, Oslo, Norway; Clinical Effectiveness Research Group, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo; Department of Medicine, Sorlandet Hospital Trust, Kristiansand, Norway
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18
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Fors EA, Wensaas KA, Eide H, Jaatun EA, Clauw DJ, Wolfe F, Helvik AS. Fibromyalgia 2016 criteria and assessments: comprehensive validation in a Norwegian population. Scand J Pain 2020; 20:663-672. [DOI: 10.1515/sjpain-2020-0002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2019] [Accepted: 05/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
Background and aims
The ACR1990 criteria of fibromyalgia (FM) have been criticized due to poor reliability of tender points counting (TPC), inconsistent definitions of the widespread pain, and by not considering other symptoms than pain in the FM phenotype. Therefore, several newer self-report measures for FM criteria have emerged. The aim of this study was to translate the fibromyalgia survey questionnaire (FSQ) to Norwegian and validate both the 2011 and the 2016 fibromyalgia survey diagnostic criteria (FSDC) against the ACR1990 criteria.
Methods
One hundred and twenty chronic pain patients formerly diagnosed with fibromyalgia according to the ACR1990 criteria, and 62 controls not diagnosed or where fibromyalgia was not suspected, were enrolled in this study. All responded to a Norwegian version of the FSQ. Also, they had a clinical examination according to ACR1990 fibromyalgia criteria including a counting of significant tender points with an algometer (TPC). The FSQ with the Widespread Pain Index (WPI) and Symptom Severity scale (SSS) subscales, Fibromyalgia Severity (FS) sum score, was examined for correlations with the fibromyalgia impact questionnaire (FIQ) and TPCs. Face-validity, internal consistence, test-retest reliability and construct validity with convergent and divergent approaches were examined and a Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) analysis was performed.
Results
The internal consistency of FS measured by Cronbach’s alfa was good (=0.904). The test-retest reliability measures using intra class correlation were respectable for the FS, including WPI and SSS subscales (0.86, 0.84 and 0.87). FS, WPI and SSS correlated significantly with FIQ (0.74, 0.59 and 0.85) and TPC indicating an adequate construct, convergent validity. The medians of FS, WPI and SSS in the fibromyalgia-group were significantly different from the non-fibromyalgia-group indicating good construct, divergent validity. Using the 2011 and 2016 FSDC vs. ACR 1990 as a reference, sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio (LR +) and negative likelihood ratio (LR−) were identified. The accuracy rate for both 2011 and 2016 FSDC were respectable (84%). ROC analysis using FS revealed a very good Area Under the Curve (AUC) = 0.860.
Conclusion
The current study revealed that the Norwegian versions of FSQ is a valid tool for assessment of fibromyalgia according to the 2011 and 2016 (FSDC).
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Affiliation(s)
- Egil A. Fors
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Public Health and Nursing, General Practitioner Research Unit , Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) , 7491 Trondheim , Norway , Phone: +4741236597
| | - Knut-Arne Wensaas
- Research Unit for General Practice, NORCE Norwegian Research Centre , Bergen , Norway
| | - Hilde Eide
- Science Centre Health and Technology, Faculty of Health and Social Sciences , University of South-Eastern Norway , Drammen , Norway
| | - Ellen A. Jaatun
- Norwegian University of Science and Technology , Trondheim , Norway
- St. Olavs Hospital , Trondheim University Hospital , Trondheim , Norway
| | - Daniel J. Clauw
- Chronic Pain and Fatigue Research Center , University of Michigan Health System , Ann Arbor, Michigan , USA
- Department of Anesthesiology , University of Michigan Health System , Ann Arbor, Michigan , USA
| | - Fred Wolfe
- Forward, the National Data Bank for Rheumatic Diseases , Wichita, KS , USA
- University of Kansas School of Medicine , Wichita, KS , USA
| | - Anne-Sofie Helvik
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Public Health and Nursing, General Practitioner Research Unit , Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) , 7491 Trondheim , Norway
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19
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Barua I, Berset IP, Hære P, Wensaas KA, Bretthauer M. Nasjonalt screeningprogram for tarmkreft. Tidsskriftet 2020; 140:19-0658. [DOI: 10.4045/tidsskr.19.0658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Most of the patients with gastroenteritis seeking health care services are managed in primary care; yet, little is known about these consultations. Syndromic-based surveillance of gastrointestinal infections is used in several countries, including Norway. AIM To investigate the extent of, and explore characteristics associated with, consultations for gastroenteritis in primary care and to compare consultations in daytime general practice and out-of-hours (OOH) services in Norway. DESIGN AND SETTING Registry-based study using reimbursement claims data from all consultations in general practice and OOH services in Norway over the 10-year period, 2006-15. METHODS The main outcome variable was whether the consultation took place in general practice or OOH services. Possible associations with patient age and sex, time and use of point-of-care C-reactive protein (CRP) testing and sickness certificate issuing were investigated. RESULTS Gastroenteritis consultations (n = 1 281 048) represented 0.9% of all consultations in primary care (n = 140 199 637), of which 84.4% were conducted in general practice and 15.6% in OOH services. Young children and young adults dominated among the patients. Point-of-care CRP testing was used in 36.1% of the consultations. Sickness certificates were issued in 43.6% of consultations with patients in working age. Age-specific time variations in consultation frequencies peaking in winter months were observed. CONCLUSIONS The proportion of gastroenteritis consultations was higher in the OOH services when compared with daytime general practice. Young children and young adults dominated among the patients. The seasonal variation in consultation frequency is similar to that shown for gastroenteritis caused by norovirus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Knut Erik Emberland
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.,Research Unit for General Practice, NORCE Norwegian Research Centre, Bergen, Norway
| | - Knut-Arne Wensaas
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.,Research Unit for General Practice, NORCE Norwegian Research Centre, Bergen, Norway
| | - Sverre Litleskare
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.,Research Unit for General Practice, NORCE Norwegian Research Centre, Bergen, Norway
| | - Guri Rortveit
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.,Research Unit for General Practice, NORCE Norwegian Research Centre, Bergen, Norway
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21
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Thorsen B, Frydenberg K, Wensaas KA, Christiansen LC, Olsen BA, Kehlet K, Fagerberg EA, Svendsen KOB, Borgen T, Viste E. Fastlegens rolle i kreftomsorgen. Tidsskriftet 2019; 139:19-0180. [DOI: 10.4045/tidsskr.19.0180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
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22
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Wensaas KA, Heron J, Redmond N, Turnbull S, Christensen H, Thornton H, Peters TJ, Blair PS, Hay AD. Post-consultation illness trajectories in children with acute cough and respiratory tract infection: prospective cohort study. Fam Pract 2018; 35:676-683. [PMID: 29897430 PMCID: PMC6290772 DOI: 10.1093/fampra/cmy021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Little is known about respiratory tract infection (RTI) severity in children following consultation. OBJECTIVES To investigate post-consultation symptom trajectories in children with acute cough and RTI and whether baseline characteristics predict trajectory group. METHODS Prospective cohort study of 2296 children (3 months-16 years) whose parents were invited to report cough severity and duration using a 7-point Likert scale. Longitudinal latent class analysis (LLCA) was used to identify post-consultation symptom trajectories in the first 15 days, and multinomial models to predict class membership. RESULTS Complete data were available for 1408 children (61%). The best LLCA model identified five post-consultation symptom trajectory groups: 'very rapid recovery' (28.5%), 'rapid recovery' (37.7%), 'intermediate recovery' (18.2%), 'persistent symptoms' (9.5%) and 'initial deterioration with persistent symptoms' (6.0%). Compared with very rapid recovery, parent-reported severe cough in the 24 hours prior to consultation increased the likelihood of rapid recovery (OR 1.79 [95% CI 1.23, 2.60]), intermediate recovery (OR 2.13 [1.38, 3.30] and initial deterioration with persistent symptoms (OR 2.29 [1.26, 4.16]). Initial deterioration was also associated with 'severe barking cough' (OR 3.64 [1.50, 8.82]), 'severely reduced energy in the 24 hours prior to consultation' (OR 3.80 [1.62, 8.87] and higher parent-assessed illness severity at consultation (OR 2.21 [1.17, 4.18]). CONCLUSION We identified five distinct symptom trajectory groups showing the majority of children improved post-consultation, with only one group experiencing illness deterioration. The few characteristics associated with group membership did not fall into a pattern that seemed clinically useful.
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Affiliation(s)
- Knut-Arne Wensaas
- Research Unit for General Practice, Uni Research Health, Bergen, Norway
| | - Jon Heron
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Niamh Redmond
- National Institute for Health Research Collaborations for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care West (NIHR CLAHRC West), University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol, UK
| | - Sophie Turnbull
- Centre for Academic Primary Care, Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Hannah Christensen
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Hannah Thornton
- Centre for Academic Primary Care, Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Tim J Peters
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Peter S Blair
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Alastair D Hay
- Centre for Academic Primary Care, Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
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23
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Litleskare S, Rortveit G, Eide GE, Hanevik K, Langeland N, Wensaas KA. Prevalence of Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Chronic Fatigue 10 Years After Giardia Infection. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2018; 16:1064-1072.e4. [PMID: 29378314 DOI: 10.1016/j.cgh.2018.01.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2017] [Revised: 01/09/2018] [Accepted: 01/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a complication that can follow gastrointestinal infection, but it is not clear if patients also develop chronic fatigue. We investigated the prevalence and odds ratio of IBS and chronic fatigue 10 years after an outbreak of Giardia lamblia, compared with a control cohort, and changes in prevalence over time. METHODS We performed a prospective follow-up study of 1252 laboratory-confirmed cases of giardiasis (exposed), which developed in Bergen, Norway in 2004. Statistics Norway provided us with information from 2504 unexposed individuals from Bergen, matched by age and sex (controls). Questionnaires were mailed to participants 3, 6, and 10 years after the outbreak. Results from the 3- and 6-year follow-up analyses have been published previously. We report the 10-year data and changes in prevalence among time points, determined by logistic regression using generalized estimating equations. RESULTS The prevalence of IBS 10 years after the outbreak was 43% (n = 248) among 576 exposed individuals and 14% (n = 94) among 685 controls (adjusted odds ratio for development of IBS in exposed individuals, 4.74; 95% CI, 3.61-6.23). At this time point, the prevalence of chronic fatigue was 26% (n = 153) among 587 exposed individuals and 11% (n = 73) among 692 controls (adjusted odds ratio, 3.01; 95% CI, 2.22-4.08). The prevalence of IBS among exposed persons did not change significantly from 6 years after infection (40%) to 10 years after infection (43%; adjusted odds ratio for the change 1.03; 95% CI, 0.87-1.22). However, the prevalence of chronic fatigue decreased from 31% at 6 years after infection to 26% at 10 years after infection (adjusted odds ratio for the change 0.74; 95% CI, 0.61-0.90). CONCLUSION The prevalence of IBS did not change significantly from 6 years after an outbreak of Giardia lamblia infection in Norway to 10 years after. However, the prevalence of chronic fatigue decreased significantly from 6 to 10 years afterward. IBS and chronic fatigue were still associated with giardiasis 10 years after the outbreak.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sverre Litleskare
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway; Research Unit for General Practice, Uni Research Health, Bergen, Norway.
| | - Guri Rortveit
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway; Research Unit for General Practice, Uni Research Health, Bergen, Norway
| | - Geir Egil Eide
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway; Centre for Clinical Research, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Kurt Hanevik
- National Centre for Tropical Infectious Diseases, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway; Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Nina Langeland
- National Centre for Tropical Infectious Diseases, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway; Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Knut-Arne Wensaas
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway; Research Unit for General Practice, Uni Research Health, Bergen, Norway
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24
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Katz BZ, Collin SM, Murphy G, Moss-Morris R, Wyller VB, Wensaas KA, Hautvast JLA, Bleeker-Rovers CP, Vollmer-Conna U, Buchwald D, Taylor R, Little P, Crawley E, White PD, Lloyd A. The International Collaborative on Fatigue Following Infection (COFFI). Fatigue 2018; 6:106-121. [PMID: 30666281 DOI: 10.1080/21641846.2018.1426086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Background The purpose of the Collaborative on Fatigue Following Infection (COFFI) is for investigators of post-infection fatigue (PIF) and other syndromes to collaborate on these enigmatic and poorly understood conditions by studying relatively homogeneous populations with known infectious triggers. Utilizing COFFI, pooled data and stored biosamples will support both epidemiological and laboratory research to better understand the etiology and risk factors for development and progression of PIF. Methods COFFI consists of prospective cohorts from the UK, Netherlands, Norway, USA, New Zealand and Australia, with some cohorts closed and some open to recruitment. The 9 cohorts closed to recruitment total over 3,000 participants, including nearly 1000 with infectious mononucleosis (IM), > 500 with Q fever, > 800 with giardiasis, > 600 with campylobacter gastroenteritis (CG), 190 with Legionnaires disease and 60 with Ross River virus. Follow-ups have been at least 6 months and up to 10 years. All studies use the Fukuda criteria for defining chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). Results Preliminary analyses indicated that risk factors for non-recovery from PIF included lower physical fitness, female gender, severity of the acute sickness response, and autonomic dysfunction. Conclusions COFFI (https://internationalcoffi.wordpress.com/) is an international collaboration which should be able to answer questions based on pooled data that are not answerable in the individual cohorts. Possible questions may include the following: Do different infectious triggers different PIF syndromes (e.g., CFS vs. irritable bowel syndrome)?; What are longitudinal predictors of PIF and its severity?
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Affiliation(s)
- Ben Z Katz
- Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Ann & Robert H Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, USA
| | - Simon M Collin
- Centre for Child & Adolescent Health, School of Social & Community Medicine, University of Bristol, UK
| | | | - Rona Moss-Morris
- Health Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, UK
| | | | - Knut-Arne Wensaas
- Research Unit for General Practice, Uni Research Health, Bergen, Norway
| | - Jeannine L A Hautvast
- Department of Primary and Community Care, Radboud university medical centre, Nijmegen, NL
| | - Chantal P Bleeker-Rovers
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, NL
| | - Ute Vollmer-Conna
- School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Dedra Buchwald
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, USA
| | - Renée Taylor
- Department of Occupational Therapy, University of Illinois at Chicago, USA
| | - Paul Little
- Primary Care and Population Sciences Division, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Esther Crawley
- Primary Care and Population Sciences Division, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Peter D White
- Wolfson Institute of Preventive Medicine, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, UK
| | - Andrew Lloyd
- Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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25
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Bakken IJ, Wensaas KA, Furu K, Grøneng GM, Stoltenberg C, Øverland S, Håberg SE. General practice consultations and use of prescription drugs after changes to school absence policy. Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen 2017; 137:17-0427. [PMID: 28871761 DOI: 10.4045/tidsskr.17.0427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND New rules for absence with stricter requirements for documentation were introduced in upper secondary schools in the autumn of 2016. We investigated the use of general practice services and dispensing of prescription drugs among 16 – 18-year-olds in the autumn of 2016 and compared this with equivalent figures for the period 2013 – 15. MATERIAL AND METHOD We retrieved information on consultations in general practice (GP) and dispensing of prescription drugs to 15 – 18-year-olds in the period 2013 – 16 from the Directorate of Health’s system for control and payment of health reimbursements (KUHR) and the Norwegian Prescription Database respectively. The number of consultations and dispensing of drugs were compared to previous years using Poisson regression (reference year 2015). The incidence rate ratio (IRR) was used as an outcome measure. RESULTS The number of GP consultations for 16 – 18-year-olds was 30 % higher in the autumn of 2016 than in the autumn of 2015 (IRR 1.30, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.29 – 1.31). In the same period, the dispensing of drugs to this age group increased by 8 % (IRR 1.08, 95 % CI 1.08 – 1.09). Among the diagnosis groups, respiratory tract infections had the largest increase (IRR 2.21, 95 % CI 2.17 – 2.25). The largest increase in drug dispensing was found for remedies for coughs and colds (IRR 1.73, 95 % CI 1.65 – 1.80). INTERPRETATION The increase in consultations in general practice and dispensing of drugs to 16 – 18-year-olds coincided in time with the introduction of new rules for absence from school. We hold it to be highly likely that the changes were caused by the stricter rules for documentation of absence from school.
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26
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Bakken IJ, Wensaas KA, Grøneng GM, Fretheim A, Stoltenberg C, Klepp KI, Håberg SE, Øverland S. Russefeiring og eksamenstid – bruk av fastlege og legevakt. Tidsskriftet 2017; 137:713-716. [DOI: 10.4045/tidsskr.17.0158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
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27
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Wensaas KA, Hanevik K, Hausken T, Eide GE, Langeland N, Mørch K, Rortveit G. Postinfectious and sporadic functional gastrointestinal disorders have different prevalences and rates of overlap: results from a controlled cohort study 3 years after acute giardiasis. Neurogastroenterol Motil 2016; 28:1561-9. [PMID: 27189227 DOI: 10.1111/nmo.12856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2015] [Accepted: 04/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common complication following gastroenteritis, and a high prevalence of postgiardiasis IBS has previously been reported. This study aims to investigate the prevalence, adjusted relative risk (RRadj), and overlap of different functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGID) according to Rome III criteria following infection with Giardia lamblia. METHODS All patients ≥18 years of age with verified giardiasis during an outbreak in 2004, and a control group matched by age and gender, were mailed a questionnaire 3 years later. KEY RESULTS The prevalence of functional dyspepsia (FD) was 25.9% in the exposed and 6.9% in the control group, RRadj: 3.9 (95% confidence intervals [CI]: 3.1-4.8). The prevalence of IBS was 47.9% and 14.3%, respectively, with RRadj: 3.4 (95% CI: 3.0-3.8). Prevalence of other gastrointestinal symptoms ranged from 70.0% vs 39.7% for bloating (RRadj: 1.8) to 8.3% vs 2.9% for nausea (RRadj: 3.0) in the Giardia and the control group, respectively. Among individuals fulfilling criteria for IBS 44% in the exposed group and 29% in the control group also fulfilled criteria for FD. IBS subtypes based on Rome III criteria (stool consistency) showed poor agreement with subtypes based on frequency of bowel movements (Kappa-values: 0.17 and 0.27). CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES There were high prevalences and RRs of IBS, FD and other gastrointestinal symptoms following acute giardiasis, and a high degree of overlap between the disorders. The agreement between different IBS subtype criteria varied, and there were also differences between the exposed and control group.
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Affiliation(s)
- K A Wensaas
- Research Unit for General Practice, Uni Research Health, Bergen, Norway.
| | - K Hanevik
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - T Hausken
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - G E Eide
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.,Centre for Clinical Research, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - N Langeland
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.,National Centre for Tropical Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - K Mørch
- National Centre for Tropical Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - G Rortveit
- Research Unit for General Practice, Uni Research Health, Bergen, Norway.,Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
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Hunskar GS, Bjorvatn B, Wensaas KA, Hanevik K, Eide GE, Langeland N, Rortveit G. Excessive daytime sleepiness, sleep need and insomnia 3 years after Giardia infection: a cohort study. Sleep Health 2016; 2:154-158. [PMID: 28923259 DOI: 10.1016/j.sleh.2016.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2015] [Revised: 03/04/2016] [Accepted: 03/21/2016] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate whether prior infection with Giardia lamblia is associated with excessive daytime sleepiness, insomnia, and level of sleep need. DESIGN A questionnaire was sent to all confirmed cases of giardiasis 3 years after the outbreak and a control group matched on age and gender. Associations were evaluated by use of multiple regression analysis. RESULTS Excessive daytime sleepiness (score ≥11 on the Epworth Sleepiness Scale) was reported by 31.5% of the Giardia-exposed and 14.1% of the controls. In multivariate analysis, excessive daytime sleepiness was independently associated with Giardia exposure, with an adjusted odds ratio of 1.40 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.06-1.86). Insomnia was reported by 15.4% of Giardia-exposed and 8.8% of controls, adjusted odds ratio was 0.93 (95% CI, 0.65-1.35). Mean (SD) self-reported sleep need was 8 (1.4) hours among Giardia-exposed and 7.5 (1.1) hours in the control group (P < .001). The adjusted regression coefficient was 0.12 (95% CI, 0.01-0.24). CONCLUSION Being exposed to Giardia was independently associated with excessive daytime sleepiness and larger sleep need, but not with insomnia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gunnhild S Hunskar
- Research Group for General Practice, Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.
| | - Bjørn Bjorvatn
- Research Group for General Practice, Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway; Norwegian Competence Center for Sleep Disorders, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Knut-Arne Wensaas
- Research Unit for General Practice, Uni Research Health, Bergen, Norway
| | - Kurt Hanevik
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway; National Centre for Tropical Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Geir Egil Eide
- Centre for Clinical Research, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway; Research Group for Lifestyle Epidemiology, Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Nina Langeland
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway; National Centre for Tropical Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Guri Rortveit
- Research Group for General Practice, Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway; Research Unit for General Practice, Uni Research Health, Bergen, Norway
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Litleskare S, Wensaas KA, Eide GE, Hanevik K, Kahrs GE, Langeland N, Rortveit G. Perceived food intolerance and irritable bowel syndrome in a population 3 years after a giardiasis-outbreak: a historical cohort study. BMC Gastroenterol 2015; 15:164. [PMID: 26585714 PMCID: PMC4653841 DOI: 10.1186/s12876-015-0393-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2015] [Accepted: 11/10/2015] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Studies have shown an increased prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) after acute gastroenteritis. Food as a precipitating and perpetuating factor in IBS has gained recent interest, but food intolerance following gastroenteritis is less investigated. The aims of this study were firstly, to compare perceived food intolerance in a group previously exposed to Giardia lamblia with a control group; secondly, to explore the relation with IBS status; and thirdly, to investigate associations with content of fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols (FODMAP) in foods reported. Methods This is a historical cohort study with mailed questionnaire to 1252 Giardia exposed and a control cohort matched by gender and age. Differences between groups were investigated using bivariate and multivariate analyses. Results The questionnaire response rate in the exposed group was 65.3 % (817/1252) and in the control group 31.4 % (1128/3598). The adjusted odds ratio (OR) for perceived food intolerance for the exposed group was 2.00 with 95 % confidence interval (CI): 1.65 to 2.42, as compared with the control group. Perceived intolerance for dairy products was the most frequently reported intolerance, with an adjusted OR for the exposed of 1.95 (95 % CI: 1.51 to 2.51). Perceived intolerance for fatty foods, vegetables, fruit, cereals and alcohol was also significantly higher in the exposed group. The groups did not differ in perceived intolerance to spicy foods, coffee or soda. The association between exposure to Giardia infection and perceived food intolerance differed between the IBS group and the no-IBS group, but IBS was not a significant effect modifier for the association. Perceived intolerance for high FODMAP foods (adjusted OR 1.91) and low FODMAP foods (adjusted OR 1.55) was significantly associated with exposure status. Conclusion Exposure to Giardia infection was associated with perceived food intolerance 3 years after giardiasis. IBS status did not alter the association between exposure status and perceived food intolerance. Perceived intolerance to high FODMAP foods and low FODMAP foods were both statistically significantly associated with exposure to Giardia infection. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12876-015-0393-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sverre Litleskare
- Research Unit for General Practice, Uni Research Health, Kalfarveien 31, N-5018, Bergen, Norway.
| | - Knut-Arne Wensaas
- Research Unit for General Practice, Uni Research Health, Kalfarveien 31, N-5018, Bergen, Norway.
| | - Geir Egil Eide
- Centre for Clinical Research, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway. .,Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.
| | - Kurt Hanevik
- National Centre for Tropical Infectious Diseases, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway. .,Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.
| | - Gudrun Elise Kahrs
- Department of Clinical Nutrition, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.
| | - Nina Langeland
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.
| | - Guri Rortveit
- Research Unit for General Practice, Uni Research Health, Kalfarveien 31, N-5018, Bergen, Norway. .,Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.
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Persson R, Wensaas KA, Hanevik K, Eide GE, Langeland N, Rortveit G. The relationship between irritable bowel syndrome, functional dyspepsia, chronic fatigue and overactive bladder syndrome: a controlled study 6 years after acute gastrointestinal infection. BMC Gastroenterol 2015; 15:66. [PMID: 26058591 PMCID: PMC4460696 DOI: 10.1186/s12876-015-0296-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2015] [Accepted: 05/28/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background To investigate in a cohort with previous gastrointestinal infection and a control group the prevalence of overactive bladder syndrome (OAB), and how it was associated with three other functional disorders; irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), functional dyspepsia (FD) and chronic fatigue (CF). Methods Controlled historic cohort study including 724 individuals with laboratory confirmed giardiasis six years earlier, and 847 controls matched by gender and age. Prevalence and odds ratios (OR) with 95 % confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. Results The prevalence of OAB was 18.7 % (134/716) in the exposed group and 13.6 % (113/833) in the control group (p = 0.007). The association between OAB and IBS was strong in the control group (OR: 2.42; 95 % CI: 1.45 to 4.04), but insignificant in the Giardia exposed (OR: 1.29; 95 % CI: 0.88 to 1.88). The association between OAB and FD was weak in both groups. CF was strongly associated with OAB (OR: 2.73; 95 % CI: 1.85 to 4.02 in the exposed and OR: 2.79; 95 % CI: 1.69 to 4.62 in the controls), and this association remained when comorbid conditions were excluded. Conclusions Sporadic IBS was associated with increased risk of OAB, whereas post-infectious IBS was not. An apparent association between OAB and previous Giardia infection can be ascribed to comorbid functional disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Persson
- Research Unit for General Practice, Uni Research Health, Bergen, Norway.
| | - Knut-Arne Wensaas
- Research Unit for General Practice, Uni Research Health, Bergen, Norway.
| | - Kurt Hanevik
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.
| | - Geir Egil Eide
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway. .,Centre for Clinical Research, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.
| | - Nina Langeland
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway. .,Department of Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.
| | - Guri Rortveit
- Research Unit for General Practice, Uni Research Health, Bergen, Norway. .,Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.
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Hanevik K, Wensaas KA, Rortveit G, Eide GE, Mørch K, Langeland N. Irritable bowel syndrome and chronic fatigue 6 years after giardia infection: a controlled prospective cohort study. Clin Infect Dis 2014; 59:1394-400. [PMID: 25115874 PMCID: PMC4207419 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciu629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Giardia infection in a nonendemic setting is associated with an increased risk for irritable bowel syndrome and chronic fatigue 6 years later. These conditions should be considered a differential diagnosis in patients with persisting symptoms after eradication of the parasite. Background. Functional gastrointestinal disorders and fatigue may follow acute infections. This study aimed to estimate the persistence, prevalence, and risk of irritable bowel syndrome and chronic fatigue 6 years after Giardia infection. Methods. We performed a controlled prospective study of a cohort of 1252 individuals who had laboratory-confirmed Giardia infection during a waterborne outbreak in 2004. In total, 748 cohort cases (exposed) and 878 matched controls responded to a postal questionnaire 6 years later (in 2010). Responses were compared to data from the same cohort 3 years before (in 2007). Results. The prevalences of irritable bowel syndrome (39.4%) by Rome III criteria and chronic fatigue (30.8%) in the exposed group 6 years after giardiasis were significantly elevated compared with controls, with adjusted relative risks (RRs) of 3.4 (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.9–3.9) and 2.9 (95% CI, 2.3–3.4), respectively. In the exposed group, the prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome decreased by 6.7% (RR, 0.85 [95% CI, .77–.93]), whereas the prevalence of chronic fatigue decreased by 15.3% from 3 to 6 years after Giardia infection (RR, 0.69 [95% CI, .62–.77]). Giardia exposure was a significant risk factor for persistence of both conditions, and increasing age was a risk factor for persisting chronic fatigue. Conclusions. Giardia infection in a nonendemic setting is associated with an increased risk for irritable bowel syndrome and chronic fatigue 6 years later. The prevalences of both conditions decrease over time, indicating that this intestinal protozoan parasite may elicit very long-term, but slowly self-limiting, complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kurt Hanevik
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen
| | | | - Guri Rortveit
- Research Unit for General Practice, Uni Research Health Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen
| | - Geir Egil Eide
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen Centre for Clinical Research
| | - Kristine Mørch
- National Centre for Tropical Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
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Mørch K, Hanevik K, Rivenes AC, Bødtker JE, Næss H, Stubhaug B, Wensaas KA, Rortveit G, Eide GE, Hausken T, Langeland N. Chronic fatigue syndrome 5 years after giardiasis: differential diagnoses, characteristics and natural course. BMC Gastroenterol 2013; 13:28. [PMID: 23399438 PMCID: PMC3598369 DOI: 10.1186/1471-230x-13-28] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2012] [Accepted: 02/06/2013] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Background A high prevalence of chronic fatigue has previously been reported following giardiasis after a large waterborne outbreak in Bergen, Norway in 2004. The aim of this study was to describe and evaluate differential diagnoses and natural course of fatigue five years after giardiasis among patients who reported chronic fatigue three years after the infection. Methods Patients who three years after Giardia infection met Chalder’s criteria for chronic fatigue (n=347) in a questionnaire study among all patients who had laboratory confirmed giardiasis during the Bergen outbreak (n=1252) were invited to participate in this study five years after the infection (n=253). Structured interviews and clinical examination were performed by specialists in psychiatry, neurology and internal medicine/infectious diseases. Fukuda et al’s 1994 criteria were used to diagnose chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and idiopathic chronic fatigue (ICF). Self-reported fatigue recorded with Chalder Fatigue Questionnaire three and five years after infection were compared. Results 53 patients were included. CFS was diagnosed in 41.5% (22/53) and ICF in 13.2% (7/53). Chronic fatigue caused by other aetiology was diagnosed in 24.5% (13/53); five of these patients had sleep apnoea/hypopnoea syndrome, six had depression and five anxiety disorder, and among these two had more than one diagnosis. Fatigue had resolved in 20.8% (11/53). Self-reported fatigue score in the cohort was significantly reduced at five years compared to three years (p<0.001). Conclusion The study shows that Giardia duodenalis may induce CFS persisting as long as five years after the infection. Obstructive sleep apnoea/hypopnoea syndrome, depression and anxiety were important differential diagnoses, or possibly comorbidities, to post-infectious fatigue in this study. Improvement of chronic fatigue in the period from three to five years after giardiasis was found.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristine Mørch
- National Centre for Tropical Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.
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Hunskar GS, Langeland N, Wensaas KA, Hanevik K, Eide GE, Mørch K, Rortveit G. The impact of atopic disease on the risk of post-infectious fatigue and irritable bowel syndrome 3 years after Giardia infection. A historic cohort study. Scand J Gastroenterol 2012; 47:956-61. [PMID: 22746290 DOI: 10.3109/00365521.2012.696681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate whether atopic disease influences the prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and chronic fatigue (CF) after giardiasis. METHODS A questionnaire was sent to all confirmed cases of giardiasis after a Norwegian outbreak, with response rate of 65.3% (817/1252). Controls were randomly selected matched on age and sex, with response rate of 31.4% (1128/3598). Associations were evaluated by use of logistic regression analyses. RESULTS In the Giardia exposed group, 47.8% of those with asthma had IBS compared with 45.3% in those without asthma (p = 0.662). For controls, corresponding percentages were 23.9% and 12.2% (p < 0.001). Among those with asthma, the adjusted relative risk (RR) for IBS was 2.03 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.45, 2.62) for the exposed group compared with controls. In those without asthma, the corresponding RR was 3.80 (95% CI: 3.30, 4.32). In the exposed group, 51.5% of those with asthma had CF compared with 44.9% in those without asthma (p = 0.218). For controls, corresponding percentages were 19.3% and 10.7% (p = 0.004). Among those with asthma, the adjusted RR for CF was 2.73 (95% CI: 1.98, 3.45) for the exposed compared with controls. In those without asthma, the corresponding RR for CF was 4.25 (95% CI: 3.66, 4.85). CONCLUSION For the exposed, having asthma or allergy did not increase the outcome of IBS or CF. For the control group, having an atopic disease made a substantial risk difference, with significantly more IBS and CF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gunnhild S Hunskar
- Department of Public Health and Primary Health Care, University of Bergen, Norway.
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Simonsen KA, Hunskaar S, Wensaas KA, Rørtveit S, Cox R, Njølstad G, Rortveit G. Influenza-like illness in Norway: clinical course, attitudes towards vaccination and preventive measures during the 2009 pandemic. Fam Pract 2012; 29:139-46. [PMID: 21896504 PMCID: PMC7314038 DOI: 10.1093/fampra/cmr064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To document clinical characteristics of influenza-like illness, reported use of health preventive measures and attitudes towards vaccination among patients with influenza-like illness in general practice during the influenza pandemic in 2009. METHODS Cross-sectional survey in general practice. Patients, who were identified as having influenza-like illness during the peak of the influenza pandemic activity in Norway, were eligible for inclusion in the study. A questionnaire was sent 2-4 weeks after the patients visit to the GP with influenza-like illness diagnosis during October to December 2009, from general practices in Norway. A sample of responders >18 years also had a blood test to check for serological response to the pandemic H1N1 virus. RESULTS Questionnaires were sent to 1324 patients, and 357 (27%) were returned. Fever (91% versus 49%, P < 0.01), cough (85% versus 73%, P = 0.016) and gastrointestinal symptoms (58% versus 38%, P < 0.01) were more frequent in the age group <18 years compared to older patients. Serological H1N1 responses were analysed in 72 patients; 34 (47%) were positive (haemagglutination inhibition assay titres ≥ 40). There were no statistically significant differences in symptoms between seropositive and seronegative patients. Women reported better adherence to personal protective measures, such as hand washing and cough etiquette than men. Women were also more concerned about possible adverse effects of the pandemic influenza vaccine than men. CONCLUSIONS Discrimination between influenza and other viral upper respiratory tract infections is difficult in daily clinical practice, even during an influenza pandemic. A gender difference was found in reported precautions to prevent influenza.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Giardia lamblia is a common cause of gastroenteritis worldwide, but there is limited knowledge about the long-term complications. OBJECTIVE To estimate the relative risk of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and chronic fatigue 3 years after acute giardiasis. DESIGN Controlled historic cohort study with 3 years' follow-up. Data collected by mailed questionnaire. SETTING Waterborne outbreak of giardiasis in the city of Bergen, Norway. PARTICIPANTS 817 patients exposed to Giardia lamblia infection verified by detection of cysts in stool samples and 1128 matched controls. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES IBS and chronic fatigue. RESULTS The prevalence of IBS in the exposed group was 46.1%, compared with 14.0% in the control group, and the adjusted RR=3.4 (95% CI 2.9 to 3.8). Chronic fatigue was reported by 46.1% of the exposed group and 12.0% of the controls, the adjusted RR was 4.0 (95% CI 3.5 to 4.5). IBS and chronic fatigue were associated and the RR for the exposed group of having a combination of the two outcomes was 6.8 (95% CI 5.3 to 8.5). The RR was also increased for having just one of the two syndromes, 1.8 for IBS (95% CI 1.4 to 2.3) and 2.2 for chronic fatigue (95% CI 1.7 to 2.8). CONCLUSIONS Infection with Giardia lamblia in a non-endemic area was associated with a high prevalence of IBS and chronic fatigue 3 years after acute illness, and the risk was significantly higher than in the control group. This shows that the potential consequences of giardiasis are more serious than previously known. Further studies are needed, especially in areas where giardiasis is endemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Knut-Arne Wensaas
- Department of Public Health and Primary Health Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Giardia lamblia is a common cause of gastroenteritis worldwide, but there is limited knowledge about the long-term complications. OBJECTIVE To estimate the relative risk of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and chronic fatigue 3 years after acute giardiasis. DESIGN Controlled historic cohort study with 3 years' follow-up. Data collected by mailed questionnaire. SETTING Waterborne outbreak of giardiasis in the city of Bergen, Norway. PARTICIPANTS 817 patients exposed to Giardia lamblia infection verified by detection of cysts in stool samples and 1128 matched controls. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES IBS and chronic fatigue. RESULTS The prevalence of IBS in the exposed group was 46.1%, compared with 14.0% in the control group, and the adjusted RR=3.4 (95% CI 2.9 to 3.8). Chronic fatigue was reported by 46.1% of the exposed group and 12.0% of the controls, the adjusted RR was 4.0 (95% CI 3.5 to 4.5). IBS and chronic fatigue were associated and the RR for the exposed group of having a combination of the two outcomes was 6.8 (95% CI 5.3 to 8.5). The RR was also increased for having just one of the two syndromes, 1.8 for IBS (95% CI 1.4 to 2.3) and 2.2 for chronic fatigue (95% CI 1.7 to 2.8). CONCLUSIONS Infection with Giardia lamblia in a non-endemic area was associated with a high prevalence of IBS and chronic fatigue 3 years after acute illness, and the risk was significantly higher than in the control group. This shows that the potential consequences of giardiasis are more serious than previously known. Further studies are needed, especially in areas where giardiasis is endemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Knut-Arne Wensaas
- Department of Public Health and Primary Health Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.
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Rørtveit S, Hunskår S, Wensaas KA, Simonsen KA, Rørtveit G. [The influenza pandemic in a Norwegian municipality autumn 2009]. Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen 2011; 131:675-9. [PMID: 21494301 DOI: 10.4045/tidsskr.10.0858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In April 2009 the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that spreading of a new influenza A(H1N1) virus had reached epidemic proportions, and on June 11, 2009 they declared that the world was in fact facing a pandemic. In Norway the influenza pandemic was the cause of much activity from health authorities and all levels of the health services. This report concerns pandemic-related work within clinical and community medicine in a municipality in western Norway. MATERIAL AND METHODS All contacts between the general practitioners (GPs) and patients with influenza-like disease in Austevoll municipality were recorded for the second half of 2009. The lead public health nurse recorded vaccination activity systematically. Absence from secondary school in the municipality was recorded and the Medical Health Officer recorded all pandemic-related activities. RESULTS 141 patients living in the municipality (3.2 % of the population) contacted the GP for influenza-like disease. Most cases occurred during weeks 43-47. A large majority of the encounters with the GP during these weeks were with patients below 20 years of age, whereas the age distribution was much more diverse at other points in time. Absence from secondary school was also highest in weeks 43-47. 54 % of the municipality's inhabitants were vaccinated. At the end of the main wave of the epidemic, vaccination coverage had reached 28 %. The Medical Health Officer had a large workload, especially during the main wave. INTERPRETATION The influenza epidemic in 2009 hit Austevoll municipality in weeks 43-47. Mass vaccination was started too late to have a major influence on the epidemic. Systematic mapping of the epidemic on a municipal level is a useful supplement to the national surveillance.
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Rørtveit S, Hunskår S, Wensaas KA, Simonsen K, Rørtveit G. Influensapandemien hausten 2009 i ein vestlandskommune. Tidsskriftet 2011. [DOI: 10.4045/tidsskr.11.0590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Giardia lamblia is endemic in many tropical and subtropical areas of the world, and in Europe and North America a common cause of waterborne outbreaks of gastroenteritis. In 2004, approximately 5000 people were sick with giardiasis during an outbreak in Bergen, Norway. OBJECTIVE To investigate the presence of gastrointestinal complaints and persistent infection in a 1-year period after acute giardiasis. METHODS From a population (N = 7100) assigned to two general practice clinics, a cohort of 134 patients with clinically defined giardiasis was identified. Of these, 118 gave consent to take part in this study. The patients were asked to submit stool samples 6 months after the acute infection and to return questionnaires delivered by mail 6 and 12 months after the outbreak. Main outcome measures were proportion of patients with persistent infection and/or gastrointestinal symptoms. RESULTS Stool samples were submitted by 69.5% (82/118) of the patients after 6 months, and three were positive for G. lamblia. After 6 months, 37.3% (44/118) of the patients reported gastrointestinal symptoms related to their Giardia infection. This proportion went down to 19.2% (19/99) after 12 months. The reported water intake prior to the outbreak was significantly higher in patients with persistent symptoms, but there was no association with gender and neuroticism as has been shown in other studies of functional gastrointestinal disorders. CONCLUSION Persistent gastrointestinal symptoms are a common complication after giardiasis in a population most likely previously unexposed to G. lamblia. The results show the need for further investigation of the mechanism involved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Knut-Arne Wensaas
- Section for General Practice, Department of Public Health and Primary Health Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.
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Mørch K, Hanevik K, Rortveit G, Wensaas KA, Eide GE, Hausken T, Langeland N. Severity of Giardia infection associated with post-infectious fatigue and abdominal symptoms two years after. BMC Infect Dis 2009; 9:206. [PMID: 20003489 PMCID: PMC2808308 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2334-9-206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2009] [Accepted: 12/15/2009] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A high rate of post-infectious fatigue and abdominal symptoms two years after a waterborne outbreak of giardiasis in Bergen, Norway in 2004 has previously been reported. The aim of this report was to identify risk factors associated with such manifestations. METHODS All laboratory confirmed cases of giardiasis (n = 1262) during the outbreak in Bergen in 2004 received a postal questionnaire two years after. Degree of post-infectious abdominal symptoms and fatigue, as well as previous abdominal problems, was recorded. In the statistical analyses number of treatment courses, treatment refractory infection, delayed education and sick leave were used as indices of protracted and severe Giardia infection. Age, gender, previous abdominal problems and symptoms during infection were also analysed as possible risk factors. Simple and multiple ordinal logistic regression models were used for the analyses. RESULTS The response rate was 81% (1017/1262), 64% were women and median age was 31 years (range 3-93), compared to 61% women and 30 years (range 2-93) among all 1262 cases. Factors in multiple regression analysis significantly associated with abdominal symptoms two years after infection were: More than one treatment course, treatment refractory infection, delayed education, bloating and female gender. Abdominal problems prior to Giardia infection were not associated with post-infectious abdominal symptoms. More than one treatment course, delayed education, sick leave more than 2 weeks, and malaise at the time of infection, were significantly associated with fatigue in the multiple regression analysis, as were increasing age and previous abdominal problems. CONCLUSION Protracted and severe giardiasis seemed to be a risk factor for post-infectious fatigue and abdominal symptoms two years after clearing the Giardia infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristine Mørch
- National Centre for Tropical Infectious Diseases, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.
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Mørch K, Hanevik K, Rortveit G, Wensaas KA, Langeland N. High rate of fatigue and abdominal symptoms 2 years after an outbreak of giardiasis. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 2009. [PMID: 19185898 DOI: 10.1016/j.trstmh.2009.01.010.epub] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of fatigue and abdominal symptoms 2 years after Giardia lamblia infection. All 1262 cases who had Giardia-positive stool samples during an outbreak in 2004 in Norway received a questionnaire in 2006 asking about fatigue and abdominal symptoms. Fatigue was reported by 41%, whereas 38% reported abdominal symptoms, and there was a highly significant association between these symptoms. Increasing age was a highly significant risk factor for fatigue. The symptoms were not due to chronic infection in this cohort. Our data warrant further investigations into the late effects of giardiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Mørch
- National Centre for Tropical Infectious Diseases, Haukeland University Hospital, 5021 Bergen, Norway.
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE Investigation of the clinical course of infection with Giarda lamblia after a large outbreak in an area where Giardia is not endemic in humans. DESIGN A cohort of patients from primary healthcare with clinically defined giardiasis was investigated by retrospectively analysing data from the patients' medical records. SETTING Urban primary healthcare setting in Bergen, Norway. SUBJECTS From a population (n = 7100) assigned to two general practice clinics located in the outbreak area 134 patients met the inclusion criteria of at least one of the following: typical symptoms for at least one week, detection of Giarda lamblia in stool samples, or receiving a specific diagnosis. Of these, 119 gave consent to take part in the study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Proportion of patients with clinical giardiasis identified by detection of parasites in stool samples. Proportion of patients with prolonged disease and recurring symptoms. RESULTS A positive test for Giardia lamblia was found in 55% (66/119) of the patients. Specific treatment was given to 89 patients, and after treatment 36% (32/89) returned to their doctor because they experienced recurring symptoms. Compared with those not returning a significantly higher proportion of this group had seen their GP for other GI complaints in the previous two years. CONCLUSION Laboratory-based diagnosis missed a substantial number of patients falling sick with giardiasis during the outbreak. One-third of the patients experienced recurring symptoms after treatment, and there was an association between previous gastrointestinal complaints and recurrence of symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Knut-Arne Wensaas
- Section for General Practice, Department of Public Health and Primary Health Care, University of Bergen, Kalfarveien 31, Bergen, Norway.
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Wensaas KA, Langeland N, Rørtveit G. [Uncovering the giardiasis-outbreak in Bergen 2004]. Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen 2007; 127:2222-5. [PMID: 17828314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There was a large community outbreak of giardiasis in Bergen in the autumn of 2004 that was acknowledged about two months after the first patients became ill. The aim of this article is to describe the diagnostic approach of clinicians faced with an unexpected problem, and how they reacted when communicable disease was detected. MATERIAL AND METHODS A focus group interview was conducted with six of the 18 doctors who had requested stool examinations from patients in October 2004 with the aim of detecting parasites. This was after the first patients became ill, but before the outbreak was widely recognized. RESULTS Discussions among doctors were instrumental, both in reaching the correct diagnosis, and in acknowledging a possible outbreak in the community. There was no uniform approach to reaching the diagnosis, but rather a common unravelling of a mutual problem. Doctors contacted or tried to make contact with public health authorities when at least one case was confirmed and this case was linked to other patients with diarrhoeal disease. INTERPRETATION Clinicians need meeting places where they can discuss problems that arise in everyday practice. Public health authorities and clinicians need better procedures for warning, reception and follow-up when outbreaks of communicable diseases are suspected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Knut-Arne Wensaas
- Seksjon for allmennmedisin, Institutt for samfunnsmedisinske fag, Universitetet i Bergen, 5020 Bergen.
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Rørtveit G, Wensaas KA. [A modern epidemic]. Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen 2004; 124:3178. [PMID: 15608758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/01/2023] Open
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Wensaas KA. [Therapeutic targets in the management of blood pressure are constant]. Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen 1998; 118:4413-4. [PMID: 9889620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
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