Swedish Regions Research Articles

Collaborative extended home-visits as a key to facilitating early support within the frame of a family centre in Sweden

BackgroundAll children should have the possibility to be healthy during childhood, according to the Convention on the Rights of the Child. In Sweden, the Child Health Services (CHS) support all parents and children from birth until the age of six to promote children’s health and development. Some Swedish regions have introduced an extended home-visit programme, with CHS nurses and social workers visiting first-time parents together to provide parental support in collaboration. The programme aims to expand the task of promoting the child’s health and increase the possibilities of discovering risk factors in families earlier. The aim of the present study is to describe the professionals’ experiences of collaboration when introducing the extended home-visit programme to a broader population within the frame of a family centre.MethodsThe study used a reflexive thematic qualitative approach with focus group interviews. All staff at the family centre were invited to participate: CHS nurses, social workers, and managers who worked with the extended home-visit programme. Data were collected through focus group interviews with each profession separately and analysed through reflexive thematic analysis.ResultsOne overarching theme emerged: A key to facilitating early support. Three connected themes – Ease for everyone on the family’s terms, From working alone to becoming a team, and A matter of supporting structures – illuminated the participants’ experiences. Their driving force was early detection of risk factors or needs in the family, to be able to provide support. The collaboration was enhanced by the different professional competencies complementing each other. That all were located at the family centre together was also important to facilitate collaboration.ConclusionsThe extended home-visits were appreciated and experienced as useful by all participants. That a family centre organization already existed was one of the facilitators, functioning as a meeting point to expand the collaboration. The managers’ support was essential, and it was experienced as positive that the organization invested resources to allow employees to participate in the development of the extended home-visit programmes. This way of working has the potential to add value for the children and families, and the CHS would benefit from using the extended home-visit programme further.

Potential Adverse Drug Events Identified with Decision Support Algorithms from Janusmed Risk Profile-A Retrospective Population-Based Study in a Swedish Region.

Adverse drug events (ADEs) occur frequently and are a common cause of suffering, hospitalizations, or death, and can be caused by harmful combinations of medications. One method used to prevent ADEs is by using clinical decision support systems (CDSSs). Janusmed Risk Profile is a CDSS evaluating the risk for nine common or serious ADEs resulting from combined pharmacodynamic effects. The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of potential ADEs identified using CDSS algorithms from Janusmed Risk Profile. This retrospective, cross-sectional study covered the population of a Swedish region (n = 246,010 inhabitants in year 2020) using data on all medications dispensed and administered. More than 20% of patients had an increased risk of bleeding, constipation, orthostatism, or renal toxicity based on their medications. The proportion of patients with an increased risk varied from 3.5% to almost 30% across the nine categories of ADEs. A higher age was associated with an increased risk of potential ADEs and there were gender differences. A cluster analysis identified groups of patients with an increased risk for several categories of ADEs. This study shows that combinations of medications that could increase the risk of ADEs are common. Future studies should examine how this correlates with observed ADEs.

Differences in immune-related toxicity between PD-1 and PD-L1 inhibitors: a retrospective cohort study in patients with advanced cancer

Immunotherapy with PD-1 or PD-L1 inhibitors has become an essential treatment strategy for a growing number of malignancies. These treatments have a risk for immune-related adverse events (IRAEs). Pooled analyses based on clinical trials show a favorable toxicity profile for treatment with PD-L1 compared to PD-1 inhibitors. This study aimed to investigate differences in IRAEs between patients with advanced solid malignances treated with PD-L1 and PD-1 inhibitors in a real-world setting. We conducted a retrospective cohort study at four Swedish Regions. Patients (n = 605) treated for advanced cancer with a PD-L1 or PD-1 inhibitor in monotherapy between June 2016 and August 2022 were included. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) was the most common malignant disease (n = 251; 41.5%), followed by malignant melanoma (n = 173; 28.6%), renal cell carcinoma (n = 71; 11.7%) and urothelial carcinoma (n = 35; 5.8%). Among patients receiving PD-L1 inhibitors, NSCLC (94.4%) was the predominant malignancy, whereas for those treated with PD-1 inhibitor, malignant melanoma constituted the most prevalent malignancy (34.5%). Discontinuation of treatment due to IRAEs overall and IRAEs grade ≥ 2 were significantly less common in patients treated with PD-L1 compared to PD-1 inhibitors [Odds Ratio (OR): 0.38 (95% Confidence Interval (CI) 0.16–0.88) and OR: 0.63 (95% CI 0.35–0.98) respectively]. Any grade IRAE, IRAE grade ≥ 3 and multiple IRAEs were numerically more frequent in patients treated with PD-1 inhibitors.In conclusion, our study of patients with advanced solid malignancies in a real-world setting supports the results from clinical trials demonstrating a favorable toxicity profile for PD-L1 inhibitors versus PD-1 inhibitors.

A national long-read sequencing study on chromosomal rearrangements uncovers hidden complexities.

Clinical genetic laboratories often require a comprehensive analysis of chromosomal rearrangements/structural variants (SVs), from large events like translocations and inversions to supernumerary ring/marker chromosomes and small deletions or duplications. Understanding the complexity of these events and their clinical consequences requires pinpointing breakpoint junctions and resolving the derivative chromosome structure. This task often surpasses the capabilities of short-read sequencing technologies. In contrast, long-read sequencing techniques present a compelling alternative for clinical diagnostics. Here, Genomic Medicine Sweden-Rare Diseases has explored the utility of HiFi Revio long-read genome sequencing (lrGS) for digital karyotyping of SVs nationwide. The 16 samples from 13 families were collected from all Swedish healthcare regions. Prior investigations had identified 16 SVs, ranging from simple to complex rearrangements, including inversions, translocations, and copy number variants. We have established a national pipeline and a shared variant database for variant calling and filtering. Using lrGS, 14 of the 16 known SVs are detected. Of these, 13 are mapped at nucleotide resolution, and one complex rearrangement is only visible by read depth. Two Chromosome 21 rearrangements, one mosaic, remain undetected. Average read lengths are 8.3-18.8 kb with coverage exceeding 20× for all samples. De novo assembly results in a limited number of phased contigs per individual (N50 6-86 Mb), enabling direct characterization of the chromosomal rearrangements. In a national pilot study, we demonstrate the utility of HiFi Revio lrGS for analyzing chromosomal rearrangements. Based on our results, we propose a 5-year plan to expand lrGS use for rare disease diagnostics in Sweden.

Waiting for hip fracture surgery: Analysis of individual heterogeneity and discriminatory accuracy

Abstract Background Evaluation of healthcare inequality could be improved by considering (i) the intersection of socioeconomic axes of inequality, (ii) the existence of individual heterogeneity and (iii) criteria to quantify group differences and how those differences translate into recommendations for universal or targeted interventions. In this study we illustrate how to achieve these improvements. Methods We applied analysis of individual heterogeneity and discriminatory accuracy (AIHDA) to analyze data from the Swedish patient registry for the quality indicator hip fracture (HF) surgery within the same day. We analyzed 57,340 patients residing in Sweden during 2011-2014 and belonging to 36 socioeconomic strata defined by age, sex, income, and country of birth and the 21 Swedish regions. We calculated prevalences and 95% confidence intervals as well as the absolute number of cases. The benchmark was set to 80%. To quantify group differences, we evaluated the discriminatory accuracy (DA) using the area under the ROC curve (AUC). Results 68% (39,073/57,340) of the patients were operated in time. The prevalence across the 36 sociodemographic strata ranged from 51% (43-58%) to 81% (67-91%). However, the DA was low (AUC= 0.562) indicating very small group differences. About half of the operated HP (n = 20,287) occurs in 18/36 strata with the lowest prevalences of operations in time. The regions’ prevalences ranged from 37% (36-38%) to 88% (88-89%) with a rather high DA (AUC= 0.736) indicating larger differences. About half of the operated HP (n = 19,677) occurs in 12/21 regions with the lowest prevalence of operations in time. Conclusions The 80% benchmark was only achieved in one socioeconomic stratum and the group differences were very small. 6/21 regions achieved the benchmark and the group differences were large. Interventions aiming to reach the benchmark in the entire population should proportionately target regions and be universal and tailored to sociodemographic strata. Key messages • The AIHDA-framework improves evaluations of healthcare inequalities. • Both differences between group averages and the groups’ DA need be considered when planning healthcare interventions.

Evaluating healthcare inequalities using ChatGPT4 – The case of potentially inappropriate medication

Abstract Issue/problem Regular and standardized monitoring of healthcare is necessary to inform decision makers and clinicians about healthcare quality. Equity is a fundamental dimension in such evaluations. We aimed to investigate if artificial intelligence (AI) large language models (LLM), such as ChatGPT4, may facilitate routine monitoring of healthcare inequalities using an established framework for healthcare quality and equity evaluation, analysis of individual heterogeneity and discriminatory accuracy (AIHDA). Description of the problem We have previously demonstrated that compared to traditional methods, AIHDA improves the evaluation of healthcare inequity. We asked ourselves if ChatGPT4 could facilitate the standardized application of the AIHDA approach in routine monitoring of healthcare. Results Using strict guidelines, we instructed a GPT model, based on ChatGPT 4, to utilize the AIHDA framework for evaluating healthcare inequalities. To demonstrate the analysis, we used the quality indicator potentially inappropriate medication among elderly and analyzed simulated data of individuals >75-year-old belonging to 36 socioeconomic strata and residing in 21 Swedish regions. The GPT performed an accurate analysis, correctly interpretated the results and formulated an informative short rapport with illustrative tables and figures. Lessons AI appears to facilitate routine monitoring of health care inequity using the AIHDA approach. AI also allows a constructive interaction with the user but, so far, it needs be closely supervised. Key messages • ChatGPT 4 can improve the standardized evaluation of healthcare inequity. • Although the technology is under development and must be used with caution.

The productivity effects of regional anchors on local firms in Swedish regions between 2007 and 2019—evidence from an expert-informed machine learning approach

The productivity effects of regional anchors on local firms in Swedish regions between 2007 and 2019—evidence from an expert-informed machine learning approach

Sociodemographic differences in the response to changes in COVID-19 testing guidelines.

During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, Sweden emphasized voluntary guidelines over mandates. We exploited a rapid change and reversal of the Public Health Agency of Sweden's COVID-19 testing guidelines for vaccinated and recently infected individuals as a quasi-experiment to examine sociodemographic differences in the response to changes in pandemic guidelines. We analyzed daily polymerase chain reaction tests from 1 October 2021 to 15 December 2021, for vaccinated or recently infected adults (≥20 years; n = 1596321) from three Swedish regions (Stockholm, Örebro, and Dalarna). Using interrupted time series analysis, we estimated abrupt changes in testing rates at the two dates when the guidelines were changed (1 November and 22 November). Stratified analysis and meta-regression were employed to explore sociodemographic differences in the strength of the response to the guideline changes. Testing rates declined substantially when guideline against testing of vaccinated and recently infected individuals came into effect on 1 November [testing rate ratio: 0.50 (95% confidence interval, CI 0.41, 0.61)], and increased again from these lowered levels by a similar amount upon its reversal on 22 November [testing rate ratio: 2.19 (95% CI: 1.69, 2.85)]. Being Sweden-born, having higher household income, or higher education, were all associated with a stronger adherent response to the guideline changes. Adjusting for stratum-specific baseline testing rates and test-positivity did not influence the results. Our findings suggest that the population was responsive to the rapid changes in testing guidelines, but with clear sociodemographic differences in the strength of the response.

DepActive: study protocol for a randomised controlled multicentre trial of telephone-delivered behavioural activation for the treatment of depression in older adults in primary care

BackgroundDepression is common in older adults and is related to reduced quality of life and functional ability as well as increased mortality and morbidity. Current guidelines recommend psychological treatments for the treatment of depression in adults. Studies show that about 30% of older adults with depression in Sweden receive pharmacological treatment and about 3% receive psychological treatment. However, a majority receive no treatment at all. There is a need for effective and scalable psychological treatment options for older adults with depression in primary care. Behavioural activation is an extensively evaluated, effective, and relatively simple treatment for depression that can be delivered by health care professionals without comprehensive training in psychological treatment.MethodsWe will conduct a randomised controlled 2-armed parallel group multicentre trial comparing treatment as usual in primary care to a five-session telephone-delivered behavioural activation treatment as add on to treatment as usual. The current trial is open labelled. In all, 250 older adults (≥ 65 years) with depression will be recruited from primary healthcare centres in three Swedish regions. The primary outcome is depressive symptoms measured with the Montgomery Åsberg Depression Rating Scale – Self rating version (MADRS-S) after treatment and at 3- and 6-month follow-up. Secondary outcomes include depression diagnoses, activity level (self-rated and measured with accelerometer), and self-rated anxiety, daily functioning, quality of life, self-efficacy, and loneliness.DiscussionThere is a need for fully powered studies of brief behavioural activation for older adults with depression delivered by telephone in a primary care context. This study has the potential to improve first-line treatment of depression in older adults in primary care, consequently reducing morbidity and mortality within this population. Increasing the availability and accessibility to effective psychological treatment for depression in older adults is needed to meet future demographic changes.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov: NCT06284889. Registered February 28, 2024.

Bridging the Gaps Within and Between Public Services Through Samverket, a New Co-Working Concept

ABSTRACT Gaps within and between public actors cause inefficient, incomplete, and inequitable public services. A new co-working concept, Samverket, was designed and tested to address these shortcomings in two Swedish regions. This paper investigated qualitatively how public sector employees perceived the conditions for cross-organizational networking, learning, and collaboration when using Samverket and whether they experienced positive outcomes for society. The results show that this co-working concept can innovate public services and highlight which conditions are optimal when designing and using such a workplace for public sector employees. These new findings are relevant to the public sector, practitioners, policymakers, and researchers.

The Safe Environment for Every Kid Model in the Swedish Child Health Services: Adoption and Introduction in a Healthcare Region.

Early support for children and families in need can improve children's health and development. In a Swedish region, a new working model called Safe Environment for Every Kid (SEEK) was introduced in the Child Health Services to facilitate the early identification of psychosocial risk factors. The aim of this study was to describe the adoption and introduction of the SEEK model in the Child Health Services of Region Jönköping County. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, whereas qualitative data were analysed separately by a thematic approach. The results were then interpreted together with documents (including CHS management meeting notes and documents describing planning and training sessions) using an exploratory mixed-methods approach to give a comprehensive description of the adoption and introduction of the SEEK model. The results show that the SEEK model improved coordination and collaboration, which led to better integrated care for children and families. The structure was regarded as supportive when introducing the SEEK model in Child Health Services. The questionnaire, as part of the SEEK model, was used in 88% of possible health visits. The most reported reason for not using it was a lack of time. The desire to make a difference and thereby promote better health and development for children was a crucial factor for the nurses in adopting the SEEK model in their clinical practice. The design using coaches was also appreciated and supported the adoption and introduction of the SEEK model. Parents and healthcare professionals did not contribute to the research process. The results are based on dialogues between CHS nurses and parents after the parents filled in the SEEK questionnaire, providing an understanding of professional relationships when dealing with challenging issues.

Calling for allied efforts to strengthen digital health literacy in Sweden: perspectives of policy makers

BackgroundA more digitalised world comes with the promise to improve people’s lives. Therefore, it is essential that policymakers also align digital interventions with initiatives to empower citizens and strengthen their digital health literacy. The aim of this study was to explore the views of Swedish policymakers regarding the potential and barriers of a European strategy to strengthen digital health literacy.MethodRepresentatives from Swedish governmental agencies and regions were purposively approached by email to ask them to participate in online workshops to discuss the potential and barriers of developing a European strategy to strengthen digital health literacy.ResultsThe results highlight the need for a national strategy to strengthen digital health literacy. The findings point to critical areas for improvement, ethical and social considerations, and the importance of inclusive and accessible health information online. Participants identified vulnerable groups requiring targeted support to enhance their digital health literacy, particularly those at risk of digital exclusion. Participants emphasised the importance of considering various combinations of conditions or problems that people may have, urging policymakers to adopt a nuanced approach to enhance digital literacy.ConclusionsThere is a critical need for policymakers to strengthen digital health literacy in the population to ensure health equity in relation to digitalisation opportunities. Policymakers advocate for a dedicated national strategy, supporting policymakers to prioritize digital health literacy. Tailoring information, enhancing digital support for prevention, and considering ethical implications are reported as important aspects to improve digital health literacy.

Accounting for digital promises: restoring and transforming promissory narratives

PurposeThe paper investigates the relationship between accounting and promises in the context of digital change.Design/methodology/approachRelying on emergent literature on accounting and promises, a qualitative field study has been conducted covering 57 interviews with municipal directors, digitalization strategists, administration managers and CFOs in a Swedish region consisting of 13 municipalities.FindingsThe paper provides insights into how municipalities draw on accounting in attempts to reconstruct promissory narratives of the digital. By highlighting two contrasting cases, we show how this can involve practices of either restoration or transformation. Likewise, we find that attempts to restore promises can sometimes have unanticipated effects, in our case a transformation of the promise instead.Originality/valueWe introduce a “promise” lens to the literature on accounting and digital change and empirically describe how accounting is implicated in shaping promises in the context of public sector digital change.

Understanding collaboration beyond contracting: the relationship between inter-organizational collaboration and hard/soft control

PurposeThis paper aims to extend insights about the relationship between inter-organizational collaboration and approaches to control from the perspective of decision-makers. We investigate the relationship between approaches to control and intended forms of integration between actors responsible for solving the complex problem of integrated person-centered care for elderly with diverse and significant needs.Design/methodology/approachThe empirical study is based on a content analysis of contractual agreements. We have analyzed a total of 118 collaboration agreements and associative documents between all Swedish regions and municipalities.FindingsThe study shows that intended integration is subject to remarkable variation in intended forms of inter-organizational collaboration in this Swedish case. The paper illustrates that decision-makers’ intentions with proposed collaboration in each given context are important for the chosen approach to control. Regardless of intended forms of integration, our study suggests that an imminent soft approach to control is expressed alongside limited signs of hard control. Various forms of intended integration can be managed by the two approaches simultaneously insofar as the agreements appear to have a two-sided purpose.Originality/valueOur paper proposes an empirically driven taxonomy of intended forms of integration initiatives. The taxonomy provides resources for studies about how collaboration can be managed when it is stipulated by national legislation but local self-governance gives actors considerable freedom to decide on how to organize and manage services. By presenting the taxonomy and relating this to approaches of control, our iterative study builds on and adds to a recent stream of research arguing that the relationship between collaboration and approaches to control may by fuzzier and more complex than originally thought.

Obesity and its association with self-efficacy and metabolic risk factors by region of birth among 40-year-olds participating in the Swedish targeted health dialogues

ObjectiveTargeted Health Dialogues (THD) is a public health intervention program that aims at preventing cardiovascular disease. THDs were implemented in the Swedish region Scania, in 2020, with the novelty of being conducted in a metropolitan area with a multiethnic population.This study investigated the prevalence of obesity among 40-year-old THD participants in Scania by region of birth, and its associations with self-efficacy and additional metabolic risk factors. MethodsCross-sectional data were retrieved from measurements in the THDs. Study participants included 1831 40-year-olds. Differences in characteristics by region of birth were assessed using chi-squared and ANOVA tests. The associations between overweight, obesity, and high waist-hip ratio (WHR) and self-efficacy and metabolic risk factors (blood pressure, LDL cholesterol, plasma glucose) were assessed using binominal and ordinal logistic regression, adjusted for sex and education and tested for interactions by region of birth. Results35.1 % of the participants were overweight (BMI 25–29.9), and 18.7 % were obese (BMI ≥30) with the highest levels among participants born outside Sweden (p = 0.005). Abdominal obesity was also more prevalent among participants born outside Sweden (p = 0.002). Obesity was associated with increased odds of having low self-efficacy (OR per BMI-level: 1.48 (CI 1.24–1.76) and additional metabolic risk factors. No interactions with region of birth were detected. ConclusionsThe prevalence of obesity differed between region of birth and obesity was associated with having low self-efficacy. These findings underline the need to customise lifestyle interventions in a multiethnic population to increase health equity.

Quality improvement development in Swedish healthcare and welfare services

PurposeQuality improvement has developed and spread, and today, all Swedish Regions emphasize that their strategies are based on systematic improvement. This paper aims to describe and illuminate the development of Quality Improvement (QI) in Swedish healthcare and welfare organizations by using publications in a Swedish context.Design/methodology/approachThe overview synthesis is inspired by a scoping literature review approach of relevant literature. All publications relevant to Swedish healthcare and welfare settings between 1992 until 2020 were included.FindingsIn all, 213 papers, 29 books and chapters and 34 dissertations related to QI and research in Swedish healthcare and welfare context were identified. From 2011 to 2020, the publication rate increased rapidly. Six different focus areas emerged: systematic and value-creating improvement work; collaboration between organizations and healthcare providers; use of improvement methods and (theoretical) models; leadership and learning; measurements, quality registers and follow-up; and involvement and patient safety. Further QI development in Swedish healthcare and welfare points to an increased importance of collaboration between organizations and coproduction with beneficiaries for the healthcare and welfare services.Originality/valueThis paper is one of the first to describe and illuminate the QI development in the healthcare and welfare sector in a country. The trajectory also points to a need for coproduction to handle future challenges.

Statin treatment for primary and secondary prevention in elderly patients—a cross-sectional study in Stockholm, Sweden

BackgroundAge is a major risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD) and death, but there has been a debate about benefit-risk of statin treatment in the elderly with limited evidence on benefits for primary prevention, while there is strong evidence for its use in secondary prevention.AimThe aim of this study was to provide an overview of statin utilization in primary and secondary prevention for patients 75–84 years and ≥ 85 years in the Swedish capital Region Stockholm in 2019.MethodsThis is a cross-sectional study based on the regional healthcare database VAL containing all diagnoses and dispensed prescription drugs for all 174,950 inhabitants ≥ 75 years old in the Stockholm Region. Prevalence and incidence were analyzed by sex, age, cardiovascular risk, substance, and the intensity of treatment.ResultsA total of 35% of all individuals above the age of 75 in the region were treated with statins in 2019. The overall incidence in this age group was 31 patients per 1000 inhabitants. Men, individuals 75–84 compared to ≥ 85 years of age, and those with higher cardiovascular risk were treated to a greater extent. Simvastatin was used primarily by prevalent users and atorvastatin by incident users. The majority was treated with moderate-intensity dosages and fewer women received high intensity treatment.ConclusionsStatins are widely prescribed in the elderly. Physicians seem to consider individual cardiovascular risk when deciding to initiate statin treatment for elderly patients, but here may still be some undertreatment among high-risk patients (especially women and elderly 85 + years) and some overtreatment among patients with low-risk for CVD.

The National Swedish Lymphoma Register - a systematic validation of data quality.

The Swedish Lymphoma Register (SLR) was initiated in the year 2000 with the aim to monitor quality of care in diagnostics, treatment and outcome of all lymphomas diagnosed nationally among adults. Here, we present the first systematic validation of SLR records as a basis for improved register quality and patient care. We evaluated timeliness and completeness of register records among patients diagnosed with lymphoma in the SLR (n = 16,905) compared with the National Cancer Register for the period 2013-2020. Comparability was assessed through evaluation of coding routines against national and international guidelines. Accuracy of 42 variables was evaluated through re-abstraction of data from medical records among 600 randomly selected patients diagnosed in 2016-2017 and treated across all six Swedish healthcare regions. Results: Completeness was high, >95% per year for the period 2013-2018, and >89% for 2019-2020 compared to the National Cancer Register. One in four patients was registered within 3 months, and 89.9% within 2 years of diagnosis. Registration instructions and coding procedures followed the prespecified guidelines. Missingness was generally low (<5%), but high for occasional variables, for example, those describing maintenance and consolidative treatment. Exact agreement of categorical variables was high overall (>80% for 24/34 variables), especially for treatment-related data (>80% for 17/19 variables). Completeness and accuracy are high in the SLR, while timeliness could be improved. Finetuning of variable registration guided by this validation can further improve reliability of register reports and advance service to lymphoma patients and health care in the future.

CRP, Fibrinogen, White Blood Cells, and Blood Cell Indices as Prognostic Biomarkers of Future COPD Exacerbation Frequency: The TIE Cohort Study.

Background/Objective: Systemic inflammation is common in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and evidence suggests that inflammatory biomarkers can predict acute exacerbations (AECOPDs). The aim of this study was to analyse whether C-reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen, white blood cell count (WBC), or the blood cell indices PLR (platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio), SII (systemic immune inflammation index), SIRI (systemic inflammation response index), and AISI (aggregate index of systemic inflammation) can predict future AECOPDs. Methods: In the Tools Identifying Exacerbations (TIE) cohort study, participants with spirometry-confirmed COPD were recruited from primary and secondary care in three Swedish regions and assessed during a stable phase of COPD. AECOPD frequency during the three-year follow-up was reviewed in medical records. Associations were analysed via ordinal logistic regressions. Results: Of the 571 participants, 46% had ≥1 AECOPD during follow-up, and the mean ± SD AECOPD frequency was 0.63 ± 1.2/year. In unadjusted analyses, high levels of CRP (odds ratio 1.86, 95% CI 1.29-2.67), fibrinogen (2.09, 1.38-3.16), WBCs (2.18, 1.52-3.13), SII (1.52, 1.05-2.19), SIRI (1.76, 1.23-2.52), and AISI (1.99, 1.38-2.87) were associated with a higher AECOPD frequency. After adjustment for AECOPD history, age, sex, smoking, body mass index, COPD Assessment Test score, lung function, and inhaled corticosteroid use, associations remained for high levels of CRP (adjusted odds ratio of 1.64; 95% CI of 1.08-2.49), fibrinogen (1.55; 1.07-2.24), and WBC (1.65; 1.10-2.47). Conclusions: CRP, fibrinogen, and WBC, assessed during stable-phase COPD, enhanced AECOPD prediction, whereas PLR, SII, SIRI, and AISI did not.

Current trends in the medical treatment of neuropathic low back pain: a Swedish registry-based study of 1.7 million people

BackgroundLow back pain, a common problem worldwide, causes more global disability than any other condition and is associated with high costs to society. This observational registry-based study describes the current trends in the medical treatment of neuropathic low back pain in the Swedish region of Västra Götaland, which has a population of 1.7 million. The study aims to; (1) identify the prevalence of neuropathic low back pain within the study population; (2) to explore the patterns of medical treatment utilization, including the prevalence and distribution of opioids (OG) and analgesics specified for neuropathic low back pain (NG) and (3) to evaluate the long-term trends and changes in medical treatment practice for neuropathic low back pain over the study period.MethodsThis study includes a descriptive analysis of aggregated data extracted from the Swedish primary care registry VEGA and the pharmaceutical prescription registry Digitalis between the years 2017 and 2021. The data were stratified by year, age, gender, pharmaceutical code (ATC), and sub-diagnoses and presented as the prevalence of unique patients retrieving prescribed medication within six months before or after a registered diagnosis of neuropathic low back pain. The pharmaceutical codes were furthermore grouped into two groups depending on their mechanism of action; opioid group (OG) and neuropathic group (NG).ResultsIn all four diagnosis groups, more patients used opioid analgesics than neuropathic analgesics. The greatest difference between the opioid group and neuropathic group was in the lumbar spinal stenosis diagnosis group (67.1% vs. 40.6%), followed by the lumbar root canal stenosis diagnosis (65.9% vs. 44.2%), the nerve root and plexus compressions in intervertebral disc disorders diagnosis (57.5% vs. 40.8%), and lumbago with sciatica diagnosis (38.4% vs. 22.7%).ConclusionsThe trends suggest a general increase in the prescription rate and therefore patients’ use of neuropathic analgesics for neuropathic pain associated with the studied diagnoses. However, opioid treatment remains the most common. The results indicate that the treatment for neuropathic low back pain needs to be improved.