Johan Styrke

Long-term Follow-up of Patients with Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: A Mixed-method Study

OBJECTIVE To characterize the long-term consequences of mild traumatic brain injury regarding post-concussion symptoms, post-traumatic stress, and quality of life; and to investigate differences between men and women. DESIGN Retrospective mixed-methods study. SUBJECTS/PATIENTS AND METHODS Of 214 patients with mild traumatic brain injury seeking acute care, 163 answered questionnaires concerning post-concussion symptoms (Rivermead Post-Concussion Symptoms Questionnaire; RPQ), post-traumatic stress (Impact of Event Scale; IES), and quality of life (Short Form Health Survey; SF-36) 3 years post-injury. A total of 21 patients underwent a medical examination in connection with the survey. The patients were contacted 11 years later, and 10 were interviewed. Interview data were analysed with content analysis. RESULTS The mean total RPQ score was 12.7 (standard deviation; SD 12.9); 10.5 (SD 11.9) for men and 15.9 (SD 13.8) for women (p = 0.006). The 5 most common symptoms were fatigue (53.4%), poor memory (52.5%), headache (50.9%), frustration (47.9%) and depression (47.2%). The mean total IES score was 9.6 (SD 12.9) 7.1 (SD 10.3) for men and 13.0 (SD 15.2) for women (p = 0.004). In general, the studied population had low scores on the Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). The interviews revealed that some patients still had disabling post-concussion symptoms and consequences in many areas of life 11 years after the injury event. CONCLUSION Long-term consequences were present for approximately 50% of the patients 3 years after mild traumatic brain injury and were also reported 11 years after mild traumatic brain injury. This needs to be taken into account by healthcare professionals and society in general when dealing with people who have undergone mild traumatic brain injury.

A 10-Year Incidence of Acute Whiplash Injuries After Road Traffic Crashes in a Defined Population in Northern Sweden

To examine the annual incidence of acute whiplash injuries after road traffic crashes in a geographic catchment area in Northern Sweden during the period 2000‐2009.

SEX DIFFERENCES IN SYMPTOMS, DISABILITY AND LIFE SATISFACTION THREE YEARS AFTER MILD TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY: A POPULATION- BASED COHORT STUDY

OBJECTIVE To investigate sex differences in symptoms, structure of symptoms, disability and life satisfaction 3 years after mild traumatic brain injury. Secondary aims were to find risk factors for adverse outcome. DESIGN Population-based cohort study. PATIENTS The cohort comprised 137,000 inhabitants at risk in a defined population served by a single hospital in northern Sweden. Patients attending the emergency department following a mild traumatic brain injury in 2001 were included. METHODS Of 214 patients aged 18-64 years, 163 answered a questionnaire on symptoms, disability, and life-satisfaction 3 years post-injury. The instruments were analysed with descriptive statistics. A principal component analysis of the Rivermead Post-Concussion Symptoms Questionnaire was conducted. Risk factors were identified using logistic regression. RESULTS Post-concussion syndrome was found in 50% of the women and 30% of the men. Disability was found in 52% of the women and 37% of the men, and 57% of the women and 56% of the men were satisfied with their lives. For both genders, high frequency of symptoms was a risk factor for disability and low life satisfaction. Back pain was a risk factor for disability. Living alone was a risk factor for low levels of life satisfaction. The principal component analysis revealed differences between the sexes. CONCLUSION There are sex differences in outcome 3 years after mild traumatic brain injury. Women and men should be analysed separately.

Parastomal hernia after ileal conduit with a prophylactic mesh: a 10 year consecutive case series

Abstract Objective. There are no data on the frequency of parastomal hernia (PSH) after ileal conduit with a prophylactic mesh. The primary objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of PSH. Secondary objectives were to elaborate whether age, gender, body mass index (BMI), previous laparotomy or diabetes influenced the outcome; and to find any mesh-related complications. Materials and methods. In a single centre during 2003-2012, a large-pore, lightweight mesh was placed in a sublay position in 114 consecutive patients with ileal conduits. Preoperative and postoperative patient data were retrospectively collected and cross-sectional follow-up was conducted. During the predefined clinical examination a PSH was defined as any protrusion in the vicinity of the ostomy with the patient straining in both an erect and a supine position. Results.Fifty-eight patients (24 women and 34 men, mean age 69 years) had follow-up examinations after a mean of 35 months (median 32 months). Bladder cancer was the most common cause for surgery. Eight patients (14%) had a PSH. Age, gender, BMI, previous laparotomy and diabetes did not affect the outcome. No mesh-related complications occurred among the 114 patients with a prophylactic mesh. Conclusions. The prevalence of PSH after ileal conduit with a prophylactic mesh corresponded to that of colostomies with a prophylactic mesh. A prophylactic mesh did not seem to be associated with complications. The degree to which a prophylactic mesh may reduce the rate of PSH after an ileal conduit should be established in randomized trials.

Symptoms, disabilities, and life satisfaction five years after whiplash injuries

Abstract Background Chronic whiplash-associated disorders (WADs) are often associated with social functioning problems and decreased ability to perform previous activities. This may lead to decreased life satisfaction, which is insufficiently studied in the context of whiplash injuries. Symptoms included in chronic WAD are similar to symptoms frequently reported by persons who have sustained mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI)/concussion. In cases of MTBI, the severity and number of symptoms have been suggested to have a diagnostic value. The corresponding importance of symptoms in chronic WAD has not been documented. Most studies of whiplash injuries have focused on neck pain because this is the dominant complaint, while other symptoms are less studied. The frequency of long-term symptoms after whiplash injuries seems to vary. It is difficult to compare the long-term outcome since the follow-up after whiplash injury in most studies has been rather short. Therefore, the primary aim of this investigation was to study neck pain and other symptoms, disability, and life satisfaction five years after whiplash injury in a defined population and geographical area. Methods The study was carried out at a public hospital in northern Sweden and was a cross-sectional survey of patients five years after the injury event in a cohort of whiplash-injured patients. Five years after the emergency department visit, 186 persons aged 18–64 answered questionnaires on symptoms (Rivermead Post-Concussion Symptoms Questionnaire, RPQ), disabilities (Rivermead Head Injury Follow Up Questionnaire, RHFUQ), and life satisfaction (LiSat-11). The answers were compared to those of a comparison cohort. Results The most common symptoms five years after whiplash injury were fatigue (41%), poor memory (39%), and headache (37%). Inability to sustain previous workload (44%) and fatigue at work (43%) were frequently reported disabilities. Only 39% were satisfied with their somatic health and 60% with their psychological health. Compared with healthy controls, the whiplash injured exhibited more symptoms and had lower life satisfaction. Women reported significantly higher pain intensity than men. Few significant differences between women and men regarding the other parameters were found. Conclusions This study shows that five years after a whiplash injury, patients reported symptoms that are typical of mild traumatic brain injury. Further, this study emphasizes the possibility of screening patients with chronic WAD for these symptoms as a complement to the assessment. Implications Untreated symptoms may negatively affect the outcome of pain rehabilitation. This implies that it might be clinically meaningful to quantify symptoms earlier in the rehabilitation process

Evaluation of the diagnostic accuracy of UBC® Rapid in bladder cancer: a Swedish multicentre study

Abstract Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the diagnostic accuracy of UBC® Rapid – a urine-based marker for bladder cancer – in patients with bladder cancer and controls, and to compare the test results across risk groups. Materials and methods: This prospective phase II study was conducted at four Swedish hospitals. UBC Rapid was evaluated in four groups: A, newly diagnosed bladder cancer (n = 94); B, follow-up of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (n = 75); C, benign urinary tract diseases (n = 51); and D, healthy controls (n = 50). Tumours were divided into high risk (carcinoma in situ, TaG3, T1, T2 and T3) and low risk (low malignant potential, TaG1 and TaG2). Urine samples were quantitatively analysed by UBC Rapid. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) were calculated based on optimal cut-off (receiver operator characteristics curve analysis). A linear regression compared the UBC Rapid results in the different risk groups. Results: The optimal cut-off was 8.1 μg/l. The median UBC Rapid values were 9.3 μg/l [interquartile range (IQR) 30.9] and 4.3 μg/l (IQR 7.8) in patients with positive and negative cystoscopy, respectively (p < .001). The value for group A was 15.6 μg/l (IQR 37.9), group B 5.6 μg/l (IQR 8.6), group C 5.1 μg/l (IQR 9.0) and group D 3.3 μg/l (IQR 7.1). Sensitivity was 70.8%, specificity 61.4%, PPV 71.3% and NPV 60.8%. The high-risk group had significantly higher UBC Rapid values than the low-risk group: 20.5 μg/l (IQR 42.2), sensitivity 79.2% and specificity 61.4% versus 7.0 μg/l (IQR 9.9), sensitivity 60.0% and specificity 61.4% (p = .039). Conclusions: The UBC Rapid urine-based marker for bladder cancer gave higher values in patients with positive than in those with negative cystoscopy. The diagnostic accuracy was better in patients with high-risk than in those with low-risk tumours, and was better during primary detection than during surveillance.

Occurrence of abdominal bulging and hernia after open partial nephrectomy: a retrospective cohort study

Abstract Objective: Abdominal bulging and incisional hernia are known sequelae after open partial nephrectomy (OPN) via a flank incision. Precise rates are not known. The aims of this study were to determine the rates of bulging and hernia after OPN, and to examine potential risk factors. Materials and methods: A retrospective review was undertaken of 197 consecutive patients operated on with OPN via a flank incision between 2004 and 2014. After exclusion, 184 patients remained. Medical records and radiological images from the preoperative work-up, and follow-up after surgery at 3, 12 and 24 months, were reviewed. Results: A visible bulge was noted in 36 of the 184 patients at clinical examination. Only 20 cases (12%) remained at the last follow-up. Radiological changes interpreted as a bulge were initially seen in 50 patients, while only 35 (19%) remained at the last radiological examination. Clinical incisional hernia was reported in five patients (3%), and radiological hernia was seen in 10 patients (5%). Patients who developed a hernia had a higher body mass index (30 vs 26 kg/m2, p = 0.02). Other demographic variables showed no significant correlation. Conclusions: Bulging is a common sequela after flank incision. The rate of incisional hernia after flank incision is comparable to rates after other forms of abdominal surgery. Further studies are required to evaluate the psychological and physiological effects of bulging, the pain and weakness caused, and the cosmetic embarrassment suffered by the patient.

Neck injury after whiplash trauma in a defined population in Northern Sweden : long term sick leave and costs of low productivity

Background: Neck injuries following whiplash trauma can lead to long-term sequelae. Population-based studies covering traffic and non-traffic whiplash trauma are rare. The aim was to describe the i ...