Karl Ove Hufthammer

Is self-rated health a stable and predictive factor for allostatic load in early adulthood? Findings from the Nord Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT)

Self-rated health (SRH) is a widely used health indicator predicting morbidity and mortality in a wide range of populations. However, little is known about the stability and biological basis of SRH. The aim of this study was to map the stability of SRH from adolescence to early adulthood, and to examine the relationships between SRH and biological dysregulation, in terms of allostatic load (AL). The AL score comprises the eleven biomarkers systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), heart rate (HR), cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), triglycerides, waist-hip ratio (WHR), diabetes risk profile, glucose, C-reactive protein (CRP) and body mass index (BMI). Eleven years prospective data from the Nord-Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT), Norway, were utilised. Baseline data were gathered from 9141 adolescents (mean age 15.9 years) in the Young-HUNT I survey (1995-1997) and follow-up data were gathered from the adult HUNT3 survey (2006-2008). Altogether, 1906 respondents completed both questionnaires and clinical measurements in both studies. Cross-tables for SRH at baseline and follow-up showed that SRH remained unchanged in 57% of the respondents. Only 3% of the respondents changed their ratings by two steps or more on a four-level scale. Further, linear regression analyses adjusted for age and gender revealed that SRH in adolescence predicted AL in young adulthood. Similar patterns were found for most of the individual biomarkers. The consistency found in SRH from adolescence to young adulthood, and its association with AL across time, indicate that routines for dealing with SRH early in life may be a central strategy to prevent morbidity in the adult population.

Comparison of Frequency, Risk Factors, and Time Course of Postoperative Delirium in Octogenarians After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation Versus Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement

Postoperative delirium (PD) after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) remains to be explored. We sought to (1) determine the incidence of PD in octogenarians who underwent TAVI or surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR), (2) identify its risk factors, and (3) describe possible differences in the onset and course of PD between treatment groups. A prospective cohort study of consecutive patients aged ≥80 years with severe aortic stenosis who underwent elective TAVI or SAVR (N = 143) was conducted. The incidence of PD was assessed for 5 days using the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM). Risk factors for PD were studied with logistic regression. Patients treated with TAVI were older (p ≤0.001), had lower cognitive scores (p = 0.007), and more co-morbidities (p = 0.003). Despite this, significantly fewer (p = 0.013) patients treated with TAVI (44%) experienced PD compared to patients treated with SAVR (66%). Undergoing SAVR (p = 0.02) and having lower cognitive function (p = 0.03) emerged as risk factors for PD, whereas gender, activities of daily living, frailty, atrial fibrillation, and postoperative use of opioids and anxiolytics did not. Patients treated with TAVI and without PD during the first 2 postoperative days were unlikely to experience PD on subsequent days. The onset of PD after SAVR could occur at any time during the postoperative evaluation. In conclusion, SAVR in octogenarian patients with aortic stenosis might be considered as a predisposing factor for PD. Our data also suggest that the onset of PD was more unpredictable after SAVR.

Fatigue and quality of life in women treated for various types of gynaecological cancers: a cross-sectional study

Aims and objectives To examine the prevalence of cancer-related fatigue in women treated for various types of gynaecological cancers and, for these cancers, to assess fatigue in relation to distress, health-related quality of life, demography and treatment characteristics. Background Advances in treatment of cancer have improved the likelihood of survival. Consequently, there are a growing number of patients who become survivors after cancer and who face side effects even years after treatment. One of the most frequently reported side effects across all types and stages of the disease is cancer-related fatigue. Design A descriptive cross-sectional study. Methods One hundred and twenty women treated for gynaecological cancers who were participants in an intervention study were included. Fatigue, psychological distress, health-related QoL and demographics were assessed by questionnaires. Disease and treatment characteristics were extracted from medical records. Results Cancer-related fatigue was reported in 53% of the women treated for gynaecological cancers, with a higher proportion in the group of cervical cancer, followed by ovarian cancer. Younger participants reported fatigue more frequently than older participants. When adjusting for age, the type of cancer a woman experiences was shown to have little impact on her risk of experiencing fatigue. The participants with fatigue reported higher levels of anxiety and depression than participants without fatigue. There was a relationship between fatigue and quality of life as measured by SF-36 domains. Conclusion The findings underscore the importance of screening for fatigue, patient education and symptom management. This should be included in a standard procedure during treatment and follow-up. Both somatic and psychological aspects of fatigue should be emphasised. Relevance to clinical practice The findings imply the need for health personnel to have focus on fatigue during the entire cancer trajectory of women after gynaecological cancers, as well as the need for screening, information, guidance and symptom management.

Cognitive function and health-related quality of life four years after cardiac arrest

AIM Neuropsychological testing has uncovered cognitive impairment in cardiac arrest survivors with good neurologic outcome according to the cerebral performance categories. We investigated cognitive function and health-related quality of life four years after cardiac arrest. METHODS Thirty cardiac arrest survivors over the age of 18 in cerebral performance category 1 or 2 on hospital discharge completed the EQ-5D-5L and HADS questionnaires prior to cognitive testing using the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery. The results were compared with population norms. RESULTS Twenty-nine per cent of patients were cognitively impaired. The pattern of cognitive impairment reflects dysfunction in the medial temporal lobe, with impaired short-time memory and executive function slightly but distinctly affected. There was a significant reduction in quality of life on the EQ-VAS, but not on the EQ index. CONCLUSION Cognitive impairment four years after cardiac arrest affected more than one quarter of the patients. Short-term memory was predominantly affected.

Delirium as a Predictor of Physical and Cognitive Function in Individuals Aged 80 and Older After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation or Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement

To determine how development of delirium after surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) or transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) could predict activity of daily living (ADL) and instrumental ADLs (IADL) disability, cognitive function, and self‐reported health in individuals aged 80 and older.

Employment status and sick-leave following obesity surgery: a five-year prospective cohort study.

Background. Severe obesity is a risk factor for lower participation in paid work, but whether employment increases and sick leave decreases after obesity surgery is not well documented. Methods. We assessed 224 Norwegian patients with severe obesity (mean age: 40; mean BMI: 49; 61% female) regarding employment status (working versus not working) and the number of days of sick leave during the preceding 12 months, before and five years after obesity surgery (75% follow-up rate). Logistic regression analysis was used to study preoperative predictors of employment status after surgery. Results. There were no change in the employment rate over time (54% versus 58%), but the number of days of sick leave per year was significantly reduced, from a mean of 63 to a mean of 26, and from a median of 36 to a median of 4. Most of this change was attributable to patients with zero days of sick leave, which increased from 25% to 41%. Being female, older, having low education level, receiving disability pension and not being employed before obesity surgery were important risk factors for not being employed after obesity surgery. The type of obesity surgery, BMI and marital status were not useful predictors. Conclusions. Our findings suggest that undergoing obesity surgery is not associated with a higher rate of employment, although it may reduce the number of days of sick leave. Additional interventions are likely needed to influence the employment status of these patients. The significant preoperative predictors of not being employed in this study provide suggestions for further research.

Changes in self-reported health and quality of life in octogenarian patients one month after transcatheter aortic valve implantation

Background: In addition to favourable results regarding mortality and morbidity it is important to identify the impact transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has on patients’ quality of life. Aims: The aims were: (i) to describe clinical characteristics, self-reported health and quality of life in octogenarians before TAVI intervention; (ii) to determine changes in self-reported health and quality of life one month after TAVI; and (iii) to establish the clinical importance of the findings. Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted on consecutively enrolled octogenarians with severe aortic stenosis undergoing TAVI (N = 65). Self-reported health and quality of life were recorded at baseline and one month later using two global questions from the World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument Abbreviated (WHOQOL-BREF), the generic Short Form Health 12 and the disease-specific Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire. Results: One month after TAVI, WHOQOL-BREF showed that self-reported health improved moderately (p < 0.001), while quality of life improved slightly, but not statistically significantly (p = 0.06). There were changes in all Short Form Health 12 domains, except social functioning and role emotional. The estimated changes were 3.6 to 5.8 with large confidence intervals. The Physical Component Summary increased statistically significantly from baseline to 30 days (30.6–34.7; p = 0.02), but the Mental Component Summary did not (46.9–50.0; p = 0.13). Conclusion: Despite being an advanced treatment performed in a high risk population, TAVI in octogenarians improves short-term self-reported global health and generic physical health and quality of life. These patient-reported outcomes have importance, particularly in this age group.

Sexual activity and functioning in women treated for gynaecological cancers

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES A description and comparison of sexual activity and function in relation to various gynaecological cancer diagnoses, treatment modalities, age groups, psychological distress and health-related quality of life. BACKGROUND Various forms of gynaecological cancer have the potential to negatively influence sexual functioning, but there are few studies that describe and compare sexual activity and functioning according to diagnosis. DESIGN A descriptive cross-sectional study. METHODS The study includes 129 women from an intervention study. The questionnaires addressed sexuality, psychological distress, health-related quality of life and demographics. Disease and treatment characteristics were extracted from medical records. RESULTS Close to two-thirds of the women were sexually active. However, 54% of the sexually active women reported that they were not satisfied or little satisfied with their sexual activity. About half of the women reported dryness in the vagina, and 41% reported pain and discomfort during penetration. There were no significant differences concerning pleasure and discomfort related to treatment modality, diagnoses or FIGO stage. CONCLUSION Health personnel should make a priority of sexuality throughout a patients cancer treatment and in the follow-up, as sexuality is a vital part of a good life. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE Since the patients experience relatively low satisfaction with their sexual activity and many report pain during penetration, health personnel need to be sensitive to the woman, her questions, and her needs. Of importance are also the personnels ability to communicate and their expertise in diagnosing and treating difficulties relating to sexuality.

Sleep in octogenarians during the postoperative phase after transcatheter or surgical aortic valve replacement.

Background: Octogenarians with aortic stenosis are an increasing population of patients admitted for surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) or transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). Although adequate sleep is important after illness and surgery, it has scarcely been studied in the immediate postoperative phase. Aims: To determine and compare the nature of self-reported sleep and insomnia, and recorded sleep–wake patterns in octogenarians during the in-hospital postoperative phase after SAVR or TAVI. Methods: A prospective cohort design was used that included octogenarian patients undergoing SAVR or TAVI at a regional university hospital. Self-reports were used to document sleep and insomnia, and actigraphy was used to record sleep–wake patterns. Data were collected at baseline preoperatively, and then daily for the first five postoperative days. Results: SAVR patients experienced the most insomnia on postoperative nights later in recovery, while TAVI patients experienced the most insomnia on postoperative nights early in recovery. The median total sleep time, as measured by actigraphy, was 6.4 h, and the median sleep efficiency was 79% for the five postoperative nights, but no differences were found between SAVR and TAVI patients on this parameter. All patients slept more during daytime than at night, with SAVR patients having significantly more total sleep hours for all five days than TAVI patients (p < 0.01). Conclusion: Octogenarians with aortic stenosis had disturbed self-reported sleep, increased insomnia, and disturbed sleep–wake patterns postoperatively, resulting in more daytime sleep and inactivity. In patients undergoing SAVR or TAVI, sleep evolves differently during the in-hospital postoperative phase.

Readmissions and mortality in delirious versus non-delirious octogenarian patients after aortic valve therapy: a prospective cohort study

Objectives To determine whether postoperative delirium predicts first-time readmissions and mortality in octogenarian patients within 180 days after aortic valve therapy with surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) or transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI), and to determine the most common diagnoses at readmission. Design Prospective cohort study of patients undergoing elective SAVR or TAVI. Setting Tertiary university hospital that performs all SAVRs and TAVIs in Western Norway. Participants Patients 80+ years scheduled for SAVR or TAVI and willing to participate in the study were eligible. Those unable to speak Norwegian were excluded. Overall, 143 patients were included, and data from 136 are presented. Primary and secondary outcome measures The primary outcome was a composite variable of time from discharge to first all-cause readmission or death. Secondary outcomes were all-cause first readmission alone and mortality within 180 days after discharge, and the primary diagnosis at discharge from first-time readmission. Delirium was assessed with the confusion assessment method. First-time readmissions, diagnoses and mortality were identified in hospital information registries. Results Delirium was identified in 56% of patients. The effect of delirium on readmissions and mortality was greatest during the first 2 months after discharge (adjusted HR 2.9 (95% CI 1.5 to 5.7)). Of 30 first-time readmissions occurring within 30 days, 24 (80%) were patients who experienced delirium. 1 patient (non-delirium group) died within 30 days after therapy. Delirious patients comprised 35 (64%) of 55 first-time readmissions occurring within 180 days. Circulatory system diseases and injuries were common causes of first-time readmissions within 180 days in delirious patients. 8 patients died 180 days after the procedure; 6 (75%) of them experienced delirium. Conclusions Delirium in octogenarians after aortic valve therapy might be a serious risk factor for postoperative morbidity and mortality. Cardiovascular disorders and injuries were associated with first-time readmissions in these patients.