Marie Eliasen

Preoperative smoking status and postoperative complications: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective:To systematically review and summarize the evidence of an association between preoperative smoking status and postoperative complications elaborated on complication type. Background:The conclusions of studies examining the association between preoperative smoking and postoperative complications are inconsistent, thus there is a need for a review and meta-analysis to summarize the existing evidence. Methods:A systematic review and meta-analysis based on a search in MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and PsycINFO. Included were original studies of the association between smoking status and postoperative complications occurring within 30 days of operation. In total, 9354 studies were identified and reviewed for eligibility and data were extracted. Forest plots and summarized relative risks (RR) including 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated for various complication types. Results:Of the 9354 identified studies, 107 studies were included in the meta-analyses and based on these, 157 data sets were extracted. Preoperative smoking was associated with an increased risk of various postoperative complications including general morbidity (RR = 1.52, 95% CI: 1.33–1.74), wound complications (RR = 2.15, 95% CI: 1.87–2.49), general infections (RR = 1.54, 95% CI: 1.32–1.79), pulmonary complications (RR = 1.73, 95% CI: 1.35–2.23), neurological complications (RR = 1.38, 95% CI: 1.01–1.88), and admission to intensive care unit (RR = 1.60, 95% CI: 1.14–2.25). Preoperative smoking status was not observed to be associated with postoperative mortality, cardiovascular complications, bleedings, anastomotic leakage, or allograft rejection. Conclusions:Preoperative smoking was found to be associated with an increased risk of the following postoperative complications: general morbidity, wound complications, general infections, pulmonary complications, neurological complications, and admission to the intensive care unit.

Prenatal alcohol exposure and autistic spectrum disorders - a population-based prospective study of 80 552 children and their mothers.

BACKGROUND To examine whether maternal alcohol intake, including binge drinking (intake > or =5 drinks, equivalent to 60 g pure ethanol on a single occasion), is associated with autistic spectrum disorders (ASD) and infantile autism. METHODS Participants were 80,552 children and their mothers enrolled in the Danish National Birth Cohort from 1996 to 2002. Alcohol consumption was obtained by self-report during pregnancy. Information on ASD was obtained from the Danish Central Psychiatry Register. Follow-up ended on February 2008. Data were analysed by means of Cox regression. RESULTS In total, 401 children were diagnosed with ASD and 157 with infantile autism. No association was found between average alcohol consumption and ASD or infantile autism, respectively. For binge drinking, the adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for ASD was 0.72 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.53-0.97] among women who binge drank once during pregnancy compared with women who did not binge drink. The corresponding HR for infantile autism was 0.61 (95% CI: 0.36-1.02). However, the HR for ASD was 0.84 (95% CI: 0.51-1.36) when restricting the analysis to first-time pregnancies conceived within 6 months of trying. No estimate was made for infantile autism due to low number of cases. No association was seen for more than one binge episode and for the timing of binge drinking. CONCLUSION Our findings do not support that a low prenatal alcohol exposure increases the risk of ASD or infantile autism. The lower risk for women who binge drank once during pregnancy is most likely non-causal.

Preoperative alcohol consumption and postoperative complications: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: To systematically review and summarize the evidence of the association between preoperative alcohol consumption and postoperative complications elaborated on complication type. Background: Conclusions in studies on preoperative alcohol consumption and postoperative complications have been inconsistent. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis based on a search in MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and PsycINFO citations. Included were original studies of the association between preoperative alcohol consumption and postoperative complications occurring within 30 days of the operation. In total, 3676 studies were identified and reviewed for eligibility, and data were extracted. Forest plots and pooled relative risks (RRs), including 95% confidence intervals (CIs), were estimated for several complication types. Results: Fifty-five studies provided data for estimates. Preoperative alcohol consumption was associated with an increased risk of various postoperative complications, including general morbidity (RR = 1.56; 95% CI: 1.31–1.87), general infections (RR = 1.73; 95% CI: 1.32–2.28), wound complications (RR = 1.23; 95% CI: 1.09–1.40), pulmonary complications (RR = 1.80; 95% CI: 1.30–2.49), prolonged stay at the hospital (RR = 1.24; 95% CI: 1.18–1.31), and admission to intensive care unit (RR = 1.29; 95% CI: 1.03–1.61). Clearly defined high alcohol consumption was associated with increased risk of postoperative mortality (RR = 2.68; 95% CI: 1.50–4.78). Low to moderate preoperative alcohol consumption and postoperative complications did not seem to be associated; however, very few studies were included in the analyses hereof. Conclusions: Preoperative alcohol consumption was associated with an increased risk of general postoperative morbidity, general infections, wound complications, pulmonary complications, prolonged stay at the hospital, and admission to intensive care unit.

The relationship between age at drinking onset and subsequent binge drinking among women.

BACKGROUND To examine the association between age at drinking onset and subsequent binge drinking, and to examine whether there are differences in this association between four countries. METHODS The data consisted of 68,539 women aged 18-47 years randomly selected from the general population in Denmark, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. Frequency of binge drinking, defined as consuming >6 U of alcohol at the same occasion once or more per month, and age at drinking debut were assessed through a questionnaire survey. RESULTS Overall, 12-26% reported binge drinking once or more per month in the four countries. Median age for starting drinking was 16 years in all four countries. Women who started drinking at 14 years or younger were significantly more likely to binge drink than women who started drinking at 19 years or older with adjusted odds ratios of 2.9 (95% confidence intervals 2.3-3.7), 2.8 (2.1-3.6) and 2.6 (1.9-3.4) for binge drinking in Denmark, Iceland and Sweden, respectively. Among Norwegian women the association was stronger with an adjusted odds ratio at 4.4 (3.5-5.6). The association in all four countries was more pronounced in women younger than 30 years than in older women. CONCLUSION In the four Nordic countries, there is a strong relation between age at drinking onset and later binge drinking. The strong relationship found in countries with such different alcohol cultures is most likely generalizable to other Western countries.

Smoking and risk of liver cirrhosis: a population-based cohort study

Abstract Objective. Alcohol is the most acknowledged risk factor for liver cirrhosis. Smoking is rarely considered to be a cause of liver cirrhosis even though a few studies have suggested the opposite. The aim of this study was to assess the independent effect of smoking on alcoholic liver cirrhosis and liver cirrhosis in general. Materials and methods. The authors used data from the Copenhagen City Heart Study including a cohort of 9889 women and 8590 men from the Danish general population. Smoking and covariates were assessed at four consecutive examinations in 1976–78, 1981–83, 1991–94 and 2001–03. Updated measures were used in the analyses. Information on incident cases of alcoholic liver cirrhosis and liver cirrhosis was obtained from national hospital registries. Data were analyzed by means of Cox regression. Results. A total of 225 cases of alcoholic liver cirrhosis and 431 cases of liver cirrhosis occurred during follow-up. The hazard ratios (HR) of alcoholic liver cirrhosis was 3.9, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.6, 9.4 for women and 1.6, 95% CI: 0.9, 3.0 for men smoking >10 g of tobacco per day compared with never-smokers. For liver cirrhosis, corresponding HRs were 2.2, 95% CI: 1.4, 3.4 for women and 1.4, 95% CI: 0.9, 2.2 for men. The HRs were adjusted for age, alcohol intake, education and body mass index. Conclusions. Smoking was associated with an increased risk of liver cirrhosis independent of alcohol intake.

Binge drinking, drinking frequency, and risk of ischaemic heart disease: a population-based cohort study.

Introduction: Light-to-moderate alcohol drinking is associated with a decreased risk of ischaemic heart disease (IHD). However, drinking heavily and in binges has been suggested to increase IHD risk. This complexity makes the issue of binge drinking within the light-to-moderate alcohol range an important area for further investigation. Methods: This population-based cohort study included 26,786 men and women who participated in the Danish National Cohort Study in 1994, 2000, and 2005. Binge drinking (defined >5 drinks/day) and risk of IHD and all-cause mortality was investigated among light-to-moderate drinkers (defined ≤21 and ≤14 drinks/week for men and women, respectively). In the entire study population, we investigated the association between drinking frequency, separately and combined with total weekly alcohol intake, and risk of IHD and all-cause mortality. Results: 1136 individuals developed IHD during a mean follow up of 6.9 years. Among male light-to-moderate drinkers reporting occasional binge drinking, the hazard ratio (HR) of IHD was 0.81 (95% CI 0.61–1.08) compared to male light-to-moderate drinkers reporting no binge drinking. Corresponding HR for women was 0.97 (95% CI 0.54–1.76). For women drinking 5–6 days/week, the risk of IHD was lower than for women drinking 1–2 days/week (HR 0.54, 95% CI 0.32–0.90). We did not observe any patterns when looking at combinations of total weekly alcohol intake and drinking frequency. Conclusions: Among light-to-moderate alcohol drinkers, binge drinking was not associated with risk of IHD and all-cause mortality. Overall, drinking frequency did not appear to be an important determinant of the risk of IHD and all-cause mortality.

A longitudinal cohort study of intelligence and later hospitalisation with mental disorder

OBJECTIVE Few studies on the associations between pre-morbid IQ and mental disorders are based on comprehensive assessment of intelligence in both women and men and include a wide range of confounding variables. Thus, the objective of the present study was to examine the association between pre-morbid IQ and hospitalisation with any mental disorder, including possible gender differences in the association. METHODS The study population was born in 1959-61 and premorbid IQ was assessed with the WAIS between 1982 and 1994. Information on mental disorders was obtained from Danish hospital registers with a mean follow-up interval of 21.1years. A total of 1106 participants were analysed. RESULTS Those with a mental disorder had a significantly lower mean pre-morbid IQ score than those without. For women, the adjusted IQ difference was 8.5 points, and for men it was 5.1 points. A decrease of one standard deviation in pre-morbid IQ was associated with 83% greater risk of developing a mental disorder among women (HR=1.83, 95% CI: 1.41-2.36), and 36% among men (HR=1.36, 95% CI: 1.07-1.73). The interaction between gender and IQ was not statistically significant. Associations did not differ noteworthy between verbal and non-verbal IQ. CONCLUSIONS Pre-morbid IQ was found to be significantly associated with the development of mental disorder.

Somatic Symptoms: Prevalence, Co-Occurrence and Associations with Self-Perceived Health and Limitations Due To Physical Health – A Danish Population-Based Study

A high number of somatic symptoms have been associated with poor health status and increased health care use. Previous studies focused on number of symptoms without considering the specific symptoms. The aim of the study was to investigate 1) the prevalence of 19 somatic symptoms, 2) the associations between the symptoms, and 3) the associations between the somatic symptoms, self-perceived health and limitations due to physical health accounting for the co-occurrence of symptoms. Information on 19 somatic symptoms, self-perceived health and limitations due to physical health was achieved from a population-based questionnaire survey of 36,163 randomly selected adults in the Capital Region of Denmark in 2006/07. Chain graph models were used to transparently identify and describe the associations between symptoms, self-perceived health and limitations due to physical health. In total, 94.9% of the respondents were bothered by one or more of the 19 somatic symptoms. The symptoms were associated in a complex structure. Still, recognisable patterns were identified within organ systems/body parts. When accounting for symptom co-occurrence; dizziness, pain in legs, respiratory distress and tiredness were all strongly directly associated with both of the outcomes (γ>0.30). Chest pain was strongly associated with self-perceived health, and other musculoskeletal symptoms and urinary retention were strongly associated with limitations due to physical health. Other symptoms were either moderate or not statistically associated with the health status outcomes. Opposite, almost all the symptoms were strongly associated with the two outcomes when not accounting for symptom co-occurrence. In conclusion, we found that somatic symptoms were frequent and associated in a complex structure. The associations between symptoms and health status measures differed between the symptoms and depended on the co-occurrence of symptoms. This indicates an importance of considering both the specific symptoms and symptom co-occurrence in further symptom research instead of merely counting symptoms.

Gastrointestinal symptoms related to the irritable bowel syndrome – a longitudinal population-based register study

Abstract Objective Functional gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms can develop into persistent states often categorised as the irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). In the severe end of the GI symptom continuum, other coexisting symptoms are common. We aimed to investigate the GI symptom continuum in relation to mortality and development of GI diseases, and to examine if coexisting symptoms had an influence on the outcomes. Material and methods A longitudinal population-based study comprising two 5-year follow-up studies: Dan-Monica1 (1982–1987) and Inter99 (1999–2004). IBS was defined according to a population-based IBS definition. The pooled cohort (n = 7278) was followed until December 2013 in Central Registries. Results Fifty-one percent had no GI symptoms, 39% had GI symptoms but never fulfilled the IBS definition, 8% had fluctuating IBS and 2% had persisting IBS. There was no significant association between symptom groups and mortality (p = 0.47). IBS and GI symptoms with abdominal pain were significantly associated with development of GI diseases. Only GI symptoms with abdominal pain were associated with development of severe GI diseases (HR: 1.38; 95% CI: [1.06–1.79]). There were no statistically significant interactions between symptom groups and coexisting symptoms in relation to the two outcomes. Conclusions GI diseases were seen more frequently, but IBS was not associated with severe GI diseases or increased mortality. Clinicians should be more aware when patients do not fulfil the IBS definition, but continue to report frequent abdominal pain. Coexisting symptoms did not influence mortality and development of GI diseases.

Somatic symptom profiles in the general population: a latent class analysis in a Danish population-based health survey

Purpose The aim of this study was to identify and describe somatic symptom profiles in the general adult population in order to enable further epidemiological research within multiple somatic symptoms. Methods Information on 19 self-reported common somatic symptoms was achieved from a population-based questionnaire survey of 36,163 randomly selected adults in the Capital Region of Denmark (55.4% women). The participants stated whether they had been considerably bothered by each symptom within 14 days prior to answering the questionnaire. We used latent class analysis to identify the somatic symptom profiles. The profiles were further described by their association with age, sex, chronic disease, and self-perceived health. Results We identified 10 different somatic symptom profiles defined by number, type, and site of the symptoms. The majority of the population (74.0%) had a profile characterized by no considerable bothering symptoms, while a minor group of 3.9% had profiles defined by a high risk of multiple somatic symptoms. The remaining profiles were more likely to be characterized by a few specific symptoms. The profiles could further be described by their associations with age, sex, chronic disease, and self-perceived health. Conclusion The identified somatic symptom profiles could be distinguished by number, type, and site of the symptoms. The profiles have the potential to be used in further epidemiological studies on risk factors and prognosis of somatic symptoms but should be confirmed in other population-based studies with specific focus on symptom burden.