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Background: Artemisinin resistance in Plasmodium falciparum manifests as slow parasite clearance but this measure is also influenced by host immunity, initial parasite biomass and partner drug efficacy. This study collated data from clinical trials of artemisinin derivatives in falciparum malaria with frequent parasite counts to provide reference parasite clearance estimates stratified by location, treatment and time, to examine host factors affecting parasite clearance, and to assess the relationships between parasite clearance and risk of recrudescence during follow-up. Methods: Data from 24 studies, conducted from 1996 to 2013, with frequent parasite counts were pooled. Parasite clearance half-life (PC1/2) was estimated using the WWARN Parasite Clearance Estimator. Random effects regression models accounting for study and site heterogeneity were used to explore factors affecting PC1/2 and risk of recrudescence within areas with reported delayed parasite clearance (western Cambodia, western Thailand after 2000, southern Vietnam, southern Myanmar) and in all other areas where parasite populations are artemisinin sensitive. Results: PC1/2 was estimated in 6975 patients, 3288 of whom also had treatment outcomes evaluate d during 28-63 days follow-up, with 93 (2.8 %) PCR-confirmed recrudescences. In areas with artemisinin-sensitive parasites, the median PC1/2 following three-day artesunate treatment (4 mg/kg/day) ranged from 1.8 to 3.0 h and the proportion of patients with PC1/2 > 5 h from 0 to 10 %. Artesunate doses of 4 mg/kg/day decreased PC1/2 by 8.1 % (95 % CI 3.2-12.6) compared to 2 mg/kg/day, except in populations with delayed parasite clearance. PC1/2 was longer in children and in patients with fever or anaemia at enrolment. Long PC1/2 (HR = 2.91, 95 % CI 1.95-4.34 for twofold increase, p < 0.001) and high initial parasitaemia (HR = 2.23, 95 % CI 1.44-3.45 for tenfold increase, p < 0.001) were associated independently with an increased risk of recrudescence. In western Cambodia, the region with the highest prevalence of artemisinin resistance, there was no evidence for increasing PC1/2 since 2007. Conclusions: Several factors affect PC1/2. As substantial heterogeneity in parasite clearance exists between locations, early detection of artemisinin resistance requires reference PC1/2 data. Studies with frequent parasite count measurements to characterize PC1/2 should be encouraged. In western Cambodia, where PC1/2 values are longest, there is no evidence for recent emergence of higher levels of artemisinin resistance.

Objective. To analyse the prevalence of temporomandibular disorders and related pain (TMD-pain) among adult recall patients in general dental practice. Materials and methods. From November 2006 to September 2008, all adults attending a Swedish Public Dental Service (PDS) clinic for recall examination were asked two standardized questions about temporomandibular pain and dysfunction. Mouth-opening capacity was measured. The responses to the questions and mouth-opening capacity were combined to give a TMD-pain score, on a scale of 0-3. The patients' acceptance of their TMD condition was also noted. Results. The subjects comprised 2837 adults (53% females, 47% men). Of the total sample, 4.9% reported a TMD-pain score of 1-3. The gender difference was significant: women predominated (p < 0.003). Forty-three per cent of those with TMD-pain scores of 1-3 (36% men, 47% women) considered that the condition warranted treatment, especially those registering a pain score (significant difference between pain and dysfunction groups, p < 0.000). Conclusions. The TMD-pain score shows promise as a useful instrument for detecting and recording TMD-pain. The prevalence of TMD disclosed in the study is high enough to be considered a public health concern. Most of the subjects with lower scores on the TMD-pain scale accepted their condition as not severe enough to require treatment.

Background: Artesunate-amodiaquine (AS-AQ) is one of the most widely used artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) to treat uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Africa. We investigated the impact of different dosing strategies on the efficacy of this combination for the treatment of falciparum malaria. Methods: Individual patient data from AS-AQ clinical trials were pooled using the WorldWide Antimalarial Resistance Network (WWARN) standardised methodology. Risk factors for treatment failure were identified using a Cox regression model with shared frailty across study sites. Results: Forty-three studies representing 9,106 treatments from 1999-2012 were included in the analysis; 4,138 (45.4%) treatments were with a fixed dose combination with an AQ target dose of 30 mg/kg (FDC), 1,293 (14.2%) with a non-fixed dose combination with an AQ target dose of 25 mg/kg (loose NFDC-25), 2,418 (26.6%) with a non-fixed dose combination with an AQ target dose of 30 mg/kg (loose NFDC-30), and the remaining 1,257 (13.8%) with a co-blistered non-fixed dose combination with an AQ target dose of 30 mg/kg (co-blistered NFDC). The median dose of AQ administered was 32.1 mg/kg [IQR: 25.9-38.2], the highest dose being administered to patients treated with co-blistered NFDC (median = 35.3 mg/kg [IQR: 30.6-43.7]) and the lowest to those treated with loose NFDC-25 (median = 25.0 mg/kg [IQR: 22.7-25.0]). Patients treated with FDC received a median dose of 32.4 mg/kg [IQR: 27-39.0]. After adjusting for reinfections, the corrected antimalarial efficacy on day 28 after treatment was similar for co-blistered NFDC (97.9% [95% confidence interval (CI): 97.0-98.8%]) and FDC (98.1% [95% CI: 97.6%-98.5%]; P = 0.799), but significantly lower for the loose NFDC-25 (93.4% [95% CI: 91.9%-94.9%]), and loose NFDC-30 (95.0% [95% CI: 94.1%-95.9%]) (P < 0.001 for all comparisons). After controlling for age, AQ dose, baseline parasitemia and region; treatment with loose NFDC-25 was associated with a 3.5-fold greater risk of recrudescence by day 28 (adjusted hazard ratio, AHR = 3.51 [95% CI: 2.02-6.12], P < 0.001) compared to FDC, and treatment with loose NFDC-30 was associated with a higher risk of recrudescence at only three sites. Conclusions: There was substantial variation in the total dose of amodiaquine administered in different AS-AQ combination regimens. Fixed dose AS-AQ combinations ensure optimal dosing and provide higher antimalarial treatment efficacy than the loose individual tablets in all age categories.

Objective: To investigate the factors related to self-perceived work ability in patients with chronic whiplash-associated disorder grades II-III. Design: Cross-sectional analysis. Patients: A total of 166 working age patients with chronic whiplash-associated disorder. Methods: A comprehensive survey collected data on work ability (using the Work Ability Index); demographic, psychosocial, personal, work- and condition-related factors. Forward, stepwise regression modelling was used to assess the factors related to work ability. Results: The proportion of patients in each work ability category were as follows: poor (12.7%); moderate (39.8%); good (38.5%); excellent (9%). Seven factors explained 65% (adjusted R-2 = 0.65, p < 0.01) of the variance in work ability. In descending order of strength of association, these factors are: greater neck disability due to pain; reduced self-rated health status and health-related quality of life; increased frequency of concentration problems; poor workplace satisfaction; lower self-efficacy for performing daily tasks; and greater work-related stress. Conclusion: Condition-specific and psychosocial factors are associated with self-perceived work ability of individuals with chronic whiplash-associated disorder.

OBJECTIVE: Despite access to effective therapies many asthma patients still do not have well-controlled disease. This is possibly related to underuse of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) and overuse of short-acting β2-agonists (SABA). Our aim was to investigate longitudinal trends and associated factors in asthma treatment.

METHODS: Two separate cohorts of adults with physician-diagnosed asthma were randomly selected from 14 hospitals and 56 primary health centers in Sweden in 2005 (n = 1182) and 2015 (n = 1225). Information about symptoms, maintenance treatment, and use of rescue medication was collected by questionnaires. Associations between treatment and sex, age, smoking, education, body mass index (BMI), physical activity, allergic asthma, and symptom control were analyzed using Pearson's chi²-test. Odds ratios (ORs) were calculated using logistic regression.

RESULTS: Maintenance treatment with ICS together with long-acting β2-agonists (LABA) and/or montelukast increased from 39.2% to 44.2% (p = 0.012). The use of ICS + LABA as-needed increased (11.1-18.9%, p < 0.001), while SABA use decreased (46.4- 41.8%, p = 0.023). Regular treatment with ICS did not change notably (54.2-57.2%, p = 0.14). Older age, former smoking, and poor symptom control were related to treatment with ICS + LABA/montelukast. In 2015, 22.7% reported daily use of SABA. A higher step of maintenance treatment, older age, obesity, shorter education, current smoking, allergic asthma, low or very high physical activity, and a history of exacerbations were associated with daily SABA use.

CONCLUSIONS: The use of ICS + LABA both for maintenance treatment and symptom relief has increased over time. Despite this, the problem of low use of ICS and high use of SABA remains.

Reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC) allogeneic haematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) is a curative option for select relapsed/refractory Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) patients; however, there are sparse data to support superiority of any particular conditioning regimen. We analyzed 492 adult patients undergoing human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-matched sibling or unrelated donor allo-HCT for HL between 2008 and 2016, utilizing RIC with either fludarabine/busulfan (Flu/Bu), fludarabine/melphalan (Flu/Mel140) or fludarabine/cyclophosphamide (Flu/Cy). Multivariable regression analysis was performed using a significance level of <0 center dot 01. There were no significant differences between regimens in risk for non-relapse mortality (NRM) (P = 0 center dot 54), relapse/progression (P = 0 center dot 02) or progression-free survival (PFS) (P = 0 center dot 14). Flu/Cy conditioning was associated with decreased risk of mortality in the first 11 months after allo-HCT (HR = 0 center dot 28; 95% CI = 0 center dot 10-0 center dot 73; P = 0 center dot 009), but beyond 11 months post allo-HCT it was associated with a significantly higher risk of mortality, (HR = 2 center dot 46; 95% CI = 0 center dot 1.32-4 center dot 61; P = 0 center dot 005). Four-year adjusted overall survival (OS) was similar across regimens at 62% for Flu/Bu, 59% for Flu/Mel140 and 55% for Flu/Cy (P = 0 center dot 64), respectively. These data confirm the choice of RIC for allo-HCT in HL does not influence risk of relapse, NRM or PFS. Although no OS benefit was seen between Flu/Bu and Flu/Mel 140; Flu/Cy was associated with a significantly higher risk of mortality beyond 11 months from allo-HCT (possibly due to late NRM events).

Objective Preterm birth (PTB, birth before 37 gestational weeks) is the leading cause of neonatal death and a major challenge for obstetric and neonatal care. About two-thirds of PTBs are spontaneous PTB (sPTB), of which approximately 30% start with preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM). The aim of the study was to investigate risk factors and maternal and perinatal outcomes in sPTB with and without PPROM.

Study Design This is a national population-based cohort study including all singleton pregnancies in nulliparous women with spontaneous onset of labor and vaginal births (n = 266,968) registered in the Swedish Medical Birth Register 2005 to 2014. sPTB with PPROM (sPTB-PPROM) and sPTB without PPROM were compared regarding risk factors and maternal and perinatal outcomes. Logistic regression was used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (aORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Adjustments were made for maternal age, body mass index, country of birth, smoking, chronic hypertension, pregestational and gestational diabetes, and gestational length.

Results sPTB-PPROM (n = 5,037), compared with sPTB without PPROM (n = 8,426), was more common in women with previous spontaneous abortions, prepregnancy urinary tract infections, chronic hypertension, and gestational diabetes and had a higher risk of postpartum endometritis (aOR: 2.78, 95% CI: 1.55–5.00). Infants born to women with sPTB-PPROM had a lower risk of birth asphyxia (aOR: 0.60, 95% CI: 0.43–0.83), respiratory distress syndrome (aOR: 0.86, 95% CI: 0.70–1.00), retinopathy of prematurity (aOR: 0.93, 95% CI: 0.92–0.94), necrotizing enterocolitis (aOR: 0.95, 95% CI: 0.94–0.96), and higher risk of hypoglycemia (aOR: 1.14, 95% CI: 1.01–1.28), and hyperbilirubinemia (aOR: 1.28, 95% CI: 1.19–1.38) compared with infants born to sPTB without PPROM.

Conclusion Our findings of risk factors and distinct differences in adverse outcomes after sPTB-PPROM compared with sPTB without PPROM are of vital importance and might serve as a basis when elaborating programs for the prevention and management of PPROM.

Objective: Setting goals collaboratively with patients is a key aspect in shared decision-making (SDM) in malnutrition interventions. The aim, therefore, was to gain an understanding of clinical dietitians' reflections regarding the process of goal-setting with patients at risk of malnutrition.

Methods: Six semi-structured audio-recorded focus group discussions were held with registered dietitians (n = 29) from primary healthcare and hospitals in Sweden. Focus group transcripts were analysed thematically to find patterns in the data and identify themes.

Results: Dietitians expressed striving to explore patients' narratives, capabilities, and resources before deciding on goals. They described different strategies in counseling patients and a lack of patient participation in the goal setting. They emphasized the difficulties of setting feasible goals due to discrepancies between their clinically oriented goals and patients' personal goals.

Conclusion: Findings highlight a gap in the process of setting goals for patients at risk of malnutrition, where patients' participation was lacking. Education in SDM, and strategies and tools to support dietitians in involving patients in goal-setting, are required to bridge the gap and promote person-centeredness. Practice implications: Findings may be further used to develop tools and strategies, and design studies on the implementation of and education in SDM and goal-setting for malnutrition interventions.

Aims: Nutrition counselling is characterized by a collaborative approach whereby the patient and the dietitian establish goals that promote health and self-management.  Little is known about goal-setting in nutrition interventions of patients at risk of malnutrition. This study describes the perspectives and needs of patients at risk of malnutrition regarding goals of nutrition interventions.

Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 patients from three primary care centres and one hospital in mid-Sweden. Interview transcripts were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis to identify themes and patterns in the data. 

Results: Findings highlight that the participants rarely reflected on their personal goals of the nutrition intervention. Instead, they strived to maintain strength and energy, with the nutrition counselling being seen as supportive in managing nutrition impact symptoms. They described discrepancies between their perspectives and the dietitian’s regarding weight goals and the diet prescribed to gain weight.

Conclusion: Elucidating patients’ goals is key to counteracting the discrepancies between the dietitians’ clinically oriented goals and patients’ perspectives. New strategies and tools that support collaborative goal-setting in nutrition interventions are needed to provide person-centred nutrition care.

BACKGROUND: Nutrition care plays a significant role in the prevention and treatment of malnutrition, although the challenge to establish the precise impact of a nutrition intervention on patient outcomes remains. Malnutrition can be associated with diverse underlying diseases and an increased risk of complications, which increases the difficulty of monitoring and evaluating the nutrition intervention. The aim is to gain an understanding of dietitians' reflections concerning nutrition care outcomes of interventions in patients at risk of malnutrition.

METHODS: Six semi-structured audio-recorded focus group discussions with registered dietitians from primary healthcare and hospitals (n = 29) in Sweden were held at the dietitians' place of work or at the University. Focus group transcripts were analysed thematically to reveal patterns in the data and identify themes and subthemes.

RESULTS: The dietitians described an approach to nutrition monitoring and evaluation of patients at risk of malnutrition that was categorised into three themes: (i) quantitative explicit outcomes, based on objective measures and described as rigorous; (ii) quantitative estimated outcomes, based on estimates and described as less rigorous and (iii) qualitative implicit outcomes, based on patients' subjective perceptions and experiences of their health and described as difficult to measure.

CONCLUSIONS: Findings indicate the need for new strategies to promote systematic and comprehensive nutrition monitoring and evaluation.

This study investigates whether baseline pain extent, extracted from an electronic pain drawing, is an independent predictive factor of pain and disability measured 1 year and 2 years later in people with chronic WAD. Participants completed questionnaires assessing neck pain intensity, disability via the Neck Disability Index (NDI), psychological features, and work ability. Participants also completed electronic pain drawings from which their pain extent was extracted. A two-step modelling approach was undertaken to identify the crude and adjusted association between pain extent and NDI measured at 1-year and 2-year follow-ups. A total of 205 participants were included in the analysis. The univariate analysis showed that pain extent was significantly associated with the NDI score at the 1-year (p = 0.006, 95% CI: 0.159-0.909) and 2-year (p = 0.029, 0.057-0.914) follow-ups. These associations were not maintained when we introduced perceived disability, psychological health, and work ability into the model after 1 year (p = 0.56, 95%CI: -0.28-0.499) and 2 years (p = 0.401, -0.226-0.544). Pain extent, as an independent factor, was significantly associated with perceived pain and disability in patients with chronic WAD for up to 2 years. This association was masked by neck disability, psychological health, and work ability.

Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is an important European vaccine-preventable pathogen. Discrimination of vaccine-induced antibodies from those elicited by infection is important. We studied anti-TBEV IgM/IgG responses, including avidity and neutralisation, by multiplex serology in 50 TBEV patients and 50 TBEV vaccinees. Infection induced antibodies reactive to both whole virus (WV) and non-structural protein 1 (NS1) in 48 clinical cases, whereas 47 TBEV vaccinees had WV, but not NS1 antibodies, enabling efficient discrimination of infection/vaccination.

Purpose: When a tourniquet is used during surgery on the extremities, the pressure applied to the muscles, nerves and blood vessels can cause neuromuscular damage that contributes to postoperative weakness. The hypothesis was that the rehabilitation-related results would be improved if total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is performed without the use of a tourniquet.

Methods: 81 patients with osteoarthritis of the knee who underwent TKA surgery were randomized to surgery with or without tourniquet. Active flexion and extension of the knee, pain by visual analog scale (VAS), swelling by knee circumference, quadriceps function by straight leg raise, and timed up and go (TUG) test results were measured before and up to 3 months after surgery.

Results: ANCOVA revealed no between-groups effect for flexion of the knee at day 3 postsurgery. Compared with the tourniquet group, the nontourniquet group experienced elevated pain at 24 h, with a mean difference of 16.6 mm, p = 0.005. The effect on mobility (TUG test) at 3 months was better in the nontourniquet group, with a mean difference of -1.1 s, p = 0.029.

Conclusions: The hypothesis that the rehabilitation-related results would be improved without a tourniquet is not supported by the results. When the results in this study for surgery performed with and without tourniquet are compared, no clear benefit for either procedure was observed, as the more pain exhibited by the nontourniquet group was only evident for a short period and the improved mobility in this group was not at a clinically relevant level.