Hepatitis E virus genotype 3 is associated with gallstone-related disease.

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) genotype 3 is endemic in Northern Europe and despite a high seroprevalence of anti-HEV IgG antibodies among blood donors (≈17%), few clinical cases are notified in Sweden. Low awareness of hepatitis E and its possible symptoms may contribute to this discrepancy. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of acute HEV infection among hospital admitted patients with abdominal pain and elevated liver enzymes.

Effect of body mass index on groin hernia surgery.

Objective: To analyze the effect of underweight, overweight, and obesity in relation to clinical characteristics, the risk of postoperative complications, 30-day mortality, and reoperations for recurrence after groin hernia surgery.

Summary Of Background Data: Groin hernia surgery is one of the most frequent operations performed in general surgery. Several studies have demonstrated a protective effect of overweight and obesity on the risk of developing primary groin hernia.

Body mass index and groin hernia: a 34-year follow-up study in Swedish men.

Objective: Inguinal hernias are very common disorders, especially in men, with inguinal herniorrhaphy being one of the most frequently performed general surgical procedures in men. Theoretically, obesity might increase the risk of groin hernia by increasing intra-abdominal pressure. The objective of the present study was to investigate whether overweight and obesity in middle age could significantly predict future groin hernia in men.

Body mass index and diverticular disease: a 28-year follow-up study in men.

Purpose: Diverticular disease increased steadily concomitant with elevated rates of overweight and obesity during the 20th century. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate whether overweight and obesity in midlife predict future diverticular disease in men.

Methods: This was a prospective cohort study of a general population of men living in Göteborg, Sweden.

Increased concentration of tissue-degrading matrix metalloproteinases and their inhibitor in complicated diverticular disease.

Objective: Complicated diverticular disease is associated with extensive structural changes of the colonic wall. Turnover of extracellular matrix (ECM) plays a pivotal role in this process. Proteolytic enzymes, including matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), are capable of degrading most components of ECM.