Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease has become the most common cause of hepatocellular carcinoma in Sweden: A nationwide cohort study.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is the most prevalent chronic liver disease globally, and can lead to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a leading cause of cancer-related death. We aimed to determine the extent to which MASLD is an increasing cause of HCC in Sweden and to determine clinical characteristics associated with underlying MASLD. Using the Swedish quality registry for liver cancer (SweLiv), we identified all adults with a diagnosis of HCC in Sweden between 2012 and 2018.

Unrecognized liver cirrhosis is common and associated with worse survival in hepatocellular carcinoma: A nationwide cohort study of 3473 patients.

Background: Data on unrecognized liver cirrhosis in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are derived mainly from cohorts with a risk of selection bias.

Objectives: In a population-based cohort study we aimed to determine the proportion, characteristics, and prognosis of HCC in patients with unrecognized cirrhosis.

Methods: Using the Swedish quality register for liver cancer and other nationwide registers, we identified all adults with HCC in Sweden between 2012 and 2018 (n = 3,473).

Targeting population groups with heavier burden of hepatocellular carcinoma incidence: A nationwide descriptive epidemiological study in Sweden.

Contemporary European studies examining associations between socioeconomic status and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) incidence are scarce. We aimed to target population groups with a heavier burden of HCC by assessing associations of individual-level sociodemographic variables and neighbourhood deprivation with all-stage and stage-specific HCC incidence rates (IR). Patient and population data stratified by calendar year (2012-2018), sex, age (5-year groups), household income (low, medium and high), country of birth (Nordic, non-Nordic) and neighbourhood deprivation (national quintiles Q1-Q5) were retrieved from Swedish registers.

Restrictive spirometry versus restrictive lung function using the GLI reference values.

Background: Restrictive lung function may indicate various underlying diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of different restrictive spirometry patterns (RSPs) to identify restrictive lung function (total lung capacity [TLC] < lower limit of normal [LLN]) according to reference values by the Global Lung Function Initiative (GLI) in a wide age-ranged, general population sample.

Methods: A general population sample (n = 607, age 23-72 years, smokers 18.

Socioeconomic and marital status among liver cirrhosis patients and associations with mortality: a population-based cohort study in Sweden.

Background: The importance of socioeconomic status for survival in cirrhosis patients is more or less pronounced within different populations, most likely due to cultural and regional differences combined with dissimilarities in healthcare system organisation and accessibility. Our aim was to study the survival of patients with cirrhosis in a population-based Swedish cohort, using available data on marital status, employment status, and occupational skill level.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 582 patients diagnosed with cirrhosis in the Region of Halland (total population 310,000) between 2011 and 2018.

Decreased COPD prevalence in Sweden after decades of decrease in smoking.

Background: COPD has increased in prevalence worldwide over several decades until the first decade after the millennium shift. Evidence from a few recent population studies indicate that the prevalence may be levelling or even decreasing in some areas in Europe. Since the 1970s, a substantial and ongoing decrease in smoking prevalence has been observed in several European countries including Sweden.

Incidence, aetiology and related comorbidities of cirrhosis: a Swedish population-based cohort study.

Background: The incidence of cirrhosis for individuals in Sweden has previously been reported as stable/low among European countries. However, Swedish population-based studies are scarce and none of them included data from the most recent decade (2010-2019). We aimed to describe the incidence and aetiology of cirrhosis in the Halland region from 2011 to 2018, and to describe the severity and prevalence of liver-related complications and other primary comorbidities at the time of cirrhosis diagnosis.

Severe asthma-A population study perspective.

Background: Severe asthma is a considerable challenge for patients, health-care professionals and society. Few studies have estimated the prevalence of severe asthma according to modern definitions of which none based on a population study.

Objective: To describe characteristics and estimate the prevalence of severe asthma in a large adult population-based asthma cohort followed for 10-28 years.

Frequently Recurrent Takotsubo Syndrome in COPD.

Cardiovascular disease is common among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is a transient cardiac disorder that, in its typical form, involves left ventricular dysfunction with apical ballooning and mimics acute coronary syndrome (ACS). "Bronchogenic TTS" has been proposed as a specific form of TTS (during severe acute dyspnea in asthma or COPD) with atypical presentation.

Pattern of Cardiovascular Comorbidity in COPD in a Country with Low-smoking Prevalence: Results from Two-population-based Cohorts from Sweden.

Cardiovascular diseases are the most common comorbidities in COPD, due to common risk factors such as smoking. The prevalence of current smokers in Sweden has decreased over four decades to around 10%. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence, distribution and associations of cardiovascular comorbidities in COPD by disease severity in two large areas of Sweden, both with low-smoking prevalence.

The prevalence of prolonged QTc increases by GOLD stage, and is associated with worse survival among subjects with COPD.

Background: The role of QTc-prolongation, in relation to the increased mortality in COPD, is unclear.

Objectives: To estimate the prevalence and prognostic impact, assessed as mortality, of QTc-prolongation in COPD, restrictive spirometric pattern (RSP), and normal lung function (NLF), respectively.

Methods: All individuals (n = 993) with COPD and age- and sex-matched non-obstructive referents were identified from well-defined population-based cohorts examined in Northern Sweden in 2002-04.

Ischemic ECG abnormalities are associated with an increased risk for death among subjects with COPD, also among those without known heart disease.

Abstract Presentation: An abstract, including parts of the results, has been presented at an oral session at the European Respiratory Society International Conference, London, UK, September 2016.

Background: Cardiovascular comorbidity contributes to increased mortality among subjects with COPD. However, the prognostic value of ECG abnormalities in COPD has rarely been studied in population-based surveys.

Restrictive spirometric pattern in the general adult population: Methods of defining the condition and consequences on prevalence.

Background: Attempts have been made to use dynamic spirometry to define restrictive lung function, but the definition of a restrictive spirometric pattern (RSP) varies between studies such as BOLD and NHANES. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence and risk factors of RSP among adults in northern Sweden based on different definitions.

Methods: In 2008-2009 a general population sample aged 21-86y within the obstructive lung disease in northern Sweden (OLIN) studies was examined by structured interview and spirometry, and 726 subjects participated (71% of invited).

Only severe COPD is associated with being underweight results from a population survey.

Low body mass index (BMI) and malnutrition in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are associated with a poor prognosis. The prevalence of underweight, as well as overweight, in severity grades of COPD is sparsely investigated in studies of the general population and the associated patterns of risk factors are not well established. The aim of the present study was to determine the association between severity grades of airflow limitation in COPD, and both underweight and obesity when corrected for possible confounding factors.

Decreased prevalence of moderate to severe COPD over 15 years in northern Sweden.

Background: The burden of COPD in terms of mortality, morbidity, costs and prevalence has increased worldwide. Recent results on prevalence in Western Europe are conflicting. In Sweden smoking prevalence has steadily decreased over the past 30 years.

Ischemic heart disease among subjects with and without chronic obstructive pulmonary disease--ECG-findings in a population-based cohort study.

Background: Cardiovascular comorbidity in COPD is common and contributes to increased mortality. A few population-based studies indicate that ischemic electrocardiogram (ECG)-changes are more prevalent in COPD, while others do not. The aim of the present study was to estimate the presence of ischemic heart disease (IHD) in a population-based COPD-cohort in comparison with subjects without COPD.

Low nicotine dependence and high self-efficacy can predict smoking cessation independent of the presence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a three year follow up of a population-based study.

Background: Smoking is a major risk factor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and smoking cessation is the only intervention that slows disease progression. It is important to know whether current factors related to smoking and smoking cessation are different among subjects with and without COPD in order to support smoking cessation. The aim of this study was to evaluate factors related to smoking cessation and to compare characteristics and nicotine dependence among smokers with and without COPD.

Association of heart diseases with COPD and restrictive lung function--results from a population survey.

Introduction: Few studies have explored the association of COPD, based on GOLD definition, with heart diseases. The relationship between restrictive lung function impairment and heart diseases is still poorly studied on a population level.

Objectives: To explore the association of COPD and restrictive lung function impairment, respectively, with heart diseases in the general population.

A 20-year follow-up of a population study-based COPD cohort-report from the obstructive lung disease in Northern Sweden studies.

Mortality and other long-term outcomes of COPD from epidemiological studies of cohorts based on the general population are still rare. In contrast, data from follow-ups of patients from hospitals and general practices are more common and demonstrate often a 5-year mortality of about 50% and even higher. The aim was to study 20-year outcomes, mainly mortality, in a COPD cohort derived from a population study.

Seven-year cumulative incidence of COPD in an age-stratified general population sample.

Aim: To estimate the cumulative incidence of COPD and risk factors related to the development of COPD, including evaluation of the relationship between Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) stage 0 (ie, respiratory symptoms and normal lung function) and the development of COPD, in an age-stratified general population sample of middle-aged and elderly individuals.

Method: The third survey of the Obstructive Lung Disease in Northern Sweden studies cohort I (three age strata born in 1919 to 1920, 1934 to 1935, and 1949 to 1950) was performed in 1996, and 5,189 subjects (88%) responded to the postal questionnaire. Of the responders, a random sample (1,500 subjects) was invited to an examination in 1996 and in 2003.