Medical costs of treating myasthenia gravis in patients who need intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) - a register-based study.

Background: Several innovative treatments are expected for myasthenia gravis (MG) in the coming years. Healthcare payers usually require cost-effectiveness analyses before reimbursement. We aimed to investigate resource utilization and direct medical costs for patients with MG treated with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) to inform such analyses.

Treatment with PCSK9 monoclonal antibodies is associated with discontinuation of oral lipid lowering therapy.

Aims: Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 monoclonal antibodies (PCSK9 mAbs) are recommended for high-risk patients if the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) targets are not achieved with statins and ezetimibe. We studied persistence and adherence to 1) PCSK9 mAbs and 2) statins and ezetimibe in a nationwide cohort of incident PCSK9 mAb users.

Methods And Results: Information on all PCSK9 mAb users ≤80 years from 2015 through 2023 were extracted from the Norwegian Drug Registry.

Early postnatal growth failure in infants <1500 g in a Ugandan referral hospital: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: Postnatal growth failure (PGF), a multifactorial condition is common in preterm infants and infants born weighing <1500 g and is associated with impaired neurodevelopmental and growth outcomes. In low-resource settings, like Uganda, parenteral nutrition and breastmilk fortifier are often unavailable, and preterm infants rely solely on their mother's expressed breastmilk, which can be inadequate. This retrospective cohort study, conducted in a level II neonatal unit in eastern Uganda, aimed to evaluate the incidence of and risk factors for postnatal growth failure among infants <1500 g.

Rheumatoid arthritis and the risk of ischaemic stroke after diagnosis of atrial fibrillation: a Norwegian nationwide register study.

Objectives: RA patients have an increased risk for cardiovascular diseases, including atrial fibrillation (AF), but the impact of RA on ischaemic stroke risk in the context of AF remains unknown. We explored whether the risk of ischaemic stroke after diagnosis of AF is further increased among patients with RA compared with non-RA patients.

Methods: In the nationwide Norwegian Cardio-Rheuma Register, we evaluated cumulative incidence and hazard rate of ischaemic stroke after the first AF diagnosis (2750 individuals with RA and 158 879 without RA between 2010 and 2017) by using a competing risk model with a 3-month delayed entry.

Older adults' perceptions about meat consumption: a qualitative study in Gasabo district, Kigali, Rwanda.

Background: The global population is increasingly aging, imposing a substantial burden on social and healthcare systems as aging is associated with gradual muscle wasting and functional decline. Consumption of protein-rich foods, such as livestock-based meat, providing high-quality proteins can prevent muscle wasting and related functional decline in older adults. However, there is a lack of data on the older adults' perceptions about meat consumption, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Improving alcohol and substance use screening in school-age children: translation, adaptation and psychometric evaluation of the CRAFFT tool for Lumasaaba, Uganda.

Background: Children at risk of substance use disorders (SUD) should be detected using brief structured tools for early intervention. This study sought to translate and adapt the Car, Relax, Alone, Forget, Family/Friends, Trouble (CRAFFT) tool to determine its diagnostic accuracy, and the optimum cut-point to identify substance use disorders (SUD) risk in Ugandan children aged 6 to 13 years.

Methods: This was a sequential mixed-methods study conducted in two phases.

Treatment patterns and adherence to lipid-lowering drugs during eight-year follow-up after a coronary heart disease event.

Background And Aims: Proper prescription and high adherence to intensive lipid lowering drugs (LLD) in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) are crucial and strongly recommended. The aim of this study is to investigate long-term treatment patterns and adherence to LLD following hospitalization for a CHD event.

Methods: Patients admitted to two Norwegian hospitals with a CHD event from 2011 to 2014 (N = 1094) attended clinical examination and completed a questionnaire, median 16 months later.

The epidemiology and societal costs of myasthenia gravis in Norway: A non-interventional study using national registry data.

Background And Purpose: With the emergence of new treatment options for myasthenia gravis (MG), there is a need for information regarding epidemiology, healthcare utilization, and societal costs to support economic evaluation and identify eligible patients. We aimed to enhance the understanding of these factors using nationwide systematic registry data in Norway.

Methods: We received comprehensive national registry data from five Norwegian health- and work-related registries.

Prevalence of probable substance use disorders among children in Ugandan health facilities.

Background: Globally, there is a concerning surge in the prevalence of substance use among adolescents and children, creating a substantial public health problem. Despite the magnitude of this issue, accessing healthcare explicitly for substance use remains challenging, even though many substance users frequently visit healthcare institutions for other health-related issues. To address this gap, proactive screening for substance use disorders has emerged as a critical strategy for identifying and engaging patients at risk of substance use.

Does livestock ownership predict animal-source food consumption frequency among children aged 6-24 months and their mothers in the rural Dale district, southern Ethiopia?

Background: Animal-source foods are food items that come from animals. Animal-source foods provide a variety of micronutrients that plant-source foods cannot provide to the same extent and without extra precaution. Milk, eggs, poultry, flesh meat and fish are animal-source foods mainly used in Ethiopia.

Health facility readiness to screen, diagnose and manage substance use disorders in Mbale district, Uganda.

Background: Substance use disorders (SUD) pose a significant public health problem in Uganda. Studies indicate that integrating mental health services into Primary Health Care can play a crucial role in alleviating the impact of SUD. However, despite ongoing efforts to integrate these services in Uganda, there is a lack of evidence regarding the preparedness of health facilities to effectively screen and manage SUD.

"She gives it to her child who doesn't even talk": a qualitative exploration of alcohol and drug use among primary school-age children in Uganda.

Background: There is little research on alcohol and other drugs (AOD) use by school-age children in low-resource settings like Uganda. Including the voices of children in research can inform prevention and early intervention efforts for those at risk of AOD use. The aim of this study was to understand the perspectives of children aged 6 to 13 years regarding AOD in Uganda.

Reducing meat and/or dairy consumption in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of effects on protein intake, anthropometric values, and body composition.

Context: Consumers are increasingly encouraged to reduce meat and dairy consumption. However, few meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the effect of reducing meat and/or dairy on (absolute) protein intake, anthropometric values, and body composition are available.

Objective: The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the effect of reducing meat and/or dairy consumption on (absolute) protein intake, anthropometric values, and body composition in adults aged ≥ 45 years.

Child and Caregiver Reporting on Child Maltreatment and Mental Health in the Philippines Before and After an International Child Development Program (ICDP) Parenting Intervention.

Child maltreatment is a serious problem affecting millions of children. Research on self-reporting of child maltreatment has shown a difference in reporting between caregivers and children. Increased understanding of this has implications for further evaluations of parenting programmes and assessment of violence and maltreatment.

Predicting adherence to postdischarge malaria chemoprevention in Malawian pre-school children: A prognostic multivariable analysis.

Chemoprevention with antimalarials is a key strategy for malaria control in sub-Saharan Africa. Three months of postdischarge malaria chemoprevention (PDMC) reduces malaria-related mortality and morbidity in pre-school children recently discharged from hospital following recovery from severe anemia. Research on adherence to preventive antimalarials in children is scarce.

Gaps and discontinuation of statin treatment in Norway: potential for optimizing management of lipid lowering drugs.

Aims: In clinical practice, many patients do not reach the recommended treatment targets for LDL-cholesterol levels. We aimed to examine treatment patterns and adherence for patients on lipid lowering drugs in Norway to inform future strategies to improve therapies.

Methods And Results: We obtained information on all dispensed statins, ezetimibe, and proprotein convertase subtilisin/-kexin 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors 2010-2019 from the Norwegian Prescription Database.

Heavy metals in children's blood from the rural region of Popokabaka, Democratic Republic of Congo: a cross-sectional study and spatial analysis.

Exposure to heavy metals can affect cell differentiation, neurocognitive development, and growth during early life, even in low doses. Little is known about heavy metal exposure and its relationship with nutrition outcomes in non-mining rural environments. We carried out a community-based cross-sectional study to describe the distribution of four heavy metal concentrations [arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and mercury (Hg)] in the serum of a representative population of children aged 12 to 59 months old from the rural region of Popokabaka, Democratic Republic of Congo.

Are we overlooking alcohol use by younger children?

Alcohol use is a leading contributor to the burden of disease among youth. Early-onset use is associated with later life dependency, ill health and poor social functioning. Yet, research on and treatment opportunities for alcohol use among younger children are scarce.

Anaemia, anthropometric undernutrition and associated factors among mothers with children younger than 2 years of age in the rural Dale district, southern Ethiopia: A community-based study.

Mothers in resource-poor settings are affected by different forms of undernutrition. However, the nutritional status of mothers in rural areas, particularly after delivery, is not well documented. This study assessed haemoglobin levels and body mass index (BMI) of mothers with children below 2 years of age in a rural district of southern Ethiopia.

'There is nowhere to take the child': a qualitative study of community members' views on managing early childhood substance use in Mbale, Uganda.

Background: Harmful alcohol use by 5-8-year-old children has been identified in Mbale District, Uganda. To further examine this finding, the present study explores the experiences and perceptions of community members regarding how childhood substance use (before age 10) is managed in this area.

Methods: We conducted eight focus group discussions with 48 parents of children aged < 10 years and 26 key informant interviews with teachers, health workers, child protection workers, police, local stakeholders, brewers, and others.

'As soon as they can hold a glass, they begin taking alcohol': a qualitative study on early childhood substance use in Mbale District, Uganda.

Background: Globally, substance use is a leading contributor to the burden of disease among young people, with far reaching social, economic and health effects. Following a finding of harmful alcohol use among 5-8-year-old children in Mbale District, Uganda, this study aims to investigate community members' views on early childhood substance use among children below the age of 10 years.

Methods: In 2016, we conducted eight focus group discussions with 48 parents and 26 key informant interviews with teachers, health workers, alcohol distributors, traditional healers, religious leaders, community leaders and youth workers.

How can we best help this patient? Exploring mental health therapists' reflections on medication-free care for patients with psychosis in Norway.

Background: Since 2015, Norwegian Regional Health Authorities have followed new government policy and gradually implemented medication-free services for patients with psychosis. The aim of this qualitative study was to explore the tension between policy and practice, and how health care workers in Bergen reflect on their role in implementing medication-free treatment.

Methods: We performed three focus group discussions including 17 therapists working within medication free services, asking about their experiences with this new treatment program.