Outcomes of Single or Two Stage Brachiobasilic Arteriovenous Fistula: A Nationwide Swedish Registry Study.

Objective: Creation of a basilic vein arteriovenous transposition fistula (BBAVF) can be performed either as a one or two stage procedure; however, evidence for the best technique is conflicting. The aim of this national registry review was to determine whether functional outcomes favoured either method.

Methods: This was an observational retrospective study with data from the Swedish Renal Registry.

Motor Efficacy of Subcutaneous DIZ102, Intravenous DIZ101 or Intestinal Levodopa/Carbidopa Infusion.

Background: It has been suggested that carbidopa at high blood concentrations may counter the therapeutic effect of levodopa in Parkinson's disease by entering the brain and blocking central levodopa conversion to dopamine. We previously demonstrated equivalent plasma levodopa concentration in patients with Parkinson's disease during 16 h of (1) intravenous carbidopa/levodopa (DIZ101) infusion, (2) subcutaneous carbidopa/levodopa (DIZ102) infusion or (3) intestinal carbidopa/levodopa gel infusion. Plasma levels of carbidopa were however approximately four times higher with DIZ101 and DIZ102 than with LCIG, and higher than those usually observed with oral levodopa/carbidopa.

Noninvasive assessment of glymphatic dysfunction in idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus with diffusion tensor imaging.

Objective: Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) along the perivascular space (ALPS) (DTI-ALPS)-by calculating the ALPS index, a ratio accentuating water diffusion in the perivascular space-has been proposed as a noninvasive, indirect MRI method for assessing glymphatic function. The main aim of this study was to investigate whether DTI-ALPS would reveal glymphatic dysfunction in idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) and whether the ALPS index was associated with disease severity.

Methods: Thirty iNPH patients (13 men; median age 77 years) and 27 healthy controls (10 men; median age 73 years) underwent MRI and clinical assessment with the Timed Up and Go test (TUG) and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE); only the patients were evaluated with the Hellström iNPH scale.

Neural suppression in odor recognition memory.

Little is known about the neural basis of lower- and higher-order olfactory functions such as odor memory, compared with other sensory systems. The aim of this study was to explore neural networks and correlates associated with 3 functions: passive smelling (PS), odor encoding (OE), and in particular odor recognition memory (ORM). Twenty-six healthy participants were examined using functional magnetic resonance imaging conducted across 3 sessions, one for each function.

Worldwide estimation of restless legs syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prevalence in the general adult population.

This systematic review, meta-analysis and meta-regression assessed the prevalence of restless legs syndrome (RLS) in the general adult population. Studies identified in Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, and PsycInfo between January 2000 and February 2022 were included if they used a case-control or cross-sectional design and reported data regarding the prevalence of RLS. The protocol was pre-registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO; CRD42022300709).

Living conditions, lifestyle habits and health in the general population in spring 2020 and one year into the COVID-19 pandemic in Sweden - Results from two cross-sectional studies carried out in 2020 and 2021.

The aim of the study was to investigate mental and physical health as well as living conditions and lifestyle habits in the adult general population in spring 2020 and one year into the COVID-19 pandemic in Sweden comparing results from two cross-sectional studies carried out in February-May 2020 and 2021. The study population comprises 2,273 persons in 2020 and 2,216 persons in 2021 who responded to the national public health survey sent to random population samples in one county in Sweden. The age group was 16-84 years, and the response rates were 45% and 44%, respectively.

Efficacy and Safety of Rituximab for New-Onset Generalized Myasthenia Gravis: The RINOMAX Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Rituximab is a third-line option for refractory generalized myasthenia gravis (MG) based on empirical evidence, but its effect in new-onset disease is unknown.

Objective: To investigate the efficacy and safety of rituximab compared with placebo as an add-on to standard of care for MG.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study took place throughout 48 weeks at 7 regional clinics in Sweden.

Pharmacokinetics of Intravenously (DIZ101), Subcutaneously (DIZ102), and Intestinally (LCIG) Infused Levodopa in Advanced Parkinson Disease.

Background And Objectives: Intestinal levodopa/carbidopa gel infusion (LCIG) is superior to oral treatment in advanced Parkinson disease. The primary objective of this trial was to investigate whether continuous subcutaneous or intravenous infusion with a continuously buffered acidic levodopa/carbidopa solution yields steady-state plasma concentrations of levodopa that are equivalent in magnitude, and noninferior in variability, to those obtained with LCIG in patients with advanced Parkinson disease.

Methods: A concentrated acidic levodopa/carbidopa (8:1) solution buffered continuously and administered intravenously (DIZ101) or subcutaneously (DIZ102) was compared with an approved LCIG in a randomized, 3-period crossover, open-label, multicenter trial.

Impact of Ankle Brachial Index Calculations on Peripheral Arterial Disease Prevalence and as a Predictor of Cardiovascular Risk.

Objective: The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence and predictive accuracy for cardiovascular (CV) morbidity by using different ankle brachial index (ABI) calculation methods in the general population.

Methods: ABI measurements and questionnaire data were collected from 5 080 randomly selected citizens aged 60 - 90 years. A 10 year follow up with data from Swedish national health registries was carried out.

Presence of asymptomatic Peripheral Arterial Disease in combination with common risk factors elevates the cardiovascular risk Substantially.

Background And Aims: This study evaluates the risks for adverse cardiovascular (CV) events in Asymptomatic Peripheral Arterial Disease (APAD) combined with different traditional CV risk factors.

Methods: A population-based observational study of 8000 subjects, identified 559 subjects as having APAD through ankle-brachial index (ABI) measurements and questionnaires regarding limb symptoms. This cohort and subgroups classified by presence of different traditional CV risk factors at baseline were assessed for 10 years on CV outcome.

Physical Capacity and Activity in Patients With Idiopathic Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus.

Introduction: Most patients with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) improve gait after surgery. However, knowledge on physical capacity and activity after shunt surgery is limited. One of the aims of this study was to evaluate the effect of shunt surgery in patients with iNPH on short-distance walking, functional exercise capacity, functional strength, and variables of activity and sleep, 3 and 6 months postoperatively.

The demography of idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus: data on 3000 consecutive, surgically treated patients and a systematic review of the literature.

Objective: The objective of this study was to describe the demographic characteristics of patients with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) through an analysis of 3000 consecutive, surgically treated Swedish patients and a systematic review of the literature.

Methods: Data on age, sex, comorbidities, diagnostic delay, initial symptoms, and severity of symptoms at diagnosis were extracted from the Swedish Hydrocephalus Quality Registry. In addition, a systematic PRISMA-based review of the literature published from database inception until August 2019 was performed using the PubMed, Cochrane, and Scopus databases on the basis of two concepts: normal pressure hydrocephalus and demography and their association with related terms.

The a' velocity by tissue-Doppler echocardiography correlates to invasive mean left atrial pressure in patients with normal ejection fraction.

Objectives: To evaluate the correlation of a' velocity by tissue-Doppler measurements with invasively measured mean left atrial pressure in patients with normal ejection fraction.

Design: In this retrospective study, we evaluated the septal a', lateral a' and average a' velocity by tissue-Doppler echocardiography, in 125 in-hospital patients, 1-12 h before an elective pulmonary vein isolation due to intermittent atrial fibrillation, and compared to invasively measured mean left atrial pressure (LAP) during the invasive procedure. The patients, aged 35-81 years, had to be in sinus rhythm at both examinations, no atrial fibrillation during two procedures, no or mild valve disease and normal ejection fraction (>50%).

The timed up and go test in idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus: a Nationwide Study of 1300 patients.

Background: The aim of this study was to describe the outcome measure timed up and go (TUG) in a large, nationwide cohort of patients with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) pre- and post-operatively. Furthermore, to compare the TUG test to the 10-m walk test (10MWT), the iNPH scale, the modified Rankin scale (mRS) and the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), which are commonly applied in clinical assessment of iNPH.

Methods: Patients with iNPH (n = 1300), registered in the Swedish Hydrocephalus Quality Registry (SHQR), were included.

Physical exercise and goal attainment after shunt surgery in idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus: a randomised clinical trial.

Background: Rehabilitation in iNPH is suggested to be an important factor to improve patients' functions but there are lack of clinical trials evaluating the effect of rehabilitation interventions after shunt surgery in iNPH. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of a physical exercise programme and goal attainment for patients with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) after surgery compared to a control group.

Methods: This was a dual centre randomised controlled trial with assessor blinding, intention-to-treat (ITT) and per protocol (PP) analysis.

Patient-Reported Symptom Severity in a Nationwide Myasthenia Gravis Cohort: Cross-sectional Analysis of the Swedish GEMG Study.

Background And Objectives: To describe myasthenia gravis activities of daily living (MG-ADL) in relation to clinical characteristics in a large Swedish nationwide cohort.

Methods: In a cross-sectional prevalence cohort study, the Genes and Environment in Myasthenia Gravis study, performed from November 2018 through August 2019, patients with myasthenia gravis (MG) were invited to submit an extensive 106-item life environment questionnaire, including the MG-ADL score. Patients were classified into early-onset MG (EOMG, <50 years), late-onset MG (LOMG, ≥50 years), or thymoma-associated MG (TAMG).

Higher rate of SARS-CoV-2 IgG seropositivity in hospital-based healthcare workers compared to elderly care staff in a Swedish low-prevalence region: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Previous seroprevalence studies have demonstrated higher anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG seroprevalence in healthcare workers (HCWs) than in the background population during the first phase of the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. These studies, however, focussed mainly on hospital employees.

Aim: To perform a cross-sectional study comparing the seroprevalence of hospital-based HCWs with those employed in elderly care (home care and nursing homes).

Evaluating the cerebrospinal fluid tap test with the Hellström iNPH scale for patients with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus.

Background: The cerebrospinal fluid tap test (CSF TT) is used for selecting shunt surgery candidates among patients with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH). We aimed to evaluate the predictive value of the CSF TT, by using the Hellström iNPH scale for shunted iNPH patients with a standardized method.

Methods: One hundred and sixteen shunt-operated iNPH patients were retrospectively included in this study.

Optical Coherence Tomography Revealing Ganglion Cell Loss in Idiopathic Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus.

Background: Although there may theoretically be a disturbance in the eye or the visual pathways due to abnormal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) dynamics in idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH), it has not been studied systemically. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a noninvasive, reproducible procedure for quantitative and qualitative analysis of retinal morphology.

Methods: OCT was used to study the eye fundus before and after a CSF tap test in patients with iNPH compared with healthy individuals (HIs).

Publisher Correction: Indication of Thalamo-Cortical Circuit Dysfunction in Idiopathic Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus: A Diffusion Tensor Imaging Study.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

Indication of Thalamo-Cortical Circuit Dysfunction in Idiopathic Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus: A Tensor Imaging Study.

Idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) is a disorder with unclear pathophysiology. The diagnosis of iNPH is challenging due to its radiological similarity with other neurodegenerative diseases and ischemic subcortical white matter changes. By using Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) we explored differences in apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and fractional anisotropy (FA) in iNPH patients (before and after a shunt surgery) and healthy individuals (HI) and we correlated the clinical results with DTI parameters.

Group-based music intervention in Parkinson's disease - findings from a mixed-methods study.

Objective: To evaluate a group-based music intervention in patients with Parkinson's disease.

Design: Parallel group randomized controlled trial with qualitative triangulation.

Setting: Neurorehabilitation in primary care.

E/a' ratio is closely related to pulmonary vein flow profile in patients with normal ejection fraction.

To compare the ability of the E/a' ratio and the recommended diastolic parameters in the American Society of Echocardiography (ASE) and the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging (EACVI), in predicting a dominant diastolic pulmonary vein flow in patients with normal ejection fraction. We retrospectively evaluated the diastolic function according to the ASE/EACVI guidelines, the S/D ratio and the septal, lateral and average E/a' ratio in 293 unselected in-hospital patients, aged 39-86 years, in sinus rhythm and with no or mild valve disease, having a normal systolic function (EF > 50%). The S/D ratio had a positive association to septal, lateral and average E/a ratio (R = 0.

Cardiovascular long-term outcome and prophylactic treatment patterns in peripheral arterial disease in a population-based cohort.

Aims: This study evaluates 10-year follow-up data on associated comorbidity, mortality, and pharmacological treatment patterns for men and women with different stages of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in a population-based setting.

Methods And Results: This was a prospective observational population-based cohort study, based on physical examinations and questionnaires at baseline supplemented with national register data between 2005 and 2015. Subjects were placed in subgroups defined by ankle-brachial index levels and reported symptoms; asymptomatic PAD (APAD), intermittent claudication (IC), severe limb ischaemia (SLI), or references (Ref).

Tick-borne Encephalitis: Stroke-like Presentation.

Tick-borne encephalitis, caused by the tick-borne virus (TBEV), is endemic in central, eastern, and northern Europe eastwards through Russian Siberia and China. For the year 2009, the highest incidence in Scandinavian countries was in Sweden. The clinical symptoms have a wide spectrum.