Background: Lifestyle interventions for weight loss are generally ineffective in achieving clinically meaningful long-term reductions in body weight and may contribute to negative behavior such as weight cycling or disordered eating. Negative focus on high weight may also contribute to weight stigma. Weight stigma includes negative attitudes and discriminatory behavior toward people with big bodies and can result in psychological stress and unfavorable health outcomes.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAnn Intern Med
April 2024
Background: Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) and smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM) are asymptomatic precursor conditions to multiple myeloma and related disorders. Smoldering multiple myeloma is distinguished from MGUS by 10% or greater bone marrow plasma cells (BMPC) on sampling, has a higher risk for progression, and requires specialist management.
Objective: To develop a multivariable prediction model that predicts the probability that a person with presumed MGUS has 10% or greater BMPC (SMM or worse by bone marrow criteria) to inform the decision to obtain a bone marrow sample and compare its performance to the Mayo Clinic risk stratification model.
Blood Cancer J
December 2023
Hemodilution of bone marrow (BM) aspirates is a limitation of multiparameter flow cytometry (MFC) in plasma cell disorders. There is a need for a validated approach for assessing sample quality and the distribution of non-plasma cell BM populations by MFC could provide a solution. We evaluated BM-associated cell populations, assessed by next-generation flow cytometry (NGF) and white blood cell (WBC) count in 351 BM aspirated samples from 219 participants with plasma cell disorders in the Iceland Screens, Treats, or Prevents MM study (iStopMM), as markers of hemodilution by their discriminatory ability between first and (generally more hemodiluted) second pull BM aspirated samples.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFResearch indicates that climate change may affect the mental health of humans, especially the younger generations. Consequently, new terms have emerged, including climate anxiety, climate grief, and solastalgia. Clinicians need to learn more about these conditions.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHaematologica
December 2023
Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) is an asymptomatic precursor condition that precedes multiple myeloma and related disorders but has also been associated with other medical conditions. Since systematic screening is not recommended, MGUS is typically diagnosed due to underlying diseases and most cases are not diagnosed. Most previous studies on MGUS disease associations have been based on clinical cohorts, possibly resulting in selection bias.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBlood Cancer J
March 2023
Smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM) is an asymptomatic precursor to multiple myeloma. Here we define the epidemiological characteristics of SMM in the general population in Iceland. The iStopMM study (ClinicalTrials.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMigraine affects over a billion individuals worldwide but its genetic underpinning remains largely unknown. Here, we performed a genome-wide association study of 102,084 migraine cases and 771,257 controls and identified 123 loci, of which 86 are previously unknown. These loci provide an opportunity to evaluate shared and distinct genetic components in the two main migraine subtypes: migraine with aura and migraine without aura.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Intern Med
June 2022
Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and efforts to contain it have substantially affected the daily lives of most of the world's population.
Objective: We describe the impact of the first COVID-19 wave and associated social restrictions on the mental health of a large adult population.
Methods: We performed a cohort study nested in a prospective randomized clinical trial, comparing responses during the first COVID-19 wave to previous responses.
Vertigo is the leading symptom of vestibular disorders and a major risk factor for falls. In a genome-wide association study of vertigo (N = 48,072, N = 894,541), we uncovered an association with six common sequence variants in individuals of European ancestry, including missense variants in ZNF91, OTOG, OTOGL, and TECTA, and a cis-eQTL for ARMC9. The association of variants in ZNF91, OTOGL, and OTOP1 was driven by an association with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBlood Cancer J
May 2021
Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) precedes multiple myeloma (MM). Population-based screening for MGUS could identify candidates for early treatment in MM. Here we describe the Iceland Screens, Treats, or Prevents Multiple Myeloma study (iStopMM), the first population-based screening study for MGUS including a randomized trial of follow-up strategies.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: High Amplitude Low Frequency-Music Impulse Stimulation (HALF-MIS) is a form of Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS). The aim of the study was to determine the feasibility, efficacy, and potential side effects of HALF-MIS, used as an add-on treatment for depression.
Methods: This is an open randomized controlled pilot study.
Introduction: Research shows that out-of-pocket health care costs in Iceland and other Western European countries have increased in recent years, and unequal access to health services has been documented. In an attempt to contain out-of-pocket-costs and avoid service inequities, Icelandic health authorities have for a number of years issued health care discount cards.
Objective: The purpose ot the study was to investigate the distribution of out-of-pocket physician costs and discount cards, and the extent to which the cards reach those who are entitled to them.
Objective: Total health expenditures, and out-of-pocket health care costs have increased in recent years in Western Europe and North America. Developments in Iceland appear to be similar. Access and cost are closely related and direct household health care costs often reduce subsequent use of services.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFResearch suggests that teaching activities involve a high risk of developing voice disorders. The aim of this study is to examine the possible difference in the occurrence and nature of vocal symptoms in two groups of teachers-head teachers (N = 43), including both principals and assistant head teachers, and teachers of physical education (N = 43)--and to investigate the possible role of gender. The questionnaire results indicate that demands on the voice for P.
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