Mental health and sociodemographic characteristics among Icelanders, data from a cross-sectional study in Iceland.

Background: Mental health challenges are on the rise worldwide. In Iceland, little is known about the sociodemographic factors associated with poor mental health. This study aimed to investigate symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress, and psychiatric medication for mental disorders in a nationally representative sample in Iceland and to explore its associations with sociodemographic factors.

[Hypertension Management in Primary Care in the Capital Area of Iceland].

Introduction: High blood pressure (HT) is one of the main risk factors for cardiovascular diseases which in 2010 caused one third of all mortality in the world. Untreated, HT can cause stroke, myocardial infarction, heart failure, dementia, kidney failure, atherosclerosis and eye diseases. The main aim of this study was to find out how HT is treated in primary care in the capital area of Iceland.

[Changes in prescriptions on opioids in primary health care during the years 2008-2017].

Introduction: In recent decades there has been a notable increase in the prescription of opioids in western countries. With this rise in use of opioids the risk of side effects, opioid abuse and deaths linked to opioids have become more apparent. The increase in opioid prescription may partly stem from a change in attitude in relation to pain management.

How primary healthcare in Iceland swiftly changed its strategy in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objective: To describe how the primary healthcare (PHC) in Iceland changed its strategy to handle the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design: Descriptive observational study.

Setting: Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland.

[Vitamin D status of Icelandic children and youngsters: Longitudinal study].

Objective: Vitamin D plays a key role for children's growth and physical developement, not only by promoting bone health but also by its influence on extraskeletal systems. The Icelandic Directorate of Health recommends a vitamin D concentration in blood of at least 50 nmol/l. The object of this study was to evaluate the vitamin D status of Icelandic children and youngsters at four different ages, and furthermore to evaluate changes in vitamin D concentrations over time and connection to parathyroid hormone status (S-PTH).