Publications by authors named "Herborg L Johannesen"
Background: The aim of this study was to investigate overall vitamin D status in the Faroese population and assess the correlation between vitamin D levels and various sociodemographic and anthropometric factors, including sex, age, exercise, alcohol and tobacco consumption, BMI, body fat percentage, and seasonal variations. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study of vitamin D levels across all adult age groups within the Faroese population.
Methods: P25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations, anthropometric measurements and questionnaires from 1748 individuals enrolled in the FarGen 2 cohort were collected.
Article Synopsis
- Primary hyperparathyroidism is an endocrine disorder that can cause high calcium levels, often found without symptoms in patients.
- A 47-year-old male case study highlights the mild presentation of significant hormonal issues, where fasting may have contributed to kidney stone development despite no major symptoms initially.
- After surgery to remove a large parathyroid adenoma, the patient faced additional complications but ultimately achieved biochemical remission, demonstrating the importance of vigilant monitoring in similar cases.
Article Synopsis
- The incidence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in the Faroe Islands has significantly increased over the last 60 years, raising concerns about environmental factors and genetic susceptibilities.
- This study compared environmental factors between Faroese IBD patients and a Danish cohort, analyzing data from 2010 to 2022.
- Findings revealed that Faroese patients had higher rates of specific vaccinations and childhood infections, different dietary habits, and variations in smoking behaviors compared to Danish patients.
Article Synopsis
- * Over two years, 654 out of 1030 invited participants provided urine samples and completed questionnaires about their diet and supplement intake, revealing a median urinary iodine concentration (UIC) of 110 µg/l, which declined over time.
- * Results indicated that diet significantly affected UIC, with higher levels in women consuming fish and eggs compared to those relying on dairy, and highlighted the need for ongoing monitoring to address iodine deficiencies in pregnant populations.
Article Synopsis
- A 10-year observational study was conducted in the Faroe Islands to evaluate the incidence rates and patterns of thyroid diseases among adults, using health records from general practitioners and hospitals.
- The study found that the standardized incidence rates were 55 for hyperthyroidism and 112 for hypothyroidism, with women being affected four times more than men; Hashimoto's thyroiditis was the primary cause of hypothyroidism while Graves' disease was the main cause of hyperthyroidism.
- Despite declining iodine nutrition levels, the high incidence of autoimmune thyroid disease emphasizes the need for ongoing monitoring and healthcare planning in this North Atlantic region.
Article Synopsis
- - Iodine is crucial for health, and in the Faroe Islands, unique dietary habits have developed due to their isolated location, leading to a study on local food iodine content.
- - Marine foods and birds were found to be high in iodine (300 µg/kg and above), while vegetables and beverages had virtually no iodine, indicating significant dietary variations in iodine sources.
- - Traditional Faroese diets, rich in fish and whale, provide adequate iodine, but a shift to a more Western diet could increase the risk of iodine deficiency, highlighting the importance of promoting local food sources for health and sustainability.
Article Synopsis
- * Results show the annual incidences per 100,000 population were 5.2 for AIH, 2.5 for PBC, and 0.7 for PSC, with point prevalence rates on December 31, 2021, of 71.8 for AIH, 38.5 for PBC, and 11.0 for PSC.
- * The study found high mortality rates among patients: nine AI
Article Synopsis
- *A study measuring urine iodine levels in 14-year-olds revealed that, despite dietary changes, teenagers were generally iodine-replete.
- *Village residents consumed more fish and whale meat compared to those in the capital, indicating a significant correlation between fish intake and urinary iodine concentration.
Article Synopsis
- A recent study in the Faroe Islands indicated mild iodine deficiency in women over 40, but preliminary results showed a surprisingly high average urinary iodine concentration of 457 µg/L, prompting further investigation.
- The study involved collecting urine and tap water samples from pregnant women, analyzing iodine levels, and examining the impact of iodine-rich food intake on urinary iodine concentration.
- Results revealed that urine samples can become contaminated quickly from test strips, leading to unreliable iodine measurements, highlighting the need for strict sample handling protocols in iodine research.
Article Synopsis
- * A 2011-2012 study assessed iodine nutrition in a representative adult sample from the Faroe Islands, measuring urine iodine in 491 participants, revealing a median UIC of 101 µg/l, with many individuals in borderline or mild deficiency, particularly among women.
- * Findings suggest that iodine intake is influenced by diet, particularly fish and whale meals, and emphasize the need for follow-up on thyroid function due to low iodine levels in women and significant variability in iodine intake across the population.