Age-stratified comparison of heart age and predicted cardiovascular risk in 370 000 primary care patients.

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) preventive medications are recommended for patients at high short-term CVD risk. As most younger people with multiple raised CVD risk factors levels have low short-term risk, they could be falsely reassured to take no action. Heart age-the chronological age of a hypothetical person with the same short-term absolute CVD risk as the patient being assessed, but with an 'ideal' risk profile-is a complementary relative CVD risk metric developed to encourage these younger patients to make long-term lifestyle changes.

Do marked discharge summaries with recommendation text boxes enhance patient safety? A nationwide survey.

Background: Danish hospital physicians are required to mark their discharge summaries addressing whether the patient's general practitioner (GP) is recommended to follow up as well as suggest follow-up actions.

Aim: To investigate whether a new form of discharge summaries may contribute to improve the perceived patient safety following transition from hospitals to general practice.

Design & Setting: This paper reports data from a questionnaire sent to a representative sample of GPs in Denmark.

Labor market effects of rehabilitation for patients diagnosed with dizziness - a Danish nationwide register-based cohort study.

Purpose: Both vestibular neuronitis (VN) and Meniere's disease (MD) have great impact on quality of life and are associated with a significant number of sick leave days absent from work. The aim was to assess labor market participation rate one year after hospital diagnosis of VN and MD and the use of rehabilitation measures.

Study Design: Nationwide register-based cohort study including patients with VN (n = 1,341) and MD (n = 843) and control persons matched in 1:5 with a VN cohort control (n = 6,683) and MD cohort control (n = 4,209).

Improving discharge summaries from hospital with a brief recommendation text box: results from a nationwide survey.

Background: Danish hospital physicians are obliged to mark discharge summaries addressing whether the GP is recommended to follow up the patient, as well as stating suggested follow-up actions in a recommendation text box.

Aim: To investigate GPs' experiences with the recommendation text box in discharge summaries.

Design & Setting: A questionnaire was sent to a representative sample of GPs in Denmark in January 2021.

Introducing Point-of-Care PCR technology in general practice: Ambiguities, experiences, and perceptions among health care professionals.

In this paper we present findings from a qualitative ethnographic study investigating the experiences and perceptions of general practitioners and other practice staff when introducing a new point of care diagnostic test technology (point of care polymerase chain reaction (POC PCR)) in general practice in Denmark. The ethnographic study was conducted in five general practice clinics, involving observations in four of the clinics and interviews with general practitioners and practice staff in all five clinics. Following an initial analytic phase in which barriers and facilitators in the implementation process of the Point-of-Care test were identified, we developed theoretically informed themes, drawing upon Hartmut Rosa's social theory of technological acceleration.

Sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity among older adults in the nordic countries: a scoping review.

Background: Sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity (SO) are age-related syndromes that may compromise physical and mental health among older adults. The Nordic countries differ from other regions on prevalence of disease, life-style behavior, and life expectancy, which may impact prevalence of sarcopenia and SO. Therefore, the aim of this study is to review the available evidence and gaps within this field in the Nordic countries.

Designing a tool ensuring older patients the right medication at the right time after discharge from hospital- the first step in a participatory design process.

Background: On average, older patients use five or more medications daily, increasing the risk of adverse drug reactions, interactions, or medication errors. Healthcare sector transitions increase the risk of information loss, misunderstandings, unclear treatment responsibilities, and medication errors. Therefore, it is crucial to identify possible solutions to decrease these risks.

Increasing melanoma incidence with unchanged mortality: more sunshine, better treatment, increased diagnostic activity, overdiagnosis or lowered diagnostic threshold?

Background: Increasing melanoma incidence with less increasing mortality is observed in several countries. This discrepancy is not well understood.

Objectives: In this study, our aim was to discuss factors [ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure, melanoma treatment, diagnostic activity, overdiagnosis, pathologists' diagnostic threshold and clinicians' propensity to remove suspect skin lesions] that might influence melanoma incidence and mortality in Denmark.

Patients' views on usefulness and effects of a risk communication tool for cardiovascular disease: a qualitative analysis.

Background: Failing to comprehend risk communication might contribute to poor treatment adherence. Using hypertension as a case, we investigated how a risk communication tool for patients with an elevated risk of cardiovascular disease was perceived.

Methods: As part of a large project featuring a randomised controlled trial in a general practice setting in the Region of Southern Denmark, we conducted a semi-structured individual interview study.

Secondary exposure to heavy metal in genetically susceptible mice leads to acceleration of autoimmune response.

Exposure to mercury (Hg) and silver (Ag) has been shown to induce autoimmune diseases in genetically susceptible rodents. Here, A.SW mice were initially exposed to HgCl, AgNO or tap water (control) for 3 weeks.

Handling polypharmacy -a qualitative study using focus group interviews with older patients, their relatives, and healthcare professionals.

Background: On average, older patients use five or more medications daily. A consequence is an increased risk of adverse drug reactions, interactions, or medication errors. Therefore, it is important to understand the challenges experienced by the patients, relatives, and healthcare professionals pertinent to the concomitant use of many drugs.

The effect of psychological interventions targeting overweight and obesity in school-aged children: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Multi-component psychological interventions may mitigate overweight and obesity in children and adolescents. Evidence is, however, scattered on the effectiveness of such interventions. This study aims to review the available evidence on the effectiveness of multi-component psychological interventions on anthropometric measures of school-aged children with overweight or obesity.

Subjective expectation of reaching age 85: agreement with population statistics and association with behavioral and psychological factors.

Background: It is not clearly known how well Danes estimate their chances of reaching the average life expectancy and whether identifiable population subgroups misestimate their life expectancy, and potentially also investments and savings in health and pensions. Therefore, in this study, we examined on the individual level whether subjective life expectancy is in line with the statistically calculated chance of reaching age 85, and further explored the psychological and behavioral factors associated with under or overestimation.

Methods: We opted for a cross-sectional survey design based on a sample of 5,379 Danish citizens aged 50-70 years, returning a web-based questionnaire with socio-demographic data supplemented from a national registry.

Readiness to Accept Genetic Testing for Personalized Medicine: Survey Findings on the Role of Socio-Demographic Characteristics, Health Vulnerabilities, Perceived Genetic Risk and Personality Factors.

Studies from various countries have shown that majorities would accept genetic testing for personalization of treatment, but little is known about differences among population subgroups. The present study investigated whether readiness to accept a hypothetical cost-free offer of genetic testing to personalize treatment depends on socio-demographic characteristics, health-related vulnerabilities, personal dispositions, and prior awareness about personalized medicine. The study was based on a cross-sectional survey design.

Long-term weight loss in a 24-month primary care-anchored telehealth lifestyle coaching program: Randomized controlled trial.

Long-term weight loss can reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes for people living with obesity and reduce complications for patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. We investigated whether a telehealth lifestyle-coaching program (Liva) leads to long-term (24 months) weight loss compared to usual care. In a randomized controlled trial,  = 340 participants living with obesity with or without type 2 diabetes were enrolled and randomized via an automated computer algorithm to an intervention group ( = 200) or to a control group ( = 140).

Long-term Weight Loss in a Primary Care-Anchored eHealth Lifestyle Coaching Program: Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Long-term weight loss in people living with obesity can reduce the risk and progression of noncommunicable diseases. Observational studies suggest that digital coaching can lead to long-term weight loss.

Objective: We investigated whether an eHealth lifestyle coaching program for people living with obesity with or without type 2 diabetes led to significant, long-term (12-month) weight loss compared to usual care.

Reversing Type 2 Diabetes in a Primary Care-Anchored eHealth Lifestyle Coaching Programme in Denmark: A Randomised Controlled Trial.

The goal of this trial was to investigate whether an eHealth lifestyle coaching programme led to significant weight loss and decreased Haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) in patients with type 2 diabetes. In an RCT, 170 patients were enrolled from 2018 to 2019 for intervention or control. Inclusion criteria were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, BMI 30−45 kg/m2, and aged 18−70 years.

Healthcare costs of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Denmark - specialist care versus GP care only.

Background: Many patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are treated in general practice only and have never received specialist care for COPD. They are seldom included in COPD cost studies but may account for a substantial proportion of the total costs.

Objective: To estimate and specify the total healthcare costs of patients who are treated for COPD in Denmark comparing those who have- and have not had specialist care for COPD.

Reasons for participation and non-participation in colorectal cancer screening.

Objectives: The aim of the present analysis is to identify the reasons for accepting or rejecting the invitation to be screened by the Faecal Immunochemical Test as part of the free Danish screening programme for colorectal cancer (CRC).

Study Design: A cross-sectional representative survey of 15,072 Danish citizens aged 50-80 years was collected in 2019 via a Web-based questionnaire administered by Statistics Denmark. Among the net sample of 6807 respondents (45%), 177 were excluded because of current treatment for colorectal disease.

Statin Discontinuation and Cardiovascular Events Among Older People in Denmark.

Importance: Statin use is common in older persons. Given uncertainties in ongoing benefit, changes in health status, and shifting goals of care and preferences, statin discontinuation may be considered in some older persons, although there is currently little evidence to guide this decision.

Objective: To evaluate the association between statin discontinuation and the rate of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) among people aged 75 years or older who receive long-term statin treatment.

Prolongation of disease-free life: When is the benefit sufficient to warrant the effort of taking a preventive medicine?

The prolongation of disease-free life (PODL) required by people to be willing to accept an offer of a preventive treatment is unknown. Quantifying the required benefits could guide information and discussions about preventive treatment. In this study, we investigated how large the benefit in prolongation of a disease-free life (PODL) should be for individuals aged 50-80 years to accept a preventive treatment offer.

Physicians' experiences, attitudes, and beliefs towards medical cannabis: a systematic literature review.

Background: An increasing number of countries legalise the use of medical cannabis or allow it for a narrow range of medical conditions. Physicians, and often the patients' general practitioner, play a major role in implementing this policy. Many of them, however, perceive a lack of evidence-based knowledge and are not confident with providing patients with medical cannabis.

The NERSH Questionnaire and Pool of Data from 12 Countries: Development and Description.

Modern healthcare research has only in recent years investigated the impact of health care workers' religious and other values on medical practice, interaction with patients, and ethically complex decision making. So far, only limited international data exist on the way such values vary across different countries. We therefore established the NERSH International Collaboration on Values in Medicine with datasets on physician religious characteristics and values based on the same questionnaire.

Global overview of dietary outcomes and dietary intake assessment methods in maritime settings: a systematic review.

Background: Seafaring is a risky occupation with high prevalence of risk factors for non-communicable diseases. Food intake and eating habits are important cornerstones regarding health and health promotion. The aim of this study was to provide an overview of dietary intake and dietary intake assessment methods of seafarers and suggestions for applicable assessment tools.