Socioeconomic and geographic differences in ablation of atrial fibrillation in Norway - a national cohort study.

Background: The aim of this study was to analyse whether there are patient related or geographic differences in the use of catheter ablation among atrial fibrillation patients in Norway.

Methods: National population-based data on individual level of all Norwegians aged 25 to 75 diagnosed with atrial fibrillation from 2008 to 2017 were used to study the proportion treated with catheter ablation. Survival analysis, by Cox regression with attained age as time scale, separately by gender, was applied to examine the associations between ablation probability and educational level, income level, place of residence, and follow-up time.

Equitable access to cancer patient pathways in Norway - a national registry-based study.

Background: In 2015, cancer patient pathways (CPP) were implemented in Norway to reduce unnecessary non-medical delay in the diagnostic process and start of treatment. The main aim of this study was to investigate the equality in access to CPPs for patients with either lung, colorectal, breast or prostate cancer in Norway.

Methods: National population-based data on individual level from 2015 to 2017 were used to study two proportions; i) patients in CPPs without the cancer diagnosis, and ii) cancer patients included in CPPs.

Impact of parents' education on variation in hospital admissions for children: a population-based cohort study.

Objectives: To assess the impact of parental educational level on hospital admissions for children, and to evaluate whether differences in parents' educational level can explain geographic variation in admission rates.

Design: National cohort study.

Setting: The 18 hospital referral areas for children in Norway.

Treatment rates for lumbar spine surgery in Norway and Northern Norway Regional Health Authority 2014-18.

Background: The objective of this study was to investigate whether the service provision for lumbar spine surgery within the Northern Norway Regional Health Authority area complies with the distribution of functions that has been decided for the hospitals in the region, and whether there are any geographical variations in service provision. We therefore studied the treatment rates in Norway as a whole and in the Northern Norway Regional Health Authority area, and assessed the activity in the region.

Material And Method: We included lumbar spine procedures in the Norwegian Patient Registry from the years 2014-2018 in a retrospective analysis and estimated treatment rates standardised by sex and age for Norway as a whole, the health regions and the health enterprises in Northern Norway Regional Health Authority.

Wrist malpractice claims in Northern Norway 2005-2014. Lessons to be learned.

Rough weather conditions in the subarctic areas of Norway may influence on the risk of wrist fracture. We implemented data from the Norwegian System of Patient Injury Compensation (NPE). All claims due to wrist surgery, performed at the public hospitals in Northern Norway, during 2005-2014 were analyzed.

Treatment of wrist fractures 2009-14.

Background: The purpose of the study was to conduct a systematic analysis based on data from the Norwegian Patient Registry and describe the incidence and treatment of wrist fractures among adults, at national level and in the catchment areas of the various regional health authorities.

Material And Method: A search was conducted in the Norwegian Patient Registry for all patients aged ≥ 18 years with diagnosis codes for wrist fractures in the period 2009–2014. Age, sex and type of treatment were recorded.

Calculating the 30-day Survival Rate in Acute Myocardial Infarction: Should we Use the Treatment Chain or the Hospital Catchment Model?

Introduction: Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a potentially deadly disease and significant efforts have been concentrated on improving hospital performance. A 30-day survival rate has become a key quality of care indicator. In Northern Norway, some patients undergoing AMI are directly transferred to the Regional Cardiac Intervention Center at the University Hospital of North Norway in Tromsø.

The use of surgery for cervical degenerative disease in Norway in the period 2008-2014 : A population-based study of 6511 procedures.

Background: The incidence rate of surgical treatment of cervical degenerative diseases (CDD) has increased in the USA and a large geographic variation has been shown. Little is known about such rates in Scandinavia and Europe. The aim of this population-based study was to (1) investigate annual incidence rates of operations performed in Norway, (2) to compare trends and variations in rates for surgical indications with and without myelopathy, and (3) to compare variations in the use of surgery between residential areas.

Norwegian patients with colon cancer start their adjuvant therapy too late.

Background: For patients with colon cancer who are to receive adjuvant chemotherapy according to national guidelines, such therapy must be initiated no more than 4-6 weeks after the surgical intervention. We wished to investigate whether these guidelines are being complied with. We also wished to see whether the type of surgery (open or laparoscopic) had any effect on the time elapsing before initiation of adjuvant therapy.

Anal carcinoma - Survival and recurrence in a large cohort of patients treated according to Nordic guidelines.

Objective: To evaluate treatment outcome in a large population-based cohort of patients with anal cancer treated according to Nordic guidelines.

Material: Clinical data were collected on 1266 patients with anal squamous cell carcinoma diagnosed from 2000 to 2007 in Sweden, Norway and Denmark. 886 of the patients received radiotherapy 54-64Gy with or without chemotherapy (5-fluorouracil plus cisplatin or mitomycin) according to different protocols, stratified by tumor stage.

Impaired health-related quality of life after chemoradiotherapy for anal cancer: late effects in a national cohort of 128 survivors.

Background: Chemoradiotherapy is an effective treatment for anal cancer, yet from follow-up many survivors seem to suffer from late effects. Data of long-term health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in anal cancer survivors are limited, and there is a growing interest in cancer survivorship.

Material And Methods: A national cohort of all anal cancer survivors treated with curative chemoradiotherapy in 2000-2007 was invited to a cross-sectional study.

Chemoradiotherapy of anal carcinoma: survival and recurrence in an unselected national cohort.

Purpose: To evaluate treatment results, elucidate whether national guidelines were followed, and identify areas demanding further treatment optimization.

Methods And Material: Between July 2000 and June 2007, 328 patients were treated with curatively intended chemoradiotherapy (CRT) for nonmetastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the anal region, according to national treatment guidelines based on tumor stage.

Results: Complete response after CRT was obtained in 87% of patients, rising to 93% after salvage surgery.

Methodological challenges in hip fracture registration: the Harstad Injury Registry.

The aim of the study was to evaluate a hospital-based injury recording system on hip fracture registration in elderly persons aged + 65 years from 1994 through 2008, and to examine the agreement between the number of validated fractures and the number of fractures reported to the Norwegian Patient Registry using three different sources: (1) Medical records, (2) Patient administrative system and (3) The hospital's hip fracture record to the Norwegian Patient Registry from 2002 through 2008. The injury recording system included 582 hip fracture events and 535 (92%) were confirmed through the medical records. Reasons for non-verification were different coding failures.

Sexual function in females after radiotherapy for rectal cancer.

Background: Knowledge about female sexual problems after pre- or postoperative (chemo-)radiotherapy and radical resection of rectal cancer is limited. The aim of this study was to compare self-rated sexual functioning in women treated with or without radiotherapy (RT+ vs. RT-), at least two years after surgery for rectal cancer.

Sexual function in males after radiotherapy for rectal cancer.

Purpose: Knowledge of sexual problems after pre- or postoperative radiotherapy (RT) with 50 Gy for rectal cancer is limited. In this study, we aimed to compare self-rated sexual functioning in irradiated (RT+) and nonirradiated (RT-) male patients at least 2 years after surgery for rectal cancer.

Methods And Materials: Patients diagnosed with rectal cancer from 1993 to 2003 were identified from the Norwegian Rectal Cancer Registry.

Colorectal cancer metastatic to the brain: time trends in presentation and outcome.

Objective: It was the aim of this study to compare differences in disease pattern, patient characteristics and survival in patient cohorts treated during different decades.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of all patients with brain metastases from colorectal cancer treated between 1983 and June 2008 in Northern Norway. The patients were assigned to 3 different groups, based on the decade of treatment.

[Palliative chemotherapy and radiotherapy for metastatic colorectal cancer].

Background: There are 3 450 new cases of colorectal cancer in Norway annually. In half of the patients, metastatic disease will evolve with time. Palliative chemo- or radiotherapy can prolong disease- and symptom control when cure is not feasible.

[Recurrence of rectal cancer--treatment in Norwegian hospitals].

Background: The aim of this study was to examine if Norwegian surgeons had a passive attitude to treatment of patients with local recurrence of rectal cancer after primary treatment and if attitudes to treatment differed between hospitals.

Material And Methods: All 46 departments for gastrointestinal surgery in Norway answered a questionnaire detailing their policy for workup, referral and treatment of patients with pelvic recurrence after surgery for rectal cancer.

Results: All hospitals used MRI for evaluation of the pelvis.

[Radiotherapy of rectal cancer].

Background: Of the approximately 1,100 new cases of rectal cancer in Norway annually, many can be cured by surgery alone, but a large group of patients need supplemental treatment. We here present the national consensus for radiotherapy of rectal cancer.

Material And Methods: This review is based on relevant publications up to April 2007, the authors' own research and clinical experiences, data from The Norwegian Colorectal Cancer Register and guidelines from The Norwegian Gastrointestinal Cancer Group.

Management satisfaction in survivors of testicular cancer.

Background: The aim of this study was to examine satisfaction with the quality of the doctor-patient relationship (QCD) and the information (INF) made available, as well as the influence of different treatment modalities and psychosocial variables in testicular cancer survivors (TCSs).

Materials And Methods: Two-hundred and 6 TCSs, seen at 2 Norwegian university hospitals, were studied retrospectively and currently in a cross-sectional follow-up design. Questionnaires were filled in prior to and at the patients' follow-up examination.

First clinical experience with alpha-emitting radium-223 in the treatment of skeletal metastases.

Purpose: The main goals were to study the safety and tolerability of the alpha-emitter radium-223 (223Ra) in breast and prostate cancer patients with skeletal metastases. In addition, pain palliation was evaluated.

Experimental Design: Fifteen prostate and 10 breast cancer patients enrolled in a phase I trial received a single i.

Information and communication technology (ICT) in oncology. Patients' and relatives' experiences and suggestions.

Cancer patients and relatives worldwide are turning more and more to the internet to obtain health information. The goal of this survey was to clarify their experiences and suggestions on the implementation of information and communication technology (ICT) in oncology. A total of 127 patients and 60 relatives visiting the outpatient clinic at the Department of Oncology, University of North Norway (UNN), the regional office of the Norwegian Cancer Union (NCU) and the Montebello Centre were included in a questionnaire-based study.