Hospital work environments affect the patient safety climate: A longitudinal follow-up using a logistic regression analysis model.

Background: Occupational worker wellness and safety climate are key determinants of healthcare organizations' ability to reduce medical harm to patients while supporting their employees. We designed a longitudinal study to evaluate the association between work environment characteristics and the patient safety climate in hospital units.

Methods: Primary data were collected from Norwegian hospital staff from 970 clinical units in all 21 hospitals of the South-Eastern Norway Health Region using the validated Norwegian Work Environment Survey and the Norwegian version of the Safety Attitudes Questionnaire.

Possible risk factors for poor asthma control assessed in a cross-sectional population-based study from Telemark, Norway.

This cross-sectional study of the general population of Telemark County, Norway, aimed to identify risk factors associated with poor asthma control as defined by the Asthma Control Test (ACT), and to determine the proportions of patients with poorly controlled asthma who had undergone spirometry, used asthma medication, or been examined by a pulmonary physician. In 2014-2015, the study recruited 326 subjects aged 16-50 years who had self-reported physician-diagnosed asthma and presence of respiratory symptoms during the previous 12 months. The clinical outcome measures were body mass index (BMI), forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), immunoglobulin E (IgE) in serum and serum C-reactive protein (CRP).

Lifestyle, sick leave and work ability among Norwegian employees with asthma-A population-based cross-sectional survey conducted in Telemark County, Norway.

Objective: To investigate whether physician-diagnosed asthma modifies the associations between multiple lifestyle factors, sick leave and work ability in a general working population.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Telemark County, Norway, in 2013. A sample of 16 099 respondents completed a self-administered questionnaire.

Resilience and lifestyle-related factors as predictors for health-related quality of life among early adolescents: a cross-sectional study.

Objective: To examine whether lifestyle-related factors and resilience predict health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in a sample of early adolescents.

Methods: A total of 611 eighth grade pupils (response rate: 79%) participated in this cross-sectional study. The variables measured were physical activity (accelerometer), cardiorespiratory fitness (Andersen test) and a questionnaire assessing dietary habits, sleep disturbance, resilience (Resilience Scale for Adolescents) and HRQoL (KIDSCREEN-27).

Associations between work satisfaction, engagement and 7-day patient mortality: a cross-sectional survey.

Objective: This study examines the association between profession-specific work environments and the 7-day mortality of patients admitted to these units with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), stroke and hip fracture.

Design: A cross-sectional study combining patient mortality data extracted from the South-Eastern Norway Health Region, and the work environment scores at the hospital ward levels. A case-mix adjustment model was developed for the comparison between hospital wards.

Self-reported traffic-related air pollution and respiratory symptoms among adults in an area with modest levels of traffic.

Health effects of traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) concentrations in densely populated areas are previously described. However, there is still a lack of knowledge of the health effects of moderate TRAP levels. The aim of the current study, a population-based survey including 16 099 adults (response rate 33%), was to assess the relationship between TRAP estimates and respiratory symptoms in an area with modest levels of traffic; Telemark County, Norway.

Influence of Obesity on Work Ability, Respiratory Symptoms, and Lung Function in Adults with Asthma.

Background: Asthma is defined by variable respiratory symptoms and lung function, and may influence work ability. Similarly, obesity may contribute to respiratory symptoms, affect lung function, and reduce work ability. Thus, assessment of the influence of obesity on work ability, respiratory symptoms, and lung function in adults with asthma is needed.

Lifestyle, appearance satisfaction and depressive symptoms in 13-16 years old Norwegian adolescents - A cross-sectional study.

To examine gender-specific associations between multiple lifestyle-related risk factors, appearance satisfaction and depressive symptoms in a sample of Norwegian adolescents (13-16 years of age), and to study the role of appearance satisfaction as a possible confounder in the associations between lifestyle and depressive symptoms. Data were obtained from , a cross-sectional national survey of adolescents in Norway. In total 4379 subjects were included in the study.

QT prolongation predicts short-term mortality independent of comorbidity.

Aims: A prolonged corrected QT interval (QTc) ≥500 ms is associated with high all-cause mortality in hospitalized patients. We aimed to explore any difference in short- and long-term mortality in patients with QTc ≥500 ms compared with patients with QTc <500 ms after adjustment for comorbidity and main diagnosis.

Methods And Results: Patients with QTc ≥500 ms who were hospitalized at Telemark Hospital Trust, Norway between January 2007 and April 2014 were identified.

Lifestyle and work ability in a general working population in Norway: a cross-sectional study.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between multiple lifestyle-related risk factors (unhealthy diet, low leisure-time physical activity, overweight/obesity and smoking) and self-rated work ability in a general working population.

Setting: Population-based cross-sectional study, in Telemark County, Norway, 2013.

Participants: A random sample of 50 000 subjects was invited to answer a self-administered questionnaire and 16 099 responded.

Sleep problems and mental health among young Norwegian adolescents.

Purpose: The present study investigated the associations between the aspects of sleep problems and mental health in Norwegian young adolescents.

Materials And Methods: Adolescents (12-13 years) were recruited from the primary schools in Telemark County, Norway. Sleep related problems were assessed by asking parents three questions related to their childrens' sleep quality, sleep sufficiency, and daytime sleepiness.

Chronic Rhinosinusitis Related to Occupational Exposure: The Telemark Population Study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between occupational exposure and chronic rhinosinusitis.

Methods: A random population from the region of Telemark, aged 16 to 50 years, answered a respiratory questionnaire including questions on chronic rhinosinusitis and exposure in the occupational environment.

Results: A total of 16,099/48,142 subjects responded.

Aetiology and risk factors of community-acquired pneumonia in hospitalized patients in Norway.

Background And Aims: In Norway, data on the aetiology of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in hospitalized patients are limited. The aims of this study were to investigate the bacterial aetiology of CAP in hospitalized patients in Norway, risk factors for CAP and possible differences in risk factors between patients with Legionnaire's disease and pneumonia because of other causes.

Methods: Adult patients with radiologically confirmed CAP admitted to hospital were eligible for the study.

BMI-specific associations between health-related behaviours and overweight - a longitudinal study among Norwegian adolescents.

Objective: To investigate BMI-specific associations between health-related behaviours in early adolescence and the likelihood of overweight in mid-adolescence in a sample of Norwegian adolescents.

Design: Longitudinal study of 393 adolescents recruited from schools in Telemark County, Norway. Parents reported baseline data on children's behavioural variables and background data (at age 12-13 years).

Non-response in a cross-sectional study of respiratory health in Norway.

Objectives: Declining participation in epidemiological studies has been reported in recent decades and may lead to biased prevalence estimates and selection bias. The aim of the study was to identify possible causes and effects of non-response in a population-based study of respiratory health in Norway.

Design: The Telemark study is a longitudinal study that began with a cross-sectional survey in 2013.

Gender-specific association of weight perception and appearance satisfaction with slimming attempts and eating patterns in a sample of young Norwegian adolescents.

Objective: To examine gender-specific associations of weight perception and appearance satisfaction with slimming attempts and eating patterns among young Norwegian adolescents.

Design: Cross-sectional study. Adolescent dietary data were reported by parents using a retrospective FFQ.

Associations between overweight, peer problems, and mental health in 12-13-year-old Norwegian children.

Overweight and mental health problems represent two major challenges related to child and adolescent health. More knowledge of a possible relationship between the two problems and the influence of peer problems on the mental health of overweight children is needed. It has previously been hypothesized that peer problems may be an underlying factor in the association between overweight and mental health problems.

Meal pattern among Norwegian primary-school children and longitudinal associations between meal skipping and weight status.

Objective: To investigate meal pattern longitudinally and explore whether meal skipping was associated with overweight among Norwegian children and adolescents.

Design: Longitudinal study. Children's meal frequencies were reported by their parents using a retrospective FFQ.

Eating patterns and mental health problems in early adolescence--a cross-sectional study of 12-13-year-old Norwegian schoolchildren.

Objective: To investigate the association between eating patterns and mental health problems in young Norwegian adolescents (12-13 years of age).

Design: Cross-sectional study. Dietary information was reported by parents using a retrospective FFQ.

Association between parental motives for food choice and eating patterns of 12- to 13-year-old Norwegian children.

Objective: To determine (i) the importance of parents’ motives for everyday family food choices; and (ii) the relationship between parental food choice motives and eating patterns of 12- to 13-year-old children.

Design: Cross-sectional study. A modified version of the Food Choice Questionnaire was used to determine parental motives for food choices.

Tracking of eating patterns and overweight - a follow-up study of Norwegian schoolchildren from middle childhood to early adolescence.

Background: The aim of this study was to describe eating patterns in early adolescence and to determine associations between eating patterns and overweight from middle childhood (4th grade, 9 to 10 years old) to early adolescence (7th grade, 12 to 13 years old).

Methods: Children were recruited from primary schools in Telemark County, Norway. Dietary data were obtained by parental report using a food frequency questionnaire.

A cross-shift study of lung function, exhaled nitric oxide and inflammatory markers in blood in Norwegian cement production workers.

Objectives: To study possible effects of aerosol exposure on lung function, fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) and inflammatory markers in blood from Norwegian cement production workers across one work shift (0 to 8 h) and again 32 h after the non-exposed baseline registration.

Methods: 95 workers from two cement plants in Norway were included. Assessment of lung function included spirometry and gas diffusion pre- and post-shift (0 and 8 h).

Influence of GSTM1, GSTT1, GSTP1, NAT1, NAT2, EPHX1, MTR and MTHFR polymorphism on chromosomal aberration frequencies in human lymphocytes.

We have studied the influence of genetic polymorphisms in the xenobiotic-metabolizing genes GSTM1, GSTP1, GSTT1, EPHX1, NAT1 and NAT2 and the folate-metabolizing genes MTR and MTHFR on the frequencies of cells with chromosomal aberrations (CAs) in peripheral lymphocytes of Norwegian men. Log-linear Poisson regression models were applied on 357 subjects of whom data on all the polymorphisms examined were available. Total CAs and chromosome-type aberrations (CSAs) were significantly increased by higher age alone, whereas chromatid-type aberrations (CTAs) were elevated by the GSTT1-null genotype and MTHFR codon 222 variant allele and chromatid gaps (CTGs) by EPHX1 high activity genotype and occupational exposure.

Reinforced laryngeal mask airway compared with endotracheal tube for adenotonsillectomies.

Background: The endotracheal tube (ETT) has traditionally been considered the best airway device during adenotonsillectomy because a well protected and secured airway is provided. This has been challenged by the introduction of the reinforced laryngeal mask airway (RLMA). It does not kink, is less traumatic during insertion and better tolerated during emergence.

Sustaining the vitality of colonoscopy quality improvement programmes over time. Experience from the Norwegian Gastronet programme.

Objective: An important challenge of any quality assurance (QA) programme is to maintain interest among participants to ensure high data quality over time. The primary aim of this study was to identify factors associated with endoscopist compliance with the Norwegian QA programme for colonoscopies (Gastronet).

Material And Methods: The Gastronet registration tools are an endoscopy report form to be filled in directly after the procedure by the endoscopist, and a satisfaction questionnaire to be filled in by the patient on the day after the examination.