Excess non-COVID-19 mortality in Norway 2020-2022.

Background: Causes of death other than COVID-19 seem to contribute significantly to the excess mortality observed during the 2020-2022 pandemic. In this study, we explore changes in non-COVID-19 causes of death in Norway during the COVID-19 pandemic from March 2020 to December 2022.

Methods: We performed a population-based cross-sectional study on data from the Norwegian Cause of Death Registry.

How often do nurses suspect violence and domestic violence in local emergency medical communication centre? A cross-sectional study.

Objective: To assess the extent of violence that is revealed by screening at first contact with a local out-of-hours emergency medical communication centre (LEMC; Norwegian 'Legevaktsentral').

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: Arendal LEMC, covering 10 municipalities in south-eastern Norway.

Lockdown and non-COVID-19 deaths: cause-specific mortality during the first wave of the 2020 pandemic in Norway: a population-based register study.

Objective: To explore the potential impact of the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic on all cause and cause-specific mortality in Norway.

Design: Population-based register study.

Setting: The Norwegian cause of Death Registry and the National Population Register of Norway.

No change in the consumption of thyroid hormones after starting low dose naltrexone (LDN): a quasi-experimental before-after study.

Background: Low dose naltrexone (LDN) is reported to have beneficial effects in several autoimmune diseases. The purpose of this study was to examine whether starting LDN was followed by changes in the dispensing of thyroid hormones to patients with hypothyroidism.

Methods: We performed a quasi-experimental before-after study based on the Norwegian Prescription Database.

Changes in the consumption of antiepileptics and psychotropic medicines after starting low dose naltrexone: A nation-wide register-based controlled before-after study.

In this controlled before-after study based on data from the Norwegian Prescription Database, we examine whether starting off-label use of Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN) is followed by changes in the consumption of psychotropic medicines including antiepileptics. Patients that collected LDN for the first time in 2013 (N = 11247) were included and stratified into three groups based on LDN exposure. We compared differences in means of cumulative number of defined daily doses (DDD) as well as changes in the number of users one year before and one year after starting LDN.

Correction: Low dose naltrexone: Effects on medication in rheumatoid and seropositive arthritis. A nationwide register-based controlled quasi-experimental before-after study.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

Low dose naltrexone: Effects on medication in rheumatoid and seropositive arthritis. A nationwide register-based controlled quasi-experimental before-after study.

In recent years, low dose naltrexone (LDN) has been used as an off-label therapy for several chronic diseases. Results from small laboratory and clinical studies indicate some beneficial effects of LDN in autoimmune diseases, but clinical research on LDN in rheumatic disease is limited. Using a pharmacoepidemiological approach, we wanted to test the hypothesis that starting LDN leads to reduced dispensing of medicines used in the treatment of rheumatic disease.

The Effect of Low-Dose Naltrexone on Medication in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Quasi Experimental Before-and-After Prescription Database Study.

Background And Aims: Low-dose naltrexone [LDN] is a controversial off-label treatment used by many Crohn's disease [CD] and ulcerative colitis [UC] patients. A small number of preliminary studies indicate that LDN might be beneficial in CD, but evidence is too scarce to demonstrate efficacy. We sought to examine whether initiation of LDN therapy by patients with inflammatory bowel disease [IBD] was followed by changes in dispensing of relevant medication.

Local emergency medical communication centres - staffing and populations.

Background: There are several examples of inadequate staffing at local emergency medical communication centres (LEMCs) resulting in limited availability and long waits on the telephone. There are no guidelines for population size or the staffing of a LEMC. In the following, we present models of catchment areas and staffing.

Low dose naltrexone in multiple sclerosis: Effects on medication use. A quasi-experimental study.

Low dose naltrexone (LDN) has become a popular off-label therapy for multiple sclerosis (MS). A few small, randomized studies indicate that LDN may have beneficial effects in MS and other autoimmune diseases. If proven efficacious, it would be a cheap and safe alternative to the expensive treatments currently recommended for MS.

Telephone counselling by nurses in Norwegian primary care out-of-hours services: a cross-sectional study.

Background: The primary care out-of-hours (OOH) services in Norway are characterized by high contact rates by telephone. The telephone contacts are handled by local emergency medical communication centres (LEMCs), mainly staffed by registered nurses. When assessment by a medical doctor is not required, the nurse often handles the contact solely by nurse telephone counselling.

Reasons for encounter by different levels of urgency in out-of-hours emergency primary health care in Norway: a cross sectional study.

Background: Frequencies of reasons for encounter (RFEs) in emergency primary care out-of-hours (OOH) services are relevant for planning of capacities as well as to target the training of staff at casualty clinics. We aimed to present frequencies of RFEs in the different organ systems, and to identify the most frequent RFEs at different urgency levels.

Methods: We analyzed data on RFEs in Norwegian OOH services.

Low-dose naltrexone and opioid consumption: a drug utilization cohort study based on data from the Norwegian prescription database.

Purpose: Low-dose naltrexone (LDN) is used in a wide range of conditions, including chronic pain and fibromyalgia. Because of the opioid antagonism of naltrexone, LDN users are probably often warned against concomitant use with opioids. In this study, based on data from the Norwegian prescription database, we examine changes in opioid consumption after starting LDN therapy.

A sudden and unprecedented increase in low dose naltrexone (LDN) prescribing in Norway. Patient and prescriber characteristics, and dispense patterns. A drug utilization cohort study.

Purpose: Following a TV documentary in 2013, there was a tremendous increase in low dose naltrexone (LDN) use in a wide range of unapproved indications in Norway. We aim to describe the extent of this sudden and unprecedented increase in LDN prescribing, to characterize patients and LDN prescribers, and to estimate LDN dose sizes.

Methods: LDN prescriptions recorded in the Norwegian Prescription Database (NorPD) in 2013 and 2014, and sales data not recorded in NorPD from the only Norwegian LDN manufacturer were included in the study.

[Travel distance and the utilisation of out-of-hours services].

Background: It has been documented from a number of out-of-hours primary health care services that the utilisation of the services declines with increasing travel distances. In this study we have investigated the correlation between travel distances and the use of out-of-hours medical services for all Norwegian municipalities that provide such services at a single permanent casualty clinic round the clock. In addition, we have sought to reveal any differences in consultation rates between municipalities that maintain single-municipality or inter-municipal out-of-hours services, as well as between municipalities in which the casualty clinics are co-located with a hospital or located separately.