Health-related quality of life in patients with lower limb amputation - an assessment of the measurement properties of EQ-5D-3L and EQ-5D-5L using data from the Swedish Amputation and Prosthetics Registry.

Purpose: To assess the measurement properties of EQ-5D-3L and EQ-5D-5L in patients with a major lower limb amputation (LLA).

Methods: This was a retrospective register-based study using data from the Swedish Amputation and Prosthetics Registry (SwedeAmp). Patients with a six-months follow-up (including either EQ-5D-3L or EQ-5D-5L) after a major unilateral LLA were included.

Correction to: Sex differences in drugs: the development of a comprehensive knowledge base to improve gender awareness prescribing.

Unfortunately, after publication of this article [1], two errors were noticed. The names of Linnéa Karlsson Lind and Karin Schenck-Gustafsson were formatted incorrectly, attributing incorrect elements to the Given and Family names. Further to this, a reference in Fig.

Pregnant women's view on the Swedish internet resource Drugs and Birth Defects intended for health care professionals.

Introduction: Pregnant women often have questions concerning fetal effects of drugs but there is limited reliable information specifically intended for them. This study investigated how pregnant women perceive and value the scientific resource Drugs and Birth Defects (www.janusinfo.

A health record integrated clinical decision support system to support prescriptions of pharmaceutical drugs in patients with reduced renal function: design, development and proof of concept.

Objectives: To develop and verify proof of concept for a clinical decision support system (CDSS) to support prescriptions of pharmaceutical drugs in patients with reduced renal function, integrated in an electronic health record system (EHR) used in both hospitals and primary care.

Methods: A pilot study in one geriatric clinic, one internal medicine admission ward and two outpatient healthcare centers was evaluated with a questionnaire focusing on the usefulness of the CDSS. The usage of the system was followed in a log.

Towards capturing innovation effects of a CDSS (NjuRen).

The e-service NjuRen is a clinical decision support system used by physicians to calculate patients' renal function and provide support for selection of appropriate drug and dosage for patients with renal failure. Project NjuRen is a collaboration between Stockholm County Council and Jönköping International Business School and aims at evaluating the socio-economic impact of implementing IT-systems in healthcare. The project consist of several steps, first the development and adaptation of a model to measure innovation effects.

Drugs and Birth Defects: a knowledge database providing risk assessments based on national health registers.

Purpose: To present concept, methods and use of a knowledge database providing assessments of potential fetal risks for all drugs on the Swedish market.

Methods: Assessments of fetal risks are made primarily by analyzing prospective epidemiological data from the Swedish Medical Birth Register on drug intake in relation to birth outcome. This is complemented by evaluation of the scientific literature.

Physicians' reported needs of drug information at point of care in Sweden.

Aims: Relevant and easily accessible drug information at point-of-care is essential for physicians' decision making when prescribing. However, the information available by using Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDSSs) often does not meet physicians' requirements. The Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) is statutory information about drugs.

Forecasting drug utilization and expenditure in a metropolitan health region.

Background: New pharmacological therapies are challenging the healthcare systems, and there is an increasing need to assess their therapeutic value in relation to existing alternatives as well as their potential budget impact. Consequently, new models to introduce drugs in healthcare are urgently needed. In the metropolitan health region of Stockholm, Sweden, a model has been developed including early warning (horizon scanning), forecasting of drug utilization and expenditure, critical drug evaluation as well as structured programs for the introduction and follow-up of new drugs.

Patterns of illicit drug use and retention in a methadone program: a longitudinal study.

Objective: This study aimed to analyze illicit drug use of participants in a methadone treatment program in relation to methadone dose, counseling, and retention.

Methods: This was a longitudinal study of a cohort of 204 heroin-dependent subjects admitted for the first time to a methadone program in Stockholm. The patients were admitted between 1995 and mid-2000 and were followed until December 2000 or discharge.