Associations between Growth Differentiation Factor 15, Cardiac Troponin T, and N-terminal pro-B-type Natriuretic Peptide, and Future Myocardial Fibrosis Assessed by Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Data from the Akershus Cardiac Examination 1950 Study.

Background: Myocardial fibrosis is associated with a poor outcome for patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD). Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15) concentrations predict the risk of death in patients with CVD, but the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms are poorly understood. We aimed to assess the associations between biomarkers of cellular stress and inflammation (GDF-15), cardiac injury (cardiac troponin T [cTnT]), and stretch (N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide [NT-proBNP]), and subsequent focal and diffuse myocardial fibrosis assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging.

Low Surgery Rates in Early Crohn's Disease: Results from a Prospective Population-Based Inception Cohort-The Inflammatory Bowel Disease in South-Eastern Norway III Study.

Background And Aims: The emergence of biologic therapy has coincided with a decline in surgery rates for Crohn's disease (CD). This study aims to describe the disease course, including intra-abdominal surgery rates, biologic therapy use, and variables associated with biologic therapy initiation in a cohort of newly diagnosed CD patients.

Methods: The Inflammatory Bowel Disease in South-Eastern Norway (IBSEN) III study is a population-based inception cohort study.

Managing elderly patients with atrial fibrillation and multimorbidity: call for a systematic approach.

Introduction: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is often accompanied by comorbidities. Not only cardiovascular but also non-cardiovascular comorbidities have been associated with AF. Multimorbidity is therefore a common finding in patients with AF, especially in elderly patients.

Cardiac troponin T associates with left ventricular function and synchrony assessed by CMR in the general population: results from the Akershus Cardiac Examination 1950 Study.

Background And Aim: Cardiac troponin T (cTnT) is a blood biomarker of myocardial injury that is associated with future adverse cardiovascular events in the general population. Left ventricular (LV) global longitudinal strain (GLS) and mechanical dispersion (MD) are metrics of systolic function and synchrony that can be obtained from cardiac imaging. Studies suggest an association between cTnT and echocardiographically assessed GLS and MD, but it is unknown whether cTnT relates to these metrics when assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR).

Impact of Pre-Stroke Frailty on Outcome Three Years after Acute Stroke: The Nor-COAST Study.

Introduction: We aimed to explore the predictive value of pre-stroke frailty index (FI) on functional dependency and mortality 3 years after stroke.

Methods: Based on the Rockwood 36-item FI score, we calculated the pre-stroke FI from medical conditions recorded at baseline in the multicenter prospective Nor-COAST study 2015-2017. Participants with a FI score and a modified Rankin scale (mRS) 0-6 3 years post-stroke were included in this study.

Systolic blood pressure at age 40 and 30-year stroke risk in men and women.

Background: American and European guidelines define hypertension differently and are sex agnostic. Our aim was to assess the impact of different hypertension thresholds at the age of 40 on 30-year stroke risk and to examine sex differences.

Methods: We included 2608 stroke-free individuals from the Akershus Cardiac Examination 1950 Study, a Norwegian regional study conducted in 2012-2015 of the 1950 birth cohort, who had previously participated in the Age 40 Program, a nationwide health examination study conducted in 1990-1993.

How well can the fetal heart rate baseline be assessed by intrapartum intermittent auscultation? An interrater reliability and agreement study.

Background: We aimed to examine the inter-reliability and agreement among midwives when assessing the fetal heart rate (FHR) using the handheld Doppler. The primary aim was to measure the reliability and agreement of FHR baseline (baseline) as beats per minute (bpm). The secondary aims were to measure fluctuations from the baseline, defined as increases and decreases, and classifications (normal or abnormal) of FHR soundtracks.

Subsequent fracture risk in Norwegians and immigrants with an index forearm fracture: a cohort study.

Unlabelled: The current study investigated subsequent fracture risk following a forearm fracture in three country of birth categories: Norway, Europe and North America, and other countries. Subsequent fracture risk was modestly higher in Norwegian-born individuals compared to the two other groups. Secondary fracture prevention should be recommended regardless of country background.

Sleep Duration and Cognitive Function: The Akershus Cardiac Examination 1950 Study.

Introduction: Sleep duration is proposed as a lifestyle-related risk factor for cognitive impairment. We investigated the association between sleep duration and cognitive function in a large population-based cohort aged 62-65 years.

Methods: Cross-sectional analyses from the Akershus Cardiac Examination 1950 Study.

Obstetric anal sphincter injuries during instrumental vaginal delivery: An observational study based on 18-years of real-world data.

Objective: To determine the prevalence and secular trends of obstetric anal sphincter injuries (OASIS) in vacuum and forceps deliveries in Norway, both with and without episiotomy.

Design: Population-based real-world data collected during 2001-2018.

Setting: Medical Birth Registry Norway.

Clinical trial: An open-label, randomised trial of different re-start strategies after treatment withdrawal in HBeAg negative chronic hepatitis B.

Background: Stopping nucleos(t)ide analogue (NA) therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) may trigger a beneficial immune response leading to HBsAg loss, but clinical trials on re-start strategies are lacking.

Aim: To assess whether it is beneficial to undergo a prolonged flare after NA cessation.

Methods: One-hundred-and-twenty-seven patients with HBeAg negative, non-cirrhotic CHB with at least 24 months of viral suppression on NA therapy were included.

Extracellular matrix remodelling pathway in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from severe COVID-19 patients: an explorative study.

There is a reciprocal relationship between extracellular matrix (ECM) remodelling and inflammation that could be operating in the progression of severe COVID-19. To explore the immune-driven ECM remodelling in COVID-19, we in this explorative study analysed these interactions in hospitalised COVID-19 patients. RNA sequencing and flow analysis were performed on peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

Differences in metalloproteinases and their tissue inhibitors in the cerebrospinal fluid are associated with delirium.

Background: The aetiology of delirium is not known, but pre-existing cognitive impairment is a predisposing factor. Here we explore the associations between delirium and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their tissue inhibitors (TIMPs), proteins with important roles in both acute injury and chronic neurodegeneration.

Methods: Using a 13-plex Discovery Assay®, we quantified CSF levels of 9 MMPs and 4 TIMPs in 280 hip fracture patients (140 with delirium), 107 cognitively unimpaired individuals, and 111 patients with Alzheimer's disease dementia.

Physical Activity, Fitness, and Long-Term Risk of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Background And Objectives: Observational studies have demonstrated an increased amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) risk among professional athletes in various sports. For moderately increased levels of physical activity and fitness, the results are diverging. Through a cohort study, we aimed to assess the relationship between indicators of physical activity and fitness (self-reported physical activity and resting heart rate) and long-term ALS risk.

Impact of inadequate bowel cleansing in sigmoidoscopy screening.

Background And Study Aims: Long-time follow-up of sigmoidoscopy screening trials has shown reduced incidence and mortality of colorectal cancer (CRC), but inadequate bowel cleansing may hamper efficacy. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of bowel cleansing quality in sigmoidoscopy screening.

Patients And Methods: Individuals 50 to 74 years old who had a screening sigmoidoscopy in a population-based Norwegian, randomized trial between 2012 and 2019, were included in this cross-sectional study.

A Multi-Country Survey on the Availability of Intraoperative Use of Echocardiography for Noncardiac Surgery.

Background: This survey aimed to explore the availability and accessibility of echocardiography during noncardiac surgery worldwide.

Methods: An internet-based 45-item survey was sent, followed by reminders from August 30, 2021, to August 20, 2022.

Results: 1189 responses were received from 62 countries.

Left atrial function in middle-aged men and women with and without paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: Data from the Akershus Cardiac Examination (ACE) 1950 study.

Purpose: To assess left atrial (LA) function in individuals with known paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) compared with healthy and nonhealthy individuals without atrial fibrillation.

Methods: The Akershus Cardiac Examination 1950 Study included 3,706 individuals all born in 1950. LA strain assessment of reservoir (LASr), conduit (LAScd) and contractile (LASct) functions were performed in all participants by investigators blinded to clinical data.