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Biomedical subjects

A Mellgren

Publications and source records attributed to A Mellgren.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Diverticular disease and migration--the influence of acculturation to a Western lifestyle on diverticular disease.

BACKGROUND: Diverticular disease of the colon is more common in the Western world, compared with non-Western countries. AIM: To investigate the risk of diverticular disease in immigrants of diverse ethnicity and in different phases of acculturation. METHODS: Socio-demographic indicators and the risk of diverticular disease were investigated. The study population was a prospectively followed national cohort of 4 million residents born between 1925 and 1965. Risk ratios (RRs) of hospital admissions and deaths because of diverticular disease and acute diverticulitis from 1991 through 2000 were calculated. RESULTS: The risk of hospital admission because of diverticular disease, after adjustment for age, sex and socio-economic indicators, was lower in non-Western immigrants (RRs = 0.5-0.7) compared with natives and the risk increased with time after the settlement. Women of all origins had a higher risk compared with men (RR = 1.5). This sex-difference increased with age (P < 0.001). Socio-economic status, residency or housing situation were not risk factors. CONCLUSION: This population-based study found that immigrants from non-Westernized countries had lower relative risks for hospitalization because of diverticular disease than natives, but the risk increased during a relatively short period of time after settlement. Diverticular disease of the colon appears to be an acquired disorder and acculturation to a Western lifestyle has an impact on the risk.

Acculturation↗
PubMed2006

Late adverse effects of short-course preoperative radiotherapy in rectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Preoperative radiotherapy improves local control and survival in rectal cancer, but there are few reports on long-term morbidity. The aims of this study were to compare long-term morbidity and quality of life in patients undergoing rectal cancer surgery with or without preoperative radiotherapy. METHODS: A total of 252 patients, randomized within the two Stockholm trials on preoperative radiotherapy in rectal cancer, were alive at a mean of 15 years after surgery. Some 139 of these patients were available for follow-up by questionnaires and clinical examination. Questionnaires regarding medical history and quality of life were completed by all patients. All patients had a clinical examination, and those without a stoma underwent rigid sigmoidoscopy. RESULTS: Overall, patients who had preoperative radiotherapy experienced significantly more late complications than those who did not (69 versus 43 per cent; P = 0.002). This morbidity consisted mainly of cardiovascular disease (35 versus 19 per cent; P = 0.032), faecal incontinence (12 of 21 versus 11 of 42 patients having anterior resection; P = 0.013) and urinary incontinence (45 versus 27 per cent; P = 0.023). No significant differences between groups were found for hip or pelvic fractures, small bowel obstruction or global quality of life. CONCLUSION: Preoperative short-course, high-dose radiotherapy in patients with rectal cancer increases the risk of anal and urinary dysfunction, and may lead to increased cardiovascular morbidity, at long-term follow-up.

Aged↗
PubMed2006

Pelvic organ prolapse and urinary incontinence in women with surgically managed rectal prolapse: a population-based case-control study.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of genital prolapse surgery and urinary incontinence in female patients operated on for rectal prolapse compared with a matched control group without rectal prolapse. METHODS: Fifty-two patients with a history of abdominal rectal prolapse surgery and 200 randomly selected age-matched and gender-matched control subjects without rectal prolapse received an extensive health care history survey. RESULTS: Response rate in the patient group was 48 of 52 (92 percent) and 165 of 200 (82 percent) in the control group. Rectal prolapse was associated with an increased risk of surgery for uterine prolapse (odds ratio = 3.1; 95 percent confidence interval = 1.4-6.9) and vaginal wall prolapse (odds ratio = 3.2; 95 percent confidence interval = 1.3-7.8). Mean age at hysterectomy because of uterine prolapse was 54.7 years in the patient group compared with 62.6 years in the control group (P < 0.01). Mean age at vaginal wall prolapse surgery was 60.2 years in the patient group compared with 66.6 years in the control group (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences between the cohorts regarding prevalence or age at debut of urinary incontinence. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate a strong association between rectal and genital prolapse surgery suggesting that diagnosis of rectal prolapse necessitating surgical intervention should prompt a multidisciplinary pelvic floor assessment.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Cystodefecoperitoneography in patients with genital prolapse.

The aim of the study was to prospectively evaluate pre- and postoperative findings of cystodefecoperitoneography (CDP) and to correlate the findings to the clinical examination in patients with genital prolapse. Twenty-five female patients were investigated both pre- and postoperatively with a standardized questionnaire, clinical examination and CDP, including contrast medium in the rectum, vagina, bladder, small bowel and peritoneal cavity. At preoperative clinical examination a rectocele was diagnosed in 24 patients, a cystocele in 7 and an enterocele in 2. At the preoperative CDP a rectocele was diagnosed in 21 patients, a cystocele in 22 patients and a peritoneocele in 9, of which six contained small bowel (i.e. an enterocele). Surgery was performed according to the clinical findings. At the postoperative clinical examination no rectocele was diagnosed, a cystocele was diagnosed in 3 patients and an enterocele in 1. Postoperative CDP showed a rectocele in 4 patients, a cystocele in 24 and a peritoneocele in 7 patients, of which three contained small bowel (i.e. an enterocele). CDP may complement the clinical assessment of patients with genital prolapse, in particular to confirm or detect defects involving the posterior compartment. The radiologic definition of cystocele needs further evaluation.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Durability of success after rectocele repair.

The purpose of the study was to determine the durability of success after rectocele repair and to evaluate parameters that might influence long-term results. Twenty-five patients with rectocele were prospectively evaluated both clinically and physiologically. Follow-up was performed twice, at 1 and 5.1 years postoperatively. Twenty-four patients had a long-term follow-up; 21/23 patients (91%) with preoperative symptoms of rectal emptying difficulty reported improvement of their symptoms and 9 of 12 (75%) with preoperative symptoms of pelvic heaviness reported relief at long-term follow-up. All 5 patients with preoperative pathologic transit study had various degrees of rectal emptying difficulty at long-term follow-up. Three of 5 patients with preoperative paradoxical sphincter reaction (PSR) at electromyography (EMG) reported improvement of the symptoms of rectal emptying difficulty at long-term follow-up. Surgery for rectocele is associated with improved symptoms in a majority of patients which are sustained long term. Patients with pathologic transit study may have a less favorable symptomatic outcome. The clinical significance of PSR needs further study.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Is local excision adequate therapy for early rectal cancer?

PURPOSE: Radical surgery of rectal cancer is associated with significant morbidity, and some patients with low-lying lesions must accept a permanent colostomy. Several studies have suggested satisfactory tumor control after local excision of early rectal cancer. The purpose of this study was to compare recurrence and survival rates after treating early rectal cancers with local excision and radical surgery. METHODS: One hundred eight patients with T1 and T2 rectal adenocarcinomas treated by transanal excision were compared with 153 patients with T1N0 and T2N0 rectal adenocarcinomas treated with radical surgery. Neither group received adjuvant chemoradiation. Mean follow-up time was 4.4 years after local excision and 4.8 years after radical surgery. RESULTS: The estimated five-year local recurrence rate was 28 percent (18 percent for T1 tumors and 47 percent for T2 tumors) after local excision and 4 percent (none for T1 tumors and 6 percent for T2 tumors) after radical surgery. Overall recurrence was also higher after local excision (21 percent for T1 tumors and 47 percent for T2 tumors) than after radical surgery (9 percent for T1 tumors and 16 percent for T2 tumors). Twenty-four of 27 patients with recurrence after local excision underwent salvage surgery. The estimated five-year overall survival rate was 69 percent after local excision (72 percent for T1 tumors and 65 percent after T2 tumors) and 82 percent after radical surgery (80 percent for T1 tumors and 81 percent for T2 tumors). Differences in survival rate between local excision and radical surgery were statistically significant in patients with T2 tumors. CONCLUSIONS: Local excision of early rectal cancer carries a high risk of local recurrence. Salvage surgery is possible in most patients with local recurrence, but may be effective only in patients with T1 tumors. When compared with radical surgery, local excision may compromise overall survival in patients with T2 rectal cancers.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2000

Long-term results and functional outcome after Ripstein rectopexy.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate operative mortality, morbidity, and functional results after Ripstein rectopexy for rectal prolapse and internal rectal intussusception. METHODS: Sixty-nine patients with rectal prolapse and 43 with internal rectal intussusception were included. All patient records were studied and complications registered. Long-term follow-up was possible in 105 patients and performed by clinical examination and standardized interview, telephone interview, or patient records. Seventy-six patients were prospectively evaluated, comparing bowel function before and after rectopexy. RESULTS: There was no operative mortality. Operative morbidity was 33 percent, and most complications were minor. Severe early complications included one large-bowel obstruction and one transient ureteric stenosis. Median time of follow-up was seven years in patients with rectal prolapse and 5.4 years in patients with internal rectal intussusception. Late complications included two rectovaginal fistulas and one lethal sigmoid fecaloma. Five patients underwent subtotal colectomy for severe constipation. There was one recurrent prolapse (1.6 percent). Functional evaluation showed that incontinence improved (P = 0.049), whereas the number of bowel movements per week decreased (P < 0.001). Frequency of emptying difficulties did not change significantly in patients with rectal prolapse but increased in patients with internal rectal intussusception (P = 0.038). CONCLUSION: Ripstein rectopexy can be performed with low mortality and recurrence rate, but with a high early complication rate. There were also some serious late complications. Continence was improved, although increased constipation was a problem in some patients, especially among those with internal rectal intussusception.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Slowed reaction time in HIV-1-infected patients without AIDS.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate if HIV-1-infected patients without acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) have cerebral dysfunction as reflected by impaired reaction times compared to patients with chronic hepatitis C. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty-one HIV-1-infected patients not fulfilling the AIDS criteria, were tested with three reaction time tests and compared to controls with chronic hepatitis C, matched according to gender and age. RESULTS: HIV-1-infected individuals had, in mean, 5-47 ms longer reaction time than patients with hepatitis C (statistically significant in two of three tests). All but 9 HIV-1-infected individuals had, however, reaction times within the normal range defined by the control group (mean +/- 2 SD). No correlation was found between reaction time and immune status measured as CD4-cell count. CONCLUSION: This study indicates that a subgroup of HIV-1-infected individuals have slower reaction time compatible with cerebral deterioration early in the course of the infection.

AIDS Dementia Complex↗
PubMed2000

Local excision of rectal cancer without adjuvant therapy: a word of caution.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the results of local excision alone for the treatment of rectal cancer, applying strict selection criteria. BACKGROUND DATA: Several retrospective studies have demonstrated that tumor control in properly selected patients with rectal cancer treated locally is comparable to that observed after radical surgery. Although there is a consensus regarding the need for patient selection for local excision, the specific criteria vary among centers. METHODS: The authors reviewed 82 patients with T1 (n = 55) and T2 (n = 27) rectal cancer treated with transanal excision only during a 10-year period. At pathologic examination, all tumors were localized to the rectal wall, had negative excision margins, were well or moderately differentiated, and had no blood or lymphatic vessel invasion, nor a mucinous component. End points were local and distant tumor recurrence and patient survival. RESULTS: Ten of the 55 patients with T1 tumors (18%) and 10 of the 27 patients with T2 tumors (37%) had recurrence at 54 months of follow-up. Average time to recurrence was 18 months in both groups. Seventeen of the 20 patients with local recurrence underwent salvage surgery. The survival rate was 98% for patients with T1 tumors and 89% for patients with T2 tumors. Preoperative staging by endorectal ultrasound did not influence local recurrence or tumor-specific survival. CONCLUSION: Local excision of early rectal cancer, even in the ideal candidate, is followed by a much higher recurrence rate than previously reported. Although most patients in whom local recurrence develops can be salvaged by radical resection, the long-term outcome remains unknown.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

Electromyography of the external anal sphincter: comparison between needle and surface electrodes.

PURPOSE: Electromyography of the external anal sphincter is frequently used when investigating patients with defecation disorders. Investigations are often performed using an invasive technique by perineal insertion of a needle or wire electrode. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether surface electromyography, with electrodes applied to the perineal skin, is a reliable method in the diagnosis of paradoxical anal sphincter reaction. METHODS: Seventy-one patients with defecation disorders participated in the present study. They were investigated with electromyography of the external anal sphincter using surface and needle electrodes. RESULTS: In 65 of 71 (92 percent) patients the electromyography recording showed the same result during straining using surface electrodes when compared with needle electrodes. Twenty-two of these 65 patients had paradoxical anal sphincter reaction, and 43 patients had decreased electromyography activity. In 6 of 71 (8 percent) patients the electromyography recording showed a different pattern during straining using surface electrodes when compared with needle electrodes. CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrates a good correlation between surface electrodes applied to the perineal skin and concentric needle electrodes in the diagnosis of paradoxical anal sphincter reaction. Noninvasive electromyography recordings of the external anal sphincter are often preferred in the diagnosis of paradoxical anal sphincter reaction.

Anal Canal↗
PubMed1999

Effect of delivery on anal sphincter morphology and function.

PURPOSE: Anal sphincter injury is a serious complication of childbirth, which may result in persistent anal incontinence. Occult injuries, visualized with endoanal ultrasonography, have previously been reported in up to 35 percent of females in a British study. The aim of the present study was to study anal sphincter morphology and function before and after delivery in primiparous females in the United States. METHODS: Thirty-eight primiparous patients (mean age, 31 years) were evaluated with endoanal ultrasonography, anal manometry, and pudendal nerve terminal motor latency during pregnancy and after delivery. Bowel function before and after delivery was recorded according to set questionnaires. Cesarean section was performed in three patients. RESULTS: Clinical sphincter tears, requiring primary repair, occurred in 15 percent of the patients. After delivery endoanal ultrasonography revealed disruptions in the external anal sphincter in six patients, but no patient had disruption in the internal anal sphincter. One patient had slight scarring in the external sphincter. Of the seven patients with pathologic findings at endoanal ultrasonography, the left pudendal latency increased after delivery (P < 0.05), and manometric results were reduced. Three of these seven patients had a third-degree or fourth-degree tear during delivery. All investigations were normal in the three patients who underwent cesarean section. CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrates a significant frequency of sphincter injuries (20 percent) after vaginal delivery. Obstetricians should be aware of this risk and explicitly inquire about incontinence symptoms at follow-up after delivery.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Long-term cost of fecal incontinence secondary to obstetric injuries.

INTRODUCTION: Anal incontinence is eight times more frequent in females than in males because of injuries sustained at childbirth. The aim of the present study was to determine the long-term costs associated with anal incontinence related to obstetric injuries. METHODS: Sixty-three patients with anal incontinence caused by obstetric sphincter injuries answered questionnaires regarding previous treatments, symptoms, and use of protective products. Of the patients, 31 were treated surgically, 11 with biofeedback, 6 with a combination of surgery and biofeedback, and 15 conservatively. Treatments and their respective costs were obtained from patient records, patient questionnaires, billing database, and Health Care Financing Administration's 1996 inpatient database. Costs were expressed in 1996 dollars. RESULTS: The mean incontinence score changed from 26 at evaluation to 16 at follow-up (P < 0.001). The average cost per patient was $17,166. Evaluation and follow-up charges totaled $65,412, and physiologic assessment accounted for 64 percent of these costs. Treatment charges totaled $559,341, and physician charges accounted for 18 percent of these charges. CONCLUSIONS: Fecal incontinence after childbirth results in substantial economic costs, and treatment is not always successful. New treatment modalities, such as artificial bowel sphincter or dynamic graciloplasty, should be assessed to determine their cost-effectiveness.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Whole gut transit is prolonged after Ripstein rectopexy.

OBJECTIVE: To find out if there are changes in transit time after Ripstein rectopexy and whether measurement of whole gut transit time preoperatively can predict postoperative constipation. DESIGN: Prospective open study. SETTING: Teaching hospital, Sweden. SUBJECTS: 30 patients undergoing Ripstein rectopexy for rectal prolapse (n = 17) or internal rectal intussusception (n = 13). METHODS: Whole-gut transit studies and recording of symptoms of constipation preoperatively and postoperatively. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Constipation and retention of markers. RESULTS: Significantly more markers were retained in postoperative compared with preoperative transit studies (p < 0.001). Constipation mainly presented as emptying difficulties and there was no increase in the total number of patients who reported emptying difficulties postoperatively. There was a weak but significant correlation between retention of markers preoperatively and postoperative emptying difficulties (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Whole gut transit was prolonged after Ripstein rectopexy. Preoperative retention of markers indicated an increased risk of postoperative constipation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Anal incontinence after vaginal delivery: a prospective study in primiparous women.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the incidence and degree of anal incontinence after vaginal delivery among primiparous women and to define associated risk factors. DESIGN: Prospective observational study. SETTING: Karolinska Institutet, Danderyd Hospital, Sweden, a university hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Three hundred and forty-nine primiparous women. METHODS: Questionnaires distributed within the first days after delivery and re-distributed five and nine months postpartum. Analysis of delivery records. RESULTS: Eighty percent of the women answered all questionnaires. At five months postpartum, 2% of the women had symptoms of faecal incontinence and 25% had symptoms of involuntary flatus. At nine months postpartum, 1% of the women had symptoms of faecal incontinence and 26% had symptoms of involuntary flatus. The majority of the women had infrequent symptoms and a decrease in severity was noted at nine months. Symptoms of incontinence were more common in women who sustained a sphincter tear at delivery. Risk factors for incontinence at five months included maternal age, duration of the second stage of labour, instrumental vaginal delivery, and clinically diagnosed sphincter tear at delivery. Development of incontinence at nine months was associated with maternal age and clinically diagnosed sphincter tear at delivery. CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrates that infrequent involuntary flatus is a common symptom after vaginal delivery in primiparous women. These symptoms of involuntary flatus frequently improved and only a few women suffered from frank faecal incontinence. Factors associated with an increased risk of anal incontinence and sphincter tears should be considered during delivery.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Anal sphincter tears at vaginal delivery: risk factors and clinical outcome of primary repair.

OBJECTIVE: To determine risk factors for obstetric anal sphincter tears and to evaluate symptomatic outcome of primary repair. METHODS: Obstetric-procedure, maternal, and fetal data were registered in 845 consecutive vaginally delivered women. Risk factors for anal sphincter tears were calculated by multiple logistic regression. All 808 Swedish-speaking women who delivered vaginally were included in a questionnaire study regarding anal incontinence in relation to the delivery. Questionnaires were distributed within the first few days postpartum, and at 5 and 9 months postpartum. RESULTS: Six percent of the women had a clinically detected sphincter tear at delivery. Sphincter tears were associated with nulliparity (odds ratio [OR] 9.8, 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.6, 26.2), postmaturity (OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.0, 6.2), fundal pressure (OR 4.6 95% CI 2.3, 7.9), midline episiotomy (OR 5.5 95% CI 1.4,18.7), and fetal weight in intervals of 250 g (OR 1.3 95% CI 1.1, 1.6). Fifty-four percent of women with repaired sphincter tears suffered from fecal or gas incontinence or both at 5 months and 41% at 9 months. Most of the symptoms were infrequent and mild. CONCLUSION: Several risk factors for sphincter tear were identified. Sphincter tear at vaginal delivery is a serious complication, and it is frequently associated with anal incontinence. Special attention should be directed toward risk factors for this complication. Symptoms of anal incontinence should explicitly be sought at follow-up after delivery.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Perineal body measurement improves evaluation of anterior sphincter lesions during endoanal ultrasonography.

UNLABELLED: Endoanal ultrasonography has become an important tool in the evaluation of patients with anal incontinence. However, the extent of anterior defects is sometimes difficult to quantitate during endoanal ultrasonography. PURPOSE: This study was designed to evaluate perineal body measurement during endoanal ultrasonography in assessing patients with obstetric anal sphincter injuries. METHODS: Forty-two patients with anal incontinence because of obstetric sphincter injuries and 13 asymptomatic subjects were investigated with endoanal ultrasonography. Sphincter muscle thickness, sphincter defects, and perineal body were measured. Perineal body measurement was performed by inserting a finger, held gently against the posterior vaginal wall, into the vagina and measuring the distance between the inner surface of the internal sphincter and the ultrasonographic reflection of the finger. RESULTS: All patients had anterior sphincter lesions of varying extent. Mean size of internal sphincter lesions was 146 degrees, and mean size of external sphincter lesions was 107 degrees (P < 0.001). Perineal body measurement was performed without difficulty in all patients and subjects. Perineal body measurement (mean +/- standard deviation) was 6 +/- 2 mm in patients and 12 +/- 3 mm in asymptomatic subjects (P < 0.001). Ninety-three percent of patients had perineal body measurement < or = 10 mm, and 70 percent of asymptomatic subjects had perineal body measurement > 10 mm. Digital delineation of the perineal body during endoanal ultrasonography improved the visualization of sphincter lesions in 74 percent of patients. CONCLUSIONS: Digital delineation of the perineal body during endoanal ultrasonography improved the visualization of sphincter lesions in the majority of patients. Perineal body measurement is performed without difficulty and is a good predictor of anterior sphincter lesions. Use of this technique improves visualization of sphincter lesions.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Preoperative electrophysiologic assessment cannot predict continence after rectopexy.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate preoperative electrophysiologic assessment for prediction of anal continence after rectopexy. METHODS: Forty-three patients with rectal prolapse (n = 26) or internal rectal intussusception (n = 17) underwent concentric-needle electromyography, fiber density determination by single-fiber electromyography of the external anal sphincter, and pudendal nerve terminal motor latency evaluation before Ripstein rectopexy. A detailed history was obtained from each patient preoperatively and postoperatively. RESULTS: Anal continence was improved after rectopexy, both in patients with rectal prolapse (P = 0.06) and in those with internal rectal intussusception (P = 0.003). Abnormal results were registered in one or several aspects of the electrophysiologic assessment in 31 (72 percent) of the patients. However, functional outcome with respect to continence was not predicted by preoperative electromyography or pudendal nerve terminal motor latency assessment results. CONCLUSION: Electrophysiologic examinations in the preoperative assessment of patients with rectal prolapse and internal rectal intussusception do not predict continence after the Ripstein rectopexy. The routine use of electrophysiologic assessment requires further definition.

Action Potentials↗