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Biomedical subjects

A Tollan

Publications and source records attributed to A Tollan.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

Hormone replacement therapy: knowledge, attitudes, self-reported use - and sales figures in Nordic women.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate knowledge about, attitudes towards and use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in Norwegian women - and to compare self-reported use with sales statistics of HRT in the Nordic countries during recent years. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Random samples of Norwegian women age 16-79 were interviewed by the Central Bureau of Statistics in 1994 (n=737), in 1996 (n=665) and in 1998 (n=680). Statistics on the sale of estrogen were provided by the Norwegian Medical Depot and Nordic Council on Medicines. RESULTS: One in three women had received information about HRT during the last 2 years (1994), mainly through weekly magazines and physicians. The proportion answering in accordance with the prevailing view of HRT's effects ('correct knowledge') varied from 36.4 to 47.2%. Those informed by a physician possessed correct knowledge, had positive attitudes towards HRT and were willing to use HRT more often than women informed through other channels. Women with a high level of education had received information and had correct knowledge more often than others, but they were still less willing to use HRT and did not use HRT more often than the less educated. In the age group 45-69 years the use of HRT was 16.3% in 1994, 19.1% in 1996 and 19. 1% in 1998 (P=0.421, trend). In addition to received information, attitudes towards and knowledge about estrogen were the most important factors predicting use of HRT after adjusting for other variables. According to sales figures, the use of systemic estrogen in Norway has increased more than 360% since 1990. Although no other Nordic country has experienced a corresponding increase, Iceland had the highest sales figures in 1997. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the limited proportion of women receiving information on HRT and the ambivalence found in groups of educated women, we suggest that more and better information should be given middle-aged women to make them better able to make informed choices regarding use of HRT.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

The Tromsø Study: artifacts in forearm bone densitometry--prevalence and effect.

Suboptimal performance of bone densitometer, operator and/or subject may cause artifacts of consequence both for individual patient management and research. The prevalence and effects of such artifacts are largely unknown in densitometry. A cross-sectional population-based study was carried out of artifacts in forearm bone densitometry with single X-ray Absorptiometry (SXA) of the nondominant hand (distal and ultradistal site). After the screening, all scans were reviewed for artifact detection and reanalysis. The effect on the bone mineral density (BMD) result was found by comparing artifactual scans with a reanalyzed version or with normal repeat scans. All women aged 50-74 years, all men aged 55-74 years and 5-10% samples of other age groups aged >/=25 years attending the fourth Tromso health study were invited to have bone densitometry. The response rate from the background population was 80% (n = 7948). Fourteen percent of subjects had a movement artifact at either the distal or ultradistal site. The individual BMD variation was twice as large in scans with a movement artifact (0.94%) compared with normal scans (0.58%) (p = 0.0027). The radial endplate was inaccurately detected in 74% of the scans. Reanalysis of these scans led to a mean 3.8% decrease in the BMD value and an increase in the prevalence of osteoporosis of 10%. Artifacts were thus common, and their effects were clinically relevant in forearm bone densitometry. Artifacts and their effects need to be characterized in other bone densitometry settings also.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗
PubMed1998

[Estrogen replacement].

Recent research on long-term postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy (HRT) indicates a positive effect on both total mortality and morbidity. This has raised the question of widespread preventive long-term use of HRT. Possible side-effects and ideological issues related to preventive HRT have led to debate and uncertainty among health professionals, in the media, and in the population at large. In order to evaluate the level of knowledge about and attitudes towards HRT, a randomly selected group of 737 Norwegian women aged 16-79 was interviewed by the Central Bureau of Statistics. One in three women had received information about HRT in the last two years, mainly through weekly magazines and physicians. The proportion who answered the questions on knowledge correctly varied from 36% to 47%. Those who had been given information by a physician possessed accurate knowledge, had more positive attitudes towards HRT and were more willing to use HRT than women who had reviewed information through other channels. Women with a higher level of education were better informed and more knowledgeable than others, but were nevertheless more reluctant to use HRT than those who were less educated. The limited number of women who actually receive information on HRT, the low level of knowledge and the ambivalent attitudes toward HRT are a major challenge to the public health service.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

[Hormone replacement therapy among Norwegian women. Self-reported use and sales of estrogen preparations].

In order to analyse the use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and the predicting factors for its use, two random samples of Norwegian women (30-79 years) were interviewed by the Central Bureau of Statistics in 1994 (n = 565) and in 1996 (n = 470). The extent of use of HRT was compared with statistics for sales of oestrogen in Norway and the Nordic countries. In the age group 45-69 years the use of hormone replacement therapy increased from 16.3% in 1994 to 19.1% in 1996. The proportion of users did not increase with a higher level of education. In addition to information received, and after adjusting for other variables, attitudes towards oestrogen and knowledge about it were the most important contributing factors for using HRT. Sales figures show that the use of systemic oestrogen in Norway has increased more than 280% since 1990. None of the Nordic countries have had a corresponding increase, but the Norwegian figures are still low compared to most other Nordic countries. In 1996 14.5% of Norwegian women (50-79 years) used oestrogen for urogenital disorders. Norwegian women need to be better informed and more knowledgeable to enable them to make conscious choice regarding use of hormone replacement therapy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

The Tromsø Study: body height, body mass index and fractures.

Tall persons suffer more hip fractures than shorter persons, and high body mass index is associated with fewer hip and forearm fractures. We have studied the association between body height, body mass index and all non-vertebral fractures in a large, prospective, population-based study. The middle-aged population of Tromsø, Norway, was invited to surveys in 1979/80, 1986/87 and 1994/95 (The Tromsø Study). Of 16,676 invited to the first two surveys, 12,270 attended both times (74%). Height and weight were measured without shoes at the surveys, and all non-vertebral fractures in the period 1988-1995 were registered (922 persons with fractures) and verified by radiography. The risk of a low-energy fracture was found to be positively associated with increasing body height and with decreasing body mass index. Furthermore, men who had gained weight had a lower risk of hip fractures, and women who had gained weight had a lower risk of fractures in the lower extremities. High body height is thus a risk factor for fractures, and 1 in 4 low-energy fractures among women today might be ascribed to the increase in average stature since the turn of the century. Low body mass index is associated with a higher risk of fractures, but the association is probably too weak to have any clinical relevance in this age category.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

The Tromsø Study: physical activity and the incidence of fractures in a middle-aged population.

We have studied the relation of occupational and recreational physical activity to fractures at different locations. All men born between 1925 and 1959 and all women born between 1930 and 1959 in the city of Tromsø were invited to participate in surveys in 1979-1980 and 1986-1987 (The Tromsø Study). Of 16,676 invited persons, 12,270 (73.6%) attended both surveys. All nonvertebral fractures (n = 1435) sustained from 1988 to 1995 were registered in the only hospital in the area. Average age in the middle of the follow-up period (December 31, 1991) was 47.3 years among men and 4501 years among women, ranging from 32 to 66 years. Fracture incidence increased with age at all locations among women, but it decreased with or was independent of age among men. Low-energetic fractures constituted 74.4% of all fractures among women and 55.2% among men. When stratifying by fracture location, the most physically active persons among those 45 years or older suffered fewer fractures in the weight-bearing skeleton (relative risk [RR] 0.6, confidence interval [CI] 0.4-0.9, age-adjusted), but not in the non-weight-bearing skeleton (RR 1.0, CI 0.7-1.2, age-adjusted) compared with sedentary persons. The relative-risk of a low-energetic fracture in the weight-bearing skeleton among the most physically active middle-aged was 0.3 (CI 0.1-0.7) among men and 0.9 (CI 0.4-1.8) among women compared with the sedentary when adjusted for age, body mass index, body height, tobacco smoking, and alcohol and milk consumption. It seems that the beneficial effect on the skeleton of weight-bearing activity is reflected also in the incidence of fractures at different sites.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

[Postmenopausal hormone substitution--for many of for few? I. Effects of long-term hormone substitution].

Users of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) are characterised by a 20-50 per cent reduction in all-cause mortality, and a 50 per cent reduction in the risk of coronary disease and osteoporotic fracture. The risk of Alzheimer's dementia or of cerebrovascular disease has also been reported to be reduced, though published findings have been inconsistent. In contrast, the risk of breast cancer or venous thrombosis is probably increased. A number of minor side-effects are associated with HRT, though hitherto their impact has received little attention. Although randomised controlled studies have been conducted to assess relationship between HRT and risk factors for disease, no such studies of relationship between long-term HRT and myocardial infarction, osteoporotic fractures or mortality have been performed in large series. Selection bias may thus explain part of the reported beneficial effects of HRT on morbidity and mortality found in observational studies.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

[Postmenopausal hormone substitution--for many or for a few? II. Relevant indications for long-term hormone substitution].

In a theoretical model, women on long-term HRT will experience 28 per cent reduction in morbidity and a 1-2-year increase in life expectancy. The costs incurred by HRT are comparable with other preventive medication regimens. However, the decision to recommend or use HRT depends not only on the above-mentioned beneficial effects, but also on issues that defy objective assessment: the validity of observational studies; changes in quality of life among HRT users; and the medicalisation of postmenopausal women. Since attempts to resolve such issues are strongly coloured by personal opinions, it has been difficult to reach a consensus as to who should or should not use HRT. It is proposed that systematic evaluation of the six factors outlined in the article would simplify decision by the individual physician or patient as to the appropriateness of HRT.

Coronary Disease↗
PubMed1996

[Osteoporosis. Knowledge and attitudes of the Norwegian population].

In March 1994, a random sample of 1,514 Norwegians aged 16-79 years were interviewed about their knowledge of osteoporosis and their attitudes towards prevention of this disease. About 85% answered correctly that osteoporosis can be prevented, but only 57% knew that it cannot be cured. Women had better knowledge of osteoporosis than men had. Two thirds of the women were positive to the use of long-term hormone replacement therapy to prevent osteoporosis. The majority of women aged 60 years or more preferred walking to other physical activities to prevent the disease. Although the data demonstrated fairly good general knowledge of osteoporosis in the population, the oldest women, those at the highest risk of developing the disease, knew less about osteoporosis than the younger women did.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

What do Norwegian women and men know about osteoporosis?

A survey of a random sample of 1514 Norwegian women and men aged 16-79 years was undertaken to investigate knowledge of osteoporosis and attitudes towards methods for preventing this disease. The interviews were carried out by Central Bureau of Statistics of Norway as part of their monthly national poll using a structured questionnaire. Women knew more about osteoporosis than did men (p < 0.001). In both men and women increased knowledge of osteoporosis was correlated to a high level of education. Furthermore it was clearly demonstrated that knowing someone with osteoporosis or suffering from it oneself increased the knowledge of osteoporosis significantly in both women and men. Multiple regression analysis confirmed the univariate analyses, and education was the strongest predictive factor for knowledge. To a hypothetical question as many as two-thirds of the women answered that they would use long-term hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to prevent osteoporosis on the recommendation of their general practitioner. Their attitudes towards the use of estrogen therapy did not show any significant relation to age, but their reluctance towards HRT increased with education (p < 0.001). When asked a question about their preferences regarding the use of physical activity as a means to prevent osteoporosis, older women preferred walking (p < 0.001), whereas younger women wanted more organized athletic activity (p < 0.001). The data demonstrated that there was a high degree of general knowledge of osteoporosis and its consequences in the general population.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

[Graduates from Tromsø--do they stay in Northern Norway? Geographic origin determines selection of professional practice location in Northern Norway].

The impact of the Medical School, University of Tromsø on the distribution of physicians in rural areas in North Norway was evaluated by means of a mailed questionnaire. The survey covered eleven graduation classes (417 physicians), and the response rate was 84.2%. The establishment of a new medical school in North Norway has clearly had beneficial effects: A total of 56.1% of the graduates stay on as doctors in these areas. Among those who also grew up in the northern parts of Norway, the proportion is 82.0%, compared with graduates who grew up in the southern parts where the proportion is 37.7%. The results clearly demonstrate that one of the main objectives of the Medical School at the University of Tromsø, to educate physicians who prefer to work in these areas, has been achieved.

Arctic Regions↗
PubMed1993

[Elective periods in the medical curriculum. Madness or academic challenge?].

The medical curriculum at the University of Tromsø reserves 23 weeks, divided into four periods, for elective work, including 12 weeks at the end of the fifth year, when the student carries out an independent study and writes a short thesis. 84.2% of 417 physicians (graduation year 1979-89) answered a mailed questionnaire asking them to evaluate these periods. The postgraduates report high levels of satisfaction with this part of the curriculum, thought they had benefited from it. As many as 86.0% evaluate the gain from the first three periods as good or very good. 26.8% started working on their thesis before the final 12 week period. 88.1% found the fourth, and longest period, assigned for their thesis to be an important part of the curriculum. One third had also published their material, half of these in international journals. 75.6% found the skills acquired during the final elective period to be useful in their present work, independent of specialty.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed1993

[Evaluations and examinations at the Tromsø medical school. Evaluation by students after graduation].

The medical curriculum at the University of Tromsø is based on an organ-system model with full integration of the three main disciplines (basic science, clinical and community medicine). There are only three examinations during the six-year course. We present the results of a survey among the first 417 physicians educated at the Medical School in Tromsø. A mailed questionnaire was answered by 84.2%. More than 80% stated that it was of great importance to evaluate the form and contents of the lectures and their supervisors' teaching abilities. More than 96% found that integration of the examinations was achieved in accordance with the intention. Furthermore, the examinations were also relevant for them as physicians.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed1993

Rural doctor recruitment: does medical education in rural districts recruit doctors to rural areas?

The impact of the University of Tromsø Medical School on the distribution of doctors in rural areas in northern Norway was evaluated by a postal questionnaire. The survey covered 11 graduation years (417 doctors), and the response rate was 84.2%. The establishment of a new medical school in northern Norway has clearly had beneficial effects: a total of 56.1% of the graduates stay in these remote areas. Of those who also spent their youth in northern Norway the proportion is 82.0%, compared to graduates who lived in the southern parts of the country while growing up (37.7%). The results clearly demonstrate that one of the main goals for the Medical School at the University in Tromsø, to educate doctors who prefer to work in these rural areas, has been accomplished.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed1993

Writing a scientific paper as part of the medical curriculum.

The curriculum at the Medical School, University of Tromsø reserves 23 weeks for optional studies, including a period of 12 weeks at the end of the fifth year when the students carry out an independent study and write a short thesis. Of the first 417 doctors (graduation year 1979-89) from Tromsø 84.6% answered a postal questionnaire asking them to evaluate this part of the curriculum. These postgraduates report high levels of satisfaction with and benefit from this part of the curriculum. A total of 26.8% started working on their thesis before the final 12-week period, 32.6% had also published their study, half of these in international journals, and 75.6% found that the skills acquired during the final optional period had been useful in their subsequent work, irrespective of specialty. In conclusion, postgraduates consider their work in preparing a scientific paper as an important and integral part of medical studies.

Curriculum↗
PubMed1993

Progesterone reduces sympathetic tone without changing blood pressure or fluid balance in men.

There is scant information on the effects of progesterone on circulation. Changes in catecholamine levels, blood pressure and transcapillary fluid balance were measured in 12 men before and during administration of natural progesterone (Utrogestan). Before administration, systolic blood pressure was significantly correlated with venous adrenaline (r = 0.67, p = 0.01). There was a significant decrease (p = 0.004) in venous noradrenaline during progesterone administration, and systolic blood pressure was significantly correlated with the arteriovenous difference for noradrenaline (r = 0.66, p = 0.02). Serum progesterone, which attained levels similar to those found in women during the luteal phase, did not significantly alter blood pressure, body weight or intra- to extravascular fluid shift. It is concluded that progesterone may have a direct action by increasing the uptake of noradrenaline from the synaptic cleft or by decreasing the nerve firing rate. Interestingly, the pretreatment finding of a significant correlation between blood pressure and adrenaline was less evident during progesterone administration.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Evidence for altered transcapillary fluid balance in women with the premenstrual syndrome.

Redistribution of body fluids has been suggested as a possible pathophysiological mechanism for the premenstrual syndrome (PMS). To elucidate this hypothesis, transcapillary fluid balance was studied in ten women with well defined PMS. Wick-methods were used for measuring colloid osmotic and hydrostatic interstitial pressures on the thorax and on the leg. The capillary filtration coefficient was measured by strain gauge plethysmography. From the follicular to the luteal phase the interstitial colloid osmotic pressure on the leg was significantly reduced (mean 3.6 mm Hg, p = 0.005), whereas the interstitial colloid osmotic pressure on the thorax remained constant. The capillary filtration coefficient increased 30% (mean 5.3 x 10(-4) ml/min/100 gm/mm Hg, p = 0.04) from the follicular to the luteal phase. No change was observed in body weight. These findings indicate an instability of vascular regulation in women with premenstrual syndrome, and lend support to the hypothesis that redistribution of fluid, rather than water retention, is responsible for the subjective symptoms such as bloatedness, in the premenstrual syndrome.

Adult↗