Biomedical subjects

B Rorsman

Publications and source records attributed to B Rorsman.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1998

First-incidence anxiety in the Lundby Study: course and predictors of outcome.

The aim of the present study was to analyse first-incidence anxiety in the Lundby Study with regard to course and predictors of outcome between 1947 and 1972. The Lundby concept of anxiety corresponds broadly to that of anxiety disorders in DSM-III-R. The Lundby Study is a prospective, psychiatric study of a geographically defined total population. The present study includes 124 subjects (46 men and 78 women) who between 1947 and 1972 developed anxiety as their first mental illness in life. The median total duration of illness was 1.6 years in men and 1.4 years in women. In both sexes episodes of mild impairment dominated. In total, 54% of the men and 71% of the women were mentally healthy at the follow-up in 1972. A minority of the probands (27%) received psychiatric treatment. They significantly more often suffered from panic disorder with agoraphobia during their first episode, and from comorbidity of other mental illnesses, than did untreated subjects. They also had a significantly longer total duration of illness, a variable with a negative predictive influence on the probability of being mentally healthy in 1972. Men with anxiety showed a 55% increase in alcoholism compared to standard values. They also displayed an increased risk of relapsing into mental illness compared to female cases, a result which, in the light of earlier findings of increased mortality rates, suggests that further investigations of men with anxiety syndromes in the general population are warranted.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

Mortality of anxiety syndromes in a normal population. The Lundby Study.

The mortality of anxiety syndromes between 1972 and 1992 was investigated in a prospective study of a normal population, the 1947 Lundby cohort. 121 persons with anxiety according to the Lundby definition (Anx), and 74 persons with panic disorder with/without agoraphobia (PD-Ag) according to the DSM-III-R, all of them developing their first episode between 1947 and 1972, were analyzed with regard to general mortality and special cause of death. Sex- and age-specific mortality rates for these groups were calculated and compared with the corresponding rates of the cohort's 1,877 remaining subjects without first episodes of Anx/PD-Ag. In contrast to the females, the annual rates of general mortality in males with Anx/PD-Ag were 1.9/2.2 times higher in the age group 65-84 years, compared with the rates of the non-Anx/PD-Ag groups. They also had an increase in death due to circulatory disorders, most pronounced in males with PD-Ag before the age of 65. There were no suicides in any of the Anx/PD-Ag groups during the observation period.

Adult↗

PubMed1995

Predictors of anxiety in the Lundby study: a prospective study of a normal population during 1947-1972.

The aim of the present study was to search for specific premorbid background factors of 'anxiety' in a normal population, the 1947 Lundby cohort. 2,550 probands were repeatedly examined by psychiatrists during a 25-year period, regardless of medical care. The semi-structured examinations included items referring to the proband's mental and physical health, personality, behaviour and socio-economic background. In the present study, only assessments made before the first onset of anxiety were considered. Very strict criteria of 'healthiness' and anxiety regarding the comparison groups were used. Five out of 50 items considered were significantly predictive. The male features share certain similarities with those observed in earlier predictor studies on anxiety and depressive disorders, while the traits found in women seem to predispose for other mental illness as well.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1994

Prevalence of mental disorders, personality traits and mental complaints in the Lundby Study. A point prevalence study of the 1957 Lundby cohort of 2,612 inhabitants of a geographically defined area who were re-examined in 1972 regardless of domicile.

The Lundby Study is a prospective, psychiatric-epidemiological study of a normal population that has been repeatedly examined over a period of 25 years. Experienced psychiatrists made home visits and collected the basic information through personal examinations adding supplementary data from other relevant sources. The present book contains point prevalence data of mental disorders such as neuroses, psychoses, organic brain syndromes, psychosomatic disorders, psychopathy, mental retardation, alcoholism, mental complaints, and also of various personality traits in a normal population at two points of time, 15 years apart. Together with earlier published incidence studies the present monograph is intended to give as complete a picture as possible of the mental morbidity in a total population. Our most conspicuous finding was the increase over time of the prevalence of neurotic illnesses. Depressive illnesses represented the largest increase. In the male sex the rate of Neurosis trebled from Time 1 to Time 2, although the female preponderance still remained. Psychopathy and Alcoholism, on the other hand, were very markedly male disorders. A description of how the investigations were performed is included and also a list of publications originating from the Lundby Study. This book will be of interest to physicians and psychiatrists interested in epidemiology and also to governmental planners and social scientists.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1993

Anxiety in the Lundby Study: re-evaluation according to DSM-III-R, incidence and risk.

This study presents the incidence and risk of Anxiety Disorders according to DSM-III-R in the 1947 Lundby cohort. The figures are based on a re-evaluation of 124 first-ever episodes of 'Anxiety' according to the Lundby definition. Panic Disorders without/with Agoraphobia constituted the largest groups, while a proportionally low rate of Generalized Anxiety Disorder was obtained. The incidence rates per 100 person years in Panic Disorders without Agoraphobia were 0.07 for men and 0.20 for women, the female dominance being statistically significant. Corresponding figures in Panic Disorders with Agoraphobia were 0.04 and 0.07. About 20% fell into other diagnostic categories, the most dominating being Mood and Adjustment Disorders and Hypochondriasis. Comparisons with incidence rates from the ECA and Stirling County studies are made and outlines for further research presented.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1993

Premorbid personality traits and psychosomatic background factors in depression: the Lundby Study 1957-1972.

The search for specific predepressive personality factors has a long tradition in psychiatry. Studies in which assessments were made prospectively, before the onset of a first-ever episode of the illness, are, however, rare. In the present report from the Lundby Study we have investigated premorbid, mainly personality-related background factors for first incidences of depressive disorder, diagnosed according to the Lundby criteria for 'Depression proper' and 'Depression plus other psychiatric symptoms'. The items found to be of a predictive value differed between the two diagnostic subgroups and also between men and women. The findings are discussed and compared with earlier predictor studies on depression.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1993

Vascular dementia in the Lundby study. 2. An attempt to identify possible risk factors.

Vascular dementia represents a group of diseases of great medical and social impact. Its etiology is largely unknown but is most likely multifactorial. Factors related to the brain circulation are involved. The aim of the present study was to find out if personality and social background factors might have a clear precipitating or protective value. This study comprises a total population of 2,612 individuals from a geographically delimited area, Lundby, in southern Sweden. In 1957, Hagnell personally examined 99% of the population. A follow-up study of the same individuals, irrespective of domicile, was performed 15 years later. No social background factors proved to be relevant in this study. Personality factors, including psychosomatic reactions, did, however, demonstrate a highly predictive influence on the risk of developing vascular dementia.

Cohort Studies↗

PubMed1992

Senile dementia of the Alzheimer type in the Lundby Study. II. An attempt to identify possible risk factors.

In recent years research on senile dementia of the Alzheimer type (SDAT) has made progress within the field of pathology and to a certain extent in that of heredity. Within epidemiology, the search for risk factors is intensifying but the findings are still inconclusive. The present study of possible risk factors concentrates on environmental and personality factors. The total population of 2612 persons from a geographically delimited area, Lundby, two neighbouring parishes in southern Sweden, was examined in 1957 by one psychiatrist (Hagnell). A follow-up study of the same population, irrespective of domicile, was performed 15 years later, in 1972. Various precipitating as well as protective personality background factors were found to be significant for the outcome of SDAT, but no environmental factors appeared to be statistically significant in this cohort.

Aged↗

PubMed1992

Incidence of dementia in the Lundby Study.

The incidences of senile dementia of Alzheimer type (SDAT) and multi-infarction dementia (MID) were studied in a total Swedish population, the Lundby project. The study is prospective and covers a 25-year period. The incidence rates per year of contracting SDAT or MID and the probability in each 10-year age interval of contracting dementia in the elderly were calculated, as well as the cumulative risk up to a certain age. The lifetime risk of contracting SDAT was for men 25.5% and for women 31.9%. The corresponding figures for MID were 29.8 and 25.1%.

Aged↗

PubMed1992

Vascular dementia in the Lundby study. 1. A prospective, epidemiological study of incidence and risk from 1957 to 1972.

In this study, a total population, the 1957 Lundby cohort, was investigated with regard to the incidence of vascular dementia over a 15-year period, and to provide a succeeding study with basic data concerning the background factors for vascular dementia. The 1957 cohort comprises 2,612 persons who were registered in the geographically delimited Lundby area on July 1, 1957. The lifetime risk of developing vascular dementia was found to be 34.5% in men and 19.4% in women when all degrees of impairment were taken into account, the preponderance for the male sex being very obvious.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1991

Senile dementia of the Alzheimer type in the Lundby Study. I. A prospective, epidemiological study of incidence and risk during the 15 years 1957-1972.

In spite of the great impact of senile dementia of the Alzheimer type (SDAT) on society, far too little is known about its epidemiology. In this study of a total, normal population from a geographically delimited area in Sweden, Lundby, 2612 persons were examined in 1957 by one psychiatrist (Hagnell). In 1972 the same population was reexamined irrespective of domicile. The incidence and risk of contracting SDAT during the 15 years were calculated. No cases of SDAT were diagnosed before the age of 60 years. The lifetime risk was for men 25.7% and for women 26.2%. When only the very severely impaired were taken into account, the figures were 14.5% in men and 14.6% in women.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed1990

A prospective study of first-incidence depression. The Lundby study, 1957-72.

The present study is based on the so-called 1957 Lundby cohort, a geographically defined normal Swedish population of 2612 individuals who were evaluated for mental disorders in 1957 and 1972. The annual age-standardised first incidence of depression, with or without other psychiatric symptoms, all degrees of impairment included, was found to be 4.3 per 1000 person years in men and 7.6 per 1000 person years in women. Up until 70 years of age, the cumulative probability of suffering a first episode of depression was 27% in men and 45% in women.

Age Factors↗

PubMed1988

Epidemiological survey of the "natural" mortality in psychiatry.

The authors reviewed articles published from 1838 dealing with excess of "natural" mortality in psychiatric "in-" and "out" patients. The high natural mortality rate has always existed and is still observed today despite the quality of somatic care. The excess is observed in every country, ethnic group, sex, age or site of treatment but does not seem to be associated with specific organic pathology. The risk of "natural" mortality (suicide and accidents excluded) remains 2 to 5 times greater than in normals. Hypotheses concerning the phenomenon are reviewed or suggested.

Adult↗

PubMed1987

Incidence of anxiety in the Lundby Study: changes over time during a quarter of a century.

2,550 persons from a geographically delimited area in Sweden were examined and described by a team of 4 psychiatrists in 1947. Mental disorders, personality traits, social factors etc. were recorded for all but 1% of the population. Irrespective of domicile the same persons were examined in the same way first 10, then another 15 years later. The incidence of 'Anxiety' up to 60 years of age was 9.9% in men and 19.7% in women. The majority of both sexes had their first episode as young adults or in the younger middle age (30-39 years). Among men with a 'severe and medium' impairment, the cumulative probability of disease was higher in the 15-year period 1957-1972 than in the 10-year period 1947-1957.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1986

Predictors of alcoholism in the Lundby Study. I. Material and methods.

In this prospective longitudinal study over 15 years (1957 to 1972) the background factors for those who became alcoholics and those who did not were registered before anybody knew what the outcome would be. The population (2,612 inhabitants) lived in 1957 in a delimited area in the South of Sweden, Lundby. In 1957 nearby everyone (98%) was examined by a single psychiatrist, and again in 1972, irrespective of domicile, by two psychiatrists. Among the men who at the outset did not misuse alcohol, 58 became alcoholics. These alcoholics were compared with the non-alcoholics regarding e.g. personality traits, social factors and interactions between factors.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1986

Predictors of alcoholism in the Lundby Study. II. Personality traits as risk factors for alcoholism.

In 1957 all inhabitants (2,612) in a delimited geographical area, Lundby, were examined by a psychiatrist. Personality traits were scored for each individual. During the following 15 years 58 men became alcoholics (44 who had been 15 years or over in 1957). Among the men who in 1957 were scored 'subsolid in combination with symptom neurosis' the risk of becoming an alcoholic was increased 13.5 to 15.8 times. Protective against alcoholism was 'subvalidity in combination with psychosomatic symptoms'. The men with this combination had their risk decreased 12 times. The prediction of alcoholism depended on which factors and which combinations were used. With a sensitivity of 50% a specificity of almost 90% was reached; with a sensitivity of 60% specificities between 70% and 80% were reached.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1986

Predictors of alcoholism in the Lundby Study. III. Social risk factors for alcoholism.

In 1957 all inhabitants (2,612) in a delimited geographical area, Lundby, were examined by a psychiatrist, and social factors were evaluated for each individual. During the following 15 years 58 men became alcoholics. Among the men who in 1957 were in the age group 0-14 years and belonged to a 'gang', the risk of becoming an alcoholic was 100-fold increased. 'Gang' was also an important factor in the age group 15-24 years. 'Crisis' was an important factor among those over 14, and 'disintegrated environment' in the age group 25-59 years. In the latter age group occupations such as 'entrepreneur', became important as a precipitating factor. 'Married' was the only protective factor found.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1986

Prevalence and incidence of senile and multi-infarct dementia in the Lundby Study: a comparison between the time periods 1947-1957 and 1957-1972.

In a recent Lundby paper, based on the original 1947 Lundby cohort [Hagnell et al., 1983], we reported a diminishing trend in the incidence of both senile and multi-infarct dementia from the first period of study 1947-1957 to the second, 1957-1972. In the present study we use the total Lundby population, including those who entered the Lundby project in 1957, as a basis for our calculations. The findings indicate no statistically significant changes in the prevalence and incidence of senile and multi-infarct dementia during the observation period 1947-1972.

Age Factors↗