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Biomedical subjects

B Schei

Publications and source records attributed to B Schei.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2007

Hormone replacement therapy and headache prevalence in postmenopausal women. The Head-HUNT study.

Conflicting evidence exists whether hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a risk factor for headache. The aim of the study was to examine the prevalence of headache and migraine amongst postmenopausal women using HRT. In the Nord-Trøndelag Health Study 1995-97 (HUNT 2), 18,323 (62%) out of 29,679 women aged 40 years or more responded to headache questions (Head-HUNT). Amongst the 6007 postmenopausal women, 5507 (92%) responded to questions regarding use of HRT (2375 used or had used it) and questions related to headache (2407 had complaints). There was a significant association between headache and present use of HRT, both with local [odds ratio (OR) = 1.4, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 1.1-1.7] and systemic (OR = 1.6, 95% CI 1.4-1.9) application. This was found for non-migrainous headache (OR = 1.3, 95% CI 1.1-1.5) and migraine (OR = 1.6, 95% CI 1.4-1.9). Both migraine and non-migrainous headache were more probably amongst users of postmenopausal HRT than amongst those who had never used HRT. Whether HRT caused headache or was used partly because of headache cannot be determined in this cross-sectional study.

Aged↗
PubMed2006

Intimate partner violence and health outcomes in mid-life women: a population-based cohort study.

AIM: To investigate the association between experience of intimate partner violence (IPV) and health outcomes measured prospectively. METHOD: Eleven-year prospective study of a population-based cohort of 438 Australian-born women aged 45-55 years at baseline (in 1991). Annual face-to-face interviews measured health status and quality of life; questionnaires on intimate partner physical, emotional and sexual violence and on experiences of childhood abuse completed in year 6 of follow-up. RESULTS: In year 11 of follow-up 233 women (mean age 59.9 SD 2.5 years) were interviewed of whom 62 (27%) reported experiencing physical and/or emotional and/or sexual IPV prior to the 6(th) year of follow-up. In bi-variate analysis a history of IPV was significantly associated with mental and sexual health variables and marital status at baseline and follow-up. Multivariate analysis found that at follow-up after allowing for baseline measures and other co-variates: Frequency of Sexual Activities was lower in women who had experienced IPV (p < 0.05); and negative mood was higher in women with the experience of IPV during the 12 months prior to completing the violence questionnaire (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: IPV was a significant contributor to mental and sexual health status measured prospectively in this cohort of mid-aged Australian-born women.

Aged↗
PubMed2006

Oral contraceptives and increased headache prevalence: the Head-HUNT Study.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the prevalence of headache and migraine among women using oral contraceptives (OCs) in a large, cross-sectional population-based study. METHODS: In the Nord-Trøndelag Health Study in Norway 1995-1997 (HUNT 2), 27,700 (60%) out of 46,506 invited women responded to headache questions (Head-HUNT). Among 14,353 premenopausal women, 13,944 (97%) responded to questions regarding use of contraceptives. RESULTS: There was a significant association between headache and reported use of estrogen-containing OCs in premenopausal women, both for migraine (OR = 1.4, 95% CI = 1.2 to 1.7) and for non-migrainous headache (OR = 1.2, 95% CI = 1.0 to 1.4). A significant dose relationship between headache and the amount of estrogen in the OCs could not be demonstrated. No significant association between headache and OCs containing only gestagen was found. CONCLUSION: Headache, especially migraine, was more likely among premenopausal women using oral contraceptives containing estrogen.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Higher bone mineral density in rural compared with urban dwellers: the NOREPOS study.

Norway has a very high incidence of osteoporotic fractures, with substantial regional differences in fracture incidence. The present study evaluated whether there are differences in bone mineral density (BMD) between regions in Norway with differences in fracture incidence. The authors used data collected in four large, population-based, multipurpose studies performed in four regions of Norway during 1994-2001. Distal forearm BMD was measured by single energy x-ray absorptiometry in 10,667 participants aged 40-75 years. Cross-calibration was performed by using the European Forearm Phantom. Mean distal forearm BMD was lower in the urban populations of Tromso, Oslo, and Bergen compared with the rural county of Nord-Trondelag, whereas there was no difference between the rural part of Tromso and Nord-Trondelag. For women, body mass index explained some of these differences. The prevalence of low BMD (z score < or = -1) in Oslo, Bergen, and urban Tromso, compared with Nord-Trondelag, was 1.6-1.7 times higher in men and 1.5-2.0 times higher in women, whereas no significant difference was found between rural Tromso and Nord-Trondelag. In this study, higher BMD was found in rural compared with urban areas of Norway, which might help explain the differences in fracture incidence. There was no apparent north-south gradient in BMD.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗
PubMed2003

Emotional, physical, and sexual abuse in patients visiting gynaecology clinics: a Nordic cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Abuse against women causes much suffering for individuals and is a major concern for society. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of three types of abuse in patients visiting gynaecology clinics in five Nordic countries, and to assess the frequency with which gynaecologists identify abuse victims. METHODS: We did a cross-sectional, multicentre study of women attending five departments of gynaecology in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden. We recruited 4729 patients; 3641 (77%) responded and were included in the study. Participants completed a postal questionnaire (norvold abuse questionnaire) confidentially. Primary outcome measures were prevalences of emotional, physical, and sexual abuse, and whether abused patients had told their gynaecologist about these experiences. We assessed differences between countries with Pearson's chi(2) test. FINDINGS: The ranges across the five countries of lifetime prevalence were 38-66% for physical abuse, 19-37% for emotional abuse, and 17-33% for sexual abuse. Not all abused women reported current ill-effects from the abusive experience. Most women (92-98%) had not talked to their gynaecologist about their experiences of abuse at their latest clinic visit. INTERPRETATION: Despite prevalences of emotional, physical, and sexual abuse being high in patients visiting gynaecology clinics in the Nordic countries, most victims of abuse are not identified by their gynaecologists. This lack of discussion might increase the risk of abused patients not being treated according to their needs. Gynaecologists should always consider asking their patients about abuse.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Abuse: a risk factor for low birth weight? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Abuse during pregnancy is considered to be a potentially modifiable risk factor for low birth weight (LBW). We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the strength of association between physical, sexual or emotional abuse during pregnancy and LBW. METHODS: We selected papers for review from an electronic search of MEDLINE (1966-1999), CINAHL (1982-1997) and the Cochrane Library. We retrieved articles using the following MeSH headings and keywords: "infant low birth weight," "fetus," "perinatal care," "pregnancy," "prenatal care," "infant mortality," "violence," "battered women," "spouse abuse," "infant morbidity," "antenatal" and "neonatal." When necessary, we contacted authors to obtain data that were not included in the published material. We analyzed the methodological quality of each eligible study and selected those of the highest quality for meta-analysis. RESULTS: We reviewed 14 studies, of which 8 were selected for meta-analysis. Using a fixed-effects model, we found that women who reported physical, sexual or emotional abuse during pregnancy were more likely than nonabused women to give birth to a baby with LBW (odds ratio 1.4, 95% confidence interval 1.1-1.8). INTERPRETATION: Abuse may be part of a complex interaction of factors that contribute to LBW.

Domestic Violence↗
PubMed2001

How do reproductive and lifestyle factors influence bone density in distal and ultradistal radius of early postmenopausal women? The Nord-Trøndelag Health Survey, Norway.

In a population-based health survey, densitometry was performed at the distal and ultradistal radius with single-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Bone mineral density (BMD) data and self-reported reproductive and lifestyle data from 1652 randomly selected peri- and postmenopausal women aged 50-59 years were analyzed. A total of 893 (54.1%) postmenopausal women reported no prior use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and constituted the principal group of study. These women were more frequently smokers, consumed less alcohol, more coffee and had made less use of oral contraceptives (OC) than women in the HRT group. The strongest association with both distal and ultradistal radius bone densities was found for age, weight, time since menopause and a history of bilateral oophorectomy. Among reproductive factors, nulliparous women had lower BMD than parous women; however, no linear relationship was found between parity and bone density. A weak, positive relationship was found for OC and BMD in bivariate, but not in multivariate analyses. A history of hysterectomy was positively associated with BMD, stronger at the ultradistal than distal radius. A positive relationship between alcohol consumption and BMD was found at the ultradistal radius. Present or prior smokers had lower BMD than never smokers. In the multivariate model, interaction between pack-years of smoking and daily coffee intake was observed at the distal radius, and both factors had a stronger negative influence on distal than ultradistal radius bone density. In perimenopausal women, most reproductive and lifestyle risk factors found to be associated with BMD of the radius may be explained by different levels of estrogen.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗
PubMed2001

The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale: validation in a Norwegian community sample.

This study was undertaken to validate a Norwegian translation of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). The EPDS was validated against the DSM-IV criteria for major depression, derived from the PRIME-MD, in an interview study of 56 women selected from a community-based questionnaire study of 310 women 6 weeks postpartum. A score of > or =10 on the EPDS scale identified all women with major depression, giving a sensitivity of 100% (95% confidence interval; 72%-100%) and a specificity of 87% (95% confidence interval; 77%-95%). The EPDS scores were strongly correlated with the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale in the subsample of women interviewed (n=56) and with the Hopkins Symptom Check List (SCL-25) scores in the questionnaire study (n=310). Our results with regard to the sensitivity and specificity estimates are comparable with prior validation studies; however, the confidence intervals around the estimates are wide. Nevertheless, this study confirms that the EPDS is a valid clinical screening instrument for detecting postpartum depression.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

[Postnatal care--sleep, rest and satisfaction].

BACKGROUND: During the last decade most hospitals in Norway have introduced breastfeeding according to the baby's needs during night-time as well. The aim of this study was to examine whether women had sufficient sleep and rest in the maternity unit, and the factors influencing insufficient sleep and rest. The degree of satisfaction with the stay in the maternity unit and factors associated with satisfaction were also studied. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From April to November 1998, 160 postnatal women in two Norwegian communities were included in a questionnaire-based study, representing 89% of all women eligible for the study. RESULTS: 47% (75/160) of the women reported lack of sleep and rest in the maternity unit. The factor most strongly associated with lack of sleep and rest was not having a single room (adjusted odds ratio 11.0; 95% confidence interval: 1.7-69.1). 56% (88/158) of the women reported to be very satisfied, 39% (68/158) were moderately satisfied, and 5% (8/158) dissatisfied with the stay at the maternity unit. Not being very satisfied was associated with the hospital of delivery (adjusted OR 18.0; 95% CI: 2.2-149.1), and with insufficient sleep and rest (OR 3.3: 1.3-8.1). INTERPRETATION: Our results suggest that women do not get sufficient sleep and rest under existing circumstances in maternity units.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Reproduction in women reporting chronic musculoskeletal disorders.

UNLABELLED: The present population based study assessed aspects of female health as a part of a national cardiovascular screening program in 40-42 year old women in the Sor-Trondelag county. Fertility, events related to the menstrual cycle, reproduction, and the use of contraceptive methods in women reporting musculoskeletal diseases (MSD) were compared to women without these disorders (references). A higher proportion of women with MSD reported subfertility. No significant difference in mean age of menarche or menstrual cycling pattern was found, however women reporting MSD had significantly more often metrorrhagia than references. Mother's age at birth of the first and last child differed from references only in two of the patient groups, and interval between pregnancies was longer in women with MSD. Women with MSD more often chose sterilisation as a contraceptive method. CONCLUSION: Reproduction was altered in women with MSD. It remains to elucidate the interrelationship between rheumatic disorders and gynecological dysfunction.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

[Historical retrospect on women's health in our century].

At this turn of the century, we may look back on a hundred years of major social changes with a huge impact on women's health, many of them related to women's role in reproduction. Effective contraception has become available to all women, and access to safe abortion has been secured through legislation. The majority of women are now in paid employment and women's position in society is dramatically improved. The decrease in mortality has affected women and men differently. Women live longer than men, but they tend to be afflicted by chronic non-lethal diseases. Issues which earlier were kept out of the public debate on women's health are now part of that debate. The improvements in women's health are not only a consequence of changing living conditions and better health services; they are also linked to changing attitudes to sexuality, love and marriage.

Abortion, Legal↗
PubMed1999

Pregnancy and delivery for women with a history of child sexual abuse.

OBJECTIVE: To study whether women with a history of child sexual abuse are at increased risk of delivering low birth weight infants. Secondary aims were to study smoking habits, obstetric complications, health care use, and health complaints during pregnancy among women with a history of child sexual abuse. METHOD: In a case control study, 82 women with birth of a low birth weight infant (< 2500 g) (cases) and 91 women with birth of a normal birth weight infant (controls) were interviewed about experiences of child sexual abuse. RESULTS: Fourteen percent of the women disclosed a history of child sexual abuse involving at least genital touch. Birth of a low birth weight infant was not associated with a history of child sexual abuse (OR 1.03, 95% CI .44-2.40). More women with a history of child sexual abuse were smokers during pregnancy (56% vs. 31%) compared with nonabused women. Abused women reported lower age at menarche and sexual debut. Nonscheduled contacts with the antenatal care clinic and discomfort during pregnancy were more frequent among abused women when controlled for low birth weight. CONCLUSIONS: Women who delivered low birth weight infants were not more likely to have experienced child sexual abuse than women who delivered nonlow birth weight infants. Abused women were unemployed and daily smokers more often than nonabused women. Some of the abused women reported more health complaints, and more use of health care services during pregnancy, but did not have more obstetric complications during pregnancy and delivery.

Case-Control Studies↗
PubMed1999

Mental distress and risk of hip fracture. Do broken hearts lead to broken bones?

OBJECTIVE: Mental distress may entail increased risk of hip fracture, but it is uncertain whether the effect consists solely of an indirect effect through use of medication, or whether it is also mediated through other mechanism. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between mental distress and risk of hip fracture in women, adjusted for medication (that is, use of tranquillisers/sedatives or hypnotics). DESIGN: A three year follow up of hip fracture was conducted on 18,612 women, consisting of 92.5% of all women aged 50 years or older in a Norwegian county. Three hundred and twenty nine suffered a hip fracture. A mental distress index was based on questions about life dissatisfaction, nervousness, loneliness, sleep disorders, troubled and uneasy feelings, depression and impairment attributable to psychological complaints. Relative risk with 95% confidence intervals (CI) of hip fracture with respect to mental distress were controlled for medication, age, body mass index (BMI), smoking, physical inactivity, and physical illness by means of Cox regression. RESULTS: The 10% of women with the highest mental distress had more than twofold increased risk of hip fracture compared with the 10% of women with the lowest mental distress, after adjustment for age and medication. The relative risk was 1.95 (95% CI 1.2, 3.3) after additional control for BMI, smoking, physical inactivity, and physical illness. The relative risk of hip fracture for daily users of medication compared with never users was 2.1 (95% CI 1.6, 2.9). After adjusting for mental distress it was 1.5 (95% CI 1.0, 2.2). CONCLUSIONS: Risk of hip fracture was positively related to mental distress, also after adjustment for medication use. The effect of tranquillisers/sedatives or hypnotics on hip fracture risk may be overestimated in studies with no adjustments for mental distress.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

Prevalence of physical and sexual abuse before and during pregnancy among Swedish couples.

BACKGROUND: To estimate the prevalence of threats and actual acts of physical and sexual abuse during pregnancy. METHODS: Two hundred and seven pregnant Swedish women married to or cohabiting with Swedish men were randomly selected from three antenatal clinics in the city of Göteborg, Sweden. A standardized questionnaire was used for personal interviews about the women's experience of physical and sexual abuse by a husband or a boyfriend at some point in the past, during the last year and during current pregnancy. RESULTS: Twenty-seven point five percent of the women reported that they had been exposed to physical violence at some point in the past by their husband/boyfriend. Twenty-four and a half percent of the women had experienced some form of threat, physical or sexual violence during the last year. At some time (once or more) during their current pregnancy, the proportions of women who had been exposed to the following categories of violence, were as follows: 14.5%-symbolic violence, 14.5%-threats of mild violence, 2.9%-threats of moderate violence, 2.9%-threats of serious violence, 11%-mild violence, 4.3%-minor violence, 2.4%-moderate violence, 4.3%-serious violence and 3.3%-sexual violence. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that a considerable number of women had experienced threats, physical and sexual abuse during pregnancy. There is an obvious need for screening of experience of domestic violence among pregnant women to enhance the safety of women and their unborn babies.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Anxiety, physical abuse, and low birth weight.

BACKGROUND: Physical and sexual abuse has been associated with adverse pregnancy outcome in some studies. One cause may be physical trauma; others may be indirect, such as stress, anxiety, smoking or drug use in pregnancy. The aim of the present study was to assess the relationships among anxiety, history of abuse and low birth weight. METHODS: We performed a case control study comprising 85 women who delivered low birth weight (<2500 g) babies (cases) and 92 women with higher birth weight babies (control group). All mothers were interviewed. We assessed the extent of abuse using the Conflict Tactics Scale, and that of anxiety using the Trait-Anxiety Inventory. RESULTS: Women with low birth weight babies were not more likely to have higher scores on the anxiety scale or to have a history of abuse. On the other hand, mothers with a history of abuse had higher anxiety scores and more often smoked in pregnancy. CONCLUSION: Anxiety could be the intermediate factor between abuse and smoking in pregnancy.

Adolescent↗