Biomedical subjects

G Albrektsen

Publications and source records attributed to G Albrektsen.

42 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

PubMed1991

Self-assessed quality of life and metabolic control in persons with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM).

The aim of the study was to analyse the association between satisfaction with life and glycosylated haemoglobulin (HbA1). A quality of life questionnaire was administered to 247 persons with IDDM at a Diabetic Clinic in Bergen, Norway. The material was divided into two groups depending on their level of HbA1; HbA1 greater than 0.09 was labelled poorly regulated and a level of HbA1 less than or equal to 0.09 was labelled well regulated. The groups were compared with regard to different life domains and well-being scales. The statistical analysis showed that the well-regulated group had significantly higher average scores considering the somatic and activity/behavioural life domain ratings, the latter being only significantly different among people with higher education. The well-regulated group had lower average scores in the psychological and social life domain ratings, but these differences were not statistically significant. Among the well-being scales we found a statistically significant difference between poor and well-regulated persons only regarding sociability and loneliness. Well-regulated persons felt on average less sociable and more lonely than poorly-regulated persons.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1991

Thyroid carcinoma: results from surgical treatment in 211 consecutive patients.

A retrospective study was undertaken of 211 patients who were operated on for thyroid carcinoma. The revised histological diagnoses were papillary (n = 167), follicular (n = 26), medullary (n = 9) and undifferentiated (n = 9). No patient was lost to follow up (mean 10 years). In 162 patients a palpable neck mass was the only clinical presentation of disease (76%). Fine needle aspiration cytology was increasingly used throughout the period. Total thyroidectomy was done in 167 (79%), hemi or subtotal thyroidectomy in 22 (10%), the remaining received palliative treatment. Accidental unilateral vocal cord paralysis occurred in 3 (1.4%). Total thyroidectomy was followed by permanent hypoparathyroidism in 19 (11%). The tumour recurred in 37 (19%), and 23 of the patients died thyroid cancer (11%). The disease specific mortality for patients with undifferentiated tumours was 77% compared with 8% for patients with differentiated tumours. In the latter group, death of cancer was correlated significantly with age, sex, tumour size, presence of regional metastases, and palliative treatment.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed1990

Hearing deterioration in professional divers: an epidemiologic study.

Hearing acuity was measured in 116 professional divers. After approximately 6 yr they were retested. At most frequencies, the divers had higher hearing thresholds than otologically normal subjects at the same age, both at the first and at the final examination. The divers' hearing deteriorated faster than that of the otologically normal subjects. The young divers' hearing thresholds were lower than in unscreened nondivers at comparable age, but the gap closed gradually with increasing age. Accordingly, the divers' hearing deteriorated faster than that of unscreened nondivers. Some of the divers had suffered permanent hearing loss from acute barotrauma. Considering the regular noise exposure during commercial diving, this must have contributed significantly to the observed hearing deterioration.

Adult↗

PubMed1989

Quantification of pyuria by two methods correlation and interobserver agreement.

The aim of this study was to correlate the results of two methods of quantifying pyuria and to compare the diagnostic reliability of the two methods in terms of interobserver agreement. Three independent observers counted leucocytes in 56 urine samples by using high-power-field (HPF) microscopy on centrifuged urine sediment and by using a Bürker haemocytometer on uncentrifuged urine. The commonly accepted diagnostic level of ten leucocytes/mm3 in the haemocytometer was found to be equivalent to two leucocytes/HPF. This agrees with other reports but contrasts with the usual notion of a diagnostic level of five to ten leucocytes/HPF, and implies that urinary tract infection in the presence of symptoms should not be ruled out when less than five leucocytes/HPF are found. Kappa statistics were used to evaluate the interobserver agreement. The observers agreed on the diagnosis in 96% (K = 0.92) of the urines when the haemocytometer was used, and in 93-96% (K = 0.81-K = 0.91) when leucocytes were counted per HPF. The differences in Kappa values were not statistically significant. Our material indicates that the method of quantifying pyuria in centrifuged urine sediment by HPF microscopy may be used as the routine method in general practice.

Humans↗

PubMed1988

Alternobaric vertigo in professional divers.

The present investigation was part of a project performed to detect possible effects of diving on the cochleovestibular system. A group of 194 professional divers were interviewed, examined otologically, and their hearing was tested audiometrically. Caloric vestibular tests were performed in 48 subjects. The interview reviewed age, diving experience, previous ear disease or injury, head trauma, noise exposure during diving and during spare-time activities, eye color, tobacco habits, and the occurrence of vertigo during diving. Useful information regarding vertigo was obtained from 193. Of the 76 (39%) who had experienced vertigo, 64 (33%) were classified as alternobaric vertigo (AV), a type of vertigo caused by asymmetric middle ear pressure. A stepwise multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to detect variables contributing to the presence of AV. Variables having a statistically significant association with AV were previous barotrauma of the ear (P less than 0.05) and noise exposure during diving (less than 0.05). AV was most frequently encountered when diving during a common cold. In this sample of divers, AV did not lead to any serious or critical situations.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Papillary thyroid carcinoma: a multivariate analysis of prognostic factors including an evaluation of the p-TNM staging system.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the prognostic factors in papillary thyroid carcinoma, and in particular to evaluate the accuracy of the pathological tumour, nodes, metastases (p-TNM) staging. DESIGN: Retrospective univariate and multivariate analysis. SETTING: University hospital in Norway. SUBJECTS: 167 patients who were operated on for papillary thyroid carcinoma between 1971 and 1985. Main outcome measures--Death of papillary thyroid carcinoma, and length of recurrence free survival. RESULTS: Male sex, increasing age, larger tumours, and spread of growth beyond the thyroid all independently increased the risk of dying of papillary thyroid carcinoma, whereas the period of recurrence free survival was influenced only by the presence of regional metastases and the patient's age. The age related p-TNM staging is suitable for predicting the likelihood of death, but is less accurate in the prediction of recurrence free survival. The age of 45 years is too low to be useful in predicting survival, especially in women. CONCLUSION: The identification of sex in the multivariate analysis as a strong independent predictor of death of papillary thyroid cancer suggests that the prognostic value of the age related p-TNM staging system could be improved if sex was adjusted for, and if a different age was used for men and women.

Adult↗