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G K Berntsen

Publications and source records attributed to G K Berntsen.

9 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↗
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

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↗
PubMed1994

[Treatment of suicide attempters in a somatic hospital. Is psychosocial support offered in addition to somatic treatment?].

The study examined whether patients admitted to a somatic hospital following an attempted suicide were offered psycho-social assessment and care in addition to somatic treatment. The medical records of 81 patients involving a total of 90 admissions following a suicide attempt during a period of one year were scrutinized. 1/3 of the medical records showed no evidence of a talk between the patient and a health professional about the attempted suicide. Patients staying in hospital for less than 24 hours were less likely to have had such a talk than those who stayed longer. No other variable, not even the patients' negative attitude towards hospital care was associated with the talk variable. Without an anamnesis where suicide-related themes are approached the health professional can neither judge the danger of a new suicide attempt nor the need for psycho-social help.

Adolescent↗