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Biomedical subjects

Karin Johansson

Publications and source records attributed to Karin Johansson.

5 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Lower limb lymphedema: experiences and perceptions of cancer patients in the late palliative stage.

UNLABELLED: Lower limb lymphedema (LLL) is a common but neglected problem in palliative cancer patients. No studies have focused on these patients' experiences of lymphedema. The aims of this study were to explore patients' experiences regarding LLL and how they manage to deal with this in the late palliative stage. METHODS: Thirteen patients with cancer-related LLL were included to satisfy a maximum variation sampling strategy. Interviews were analyzed using a qualitative phenomenographic method. RESULTS: LLL influenced the patients' thoughts about the future. Body image was often strongly influenced. Interactions with other persons were perceived as both positive and negative, and a range of coping strategies were expressed. CONCLUSION: LLL can exert a considerable influence on the physical experiences and the psychosocial situation of cancer patients in palliative care. Areas in need of increased education, attention, and further research are highlighted.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed2004

Picking behaviour in cognitively impaired residents in geriatric settings: prevalence of the behaviour and characteristics of the residents.

This paper presents the findings of a point prevalence study performed at all geriatric settings within a county in Northern Sweden. The aims of the study were twofold: to investigate the prevalence of picking behaviour in cognitively impaired residents in various kinds of geriatric care settings and describe the characteristics of the residents, and to investigate how the residents who exhibit picking behaviour are experienced by their care providers. The study comprises 1928 cognitively impaired residents. The prevalence of picking behaviour was found to be 17%. Multivariate analyses showed that behavioural and psychiatric symptoms such as 'often stands at the outer door and wants to go out', 'wanders alone or with other patients back and forth', 'aggressive threats to patients and staff' and being 'manic' and 'fearful' were associated with picking behaviour. Other factors associated with picking behaviour were 'taking part in daily tasks', 'can walk without assistance' and imposing a high psychological workload. Furthermore, residents who exhibited picking behaviour were experienced by care providers as more uncertain and unhappier than residents who did not behave in this way.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed2002

Multiplex SNP genotyping in pooled DNA samples by a four-colour microarray system.

We selected 125 candidate single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes belonging to the human type 1 interferon (IFN) gene family and the genes coding for proteins in the main type 1 IFN signalling pathway by screening databases and by in silico comparison of DNA sequences. Using quantitative analysis of pooled DNA samples by solid-phase mini-sequencing, we found that only 20% of the candidate SNPs were polymorphic in the Finnish and Swedish populations. To allow more effective validation of candidate SNPs, we developed a four-colour microarray-based mini-sequencing assay for multiplex, quantitative allele frequency determination in pooled DNA samples. We used cyclic mini-sequencing reactions with primers carrying 5'-tag sequences, followed by capture of the products on microarrays by hybridisation to complementary tag oligonucleotides. Standard curves prepared from mixtures of known amounts of SNP alleles demonstrate the applicability of the system to quantitative analysis, and showed that for about half of the tested SNPs the limit of detection for the minority allele was below 5%. The microarray-based genotyping system established here is universally applicable for genotyping and quantification of any SNP, and the validated system for SNPs in type 1 IFN-related genes should find many applications in genetic studies of this important immunoregulatory pathway.

Cluster Analysis↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Family members' and care providers' interpretations of picking behavior.

The meaning of so-called "behavior disturbances" among people with dementia is often difficult to interpret. In this exploratory study, the aim was to explore family members' and care providers' descriptions of picking behavior in people with severe dementia and their interpretations of the behavior's meaning. Three threads of meaning were identified in these interpretations: striving for an ordinary, everyday life, striving for control, and striving to be in touch with others. The possibilities of uniting the past and the present by means of collaboration among family members and care providers are discussed.

Aged↗