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Biomedical subjects

L F Andersen

Publications and source records attributed to L F Andersen.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

Effects of hormone replacement therapy on hemostatic cardiovascular risk factors.

OBJECTIVES: From observational studies, there is evidence that hormone replacement therapy in postmenopausal women causes a decrease in cardiovascular events. It remains unknown, however, precisely by which mechanisms this reduction is achieved. The primary aim of this work was to study the effects of hormone replacement therapy on established hemostatic risk factors during 1-year treatment of healthy postmenopausal women. The secondary aim was to investigate whether there was any significant difference in these risk factors between hormone replacement therapy administered as a cyclic estrogen/sequential progestogen or continuous estrogen/sequential progestogen regimen. STUDY DESIGN: Sixty postmenopausal women were randomized to treatment with estradiol valerate 2 mg/day either continuously or cyclic (days 1 to 21; placebo on days 21 to 28). Both groups received cyproterone acetate 1 mg/day on days 12 to 21. Blood samples were collected before treatment and on cycle days 17 to 22 in cycles 3, 6, and 12. Thirty women with basic characteristics identical to the women included in the treatment group were included as a reference group. Blood samples were collected after 0, 6, and 12 months of observation. RESULTS: Hormone replacement therapy during 1 year caused a marginal but significant increase in plasma concentration of factor VIIc after 12 months of treatment (P <.05), a significant decrease in fibrinogen, and a significant decrease in the protein concentrations of tissue-type plasminogen activator, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, and lipoprotein(a) after 3, 6, and 12 months of treatment (P <.05). Possible differences in the integrated response between the reference group and the hormone replacement therapy group were evaluated by comparison of the area under the curve as estimated in each individual on the basis of each analyte in the sampling periods. The area under the curve of fibrinogen was significantly lower in the hormone replacement therapy group than in the reference group (P <.03), whereas other variables did not deviate significantly between the groups. The areas under the curve did not deviate significantly between the group that received cyclic estrogen/sequential progestogen and the group that received continuous estrogen/sequential progestogen. CONCLUSIONS: One-year treatment with hormone replacement therapy influenced favorably a number of prognostic cardiovascular risk factors in healthy women. The most important effect was the lowering of fibrinogen. Furthermore, in this study the effect of hormone replacement therapy on hemostasis did not deviate between a cyclic estrogen/sequential progestogen regimen and a continuous estrogen/sequential progestogen regimen.

Cardiovascular Diseases↗
PubMed1999

Metabolic and fibrinolytic response to changed insulin sensitivity in users of oral contraceptives.

The fundamental role of insulin resistance for metabolic changes linked to cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes is increasingly recognized. Oral contraceptives (OC) may affect insulin sensitivity, and a detailed characterization hereof, as well as the secondary effects on related metabolic systems, are relevant in the evaluation of the risk of developing vascular disorders or diabetes in OC users. We studied insulin sensitivity index (S(I)), glucose effectiveness (S(g)), and insulin response in young, healthy women by frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance tests before and after randomization to 6 months of treatment with ethinyl estradiol in triphasic combination with norgestimate (n = 17) or gestodene (n = 20). Measurements of fasting triglycerides and antigen concentrations of tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1) were also included. Both compounds increased fasting plasma insulin and reduced S(i) but did not affect S(g). The relationships between S(i) and insulin response were unchanged. No consistent correlation between insulin sensitivity and triglycerides, t-PA, or PAI-1 were demonstrated before or during treatment. We conclude that the treatments were followed by a compensated decrease in insulin sensitivity that was unrelated to changes in triglycerides, t-PA, or PAI-1 antigen.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

[Measures to promote healthy dietary habits among schoolchildren].

The Norwegian National Nutrition Council has, over the past years, implemented a number of measures designed specifically to promote well-organized school meals and increase the consumption of fruit and vegetables among school children. These measures include the development of national guidelines for organizing school meals, economic support for trying out new methods of operating a school cafeteria, national campaigns to promote the traditional Norwegian packed lunch, open community meetings with political and administrative leaders at municipality level, the introduction of a system whereby pupils can purchase fresh fruit and vegetables at school, and advocacy through mass media. Results of an ongoing evaluation seem to indicate that these measures have had a positive effect on the organization of school meals. More young children are attended to by an adult during mealtimes, more pupils are allowed at least 20 minutes for their lunch break, and a growing number of secondary schools are introducing school cafeterias. However, only half of the total number of schools seem to be aware of the new guidelines, and much more work is required in order to ensure all students are provided with a well-organized school meal. Health personnel play a critical role in ensuring that this work is given political priority, also at the local level.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Thermal balloon endometrial ablation: safety aspects evaluated by serosal temperature, light microscopy and electron microscopy.

OBJECTIVES: Thermal balloon endometrial ablation is a new method for treating menorrhagia. The technique appears to be less difficult compared to standard hysteroscopic ablation techniques and to be significantly safer. The influence into the uterine wall of the thermal balloon ablation procedure was investigated with special reference to the ability of total destruction of the endometrium and the thermal action on the myometrium and the serosa. STUDY DESIGN: Temperatures were measured at the uterine serosal surface during thermal balloon endometrial ablation for 8-16 min in eight patients. After subsequent hysterectomy the extent of thermal damage into the myometrium was assessed by light and electron microscopy. RESULTS: The highest temperature measured on the uterine serosa was 39.1 degrees C. Coagulation of the myometrium adjacent to the endometrium could be demonstrated by light microscopy in all patients, with a maximum depth of 11.5 mm. By electron microscopy no influence of heat could be demonstrated beyond 15 mm from the endometrial surface. CONCLUSION: Up to 16 min of thermal balloon endometrial ablation therapy can destroy the endometrium and the submucosal layers. The myometrium is only coagulated to a depth where full thickness necrosis or injury is unlikely.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Ampicillin-metronidazole treatment in idiopathic preterm labour: a randomised controlled multicentre trial.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether treatment with ampicillin and metronidazole in women with threatened idiopathic preterm labour will prolong the gestation and reduce maternal and neonatal infectious morbidity. DESIGN: Randomised controlled double-blind trial. SETTING: Six obstetric departments in the Copenhagen area. POPULATION: One hundred and twelve women with singleton pregnancies, with threatened idiopathic preterm labour and intact amniotic membranes at 26 to 34 weeks of gestation. METHODS: Random allocation to eight days intravenous and oral treatment with ampicillin and metronidazole, or placebo. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Number of days from admission to delivery, gestational age at delivery, rates of preterm delivery, low birthweight, maternal infections and neonatal infections. RESULTS: Treatment with ampicillin and metronidazole was associated with a significant prolongation of pregnancy (admission to delivery 47.5 days versus 27 days, P < 0.05), higher gestational age at delivery (37 weeks versus 34 weeks, P < 0.05), decreased incidence of preterm birth (42% versus 65%, P < 0.05), and lower rate of admission to neonatal intensive care unit (40% versus 63%, P < 0.05), when compared with placebo treatment. Antibiotic treatment had no significant effects on infectious morbidity. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with ampicillin and metronidazole in women with threatened idiopathic preterm labour significantly prolonged the gestation, but had no effects on maternal and neonatal infectious morbidity.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1996

No influence of proinsulin and insulin on plasma levels of plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 and tissue plasminogen activator in young women before and during intake of contraceptive steroids.

Clinical observations in patients predisposed to cardiovascular disorders and recent experimental observations suggest that proinsulin and insulin participate in the regulation of fibrinolysis in vivo. In the present study, we examined if proinsulin and insulin affect the constitutive (fasting) secretion of plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1) and tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) in young healthy women (N = 17). We also measured the antigen concentrations of PAI-1 and t-PA during slow and fast changes in proinsulin and insulin levels induced by oral (OGTT) and intravenous (IVGTT) glucose tolerance tests. The assessments were performed before and after 6 months of treatment with contraceptive steroids, which have a well-defined influence on the fibrinolytic variables. We observed no consistent correlations between fasting values of proinsulin, insulin, PAI-1, and t-PA either before or during hormonal treatment. Before hormonal treatment, PAI-1 and t-PA antigen levels decreased (P < .05) during the hyperproinsulinemia and hyperinsulinemia induced by the OGTT and IVGTT. After hormonal intake for 6 months, a decrease only in t-PA concentrations during the OGTT was observed despite similar proinsulin and insulin responses to the glucose loads. Our findings suggest that proinsulin and insulin have no influence on the regulation of plasma levels of PAI-1 and t-PA in young healthy women, irrespective of intake of contraceptive steroids.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Very-long-chain n-3 fatty acids as biomarkers for intake of fish and n-3 fatty acid concentrates.

We examined how supplementation with very-long-chain n-3 fatty acids was reflected in the concentration of these fatty acids in plasma phospholipids of 363 Norwegian men and women. The concentration of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in plasma phospholipids was significantly higher among individuals supplemented with n-3 fatty acids after the supplementation period than before. We also examined the relation between dietary intake of fatty acids measured with a 180-item quantitative food-frequency questionnaire and the concentration of the same fatty acids in plasma phospholipids in 579 men and women. Correlation coefficients between plasma phospholipid fatty acids and dietary intake of fatty acids were 0.51 and 0.49 for EPA and DHA, respectively. The correlation between fish intake and n-3 fatty acids in plasma phospholipids was 0.37. These results suggest that dietary intake measured with our food-frequency questionnaire may be used to predict the biological availability of some of the essential n-3 fatty acids.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Effects of the non-peptide inhibitor OPC-21268 on oxytocin and vasopressin stimulation of rat and human myometrium.

OPC-21268 (1-[-1-[4-(3-acetylaminopropoxy)benzoyl]-piperidyl]-3,4- dihydro-2(1H)-quinolinone), a non-peptide vasopressin V1 receptor antagonist, inhibited oxytocin- and vasopressin-induced contractions of myometrial strips from rats and from full-term pregnant women. Administered intravenously in rats the drug also inhibited uterine contractions caused by infusion of oxytocin. When incubated with purified plasma membranes from rat or human myometrial tissue, OPC-21268 inhibited the specific receptor binding of tritiated oxytocin and vasopressin in a dose-dependent and reversible way.

Anesthesia↗
PubMed1995

Evaluation of a quantitative food frequency questionnaire used in a group of Norwegian adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: The study was conducted to assess the reproducibility and validity of a 190-item self-administered quantitative food frequency questionnaire, used in a nation-wide study of adolescents. DESIGN AND SUBJECTS: Reproducibility study; 103 11th grade students (18 years) completed the questionnaire twice, with a 6-week interval. Validation study; 49 11th grade students filled in the questionnaire and kept 7-day weighed food records. RESULTS: Spearman rank correlations between the nutrient intakes from the two questionnaires varied from 0.63 (sugar energy percentage) to 0.91 (alcohol). The median coefficient was 0.85. The first questionnaire produced generally higher nutrient intake estimates than the second. Correlations between nutrient intake values from the records and the questionnaire ranged from 0.14 (vitamin D, non-significant, cod liver oil not included) to 0.66 (monounsaturated fatty acids). The median coefficient was 0.52. Adjustment for energy intake did not materially affect the correlations. On average 41% of the subjects were classified in the same quartile in the questionnaire and the records, and 2% in the opposite quartiles. However, the percentage of subjects in the same/opposite quartiles for vitamin D and fibre were 33/12 and 22/6, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: It is concluded that the questionnaire is able to rank subjects according to the tested nutrients, except vitamin D and fibre.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Dietary intake among Norwegian adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the nationwide study on dietary behaviour of adolescents was to describe and evaluate dietary habits, and relate that to other lifestyle factors. DESIGN AND SUBJECT: 1564 students in secondary schools completed a self-administered quantitative food frequency questionnaire in a school setting. RESULTS: The questionnaire showed an average energy intake of 15.8 and 9.9 MJ among boys and girls, respectively. Nearly 31% of the energy was supplied by fat and 11.4% by sugar. The average daily intake of micronutrients exceeded the Norwegian recommendations, except for vitamin D and iron in girls. 13.4% of the students had breakfast twice a week or less. These students had a higher percentage of energy from fat and sugar, and a lower intake of micronutrients, than students eating breakfast more often. Students who were daily smokers or fairly inactive had higher energy percentage from fat and sugar and lower intake of fibre, than non-smokers or physically active students. CONCLUSION: Half of the students consumed a diet with too much fat and two-thirds consumed too much sugar as compared to the recommendations. The girls had a diet with a higher nutrient density and a lower fat energy percentage than the boys. Finally, it seemed as if a healthy lifestyle was associated with a healthy diet.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

[Relation between cervical conization, microbial colonization and threatening preterm labor].

UNLABELLED: The relationship between prior cervical conization, the cervical microbial colonization and threatening preterm delivery was investigated in 35 women with preterm premature rupture of the membranes (PPROM), 38 women with idiopathic preterm labor and 75 normal pregnant women at 26-34 weeks of gestation. Prior cervical conization occurred with a significantly higher frequency in PPROM patients than in patients with preterm labor (p < 0.01) and normal pregnant women (p < 0.001). The prevalence of lactobacilli was lower in patients with PPROM than in patients with preterm labor (p < 0.05) and control patients (p = 0.05)--and lower in patients with prior cervical conization than in patients without prior conization (p < 0.05). All other microorganisms occurred with the same frequencies in all groups. CONCLUSIONS: Prior conization was associated with PPROM. Women with prior conization and women with PPROM had a reduced prevalence of lactobacilli in the cervix. The "absence" of lactobacilli may indicate changes in the cervical microflora, which could be of importance for PPROM.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Uro-genital microbial colonization and threatening preterm delivery.

OBJECTIVE: To examine whether there is a relationship between the uro-genital microbial colonization and threatening preterm delivery. STUDY DESIGN: The microflora in the urine and endocervix was studied in 43 women with preterm labor, 45 women with preterm premature rupture of the membranes (PPROM) and 80 normal pregnant women at 26-34 weeks of gestation. Amniotic fluid was examined in 20 of the patients with preterm labor. Data were analyzed by Fisher's exact test (two-tailed). RESULTS: The microflora in the urine was not significantly different in patients with preterm labor, PPROM and normal pregnant women. Compared with normal pregnant women, patients with preterm labor had significantly lower prevalences of corynebacteria (p < 0.05) and coagulase-negative staphylococci (p < 0.01) in the cervix, while patients with PPROM had significantly lower prevalences of lactobacilli (p < 0.05) and coagulase-negative staphylococci (p < 0.05) in the cervix. Positive amniotic fluid cultures were detected in three of the 20 patients with preterm labor who underwent transabdominal amniocentesis. Evidence of ascending colonization was found in two of these cases. CONCLUSIONS: The microbial colonization of the urine was not associated with threatening preterm delivery. Reduced prevalences of lactobacilli, corynebacteria and coagulase-negative staphylococci in the cervix were associated with threatening preterm delivery.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

The relationship between prior cervical conization, cervical microbial colonization and preterm premature rupture of the membranes.

The occurrence of prior cervical conization and the cervical microbial colonization was investigated in 38 women with idiopathic preterm labor, 35 women with preterm premature rupture of the membranes (PPROM) and 75 normal pregnant women at 26-34 weeks of gestation. Data were analyzed by Fisher's exact test (two-tailed). The frequency of prior cervical conization was significantly higher in PPROM patients compared to normal pregnant women (P < 0.001) and to patients in preterm labor (P < 0.01). Lactobacilli occurred with a lower frequency in patients with PPROM compared to patients in preterm labor (P < 0.05) and control patients (P = 0.0543)-and with a lower frequency in patients with prior cervical conization (P < 0.05). All other microorganisms occurred with the same frequencies in all groups. The absence of lactobacilli may indicate changes in the cervical flora, which could increase the risk of PPROM. Prior cervical conization may impair the antimicrobial defense-mechanisms in the cervix, which could facilitate ascending microbial colonization. This may lead to a release of prostaglandins and proteolytic enzymes and subsequently preterm labor and rupture of the membranes.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

[Hysteroscopically guided endometrial destruction in the treatment of menorrhagia].

Until recently, hysterectomy has been the alternative method of treatment in cases of premenopausal menorrhagia where it has not proved possible to obtain satisfactory regulation of the haemorrhage by medical means. Within recent years, a series of hysteroscopic methods have been developed for selective destruction of the endometrium by means of neodymium-laser, electroresection and coagulation. Compared with hysterectomy, hysteroscopic destruction of the endometrium appears to be a much more rapid, simpler and cheaper form of treatment of menorrhagia and appears to be associated with considerably fewer complications. The duration of hospitalization and the period of convalescence can be reduced considerably but, primarily, a large group of women can avoid hysterectomy. As yet, no controlled investigations of selective destruction of the endometrium as compared with conventional hysterectomy are available. There are no comparative investigations of the different methods nor of the long-term sequelae after destruction of the endometrium. This method of treatment has hitherto only been employed to a limited extent in Denmark. Coordination of the activities in this field in connection with establishing this form of treatment in Denmark should be encouraged.

Dilatation and Curettage↗
PubMed1991

[Idiopathic preterm delivery and subclinical genital infection].

Investigations from abroad suggest that idiopathic preterm delivery may be due to ascent of microorganisms from the cervix. These may then colonize the decidua, foetal membranes and amniotic fluid and may thus precipitate preterm contractions or rupture of the membranes. In subclinical urogenital infections, antibiotic treatment appears, in some cases, to be capable of reducing the risk of preterm birth. In cases of treated premature delivery, antibiotic treatment may possibly prolong the pregnancy and prevent neonatal and puerperal infections. Further investigations are, however, recommended before introduction of routine antibiotic treatment in cases of threatened premature birth.

Amniotic Fluid↗