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N Koch-Henriksen

Publications and source records attributed to N Koch-Henriksen.

29 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

Increased risk of multiple sclerosis after late Epstein-Barr virus infection: a historical prospective study.

An association between infectious mononucleosis (IM) and MS has been proposed. In a historical prospective study we used records from the Danish State Serum Institute on heterophile antibody (HA) tests for IM performed in all Danish patients over a number of years. Included in the analysis were 6853 HA-positive persons analyzed from 1968 to 1978 (except 1975) and 12,886 HA-negative per sons analyzed in the years 1968, 1969, 1970 and 1978. A search for these persons in the central nationwide Danish Multiple Sclerosis Registry (DMSR) was performed. Among the HA-positive persons 16 cases of MS which met the diagnostic criteria were found with onset of MS after the year of the HA test and before follow-up on 1 January 1991. The expected number for a Danish population, matched by sex, age and year at start of observation, was 5.70 (P < 0.05), the risk ratio being 2.81. No patient had developed MS before contracting IM. Among the HA-negative persons 12 were registered with onset of MS after the year of the HA test and before follow-up, the expected number being 10.47 (P > > 0.05). Although Epstein-Barr virus is not suggested in itself to be the cause of MS, we propose that it is a co-factor in the pathogenesis of this disease.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Survival of patients with multiple sclerosis in Denmark: a nationwide, long-term epidemiologic survey.

We estimated survival probability and excess death rates for patients with MS on the basis of data from the Danish Multiple Sclerosis Registry, which includes virtually all patients diagnosed with MS in Denmark (population, five million) since 1948. We reviewed and reclassified all case records according to standardized diagnostic criteria. By linkage to the Danish Central Population Registry, we lost to follow-up only 25 patients who had emigrated. The median survival time from onset of the disease was 28 years in men (compared with 40 years in the matched general male population) and 33 years in women (versus 46 years). The median survival time from diagnosis was 22 years in men (versus 37 years) and 28 years in women (versus 42 years). The excess death rate between onset and follow-up (observed deaths per 1,000 person-years minus the expected number of deaths in a matched general population) was 14.3 in men, which was significantly higher than in women (12.0). Excess mortality increased with age at onset of MS in people of each sex. The 10-year excess death rate has decreased significantly in recent decades. Excess mortality was highest in cases with cerebellar symptoms at onset.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Suicide and multiple sclerosis: an epidemiological investigation.

In a nationwide investigation the risk of death by suicide for patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) was assessed using records kept at the Danish Multiple Sclerosis Registry (DMSR) and the Danish National Register of Cause of Death. The investigation covers all MS patients registered with DSMR with an onset of the disease within the period 1953-85, or for whom MS was diagnosed in the same period. Fifty three of the 5525 cases in the onset cohort group committed suicide. Using the figures from the population death statistics by adjustment to number of subjects, duration of observation, sex, age, and calendar year at the start of observation, the expected number of suicides was calculated to be nearly 29. The cumulative lifetime risk of suicide from onset of MS, using an actuarial method of calculation, was 1.95%. The standard mortality ratio (SMR) of suicide in MS was 1.83. It was highest for males and for patients with onset of MS before the age of 30 years and those diagnosed before the age of 40. The SMR was highest within the first five years after diagnosis.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1992

Incidence of multiple sclerosis in Denmark 1948-1982: a descriptive nationwide study.

The incidence rates of multiple sclerosis (MS) in Denmark were estimated as a result of a continuous nationwide epidemiological survey since 1948 by the Danish Multiple Sclerosis Registry (DMSR). Among cases notified to the DMSR, 6,478 met the diagnostic criteria and had onset of MS from 1948 through 1982. The crude annual incidence rate was 4.45/100,000 and the lifetime cumulative incidence rate was 0.32%. The female/male ratio was 1.37:1. Crude incidence rates declined during the period 1952-1967. After 1967 the incidence seemed to rise again but in an irregular pattern. The decline in incidence involved only cases up to the age of 35. The subsequent increase was most marked in females and in the age groups over 45 years.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Epidemiology of multiple sclerosis: incidence and prevalence rates in Denmark 1948-64 based on the Danish Multiple Sclerosis Registry.

The Danish Multiple Sclerosis Registry (DMSR) is a national register based upon the ethnically homogeneous Danish population of about 5 millions. The DMSR was founded in 1956 following a nationwide Danish prevalence survey of MS in 1949 and a continuous registration of incident cases of MS since January 1, 1948. Included in DMSR are all Danish cases of MS (or suspicion of MS) diagnosed by a neurologist or a department of neurology. The sources of notification are the 22 neurological departments in Denmark, the National Patient Registry, the neuropathological departments, the Registry of Causes of Death, and, up to 1975, the Disablement Insurance Court. Notified cases which do not comply with the standardized diagnostic criteria of the DMSR are excluded. An estimate of the completeness of the DMSR is 90-95% and the validity is around 94%. Age- and sex-specific incidence rates of MS for the interval 1948-64 are presented. The crude annual incidence rate of MS in Denmark was in the year 1948-64 4.42 per 100,000 population, 22% higher in females than males. There was a significant geographical variation of incidence rates and a significant downward trend in incidence rates during the interval, whereas the prevalence rates showed a slight increase.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Chronic headache related to nasal obstruction.

A study of the occurrence of chronic headache in 444 patients suffering from nasal obstruction is presented. The localization, frequency, severity of the headache and differences between men and women are described. All the patients were treated with rhinoplastic surgery and examined just prior to surgery and 12 months post-operatively, applying exactly the same scheme of questioning and examination on the two occasions. The investigation shows a very strong association between the establishment of a normal nasal passage and the cure of headache. The study stresses the viewpoint that a negative sinus X-ray cannot rule out the possibility that a headache is of nasal origin, and that careful rhinologic examination is essential.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

Chronic headache: the role of deformity of the nasal septum.

To ascertain a possible causal relation between chronic headache and nasal stenosis arising from deformity of the nasal septum 79 people suffering from both symptoms were observed over one year. On entry to the study they were randomly allocated to either an operative or a control group. The patients in the operative group underwent nasal reconstructive surgery, and the control patients were observed without treatment. Comparison of the two groups showed a considerable decrease in headache after operation. These findings support the suggestion of a causal relation between chronic headache and nasal stenosis and indicate that a nasal origin should be borne in mind in cases of otherwise unexplained chronic headache.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Risk factors for suicide in multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the present study was to identify risk factors for suicide in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). METHODS: The study is based on available information about MS patients identified in the Danish MS Registry (DMSR) with onset in the period 1950-1985. We compared the MS suicides with the 1950-1985 onset cohort patients in the DSMR as to distribution of age at onset, presenting symptoms, and time from onset to diagnosis. We reviewed sociodemographic data, age of onset, the course of the disease, recent deterioration, type of deterioration, Kurtzke Disability Status Scale (DSS) score, previous mental disorder, type of mental disorder, previous suicide attempts, expression of suicidal intentions, circumstances at suicide, and suicide method for all MS patients who had committed suicide. In order to characterize MS suicides with respect to risk factors, comparisons were made for male and female suicides and for various groups of MS suicides according to disability status. RESULTS: The male suicide patients were characterized by a tendency to commit suicide in the age interval 40-49 years, by the use of a violent suicide method, by previous suicidal behaviour, by a previous mental disorder, by recent deterioration of MS, and by a moderate disability. For women the characteristics were less distinct. Patients with a severe course of MS had been subjected to more risk factors before the suicide than patients with a moderate course of the disease. CONCLUSION: Careful counselling and good information on all aspects of the disease, especially in the first stages and at time of progression, could be an instrument of prevention of suicides in MS patients. Furthermore, recognition and treatment of depression and pain is important.

Adult↗