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To study incident narcolepsy in first- and second-generation immigrant groups using Swedish-born individuals and native Swedes as referents.The study population included all individuals registered and alive in Sweden at baseline. Narcolepsy was defined as having at least one registered diagnosis of narcolepsy in the Swedish National Patient Register. The incidence of narcolepsy in different immigrant groups was assessed by Cox regression, with hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). The models were stratified by sex and adjusted for age, geographical residence in Sweden, educational level, marital status, co-morbidities, and neighbourhood socioeconomic status.In the first-generation study, 1225 narcolepsy cases were found; 465 males and 760 females, and in the second-generation study, 1710 cases, 702 males and 1008 females. Fully adjusted HRs (95% CI) in the first-generation study was for males 0.83 (0.61-1.13) and females 0.83 (0.64-1.07), and in the second-generation study for males 0.76 (0.60-0.95) and females 0.91 (95% CI 0.76-1.09). Statistically significant excess risks of narcolepsy were found in first-generation males from North America, and second-generation males with parents from North America, and second-generation females with parents from Latin America.There were only significant differences in incident narcolepsy between native Swedes and second-generation male immigrants. The observed differences can partly be explained by differences in Pandemrix® vaccinations and are probably not attributable to genetic differences between immigrants and natives.

Purpose To analyse risk of vision impairment (VI) and blindness in adult foreign-born individuals and Swedish-born individuals. Methods A nationwide study of individuals 18 years of age and older (N = 6,042,891; 2,902,918 men and 3,139,973 women) in Sweden. VI (in general) and blindness was defined as at least one registered diagnosis in the National Patient Register between January 1, 1998 and December 31, 2015. Cox regression analysis was used to estimate the relative risk (hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI)) of incident VI in foreign-born compared to Swedish-born individuals. The Cox regression models were stratified by sex and adjusted for age, co-morbidities, and for sociodemographic status. Results A total of 14,597 cases (6433 men and 8164 women) of VI were registered, with an age-standardized incidence per 100,000 person-years of 10.37 in men and 11.03 in women. VI (in general) was more common in immigrants, fully adjusted HRs (95% CI) were for immigrant men 1.38 (95% CI, 1.29–1.48) and women 1.24 (95% CI, 1.16–1.32), with significantly higher HRs among men and women from Eastern Europe, Africa, Latin America and Asia. Higher risks of blindness were also seen for immigrant men, HR 1.75 (95% CI 1.36–2.25), as well as for the other degrees of VI among immigrant men, HR 1.36 (95% CI 1.26–1.47), and immigrant women, HR 1.26 (95% CI 1.18–1.35). Conclusions We observed a generally higher risk of VI among foreign-born men and women, especially from some regions.

Objective One of the more important objectives with the patient choice reform, introducing non-price competition in Swedish primary healthcare, was to improve performance and quality of care. However, in order for choice to lead to quality improvements, citizens need to consider quality aspects in their choices of provider. We hypothesize that quality of care influences choice of provider and the objective of this study is to investigate if citizens are willing to make a trade-off between distance to chosen provider and quality of care. Methods We use conditional logit models to analyse if quality and other provider attributes influence choice of provider. The study population includes all citizens of Region Stockholm with at least one primary healthcare contact (N ~1.4 million). Results The results show that distance is the most important factor in choosing a primary healthcare provider but that there seems to be a willingness to make a trade-off between distance and quality measures. However, other provider attributes, such as the Care Need Index of the registered population, seem to influence choice to a greater extent than quality. Conclusion The results point in the same direction as the arguments behind the patient choice reform. However, the effects are marginal. To enhance quality competition, policy makers should consider making quality information at the provider level more accessible.

Purpose We aimed to analyze the risk of cardiomyopathies (CMPs) among first-generation and second-generation immigrants. Methods All individuals aged 18 years of age and older, n = 6,123,661 in the first-generation study, and n = 4,587,764 in the second-generation study were analyzed. CMP was defined as at least one registered diagnosis in the National Patient Register between January 1, 1998 and December 31, 2018. Cox regression analysis was used to estimate the relative risk (hazard ratios (HR) with 99% confidence intervals (CI)) of incident CMP with adjustments made for age, cancer, other comorbidities, and sociodemographic factors. Results In the first-generation study, a total of 33,321 CMP cases were registered, 20,780 men and 12,541 women, where the fully adjusted models showed HRs (99% CI) for all foreign-born men of 0.92 (0.86–0.98) and for women of 0.90 (0.83–0.98). For dilated CMP, the risk was higher for men from Nordic countries, more specifically men from Finland, and lower for men and women from Asia. For hypertrophic CMP, the risk was higher for men from Africa and Asia. For other types of CMPs, the risk was lower in men and women from Asia. In the second-generation study, a total of 26,559 cases were registered (17,620 men and 8939 women), with no significant differences overall or among specific groups, when Swedish-born with foreign-born parents were compared to Swedish-born with Swedish-born parents. Conclusions We observed a generally lower risk of CMPs among foreign-born individuals, but with a higher risk especially for hypertrophic CMPs for men from Africa and Asia, and a higher risk of dilated CMP for men from Nordic countries.

Background There is a lack of studies of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in immigrants. Objective The objective is to study the association between country of birth and incident ALS in first-generation immigrants versus Swedish-born individuals, and in second-generation immigrants versus native Swedes. Methods Study populations included all adults aged 18 years and older in Sweden, in the first-generation study 6,128,698 individuals (2,975,141 men, 3,153,557 women) with 5,344 ALS cases (3017 men, 2327 women), and in the second-generation study 4,588,845 individuals (2,346,855 men and 2,241,990 women) with 3,420 cases (2027 men and 1393 women). ALS was defined as having at least one registered diagnosis of ALS in the National Patient Register 1998–2017. The incidence of ALS in different first-generation immigrant groups versus Swedish-born individuals was assessed by Cox regression, expressed as hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). The models were stratified by sex and adjusted for age, geographical residence in Sweden, educational level, marital status, and neighbourhood socioeconomic status. Results After adjusting for potential confounders, the HRs were lower in foreign-born men, 0.71 (95% CI 0.63–0.81), and women, 0.80 (95% CI 0.70–0.92). The ALS risk was lower among men and women from most Western countries (Europe outside Nordic countries, and North America), and from other regions of the world (Africa, Asia, and Latin America). Among men and women with foreign-born parents, the risk of ALS did not differ significantly from native Swedes. Significance In general, the risk of ALS was lower in first-generation men and women but did not differ in second-generation individuals.

Objectives. The aim of this study was to analyse the risk of valvular heart diseases among foreign-born individuals in Sweden. Design. This was a nationwide study of individuals aged 18 years of age and older (N = 6,118,649; 2,970,055 men and 3,148,594 women). Valvular heart diseases were defined as at least one registered diagnosis in the National Patient Register between 1 January 1998 and 31 December 2012. Cox regression analysis was used to estimate hazard ratios (HR) with 99% confidence intervals (CI) of incident valvular heart diseases in foreign-born individuals compared to Swedish natives. The Cox regression models were adjusted for age, co-morbidities, and sociodemographic factors. Sub-categories were chronic rheumatic valvular heart diseases and non-rheumatic valvular heart diseases. Results. There were 64,979 male cases and 59,075 female cases. Fully adjusted HRs (99% CI) were among immigrant men 0.86 (0.82–0.89) and immigrant women 0.96 (0.92–1.00). For chronic rheumatic valvular disease among immigrant men and women, the HRs were 1.62 (1.37–1.92) and 1.75 (1.52–2.00), respectively, and, for non-rheumatic valvular disease among immigrant men 0.83 (0.80–0.87) and immigrant women 0.92 (0.88–0.96). Increased risks for chronic rheumatic valvular disease were found among men from Southern, Eastern and Central Europe, Africa and Asia and among women from Western, Eastern and Central Europe and Africa, Latin America and Asia. Conclusions. We observed lower risks in general of valvular heart disease, but higher risks of chronic rheumatic valvular heart disease in immigrants, which is important in the clinical situation.

Aim: We aimed to estimate the risk of hearing impairment in children and adolescents with foreign-born parents, compared to natives. Methods: A nationwide study of 1,923,590 (51.4% boys) individuals aged 0–17 years of age in Sweden. Hearing impairment was defined as at least one registered diagnosis in the National Patient Register between 1 January 1998 and 31 December 2015. We used Cox regression analysis to estimate relative risk (hazard ratios with 99% confidence intervals) of incident hearing impairment in children with foreign-born parents compared to Swedish-born natives. Cox regression models were stratified by sex and adjusted for age, co-morbidities and socioeconomic status. Results: A total of 20,514 cases (53.7% boys) with extended sensorineural hearing impairment were registered, also including noise-induced hearing impairment and that from other causes, and 6172 cases (50.0% boys) with conductive hearing impairment. The risk of extended sensorineural hearing impairment was higher in boys with parents from Asia, especially from Iraq, fully adjusted HR (99% CI) 1.30 (1.17–1.4), and lower in boys with parents from Nordic countries, South Europe, and North America. Conclusion: The risk of extended sensorineural hearing impairment was higher in boys with parents from Asia, in particular Iraq. (Less)

Background There is a lack of studies of Huntington’s disease (HD) in immigrants. Objective To study the association between country of birth and incident HD in first-generation immigrants versus Swedish-born individuals and in second-generation immigrants versus Swedish-born individuals with Swedish-born parents. Methods Study populations included all adults aged 18 years and older in Sweden, i.e., in the first-generation study 6,042,891 individuals with 1034 HD cases and in the second-generation study 4,860,469 individuals with 1001 cases. HD was defined as having at least one registered diagnosis of HD in the National Patient Register. The incidence of HD in different first-generation immigrant groups versus Swedish-born individuals was assessed by Cox regression, expressed as hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). The models were stratified by sex and adjusted for age, geographical residence in Sweden, educational level, marital status, and neighborhood socioeconomic status. Results Mean age-standardized incidence rates per 100,000 person-years were for all Swedish-born 0.82 and for all foreign born 0.53 and for all men 0.73 and for all women 0.81, with the highest incidence rates for the group 80–84 years of age. After adjusting for potential confounders, the HRs were lower in women in the first- and second-generation, i.e., 0.49 (95% CI 0.36–0.67) and 0.63 (95% 0.45–0.87), respectively, and also among women from Finland or with parents from Finland. Significance In general, the risk of HD was lower in first-generation and second-generation immigrant women but not among male immigrants.

Summary In this national study of osteoporotic fractures in second-generation immigrants in Sweden, we found a similar risk of osteoporotic fractures in general compared to Swedish natives, which suggests that environmental factors are important for the high risk of osteoporotic fractures in Nordic countries. Introduction Second generation immigrants may have a similar environment as individuals with two native-born parents. These individuals may be of interest to study concerning whether environmental or hereditary factors could be mostly associated to the risk of osteoporotic fractures. The aim of this study was to analyse the risk of osteoporotic fractures in second-generation immigrants compared to Swedish natives. Methods This was a nationwide study of individuals aged 50 years of age and older (N = 1,377,035; 691,750 men and 685,285 women). Osteoporotic fractures were defined as at least one registered diagnosis of fractures in the hip, humerus, forearm or vertebrae, in the National Patient Register between January 1, 1998, and December 31, 2012. Cox regression analysis was used to estimate the relative risk (hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI)) of incident osteoporotic fractures in second generation immigrants compared to Swedish natives. The Cox regression models were adjusted for age, comorbidities and for sociodemographic status. Results A total of 114,505 osteoporotic fractures were registered, 109,622 (8.4%) were among individuals with Swedish-born parents and 4883 (7.5%) among those with foreign-born parents, with distal forearm fractures dominating in general (44.9%). Fully adjusted HRs (95% CI) were for all immigrants 0.95 (95% CI, 0.91–0.99), for men 0.96 (95% CI, 0.89–1.04) and for women 0.95 (95% CI, 0.90–1.00). Conclusions We observed a similar risk of osteoporotic fractures among second-generation immigrants as in Swedish natives, which suggests that environmental factors are important for osteoporotic fractures. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00198-020-05776-4.

(1) Background: Cardiometabolic diseases are the most common cause of death worldwide. As part of a collaborative European study, this paper aims to explore the implementation of primary care selective-prevention services in five European countries. We assessed the implementation process of the selective-prevention services, participants&rsquo, cardiometabolic profile and risk and participants&rsquo, evaluation of the services, in terms of feasibility and impact in promoting a healthy lifestyle. (2) Methods: Eligible participants were primary care patients, 40&ndash, 65 years of age, without any diagnosis of cardiometabolic disease. Two hundred patients were invited to participate per country. The extent to which participants adopted and completed the implementation of selective-prevention services was recorded. Patient demographics, lifestyle-related cardiometabolic risk factors and opinions on the implementation&rsquo, s feasibility were also collected. (3) Results: Acceptance rates varied from 19.5% (n = 39/200) in Sweden to 100% (n = 200/200) in the Czech Republic. Risk assessment completion rates ranged from 65.4% (n = 70/107) in Greece to 100% (n = 39/39) in Sweden. On a ten-point scale, the median (25&ndash, 75% quartile) of participant-reported implementation feasibility ranged from 7.4 (6.9&ndash, 7.8) in Greece to 9.2 (8.2&ndash, 9.9) in Sweden. Willingness to change lifestyle exceeded 80% in all countries. (4) Conclusions: A substantial variation in the implementation of selective-prevention receptiveness and patient risk profile was observed among countries. Our findings suggest that the design and implementation of behavior change cardiometabolic programmes in each country should be informed by the local context and provide some background evidence towards this direction, which can be even more relevant during the current pandemic period.

Summary In this national study of osteoporotic fractures in foreign-born individuals, we found a lower risk of osteoporotic fractures in general among foreign-born individuals compared with Swedish-born, especially in immigrants from southern Europe. A higher risk was found among some groups, i.e. men and women from Bosnia and Iraq and men from Lebanon. Introduction The aim of this study was to analyse risk of osteoporotic fractures in foreign-born individuals compared with Swedish-born individuals. Methods This was a nationwide study of individuals 50 years of age and older (N = 2,775,736). Osteoporotic fractures were defined as at least one registered diagnosis of fractures in the hip, humerus, forearm or vertebrae, in the National Patient Register between January 1, 1998, and December 31, 2012. Cox regression analysis was used to estimate the relative risk (hazard ratios (HR) with 99% confidence intervals (CI)) of incident osteoporotic fractures in foreign-born compared with Swedish-born individuals. The Cox regression models were stratified by sex and adjusted for age, comorbidities and sociodemographic status. Results A total of 362,899 osteoporotic fractures were registered (96,847 among men and 266,052 among women), with hip fractures dominating (54.0% among men, 42.6% among women). Fully adjusted HRs (99% CI) were for all immigrant men 0.75 (99% CI, 0.73–0.78) and women 0.83 (99% CI, 0.81–0.84), with significantly lower HRs among most groups but with higher HRs in certain countries. For the specific fractures, higher HRs were found for lower forearm fractures for men from Asia and for vertebral fractures among women from Asia. Conclusions We observed a generally lower risk of osteoporotic fractures among first-generation immigrants, with few exceptions. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s00198-020-05597-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Congestive heart failure (CHF) is the most important cause of death in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). We aimed to study the association between cardiovascular drugs in AF patients and incident CHF. The study population included all adults (n = 120 756) aged ≥45 years diagnosed with AF in Sweden diagnosed for the period 1998‐2006. Outcome was incident congestive heart failure (follow‐up 2007‐2015) in AF patients. Associations between treatment with cardiovascular pharmacotherapies and CHF were evaluated using Cox regression to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% CIs, after adjustment for age, sociodemographic variables, and comorbidities. During a mean 5.3 years (SD 3.0) of follow‐up, there were 28 257 (23.4%) incident cases of CHF. Treatment with beta‐1‐selective and non‐selective beta‐blockers and statins was associated with lower risks of incident CHF in men, HR, (95% CI); 0.90, (0.87‐0.94); 0.90, (0.84‐0.97), and 0.94, (0.90‐0.99), respectively. Only beta‐1‐selective beta‐blockers were protective in women 0.94 (0.91‐0.98). Treatment with loop diuretics, potassium‐saving agents, ACE inhibitors, and angiotensin receptor blockers was associated with a higher risk of CHF. For men, treatment with heart‐active calcium channel blockers also led to a higher risk of CHF. In conclusion, we found that beta‐blockers, in particular, but also statins were associated with lower risk of incident CHF in patients with AF.

Aim: To compare incidence of urolithiasis in second-generation immigrant children aged 0-17 years to children of Swedish-born parents. Methods: A nationwide study of individuals residing in Sweden. Urolithiasis was defined as having at least one registered diagnosis of urolithiasis in the Swedish National Patient Register between January 1, 1998 and December 31, 2015. Cox regression analysis was used to estimate the relative risk (hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI)) of incident urolithiasis compared to individuals with Swedish-born parents. The models were stratified by sex and adjusted for age, co-morbidities and sociodemographic status of parents. Results: Totally, 1653 incident cases of urolithiasis were registered, 658 boys and 995 girls, with a mean annual incidence per 100 000 person-years for children with Swedish-born parents of 4.0 (95% CI 3.7-4.3) in boys and 6.7 (95% CI 6.2-7.2) in girls, and for children with foreign-born parents of 5.3 (95% CI 5.1-5.4) in boys and 7.2 (95% CI 6.9-7.4) in girls. The fully adjusted HRs of urolithiasis in second-generation immigrants were non-significant, in boys (1.20, 95% CI 0.99-1.46) and girls (0.95, 95% CI 0.80-1.12). Conclusion: The risk of urolithiasis in second-generation immigrants was not significantly different from that of children with Swedish-born parents. (Less)

Objectives To analyze the risk of hearing impairment in adult first-generation immigrants, i.e., foreign-born individuals as compared to Swedish-born individuals. Study design A register-based study follow-up study. Methods A nationwide study of individuals 25 years of age and older (N = 5 464 245; 2 627 364 men and 2 836 881 women) in Sweden. Hearing impairment was defined as at least one registered diagnosis in the National Patient Register between January 1st, 1998 and December 31st, 2015. Cox regression analysis was used to estimate the relative risk (hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI)) of incident hearing impairment in foreign-born compared to Swedish-born individuals. Cox regression models were stratified by sex and adjusted for age, comorbidities, and socioeconomic status. Results A total of 244 171 cases (124 349 men and 119 822 women) of hearing impairment were registered. Hearing impairment risk expressed as fully adjusted HRs (99% CI) was somewhat lower among immigrant men 0.95 (0.92–97) but not among immigrant women 0.97 (0.95–1.00), with significantly higher fully adjusted HRs among men and women from Asia, and Eastern Europe, and women from Africa. Conclusions We observed a somewhat lower risk of hearing impairment among foreign-born men, but there was a higher risk among men and women from some regions.

Background Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) have an increased dementia risk dementia. We aimed to study the effect of antihypertensive drugs on dementia in AF patients. Methods Included patients were ≥45 years diagnosed with AF in Swedish National Patient Register (n = 160,251; 89,723 men and 70,528 women) and alive on January 1, 2007. We excluded patients with dementia before onset of AF. Cox regression was used (hazard ratios, HRs, and 99% confidence interval, CI) with adjustments for sex, age, socioeconomic factors and co-morbidities, using incident dementia diagnosis until December 31, 2015 as outcome. Cardiovascular pharmacotherapies were obtained from the Swedish Prescribed Drug Register. Results Incident dementia occurred in 9532 patients (5.9%), 4669 men (5.2%) and 4863 women (6.9%). ARBs were associated with lower risk for all patients (HR 0.87, 99% CI 0.78–0.98), especially in the ages 65–84 years of age (HR 0.87, 99% CI 0.76–0.99). Loop-diuretics were associated with higher risk for all dementia among patients 65–84 years of age (HR 1.16, 99% CI 1.00–1.35), and in the sub-group of other causes of dementia than Alzheimer Disease (AD) and vascular dementia (VaD) (HR 1.14, 99% CI 1.00–1.30), but with a lower risk in the sub-group of AD and VaD (HR 0.81, 99% CI 0.68–0.95). Conclusion ARBs were associated with a decreased incidence of dementia, and loop diuretics with a higher risk in general but lower risk in the AD and VaD sub-group. ARBs could have specific advantages in prevention of dementia, but the results need confirmation in further studies.

Aim: The prognostic value of natriuretic peptides in the management of heart failure (HF) patients with ejection fraction (EF) 40%, HFpEF) managed in primary care.We show that high NT-proBNP predicts increased all-cause mortality in HFpEF-patients managed in primary care.The clinical use is however limited due to large standard deviations, many co-morbidities and high age.Many of these co-morbidities contribute to all-cause mortality and management of these patients should also focus on these co-morbidities.

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in Western countries. The incidence rate of VTE is estimated at 1–2 cases per 1000 annually. This study was a population-based cohort study of previously treatment naïve patients with a first occurrence of venous thromboembolism (VTE), using data from the administrative health data register of the Stockholm Region 2011–2018. Data on anticoagulant treatment was taken from the Swedish Prescribed Drug Register. We also analyzed all VTE events between 2011 and 2018. Altogether 14,849 naïve incident VTE cases were identified. In 2011 the majority of patients with a first episode of VTE were prescribed warfarin versus non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs), 1144 versus 5. In contrast in 2018, the majority of patients were treated with NOACs, 1049 versus 59 treated with warfarin. Treatment with low molecular weight heparin only decreased from 814 to 683 patients. The frequency of all VTE events in the population increased over time from 1.88/1000 to 1.93/1000 (p = 0.072), and PE diagnoses increased from 0.69/1000 to 0.76/1000 (p = 0.003). In conclusion, during 2011–2018 there has been a shift of prescription of warfarin to a clear predominance of NOACs in the treatment of VTE in the Stockholm Region, in line with current recommendations. In the clinical situation, treatment has been simplified as monitoring of warfarin has decreased substantially. PE events increased during the time period in the population even if the increase was rather modest, while all VTE events did not increase significantly. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s11239-019-01966-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Objective Levothyroxine treatment is common among older adults as is atrial fibrillation (AF), yet less is known about its potential effects on the development of dementia. Methods The study population included all adults with diagnosed AF (n = 156,104) aged ≥ 45 years in Sweden without an earlier recorded diagnosis of dementia. Individuals with a dispensed prescription of levothyroxine on two or more occasions between July 1 2005 and December 31 2006 in Sweden were considered exposed (n = 12,978; 8.3%), and were compared to all other patients with AF without this treatment. Cox regression with hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI), with outcome defined as dementia of all causes between January 1, 2007 and December 31, 2015, was used in the analysis. Adjustments were made for socio-demographic factors (age, immigration status, marital status, educational level, neighborhood socioeconomic status), co-morbidity (cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes, COPD, depression, anxiety and alcohol related diagnoses), and cardiovascular medications. Results During follow-up, a total of 9054 patients with AF were diagnosed with dementia (5.8%). We found no significant association of levothyroxine treatment and incident dementia, fully adjusted HR 1.03 (95% CI 0.96–1.11), neither among men and women, nor in different age-groups or subgroups of dementia. Conclusion We found no significant association of levothyroxine treatment and incident dementia among patients with AF, which contrasts some earlier findings. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s40520-019-01217-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Objective: To study the association between country of birth and incident urolithiasis in immigrant groups in Sweden, using individuals born in Sweden (or with Swedish-born parents in the second-generation study) as referents. Methods: This nationwide follow-up study included first- and second-generation immigrants residing in Sweden between 1 January 1998 and 31 December 2012. Urolithiasis was defined as having at least one registered diagnosis of urolithiasis in the National Patient Register. Cox regression analysis was used to estimate the risk (hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI)) of incident urolithiasis. The models were stratified by sex and adjusted for age, sociodemographic status and co-morbidity. Results: Compared to referents, slightly higher incidence rates and HRs of urolithiasis (HR; 95% CI) were observed among first-generation men (1.06; 1.04–1.09) and women (1.12; 1.08–1.16) but not among second-generation immigrants (persons born in Sweden with foreign-born parents). Among first-generation immigrants, higher HRs were noted among men and women from Central and Eastern Europe, Russia, Latin America, Africa and Asia. Lower HRs were seen among men and women from the Nordic countries, most Western European countries and North America. Among second-generation immigrants, higher HRs were noted among men and women from Denmark, Germany and Hungary, in men from Austria, and in women from the Netherlands and Poland. Lower HRs were seen in second generation immigrants from Latin America, Africa and Asia (men and women). Conclusions: We observed substantial differences in incidence of urolithiasis between certain immigrant groups and the Swedish-born population, of importance in the clinical situation.

Background: Our aim was to study the association between the country of birth and incident end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) in several immigrant groups in Sweden, using individuals born in Sweden or with Swedish-born parents as referents. Methods: A cohort study of first- and second-generation immigrants residing in Sweden between January 1, 1998 and December 31, 2012 was performed. Outcomes were defined as having at least one registered diagnosis of ESKD in the National Patient Register. The incidence of ESKD in different immigrant groups was used in the Cox regression models to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs. All models were stratified by sex and adjusted for age, geographical residence, educational level, marital status, and neighbourhood socioeconomic status. Results: Compared to their referents, higher incidence rates and HRs of ESKD (HR; 95% CI) were observed in general among foreign-born men (1.10; 1.04–1.16) and women (1.12; 1.04–1.21) but not among second-generation immigrants (persons born in Sweden with foreign-born parents). A particularly high ­incidence was noted among men and women from ­East-European countries, as well as from non-European regions. A lower incidence of ESKD was noted among men from Finland. Conclusions: We observed substantial differences in incidence of ESKD between immigrant groups and the Swedish-born population, which may be clinically relevant when monitoring preventive measures in patient subgroups with a higher risk of deteriorating kidney disease, and suggest higher attention to hypertension and diabetes control in immigrants. Mechanisms attributable to the migration process or ethnic differences may lead to an increased risk of ESKD.

Background In recent years, telemedicine consultations have evolved as a new form of providing primary healthcare. Telemedicine options can provide benefits to patients in terms of access, reduced travel time and no risk of disease spreading. However, concerns have been raised that access is not equally distributed in the population, which could lead to increased inequality in health. The aim of this paper is to explore the determinants for use of direct-to-consumer (DTC) telemedicine consultations in a setting where telemedicine is included in the publicly funded healthcare system. Methods To investigate factors associated with the use of DTC telemedicine, a database was constructed by linking national and regional registries covering the entire population of Stockholm, Sweden (N = 2.3 million). Logistic regressions were applied to explore the determinants for utilization in 2018. As comparators, face-to-face physician consultations in primary healthcare were included in the study, as well as digi-physical physician consultations, i.e., telemedicine consultations offered by traditional primary healthcare providers also offering face-to-face visits, and telephone consultations by nurses. Results The determinants for use of DTC telemedicine differed substantially from face-to-face visits but also to some extent from the other telemedicine options. For the DTC telemedicine consultations, the factors associated with higher probability of utilization were younger age, higher educational attainment, higher income and being born in Sweden. In contrast, the main determinants for use of face-to-face visits were higher age, lower educational background and being born outside of Sweden. Conclusion The use of DTC telemedicine is determined by factors that are generally not associated with greater healthcare need and the distribution raises some concerns about the equity implications. Policy makers aiming to increase the level of telemedicine consultations in healthcare should consider measures to promote access for elderly and individuals born outside of Sweden to ensure that all groups have access to healthcare services according to their needs.

Non-western immigrants have a higher prevalence of type 2 diabetes and earlier onset than non-immigrant Swedes. In this 10-year follow-up including all people in Sweden diagnosed with type 2 diabetes from 2006 onwards (i.e. prescribed glucose lowering medication for type 2 diabetes), the total and cause-specific mortality of first-generation immigrants with type 2 diabetes is lower than in non-immigrant Swedes. However, the higher survival rates in first generation immigrants disappear over time and second-generation immigrants rather show higher all-cause mortality rates than native Swedes. Contributing causes may be related to acculturation to the western lifestyle and gene environment interactions but remains to be further investigated.

Aims/hypothesis Non-Western immigrants to Europe are at high risk for type 2 diabetes. In this nationwide study including incident cases of type 2 diabetes, the aim was to compare all-cause mortality (ACM) and cause-specific mortality (CSM) rates in first- and second-generation immigrants with native Swedes. Methods People living in Sweden diagnosed with new-onset pharmacologically treated type 2 diabetes between 2006 and 2012 were identified through the Swedish Prescribed Drug Register. They were followed until 31 December 2016 for ACM and until 31 December 2012 for CSM. Analyses were adjusted for age at diagnosis, sex, socioeconomic status, education, treatment and region. Associations were assessed using Cox regression analysis. Results In total, 138,085 individuals were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes between 2006 and 2012 and fulfilled inclusion criteria. Of these, 102,163 (74.0%) were native Swedes, 28,819 (20.9%) were first-generation immigrants and 7103 (5.1%) were second-generation immigrants with either one or both parents born outside Sweden. First-generation immigrants had lower ACM rate (HR 0.80 [95% CI 0.76, 0.84]) compared with native Swedes. The mortality rates were particularly low in people born in non-Western regions (0.46 [0.42, 0.50]; the Middle East, 0.41 [0.36, 0.47]; Asia, 0.53 [0.43, 0.66]; Africa, 0.47 [0.38, 0.59]; and Latin America, 0.53 [0.42, 0.68]). ACM rates decreased with older age at migration and shorter stay in Sweden. Compared with native Swedes, first-generation immigrants with ≤ 24 years in Sweden (0.55 [0.51, 0.60]) displayed lower ACM rates than those spending >24 years in Sweden (0.92 [0.87, 0.97]). Second-generation immigrants did not have better survival rates than native Swedes but rather displayed higher ACM rates for people with both parents born abroad (1.28 [1.05, 1.56]). Conclusions/interpretation In people with type 2 diabetes, the lower mortality rate in first-generation non-Western immigrants compared with native Swedes was reduced over time and was equalised in second-generation immigrants. These findings suggest that acculturation to Western culture may impact ACM and CSM in immigrants with type 2 diabetes but further investigation is needed.

Sexual abuse is associated with severe health consequences, and the European Union has, through the Istanbul Convention, urged its member countries to provide specialist care for victims of sexual abuse. This aim of this study was to investigate patient- and abuse-related characteristics among patients seeking help at a specialist clinic in Sweden, with focus on disclosure, mental health and appropriate healthcare access. This is a descriptive study where journal data from 100 consecutive patients January 2017 to February 2018 were analyzed. All adult individuals (women n = 80, men n = 8) who had taken part in the standardized semi-structured intake interview at the clinic were included (n = 88). At admission, mean age was 40.3 (SD 11.9), mean number of psychiatric diagnoses 6.3 (2.6), and 93% of the patients scored above cut-off (≥34) on IES-R for PTSD. A majority of the patients (87%) had been exposed to childhood sexual abuse (CSA), and mean time to first disclosure was 15.9 (SD 15.3) years. In total, 82% of the patients had, despite disclosure, experienced difficulties accessing appropriate healthcare before coming to the specialist clinic. Adult victims of sexual abuse have difficulties accessing appropriate healthcare. This constitutes a gender-based equality problem. A model of gatekeeping mechanisms with two dimensions (external and internal) and three categories (Competence related, Organizational and Emotional) is proposed to understand these difficulties.

OBJECTIVES: Hypertension and diabetes are common and are both associated with high cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. We aimed to investigate associations between mortality risk and country of birth among hypertensive individuals in primary care with and without concomitant diabetes, which has not been studied previously. In addition, we aimed to study the corresponding risks of myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke. METHODS: This observational cohort study of 62 557 individuals with hypertension diagnosed 2001-2008 in the Swedish Primary Care Cardiovascular Database assessed mortality by the Swedish Cause of Death Register, and myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke by the National Patient Register. Cox regression models were used to estimate study outcome hazard ratios by country of birth and time updated diabetes status, with adjustments for multiple confounders. RESULTS: During follow-up time without diabetes using Swedish-born as reference, adjusted mortality hazard ratios per country of birth category were Finland: 1.26 (95% confidence interval 1.15-1.38), high-income European countries: 0.84 (0.74-0.95), low-income European countries: 0.84 (0.71-1.00) and non-European countries: 0.65 (0.56-0.76). The corresponding adjusted mortality hazard ratios during follow-up time with diabetes were high-income European countries: 0.78 (0.63-0.98), low-income European countries: 0.74 (0.57-0.96) and non-European countries: 0.56 (0.44-0.71). During follow-up without diabetes, the corresponding adjusted hazard ratio of myocardial infarction was increased for Finland: 1.16 (1.01-1.34), whereas the results for ischemic stroke were inconclusive. CONCLUSION: In Sweden, hypertensive immigrants (with the exception for Finnish-born) with and without diabetes have a mortality advantage, as compared to Swedish-born. (Less)

Hyperuricemia is defined by a blood urate level405 µmol/L, the cut-off value at which urate forms crystals in vivo. In 15-20% these individuals develop gout, clinically characterized by attacks of acute arthritis, initially and most commonly affecting MTP 1 or other joints, tendons and soft tissues of the foot. These attacks usually subside within 1 to 2 weeks. Over time attacks occur more frequently and can transform into chronic arthritis characterized by tophi. The gold standard for diagnosis relies on identification of urate crystals by polarization microscopy in aspirated joint fluid. This procedure is rarely performed in primary care where the majority of patients are seen, and gout is usually diagnosed by clinical criteria. New imaging technologies (ultrasound, dual-energy CT) can be helpful when aspiration is not available and when the diagnosis is unclear. Gout has a prevalence of 1.7% and incidence rate of approximately 200 per 100000 person-years in Sweden, figures that increase over time.

Child sexual abuse (CSA) is a crime against human rights with severe health consequences, and suicidal actions, stress, eating disorders, and borderline disorder are common among survivors of CSA. The objective of this study was to analyze how health care consumption patterns developed among adolescent girls in the Stockholm Region, Sweden, 1 and 2 years after the first registration of CSA experience appeared in their medical record, as compared to age-matched controls without such registration. In this cohort study, number of healthcare visits, comorbidities, and prescribed drugs were collected through the Stockholm Region administrative database (VAL), for girls age 12–17 with registration of CSA experience in their medical record (n = 519) and age-matched controls (n = 4920) between 2011 and 2018. Healthcare consumption patterns remained higher among the girls with a registered CSA experience compared to the controls, both 1 and 2 years after the first CSA experience registration. Highest odds ratios (ORs) were found for suicide attempts [OR 26.38 (12.65–55.02) and 6.93 (3.48–13.49)]; stress disorders [25.97 (17.42–38.69) and 15.63 (9.82–24.88)]; psychosis [OR 19.39 (1.75–214.13) and 9.70 (1.36–68.95)], and alcohol abuse [OR 10.32 (6.48–16.44) and 6.09 (1.98–18.67)], 1 and 2 years, respectively, after the first CSA experience registration. The drug prescriptions were also significantly higher among the girls with a CSA experience registration than for the controls. The results highlight the need to systematically evaluate and develop assessment, treatment planning, and interventions offered to adolescent girls after their first CSA experience registration.

Background: There is a lack of studies of Parkinson's disease (PD) in immigrants. Objective: To study the association between country of birth and incident PD in immigrants in Sweden versus Swedish-born individuals. Methods: Study population included all adults aged 50 years and older in Sweden (n=2775736). PD was defined as having at least one registered diagnosis of PD in the National Patient Register. The incidence of PD in different first-generation immigrant groups versus Swedish-born individuals was assessed by Cox regression, expressed as hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). The models were stratified by sex and adjusted for age, geographical residence in Sweden, educational level, marital status, neighbourhood socioeconomic status and co-morbidity. Results: Totally 35833 individuals had an incident diagnosis of PD (20401 men and 15432 women). Incidence rates per 100,000 person-years were for all Swedish-born 95.9 and for all foreign-born 60.1; for all men 112.3 and for all women 73.4, with a male to female ratio of 1.53, with the highest incidence rates for the group 80-84 years of age. After adjusting for potential confounders, the overall relative risk of PD was lower in immigrant men (HR 0.78; 95% CI 0.74-0.82) and women (HR 0.92; 95% CI 0.87-0.98). Among immigrant subgroups, a higher risk of PD was found among women from Finland (HR 1.13; 95% CI 1.05-1.23). Conclusion: In general, the risk of PD was lower in first-generation immigrant men and women compared to Swedish-born. The only group with a higher risk of PD was women from Finland. (Less)

ObjectiveIn this study we aimed to estimate the effect of diabetes, educational level and income on the risk of mortality and cardiovascular events in primary care patients with hypertension.MethodsWe followed 62,557 individuals with hypertension diagnosed 2001-2008, in the Swedish Primary Care Cardiovascular Database. Study outcomes were death, myocardial infarction, and ischemic stroke, assessed using national registers until 2012. Cox regression models were used to estimate adjusted hazard ratios of outcomes according to diabetes status, educational level, and income.ResultsDuring follow-up, 13,231 individuals died, 9981 were diagnosed with diabetes, 4431 with myocardial infarction, and 4433 with ischemic stroke. Hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) for diabetes versus no diabetes: mortality 1.57 (1.50-1.65), myocardial infarction 1.24 (1.14-1.34), and ischemic stroke 1.17 (1.07-1.27). Hazard ratios for diabetes and ≤9 years of school versus no diabetes and >12 years of school: mortality 1.56 (1.41-1.73), myocardial infarction 1.36 (1.17-1.59), and ischemic stroke 1.27 (1.08-1.50). Hazard ratios for diabetes and income in the lowest fifth group versus no diabetes and income in the highest fifth group: mortality 3.82 (3.36-4.34), myocardial infarction 2.00 (1.66-2.42), and ischemic stroke 1.91 (1.58-2.31).ConclusionsDiabetes combined with low income was associated with substantial excess risk of mortality, myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke among primary care patients with hypertension.

Victims of sexual abuse have more co-morbidities than other persons in the same age and the most affected group are adolescent girls. Little is known about how this is reflected in health care consumption patterns prior to the registered diagnosis. The aim of this investigation was to study health care consumption patterns among girls, 12–17 years old, 1 and 2 years prior to their diagnoses of sexual abuse. Through the Stockholm Region administrative database (VAL), data of co-morbidities, number of health care visits, and prescribed drugs were collected for cases (girls age 12–17 with diagnoses of sexual abuse, n = 519) and controls matched for age and socio-economic status (n = 4920) between 2011–2018. Health care consumption and co-morbidities were significantly higher for the cases compared to controls, with a rise 1 year before the diagnoses: the total number of health care visits (including no shows) 1 year prior to the first recording of the diagnosis was 20.4 (18.1–22.7) for the cases and 6.2 (5.8–6.6) for the controls. The most frequent visits 1 year prior to the diagnosis were to outdoor clinics, with a mean value of 19.1 (16.9–21.3) visits for the cases and 5.7 (5.3–6.1) for the controls, followed by psychiatric clinics with a mean value of 12.7 (10.6–14.8) visits for the cases and 2.0 (1.7–2.3) visits for the controls. The least visited health care clinic 1 year prior to the diagnosis was the emergency ward with a mean value of 1.3 (1.1–1.5) visits for the cases and 0.5 (0.4–0.5) visits for the controls. The most common psychiatric co-morbidities registered among the cases during the first year before the diagnosis of sexual abuse were stress, suicide attempt, and psychosis. Neuroleptics, sleeping pills, antidepressants, and tranquilizers were more frequently dispensed in cases than in controls. Similar patterns were found 2 years prior to the diagnosis. We encourage clinicians to actively ask for exposure of sexual abuse in girls with high health care consumption, making early detection and treatment of sexual abuse available as soon as possible.

Background:Preventing ischaemic stroke attracts significant focus in atrial fibrillation (AF) cases. Less is known on the association between socioeconomic factors and mortality and cardiovascular outcomes in patients with AF.Methods:Our study population included adults (n=12 283) ≥45 years diagnosed with AF at 75 primary care centres in Sweden 2001-07. Cox regression was used to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the association between the exposures educational level, marital status, neighbourhood socioeconomic status and the outcomes all-cause mortality, after adjustment for age, and comorbid cardiovascular conditions.Results:During a mean of 5.8 years (SD 2.4) of follow-up, 3954 (32.3%) patients had died; 1971 were women (35.0%) and 1983 were men (29.8%). Higher educational level was associated with a reduced mortality in fully adjusted models: HR 0.85 (95% CI 0.77-0.96) for secondary school in men, HR 0.73 (95% CI 0.60-0.88) for college/university in women, and HR 0.82 (95% CI 0.71-0.94) for college/university in men, compared to primary school. Unmarried men and divorced men had an increased risk of death, compared with married men: HR 1.25 (95% CI 1.05-1.50), and HR 1.23 (95% CI 1.07-1.42), respectively. College/university education level was also associated with lower risk of myocardial infarction in men and women, and lower risk of congestive heart failure in women.Conclusion:More attention could be paid to individuals of lower levels of formal education, and unmarried men, in order to provide timely management for AF and prevent its debilitating complications.

Background Atrial fibrillation (AF) and dementia are predominant among the elderly; patients with AF have an increased dementia risk. We aimed to study if prescribed antihypertensive drugs and cardiovascular pharmacotherapies are associated with a lower relative risk of dementia. Methods All included patients were ≥45 years and diagnosed with AF in primary care; 12,096 (6580 men and 5516 women) in Sweden. We excluded patients with a dementia diagnosis before onset of AF. Cox regression was used (hazard ratios, HRs, and 95% confidence interval, CI) with adjustments for sex, age, socioeconomic factors and co-morbidities. Results Incident dementia occurred in 750 patients (6.2%) during an average of 5.6 years of follow-up (a total of 69,214 person-years). Patients prescribed thiazides HR 0.81 (95% CI 0.66–0.99) and warfarin HR 0.78 (95% CI 0.66–0.92) had a lower risk of dementia than patients without these drugs. The use of 1–4 of the different antihypertensive drug classes (thiazides, beta blocker, vessel active calcium channel blockers or renin angiotensin aldosterone (RAAS) blockers) were associated with a reduction of incident dementia; HR 0.80 (95% CI 0.64–1.00) for one to two drugs, and HR 0.63 (95% CI 0.46–0.84) for three or four drugs, versus having no prescribed antihypertensive drugs. The combination of a RAAS-blocker and a thiazide was significant, HR 0.70 (95% CI 0.53–0.92), versus not having that particular combination prescribed, while RAAS-blockers or thiazides separately were not significant. Conclusion Prescribed antihypertensive drugs, including thiazide/RAAS-blocker combination therapy and use of warfarin, were associated with a decreased incidence of dementia.

OBJECTIVE:An increased risk of being diagnosed with coronary heart disease or atrial fibrillation has been shown among different immigrant groups. However, less is known on the risk of being diagnosed with congestive heart failure (CHF).DESIGN:We studied CHF in immigrants including all adults ≥45 years in Sweden (n = 3,274,119) from 1998 to 2012. CHF was defined as at the first event registered in the National Patient Register. Risk of incident CHF in immigrant groups compared to the Swedish-born population was assessed by Cox regression, stratified by sex, adjusting for age, socio-demographic status, and co-morbidities.RESULTS:During a mean follow-up of 14 years in total, a total of 302,340 (9.2%) events of CHF were registered. We found the following: higher incidence in men from Bosnia, Iraq, Lebanon, Russia and Africa; among women from Bosnia, Iraq, Lebanon, Turkey, Central Europe and Finland; lower incidence in men from Iceland, Latin America, Southern Europe, Norway and Western Europe; and among women from Iceland, Southern Europe, Norway, Denmark and Western Europe.CONCLUSION:It is important to be aware of the increased incidence of CHF in some immigrant groups, especially from countries and areas where the immigrants have been refugees, in order to enable for a timely diagnosis, treatment of and prevention of CHF and its debilitating complications.

Aim To evaluate the impact of an educational intervention on the preparedness of district nurses at primary healthcare centres to encounter women exposed to intimate partner violence. Methodological design An observational quasi-experimental study. Participants were divided into an intervention group (n = 117) and a control group (n = 204), both from the eastern part of Sweden. A group of nurses from across Sweden (the ‘national group,’ n = 217) was also recruited. The Violence Against Women Health Care Provider Survey was used pre- and 1 year postintervention to measure the intervention's impact. This survey, which measured preparedness, included eight factors: practitioner preparedness, self-confidence, lack of control, comfort following disclosure, professional support, practice pressures, abuse inquiry and consequences of asking. anova, the paired Wilcoxon test, the Mann–Whitney U test and the Kruskal–Wallis test were used to analyse the data. Findings Pre-intervention preparedness was equal in all three groups. In the intervention group, preparedness related to the factor practitioner lack of control increased (p = 0.003), but a comparison of change between the intervention and control groups showed no significant intervention effect (p = 0.069). Conclusions The results indicate that the intervention had a low impact on district nurses’ preparedness. The educational intervention must be adjusted; a main focus of changes should be the addition of continuing postintervention supervision and support.

Objective We aimed to study the association between neighborhood socioeconomic status at the age of 40 years and risk of ischemic stroke before the age of 50 years. Methods All individuals in Sweden were included if their 40th birthday occurred between 1998 and 2010. National registers were used to categorize neighborhood socioeconomic status into high, middle, and low and to retrieve information on incident ischemic strokes. Hazard ratios and their 95% confidence intervals were estimated. Results A total of 1,153,451 adults (women 48.9%) were followed for a mean of 5.5 years (SD 3.5 years), during which 1777 (0.30%) strokes among men and 1374 (0.24%) strokes among women were recorded. After adjustment for sex, marital status, education level, immigrant status, region of residence, and neighborhood services, there was a lower risk of stroke in residents from high-socioeconomic status neighborhoods (hazard ratio 0.87, 95% confidence interval 0.78–0.96), and an increased risk of stroke in adults from low-socioeconomic status neighborhoods (hazard ratio 1.16, 95% confidence interval 1.06–1.27), compared to their counterparts living in middle-socioeconomic status neighborhoods. After further adjustment for hospital diagnoses of hypertension, diabetes, heart failure, and atrial fibrillation prior to the age of 40, the higher risk in neighborhoods with low socioeconomic status was attenuated, but remained significant (hazard ratio 1.12, 95% confidence interval 1.02–1.23). Conclusions In a nationwide study of individuals between 40 and 50 years, we found that the risk of ischemic stroke differed depending on neighborhood socioeconomic status, which calls for increased efforts to prevent cardiovascular diseases in low socioeconomic status neighborhoods.

Background Prior research based on self-reports has proven sexual abuse to be a risk factor for pain and psychiatric disorders. However, less is known about how this is reflected within the healthcare system. The aim of this study was to study the 2-year prevalence of diagnosis of sexual abuse and concomitant conditions. Methods Using data from VAL, the study population included all living persons in Stockholm County, Sweden, between 1 January 2008 and 31 December 2014 (N=2 549 496). Diagnoses of sexual abuse were identified during 2013–2014, with information on the concomitant conditions somatic pain, depression, anxiety, psychotic disorders and bipolar disorders, stress disorders and alcohol and substance abuse. All diagnoses were prospectively registered. Age and neighbourhood socioeconomic status-adjusted ORs with 95% CIs for individuals with a diagnosis of sexual abuse, using individuals without sexual abuse as referents, were calculated. Results Girls at the ages 13–17 years had the highest 2-year prevalence (0.69%) of sexual abuse followed by girls 5–12 years (0.11%), and girls 0–4 years (0.04%). For women 45 years and older the 2-year prevalence rates were substantially lower (0.008–0.004%). The highest 2-year prevalence of sexual abuse in men was seen in boys 5–12 (0.03%) years. The total 2-year prevalence of diagnoses of sexual abuse among the population in the material was 0.04%. The highest ORs of comorbidities for girls (ages 0–17 years) with sexual abuse versus those without sexual abuse were: Stress disorder; 15.7 (13.1 to 18.9), drug abuse; 10.0 (7.7 to 13.0), and alcohol abuse; 9.7(7.8 to 12.0). For boys (ages 0–17 years), the highest ORs of comorbidities were: Stress disorder 12.4 (6.0 to 25.7), anxiety disorders; 5.5 (2.6 to 11.5), and alcohol abuse; 3.9 (1.4 to 11.3). The highest ORs of comorbidities for women (18–) with sexual abuse versus those without sexual abuse were: alcohol abuse; 19.3 (12.6 to 29.6), drug abuse; 16.7 (10.7 to 26.1) and psychotic disorders; 15.3 (8.0 to 29.4). For men (18–) the highest ORs of comorbidities were: alcohol abuse; 25.8 (15.2 to 43.9), anxiety disorders; 14.3 (8.5 to 24.2) stress disorder; 12.9 (7.5 to 22.1) and drug abuse; 12.9 (6.9 to 24.1). Conclusions Diagnoses of drug and alcohol abuse, psychotic, bipolar, stress anxiety disorders, depression and somatic pain are more common among individuals with a diagnosis of sexual abuse than among individuals without a diagnosis of sexual abuse.

Objectives: Risk of multiple sclerosis (MS) is low among first-generation immigrants in Sweden. We aimed to study incident MS in first- and second-generation immigrant groups. Materials & Methods: We included adults aged 18 years and older in Sweden in first-generation (n = 6 042 891) and second-generation (n = 4 860 469) sub-studies. MS was defined via two diagnoses in the Swedish National Patient Register. MS risk was estimated by Cox regression, with hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI), in different immigrant groups, using Swedish-born as referents in first-generation sub-study, and individuals with Swedish-born parents in the second-generation. Full models were adjusted for age, geographic residence in Sweden, educational level, marital status, neighborhood socioeconomic status, and co-morbidity. Results: MS was diagnosed among 10 746 individuals in the first-generation sub-study, (men 3055 and women 7691), and 11 737 in the second-generation sub-study (men 3549 and women 8188) in the period 1998-2015. The annual incidence rate was higher in Swedish-born compared to foreign-born, 11.5 vs 6.3 per 100 000 person-years (age-standardized to the European standard population). Fully adjusted HRs were lower in first-generation immigrant men (HR 0.72, 0.64-0.82) and women (HR 0.67, 0.62-0.73), and in second-generation immigrant men (HR 0.88, 0.79-0.97) and women (HR 0.79; 0.73-0.84). Among first-generation immigrants, lower HRs were found in most groups. Significance: The MS risk was lower in first- and second-generation immigrants compared to Swedish-born or individuals with Swedish-born parents. (Less)

Objectives Association between socio-demographic factors and dementia risk is studied in general but not for atrial fibrillation (AF) patients. Methods We studied AF patients ≥ 45 years in Sweden 1998–2012 (n = 537,513) using the Total Population Register for socio-demographic factors, the Swedish Cause of Death Register, and the National Patient Register (NPR) for incident dementia. Cox regression with hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) was used for the association between exposure and outcome, adjusting for age and comorbidities. Results Totally 30,332 patients (5.6%) were diagnosed with dementia during the follow-up (mean 5.4 years). Of these, 14,097 were men (4.9%) and 16,235 were women (6.5%). Lower educational levels (reference: highest level) were associated with increased dementia, HRs (95% CI) for basic school for men 1.23 (1.18–1.29) and women 1.36 (1.30–1.42), and middle-level school for men 1.17 (1.11–1.22) and women 1.28 (1.22–1.34). Divorced men and women (reference: married) showed increased risk of dementia, HR 1.07 (1.01–1.13) and 1.12 (1.06–1.18), respectively, while widowed men showed lower risk, HR 0.84 (0.80–0.88). High deprivation neighborhood socio-economic status (NSES; reference: medium level) was associated with increased dementia in men, HR 1.11 (1.05–1.17), and low deprivation neighborhood socio-economic status (NSES) with increased dementia in men and women, HR 1.12 (1.06–1.18) and 1.18 (1.12–1.24), respectively. Conclusions Some results were expected, i.e. association between lower educational level and dementia. The higher risk of dementia in low deprivation NSES-areas could be due to a higher awareness about dementia, and subsequent earlier diagnosis and treatment of dementia.

OBJECTIVE: To study association between country of birth and incident epilepsy in second-generation immigrants in Sweden.METHODS: Study population included all children (n=4,023,149) aged up to 18 years of age in Sweden. Epilepsy was defined as at least one registered diagnosis of epilepsy in the National Patient Register. The incidence of epilepsy, using individuals with Swedish-born parents as referents, was assessed by Cox regression, expressed in hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). All models were stratified by sex and adjusted for age, geographical residence in Sweden, educational level, marital status, neighbourhood socioeconomic status and comorbid conditions, also using data from the Total Population Register.RESULTS: A total of 26,310 individuals had a registered epilepsy event, i.e. 6.5/1000 (6.6/1000 among boys and 6.3/1000 among girls). After adjustment, the risk of epilepsy was lower than in children of Swedish-born parents. Among girls, the significant HR was 0.85 (95% CI, 0.81-0.88) but in boys only when adjusting also for co-morbidity (HR = 0.96, 0.92-0.99). Among specific immigrant groups, a higher incidence of epilepsy was observed among boys with parents from Turkey and Africa, but not when adjusting for co-morbidity, and a lower risk in many other groups (boys with parents from Latvia, girls with parents from Finland, Iceland, Southern Europe, countries from the former Yugoslavia, and Asia).SIGNIFICANCE: Risk of epilepsy was lower in second-generation immigrant children compared to children with Swedish-born parents, however, with substantial differences between different immigrant groups. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Objectives: To study associations between different anthropometric measures and incident gout, and to find the best predictive measure.Method: We used the baseline investigation from the Malmo Diet...

Background The risk of dementia is increased in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Objective To study relevant co-morbidities and incident dementia (vascular dementia, Alzheimers disease, other dementia and all dementia) in AF patients. Methods All adults (n = 537,513) ≥45 years diagnosed with AF in hospitals in Sweden 1998–2012 were included. Cox regression was used to estimate hazard ratios (HR) with 95% CIs for association between co-morbidities, and incident dementia, after adjustment for age, residence place in Sweden, and socio-economic factors. Results Totally 30,332 patients (5.6%) were diagnosed with dementia during the follow-up, with 14,097 men (4.9%) and 16,235 women (6.5%). After adjustments (HRs; 95% CI), hypertension was associated with lower risk of incident dementia (all types) in men (0.79; 0.76–0.82) and women (0.77; 0.74–0.79). Higher risk of dementia was seen in patients with stroke, diabetes, depression and anxiety. Lower risks of dementia were also seen in AF patients with concomitant coronary heart disease and congestive heart failure. Conclusions The findings regarding incident dementia need to be interpreted with great caution, owing to possible “survival bias” or reversed causation. However, the lower associated risks of dementia associated with hypertension could possibly be explained by protective effects of certain antihypertensive drugs.

Objective The incidence of myocardial infarction (MI) has decreased in general but not among younger middle-aged adults. We performed a cohort study of the association between neighbourhood socioeconomic status (SES) at the age of 40 and risk of MI before the age of 50 years. Methods All individuals in Sweden were included in the year of their 40th birthday, if it occurred between 1998 and 2010. National registers were used to categorise neighbourhood SES into high, middle and low, and to retrieve information on incident MI and coronary heart disease (CHD). Cox regression models, adjusted for marital status, education level, immigrant status and region of residence, provided an estimate of the HRs and 95% CIs for MI or CHD. Results Out of 587 933 men and 563 719 women, incident MI occurred in 2877 (0.48%) men and 932 (0.17%) women; and CHD occurred in 4400 (0.74%) men and 1756 (0.31%) women during a mean follow-up of 5.5 years. Using individuals living in middle-SES neighbourhoods as referents, living in high-SES neighbourhoods was associated with lower risk of MI in both sexes (HR (95% CI): men: 0.72 (0.64 to 0.82), women: 0.66 (0.53 to 0.81)); living in low-SES neighbourhoods was associated with a higher risk of MI (HR (95% CI): men: 1.31 (1.20 to 1.44), women: 1.28 (1.08 to 1.50)). Similar risk estimates for CHD were found. Conclusions The results of our study suggest an increased risk of MI and CHD among residents from low-SES neighbourhoods and a lower risk in those from high-SES neighbourhoods compared with residents in middle-SES neighbourhoods.

Objective Our aim was to study the potential impact of neighbourhood socio-economic status (SES) on all-cause mortality in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) treated in primary care. Methods Study population included adults (n=12,283) of 45years and older diagnosed with AF in 75 primary care centres in Sweden. Association between neighbourhood SES and all-cause mortality was explored using Cox regression analysis, with hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs), and by Laplace regression where years to death (95% CI) of the first 10% of the participants were used as an outcome. All models were conducted in both men and women and adjusted for age, educational level, marital status, change of neighbourhood status, cardiovascular co-morbidities, anticoagulant treatment and statin treatment. High- and low-neighbourhood SES were compared with middle SES as reference group. Results After adjustments for potential confounders, higher relative risk of all-cause mortality (HR 1.49, 95% CI 1.13–1.96) was observed in men living in low SES neighbourhoods compared to those from middle SES neighbourhoods. The results were confirmed using Laplace regression; the time until the first 10% of the men in low SES neighbourhoods died was 1.45 (95% CI 0.48–2.42) years shorter than for the men in middle SES neighbourhoods. Conclusions Increased rates of heart disease and subsequent mortality among adults in deprived neighbourhoods raise important clinical and public health concerns. These findings could serve as an aid to policy-makers when allocating resources in primary health care settings as well as to clinicians who encounter patients in deprived neighbourhoods.

Objective The aim was to analyse risk of forearm fractures in first- and second-generation immigrants to Sweden. Methods A nationwide study of individuals 20 years of age and older was conducted. Forearm fractures were defined as at least one registered diagnosis in the National Patient Register between January 1, 1998 and December 31, 2012. Cox regression analysis was used to estimate the relative risk (hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI)) of incident forearm fractures compared to Swedish-born individuals, or in second-generation immigrant groups relative to individuals with Swedish-born parents. Cox regression models were stratified by sex and adjusted for age, sociodemographic status, and co-morbidities. Results A total of 5,953,764 individuals were included in the first-generation study (2,861,256 men, and 3,092,508 women), and a forearm fracture was registered in 166,955 individuals (2.8%). The second-generation study included 4,656,023 individuals (2,368,585 men, and 2,287,438 women) with a registered forearm fracture in 111,576 individuals (2.4%). Fully adjusted HRs showed marginally lower risks when all immigrants were studied, for first-generation men 0.95 (95% CI 0.92–0.98) and women 0.95 (95% CI 95 0.92–0.97), and for second-generation men 0.93 (95% CI 0.90–0.97) and women 0.90 (95% CI 0.88–0.93). An increased risk was found among some first-generation immigrant men, especially in men from the Middle East. Conclusions We observed a marginally lower overall risk of fractures among immigrants, but with differences among the immigrant groups.

OBJECTIVE: To study the association between country of birth and incident dementia in several immigrant groups in Sweden.METHODS: The study population included all adults (n = 3,286,624) aged 45 years and older in Sweden. Dementia was defined as having at least one registered diagnosis of dementia in the National Patient Register. The incidence of dementia in different immigrant groups, using Swedish-born as referents, was assessed by Cox regression, expressed in hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). All models were stratified by sex and adjusted for age, geographical residence in Sweden, educational level, marital status, and neighbourhood socioeconomic status.RESULTS: A total of 136,713 individuals had a registered dementia event, i.e. 4.2%; 3.6% among men and 4.9% among women. After adjusting for confounders, in general, there was a lower incidence of dementia among both male immigrants (HR 0.85, 0.83-0.88) and female immigrants (HR 0.93, 0.91-0.95) compared to their Swedish-born counterparts. Among immigrant groups, a higher incidence (HR, 95%CI) of dementia was observed among men from Finland (1.14, 1.08-1.20), Bosnia (1.61, 1.18-2.20), Estonia (1.25, 1.10-1.43) and Russia (1.37, 1.12-1.69), and women from Finland (1.20 1.15-1.24) and Norway (1.14, 1.07-1.22).CONCLUSIONS: Risk of dementia was lower in immigrants in general compared to the Swedish-born population; however there were substantial differences among immigrant groups in risk of dementia. Developing dementia in a new country with a different language could cause problems for both patients and the health care staff.

Objective: The aim of this study is to describe patients with heart failure and an ejection fraction (EF) of more than or equal to 40%, managed in both Primary- and Hospital based outpatient clinics separately with their prognosis, comorbidities and risk factors. Further to compare the heart failure medication in the two groups. Design: We used the prospective Swedish Heart Failure Registry to include 9654 out-patients who had HF and EF ≥40%, 1802 patients were registered in primary care and 7852 in hospital care. Descriptive statistical tests were used to analyze base line characteristics in the two groups and multivariate logistic regression analysis to assess mortality rate in the groups separately. Setting: The prospective Swedish Heart Failure Registry. Subjects: Patients with heart failure and an ejection fraction (EF) of more than or equal to 40%. Main outcome measures: Comorbidities, risk factors and mortality. Results: Mean-age was 77.5 (primary care) and 70.3 years (hospital care) p

AimTo study association between country of birth and risk of first-onset atrial fibrillation (AF) in first- and second-generation immigrants to Sweden under 45 y of age.MethodsThe study population included all individuals (n = 3 248 457) under the age of 45 y in Sweden, including immigrants (n = 722 249). AF was defined as first registered diagnosis in the National Patient Register. Association between country of birth and risk of AF was assessed by Cox regression, calculating HRs and 95% CIs, using Swedish-born individuals as referents. All models were stratified by sex, and in different models were adjusted for age, area of residence in Sweden, educational level, marital status, neighbourhood socioeconomic status and co-morbidity(ies).ResultsA higher fully adjusted HR of incident AF was found in the total sample of first-generation immigrants, 1.44 (95% CI 1.35 to 1.54), in males born in Denmark, Lebanon and Iraq, and in females born in Turkey and Iraq. Lower HRs were found in male and female immigrants from Latin America and Iran, and female immigrants from Finland. Among second-generation immigrants, the fully adjusted HR was significantly lower, 0.70 (95% CI 0.58 to 0.83).ConclusionsClinicians may show a greater awareness of AF in some groups of younger immigrants to enable early diagnosis.

BACKGROUND: Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a serious complication in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). OBJECTIVE: To study associations between relevant co-morbidities and CHF in patients with AF. METHODS: Study population included all adults (n=12,283) ≥45 years diagnosed with AF at 75 primary care centers in Sweden 2001–2007. Logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the associations between co-morbidities, and prevalent CHF. In a subsample (n=9,424), (excluding patients with earlier CHF), Cox regression was used to estimate hazard ratios with 95% CIs for the association between co-morbidities, and a first hospital diagnosis of CHF, after adjustment for age and socioeconomic factors. RESULTS: During 5.4 years’ follow-up (standard deviation 2.5), 2,259 patients (24.0%; 1,135 men, 21.8%, and 1,124 women, 26.7%) were diagnosed with CHF. Patients with hypertension were less likely to have CHF, while a diagnosis of coronary heart disease, valvular heart disease, diabetes, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), was consistently associated with CHF among men and women. CHF was more common among women with depression. The relative fully adjusted risk of incident CHF was increased for the following diseases in men with AF: valvular heart disease, cardiomyopathy, and diabetes; and for the following diseases in women: valvular heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and COPD. The corresponding risk was decreased among women for hypertension. CONCLUSIONS: In this clinical setting we found hypertension to be associated with a decreased risk of CHF among women; valvular heart disease and diabetes to be associated with an increased risk of CHF in both sexes; and cardiomyopathy to be associated with an increased risk of CHF among men.

Well-functioning physician-patient communication is central to primary care consultations. An increasing demand on primary care in many countries to manage a culturally diverse population has highlighted the need for improved communication skills in intercultural consultations. In previous studies, intercultural consultations in primary care have often been described as complex for various reasons, but studies exploring physician-patient interactions contributing to the understanding of why they are complex are lacking. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore intercultural physician-patient communication in primary care consultations, generating a conceptual model of the interpersonal interactions as described by both the patients and the physicians. Using grounded theory methodology, 15 residents in family medicine and 30 foreign-born patients, the latter with Arabic and Somali as native languages, were interviewed. The analysis generated a conceptual model named circling the undefined, where a silent agreement on issues fundamental to the core of the consultation was inadequately presumed and the communicative behaviors used did not contribute to clarity. This could be a possible contributory cause of the perceived complexity of intercultural consultations. Identifying what takes place on an interpersonal level in intercultural consultations might be a first step towards building a common ground for increased mutual understanding, thereby bringing us one step closer to sharing, rather than circling the undefined.