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Abstract Background This study investigated the prevalence of pain, depressive symptoms, and their co-occurrence in Norwegian adolescents. Additionally, we investigated if perceived achievement pressure and coping with pressure were associated with pain, depressive symptoms and co-occurrent pain and depressive symptoms. Methods Cross-sectional data from the Norwegian Ungdata Survey (2017–2019) were analysed. Adolescents from across Norway completed an electronic questionnaire including questions on perceived achievement pressure, coping with pressure, pain, and depressive symptoms. Descriptive statistics presented prevalence rates, and multinominal regression reported in relative risk ratios (RR) was employed to estimate associations, adjusted for gender (boys/girls), school level, and socioeconomic status. Results The analyses included 209,826 adolescents. The prevalence of pain was 33%, 3% for depressive symptoms, and 14% reported co-occurring pain and depressive symptoms. The prevalence of co-occurring symptoms was higher in girls (22%) than boys (6%). Significant associations were found between perceived achievement pressure and pain (RR 1.11, 95% CI 1.10–1.11), depressive symptoms (RR 1.27, 95% CI 1.27–1.28), and co-occurring symptoms (RR 1.34, 95% CI 1.33–1.34). Struggling to cope with pressure was associated with pain (RR 2.67 95% CI 2.53–2.81), depressive symptoms (RR 16.68, 95% CI 15.60-17.83), and co-occurring symptoms (RR 27.95, 95% CI 26.64–29.33). Conclusion The prevalence of co-occurring pain and depressive symptoms is high among Norwegian adolescents. Perceived achievement pressure and struggling to cope with pressure were associated with isolated and, more strongly, co-occurring pain and depressive symptoms. Enhancing adolescents’ ability to cope with pressure could be a crucial target in treating pain and depressive symptoms.

Objectives To evaluate the 1-year cost-effectiveness of strength exercise or aerobic exercise compared with usual care for patients with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis (OA), from a societal and healthcare perspective.Design Cost-effectiveness analysis embedded in a three-arm randomised controlled trial.Participants and setting A total of 161 people with symptomatic knee OA seeking Norwegian primary or secondary care were included in the analyses.Interventions Participants were randomised to either 12 weeks of strength exercise (n=54), 12 weeks of aerobic exercise (n=53) or usual care (n=54).Outcome measures Quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) estimated by the EuroQol-5 Dimensions-5 Levels, and costs related to healthcare utilisation and productivity loss estimated in euros (€), aggregated for 1 year of follow-up. Cost-effectiveness was expressed with mean incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs). Bootstrapping was used to estimate ICER uncertainty.Results From a 1-year societal perspective, the mean cost per patient was €7954, €8101 and €17 398 in the strength exercise, aerobic exercise and usual care group, respectively. From a 1-year healthcare perspective, the mean cost per patient was €848, €2003 and €1654 in the strength exercise, aerobic exercise and usual care group, respectively. Mean differences in costs significantly favoured strength exercise and aerobic exercise from a 1-year societal perspective and strength exercise from a 1-year healthcare perspective. There were no significant differences in mean QALYs between groups. From a 1-year societal perspective, at a willingness-to-pay threshold of €27 500, the probability of strength exercise or aerobic exercise being cost-effective was ≥98%. From a 1-year healthcare perspective, the probability of strength exercise or aerobic exercise being cost-effective was ≥97% and ≥76%, respectively.Conclusion From a 1-year societal and healthcare perspective, a 12-week strength exercise or aerobic exercise programme is cost-effective compared with usual care in patients with symptomatic knee OA.Trial registration number NCT01682980.

Abstract Objectives This study evaluates the six-month cost-effectiveness and cost-benefits of motivational interviewing (MI) or a stratified vocational advice intervention (SVAI) added to usual case management (UC) for workers on sick leave due to musculoskeletal disorders. Methods This study was conducted alongside a three-arm RCT including 514 employed workers on sick leave for at least 50% for ≥ 7 weeks. All participants received UC. The UC + MI group received two MI sessions, and the UC + SVAI group received 1–4 SVAI sessions. Sickness absence days, quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs), and societal costs were measured between baseline and six months. Results Adding MI to UC, resulted in incremental cost-reduction of -2580EUR (95%CI -5687;612), and a reduction in QALYs of -0.001 (95%CI -0.02;0.01). Secondly, adding MI to UC resulted in an incremental cost-reduction of -538EUR (95%CI -1358;352), and reduction of 5.08 (95%CI -3.3;13.5) sickness-absence days. Financial return estimates were positive, but not statistically significant. Adding SVAI to UC, resulted in an incremental cost-reduction of -2899 EUR (95% CI -5840;18), and a reduction in QALYs of 0.002 (95% CI -0.02;0.01). Secondly, adding SVAI to UC resulted in an statistically significant incremental cost-reduction of -695 EUR (95% CI -1459;-3), and a reduction of 7.9 (95% CI -0.04;15.9) sickness absence days. Financial return estimates were positive and statistically significant. The probabilities of cost-effectiveness for QALYs were high for adding MI or SVAI (ceiling ratio 0.90). Conclusions In comparison to UC only, adding MI to UC tends to be cost-effective. Adding SVAI to UC is cost-effective for workers on sick leave due to musculoskeletal disorders. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov (identifier: NCT03871712).

Abstract Objective To evaluate the efficacy of strength exercise or aerobic exercise compared to usual care on knee-related quality of life (QoL) and knee function at 4 months and 1 year in individuals with knee osteoarthritis. Methods A three-arm randomized controlled trial (RCT) compared 12 weeks of strength exercise or aerobic exercise (stationary cycling) to usual care supervised by physiotherapists in primary care. We recruited 168 participants aged 35–70 years with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis. The primary outcome was The Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) QoL at 1 year. Secondary outcomes were self-reported function, pain, and self-efficacy, muscle strength and maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) at 4 months and 1 year. Results There were no differences between strength exercise and usual care on KOOS QoL (6.5, 95% CI -0.9 to 14), or for aerobic exercise and usual care (5.0, 95% CI -2.7 to 12.8), at 1 year. The two exercise groups showed better quadriceps muscle strength, and VO2max at 4 months, compared to usual care. Conclusion This trial found no statistically significant effects of two exercise programs compared to usual care on KOOS QoL at 1 year in individuals with symptomatic and radiographic knee osteoarthritis, but an underpowered sample size may explain lack of efficacy between the intervention groups and the usual care group. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT01682980.

ObjectivePeople regularly contact emergency medicine services concerned that they have been exposed to drink spiking, i.e., exposure to drugs without their knowledge or permission. We identified drugs in blood and urine samples from patients suspecting exposure to drink spiking, with special consideration for drugs not reported taken by the patient (unreported drugs).MethodsFrom September 2018 to May 2019, we collected blood and urine samples from patients 16 years or older presenting at an emergency clinic in Oslo, Norway, within 48 hours of suspected exposure to drink spiking. We also collected information on ethanol ingestion and drugs taken. Blood samples were analyzed for 20 classical recreational drugs using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) and an automated enzymatic method for ethanol. Urine samples were analyzed using immunoassay methods and a specific gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GCMS) method for gammahydroxybutyrate (GHB).ResultsFrom 100 included patients (median age 24 years, 62 females), we collected 100 blood samples and 72 urine samples. Median time since exposure was 5 hours. Unreported drugs were found in 15 patients. Unreported drugs in the blood samples were clonazepam in 3, methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) in 3, amphetamine in 2, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in 2, tramadol in 1, cocaine in 1, and methamphetamine in 1. Unreported drugs in the urine samples were cocaine in 5, amphetamine in 4, ecstasy in 3, and cannabis in 2. Ethanol was found in 69 patients, all reporting ethanol ingestion. Median blood ethanol concentration was higher in patients with no unreported drugs detected, 1.00‰ (interquartile range (IQR) 0-1.52) vs. 0‰ (IQR 0-0.46) (pConclusionUnreported drugs, possibly used for drink spiking, were found in 15% of patients. Blood ethanol concentration was higher when no unreported drugs were found. GHB was not detected in any patient.

Objectives To assess the associations between the single leg hop tests at two premises; baseline and the change after 12 months, and change in patient reported outcome measures and persistent instability after 12 months in patients with recurrent lateral patellar dislocation (RLPD).Methods 61 RLPD patients aged 12–30 with a mean (±SD) of 19.2 (±5.3) were assessed at baseline, and at 12 months after treatment with either active rehabilitation alone, or medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction and active rehabilitation. Single leg hop for distance, triple hop for distance, crossover hop for distance and 6-metre timed hop were performed for both legs, and the Limb Symmetry Index (LSI) was calculated. Persistent patellar instability was self-reported as ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ at 12-month follow-up. Knee function in sport and recreational activities and knee-related quality of life were assessed at baseline and 12 months follow-up using the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS).Results LSI for the baseline single leg hop for distance and the triple hop for distance was significantly associated with persistent patellar instability at 12 months follow-up with an OR of 0.94 (95% CI 0.88 to 0.99) and OR of 0.91 (95% CI 0.84 to 0.99), respectively. No other statistically significant associations were detected.Conclusion Individuals with higher LSI values for the single leg hop for distance and triple hop for distance conducted at baseline had lower odds for persistent patellar instability at 12 months follow-up. Clinicians can use results from these hop tests to assess the risk of future recurrent patellar instability prior to treatment.Study design Retrospective cohort study.Trial registration number NCT02263807.

Tryptamines are a class of new psychoactive substances relevant for analysis in forensic laboratories. Tryptamine analogs are diverse in structure and chemical properties, and prone to display instability. This puts high demands on sample preparation, especially from complex matrices such as whole blood. In the present paper, a prototype 96-well electromembrane extraction (EME) device was employed for the simultaneous extraction of 20 tryptamines from whole blood prior to UHPLC-MS/MS analysis. For the EME procedure, spiked whole blood diluted 3-fold with 1% ascorbic acid in 25 mM formic acid was extracted for 60 min across a supported liquid membrane (SLM) containing 5% bis(2-ethylhexyl) ether (DEHP) in 2-nitrophenyloctylether (NPOE) into an acceptor solution containing 1% ascorbic acid in 25 mM formic acid. The method was validated for 16 of the tryptamines in the range 5-500 nM according to SWGTOX guidelines and the analytes displayed limits of detection from >0.15 nM to 0.75 nM. An AGREEprep analysis was performed to evaluate method greenness with a final greenness score of 0.76. 96-well EME offered fast, efficient and green extraction of tryptamines from whole blood, demonstrating good potential for implementation in forensic laboratories when commercial devices will become available.

ObjectiveTo investigate thresholds of strength below which individuals with knee osteoarthritis (OA) may have more difficulty carrying out physical functions of daily life. Individuals below such thresholds might benefit more from strengthening interventions than those with greater strength.MethodsWe studied individuals with symptomatic OA at baseline in the Multicenter Osteoarthritis Study who had knee extensor strength measured isokinetically at 60º/second. Participants underwent a 20-meter walk test and a sit-to-stand test and answered questions from the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index. Physical function results were plotted against measures of quadriceps strength (Nm) (and as strength:body weight) for the worst knee. Loess technique was used to examine inflection points. Nonlinear relationships were examined in piecewise linear regression models. Differences were tested using linear and logistic regression models.ResultsThe study had 834 participants (65.8% women). The mean ± SD age of the participants was 62.9 ± 7.9 years. In women, there were thresholds of strength below which the slope of strength versus function was steeper: walking speed (

Abstract Background Musculoskeletal pain has a high prevalence in adolescence and causes huge consequences for the individuals and the society. Little knowledge exists on social risk factors for musculoskeletal pain in adolescents. This study aimed to investigate if low social acceptance among peers during the first year of upper secondary school was associated with persistent and severe persistent musculoskeletal pain 2 years later and if psychological distress modified this association. Methods Longitudinal data from the Norwegian Fit Futures Study was used. Students in the first year of upper secondary school answered an electronic questionnaire, covering health status, pain, social acceptance among peers, and psychological distress. Persistent musculoskeletal pain was measured 2 years later. Multiple logistic regression analyses and moderation analyses were conducted adjusting for sex and chronic diseases. Main analyses were conducted on participants without persistent musculoskeletal pain at baseline, and secondary analyses were conducted on all participants with and without persistent musculoskeletal pain at baseline. Results Of 775 participants (52% females), 556 (71.7%) were pain-free at baseline and included in the main analyses. Significant associations between low social acceptance among peers and persistent musculoskeletal pain 2 years later were found in crude (Odds ratio (OR) = 1.8, 95%CI [1.0–3.1]) and adjusted analyses (OR = 1.8, 95%CI [1.0–3.2]). No statistically significant effect modification of psychological distress (p = 0.89) on this association was found. A significant association between low social acceptance and persistent musculoskeletal pain was found in adjusted secondary analyses of all the students (n = 692) (OR = 1.6, 95%CI [1.0–2.3]). Conclusions Our results indicate that low social acceptance among peers increases the risk of future persistent musculoskeletal pain in adolescents. Thus, interventions strengthening adolescent’s social arenas may be helpful to prevent persistent musculoskeletal pain. Trial registration Retrospective registered at clinicaltrials.org NCT04526522 .

Hair analysis can provide chronological insights into past drug use for months to years after drug administration. In comparison to analyses from other biological matrices, such as blood and urine, sample pretreatment is often tedious and not environmental friendly. In this study, we present a more environmental friendly approach to hair analysis using micropulverized hair and electromembrane extraction for the efficient extraction of 15 drugs of abuse, prescription drugs, and metabolites from hair. The optimized extraction method, involving micropulverization, demonstrated comparable yields to the standard approach of cutting and overnight incubation. A 15-min extraction method using a commercial electromembrane extraction prototype was developed and validated according to forensic guidelines, using only 10 µL of organic solvent per sample. The final method, employing HPLC–MS–MS with a biphenyl column, exhibited good linearity, precision, and sensitivity. An AgreePrep assessment comparing the environmental impact of our method with the standard routine method, involving overnight incubation and conventional liquid–liquid extraction, was conducted. This is the first time micropulverized hair has been subjected to electromembrane extraction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: People regularly contact emergency medicine services concerned that they have been exposed to drink spiking, i.e., exposure to drugs without their knowledge or permission. We identified drugs in blood and urine samples from patients suspecting exposure to drink spiking, with special consideration for drugs not reported taken by the patient (unreported drugs). Methods: From September 2018 to May 2019, we collected blood and urine samples from patients 16 years or older presenting at an emergency clinic in Oslo, Norway, within 48 hours of suspected exposure to drink spiking. We also collected information on ethanol ingestion and drugs taken. Blood samples were analyzed for 20 classical recreational drugs using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) and an automated enzymatic method for ethanol. Urine samples were analyzed using immunoassay methods and a specific gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GCMS) method for gammahydroxybutyrate (GHB). Results: From 100 included patients (median age 24 years, 62 females), we collected 100 blood samples and 72 urine samples. Median time since exposure was 5 hours. Unreported drugs were found in 15 patients. Unreported drugs in the blood samples were clonazepam in 3, methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) in 3, amphetamine in 2, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in 2, tramadol in 1, cocaine in 1, and methamphetamine in 1. Unreported drugs in the urine samples were cocaine in 5, amphetamine in 4, ecstasy in 3, and cannabis in 2. Ethanol was found in 69 patients, all reporting ethanol ingestion. Median blood ethanol concentration was higher in patients with no unreported drugs detected, 1.00‰ (interquartile range (IQR) 0–1.52) vs. 0‰ (IQR 0–0.46) (p<0.001). GHB was not detected. Conclusion: Unreported drugs, possibly used for drink spiking, were found in 15% of patients. Blood ethanol concentration was higher when no unreported drugs were found. GHB was not detected in any patient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ObjectivePain and functional decline are hallmarks of knee osteoarthritis (OA). Nevertheless, longitudinal studies unexpectedly reveal stable or improved physical function. The aim of this study was to impute missing and pre-total knee replacement (TKR) values to describe physical function over time among people with symptomatic knee OA.MethodsWe included participants from the Multicenter Osteoarthritis Study (MOST) and the Osteoarthritis Initiative (OAI) with incident symptomatic knee OA, observed during the first 30 months in MOST and 36 months in OAI. Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) physical function (WOMAC-PF), the 5-times sit-to-stand test, and the 20-meter-walk test were assessed at 4 and 5 years in MOST and at 6 years in OAI. We used a multiple imputation method for missing visits, and estimated pre-TKR values close to the time of TKR, using a fitted local regression smoothing curve. In mixed-effect models, we investigated the physical function change over time, using data before and after imputation and calculation of pre-TKR values.ResultsIn MOST, 225 (8%) had incident knee OA, with corresponding 577 (12.7%) in OAI. After adjusting for pre-TKR values and imputing missing values, we found that WOMAC-PF values remained stable or slightly declined over time, and the 20-meter-walk test results changed from stable in nonimputed analyses to worsening using imputed data.ConclusionData from MOST and OAI showed stable to worsening physical function over time in people with incident symptomatic knee OA after imputing missing values and adjusting pre-TKR values.

Abstract Background Little research exists on the effectiveness of motivational interviewing (MI) on return to work (RTW) in workers on long term sick leave. The objectives of this study protocol is to describe a randomized controlled trial (RCT) with the objectives to compare the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of usual case management alone with usual case management plus MI or usual case management plus stratified vocational advice intervention (SVAI), on RTW among people on sick leave due to musculoskeletal (MSK) disorders. Methods A multi-arm RCT with economic evaluation will be conducted in Norway with recruitment of 450 participants aged 18–67 years on 50–100% sick leave for > 7 weeks due to MSK disorders. Participants will be randomized to either usual case management by the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration (NAV) alone, usual case management by NAV plus MI, or usual case management by NAV plus SVAI. Trained caseworkers in NAV will give two MI sessions, and physiotherapists will give 1–4 SVAI sessions depending upon risk of long-term sick leave. The primary outcome is the number of sick leave days from randomization to 6 months follow-up. Secondary outcomes are number of sick leave days at 12 months follow-up, time until sustainable RTW (≥4 weeks of at least 50% of their usual working hours) at 12 months, proportions of participants receiving sick leave benefits during 12 months of follow-up, and MSK symptoms influencing health at 12 months. Cost-utility evaluated by the EuroQoL 5D-5L and cost-benefit analyses will be performed. Fidelity of the interventions will be assessed through audio-recordings of approximately 10% of the intervention sessions. Discussion The results from this RCT will inform stakeholders involved in supporting RTW due to MSK disorders such as staff within NAV and primary health care. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT03871712 registered March 12th 2020.

Abstract Background Young adulthood is a sensitive period of life where development of musculoskeletal neck pain may be established and impact future health. The objective of this systematic review was to investigate risk factors for non-specific neck pain in young adults. Methods Systematic searches were conducted in six databases in September 2019. Prospective cohorts and registry studies including participants in whom the risk factor or the outcome (neck pain) was registered in the ages 18–29 years old were included. The Quality in Prognosis Studies tool was used for quality assessment. A modification of the Grading of Recommendations Assessments, Development and Evaluation was used to assess the overall quality of the evidence. Potential risk factors investigated in more than one study were summarised. Results Searches yielded 4527 articles, of which six matched the eligibility criteria. Fifty-six potential risk factors were investigated in the six studies, covering a broad range of domains. Five risk factors were investigated in more than one study (female sex, body mass index (BMI), physical activity, duration of computer use and perceived stress). Physical activity and BMI showed no association with neck pain, and inconsistent results were found for female sex, duration of daily computer use and perceived stress. Risk of bias was moderate or high in all studies, and the overall quality of evidence was very low. Conclusion The studies included many potential risk factors, but none of them showed consistent associations with neck pain. There is a paucity of high-quality studies investigating risk factors for neck pain in young adults.

Abstract Background Exposure to anticoagulant rodenticides (ARs) in dogs is among the most common causes of poisoning in small animal practice, but information about toxicokinetic of these rodenticides in dogs is lacking. We analysed blood and faeces from five accidentally exposed dogs and 110 healthy dogs by reversed phase ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The aim of the study was to estimate elimination of brodifacoum, bromadiolone and difenacoum after acute exposure, calculate the half-lives of these rodenticides in dogs, estimate faecal elimination in a litter of puppies born, and further to identify the extent of AR exposure in a healthy dog population. Results Three dogs were included after single ingestions of brodifacoum; two dogs ingested bromadiolone and one dog ingested difenacoum. Maximum concentrations in faeces were found after day 2–3 for all ARs. The distribution half-lives were 1–10 days for brodifacoum, 1–2 days for bromadiolone and 10 days for difenacoum. Brodifacoum and difenacoum had estimated terminal half-lives of 200–330 days and 190 days, respectively. In contrast, bromadiolone had an estimated terminal half-life of 30 days. No clinical signs of poisoning or coagulopathy were observed in terminal elimination period. In blood, the terminal half-life of brodifacoum was estimated to 8 days. Faeces from a litter of puppies born from one of the poisoned dogs were examined, and measurable concentrations of brodifacoum were detected in all samples for at least 28 days after parturition. A cross-sectional study of 110 healthy domestic dogs was performed to estimate ARs exposure in a dog population. Difenacoum was detected in faeces of one dog. Blood and faecal samples from the remaining dogs were negative for all ARs. Conclusions Based on the limited pharmacokinetic data from these dogs, our results suggest that ARs have a biphasic elimination in faeces using a two-compartment elimination kinetics model. We have shown that faecal analysis is suitable and reliable for the assessment of ARs exposure in dogs and a tool for estimating the AR half-lives. Half-lives of ARs could be a valuable indicator in the exposed dogs and provides important information for veterinarians monitoring AR exposure and assessment of treatment length in dogs.

Abstract Background Musculoskeletal disorders are the leading cause of sickness absence and disability pension in Norway. There is strong evidence that long-term sickness absence due to musculoskeletal disorders are associated with a reduced probability of return to work (RTW). A way to meet the economic and resource-demanding challenges related to individual follow-up of this group is to identify and treat those individuals with a high risk of prolonged sickness. The overall purposes of this project are 1) to determine the most accurate screening tool to identify people at a high risk of prolonged sickness absence due to an musculoskeletal disorder, and 2) to investigate severity of musculoskeletal health, health-related quality-of-life, health care utilization, and costs across different risk profiles in people on sick leave due to a musculoskeletal disorder. Methods People older than 18 years of age on sick leave for at least 4 weeks due to a musculoskeletal disorder will be invited to participate in this prospective observational cohort study conducted within the Norwegian Welfare and Labor Administration (NAV) system in collaboration with OsloMet – Oslo Metropolitan University. The main outcome is sickness absence, obtained from the NAV registry. Data on sickness absence will be retrieved prospectively in the period from study inclusion to 12 months follow-up, and retrospectively 12 months before inclusion in the study. Possible risk factors will be self-reported by the participants at inclusion while health care utilization will be retrieved from registry data. To conduct analyses including 15 to 20 predictor variables, we aim at including 500–600 people on sick leave due to musculoskeletal disorders. Discussion This study may provide tools that can be used to identify individuals with high risk of prolonged sickness absence and may thus be important from both a socioeconomic and individual perspective. Further, the study may give valuable insight into identification of sickness absence profiles and the associations between these profiles and musculoskeletal health status, health-related quality of life and costs. Trial registration Retrospectively registered in ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04196634, 27.11.2019).

Background: Several Norwegian hospitals include manual stretching exercises in addition to the Ponseti Method in the treatment of clubfoot, but there is sparse evidence documenting the efficacy of manual stretching. Objective: To evaluate whether a period without manual stretching reduces ankle joint and foot mobility in clubfeet treated with the Ponseti Method. Methods: A single subject design study (SSD) was conducted. Babies between 3 and 12 months born with clubfeet were eligible. The outcome measures were angles in ankle dorsiflexion, ankle plantarflexion, total range of motion (ROM) in the ankle joint and forefoot adduction angle. Outcome measures were taken frequently before, during and after the intervention by goniometer. The outcome measures are illustrated graphically in order to evaluate changes over time. Results: Five clubfeet were included. The results showed a trend towards reduced dorsiflexion and total ROM for the whole period without any visual changes in the intervention period. Conclusion: A period of 4 weeks without manual stretching seemed to not influence ankle joint mobility in babies born with clubfoot who were treated with the Ponseti Method. Randomized controlled trials are needed to evaluate the efficacy of manual stretching.

The wind conditions at oil platforms are typically measured at 40–140-m height, and then reduced to standard 10-m height before being distributed via the Global Telecommunication System. The 10-m values are further used for assimilation and verification of weather forecasts models. An accurate representation of the wind profile is therefore essential. Here five wind profiles; power law, Norsok, logarithmic, Monin-Obukhov and Gryning are studied to find the best method for reduction of platform wind speeds to 10-m height level. Observations from nine oil platforms are used together with 10-m wind speed from ASCAT for evaluation of the wind profiles. In addition the wind profiles are evaluated using observations from the FINO3 offshore mast outside Denmark. The present wind profile used for wind reduction at the oil platforms (power law with a constant wind-shear coefficient of 0.13) underestimates the 10-m wind speed by as much as 0.8 m/s on average. For near neutral atmospheric stability the Norsok and the logarithmic wind profiles yield on average a near perfect fit with a wind shear coefficient of 0.085. However, 10-m wind speeds are underestimated for unstable and overestimated for stable conditions. The Monin-Obukhov and Gryning wind profiles give the most accurate estimates of 10-m wind speed during unstable and near-neutral conditions. For stable situations the Gryning wind profile, which also includes information about height of the boundary layer, gives the best agreement, but still an underestimation of the low level wind speed is encountered. The results strongly underline that atmospheric stability needs to be taken into account. For future wind reduction from observation level to 10 meter, it is recommended to use a method which takes stability into account, for example the Gryning method. For long-term average assessments however, the logarithmic and Norsok wind profiles are sufficient.

There is limited knowledge on the association between different health complaints and the development of persistent musculoskeletal pain in adolescents. The aims of this study were to assess whether specific health complaints, and an accumulation of health complaints, in the first year of upper-secondary school, were associated with persistent musculoskeletal pain 2 years later. We used data from a population-based cohort study (the Fit Futures Study in Norway), including 551 adolescents without persistent musculoskeletal pain at baseline. The outcome was persistent musculoskeletal pain (≥3 months) 2 years after inclusion. The following self-reported health complaints were investigated as individual exposures at baseline: asthma, allergic rhinitis, atopic eczema, headache, abdominal pain and psychological distress. We also investigated the association between the accumulated number of self-reported health complaints and persistent musculoskeletal pain 2 years later. Logistic regression analyses estimated adjusted odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). At the 2-year follow-up, 13.8% (95% CI [11.2-16.9]) reported persistent musculoskeletal pain. Baseline abdominal pain was associated with persistent musculoskeletal pain 2 years later (OR 2.33, 95% CI [1.29-4.19], p = 0.01). Our analyses showed no statistically significant associations between asthma, allergic rhinitis, atopic eczema, headache or psychological distress and persistent musculoskeletal pain at the 2-year follow-up. For the accumulated number of health complaints, a higher odds of persistent musculoskeletal pain at the 2-year follow-up was observed for each additional health complaint at baseline (OR 1.33, 95% CI [1.07-1.66], p = 0.01). Health care providers might need to take preventive actions in adolescents with abdominal pain and in adolescents with an accumulation of health complaints to prevent development of persistent musculoskeletal pain. The potential multimorbidity perspective of adolescent musculoskeletal pain is an important topic for future research to understand the underlying patterns of persistent pain conditions in adolescents.

ObjectiveWe investigated the association between objectively measured daily walking and knee structural change, defined either as radiographic worsening or as cartilage loss, in people at risk of or with knee osteoarthritis (OA).MethodsParticipants from the Multicenter Osteoarthritis Study (MOST) with Kellgren-Lawrence grades 0-2 and daily walking (measured with the StepWatch) at the 60-month visit were included. Participants had fixed-flexion, weight-bearing radiographs and knee magnetic resonance images (MRI) at 60 and 84 months. Radiographic worsening was read in both knees using the Osteoarthritis Research Society International grading, and MRI were read for 1 knee using the Whole-Organ MRI Score semiquantitative scoring. OR and 95% CI were calculated comparing those in the middle tertile against the lowest and highest tertiles of daily walking using logistic regression models and generalized estimating equations. Data on walking with moderate to vigorous intensity (min with > 100 steps/min/day) were associated to structural change using multivariate and logistic regression models.ResultsThe 1179 study participants (59% women) were 67.0 years old (± 7.6), with a mean (± SD) body mass index of 29.8 kg/m(2) (± 5.3) who walked 6981 (± 2630) steps/day. After adjusting for confounders, we found no significant associations between daily walking and radiographic worsening or cartilage loss. More time spent walking at a moderate to vigorous intensity was not associated with either radiographic worsening or cartilage loss.ConclusionResults from the MOST study indicated no association between daily walking and structural changes over 2 years in the knees of people at risk of or with mild knee OA.

Illegal amphetamine is usually composed of a racemic mixture of the two enantiomers (S)- and (R)-amphetamine. However, when amphetamine is used in medical treatment, the more potent (S)-amphetamine enantiomer is used. Enantiomer-specific analysis of (S)- and (R)-amphetamine is therefore used to separate legal medical use from illegal recreational use. The aim of the present study was to describe our experience with enantiomer-specific analysis of amphetamine in urine and oral fluid, as well as blood, and examine whether the distribution of the two enantiomers seems to be the same in different matrices. We investigated 1,722 urine samples and 1,977 oral fluid samples from prison inmates, and 652 blood samples from suspected drugged drivers, where prescription of amphetamine was reported. Analyses were performed using ultra high performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC–MS-MS). The enantiomer separation was achieved by using a chiral column, and results from the method validation are reported. Samples containing <60% (S)-amphetamine were interpreted as representing illegal use of amphetamine. The distribution of the two enantiomers was compared between different matrices. In urine and oral fluid, the mean amount of (S)-amphetamine was 45.2 and 43.7%, respectively, while in blood, the mean amount of (S)-amphetamine was 45.8%. There was no statistically significant difference in the amount of (S)-amphetamine between urine and oral fluid samples and between urine and blood samples, but the difference was significant in blood compared to oral fluid samples (P  < 0.001). Comparison of urine and oral fluid between similar populations indicated that enantiomers of amphetamine can be interpreted in the same way, although marginally higher amounts of (R)-amphetamine may occur in oral fluid. Oral fluid, having several advantages, especially during collection, could be a preferred matrix in testing for illegal amphetamine intake in users of medical amphetamine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]