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BACKGROUND: Acute hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is often asymptomatic; thus, its epidemiology and natural history are difficult to define. METHODS: Acute HCV infection was identified on the basis of HCV seroconversion within 1 year (n=45), new anti-HCV seropositivity with clinical acute hepatitis (n=21), or HCV strain sequencing after an iatrogenic exposure (n=1). Risk factors were assessed with a baseline questionnaire, and participants were followed up prospectively with serial measurement of viral loads. RESULTS: Of 67 persons with acute HCV infection, most were asymptomatic (64%) and injection drug users (66%). Thirteen had an unknown mode of transmission; of these, 11 reported high-risk sexual behavior. Ten acquired acute HCV infection within 3 months of an iatrogenic exposure; 3 had confirmed iatrogenic infection, and 4 had no other risk factors identified. The spontaneous viral clearance rate after 6 months of infection was 18% (95% confidence interval, 11%-31%). The rate of viral clearance varied significantly by sex (34% vs. 3% for women vs. men; P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: High-risk sexual or iatrogenic exposures may be important contemporary risk factors for HCV infection. The spontaneous viral clearance rate (18%) in this contemporary study was similar to that reported for past studies of transfusion-associated HCV infection. Women were more likely to clear acute HCV infection than men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Although highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has improved HIV survival, some patients receiving therapy are still dying. This analysis was conducted to identify factors associated with increased risk of post-HAART mortality. Methods We evaluated baseline (prior to HAART initiation) clinical, demographic and laboratory factors (including CD4+ count and HIV RNA level) for associations with subsequent mortality in 1,600 patients who began HAART in a prospective observational cohort of HIV-infected U.S. military personnel. Results Cumulative mortality was 5%, 10% and 18% at 4, 8 and 12 years post-HAART. Mortality was highest (6.23 deaths/100 person-years [PY]) in those with ≤ 50 CD4+ cells/mm3 before HAART initiation, and became progressively lower as CD4+ counts increased (0.70/100 PY with ≥ 500 CD4+ cells/mm3). In multivariate analysis, factors significantly (p < 0.05) associated with post-HAART mortality included: increasing age among those ≥ 40 years (Hazard ratio [HR] = 1.32 per 5 year increase), clinical AIDS events before HAART (HR = 1.93), ≤ 50 CD4+ cells/mm3 (vs. CD4+ ≥ 500, HR = 2.97), greater HIV RNA level (HR = 1.36 per one log10 increase), hepatitis C antibody or chronic hepatitis B (HR = 1.96), and HIV diagnosis before 1996 (HR = 2.44). Baseline CD4+ = 51-200 cells (HR = 1.74, p = 0.06), and hemoglobin < 12 gm/dL for women or < 13.5 for men (HR = 1.36, p = 0.07) were borderline significant. Conclusions Although treatment has improved HIV survival, defining those at greatest risk for death after HAART initiation, including demographic, clinical and laboratory correlates of poorer prognoses, can help identify a subset of patients for whom more intensive monitoring, counseling, and care interventions may improve clinical outcomes and post-HAART survival.

Abstract Background Among HIV-infected persons initiating highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), early CD4+ lymphocyte count increases are well described. However, whether CD4+ levels continue to increase or plateau after 4-6 years is controversial. Methods To address this question and identify other determinants of CD4+ response, we analyzed data for 1,846 persons from a prospective HIV military cohort study who initiated HAART, who had post-HAART CD4+ measurements, and for whom HIV seroconversion (SC) date was estimated. Results CD4+ count at HAART initiation was ≤ 200 cells/mm3 for 23%, 201-349 for 31%, 350-499 for 27%, and ≥500 for 19%. The first 6 months post-HAART, the greatest CD4+ increases (93-151 cells) occurred, with lesser increases (22-36 cells/year) through the first four years. Although CD4+ changes for the entire cohort were relatively flat thereafter, HIV viral load (VL) suppressors showed continued increases of 12-16 cells/year. In multivariate analysis adjusting for baseline CD4+ and post-HAART time interval, CD4+ responses were poorer in those with: longer time from HIV SC to HAART start, lower pre-HAART CD4+ nadir, higher pre-HAART VL, and clinical AIDS before HAART (P < 0.05). Conclusions Small but positive long-term increases in CD4+ count in virally suppressed patients were observed. CD4+ response to HAART is influenced by multiple factors including duration of preceding HIV infection, and optimized if treatment is started with virally suppressive therapy as early as possible.

The article focuses on a study, which determines whether condoms protect men and women with infected partners from acquiring herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). 1843 men and women were studied, who were high risk for herpes infection because they had 4 or more sexual partners. The researchers evaluated the participants 11 times over 18 months. At each visit, the researchers collected information about sexual activity and frequency of condom use. Over the course of the study, 118 of the 1843 participants developed HSV-2 infection and 19 developed HSV-1 infection.

Turner syndrome (TS) is a genetic condition characterized by partial or complete monosomy X. A reduced life expectancy has been shown in TS, depending on an increased risk of aortic dissection, and ischemic heart disease. Studies covering the occurrence of psychiatric conditions are sparse within TS. Several case reports describe concomitant TS and neuropsychiatric abnormalities that may represent a pathogenetic link to genetics, as well as feature correlates of TS. The aim of this study was to determine the presence, and the frequency of psychiatric diagnosis in women with TS in a Swedish cohort followed during 25 years' time. Statistics from the entire female population in Sweden of corresponding age was used as reference. Data were retrieved from clinical examinations and validated from the National Board of Health and Welfare registries for women with TS (n = 487), aged 16 to 84 years, with respect to mental health disorders. The most common diagnoses in TS were mood and anxiety disorders. There was no increase in psychiatric diagnosis within the group with time, nor correlation to specific karyotype or somatic comorbidity as congenital heart disease and hypothyroidism, hormonal treatment, or childbirth. In addition, the frequency of psychiatric diagnosis in TS was lower than in the population-based data. Further investigations are needed in the view of the fact that women with Turner syndrome should not be burdened with more severe diagnoses., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Cryptococcal meningoencephalitis (CM) is an opportunistic fungal infection and a major cause of death among people living with human immunodeficiency virus in sub-Saharan Africa. 5-flucytosine (5-FC) is a unique, brain-permeable antifungal agent used to reduce mortality from CM and to prevent disease in individuals carrying cryptococcal antigen. 5-FC has a short plasma half-life, requiring 6-hourly oral dosing with an immediate-release (IR) formulation, a significant challenge in hospital and outpatient settings, risking a lack of compliance. We recently reported the relative bioavailability in fasting conditions of a sustained release (SR) oral pellet formulation of 5-FC. In this phase I study, we assessed the safety and pharmacokinetic profiles of the new 5-FC SR formulation in a single dose (2 × 3000 mg), relative to 5-FC IR tablets (Ancotil®; 1500 mg b.i.d.) in healthy participants in fed conditions. This randomized, two-period crossover study was conducted in South Africa to confirm the dose of the identified 5-FC SR formulation for a twice-daily 5-FC regimen in patients. Thirty-six healthy participants were included. All treatments were well tolerated and no serious adverse event was reported. C max and AUC (0-t) for the SR formulation (49.2 ± 10.49 μg/mL and 640.4 ± 126.4 h.μg/mL, respectively) were significantly higher than for the IR formulation (36.8 ± 7.61 μg/mL and 456.6 ± 72.8 h.μg/mL, respectively). A physiological based pharmacokinetic model (PBPK) predicted that under fasting conditions, 6000 mg SR pellets would show a good overlap with the IR product (3000 mg b.i.d), thus 6000 mg SR 5-FC b.i.d. in fasting conditions is recommended., (© 2024 Farmovs (Pty) Ltd, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Mylan Laboratories Ltd, Pharmetheus AB, Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative, DNDi GARDP Southern Africa NPC. Clinical and Translational Science published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics.)

The opportunistic fungal infection cryptococcal meningoencephalitis is a major cause of death among people living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa. We report pharmacokinetic (PK) and safety data from a randomized, four-period crossover phase I trial of three sustained-release (SR) oral pellet formulations of 5-flucytosine conducted in South Africa. These formulations were developed to require less frequent administration, to provide a convenient alternative to the current immediate release (IR) formulation, A. Formulations B, C, and D were designed to release 5-flucytosine as a percentage of the nominal dose in vitro. We assessed their safety and PK profiles in a single dose (1 × 3000 mg at 0 h), relative to commercial IR tablets (Ancotil 500 mg tablets; 3 × 500 mg at 0 h and 3 × 500 mg at 6 h) in healthy, fasted participants. Forty-two healthy participants were included. All treatments were well-tolerated. The primary PK parameters, maximum observed plasma concentration (C max ) and area under the concentration-time profiles, were significantly lower for the SR formulations than for the IR tablets, and the geometric mean ratios fell outside the conventional bioequivalence limits. The median maximum time to C max was delayed for the SR pellets. Physiologically-based PK modeling indicated a twice-daily 6400 mg dose of SR formulation D in fasted condition would be optimal for further clinical development. This regimen is predicted to result in a rapid steady-state plasma exposure with effective and safe trough plasma concentration and C max values, within the therapeutic boundaries relative to plasma exposure after four times per day administration of IR tablets (PACTR202201760181404)., (© 2024 DNDI. Luxembourg Institute of Health. Pharmetheus AB. Mylan Laboratories Ltd. FARMOVS (Pty) Ltd and The Authors. Clinical and Translational Science published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics.)

Background: Aortic dilation, cardiac malformations and hypertension are known risk factors for aortic dissection in Turner syndrome (TS). In the current guidelines, rapid growth of the aorta has been added as a risk marker. This study aimed to estimate the growth of the ascending aorta over time, to identify risk factors of aortic growth, and to describe aortic complications in TS., Methods: A transthoracic echocardiogram was performed at least twice in 101 women with TS, mean age 28 years, with a mean follow-up of 8.3 ± 3.4 (range 1-17) years. The investigator was blinded to the clinical status. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify risk factors of aortic growth., Results: The prevalence of ascending aortic dilation (ASI >20 mm/m 2 ) was 26 % and the mean ascending aortic diameter was 27.0 ± 4.8 mm at baseline. Significant aortic growth was found at sinus of Valsalva 1.08 (±2.11) mm, sinotubular junction 1.07 (±2.23) mm, and the ascending aorta 2.32 (±2.93) mm, p < 0.001. The mean ascending aortic growth rate was 0.25 (±0.35) mm/year, and higher compared to the general female population, 0.12 (±0.05) mm/year, p < 0.0001. No risk factors for aortic growth (bicuspid aortic valve, coarctatio, hypertension or karyotype) other than body weight could be identified, Odds ratio 1.05 (95 % CI 1.00-1.09), p = 0.029. Eight women had an aortic event of whom all had bicuspid aortic valves., Conclusions: The growth rate of the ascending aorta in TS was increased compared to the general female population. Congenital cardiovascular malformations were not predictive of aortic growth., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2023 The Authors.)

Background: Women with Turner syndrome (TS) have an increased risk of aortic dissection. The current recommended cutoff to prevent aortic dissection in TS is an aortic size index (ASI) of ≥2.5 cm/m 2 . This study estimated which aortic size had the best predictive value for the risk of aortic dissection, and whether adjusting for body size improved risk prediction., Methods: A prospective, observational study in Sweden, of women with TS, n = 400, all evaluated with echocardiography of the aorta and data on medical history for up to 25 years. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, sensitivity and specificity were calculated for the absolute ascending aortic diameter (AAD), ascending ASI and TS specific z-score., Results: There were 12 patients (3%) with aortic dissection. ROC curves demonstrated that absolute AAD and TS specific z-score were superior to ascending ASI in predicting aortic dissection. The best cutoff for absolute AAD was 3.3 cm and 2.12 for the TS specific z-score, respectively, with a sensitivity of 92% for both. The ascending ASI cutoff of 2.5 cm/m 2 had a sensitivity of 17% only. Subgroup analyses in women with an aortic diameter ≥ 3.3 cm could not demonstrate any association between karyotype, aortic coarctation, bicuspid aortic valve, BMI, antihypertensive medication, previous growth hormone therapy or ongoing estrogen replacement treatment and aortic dissection. All models failed to predict a dissection in a pregnant woman., Conclusions: In Turner syndrome, absolute AAD and TS-specific z-score were more reliable predictors for aortic dissection than ASI. Care should be taken before and during pregnancy., (Copyright © 2022 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Teriparatide was the first anabolic agent recommended for the treatment of osteoporosis. Long-term real-world, controlled studies are not available. The purpose was to evaluate the long-term effects of treatment with teriparatide on fractures and Health Related Quality of Life in subjects with established osteoporosis in comparison with placebo treated patients with osteoporosis and the general population., Methods: A 10-year follow-up was performed after a prospective, open-labelled study with teriparatide 20 μg given subcutaneously daily for a mean of 18 months (range 14-24 months) in 40 women, mean age 69 years, with osteoporosis and vertebral compression. Placebo treated women, n = 25, mean age 60 years, from a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled growth hormone trial with daily subcutaneous injections for 18 months, with osteoporosis were used as controls. Dual energy x-ray absorptiometry and questionnaires were performed at start, after 18 months, after 36 months and after 10 years. Women, n = 233, of similar age from a random population sample, also served as controls and were followed in parallel. All fractures were X-ray verified., Results: Fractures decreased from 100 to 35% in the teriparatide treated patients (p < 0.0001) to similar levels as in the population sample, 25 to 28% at start and after 10 years, respectively. Bone mineral density increased on teriparatide but returned to levels at treatment start after 10 years. Health Related Quality of Life was lower in the teriparatide group than in the population (p < 0.001) before and, after treatment and at 10 years., Conclusions: Anabolic hormonal treatment with teriparatide reduced fracture prevalence to similar levels as in the general population at 10 years' follow-up. Health Related Quality of Life was low in osteoporosis and unaffected by bone specific treatment., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Context: Obesity is considered to have a detrimental impact on health-related quality of life (HRQoL)., Objective: To compare HRQoL in a well-defined group of people with obesity with a population-based control group from the general public., Design: Observational cross-sectional cohort study with a reference population., Setting: The Regional Obesity Center at the Department of Medicine at Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden., Participants: People with obesity (n = 1122) eligible for surgical and non-surgical obesity treatment in routine care were included consecutively between 2015 and 2017 into the BASUN study. Men and women from the WHO-MONICA-GOT project were used as a reference population (n = 414)., Main Outcome Measures: HRQoL was measured with the RAND-36/Short Form-36 questionnaire (SF-36) and a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for self-related health (SRH). Prescription drugs for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, depression, and anxiety were taken as a proxy for these conditions., Results: People with obesity rated their overall HRQoL lower than the reference population according to the SRH-VAS. Lower scores were reported on physical and social functioning, vitality, general and mental health after adjustment for age and use of prescription drugs (considered a proxy for burden of disease, or comorbidities) using the RAND-36/SF-36 questionnaire. Use of some psychopharmacological agents was more common in patients with obesity., Conclusion: People with obesity seeking help with weight reduction are more likely to have lower physical and mental self-reported HRQoL than the general population., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Objective: Hypoparathyroidism (HypoPT) is a rare endocrine disorder in which insufficient levels of parathyroid hormone (PTH) lead to low serum calcium (S-Ca) levels and muscular cramps. The aim was to study the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and comorbidities in patients with HypoPT compared with the general population and to estimate the need of treatment with PTH analog., Design: Patients with HypoPT were identified and compared with a population sample. Short Form-36 (SF-36) and EuroQol-5 Dimensions Visual Analogue Scale questionnaires were used. All patients were followed up at the Sahlgrenska University Hospital outpatient clinic., Methods: From the medical records between 2007 and 2020, 203 patients with HypoPT were identified and compared with a population sample (n = 414) from the World Health Organization's (WHO) MONICA project, Gothenburg, Sweden. Of the 203 patients who met the diagnostic criteria, 164 were alive and 65% answered the HRQoL questionnaires., Results: Patients with HypoPT, 80% postsurgical, and controls had similar age (60 years) and sex distribution (80% women). Patients had lower SF-36 summary component scores for physical (40.0 (interquartile range (IQR): 21) vs 51.2 (IQR: 14.6); P < 0.001) and mental (43.1 (IQR:17.4) vs 56.1(IQR:13.3); P < 0.001) well-being, irrespective of etiology or calcium levels. Individuals with HypoPT had more medications and lower renal function but not higher mortality than controls. Low HRQoL together with low calcium was present in 23% of individuals with HypoPT., Conclusion: HRQoL was markedly lower in patients with HypoPT than in controls and independent of S-Ca levels. Treatment with PTH analog could be considered at least among patients with both low HRQoL and low calcium levels.

Hearing and balance deteriorate, and fracture incidence increases with age, especially in women. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether impaired hearing and body balance are stronger predictors of fractures than bone mass. Between 1995 and 1997, 80 women, aged 50 to 70 years, with primary osteoporosis, taking menopausal hormone therapy, mainly for menopausal symptoms, participated in a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study of treatment with growth hormone versus placebo. All women received calcium 750 mg and vitamin D 400 U daily. They were then examined yearly until 2007 and followed up by registers until 2020. Hearing was assessed by audiometry. Body balance and fine motor function were tested according to the Bruininks-Oseretsky test. Bone properties were measured with DXA. Data on fractures were derived from the Gothenburg Hospital register. Over the 25-year follow-up, 50 women (63%) sustained 104 fractures, most often related to accidental falls. Thoracic and lumbar spine fractures were most common (36%). Other fractures occurred in the pelvis (14%), humerus (14%), hip (11%), and wrist (10%). Hearing impairment at baseline, measured as pure tone average-high ( p  = 0.007), pure tone average-mid ( p  = 0.003), and speech-recognition score ( p  = 0.025), was associated with a subsequent first fracture, as were worse body balance ( p  = 0.004), upper limb coordination ( p  = 0.044), and higher running-speed agility ( p  = 0.012). After adjustment for age and BMD, pure tone average-high ( p  = 0.036), pure tone average-mid ( p  = 0.028), and body balance ( p  = 0.039) were still significantly associated with incident fractures. Bone mineral content, BMD, and treatment at baseline were not associated with subsequent fracture. In conclusion, hearing and body balance at baseline exceeded initial BMD in predicting incident fractures in osteoporotic women regardless of treatment during 25-year follow-up. © 2021 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research., Competing Interests: The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare., (© 2021 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.)

SARS-CoV-2 vaccine clinical trials assess efficacy against disease (VE DIS ), the ability to block symptomatic COVID-19. They only partially discriminate whether VE DIS is mediated by preventing infection completely, which is defined as detection of virus in the airways (VE SUSC ), or by preventing symptoms despite infection (VE SYMP ). Vaccine efficacy against transmissibility given infection (VE INF ), the decrease in secondary transmissions from infected vaccine recipients, is also not measured. Using mathematical modeling of data from King County Washington, we demonstrate that if the Moderna (mRNA-1273QS) and Pfizer-BioNTech (BNT162b2) vaccines, which demonstrated VE DIS > 90% in clinical trials, mediate VE DIS by VE SUSC , then a limited fourth epidemic wave of infections with the highly infectious B.1.1.7 variant would have been predicted in spring 2021 assuming rapid vaccine roll out. If high VE DIS is explained by VE SYMP , then high VE INF would have also been necessary to limit the extent of this fourth wave. Vaccines which completely protect against infection or secondary transmission also substantially lower the number of people who must be vaccinated before the herd immunity threshold is reached. The limited extent of the fourth wave suggests that the vaccines have either high VE SUSC or both high VE SYMP and high VE INF against B.1.1.7. Finally, using a separate intra-host mathematical model of viral kinetics, we demonstrate that a 0.6 log vaccine-mediated reduction in average peak viral load might be sufficient to achieve 50% VE INF, which suggests that human challenge studies with a relatively low number of infected participants could be employed to estimate all three vaccine efficacy metrics.

Objective: To explore health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among subjects with hypothyroidism compared to subjects without hypothyroidism in the general population. HRQoL is important in clinical practice. Hypothyroidism is prevalent, mainly found in women, and increasing with age., Design: Cohort study of random population sample., Patients: Women and men, n = 414 (39-78 years) from the WHO MONICA project, Gothenburg, Sweden, participated. Hypothyroidism was defined as subjects having levothyroxine supplementation or serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (S-TSH) >4.2 mU/L., Measurements: Health-related quality of life was measured with Psychological General Well-Being Index (PGWB), Nottingham Health Profile (NHP), Short Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36) and a single item self-rated health scale (0-100), and stress was rated 1-6. The results were adjusted for age, sex and comorbidity using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA)., Results: Hypothyroidism was found in 70 subjects (17%). They scored worse HRQoL than controls regarding Sleep (p < .001), Social isolation (p = .01) and Total NHP (p < .05), and had more medication in general 2.7 ± 2.5 vs. 1.8 ± 2.1, p < .05. Subjects with levothyroxine (n = 40) showed similar results as the total hypothyroid group. Subjects unaware of their newly detected elevated STSH (n = 30) showed lower HRQoL in Sleep (p < .01) and Pain (p < .05) in NHP. HRQoL was similar in subjects with and without positive thyroperoxidase antibodies (TPO-Ab) either in those with hypothyroidism (44% TPO-Ab) or controls (9% TPO-Ab)., Conclusion: Men and women with hypothyroidism in the general population reported having more issues with Sleep and Social isolation than those without hypothyroidism irrespective of TPO-Ab. Scores were similar in all of the other HRQoL domains measuredAQ5., (© 2021 The Authors. Clinical Endocrinology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Context: The factors that affect the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of women with Turner syndrome (TS) are controversial., Objective: The aim was to describe the HRQoL of women with TS with a focus on how given GH treatment and comorbidity influence HRQoL in adulthood and to compare HRQoL of women with TS with that of women in the general population., Design: Longitudinal cohort study, up to 20 years., Setting: The Turner Center at the Section for Endocrinology and Department of Reproductive Medicine at Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden., Participants: Women with TS (n = 200), age range 16 to 78 years, were included consecutively and monitored every fifth year between 1995 and 2018. Women from the World Health Organization MONItoring of trends and determinants for CArdiovascular disease project were used as reference populations., Interventions and Main Outcome Measures: HRQoL was measured using the Psychological General Well-Being index and the Nottingham Health Profile. Associations with somatic variables were assessed using longitudinal linear regression models., Results: HRQoL was not associated with GH treatment in TS in spite of a mean 5.7 cm taller height. HRQoL was only associated with height per se in one of 13 subscales (P < 0.01). HRQoL was negatively affected by higher age, higher age at diagnosis, and hearing impairment in TS. Women with TS reported a similar HRQoL to the reference population., Conclusions: No association between previous GH treatment and HRQoL was found during the up to 20 years of follow-up in women with TS. HRQoL of women with TS and the reference population was similar., (Copyright © 2019 Endocrine Society.)

Objective: To explore the relationship between low serum vitamin D levels and comorbidity in Somali women, immigrants to Sweden. Design and setting: Cohort study in a Primary Health Care Center and a University Hospital. Subjects: Somali women skin type V, n = 114, aged 18-56 years, from latitude 0-10 ○ N, living in Sweden, latitude 57 ○ N > 2 years were compared with women from a population sample, skin type II-III, n = 69, aged 38-56 years, the WHO MONICA study, Gothenburg, Sweden. Main outcome measures: Serum (S)-25(OH)D, S-parathyroid hormone (PTH), comorbidity and Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) using the Short Form-36 (SF-36) and part of the EQ-5D questionnaires. All calculations were corrected for age. Results: Vitamin D deficiency (S-25(OH)D < 25 nmol/l) was found in 73% of the Somali women and in 1% of the controls ( p  < .0001). S-PTH was elevated (>6.9 pmol/l) in 26% and 9%, respectively ( p  < .004). Somali women used less medication, 16% vs. 55%, p  < .0001) but more allergy medication, 11% vs. 7% ( p  = .006), had fewer fractures, 2% vs. 28% ( p  < .0001) and lower HRQoL in 7 out of 9 scales ( p  < .05-.001), than native controls. There were no differences in the prevalence of diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, positive thyroid peroxidase antibodies, vitamin B12 deficiency, celiac disease or hypertension. Conclusions: Vitamin D deficiency was common in Somali women living in Sweden, 73%, but comorbidity was low. Both mental, and especially physical HRQoL scores were lower in the Somali women. The effects of long-lasting deficiency are unknown. Key points The aim was to explore the relationship between vitamin D deficiency (S-25(OH)D < 25 nmol/l) and comorbidity in immigrants. Vitamin D deficiency was common in Somali women living in Sweden, 73%, but comorbidity of hypothyroidism, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, fractures and use of medications was low. Both mental, and especially physical, Health-Related Quality of Life were lower in the Somali women than in native Swedish women. The effects of long-lasting deficiency are unknown.

Objective: The general aim was to meet the need for empirical comparative studies of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) assessment instruments, by evaluating and comparing the psychometric properties and results of three different, widely used, generic HRQoL instruments in a population sample. The specific aims were to evaluate the subscales of the different instruments that measure the same domain and to assess the association between the HRQoL measures and a single-item self-rated health scale., Design: An observational cross-sectional study., Setting: A population-based sample from Gothenburg, Sweden, was studied in 2008 in the WHO MONItoring of trends and determinants for CArdiovascular disease., Participants: A total of 414 subjects were included, 77% women, age range 39-78 years., Interventions: The Nottingham Health Profile (NHP), the Short Form-36 questionnaire (SF-36), the Psychological General Well-Being Index (PGWB) and a self-rated health scale were used., Outcome Measures: Scores were analysed for their psychometric properties, internal consistency (Cronbach's α), construct validity (Spearman's rank correlations and R 2 coefficients) and discriminative ability for the presence of self-rated ill-health., Results: PGWB and SF-36 had higher Cronbach's α scores than NHP. All correlations calculated between the subscales that were conceptually similar were significant (p<0.01). All subscales could differentiate the presence of self-rated ill-health according to the self-rated health scale (p<0.001). The self-rated health scale correlated strongly with all of the three HRQoL instruments used., Conclusions: There was a high concordance between the instruments within each domain that was conceptually similar. All three HRQoL instruments (PGWB, SF-36 and NHP) could discriminate the presence of self-rated ill-health. The simple and quick self-rated health scale correlated strongly with the more time-consuming PGWB, SF-36 and NHP. The result supports the existence of a strong association between the self-rated health scale and HRQoL in the general population., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2019. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

Context: Growth hormone (GH) treatment increases bone mineral density (BMD) in women with postmenopausal osteoporosis., Objective: The objective was to report bone data, fractures, and quality of life (QoL) in a 10-year follow-up of women who had received GH for 3 years and compared with controls followed in parallel., Design and Setting: A follow-up of a double-blind, placebo-controlled study conducted at Sahlgrenska University Hospital was performed., Patients: Eighty women aged between 50 and 70 years with osteoporosis and estrogen hormone replacement were studied and compared with an age-matched random population sample of women (n = 120) from the World Health Organization Monitoring of Trends and Determinants in Cardiovascular Disease project (Gothenburg, Sweden)., Interventions: Patients were randomized to GH 1.0 U or GH 2.5 U recombinant human GH or placebo sc daily during 3 years. All received calcium 750 mg and vitamin D 400 U and were followed up during 10 years., Main Outcome Measures: BMD and bone mineral content were measured with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. QoL was estimated with the 36-item Short Form., Results: GH increased BMD and bone mineral content dose dependently in all regions (P = .01, GH 1.0 U, and P = .0006, GH 2.5 U vs placebo). After 10 years the number of fractures decreased from 56% to 28% (P = .0003) in patients evenly distributed between groups. In controls, fractures increased from 8% to 32% (P = .0008). QoL did not change during GH treatment or during the 10-year follow-up and did not differ compared with controls., Conclusion: GH treatment was beneficial for bone and fracture outcome after 10 years but did not affect the QoL of the women with postmenopausal osteoporosis.

American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/ANs) die from chronic liver disease at high rates, but little data exist on the etiology of liver disease in AI/ANs. Adult participants from a tribal health clinic in the Pacific Northwest completed an alcohol consumption survey and underwent laboratory testing, and anthropometric measurements. Participants with abnormal serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels, positive hepatitis B surface antigen, or hepatitis C antibody were invited for follow-up visit. Then, they received a limited liver ultrasound, additional liver function tests, and confirmatory hepatitis tests. Among 71 participants, 26 (37%) had sustained elevation of ALT over six months. Two patients (8%) had chronic hepatitis C virus and 19 (73%) had ultrasonographic steatosis suggesting nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Elevated aminotransferase levels were common, with NAFLD and hepatitis C accounting for most cases. Few participants were aware of their liver condition, indicating the need for increased awareness, screening, and intervention.

Background: Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) replication increases the risk of Kaposi sarcoma (KS). Highly-active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) reduces the incidence of KS, and regimens that contain protease inhibitors (PIs) may be particularly effective., Objective: To determine whether PI-based HAART regimens may more effectively inhibit HHV-8 shedding compared to regimens without PIs., Study Design: Prospective, observational study of 142 HIV-1 and HHV-8 co-infected men conducted in Seattle, Washington. Quantitative HHV-8 PCR testing was performed on daily swabs of the oropharynx, the primary site of HHV-8 replication. Associations between antiretroviral regimen and detection of HHV-8 DNA in swabs were evaluated using generalized estimating equations., Results: HHV-8 DNA was detected in 3016 (26%) of 11,608 specimens collected. PI-based HAART was associated with a statistically significantly lower frequency of detection (RR 0.2; 95% CI 0.1-0.5) compared to ART-naïve persons, whereas HAART without a PI was not (RR 0.7; 95% CI 0.4-1.3). Compared to ART-naïve persons, there was also a trend toward lower quantities of HHV-8 detected during treatment with HAART regimens that contained a PI. These associations between PIs and measures of HHV-8 shedding could not be attributed to use of nelfinavir, which inhibits HHV-8 replication in vitro, and were independent of CD4 count and HIV plasma viral load (VL)., Conclusions: HAART regimens that contain PIs appear to decrease HHV-8 shedding compared to NNRTIs. Further study of PI-based HAART is warranted to determine the optimal regimens for prevention and treatment of KS., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)