Innlandet Hospital Trust

About: Innlandet Hospital Trust is a healthcare organization based out in Brumunddal, Norway. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Dementia. The organization has 387 authors who have published 1302 publications receiving 37753 citations.

Neuropsychological function in individuals with morbid obesity: a cross-sectional study.

Abstract: Previous research has shown cognitive dysfunction to be present in a significant number of individuals with obesity. The objective of this study was to assess the neuropsychological profile of morbidly obese patients referred to weight-loss treatment. An extensive battery of neuropsychological tests with well-known normative data covering various cognitive domains was administered to 96 patients. The test results were transformed to z-scores for comparisons with normative data. As a means of determining level of cognitive impairment within the group, deficit scores were applied. Group comparisons on the different cognitive domains were conducted between patients with depressive symptoms and patients reporting no such symptoms. As illustrated in mean z-scores, the patients demonstrated lower performance compared to normative data on visual memory (mean -.26, CI -.43 to -.09, p = .003), speed of information processing (mean -.22, CI -.34 to -.09, p = .001), executive functions (mean -.28, CI -.40 to -.16, p < .001), and attention/vigilance (mean -.25, CI -.37 to -.13, p < .001). Their performance was good on verbal fluency (mean .24, CI .04 to .44, p = .016) and verbal memory (mean .55, CI .38 to .72, p < .001). No significant performance differences were observed in the cognitive domains of visuospatial ability, motor function, and working memory. The deficit scores, however, revealed working memory and motor function to be significantly impaired within the group as well. Patients with depressive symptoms differed from patients without such symptoms on visual memory (mean .43, CI .07 to .80, p = .021). Some characteristic cognitive weaknesses and strengths were evident at the group level, although pronounced variation was observed. Deficits in executive functions, information processing, and attention should be taken into consideration in clinical practice.

Characteristics, implementation of evidence-based management and outcome in patients with chronic heart failure: results from the Norwegian heart failure registry.

Abstract: Background Hospitalization rates, morbidity and mortality are undesirably high in heart failure (HF) patients. An organized system of HF specialist outpatient care has been recommended, but the best way to implement such programmes is not clearly established. Aim To evaluate HF patient characteristics, management and outcome in outpatient HF clinics. Methods Data from HF patients at 24 hospital outpatient clinics were entered in a common database allowing each centre to monitor its own practice against the rest. Results A total of 3632 patients were included. At the last registered visit, ACE inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers were prescribed for 87%; beta blockers, 83%; spironolactone, 33% and loop diuretics 87% of the patients. The number of hospital admissions and days stayed in hospital for cardiovascular reasons were significantly reduced (p Conclusions The use of evidence-based medication increased over time in HF clinics with the ability of the individual clinics to compare their treatment to other sites. Thus, establishment of specialized HF clinics managed in a registry network might improve the quality of care.

The relationship of alcohol-use disorders and depressive symptoms to tryptophan metabolism: cross-sectional data from a Nepalese alcohol treatment sample

Abstract: Background Activation of the kynurenine pathway of tryptophan metabolism results in increased production of potentially depressogenic tryptophan catabolites and a reduction in tryptophan availability for serotonin synthesis. As alcohol consumption affects tryptophan metabolism and disposition, we determined serum levels of tryptophan, kynurenine, and an index of tryptophan degradation (kynurenine/tryptophan ratio) in patients with alcohol-use disorder (AUD) and compared their levels considering abstinence duration, AUD severity, and comorbid depression. Methods The study sample included 169 AUD inpatients from 8 alcohol treatment facilities in Kathmandu, Nepal. The Composite International Diagnostic Interview was administered to generate the AUD diagnosis. The Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT) captured AUD severity and patterns of alcohol use. The Hopkins Symptom Checklist-25 was used to reveal current depressive symptoms. Serum kynurenine and tryptophan levels were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography, and tryptophan degradation was measured by KT ratio (kynurenine/tryptophan × 10(3)). Results Patients with above average AUDIT scores had higher mean serum levels of kynurenine (2.1 μM ± 0.7 vs. 1.8 μM ± 0.6, p = 0.006) and KT ratios (48.6 ± 17.6 vs. 40.4 ± 14.3, p = 0.002) than those with below average scores. Patients with current depressive symptoms had higher mean tryptophan concentrations (49.9 μM ± 13 vs. 45.7 μM ± 14.1, p = 0.047) and lower KT ratios (41.4 ± 14 vs. 47.5 ± 17.6, p = 0.028) compared to patients whose reported depressive symptoms were below the standard cutoff. Higher tryptophan levels and lower KT ratios in the depressed group were specific to patients with longer abstinence and higher AUD severity. Conclusions Depression-related deregulation in tryptophan metabolism was found to depend on length of abstinence and on AUD severity. Together, results suggest that in AUD populations, peripheral tryptophan metabolism is subject to interactions between AUD severity and depressive symptoms.

Diarrhea, Stimulation and Growth Predict Neurodevelopment in Young North Indian Children

Abstract: Background and Objective Infants and young children in low to middle-income countries are at risk for adverse neurodevelopment due to multiple risk factors. In this study, we sought to identify stimulation and learning opportunities, growth, and burden of respiratory infections and diarrhea as predictors for neurodevelopment. Methods We visited 422 North Indian children 6 to 30 months old weekly for six months. Childhood illnesses were assessed biweekly. At end study, we assessed neurodevelopment using the Ages and Stages Questionnaire 3rd ed. (ASQ-3) and gathered information on stimulation and learning opportunities. We identified predictors for ASQ-3 scores in multiple linear and logistic regression models. Results We were able to explain 30.5% of the variation in the total ASQ-3 score by the identified predictors. When adjusting for child characteristics and annual family income, stimulation and learning opportunities explained most of the variation by 25.1%. Height for age (standardized beta: 0.12, p<.05) and weight for height z-scores (std. beta: 0.09, p<.05) were positively associated with the total ASQ-3 score, while number of days with diarrhea was negatively associated with these scores (std. beta: -0.13, p<0.01). Conclusion Our results support the importance of early child stimulation and general nutrition for child development. Our study also suggests that diarrhea is an additional risk factor for adverse neurodevelopment in vulnerable children.