Linköping University

About: Linköping University is a education organization based out in Linköping, Sweden. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Health care. The organization has 15671 authors who have published 50013 publications receiving 1542189 citations.

Follow-up study of patients randomized in the scandinavian simvastatin survival study (4S) of cholesterol lowering

Abstract: The Scandinavian Simvastatin Survival Study (4S) and other randomized clinical trials have demonstrated that cholesterol-lowering treatment with statins improves prognosis in patients with coronary atherosclerosis compared with placebo The effect of therapy with statins beyond the typical 5 to 6 years' duration of the trials, in particular regarding the risk of cancer, has not been investigated This study examines the long-term effects of simvastatin for up to 8 years on cause-specific mortality in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) We performed an observational, government registry-based study of mortality in the groups originally randomized to simvastatin or placebo in the 4S over an additional 2-year follow-up period, so that the median total follow-up period was 74 years (range 69 to 83 in surviving patients) Randomization took place at outpatient clinics at 94 clinical centers in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden from 1988 to 1989 Of 4,444 patients with CHD, 2,223 and 2,221 were randomized to treatment with placebo or simvastatin therapy, respectively Patients received treatment with simvastatin, starting at 20 mg/day, with titration to 40 mg/day at 12 or 24 weeks if total cholesterol was >52 mmol/L (200 mg/dl), or placebo After the double-blind period, most patients in both treatment groups received simvastatin as open-label prescription Of the 1,967 patients originally treated with placebo and surviving the double-blind period, 97 (49%) died during the following 2 years In the group randomized to simvastatin the corresponding number was 74 of the 2, 039 survivors (36%) Adding these deaths to those occurring during the original trial, the total was 353 (159%) and 256 (115%) deaths in the groups originally randomized to placebo and simvastatin, respectively The relative risk was 070 (95% confidence interval 0 60 to 082, p = 000002) The total number of cancer deaths was 68 (31%) in the placebo group and 52 (23%) in the simvastatin group (relative risk 073, 95% confidence interval 051 to 005, p = 0 087), and the numbers of noncardiovascular and other deaths were similar in both groups We therefore conclude that treatment with simvastatin for up to 8 years in patients with CHD is safe and yields continued survival benefit

Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology – nutritional epidemiology (STROBE-nut): An extension of the STROBE statement†

Abstract: Concerns have been raised about the quality of reporting in nutritional epidemiology. Research reporting guidelines such as the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) statement can improve quality of reporting in observational studies. Herein, we propose recommendations for reporting nutritional epidemiology and dietary assessment research by extending the STROBE statement into Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology – Nutritional Epidemiology (STROBE-nut). Recommendations for the reporting of nutritional epidemiology and dietary assessment research were developed following a systematic and consultative process, co-ordinated by a multidisciplinary group of 21 experts. Consensus on reporting guidelines was reached through a three-round Delphi consultation process with 53 external experts. In total, 24 recommendations for nutritional epidemiology were added to the STROBE checklist. When used appropriately, reporting guidelines for nutritional epidemiology can contribute to improve reporting of observational studies with a focus on diet and health.

Learning in focus groups: an analytical dimension for enhancing focus group research

Abstract: The focus group is a research methodology in which a small group of participants gathers to discuss a specified issue under the guidance of a moderator. The discussions are tape-recorded, transcrib ...