Stockholm County Council

About: Stockholm County Council is a government organization based out in Stockholm, Sweden. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Poison control. The organization has 1410 authors who have published 2429 publications receiving 78936 citations.

Parental smoking and development of allergic sensitization from birth to adolescence

Abstract: Background The relation between secondhand tobacco smoke (SHS) exposure and the development of allergic sensitization in children is unclear The aim of this study was to determine whether maternal smoking during pregnancy and postnatal SHS exposure contributes to the development of allergic sensitization in children and adolescents up to 16 years of age Methods We included 3316 children from a birth cohort followed up for 16 years SHS exposure and symptoms of allergic disease were assessed using repeated parental questionnaires Serum immunoglobulin E against eight common inhalant and six food allergens was assessed at ages 4, 8, and 16 years with ImmunoCAP The association between SHS exposure and sensitization was explored using logistic regression and generalized estimating equations Results Exposure to SHS in infancy without prior exposure in utero was associated with an excess risk of food sensitization at age 4 years (OR 147, 95% CI 108–200), with comparable ORs at ages 8 and 16 years In longitudinal analyses, an overall association was indicated between SHS in infancy and food sensitization up to age 16 years (OR 124, 95% CI 098–156) Maternal smoking during pregnancy was unrelated to sensitization up to 16 years of age When sensitization was combined with concurrent symptoms of allergic disease, SHS in infancy was associated with an overall elevated risk of eczema with sensitization (OR 162, 95% CI 120–218) Conclusions SHS exposure in infancy appears to increase the risk of sensitization to food allergens up to age 16 years, as well as eczema in combination with sensitization

Gender differences in antihypertensive drug treatment: results from the Swedish Primary Care Cardiovascular Database (SPCCD).

Abstract: There are gender differences in antihypertensive treatment. This study aimed to investigate if gender differences in treatment could be explained by comorbidities. In addition, we aimed to study whether blood pressure control is different in women and men, and whether women interrupt treatment more often with angiotensin–converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) compared with men.This cohort study within the Swedish Primary Care Cardiovascular Database included 40,825 patients with hypertension attending primary health care from 2007 to 2008. Cardiovascular comorbidities, with the exception of heart failure, were more common in men. Women were more often treated with diuretics, and men with ACEI, as were hypertensive patients with diabetes. Comorbidities could not entirely explain gender differences in antihypertensive treatment in a regression model. Women had higher systolic and lower diastolic blood pressure; this was also true in subgroups with cardiovascular comorbidity. Men more often than women were prescribed ACEIs/ARBs and interrupted treatment. Women and men are treated with different antihypertensive drugs, and this is not fully explained by differences in comorbidities. Women have higher systolic blood pressures, irrespective of comorbidity. Men have interrupted treatment more often with ACEIs/ARBs. These gender differences could affect outcome and warrant further investigation.

COVID-19 and Precarious Employment: Consequences of the Evolving Crisis.

Abstract: The world of work is facing an ongoing pandemic and an economic downturn with severe effects worldwide. Workers trapped in precarious employment (PE), both formal and informal, are among those most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Here we call attention to at least 5 critical ways that the consequences of the crisis among workers in PE will be felt globally: (a) PE will increase, (b) workers in PE will become more precarious, (c) workers in PE will face unemployment without being officially laid off, (d) workers in PE will be exposed to serious stressors and dramatic life changes that may lead to a rise in diseases of despair, and (e) PE might be a factor in deterring the control of or in generating new COVID-19 outbreaks. We conclude that what we really need is a new social contract, where the work of all workers is recognized and protected with adequate job contracts, employment security, and social protection in a new economy, both during and after the COVID-19 crisis.

Congenital rubella after maternal reinfection.

Abstract: This report concerns a boy with congenital rubella virus infection. The diagnosis was confirmed by virus isolation, demonstration of rubella-specific serum IgM and by persistence of serum antibody at the age of 9 months. In 2 sera from the mother sampled 2 weeks apart 20 months before the birth of the boy, low titers of rubella antibody were demonstrated by hemagglutination-inhibition, hemolysis-in-gel and complement fixation tests, but not by neutralization. Significant rises in titer were demonstrable by all serologic reactions—including neutralization—at the time of birth of the infected child. The mother was not aware of any rubella-like illness or exposure to such disease during pregnancy. The case is discussed against findings of neutralizing activity in sera from natural immunes and rubella vaccinees.