University of Iceland

About: University of Iceland is a education organization based out in Reykjavik, Suðurnes, Iceland. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Genome-wide association study. The organization has 5423 authors who have published 16199 publications receiving 694762 citations. The organization is also known as: Háskóli Íslands.

An update on renal replacement therapy in Europe: ERA–EDTA Registry data from 1997 to 2006

Abstract: Background. Recent studies have indicated a stabilization in the incidence rates of renal replacement therapy (RRT) for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in a number of European countries. The aim of this study was to provide an update on the incidence, prevalence and outcomes of RRT in Europe over the past decade. Methods. Nineteen European national or regional renal registries with registry data from 1997 to 2006 participated in the study. Incidence and prevalence trends were analysed with Poisson and Joinpoint regression. Cox regression methods were used to examine patient survival. Results. The total adjusted incidence rate of RRT for ESRD increased from 109.9 per million population (pmp) in 1997 to 119.7 pmp in 2000, i.e. an average annual percentage change (AAPC) of 2.9% (95% CI 2.1–3.8%). Thereafter, the incidence increased at a much lower rate to 125.4 pmp in 2006 [AAPC 0.6% (95% CI 0.3–0.8%)]. This change in the trend of the incidence of RRT was largely due to a stabilization in the incidence rates of RRT for females aged 65–74 years, males aged 75–84 years and patients receiving RRT for ESRD due to hypertension/renal vascular disease. The overall adjusted prevalence in Europe continued to increase linearly at 2.7% per year. Between the periods 1997–2001 and 2002–2006, the risk of death decreased for all treatment modalities, with the most substantial improvement in patients starting peritoneal dialysis [19% (95% CI 15–22%)] and in patients receiving a kidney transplant [17% (95% CI 11–23%)]. Conclusion. This European study shows that the annual rise of the overall incidence rate of RRT for ESRD has diminished and that in several age groups the incidence rates have now stabilized. The survival of dialysis patients and kidney transplant recipients has continued to improve.

Maternal diet in early and late pregnancy in relation to weight gain

Abstract: To identify dietary factors related to the risk of gaining weight outside recommendations for pregnancy weight gain and birth outcome. An observational study with free-living conditions. Four hundred and ninety five healthy pregnant Icelandic women. The dietary intake of the women was estimated with a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire covering food intake together with lifestyle factors for the previous 3 months. Questionnaires were filled out at between 11 and 15 weeks and between 34 and 37 weeks gestation. Comparison of birth outcome between the three weight gain groups was made with ANOVA and Bonferroni post hoc tests. Dietary factors related to at least optimal and excessive weight gain during pregnancy were represented with logistic regression controlling for potential confounding. Of the women, 26% gained suboptimal and 34% excessive weight during pregnancy. Women in late pregnancy with at least optimal, compared with women with suboptimal, weight gain were eating more (OR=3.32, confidence interval (CI)=1.81–6.09, P<0.001) and drinking more milk (OR=3.10, CI=1.57–6.13, P=0.001). The same dietary factors were related to excessive, compared with optimal, weight gain. Furthermore, eating more sweets early in pregnancy increased the risk of gaining excessive weight (OR=2.52, CI=1.10–5.77, P=0.029). Women with a body mass index of 25.0–29.9 kg/m2 before pregnancy were most likely to gain excessive weight (OR=7.37, CI 4.13–13.14, P<0.001). Women gaining suboptimal weight gave birth to lighter children (P<0.001) and had shorter gestation (P=0.008) than women gaining optimal or excessive weight. Women who are overweight before pregnancy should get special attention regarding lifestyle modifications affecting consequent weight gain during pregnancy. They are most likely to gain excessive weight and therefore most likely to suffer pregnancy and delivery complications and struggle with increasing overweight and obesity after giving birth.

The effect of physical training in chronic heart failure.

Abstract: Background: Supervised cardiac rehabilitation programs have been offered to patients following myocardial infarct (MI), coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for many years. However, limited information is available on the usefulness of rehabilitation programs in chronic heart failure (CHF). The aim of our study was to evaluate the outcome of supervised physical training on CHF patients by measuring both central and peripheral factors. Methods: This was a prospective randomized study, including 43 patients with CHF, New York Heart Association (NYHA) class II or III, mean age 68 years. After initial measurements of VO2peak, 6 min walk distance, muscle strength, plasma levels of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), echocardiogram, measurements of pulmonary function and quality of life questionnaire, patients were randomized to either a training group (n=21) or a control group (n=22). The training group had supervised aerobic and resistance training program twice a week for five months. After the training program was completed, all measurements were repeated in both groups. Results: No training related adverse events were reported. Significant improvement was found between groups in the six minute walk test (+37.1 m vs. +5.3 m, p=0.01), work load on the bicycle exercise test (+6.1 W vs. +2.1 W, p=0.03), time on the bicycle exercise test (+41 s vs. +0 s, p=0.02) and quadriceps muscle strength test (+2.8 kg. vs. +0.2 kg., p=0.003). Quality of life factors that reflect exercise tolerance and general health, improved significantly in the training group compared to the control group. No other significant changes were found between the two groups. Conclusion: Supervised physical training as used in this study appears safe for CHF patients in NYHA class II or III. The improvement in functional capacity observed in the training group seems to be related to peripheral factors rather than in central cardiovascular performance.