Østfold Hospital Trust is a health trust in Norway with bases in Fredrikstad, Moss, Sarpsborg and Halden. It is owned by Southern and Eastern Norway Regional Health Authority..
To investigate mammographic features associated with high artificial intelligence (AI) risk scores as provided by two AI models applied to screening mammograms. This retrospective study included 130,031 screening mammograms from 42,371 women attending BreastScreen Norway, 2008–2018. Two AI models (A and B) developed for cancer detection on screening mammograms were applied. An informed radiological review was conducted for mammograms within the highest 5
Background 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)-assisted therapy (MDMA-AT) has shown promising safety and efficacy in phase 3 studies of post-traumatic stress disorder, but has not been investigated for a primary diagnosis of major depressive disorder (MDD). Aim We aimed to explore the proof of principle and safety as a first study with MDMA-AT for MDD, and to provide preliminary efficacy data. Method Twelve participants (7 women, 5 men) with moderate to severe MDD received MDMA in 2 open-label sessions 1 month apart, along with psychotherapy before, during and after the MDMA sessions, between January 2023 and May 2024. The primary outcome measure was mean change in Montgomery–Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), and the secondary outcome measure was mean change in functional impairment as measured with the Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS), both from baseline to 8 weeks following the second MDMA session. We used descriptive statistics and the two-tailed Wilcoxon signed-rank test to compare baseline and outcome scores. Repeated measures were analysed by a mixed-effects model. Results Baseline MADRS was 29.6 (s.d. 4.9). Feasibility was demonstrated with sufficient recruitment and retention. MADRS scores were significantly reduced post treatment compared with baseline (mean difference –19.3, s.e. 2.4, CI –14.8 to –23.8, P < 0.001). SDS scores significantly decreased from baseline (mean difference –11.7, s.e. 2.2, CI –7.5 to –15.9, P = 0.001). There were no adverse events of special interest, and no unexpected or serious adverse events. Conclusion The study met the primary objectives of safety and feasibility, and provided indications of efficacy for MDMA-AT for MDD. Further studies with a randomised design are required to confirm these findings. Trial registration EudraCT no. 2021-000805-26.
Transient osteoporosis of the hip (TOH), regional migratory osteoporosis (RMO), and bone marrow edema syndrome (BMES) are increasingly recognized as manifestations of the same underlying condition. Hallmark features include joint pain, bone marrow edema on MRI, and localized demineralization. However, densitometry data in this context are fragmented and difficult to interpret. This study screened 561 publications and identified 188 patients with quantifiable bone mineral density (BMD) data-Z-, T-scores (for patients under 50), or raw values-obtained during active disease and unaffected by treatment. Mixed-effects modeling and linear regression showed significant BMD reductions in symptomatic hips: marginal mean Z/T-scores of -2.12 (95% CI -2.4 to -1.88, n = 48). In pairwise analyses, symptomatic hips had lower BMD than asymptomatic hips: marginal mean Z/T-score difference -1.2 (95% CI -1.7 to -0.8, n = 16) and raw score difference of -0.173 g/cm2 (21% lower; 95% CI -0.214 to -0.132, n = 19). Despite few reports of back pain, spine BMD was also reduced: mean Z/T-score of -1.83 (95% CI -2.1 to -1.6, n = 65). Among perinatal women, spine BMD reached -2.2 (95% CI -2.6 to -1.8, n = 22). No BMD differences emerged between osteoporosis- and edema-related terminology groups, supporting a shared disease mechanism.
BACKGROUND:The relationship between dry eye disease (DED) symptoms and different demographic, clinical and lifestyle factors remains poorly understood. Norway's cold climate and dry indoor air may accelerate tear evaporation, contributing to a very high meibomian gland dysfunction prevalence, as found in multiple studies. This suggests that environmental factors and age converge to drive evaporative dry eye as a near-universal finding in the Norwegian population. This study aimed to assess demographic, clinical and lifestyle correlates of DED symptoms, with a focus on sex-related differences and diurnal variation. METHODS:Between September 2021 and December 2023, 1044 individuals (303 males, 741 females) with symptoms of DED were enrolled at the Norwegian Dry Eye Clinic. All participants completed the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) and the Dry Eye Questionnaire-5 (DEQ-5) questionnaires, as well as an in-house, un-validated questionnaire. Clinical examinations and history-taking were conducted in a standardized manner by two experts. Associations between questionnaire scores and variables were analysed using Chi-squared tests, Kruskal-Wallis tests, Spearman correlations and logistic regression. RESULTS:Symptomatic DED above clinical cut-off levels was more prevalent in females than in males. Symptom severity was lowest in the late morning, and significant differences in both OSDI and DEQ5 scores were observed between individuals with and without reported omega-3 supplementation (with slightly higher scores in those taking omega-3). Allergies were associated with time-of-day symptom severity. Multivariable logistic regression revealed female sex, age below 65, not wearing contact lenses and refractive lens exchange surgery as significant risk factors for reporting more severe symptoms among the individuals in the database. CONCLUSIONS:Severity of dry eye symptoms in this symptomatic, clinic-based population was significantly associated with several demographic and clinical factors. Incorporating standardized timing of assessments may enhance diagnostic accuracy in both research and clinical settings for DED.
Limited data exist on how patients and physicians perceive immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) symptoms and treatment-related burden. I-WISh (ITP World Impact Survey) 2.0 surveyed 1018 patients and 431 physicians in 15 countries to characterize the impact of ITP and its treatments on patients. Approximately one-third of patients reported that ITP had a high impact on daily activities and family/social life, and 54% reported that it had a high impact on emotional wellbeing. Patients and physicians generally aligned on symptoms and treatment goals, but more patients (48%) than physicians (29%) reported fatigue as common and problematic. Ninety-seven percent of patients reported that they had received treatment for ITP, most commonly corticosteroids. Most patients and 54% of physicians were satisfied with available treatments, although patients reported treatment-related burdens. Twenty-eight percent confirmed they would have chosen a different treatment. Two-thirds of patients were in a stable, sustained remission, and most had never paused treatment (67%). Nevertheless, two-thirds of patients preferred limiting time on treatment and/or not being on lifelong treatment. I-WISh 2.0 emphasizes the extensive disease and treatment burden faced by patients living with ITP, especially the impact of fatigue. It also reminds us that shared decision-making is needed to ensure treatment goals are aligned with patient expectations, including health-related quality of life.
