Background: Non-operative management of splenic injuries has become the treatment of choice in hemodynamically stable patients over the last decades. The aim of the study is to describe the incidence, initial treatment and early outcome of patients with splenic injuries on a national level.<br> Methods: All hospitals in Norway admitting trauma patients were invited to participate in the study. ...

Background: <br> People with multiple sclerosis have high risk of osteoporosis and fractures. A poor vitamin D status is a risk factor for MS, and vitamin D supplementation has been recommended both to prevent MS progression and to maintain bone health. <br> Methods: <br> We assessed the effect of 20,000 IU vitamin D3 weekly compared to placebo on biochemical markers of bone metabolism in 68 ...

Background: <br> Evidence is lacking on whether fat infiltration in the multifidus muscles affects outcomes after total disc replacement (TDR) surgery and if it develops after surgery. The aims of this study were 1) to investigate whether pre-treatment multifidus muscle fat infiltration predicts outcome 2 years after treatment with TDR surgery or multidisciplinary rehabilitation, and 2) to compare ...

Purpose:<br>To investigate radiation oncologists’ opinions on important considerations to offering re-irradiation (re-RT) as a treatment option for recurrent glioma.<br>Materials and methods:<br>A survey was conducted with 13 radiation oncologists involved in the care of central nervous system tumor patients. The survey was comprised of 49 questions divided into 2 domains: a demographic section (10 ...

Background:<br>Emergency medical communication centres (EMCCs) dispatch and allocate ambulance resources, and provide first-aid guidance to on-scene bystanders. We aimed to 1) evaluate whether dispatcher guidance improved bystander first aid in trauma, and 2) to evaluate whether dispatchers and on-scene emergency medical services (EMS) crews identified the same first aid measures as indicated.<br> ...

Background: <br> The aim was to investigate whether resident chondrocytes in human articular cartilage and in subculture express vitamin D receptor (VDR) and the enzyme that hydroxylates the prohormone 25(OH)D3 to the active hormone 1α,25(OH)2D3, namely 1α-hydroxylase (CYP27B1). Any putative effects of vitamin D on chondrocytes were also explored. <br> Methods: <br> Cartilage from human osteoarthritic ...

<i>Background</i>: Hepatitis C (HCV) infection causes an asymptomatic chronic hepatitis in most affected individuals, which often remains undetected until cirrhosis and cirrhosis-related complications occur. Screening of high-risk subjects in Northern Norway has revealed a relatively low prevalence in the general population (0.24%). Despite this, late complications of HCV infection are increasing. ...

Objectives:<br>Among patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS), we investigated the associations of N–terminal pro–natriuretic peptide (NT–proBNP), high–sensitive troponin T (hsTnT), and high–sensitive C–reactive protein (hs–CRP) with 3–year mortality and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) during 1 year.<br>Methods:<br>This observational cohort study prospectively enrolled 442 patients with ...

Background: <br> Identification of BRCA mutations in breast cancer (BC) patients influences treatment and survival and may be of importance for their relatives. Testing is often restricted to women fulfilling high-risk criteria. However, there is limited knowledge of the sensitivity of such a strategy, and of the clinical aspects of BC caused by BRCA mutations in less selected BC cohorts. The aim ...

Background: <br> Several reports have shown that postoperative monitoring of general safety and quality issues, including pain treatment, after discharge from recovery is often non-systematic and inadequate. We suggest a new score with assessment of key recovery parameters, as a supportive tool for postoperative care and a call-out algorithm for need of extra help. The aim of this investigation ...