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Biomedical subjects

I T Gram

Publications and source records attributed to I T Gram.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Body mass index, waist circumference and waist-hip ratio and serum levels of IGF-I and IGFBP-3 in European women.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and waist-hip ratio (WHR) with serum levels of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), and its binding protein (IGFBP)-3. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study on 2139 women participating in a case-control study on breast cancer and endogenous hormones. Data on lifestyle and reproductive factors were collected by means of questionnaires. Body height, weight, waist and hip circumferences were measured. Serum levels of IGF-I and insulin-like binding protein (IGFBP)-3 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Adjusted mean levels of IGF-I and IGFBP-3 across quintiles of BMI, waist circumference, and WHR were calculated by linear regression. Results were adjusted for potential confounders associated with IGF-I and IGFBP-3. RESULTS: Adjusted mean serum IGF-I values were lower in women with BMI<22.5 kg/m(2) or BMI>29.2 kg/m(2) compared to women with BMI within this range (P(heterogeneity)<0.0001, P(trend)=0.35). Insulin-like growth factor-I was not related to WHR after adjustment for BMI. IGF-binding protein-3 was linearly positively related to waist and WHR after mutual adjustment. The molar ratio IGF-I/IGFBP-3 had a non-linear relation with BMI and a linear inverse relationship with WHR (P (trend)=0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Our data confirm the nonlinear relationship of circulating IGF-I to total adiposity in women. Serum IGFBP-3 was positively related to central adiposity. These suggest that bioavailable IGF-I levels could be lower in obese compared to non-obese women and inversely related to central adiposity.

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PubMed2005

Skin symptoms in the seafood-processing industry in north Norway.

A survey of occupational skin problems, based on a questionnaire, was carried out among 883 workers in different types of seafood-processing industries in northern Norway. The prevalence of dry skin, itching, rash/eczema, chapped skin and chronic sores was significantly higher among production workers (55.6%) in the white fish-, shrimp- and salmon-processing industries, compared to administrative workers in the same industries (27.5%). Among production workers, there was a significantly higher prevalence of skin symptoms among females (60.2%) compared to males (50.1%). A strong sex division of work tasks rather than sex itself may explain this. There was no sex difference among administrative workers. Several risk factors for skin symptoms to occur are indicated. The workers are exposed to raw materials and a mixture of water and juice from the fish or shrimp, salt, detergents and disinfectants. Gloves may also cause skin problems. Major risk factors believed to cause skin symptoms were contact with raw materials, fish juice, water and gloves. The results also indicate that skin symptoms are of moderate severity and seldom interfere with working capacity.

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PubMed2002

Oral contraceptive use and mammographic patterns.

High-risk mammographic patterns represent an increased risk of contracting breast cancer and may be used as a surrogate endpoint for the disease. We examined the relationship between oral contraceptive (OC) use and mammographic patterns among 3218 Norwegian women, aged 40-56 years. Information on ever OC use, duration, and age of first OC use and other epidemiological data were obtained through questionnaires. The mammograms were categorized into five groups. Patterns I-III were combined into a low-risk group and patterns IV and V into a high-risk group. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated using logistic regression and adjusted for age, menopausal status, parity, age at first birth, and body mass index. Women who reported ever having used OCs were 20% more likely (OR 1.27, 95% CI 1.0-1.6) to have high-risk mammographic patterns compared with those reporting never having used OCs. There was no dose response between different measures of OC use and high-risk patterns. Among nulliparous women, ever OC users were four times more likely (OR 4.65, 95% CI 2.1-10.3) to have high-risk patterns compared with never users. Our findings suggest that, especially among nulliparous women, ever OC use may exert its effect on breast cancer risk through changes in breast tissue, which can be observed on a mammogram.

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PubMed2001

Variables associated with squamous intraepithelial lesions among women with a cytologic diagnosis of atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance.

OBJECTIVE: To identify factors among women with atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS) cytologic diagnosis that are associated with either low grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSILs) or high grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSILs). STUDY DESIGN: From January 1992 to June 1995, 1,660 women with a diagnosis of ASCUS were followed until the next follow-up appointment after the ASCUS diagnosis. Logistic regression analysis with either LSIL or HSIL at follow-up examination as a dependent variable was done with the following independent variables: patient age, method of follow-up, follow-up time, type of health care coverage and household income. RESULTS: In multivariate analyses, there was a 2.7-fold increase in the odds of LSIL (OR = 2.7, 95% CI = 1.3-5.8) for young women (< or = 25 years), a 2-fold decrease in the odds of LSIL (OR = .5, 95% CI .3-.9) for long time to follow-up (> 18 weeks after ASCUS diagnosis) and an 7.8-fold increase in the odds of LSIL (OR = 7.8, 95% CI = 5.1-11.9) for follow-up by colposcopic biopsy. For the odds of HSIL, there was a 6.8-fold increase (95% CI = 3.2-14.5) for follow-up by colposcopic biopsy as compared to Pap smears and a 3-fold decrease in the odds of HSIL (OR = 3, 95% CI = .1-.7) for high-income women (> $34,857). CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that among ASCUS patients, younger women and those with shorter follow-up time are more likely to be diagnosed with LSIL. Women with a high income showed a protective association for HSIL. Colposcopic biopsy identified more LSIL and HSIL as compared to repeat Pap smear.

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PubMed2001

Reversal of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist induced reductions in mammographic densities on stopping treatment.

Previously, we described the reduction in mammographic densities that occurred in premenopausal women after 12 months on a hormonal regimen designed to be chemopreventive for breast (and ovarian) cancer consisting of a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHA) plus low-dose add-back estrogen-progestin. We sought to determine whether the density reduction persisted with continuation of the regimen for 24 months, and, if so, whether the densities would return to baseline after the regimen was discontinued. Twenty-one women, 27-40 years of age, with a 5-fold greater than normal risk of breast cancer, were randomly assigned in a 2:1 ratio to the treatment group (14 women) and to a control group (7 women). The percentage of mammographic densities, calculated as the proportion of the breast area on the mammogram containing densities, were assessed blindly using a computer-based threshold method at baseline, after 12 and 24 months of treatment, and at between 6 and 12 months after treatment was stopped. The previously described percentage of mammographic density reductions of 9.7% (P = 0.012) after 12 months of treatment were increased slightly to 11.4% (P = 0.010) after 24 months of treatment, but the additional change was not statistically significant. Ten of 11 treated women assessed at 24 months had reduced percentages of mammographic densities compared with baseline. Six to 12 months after completion of treatment, the mean percentage of mammographic density in the treated group was no different from that at baseline (mean decline of 2.0%; P = 0.73). The women in the control group had no statistically significant changes in densities over the period of the study. Reductions in mammographic densities engendered by the GnRHA plus a low-dose add-back estrogen-progestin regimen persist as long as the women receive treatment. The densities return to baseline when the women resume normal menstrual cycles. These results confirm that mammographic densities are influenced by ovarian function. Improved efficacy of mammographic screening is to be expected as long as a woman continues on such a regimen. Whether such a regimen is chemopreventive for breast cancer remains to be established, but the recent report on a randomized trial of use of GnRHA alone in premenopausal breast cancer cases showing a marked reduction in incidence of contralateral disease provides strong support for the hypothesis.

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PubMed1999

Moderate physical activity in relation to mammographic patterns.

High-risk mammographic patterns may be used as a surrogate end point for breast cancer in etiologic research as well as in prevention studies. Physical activity may be one of the few modifiable risk factors for breast cancer. We examined the relationship between physical activity and mammographic patterns among 2720 Norwegian women, ages 40-56 years, who participated in both the Second and Third Tromsø studies. Epidemiologic data were obtained through questionnaires. Two questions from the Second Tromsø study and five questions from the Third elicited information on physical activity. The mammograms were categorized into five groups based on anatomical-mammographic correlations. For analysis, patterns I through III were combined into a low-risk group and patterns IV and V into a high-risk group. Odds ratios that were adjusted for age, education, menopausal status, body mass index, parity, age at menarche, oral contraceptive use, and alcohol intake, with 95% confidence intervals, were estimated using logistic regression. Women who reported moderate physical activity, i.e., more than 2 h/week, were 20% less likely (odds ratio, 0.8; 95% confidence interval, 0.6-1.1) to have high-risk mammographic patterns compared with those who reported being inactive. This relationship remains consistent when stratified by menopausal status, parity, and tertiles of body mass index. However, all of the associations between various measures of physical activity and high-risk patterns found in this study are weak with confidence intervals that include 1.0. Thus, chance is a reasonable explanation for the weak associations found. The relationship between physical activity and high-risk patterns should be examined further as a means to explore the biologic mechanisms relating physical activity to breast cancer risk.

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PubMed1998

Response rate according to title and length of questionnaire.

The purpose of this study was to investigate how response rates to a postal questionnaire are affected by title and length of the survey instrument. Five questionnaires, which differed according to title and length, were designed. Each questionnaire was mailed to a random sample of one thousand Norwegian women aged, 35-49 years. A total of 3,106 questionnaires were returned (62.1%). The highest response rate (70.2%) was achieved by a two-page questionnaire entitled "Women and Cancer". An otherwise identical questionnaire entitled "Oral Contraceptives and Cancer" had a response rate of 60.7%. Questionnaires entitled "Women and Cancer" with a length of four and six pages had a response rate of 62.8% and 63.3%, respectively. The four page questionnaire entitled "Women, Lifestyle and Health" had the lowest response rate of 57.1%. This study shows that in a general population of Norwegian women the title of a postal questionnaire influences the response rate. The results indicate that although the shortest questionnaire had the highest response rate, the most extensive survey instrument did not have the lowest response rate. The distribution of risk factors for breast cancer did not vary according to response rate or design of questionnaire. The overall findings of this study suggest that the benefits from the increased information obtained from extensive postal questionnaires out-weighs a potential non-response bias due to a somewhat lower response rate.

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PubMed1998

Incidence of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade III, and cancer of the cervix uteri following a negative Pap-smear in an opportunistic screening.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the influence of screening history on the diagnosis of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade three (CIN III) and cervical cancer in an opportunistic screening program. DESIGN: Follow-up study of women with a negative Pap-smear at entry. MATERIALS: Records from 41212 women pertaining to cervical specimens in the Pathology Registry of the University Hospital in Tromsø. RESULTS: During the 175,673 person-years (pyr) of observation, 396 incident cases (379 of CIN III and 17 of cervical cancer) were identified. The age specific incidence rate was highest among women who were 25 to 29 years old (396 per 100,000 pyr). A Poisson multiple regression model yielded statistically significant positive associations between time since last negative Pap-smear and the incidence of CIN III and cervical cancer. Most CIN III cases were diagnosed subsequently to a CIN I or CIN II diagnosis. Including only women with a CIN III diagnosis directly after a negative Pap-smear in the analyses revealed that women with less than two years (Relative rate (RR)= 1.O; 95% CI 0.7-1.4) and three years (RR=0.8; 95% CI 0.4-1.4) since their last negative Pap-smear were not at an increased risk compared with the women with a negative Pap-smear within the last year. Women with three or more years since their last negative Pap-smear were at an increased risk (RR=1.3; 95% CI 0.6 3.2) for CIN III. No meaningful association between number of negative specimens and the risk of CIN III was revealed. CONCLUSION: This study indicates that time since last negative Pap-smear does, while number of such does not, influence the risk of CIN III and cervical cancer in an opportunistic screening.

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PubMed1997

Anthropometric indices in relation to mammographic patterns among peri-menopausal women.

The relationship between body height, weight and body mass index and mammographic patterns was examined among 3,208 Norwegian women, aged 40-56 years, participating in the Third Tromsø study. Standardized measurements of height and weight were recorded. Epidemiologic data were obtained through questionnaires. Mammograms were categorized into 5 groups based on anatomic-mammographic correlations. For analysis, patterns I-III were combined into a low-risk group and patterns IV and V into a high-risk group. Odd ratios (ORs), adjusted for menopausal status, age, parity, age at first birth, age at menarche and anthropometric measures, with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), were calculated. Body height was associated positively with high-risk patterns, while weight and body mass index were associated inversely with high-risk patterns. Women in the highest tertile of height were twice as likely (OR = 2.0, 95% CI 1.6-2.6) to have high-risk patterns compared with those in the lowest tertile, and women in the highest tertile of weight were 70% less likely (OR = 0.3, 95% CI 0.2-0.4) to have high-risk patterns compared with those in the lowest tertile. Associations with body mass index were similar to those with weight. All associations were present when stratified by menopausal status. Among post-menopausal women, the inverse associations between body weight and body mass index and high-risk patterns decreased with increasing number of years since menopause. Our results indicate that body height and weight are independently associated with the mammographic pattern among peri-menopausal women. We suggest that body height and weight are related to mammographic patterns through different mechanisms.

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PubMed1997

Rheumatoid arthritis: a commonly misused diagnosis by the general population.

The purpose of this study was to explore what a young general population include when they answer questions concerning the diagnosis rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Altogether 14,420 subjects answered questionnaires concerning disease history, living habits and musculoskeletal pain. They were also asked specifically if they, or any close relative, had RA. One hundred and sixteen (1.6%) men and 115 (1.6%) women reported that they had the disease. Altogether 14 (12%) men and 23 (20%) women of those answering "yes" to the RA question, were found to have the disease verified according to their hospital records. Fifty-five (25%) of the subjects who reported to have RA, were classified in their hospital records as having other defined rheumatic diseases. Our study indicates that when the general population refers to the diagnosis of RA, they include most defined rheumatic diseases as well as unspecified arthralgia. We find it interesting that such a substantial number of young people report they have this serious disease. We therefore recommend that other measures should be used or used in addition to mailed questionnaires when exploring the prevalence of RA.

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PubMed1997

The Tabár classification of mammographic parenchymal patterns.

The purpose of this study was to describe one method of classification, based on anatomic-mammographic correlations, developed by Tabár. We also wanted to examine how the mammograms categorized as low- and high-risk according to Tabár and Wolfe criteria related to each other and to three selected risk factors for breast cancer. The study materials are based on questionnaires and mammograms from 3,640 Norwegian women, aged 40-56 years, participating in the third Tromsö study. The mammograms were categorized into five groups. Line drawings and their pathologic correlates of the five patterns are described in detail. The Tabár classification is based on anatomic-mammographic correlations, following three-dimensional (thick slice technique) histopathologic-mammographic comparisons, rather than simple pattern reading (Wolfe classification). For analysis patterns I-III (Tabár) and N1 and P1 (Wolfe) were grouped into low-risk groups and patterns IV and V (Tabár) and P2 and DY Wolfe) into high-risk groups. The overall agreement on high-risk versus low risk for the two classifications was 54% with a kappa-value of 0.22. The study displays that the strength of association between high-risk mammographic patterns and the three selected risk factors parity, number of children and age at first birth is of greater magnitude when the Tabár instead of the Wolfe classification is applied. More patients are needed to compare the classification directly with the risk of cancer. This study indicates that further development of the classification of mammograms may increase the usefulness of mammographic patterns in research and clinical practice.

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PubMed1995

Reproductive and menstrual factors in relation to mammographic parenchymal patterns among perimenopausal women.

The relationship between mammographic patterns and reproductive and menstrual factors was examined in 3640 Norwegian women, aged 40-56 years, participating in the Third Tromsö study conducted in 1986-87. Epidemiological data were obtained from questionnaires. The mammograms were categorised into five groups. This categorisation is based on anatomic-mammographic correlations, following three-dimensional (thick slice technique) histopathologic-mammographic comparisons, rather than simple pattern reading. Patterns 1-3 were combined into a low-risk group and patterns 4 and 5 into a high-risk group for analysis. Women who had more than four children were 90% less likely to have a high-risk pattern than nulliparous women (OR = 0.09, 95% CI 0.04-0.16) controlling for age, weight, height and menopausal status. Furthermore, those who first gave birth over 34 years of age were more than twice as likely to have a high-risk pattern than those giving birth in their teens (OR = 2.37, 95% CI 1.23-4.56) adjusting for parity. Among post-menopausal women, age at menarche was negatively (P for trend = 0.015) and late age at menopause positively (P for trend = 0.072) related to high-risk patterns. Among premenopausal women, age at menarche was positively related to high-risk patterns (P for trend = 0.001). Also, menopausal status rather than age was associated with high-risk patterns. These findings support the opinion that reproductive and menstrual factors are involved in determining the mammographic parenchymal pattern among perimenopausal women.

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PubMed1994

A study of breast cancer detection practices and beliefs in black women attending public health clinics.

In this study, breast cancer knowledge, beliefs and practices in low income black women were examined. First, focus groups were held with a total of 33 participants. Information gathered from the focus groups was used to develop a telephone survey which was partially based on the Health Belief Model (HBM) and administered to 92 subjects. Utilization rates of mammography and breast self-examination (BSE) were quite high; 66.3% of survey participants reported having at least one mammogram and 72.5% performed BSE. Because low-cost mammograms were available to the survey participants, these results suggest that women in this target population will utilize accessible and affordable mammograms. Several knowledge deficiencies that need to be addressed were also identified. Most of the health beliefs were not significantly associated with mammography or BSE utilization. Because the HBM has never been extensively tested on this population, its appropriateness as a behavior model for low-income women is examined. Implications for future research and interventions are discussed.

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PubMed1992

Cigarette smoking and the incidence of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, grade III, and cancer of the cervix uteri.

The relation between cigarette smoking and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, grade III (CIN III), and cervical cancer was examined among a cohort of 6,812 women in Tromsö, Norway, between 1980 and 1989. During the 52,844 person-years of observation, 185 incident cases (177 women with CIN III and eight with cervical cancer) were recorded in the regional pathology registry. The age-adjusted incidence rates of CIN III and cervical cancer were 267/100,000 person-years among women who had never smoked, 183/100,000 person-years among exsmokers, and 476/100,000 person-years among current smokers. A multivariate model containing terms for age, marital status, and frequency of intoxication yielded a relative rate for current smokers compared with nonsmokers of 1.5 (95% confidence interval 1.0-2.2). Statistical trend tests for the number of cigarettes smoked per day (never, 1-14, and greater than or equal to 15 cigarettes), years of smoking (never, 1-9, and greater than or equal to 10 years), and age started smoking (less than 16, 16-18, 19-21, and greater than or equal to 22 years) all yielded significant results. These findings support the opinion that CIN III and cervical cancer are a smoking-related disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) and human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and the incidence of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) grade III.

The temporal relationship between cervical infection with Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) or human papillomavirus (HPV) and the incidence rate of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade three (CIN III) was examined in a cohort of 43,016 Norwegian women. From 1980 to 1989, a cervico-vaginal infection from TV and HPV was diagnosed cytologically in 988 and 678 women, respectively. During the 181,240 person-years of observation, 440 cases of CIN III/cervical cancer developed. The age-adjusted incidence rates (IR) of CIN III were 225 per 100,000 person-years among women with no cytologic evidence of infection, 459 among women with TV infection, and 729 among women with HPV infection. A multiple regression model yielded a relative rate (RR) of CIN III of 2.1 (95 percent confidence interval [CI] = 1.3-3.4) among women with TV infection and 3.5 (CI = 1.9-6.6) among women with HPV infection, compared with women with neither infection. As CIN can be misclassified as HPV infection, the entry Pap-smears of 10 women with HPV infection who later developed CIN III were re-examined. Excluding the four discordant cases with the corresponding person-years decreased the RR of CIN III to 2.1 (CI = 0.9-4.8). Our report demonstrates the limitations of studies that rely only on cytologic detection of HPV infection. Nevertheless, the results support the hypothesis that HPV is a causal factor for CIN III lesions, and also display an association between TV infection and cervical neoplasia.

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