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Biomedical subjects

Jens Hammerstrøm

Publications and source records attributed to Jens Hammerstrøm.

11 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Inflammatory cytokines as risk factors for a first venous thrombosis: a prospective population-based study.

BACKGROUND: In case-control studies, elevated levels of interleukins 6 and 8 have been found to be associated with an increased risk of venous thrombosis (VT). Because of the design of these studies, it remained uncertain whether these alterations were a cause or a result of the VT. In order to distinguish between the two, we set out to measure the levels of six inflammatory markers prior to thrombosis in a population-based cohort using a nested case-cohort design. METHODS AND FINDINGS: Between August 1995 and June 1997, blood was collected from 66,140 people in the second Norwegian Health Study of Nord-Trøndelag (HUNT2). We identified venous thrombotic events occurring between entry and 1 January 2002. By this date we had registered 506 cases with a first VT; an age- and sex-stratified random sample of 1,464 controls without previous VT was drawn from the original cohort. Levels of interleukins 1beta, 6, 8, 10, 12p70, and tumour necrosis factor-alpha were measured in the baseline sample that was taken 2 d to 75 mo before the event (median 33 mo). Cut-off points for levels were the 80th, 90th, and 95th percentile in the control group. With odds ratios ranging from 0.9 (95% CI: 0.6-1.5) to 1.1 (95% CI: 0.7-1.8), we did not find evidence for a relationship between VT and an altered inflammatory profile. CONCLUSIONS: The results from this population sample show that an altered inflammatory profile is more likely to be a result rather than a cause of VT, although short-term effects of transiently elevated levels cannot be ruled out.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

[High-dose treatment with autologous stem cell support in a Norwegian region].

BACKGROUND: The introduction of high-dose treatment with autologous stem cell support (HMAS) in Norwegian regional hospitals in the early 1990s was controversial. Concerns that low numbers of patients would lead to unacceptably low quality were expressed. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We present treatment results in the health region of Middle Norway, based on nearly 10 years of experience and 100 treated patients. Myeloma results are compared to the results from other Norwegian regional hospitals. RESULTS AND INTERPRETATION: Overall survival for multiple myeloma after HMAS (median 6.8 years) was not significantly different in middle Norway compared to the rest of the country, and comparable with published results. Treatment-related mortality was low (1.2%). Results and complications in malignant lymphoma, breast cancer or germ cell tumours are described. HMAS can be satisfactorily given in a regional hospital with relatively few patients.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

[Lead poisoning--a case report].

Lead poisoning may cause irreversible health defects, including anaemia, central nervous system problems and various organ defects. We describe a patient with lead poisoning. A 54-year-old woman was admitted to hospital with anaemia and unspecific gastrointestinal symptoms. Peripheral blood smear and bone marrow aspirate showed basophilic stippling of erythrocytes suggestive of lead poisoning, which was confirmed by high concentrations of lead in her blood. The lead source was the glazing of a ceramic wine jug. Chelating therapy was started. Haemoglobin was normalised; the patient returned to work after nine months. Correct diagnosis and treatment can prevent serious health problems caused by lead poisoning.

Bone Marrow Examination↗
PubMed2002

[Lead poisoning--an overview].

MATERIAL AND METHODS: We present a review of the history, pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment of lead poisoning based on relevant literature. RESULTS AND INTERPRETATION: The human body does not metabolize lead, and lead accumulation may cause organ failure. Lead poisoning may cause serious health defects, including anaemia, central nervous system problems and various organ defects. Sources of lead may be found in the home as well as in the workplace or elsewhere in our environment, but lead poisoning is an infrequent condition. Prevention is important, but manifest lead poisoning can be treated effectively.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2002

[Warfarin treatment of venous thromboembolism].

BACKGROUND: Warfarin treatment of venous thromboembolism is the most frequent cause of reported serious and fatal adverse events associated with drug therapy in Norway. We assessed quality of treatment during transfer from hospital to community-based care. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 66 out of 100 consecutive patients with venous thromboembolism were studied by a retrospective survey that included data from hospital records and a questionnaire survey. RESULTS: Time in therapeutic range was 57% during the first four weeks. Undertreatment was the most frequent deviation. Some patients reported a long time lag from INR measurement to dose prescription in community care; 42% did not receive written treatment information. There were six recurrences, but no serious or fatal bleeding complications during one year of observation. Patient satisfaction with information and treatment organisation was high. INTERPRETATION: There is room for improvement of patient information and treatment quality in outpatient care in our area.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

[Intensive chemotherapy in Burkitt's lymphoma and aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma].

BACKGROUND: Clinical studies over the last 20 years using more intensive cytostatic regimens show improved results in children and adolescents with aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and in adult patients specifically with Burkitt's lymphoma. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We present a retrospective analysis of the use of the Berlin-Frankfurt-Munster (BFM) regimen for patients older than 15 years from three Norwegian university hospitals during the 1992-99 period. RESULTS: Survival data for 24 patients 15-69 years old with Burkitt's lymphoma/B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (B-ALL) show an estimated overall five year survival of 70% (75% for Burkitt's lymphoma only). Eight of ten adolescent patients 15-20 years old with other aggressive lymphomas were alive and disease free at last follow-up. All nine patients given the regimen after failure of prior therapy died of lymphoma within six years. INTERPRETATION: The BFM regimen yields impressive results as the primary treatment of adolescent and adult patients with Burkitt's lymphomas/B-ALL.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Clinical outcome of patients with Wegener's granulomatosis treated with plasma exchange.

We report the clinical course of 29 patients with Wegener's granulomatosis (WG) treated with plasma exchange (PE) in Norway in the period from 1988 to 1999. Median follow-up was 41.5 months. The mean number of exchanges was 8.5 +/- 5.8 (range 2-32). Median serum creatinine concentration was 400 micromol/l (range 90-1,356) and 17 patients were dialysis dependent at presentation. Two- and five-year patient survival was 75 and 71%, respectively, and renal (ESRD-free) survival was 74 and 54%, respectively. Seven (50%) of the 14 patients alive in the dialysis group had discontinued dialysis within the first month, and 6 (50%) of 12 patients alive at follow-up had independent renal function. No patients, however, had normal serum creatinine concentration. Median time until development of ESRD for patients presenting with a need for dialysis was approximately 32 months. The development of ESRD in 79 patients treated with immunosuppression alone was significantly lower, but when adjusted for serum creatinine there was no difference between patients treated with or without PE. Although a considerable fraction of patients with WG and severe renal involvement regain independent renal function, few will have normal serum creatinine concentration at follow-up, despite the addition of PE as adjunctive therapy.

Adolescent↗