The use of artificial ultraviolet (UV) indoor tanning (IT) beds increases the risk of skin cancer. The IT industry claims IT devices provide users with control over the amount of UV radiation exposure and thus reduces risks of sunburn (i.e., skin erythema) when tanning. This study aims to establish the prevalence and predictors of IT-related erythema using diary data. Six bimonthly diary surveys were administered to 198 female college IT users. Diaries assessed IT use and IT-related erythema. Among participants who used IT, 66 % experienced at least one episode of erythema and nearly one in five IT sessions resulted in skin erythema. Those who reported the most frequent IT use prior to the study were less likely to experience an IT-related erythema on a given IT session compared to the least experienced IT users. Perceived susceptibility to burns from IT use was positively associated with risk of erythema. Erythema was a frequently reported experience among IT users. Implications for policy makers and behavioral medicine practitioners are discussed

Objective To evaluate the Structured Interview for Tanning Abuse and Dependence (SITAD). Design Longitudinal survey. Setting College campus. Participants A total of 296 adults. Main Outcome Measures The SITAD modified items from the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders that focus on opiate abuse and dependence. Indoor tanning (IT) behavioral patterns and opiate-like reactions to tanning were measured, and IT behavior was measured 6 months later. Results Of 296 participants, 32 (10.8%) met the SITAD criteria for tanning abuse (maladaptive pattern of tanning as manifested by failure to fulfill role obligations, physically hazardous tanning, legal problems, or persistent social or interpersonal problems) and 16 (5.4%) for tanning dependence as defined by 3 or more of the following: loss of control, cut down, time, social problems, physical or psychological problems, tolerance, and withdrawal. The IT frequency in dependent tanners was more than 10 times the rate in participants who do not meet the SITAD criteria for tanning abuse or dependence. Tanning-dependent participants were more likely to report being regular tanners (75%; odds ratio, 7.0). Dependent tanners scored higher on the opiate-like reactions to tanning scale than did abuse tanners, who scored higher than those with no diagnosis. Conclusions The SITAD demonstrated some evidence of validity, with tanning-dependent participants reporting regular IT, higher IT frequency, and higher scores on an opiate-like reactions to tanning scale. A valid tanning dependence screening tool is essential for researchers and physicians as a tanning-dependent diagnosis may facilitate a better understanding of tanning motivations and aid in the development of efficacious intervention programs. Recent research has explored the idea that some patterns of tanning behavior may be dependent1- 7 by using a common alcohol screening questionnaire, the CAGE,8 or, alternatively, by adapting criteria for substance-related disorders from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (Fourth Edition, Text Revision) (DSM-IV-TR)9 modified to reflect UV light tanning (ie, sunbathing or indoor tanning [IT]).1,4,6,7Whereas data from the National Household Survey on Drug Abuse10 report prevalence rates for alcohol and any illicit drug combined as 2.6% to 9.3%, the modified CAGE and modified DSM report tanning dependence rates ranging from 12% to 55%.1,4,6,7,11Prevalence rates for dependence on alcohol and various drugs do differ. However, even in settings enriched for dependent behavior, such as bars,12 prevalence rates are not nearly as high as the tanning dependence rates reported. The high prevalence rates reported suggest that the current assessments tend to overidentify tanning dependence. Feldman and others suggest that the mechanism for tanning dependence is most likely the release of endogenous opioids when the skin is exposed to UV radiation (see Nolan and Feldman5 for a review). It is probable that exploring tanning behavior by following the approach used in the DSM-IV-TR to categorize opioid use behaviors will lead to improved accuracy in the categorization of tanning dependence. The Structured Interview for Tanning Abuse and Dependence (SITAD) is a tanning dependence assessment based on opioid use items adapted from the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders (SCID).13 The use of modified opioid SCID items was chosen specifically for good content and face validity in the measure. The self-administered structured interview format was chosen because this format has been demonstrated to achieve valid psychiatric categorization for opioid dependence in a previous study.14 Evaluation of the SITAD involved exploring differences in variables (ie, IT frequency, IT behavioral patterns, and scores on a scale measuring opiate-like reactions to tanning) that would theoretically be expected to differ among individuals exhibiting tanning abuse, those with tanning dependence, and those who do not meet the SITAD criteria for tanning abuse or dependence. We also expect that use of the SITAD will result in lower prevalence rates for tanning dependence than have been reported in previous studies.1,6,7

<p><b>Purpose.</b> The main aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of a low fat, low lactose diet on acute and late gastrointestinal side effects of pelvic radiotherapy. We also wanted to evaluate if such a treatment would influence the patients health related quality of life (HRQOL) in any way.</p><p><b>Background</b>. Cancer therapies and their side effects may cause nutritional problems and malnutrition. Pelvic radiotherapy, a common treatment modality for patients with carcinoma of the endometrium or cervix, is associated with both acute and late side effects that may affect nutritional status. Acute injury may lead to impaired absorption of nutrients and fluid. The patients experience diarrhoea, weight loss, nausea and vomiting. Bile salt malabsorption may be a factor in the pathogenesis of the diarrhoea. In cases of bile salt malabsorption a low fat diet will cause decreased bile salt excretion and thereby relief of symptoms. This assumption was evaluated in a small, non-randomised study in 1985. The results indicated that a low fat diet may reduce the frequency of diarrhoea and use of anti-diarrhoeal agents during radiotherapy. These findings were regarded as promising and since nutrition management guidelines for radiation enteritis were lacking in the literature, a clinical trial was planned.</p><p><b>Methods</b>. The study was designed as an open randomised clinical trial and conducted at the Norwegian Radium Hospital (NRH). The intervention diet (low fat, low lactose) was to be followed during and six weeks after radiotherapy. Measurements were performed at basement, the 3rd and last week of radiotherapy, six week after and then every 8th week. The entire period was one year. In November 1993 the surviving patients were approached again and asked to complete a questionnaire package similar to the one completed during the clinical trial. The study population was recruited from the department of gynaecology at NRH. The main selection criteria were pelvic radiotherapy (dose above 40 Gy) age = 75 years and a WHO functional status = 2. Patients were consecutive included from May 1988 through May 1990 and 143 women were included. Seventy-one were assigned to the intervention diet and 72 to the control group. In November 1993, 94 women were alive without any known relapse and 79 (84%) accepted participation. The women registered use of Loperamid and the daily number and consistency of bowel movements. The data on bowel movements was categorised and used to evaluate if diarrhoea was present or not. Nutritional status was evaluated by the means of weight development, arm muscle circumference (AMC), serum transferring (STF) and serum albumin (s-Alb). Dietary intake was assessed by 48-hour recall prior to radiotherapy, 4-days unweighed dietary record during radiotherapy and 7-days weighed dietary records during follow-up. 24-hour urinary nitrogen was used to validate the food records. HRQOL was defined as the patients' self-reported subjective physical and psychosocial situation as a consequence of disease and treatment. It was measured with the EORTC Core Quality of Life Questionnaire 36-item version (EORTC QLQ-C36).</p><p><b>Results</b>. During the last week of radiotherapy 14 patients (23%) in the intervention group and 32 (48%) in the control group reported diarrhoea (p< 0.01). The intervention group also used less anti-diarrhoea medication than the control group, 0.6 tablets per day versus 1.1 (p<0.01). Six weeks after end of radiotherapy, no group differences were found with regard to bowel movements or medication. The intervention group had a lower energy intake than the control group during radiotherapy, 5.7 MJ versus 6.5 MJ (p<0.05). The mean daily fat intake was respectively 34.3 g and 60.1 g (p<0.001). The intervention group received a significant lower part of the energy from milk products, meats, fats and sugar than the control group, and consumed more energy from vegetables and fruits, cereals and fish. Weight loss was more pronounced in the intervention group (mean reduction of 2.6 kg versus 1.7 kg) than in the control group (ns) during treatment. Mean values of AMC, s-Alb and STF were within the reference range in both groups during the entire observation period. During the last week of radiotherapy six patients (9%) in the intervention group and 4 (6%) in the control group were mildly depleted (ns). At 12 weeks and after one year none of the patients could be categorised as malnourished. No major differences in HRQOL were found between the two groups during radiotherapy and one-year follow up. Within the control group an association between diarrhoea and deteriorated role functioning, physical functioning and fatigue was found during the last week of radiotherapy that was not found in the intervention group. Regarding late effects of radiotherapy (3-4 years after radiotherapy) both groups had more diarrhoea than in the general population, 23.8 versus 9.5 (p<0.01). There was however a tendency to more pronounced diarrhoea in the control group (29.6 (SD=27.3)) than in the intervention group (19.4 (SD=25.4)) though not statistical significant. Substantial diarrhoea was associated deteriorated SF and fatigue. </p><p><b>Conclusions</b>. The intervention group had less diarrhoea and used less Loperamide during radiotherapy than the control group. This finding did not affect nutritional status since no differences in nutritional status were found between the two groups. Both groups had a reduced energy intake and weight loss during radiotherapy. In the control group diarrhoea increased fatigue and had negative effects on physical functioning and role functioning. The intervention did not lead to differences in late radiation injury and chronic diarrhoea 3-4 years after treatment but diarrhoea was most prominent in the control group. Diarrhoea as a late effect increased fatigue and had a negative influence on social well being.</p>

<p>The onset of cigarette smoking begins primarily in adolescence, and prevalence of smoking among adolescents has been increased during the last ten years. The prevalence of adolescent smoking increases with age and is more common or at least as common in girls as in boys in most western countries.</p><p>Until recently the intensive investigation on health effects of smoking has been mostly conducted among adults. In adolescence the long-term health consequences have been reviewed, but current health problems are probably more important to adolescents and may be more motivating for smoking prevention and cessation. Increased morbidity among adolescent smokers has been reported, but specific current health problems and medication use have received little attention. More</p><p>Control of smoking is a primary health goal. An underlying premise for promotion of physical activity in adolescence is that it may mead to a healthy lifestyle persisting through adulthood. Encouraging participation in sports has been recommended as smoking prevention and as part of smoking cessation programs. Smoking habits within different types of sports has received less attention, and whether physical activity has an impact on lung function is debated.</p><p>Adolescent smokers are often unsuccessful in quitting and difficult to recruit and retain in smoking cessation programs. Occasional smoking may be the strongest risk factor for daily smoking, but occasional smokers could be an important target group for smoking cessation who could be discouraged from moving into daily smoking status. </p><p>The first aim of this thesis was to study associations between smoking and current health status by examining associations between daily smoking and subjective health problems (Paper 1), and gender specific effects on respiratory symptoms and lung function (Paper II). The associations between physical activity and lung function in never smokers and daily smokers were also assessed (Paper III). The second aim was to study factors that might be useful in smoking</p>

<p>Preeclampsia is a complex and variable maternal disturbance that ranges from a dramatic onset at early gestation to slowly developing symptoms towards term. Hypertension and renal involvement with proteinuria are cardinal signs, which are often accompanied by fluid retention, blood-clotting dysfunction, and reduced organ perfusion. HELLP (haemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count) syndrome is regarded as a variant of preeclampsia, and the fulminante disease, eclampsia, includes convulsions. Preeclampsia is the main cause of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality in western countries (1, 2), and in Nordic countries, 17 percent of maternal deaths have been ascribed to preeclampsia (2). Antenatal care in Norway includes on average 12 doctor/midwife consultations per pregnancy (3), and since blood pressure monitoring and urinary testing are main aims of the consultations, preeclampsia is a pregnancy complication that also generates substantial societal costs.</p> / Paper II, III, IV and V reproduced with permission of Elsevier, sciencedirect.com

<p>Stroke is the third leading cause of death and the major course of long-term disabilities in industrialized countries. Most surviving stroke patients show some degree of spontaneous recovery, but persistent symptoms in sensorimotor and cognitive functions are common. The symptoms can be reproduced in experimental stroke models in rats by occlusion of the middle cerebral artery. Housing rats in an enriched environment (EE), i.e. group housing in a large cage with toys that are changed daily, increases neuronal plasticity in healthy rats and can also improve functional recovery after experimental stroke. </p><p> The present thesis investigates the effect of EE on the recovery of sensorimotor and cognitive functions one month after focal cerebral ischemia in rats, with emphasis on the underlying molecular mechanisms. Furthermore, EE-induced effect on gene expression in healthy rats was investigated after different periods of EE-housing and at different time points of the day. </p><p> We show an improved recovery of both sensorimotor and cognitive functions in rats housed in EE for one month after focal cerebral ischemia. The recovery of sensorimotor function correlated significantly to mRNA expression of the plasticity associated transcription factors NGFI-A and NGFI-B in hippocampus and cortical regions outside the infarct. Social interaction seems to be an important component for the beneficial effects of EE after focal cerebral ischemia. Microarray analysis of hippocampal gene expression after one month of postischemic environmental enrichment revealed no confirmable EE-induced changes that could explain the improved recovery in spatial memory. Interestingly, healthy rats housed in EE showed increased mRNA expression of NGFI-A and Krox-20 exclusively during the dark period of the day compared to rats housed in isolation. In addition, EE housed rats had a substantial diurnal variation in NGFI-A, Krox-20 and NGFI-B mRNA expression; this was absent in single-housed rats. EE-induced changes in gene expression are more evident during the dark period of the day, when rats are more active and can benefit from the stimulating environment. This is important to consider in future investigation of putative mediators of the EE-induced neuronal plasticity. </p><p> In summary, these findings may contribute to an increased understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms behind improved functional recovery in rats housed in enriched environment after focal cerebral ischemia.</p>

<p>The severity of illness was scored in a cohort of 11751 non-surgical patients presenting at the Emergency Department (ED) during 12 consecutive months and followed for 4.7 years. The scoring system Rapid Acute Physiology score (RAPS) (including blood pressure, respiratory rate, pulse rate and Glasgow coma scale) was calculated for all arrivals at the ED. The RAPS system was also additionally developed by including the peripheral oxygen saturation and patient age, resulting in the new Rapid Emergency Medicine Score, (REMS). REMS was superior to RAPS in predicting in-hospital mortality according to ROC-curve analysis. An increase of one point in the 26 point REMS scale was associated with an Odds ratio of 1.40 for in-hospital death (95% CI 1.36-1.45, p<0.0001). Similar results were obtained in the major patient groups (chest pain, stroke, coma, dyspnea and diabetes). The association between REMS and length of stay in hospital was modest. Charlson Co-morbidity Index could add prognostic information to REMS in a long-term (4.7 years), but not in a short-term perspective (3 and 7 days). REMS was shown to be as powerful a predictor of in-hospital mortality as the more complicated APACHE II. REMS at the ED could also predict long-term mortality (4.7 years) in the total cohort (Hazard ratio 1.26, p<0.0001).</p><p>REMS is a potentially useful prognostic tool for non-surgical patients at the ED, regarding both in-hospital and long-term mortality. It is less complicated to use than APACHE II and has equal predictive accuracy.</p>

The onset of cigarette smoking begins primarily in adolescence, and prevalence of smoking among adolescents has been increased during the last ten years. The prevalence of adolescent smoking increases with age and is more common or at least as common in girls as in boys in most western countries. Until recently the intensive investigation on health effects of smoking has been mostly conducted among adults. In adolescence the long-term health consequences have been reviewed, but current health problems are probably more important to adolescents and may be more motivating for smoking prevention and cessation. Increased morbidity among adolescent smokers has been reported, but specific current health problems and medication use have received little attention. More Control of smoking is a primary health goal. An underlying premise for promotion of physical activity in adolescence is that it may mead to a healthy lifestyle persisting through adulthood. Encouraging participation in sports has been recommended as smoking prevention and as part of smoking cessation programs. Smoking habits within different types of sports has received less attention, and whether physical activity has an impact on lung function is debated. Adolescent smokers are often unsuccessful in quitting and difficult to recruit and retain in smoking cessation programs. Occasional smoking may be the strongest risk factor for daily smoking, but occasional smokers could be an important target group for smoking cessation who could be discouraged from moving into daily smoking status. The first aim of this thesis was to study associations between smoking and current health status by examining associations between daily smoking and subjective health problems (Paper 1), and gender specific effects on respiratory symptoms and lung function (Paper II). The associations between physical activity and lung function in never smokers and daily smokers were also assessed (Paper III). The second aim was to study factors that might be useful in smoking

<b>Purpose.</b> The main aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of a low fat, low lactose diet on acute and late gastrointestinal side effects of pelvic radiotherapy. We also wanted to evaluate if such a treatment would influence the patients health related quality of life (HRQOL) in any way. <b>Background</b>. Cancer therapies and their side effects may cause nutritional problems and malnutrition. Pelvic radiotherapy, a common treatment modality for patients with carcinoma of the endometrium or cervix, is associated with both acute and late side effects that may affect nutritional status. Acute injury may lead to impaired absorption of nutrients and fluid. The patients experience diarrhoea, weight loss, nausea and vomiting. Bile salt malabsorption may be a factor in the pathogenesis of the diarrhoea. In cases of bile salt malabsorption a low fat diet will cause decreased bile salt excretion and thereby relief of symptoms. This assumption was evaluated in a small, non-randomised study in 1985. The results indicated that a low fat diet may reduce the frequency of diarrhoea and use of anti-diarrhoeal agents during radiotherapy. These findings were regarded as promising and since nutrition management guidelines for radiation enteritis were lacking in the literature, a clinical trial was planned. <b>Methods</b>. The study was designed as an open randomised clinical trial and conducted at the Norwegian Radium Hospital (NRH). The intervention diet (low fat, low lactose) was to be followed during and six weeks after radiotherapy. Measurements were performed at basement, the 3rd and last week of radiotherapy, six week after and then every 8th week. The entire period was one year. In November 1993 the surviving patients were approached again and asked to complete a questionnaire package similar to the one completed during the clinical trial. The study population was recruited from the department of gynaecology at NRH. The main selection criteria were pelvic radiotherapy (dose above 40 Gy) age = 75 years and a WHO functional status = 2. Patients were consecutive included from May 1988 through May 1990 and 143 women were included. Seventy-one were assigned to the intervention diet and 72 to the control group. In November 1993, 94 women were alive without any known relapse and 79 (84%) accepted participation. The women registered use of Loperamid and the daily number and consistency of bowel movements. The data on bowel movements was categorised and used to evaluate if diarrhoea was present or not. Nutritional status was evaluated by the means of weight development, arm muscle circumference (AMC), serum transferring (STF) and serum albumin (s-Alb). Dietary intake was assessed by 48-hour recall prior to radiotherapy, 4-days unweighed dietary record during radiotherapy and 7-days weighed dietary records during follow-up. 24-hour urinary nitrogen was used to validate the food records. HRQOL was defined as the patients' self-reported subjective physical and psychosocial situation as a consequence of disease and treatment. It was measured with the EORTC Core Quality of Life Questionnaire 36-item version (EORTC QLQ-C36). <b>Results</b>. During the last week of radiotherapy 14 patients (23%) in the intervention group and 32 (48%) in the control group reported diarrhoea (p&lt; 0.01). The intervention group also used less anti-diarrhoea medication than the control group, 0.6 tablets per day versus 1.1 (p&lt;0.01). Six weeks after end of radiotherapy, no group differences were found with regard to bowel movements or medication. The intervention group had a lower energy intake than the control group during radiotherapy, 5.7 MJ versus 6.5 MJ (p&lt;0.05). The mean daily fat intake was respectively 34.3 g and 60.1 g (p&lt;0.001). The intervention group received a significant lower part of the energy from milk products, meats, fats and sugar than the control group, and consumed more energy from vegetables and fruits, cereals and fish. Weight loss was more pronounced in the intervention group (mean reduction of 2.6 kg versus 1.7 kg) than in the control group (ns) during treatment. Mean values of AMC, s-Alb and STF were within the reference range in both groups during the entire observation period. During the last week of radiotherapy six patients (9%) in the intervention group and 4 (6%) in the control group were mildly depleted (ns). At 12 weeks and after one year none of the patients could be categorised as malnourished. No major differences in HRQOL were found between the two groups during radiotherapy and one-year follow up. Within the control group an association between diarrhoea and deteriorated role functioning, physical functioning and fatigue was found during the last week of radiotherapy that was not found in the intervention group. Regarding late effects of radiotherapy (3-4 years after radiotherapy) both groups had more diarrhoea than in the general population, 23.8 versus 9.5 (p&lt;0.01). There was however a tendency to more pronounced diarrhoea in the control group (29.6 (SD=27.3)) than in the intervention group (19.4 (SD=25.4)) though not statistical significant. Substantial diarrhoea was associated deteriorated SF and fatigue. <b>Conclusions</b>. The intervention group had less diarrhoea and used less Loperamide during radiotherapy than the control group. This finding did not affect nutritional status since no differences in nutritional status were found between the two groups. Both groups had a reduced energy intake and weight loss during radiotherapy. In the control group diarrhoea increased fatigue and had negative effects on physical functioning and role functioning. The intervention did not lead to differences in late radiation injury and chronic diarrhoea 3-4 years after treatment but diarrhoea was most prominent in the control group. Diarrhoea as a late effect increased fatigue and had a negative influence on social well being.

Preeclampsia is a complex and variable maternal disturbance that ranges from a dramatic onset at early gestation to slowly developing symptoms towards term. Hypertension and renal involvement with proteinuria are cardinal signs, which are often accompanied by fluid retention, blood-clotting dysfunction, and reduced organ perfusion. HELLP (haemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count) syndrome is regarded as a variant of preeclampsia, and the fulminante disease, eclampsia, includes convulsions. Preeclampsia is the main cause of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality in western countries (1, 2), and in Nordic countries, 17 percent of maternal deaths have been ascribed to preeclampsia (2). Antenatal care in Norway includes on average 12 doctor/midwife consultations per pregnancy (3), and since blood pressure monitoring and urinary testing are main aims of the consultations, preeclampsia is a pregnancy complication that also generates substantial societal costs. / Paper II, III, IV and V reproduced with permission of Elsevier, sciencedirect.com