The overall aim of this thesis was to develop, deploy and evaluate new IT-based methods for supporting treatment and assessment of treatment of advanced Parkinson’s disease. In this condition a number of different motor and non-motor symptoms occur in episodes of varying frequency, duration and severity. In order to determine outcome of treatment changes, repeated assessments are necessary. Hospitalization for observation is expensive and may not be representative for the situation at home. Paper home diaries have questionable reliability and storage and retrieval of results are problematic. Approaches for monitoring using wearable sensors are unable to address important non-motor symptoms. A test battery system consisting of both self-assessments of symptoms and motor function tests was constructed for a touch screen mobile phone. Tests are performed on several occasions per day during test periods of one week. Data is transmitted over the mobile net to a central server where summaries in different symptom dimensions and an overall test score per patient and test period are calculated. There is a web application that graphically presents the results to treating clinical staff. As part of this work, a novel method for assessment of spiral drawing impairment useful during event-driven sampling was developed. To date, the system has been used by over 100 patients in 10 clinics in Sweden and Italy. Evidence is growing that the test battery is useful, reliable and valid for assessment of symptoms during advanced Parkinson’s disease. Infusion of a levodopa/carbidopa gel into the small intestine has been shown to reduce variation in plasma drug levels and improve clinical response in this patient category. A pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic model of this intestinal gel infusion was constructed. Possibly this model can assist the process of individualization of dosage for this treatment through in numero simulations. Results from an exploratory data analysis indicate that severity measures during oral levodopa treatment may be factors to consider when deciding candidates for infusion treatment.

Purpose Allergy against implant materials is discussed controversially and still not fully understood. Despite these controversies, a relevant number of patients receive hypoallergenic knee implants. The aim of this study was to compare a new coating system with the standard implant in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Additionally, the influence of proinflammatory cytokines on patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) was investigated. Methods 120 patients without known metal allergy and without previous metal implants were included. The patients were randomized to receive a coated or standard TKA of the same knee system. 105 patients completed the 5 year follow-up. Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) including knee function (Oxford Knee Score, OKS), quality of life (SF36) and UCLA activity scale were assessed. Additionally, several cytokines with a possible role in implant allergy were measured in patient`s serum (IL-1beta, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IP-10, IFN γ, TNF α). Group comparison was performed using Mann–Whitney U test for continuous values and chi-square test for categorical values. Results There were no differences in PROMs between both groups at any follow-up. The majority of patients demonstrated no elevation of the measured blood cytokines. The blood cytokine pattern after 5 years demonstrated no differences between study groups. There was a significant association between elevated IL-8 values and worse results in the overall OKS (p = 0.041), the OKS function component (p = 0.004), the UCLA activity scale (p = 0.007) and the physical component of SF36 (p = 0.001). Conclusion There were no problems with the new coating during mid-term follow-up and no differences in PROMs between coated and standard TKA. Patients with an increased inflammatory response demonstrated worse functional results, regardless of the implant. Level of evidence I. Clinical trial registration The study protocol was registered in the US National Institutes of Health’s database (http:// www.clini caltr ials. gov) registry under NCT00862511.

Objectif : Comparer les dispositifs de délivrance automatisée d’insuline open-source (DDAI-OS) et les DDAI commerciaux hybrides sur le contrôle glycémique, la qualité de vie rapportée, et la sécurité chez des adultes avec diabète de type 1 (DT1). Méthodes : Étude prospective, observationnelle, de non-infériorité, comparative et en vie réelle, incluant 78 adultes canadiens avec un DT1 et utilisant un DDAI ≥ 3 mois. Quatre semaines de mesure continue du glucose ont permis d’évaluer le % temps passé dans la cible de glucose (%TIR, 3,9-10,0 mmol/L). Les indicateurs de qualité de vie ont été évalués par des échelles de mesure validées. Les mesures de sécurité sont le temps passé en hypoglycémie, la survenue d’hypoglycémie sévère ou d’acido-cétose et les problèmes techniques. Résultats : Les participants du groupe DDAI-OS étaient non inférieurs au groupe DDAI commercial sur le %TIR (78,3% [SD 11,0] vs. 71,2% [SD 10,9], différence moyenne 7,2% [95% CI 1,9% à 12,5%], p<0.001), même après ajustement sur plusieurs facteurs confondants. Le groupe DDAI-OS a passé plus de temps en hypoglycémie (<3,9 mmol/L) (3,9% [SD 3,1] vs. 1,8% [SD 1,3], p<0.001) et a rapporté moins de peur de l’hypoglycémie. Aucun épisode d’hypoglycémie sévère ou d’acido-cétose n’a été rapporté, avec un nombre de problèmes techniques similaires entre les deux groupes. Conclusion : Les DDAI-OS hybrides sont sécuritaires et non inférieurs aux DDAI commerciaux hybrides en termes de %TIR chez des adultes vivant avec un DT1 dans des conditions de vie réelle. Nos résultats soutiennent que les DDAI-OS peuvent être considérés pour la gestion du DT1. / Background: Comparison between unregulated open-source (OS) automated insulin delivery (AID) systems and commercial AID (C-AID) systems remains scarce. Objective: Compare both AID systems regarding glucose management, patient-reported outcomes (PROs), and safety among adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D) in real-life conditions. Design: Prospective, observational, non-inferiority, comparative, real-world study. Setting: On-site (a diabetes clinic in Montreal) and online (a T1D registry and social media platforms) across Canada. Participants: 78 adults with T1D, having used an AID system for ≥ 3 months, and living in Canada (26 OS-AID and 52 C-AID users). Measurements: 4-week’s data from a blinded continuous glucose monitor were used to assess effectiveness (primary outcome: 24h time in range % [TIR%], with a non-inferiority margin of 5%). Other outcomes included PRO measures using validated scales. Safety outcomes included time spent in hypoglycemia, severe hypoglycemia, diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), and technical issues. Results: OS-AIDs were non-inferior to C-AIDs regarding 24h TIR% (78.3% [SD 11.0] vs. 71.2% [SD 10.9], mean difference 7.2% [95% CI 1.9% to 12.5%], p<0.001), even after adjusting for various confounding factors. OS-AIDs spent more time in hypoglycemia (<3.9 mmol/L) than C-AIDs (3.9% [SD 3.1] vs. 1.8% [SD 1.3], p<0.001) and reported less fear of hypoglycemia. No severe hypoglycemia or DKA was reported in either group, with a similar occurrence rate of technical issues between groups. Conclusion: OS-AIDs are safe and non-inferior to C-AIDs for TIR% among adults with T1D in real-world settings. Our findings support that both OS-AID and C-AID systems can be considered for T1D management.

Bakgrund Femoroacetabulär impingement (FAI) syndrom är en allt vanligare rörelserelaterad funktionsnedsättning i höften, relaterat till en prematur kontakt mellan proximalafemur och acetabulum. Fysioterapi har visat god effekt vid behandlingen av FAI men aktuell forskning är begränsad och konsensus kring bästa behandlingsmetod saknas. Syfte Identifiera och kategorisera vilka fysioterapeutiska interventioner som används vid behandlingen av femoroacetabulär impingement (FAI), hur interventionerna utvärderas och presentera effekten av dessa interventioner. Metod Kartläggande litteraturöversikt. I februari 2022 genomfördes en elektronisk sökning efter vetenskapliga originalstudier från 2012, i databaserna PubMed, CINAHL och PEDRO. Totalt 1672 studier granskades varav 23 inkluderades. Huvudtyper av interventioner identifieras och kategoriserades med stöd av ICF-ramverket utifrån avsett syfte. Resultat Ur 23 inkluderade studier identifierades 36 huvudtyper av interventioner. Av dessaka tegoriseras 25 interventioner under ICF komponenten kroppsfunktioner. Hälften av interventionerna kategoriseras under neuromuskuloskeletala och rörelserelaterade funktioner. Av totalt 33 olika patientrapporterade utfallsmått (PROM) utgjorde iHOT-33, mHHS och NAHS de tre vanligast förekommande. Minst ett av de rekommenderade utfallsmåtten iHOT-12/-33, HAGOS och HOS användes i 70% av studierna. Alla inkluderade randomiserade kontrollerade studier visar signifikanta förbättringar vid användandet av fysioterapeutiska interventioner för FAI avseende PROM vid uppföljning jämfört baslinjen. Slutsats Utformningen av fysioterapeutiska interventioner vid FAI varierar, även om majoriteten syftar till att påverka neuromuskuloskeletala och rörelserelaterade funktioner. Det är möjligt att utifrån interventionens syfte klassificera interventioner vid FAI enligt ICF-ramverket. Rekommenderade diagnosspecifika PROM används i relativt hög utsträckning, till skillnad från de rekommenderade livskvalitetsmåtten. Studien belyser i likhet med tidigare forskning, bristen på konsensus gällande den fysioterapeutiska behandlingen vid FAI. / Background Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) syndrome is an increasingly prevalent movement related disability in the hip, related to premature contact between the femur and acetabulum. Physiotherapy has shown efficacy in treating FAI, but research is limited and shows a lack of consensus regarding best conservative care. Purpose This study aims to identify and categorize the type of physiotherapeutic interventions used in treating FAI, present the effects of these interventions and to map the use of outcome measures. Methods Scoping review. In February 2022 an electronic search was conducted across the databases PubMed, CINAHL and PEDRO. A total of 1672 studies were identified of which 23 met eligibility. Main types of interventions were identified and classified based on aim using the ICF-framework. Results A total of 36 main types of interventions were identified. Out of these, 25 could be categorized under the ICF-component body functions and 18 under neuromusculoskeletal and movement-related functions. Out of 33 total PROMs, iHOT-33, mHHS and NAHS saw most use. At least one of the recommended PROMs was used in 70% of the studies. Included RCT: s show significant improvement on a variety of outcome scores. Conclusion Interventions treating FAI varies, with most targeting neuromusculoskeletal and movement-related functions. Categorization based on the aim of interventions is possible using the ICF-framework. Recommended hip-specific outcome measures are used to a greater extent compared to the more general quality of life measures. This study, in accordance with earlier research, illustrates the lack of consensus regarding the physiotherapeutic care of FAI.

Background: Patient empowerment is viewed as a priority by policy makers, patients and practitioners worldwide. Although there are a number of measures available, none have been developed specifically for patients in the UK with long-term conditions. It is the aim of this study to report the development and preliminary validation of an empowerment instrument for patients with long-term conditions in primary care.Methods: The study involved three methods. Firstly, a systematic review was conducted to identify existing empowerment instruments, and to describe, compare and appraise their content and quality. The results supported the need for a new instrument. Item content of existing instruments helped support development of the new instrument. Secondly, empowerment was explored in patients with long-term conditions and primary care practitioners using qualitative methods, to explore its meaning and the factors that support or hinder empowerment. This led to the development of a conceptual model to support instrument development. Thirdly, a new instrument for measuring empowerment in patients with long-term conditions in primary care was developed. A cross-sectional survey of patients was conducted to collect preliminary data on acceptability, reliability and validity, using pre-specified hypotheses based on existing theoretical and empirical work. Results: Nine instruments meeting review inclusion criteria were identified. Only one instrument was developed to measure empowerment in long-term conditions in the context of primary care, and that was judged to be insufficient in terms of content and purpose. Five dimensions (‘identity’, ‘knowledge and understanding’, ‘personal control’, personal decision-making’, and ‘enabling other patients’) of empowerment were identified through published literature and the qualitative work and incorporated into a preliminary version of the new instrument. A postal survey achieved 197 responses (response rate 33%). Almost half of the sample reported circulatory, diabetic or musculoskeletal conditions. Exploratory factor analysis suggested a three factor solution (‘identity’, ‘knowledge and understanding’ and ‘enabling’). Two dimensions of empowerment (‘identity’ and ‘enabling’) and total empowerment showed acceptable levels of internal consistency. The measure showed relationships with external measures (including quality of chronic illness care, self-efficacy and educational qualifications) that were generally supportive of its construct validity.Conclusion: Initial analyses suggest that the new measure meets basic psychometric criteria and has potential for the measurement of patient empowerment in long-term conditions in primary care. The scale may have a role in research on quality of care for long-term conditions, and could function as a patient-reported outcome measure. However, further validation is required before more extensive use of the measure.