The incidence of cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) is steadily increasing. Most of the patients have thin CMM with a good prognosis and a 5-year survival of about 90%. The prognosis is highly related to tumour thickness and clinical stage at diagnosis. Effective systemic treatment for patients with metastatic disease has only recently been available. This thesis aims to increase knowledge of trends in tumour thickness, prognostic factors, socioeconomic differences and medical costs in patients with CMM. The population-based Swedish melanoma register is the main source of data in all papers in the thesis. Papers I-III include patients from all of Sweden while paper IV is delimited to the County of Östergötland. Cox regression and logistic regression are the main multivariable methods used. Paper IV is focused on stage-specific costs of CMM by comparing direct healthcare costs to a general population. For men, there has been a shift over time towards thinner tumours at diagnosis accompanied by an improved survival. Women are still diagnosed with considerably thinner tumours and they experience a better survival than men. Tumour ulceration, tumour thickness and Clark’s level of invasion all showed significant independent long-term prognostic information in T1 CMMs. By combining these factors, three distinct prognostic subgroups were identified. Lower level of education was associated with reduced CMM-specific survival, which may at least partially be attributed to a more advanced stage at diagnosis. The direct healthcare costs for CMM patients were significantly higher than for the general population, independent of clinical stage. CMM patients diagnosed in clinical stage III-IV were associated with particularly high costs. Even though the survival among Swedish patients with CMM is among the highest in the world and still seems to improve, the results of this thesis emphasise the need of improved early detection strategies. This may be of particular concern in men, older women, and groups with a low level of education. The results also imply that the costs for the management of CMM patients may be reduced if early detection efforts are successful and lead to a more favourable stage distribution. The finding of a better risk stratification of thin CMMs may help to improve the management of this large patient group.

Le Lymphome à Cellules du Manteau (LCM) est une entité récemment identifiée qui se caractérise par la translocation génétique t(11 ;14)(q13 ;q32) et compte pour 2 à 10 % de tous les Lymphomes non-Hodgkiniens. Avec une survie médiane entre 3 et 5 ans après le diagnostic, le LCM est une pathologie agressive et malgré les récentes avancées thérapeutiques, peu d’informations sont disponibles concernant ses facteurs pronostiques. Certaines études ont analysé le rôle des caractéristiques clinicopathologiques et des nouvelles stratégies thérapeutiques, mais on connait peut le rôle des facteurs environnementaux et du mode de vie sur le pronostic des patients atteints de LCM. Entre 2008 et 2012, le groupe LYSA a mené en France deux essais cliniques prospectifs multicentriques : LM manteau 2010 SA "RiBVD" (NCI01457144) et Manteau 2007 SJ "LyMa" (NCT00921414). Après une comparaison de ces patients avec les patients de population générale, l’effet de facteurs socioéconomiques et des habitudes de vie sur la survie des patients a été étudié à l’aide d’un questionnaire qualitatif administré à tous les volontaires après le diagnostic. Nos résultats suggèrent qu’un faible niveau d’éducation, un indice de masse corporelle élevé et de la consommation d’alcool sont associés à un risque de décès plus élevé chez les patients atteints de LCM. Toutefois, l’étude de tels facteurs et de leur influence sur un sous-type de LNH aussi rare requiert des échantillons d’étude de taille plus importante. L’élargissement des critères d’inclusion des patients dans les essais cliniques permettrait de sélectionner davantage de patients mais aussi des patients mieux représentatifs de la population générale. Enfin, l’intégration systématique de ce type de questionnaire dans les protocoles d’essais cliniques serait aussi un atout majeur. / Mantle Cell Lymphoma (MCL) is a recently defined entity, typically characterised by the genetic translocation t(11 ;14)(q13 ;q32) and counting for 2 - 10% of all non-Hodgkin Lymphomas. With a median survival between 3 and 5 years after diagnosis, MCL is an agressive disease and despite the recent therapeutic advances little in know about its prognostic factors. Some studies had investigated clinicopathological features and new treatment strategies, but there is a lack of knowledge regarding the impact of lifestyle and environnemental factors on outcome of MCL patients. From 2008 to 2012, the LYSA Group conducted in France two prospective multi center clinical trials on MCL : LM manteau 2010 SA "RiBVD" (NCI01457144) and Manteau 2007 SJ "LyMa" (NCT00921414). After a comparison of these patients with population-based data, socioeconomic factors, lifestyle factors and their influence on survival had been investigated through a qualitative survey administrated to each volunteer after diagnosis. Our findings suggest that low educational attainment, low body body mass index and alcohol consumption are associated with a higher risk of death in MCL. However, to investigate lifestyle factors in this rare NHL subtype, larger studies should be carried out. Clinical trial inclusion criteria must be widen to select more patients and patients more representative of general population. Implementation of these epidemiological studies in clinical practice should be considered.

Le vieillissement de la population associé à un nombre croissant de cancers constituent une réalité épidémiologique qui soulève des interrogations sur l’accès aux soins et le pronosticdes sujets âgés avec un cancer, pour lesquels des disparités ont été mises en évidence. Toutefois, les études présentent plusieurs limites dont l’absence de facteurs spécifiques aux personnes âgées (PA). L’objectif de ce travail était d’étudier les déterminants sociodémographiques, socioéconomiques et cliniques de l’accès aux soins (stade de cancer, traitement) et du pronostic (déclin fonctionnel, survie) chez des PA atteintes d’un cancer. Les travaux ont été réalisés à partir de données issues de registres de cancers et de troiscohortes de PA en Gironde (486 patients de 65 ans et plus, période 2005-14). Les cohortes ont permis de disposer de données telles que le niveau d’éducation, le revenu, la prise demédicaments, la dépendance ou la démence. Selon l’objectif (accès/pronostic), nous avons utilisé différentes méthodes pour prendre en compte le type de données et de critères (régression logistique, modèles multiniveaux, modèles multi-état et de Cox). Notre population était composée pour plus de la moitié de PA de 80 ans et plus, de sexe masculin et ayant un niveau d’éducation supérieur au niveau primaire. Nous nous sommes d’abord intéressés aux déterminants de l’accès aux soins. Aucun déterminant d’un stade avancé de cancer au diagnostic n’a pu être mis en évidence, un niveau d’éducation faible était proche de la significativité pour les cancers avec un stade avancé (p=0,0671). Pour l’accès à un traitement du cancer, nous avons mis en évidence qu’un stade avancé (p=0,003) et la présence d’une démence (p=0,0109) étaient associés à un risque plus faible de recevoir un traitement. Nous avons ensuite étudié les déterminants du pronostic. Les sujets les plus âgés présentaient toujours un risque plus élevé de déclin fonctionnel (p<0,005), quel que soit le critère analysé. Les sujets ayant un faible niveau d’éducation (p=0,027), prenant plus de six médicaments par jour (p=0,047), présentant une démence (p<0,001) ou diagnostiqués à un stade avancé (p<0,001) avaient une probabilité de déclin fonctionnel plus importante, les résultats variant selon le critère. Enfin, à 12, 24 et 36 mois, la probabilité de survie globale était respectivement de 66, 57 et 48%. Le risque de décès était plus élevé chez les hommes (p=0,019), diagnostiqués à un stade avancé de cancer (p<0,001) et sans traitement du cancer (p<0,001), mais aussi chez les fumeurs (actuels et anciens) (p=0,019) et les PA dépendantes (p<0,001). En sus de déterminants classiques de l’accès aux soins ou du pronostic des cancers, nous avons mis en évidence pour les PA, le rôle des déficits cognitifs pour l’accès à un traitement ou sur le pronostic fonctionnel et celui de la dépendance sur la survie. Chez les PA avec un cancer, les facteurs spécifiques aux PA semblent donc essentiels à analyser. L’analyse des liens de causalité entre les déterminants de santé reste un sujet particulièrement intéressant dans cette population de PA comme pour les patients avec un cancer. / The growing incidence of cancer associated to an aging population represents an epidemiologic reality that requires questioning access to care and prognosis in elderly with cancer, for which disparities have been highlighted. However, generally speaking, studies are limited in that they overlook geriatric-specific factors. The aim of this work was to study sociodemographic, socioeconomic and clinical determinants of access to care (cancer stage, cancer treatment) and prognosis (functional decline, survival) in elderly cancer patients. This research project has relied on data from cancer registries and three elderly cohort studies in the French department of Gironde (486 patients aged 65 and over from 2005 to 2014). The cohorts provided data such as education level, income, medication, dependency and dementia. Depending on the aim, we used different statistical methods to analyze different types of data and outcomes (logistic regression, multi-level model, multi-state model, Cox model). More than half of our population was aged 80 and over, male and had high education degrees. First, we studied determinants of access to care. No determinant of advance stage at diagnosis was found, but low education was close to significance for advanced stage (p=0.067). Concerning cancer treatment administration, advanced stage at diagnosis (p=0.003) and diagnosis of dementia (p=0.011) were associated with a lower risk of treatment administration. Second, we studied determinants of prognosis. Older old had higher risk of functional decline (p<0.001), regardless of the outcome. Subjects with low education (p=0.027), taking more than six daily drugs (0.047), presenting diagnosed dementia (p<0.001) or those with advanced cancer stage at diagnosis had higher risk of functional decline, results depending on outcome. At last, overall survival at 12, 24 and 36 months was 66, 55 and 48%, respectively. Risk of death was higher in men (p=0.019), in patients with advanced stage at diagnosis (p<0.001) or without treatment (p<0.001) in current and former smokers (p=0.019) and in dependent elderly patients (p<0.001). In addition to classical determinants of access to care and prognosis in cancer, we demonstrated the impact of cognitive impairment on treatment administration or functional prognosis, and that of dependency on survival. . It appears essential to consider geriatric specific factors in studies on the elderly with cancer population. The causality between health determinants is particularly interesting in the elderly as well as in the cancer populations.

Evidências científicas apontam para os efeitos indesejáveis do açúcares de adição na saúde, especialmente, cáries e a associação com consumo excessivo de energia e, conseqüentemente, com o ganho de peso e diluição de outros nutrientes. A Organização Mundial da Saúde recomenda limitar o consumo em 10% do valor energético total (VET). Apesar do Brasil ser um dos principais produtores mundiais de açúcares proveniente de cana, não há estudos populacionais que investiguem o consumo de açúcares nesta população. Este trabalho apresenta três artigos relacionados ao consumo de açúcares de adição obtido por inquérito populacional domiciliar entre adultos e idosos residentes do município de São Paulo. Os objetivos foram: analisar a associação entre variáveis demográficas, socioeconômicas e de estilo de vida e consumo de açúcares de adição; investigar o consumo de açúcares de adição e sua relação com o consumo de energia e nutrientes; identificar a relação entre consumo de refrigerantes, como uma das principais fontes de açúcares de adição, e variáveis de estilo de vida, antropométricas e sociodemográficas. Obteve-se uma amostra probabilística de 1311 indivíduos (689 adultos e 622 idosos) por conglomerados. Aplicou-se um recordatório alimentar de 24 horas e um segundo recordatório em uma subamostra. O consumo alimentar habitual de energia, nutrientes e alimentos foi estimado pelos métodos propostos pela Iowa State University (ISU) e pelo National Cancer Institute (NCI). A média do percentual do VET proveniente de açúcares de adição foi de 9,13% (IC95%: 8,88; 9,37) entre adultos e 8,42% (IC95%: 8,16; 8,67) entre idosos (p<0,05). O percentual de indivíduos que ingere açúcares de adição acima de 10% do VET foi de 38,0% e 25,4% entre adultos e idosos, respectivamente. Mulheres consomem açúcares em maior quantidade do que homens (p<0,05). Faixa etária e número de bens duráveis estiveram associados à adequação do consumo de açúcares entre adultos enquanto que entre idosos observou-se associação para escolaridade. O maior consumo de açúcares associou-se ao menor consumo de alguns nutrientes, como proteína, fibras, zinco, ferro, magnésio, potássio, vitamina B6 e folato. A participação do refrigerante na contribuição de açúcares de adição foi entre 13,83% (mulheres idosas) a 38,1% (homens adultos). O consumo de refrigerantes foi maior entre os mais jovens, do sexo masculino e não subrelatores do consumo energético. Somente entre adultos, o índice de massa corporal associou-se ao consumo de refrigerantes (b=0,09; p=0,034). Medidas de saúde pública para limitar o consumo de açúcares e refrigerantes poderiam beneficiar a população na promoção da saúde. / Scientific evidences point to the undesirable effects of the added sugar in the health, such as: dental caries, excess of energy intake and, consequently, weight gain and dilution of nutrients. The World Health Organization recommends to limit the consumption in 10 % of the energetic intake (EI) from added sugar. In spite of Brazil is one of the principal world-wide producers of sugar from cane, there are no survey that investigate the consumption of sugars in this population. This thesis presents three papers related to added sugar consumption obtained by population-based survey between adult and elderly in Sao Paulo. The objectives were: to analyze the association between demographic, socioeconomics and life style variables and added sugar consumption; to investigate the consumption of added sugar and his relation with the energy and nutrients intake; to identify the relation between consumption of soft drinks, like one of the main source of added sugar, and demographic, socioeconomics, nutritional state and life style variables. The probabilistic sample of 1,311 individuals (689 adults and 622 elderly) was obtained using multistage cluster samples. Data was collected through 24-hour food recall, including a second round of data collection in a subsample. Usual intakes of energy, nutrients and food were estimated by Iowa State University (ISU) and National Cancer Institute (NCI) methods. Mean contribution of added sugars to total energy intake was 9.13% (95% CI: 8.88; 9.37) between adults and 8.42% (95% CI: 8.16; 8.67) between elderly (p<0.05). The frequency of individuals that ingests added sugars above 10% of EI was 38.0% and 25.4% between adult and elderly, respectively. Women consume more sugars than men (p <0.05). Age and number of durable goods were associated to the recommendation of added sugars consumption between adults whereas between elderly association was observed for schooling. The highest sugar consumption was associated with the lower nutrients intake, like proteins, fibers, zinc, iron, magnesium, potassium, vitamin B6 and folate. Soft drink contributed 13.83% (elderly women) to 38.1 % (adult men) for added sugar. The consumption of soft drinks is higher between younger, male and not consumption underreported. Only in adults, the body mass index was associated with consumption of soft drinks (b = 0.09; p=0.034). Measures of public health to limit the consumption of sugars and soft drinks might benefit the population in the promotion of the health.

Evidências científicas apontam para os efeitos indesejáveis do açúcares de adição na saúde, especialmente, cáries e a associação com consumo excessivo de energia e, conseqüentemente, com o ganho de peso e diluição de outros nutrientes. A Organização Mundial da Saúde recomenda limitar o consumo em 10% do valor energético total (VET). Apesar do Brasil ser um dos principais produtores mundiais de açúcares proveniente de cana, não há estudos populacionais que investiguem o consumo de açúcares nesta população. Este trabalho apresenta três artigos relacionados ao consumo de açúcares de adição obtido por inquérito populacional domiciliar entre adultos e idosos residentes do município de São Paulo. Os objetivos foram: analisar a associação entre variáveis demográficas, socioeconômicas e de estilo de vida e consumo de açúcares de adição; investigar o consumo de açúcares de adição e sua relação com o consumo de energia e nutrientes; identificar a relação entre consumo de refrigerantes, como uma das principais fontes de açúcares de adição, e variáveis de estilo de vida, antropométricas e sociodemográficas. Obteve-se uma amostra probabilística de 1311 indivíduos (689 adultos e 622 idosos) por conglomerados. Aplicou-se um recordatório alimentar de 24 horas e um segundo recordatório em uma subamostra. O consumo alimentar habitual de energia, nutrientes e alimentos foi estimado pelos métodos propostos pela Iowa State University (ISU) e pelo National Cancer Institute (NCI). A média do percentual do VET proveniente de açúcares de adição foi de 9,13% (IC95%: 8,88; 9,37) entre adultos e 8,42% (IC95%: 8,16; 8,67) entre idosos (p<0,05). O percentual de indivíduos que ingere açúcares de adição acima de 10% do VET foi de 38,0% e 25,4% entre adultos e idosos, respectivamente. Mulheres consomem açúcares em maior quantidade do que homens (p<0,05). Faixa etária e número de bens duráveis estiveram associados à adequação do consumo de açúcares entre adultos enquanto que entre idosos observou-se associação para escolaridade. O maior consumo de açúcares associou-se ao menor consumo de alguns nutrientes, como proteína, fibras, zinco, ferro, magnésio, potássio, vitamina B6 e folato. A participação do refrigerante na contribuição de açúcares de adição foi entre 13,83% (mulheres idosas) a 38,1% (homens adultos). O consumo de refrigerantes foi maior entre os mais jovens, do sexo masculino e não subrelatores do consumo energético. Somente entre adultos, o índice de massa corporal associou-se ao consumo de refrigerantes (b=0,09; p=0,034). Medidas de saúde pública para limitar o consumo de açúcares e refrigerantes poderiam beneficiar a população na promoção da saúde. / Scientific evidences point to the undesirable effects of the added sugar in the health, such as: dental caries, excess of energy intake and, consequently, weight gain and dilution of nutrients. The World Health Organization recommends to limit the consumption in 10 % of the energetic intake (EI) from added sugar. In spite of Brazil is one of the principal world-wide producers of sugar from cane, there are no survey that investigate the consumption of sugars in this population. This thesis presents three papers related to added sugar consumption obtained by population-based survey between adult and elderly in Sao Paulo. The objectives were: to analyze the association between demographic, socioeconomics and life style variables and added sugar consumption; to investigate the consumption of added sugar and his relation with the energy and nutrients intake; to identify the relation between consumption of soft drinks, like one of the main source of added sugar, and demographic, socioeconomics, nutritional state and life style variables. The probabilistic sample of 1,311 individuals (689 adults and 622 elderly) was obtained using multistage cluster samples. Data was collected through 24-hour food recall, including a second round of data collection in a subsample. Usual intakes of energy, nutrients and food were estimated by Iowa State University (ISU) and National Cancer Institute (NCI) methods. Mean contribution of added sugars to total energy intake was 9.13% (95% CI: 8.88; 9.37) between adults and 8.42% (95% CI: 8.16; 8.67) between elderly (p<0.05). The frequency of individuals that ingests added sugars above 10% of EI was 38.0% and 25.4% between adult and elderly, respectively. Women consume more sugars than men (p <0.05). Age and number of durable goods were associated to the recommendation of added sugars consumption between adults whereas between elderly association was observed for schooling. The highest sugar consumption was associated with the lower nutrients intake, like proteins, fibers, zinc, iron, magnesium, potassium, vitamin B6 and folate. Soft drink contributed 13.83% (elderly women) to 38.1 % (adult men) for added sugar. The consumption of soft drinks is higher between younger, male and not consumption underreported. Only in adults, the body mass index was associated with consumption of soft drinks (b = 0.09; p=0.034). Measures of public health to limit the consumption of sugars and soft drinks might benefit the population in the promotion of the health.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-19T18:16:03Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Elizabeth.pdf: 379120 bytes, checksum: 95fc19af59733f5a28b4ef5568facd75 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-12-20 / The climacterium is the period of a woman's life that marks the transition from reproductive stage and non reproductive stage, resulting from the gradual decline of ovarian function and the occurrence of menopause. It is marked by changes in the female body, such as vasomotor symptoms, psychological, genitourinary, sexual and sleep disturbance. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of climacteric symptoms. This is a descriptive and cross-sectional population-based study. It enrolled 1210 perimenopausal women from 45 to 60 years old. Interviews were conducted by a specific questionnaires in the period from April to July 2008. Data analysis was performed by chi-squared test and Kruskal-Wallis variance. The intensity of climacteric symptoms was analyzed by circulatory and psychological index. The mean age of natural menopause was 48 years (SD ± 4.61), and the minimum age was 25 and maximum was 58 years. The prevalence of symptoms associated with the climacteric syndrome was 77,8%, especially hot flashes and sweating that was most prevalent vasomotor symptoms. Nervousness and irritability were most frequent psychological disturb. The intensity of vasomotor symptoms and psychological, calculated by circulatory and psychological index, do not have a significant differences according to menopausal stage. There was a prevalence of vaginal dryness as the most prevalent genitourinary complaint. It was observed that most menopausal women of São Luis is in the age group of 55-60 years, brown color, with 09 to 11 years of schooling, married, with gainfully employed, Catholic and from social class C. This study concluded that the prevalence of climacteric symptoms was high in climacteric women living in São Luis, especially: hot flashes, sweating, nervousness, irritability, vaginal dryness and dyspareunia. The intensity of vasomotor and psychological symptoms was significantly higher in peri and postmenopause / O climatério representa o período de vida da mulher que marca a transição da fase reprodutiva para a não reprodutiva, resultante do declínio gradual da função ovariana e a ocorrência da menopausa. É marcado por alterações no organismo feminino, tais como: sintomas vasomotores, psicológicos, urogenitais, sexuais e distúrbio do sono. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a prevalência dos sintomas climatéricos. Realizou-se um estudo descritivo e exploratório de corte transversal, tipo inquérito populacional domiciliar. Foram selecionadas 1210 mulheres climatéricas de 45 a 60 anos de idade. As entrevistas foram aplicadas por questionários com perguntas abertas, fechadas e pré-testadas no período de abril a julho de 2008. A análise dos dados foi realizada pelo teste do qui-quadrado e variância de Kruskall-Wallis. A intensidade dos sintomas climatéricos foi analisada pelos índices circulatório e psicológico. A média etária da menopausa natural foi de 48 anos (DP±4,61), sendo que a idade mínima foi de 25 e a máxima de 58 anos. A prevalência de sintomas associados à síndrome do climatério foi de 77,8%, destacando-se fogachos e sudorese como os sintomas vasomotores mais prevalentes. Os sintomas psicológicos mais freqüentes foram nervosismo e irritabilidade. A intensidade dos sintomas vasomotores e psicológicos, calculada pelo índice circulatório e psicológico, não evidenciou diferença significativa de acordo com o estado menopausal. Houve predomínio do ressecamento vaginal como a queixa urogenital mais prevalente. Observou-se que a maioria das mulheres climatéricas de São Luís está na faixa etária de 55 a 60 anos, de cor parda, com 09 a 11 anos de escolaridade, casada, com emprego remunerado, católica e de classe social C. Conclui-se que a prevalência dos sintomas climatéricos foi elevada em mulheres climatéricas residentes em São Luís, destacando-se: fogachos, sudorese, nervosismo, irritabilidade, ressecamento vaginal e dispareunia. A intensidade dos sintomas vasomotores e psicológicos foi significativamente mais elevada na peri e pós menopausa.

<p>Acute thrombo-embolic occlusion of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) with intestinal infarction is a lethal disease, difficult to diagnose in time, with unknown incidence and cause-specific mortality. The aim of this thesis was to characterize the disease and to develop diagnostic methods. </p><p>Two laboratory studies were conducted on patients with suspected acute SMA occlusion. A pilot-study showed that the fibrinolytic marker D-dimer was elevated in six patients with the disease. In the subsequent study including 101 patients, D-dimer was the only elevated coagulation marker in nine patients with the disease. In a prospective study 24 patients (median age 84 years) were identified, of whom four were diagnosed at autopsy, despite an autopsy-rate of 10%. One-fourth were initially nursed in non-surgical wards. Length of the intestinal infarction was a predictor for death. An analysis of patients from the three studies showed that D-Dimer was elevated in all 16 tested patients with the disease.</p><p>Sixty patients with acute SMA occlusion underwent intestinal revascularisation and were registered in the Swedish Vascular Registry (SWEDVASC). One-year survival-rate was 40%. Previous vascular surgery was a negative risk-factor.</p><p>A population-based study was conducted in Malmö, based on an autopsy-rate of 87%. Among 270 patients with the disease, 2/3 were diagnosed only at autopsy and 1/2 were managed in non-surgical wards. The incidence was 8.6 per 100000 person years. The age-standardized incidence increased exponentially without gender differences. The diagnosis was the cause of death in 1.2% among octogenarians and beyond. Thrombotic occlusions were located proximally within the SMA and associated with extensive intestinal infarctions. Synchronous embolism, often multiple, occurred in 2/3 of the patients with embolic occlusions.</p><p>Conclusions: A normal D-dimer at presentation most likely excludes the diagnosis. Acute SMA occlusion was more frequent than previously estimated from clinical series. The patients were often nursed in non-surgical wards.</p>

<p>The aim the thesis was to investigate, the prevalence of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTS). Moreover, we examine symptom severity and different levels of distress and describe how different symptoms from the lower urinary tract affect the self-assessed health, sadness, happiness and the quality of life in men. </p><p>The studies are based on two data collections. In the first data collection, all men aged 40 – 80 years (n=2571) living in the Swedish community received a postal questionnaire. Twelve months later, 504 men who had earlier reported LUTS and 504 who had not reported symptoms were asked to complete the DAN-PSS and the SF-36 questionnaires. </p><p>The overall prevalence of LUTS was 24%. Post-micturition dribbling (21%) was the most frequent symptom, and stress incontinence (2%) was the least frequent symptom. Urge incontinence, stress incontinence and “other” incontinence cause a high level of distress, even if the symptoms do not occur very often. Men experiencing mild, moderate or severe urge, stress or “other incontinence” had lower mean scores for all of the eight dimensions measured by the SF-36 than men without the same symptoms. Men experiencing a moderate/severe degree of weak stream or nocturia reported a poorer quality of life in all dimensions compared to men with a mild level of the same symptoms. The total burden of moderate/severe LUTS is related to self-assessed health, sadness and happiness. For each of the 12 specific LUTS, men with mild, moderate or severe symptoms had lower scores for self-assessed health and happiness, and higher scores for self-assessed sadness, than men without the same symptoms. </p><p>In conclusions, one of every four men reports LUTS. Urinary incontinence causes high level of distress even to men who experience this symptom rarely. LUTS have a negative impact on quality of life, health, sadness and happiness. </p>

<p>The overall aim was to study factors that affect behaviour related to CVD (cardiovascular diseases). Study I tested whether gender, education and so-cioeconomic status correlated to knowledge about risk factors, and Study II studied knowledge and risk behaviour from a national perspective (Sweden versus Poland). Furthermore, Study III examined whether obese people dif-fered from people of normal weight regarding knowledge about risk factors, and Study IV examined whether risk behaviour is affected by personal ex-perience of illness and family history of CVD. </p><p>The studies are population-based with cross-sectional design. Data were obtained by questionnaires and by screening results of risk factors related to CVD. The studies were carried out among 50-year old men and women in Västmanland, Sweden (n=1011) and in Wroclaw, Poland (n=1043).</p><p>The results show that women are more knowledgeable than men about the risk factors for CVD, and that low education is associated with insufficient knowledge about CVD (Study I). The discrepancy between knowledge and behaviour was greater among the Poles than it was among the Swedes (Study II). Obese individuals did not differ significantly from individuals with a normal weight regarding knowledge of cardiovascular risk factors when education was controlled for (Study III). Individuals with a personal experience of illness may be more inclined to change smoking behaviour than the average person (Study IV).</p><p>In conclusion, knowledge about risk factors for CVD varies with education, gender and, to a certain degree, nationality. However, knowledge does not only consist of the conditions of behaviour change. The results in the thesis substantiate theories suggesting that change in risk behaviour is a process over time. Predictors of risk behaviours on the individual level as well as national level are of importance, and needs to be considered in the every day practice of health care professionals.</p>

Acute thrombo-embolic occlusion of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) with intestinal infarction is a lethal disease, difficult to diagnose in time, with unknown incidence and cause-specific mortality. The aim of this thesis was to characterize the disease and to develop diagnostic methods. Two laboratory studies were conducted on patients with suspected acute SMA occlusion. A pilot-study showed that the fibrinolytic marker D-dimer was elevated in six patients with the disease. In the subsequent study including 101 patients, D-dimer was the only elevated coagulation marker in nine patients with the disease. In a prospective study 24 patients (median age 84 years) were identified, of whom four were diagnosed at autopsy, despite an autopsy-rate of 10%. One-fourth were initially nursed in non-surgical wards. Length of the intestinal infarction was a predictor for death. An analysis of patients from the three studies showed that D-Dimer was elevated in all 16 tested patients with the disease. Sixty patients with acute SMA occlusion underwent intestinal revascularisation and were registered in the Swedish Vascular Registry (SWEDVASC). One-year survival-rate was 40%. Previous vascular surgery was a negative risk-factor. A population-based study was conducted in Malmö, based on an autopsy-rate of 87%. Among 270 patients with the disease, 2/3 were diagnosed only at autopsy and 1/2 were managed in non-surgical wards. The incidence was 8.6 per 100000 person years. The age-standardized incidence increased exponentially without gender differences. The diagnosis was the cause of death in 1.2% among octogenarians and beyond. Thrombotic occlusions were located proximally within the SMA and associated with extensive intestinal infarctions. Synchronous embolism, often multiple, occurred in 2/3 of the patients with embolic occlusions. Conclusions: A normal D-dimer at presentation most likely excludes the diagnosis. Acute SMA occlusion was more frequent than previously estimated from clinical series. The patients were often nursed in non-surgical wards.