Scandinavian journal of primary health care
-
Scand J Prim Health Care · Jan 2025
Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation 2 (SCORE2), arterial stiffness, and subclinical coronary atherosclerosis in a population-based study.
To investigate the association between Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation 2 (SCORE2) and subclinical damage in two vascular beds: atherosclerosis in the coronary arteries and aortic arterial stiffness, in a large population-based cohort without cardiovascular disease or diabetes. ⋯ Our study shows that high cardiovascular risk according to SCORE2 is associated with increased arterial stiffness and significant coronary calcification in a population without prevalent cardiovascular disease or diabetes. This knowledge can be useful in primary care, where SCORE2 is frequently used as a risk prediction tool. The modest overlap between arterial stiffness and coronary calcification suggests that CACS and PWV describe different types of vascular damage.
-
Scand J Prim Health Care · Jan 2025
Exercise capacity after long-term physical activity on prescription provided by physiotherapists.
Background: Research has shown that physical activity on prescription (PAP), used in Swedish healthcare, increases patients' physical activity, but data are lacking regarding the long-term effects of PAP on exercise capacity. Therefor exercise capacity was evaluated in patients with metabolic risk factors, after 4.5 years of PAP treatment provided by physiotherapists in primary healthcare. Method: This study included 98 patients (49% women; mean age, 56 years) with metabolic risk factors, who were still physically inactive after a previous 6-month PAP treatment. ⋯ It also demonstrates the feasibility of continuous exercise capacity testing with physiotherapist support in an ordinary primary care setting. The drop-out rate and lack of control group complicate the interpretation of the effects of PAP treatment on the increased exercise capacity. Further research should strive for an RCT study design.
-
Scand J Prim Health Care · Jan 2025
General practitioners' clinical decision-making in patients that could have cancer: a vignette study comparing the Baltic states with four Nordic countries.
Relative one-year cancer survival rates in the Baltic states are lower than the European mean; in the Nordic countries they are higher than the mean. This study investigated the likelihood of General Practitioners (GPs) investigating or referring patients with a low but significant risk of cancer in these two regions, and how this was affected by GP demographics. ⋯ While relative one-year cancer survival rates are lower in the Baltic states than in four Nordic countries, we found no evidence that this is due to their GPs' reluctance to take immediate diagnostic action, as GPs in the Baltic states were more likely to investigate and/or refer at the first consultation. Research on patient and secondary care factors is needed to explain the survival differences.
-
Scand J Prim Health Care · Jan 2025
Considerations and experiences with healthcare-seeking during the first COVID-19 lockdown in Denmark.
To (1) examine considerations before and experiences with GP contact during the first COronaVIrus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) lockdown among Danish citizens; (2) analyse the associations with sex, age, chronic disease, and socioeconomic factors; and (3) explore changes in healthcare-seeking behaviour post-pandemic. ⋯ The results may assist in the organisation of healthcare in case of future lockdowns. Yet, the COVID-19 pandemic has only slightly affected the healthcare-seeking behaviour in the Danish general population.
-
Scand J Prim Health Care · Jan 2025
Health-related quality of life, lifestyle habits and chronic pain in individuals with knee pain - a 2-year follow-up study.
Knee pain increases the risk of developing chronic widespread pain (CWP) and knee osteoarthritis (KOA). The prevalence of CWP and KOA has increased, and there is a need for early prevention. Therefore, the aim was to examine the associations of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and lifestyle habits with chronic pain at a two-year follow-up in individuals with knee pain. ⋯ During primary care visits for knee pain with a combination of overweight or lower HRQoL, individuals should receive comprehensive attention to prevent the development of CWP. Future studies should investigate the associations further.