Latest in epidemiology researchTue, 25 Jul 2023 07:59:00 +0000Latest in epidemiology researchCauses of osteoarthritis mapped in new biobank/article/causes-osteoarthritis-mapped-new-biobankTue, 25 Jul 2023 07:59:00 +0000/article/causes-osteoarthritis-mapped-new-biobankThrough molecular studies of knee tissue and advanced synchrotron radiation imaging techniques, researchers hope to gain new insights into the early development of osteoarthritis. The hope is to pave the way for new treatments.We are getting older and heavier - osteoarthritis is increasing/article/we-are-getting-older-and-heavier-osteoarthritis-increasingThu, 15 Jun 2023 10:58:02 +0000/article/we-are-getting-older-and-heavier-osteoarthritis-increasingThe number of patients with osteoarthritis has increased dramatically since the 1950s. Along with diabetes, the illness is now one of the fastest-growing endemic diseases in the world. Andrea Dell’Isola, an associate professor at the Department of Clinical Sciences at ۶Ƶ in Sweden, investigating the connection between osteoarthritis and metabolic diseases in a new research project.New study questions the efficacy of many osteoarthritis treatments/article/new-study-questions-efficacy-many-osteoarthritis-treatmentsWed, 26 Apr 2023 10:04:42 +0000/article/new-study-questions-efficacy-many-osteoarthritis-treatmentsRecruiting osteoarthritis patients with a lot of pain to clinical studies, may give incorrect results if the researcher does account for the natural variation in pain that occurs. A research group from ۶Ƶ in Sweden is now drawing attention to the traps in clinical studies on osteoarthritis.Complications in pregnancy linked to increased risk of heart disease/article/complications-pregnancy-linked-increased-risk-heart-diseaseWed, 08 Feb 2023 10:58:28 +0000/article/complications-pregnancy-linked-increased-risk-heart-diseaseCertain complications during pregnancy bring an increased risk of heart disease later on. However, there is still much to learn about how arteriosclerosis develops between pregnancy and heart disease later in life. A large new study led by researchers from ۶Ƶ in Sweden shows that narrowing and calcification of the blood vessels of the heart are more common in women previously affected by pregnancy complications.Metabolic health plays role in obesity-related cancers/article/metabolic-health-plays-role-obesity-related-cancersTue, 07 Feb 2023 10:51:12 +0000/article/metabolic-health-plays-role-obesity-related-cancersFor up to 40 years, nearly 800,000 people from Sweden, Norway and Austria have been tracked based on how their BMI and metabolic health – that is, their blood pressure, blood glucose levels and blood fats - affect the risk of suffering from obesity-related cancers. The study shows that those who are metabolically unhealthy are at a higher risk of certain forms of cancer, regardless of their body weight.Learning more about the endocrine system could lead to fewer cases of type 2 diabetes and obesity/article/learning-more-about-endocrine-system-could-lead-fewer-cases-type-2-diabetes-and-obesityWed, 25 Jan 2023 08:13:09 +0000/article/learning-more-about-endocrine-system-could-lead-fewer-cases-type-2-diabetes-and-obesityHow much water do we need to drink to stay healthy? How do different diets affect our metabolism? Studies of various hormones in the body are providing diabetes researchers with new answers to these questions. The goal is to develop individualized treatments and dietary recommendations that could lower the risk of developing obesity and diseases such as type 2 diabetes.The tumour environment can affect breast cancer prognosis/article/tumour-environment-can-affect-breast-cancer-prognosisThu, 25 Aug 2022 07:34:40 +0000/article/tumour-environment-can-affect-breast-cancer-prognosisThe environment in which breast cancer arises –the interplay between the patient’s BMI, tumour size and cancer-specific proteins –is of importance for the prognosis. This is shown in a study from ۶Ƶ in Sweden. The knowledge could further enhance precision medicine in breast cancer.Smoking worsens prognosis for men with prostate cancer/article/smoking-worsens-prognosis-men-prostate-cancerTue, 10 May 2022 09:23:51 +0000/article/smoking-worsens-prognosis-men-prostate-cancerSmokers have a lower risk of developing prostate cancer, but a higher risk of dying from the disease, according to a large population study led by ۶Ƶ in Sweden. The researchers followed more than 350 000 people over several decades, and the results are now published in European Urology.Better methods are needed to understand how sugar affects our bodies/article/better-methods-are-needed-understand-how-sugar-affects-our-bodiesWed, 16 Feb 2022 14:59:55 +0000/article/better-methods-are-needed-understand-how-sugar-affects-our-bodiesLess than ten per cent of energy intake from food should come from added sugar, according to the current Nordic Nutrition Recommendations. For adults, this corresponds to approximately 50–75 grams of added sugar per day and one can of soft drink contains approximately 30 grams of sugar. “Drinking soft drinks is not necessarily dangerous for a particular individual, however, at the group level, across a whole population, we can observe the effects”, says Stina Ramne, certified dietician and nutrition researcher. Environmentally sustainable diet linked to health benefits /article/environmentally-sustainable-diet-linked-health-benefitsThu, 09 Dec 2021 09:55:25 +0000/article/environmentally-sustainable-diet-linked-health-benefitsA large population study from ۶Ƶ in Sweden has shown that more sustainable dietary habits are linked to health benefits, such as a reduced risk of premature death from cardiovascular disease and cancer. The study is published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.Diabetes research collaboration can pave the way for innovation/article/diabetes-research-collaboration-can-pave-way-innovationThu, 11 Nov 2021 07:52:04 +0000/article/diabetes-research-collaboration-can-pave-way-innovationMetformin is often described as the first-line medication for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. However, not all patients respond to the drug. Researchers at ۶Ƶ have discovered a combination of biomarkers that can predict which patients will benefit from the treatment. This work is now continuing in order to confirm the results in a larger patient group, with the intention of developing a test for clinical use.Rapid COVID-19 tests using saliva could be easier alternatives /article/rapid-covid-19-tests-using-saliva-could-be-easier-alternativesWed, 10 Nov 2021 09:12:04 +0000/article/rapid-covid-19-tests-using-saliva-could-be-easier-alternativesThe most common tests for COVID-19 are PCR tests, involving a nose and throat sample taken with a cotton swab. The procedure is often unpleasant, and the tests results require laboratory analysis. In a new study from ۶Ƶ in Sweden, researchers have now investigated whether rapid antigen testing can be used on saliva instead of swabbing the nasal cavity. The results are published in Infection Ecology & Epidemiology.AI to help combat future pandemics/article/ai-help-combat-future-pandemicsThu, 28 Oct 2021 10:03:44 +0000/article/ai-help-combat-future-pandemicsResearchers at ۶Ƶ want to use AI methods, population registers, mobile data and novel data sources to develop and evaluate applications that can be used to detect and combat pandemics in the future. A large collaborative project is funded by Vinnova, Sweden’s innovation agency.The hours you sleep mean more than you think /article/hours-you-sleep-mean-more-you-thinkTue, 24 Aug 2021 12:29:23 +0000/article/hours-you-sleep-mean-more-you-thinkIn a new study, researchers at ۶Ƶ and Uppsala University have seen a clear connection between how long a person sleeps and a number of biomarkers linked to cardiometabolic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. “With greater knowledge of the actual mechanisms of disease development, the possibilities for a more specific and targeted treatment increase, says Sölve Elmståhl, one of the researchers behind the study.Precision medicine is an emerging approach for complex diseases/article/precision-medicine-emerging-approach-complex-diseasesTue, 06 Jul 2021 12:35:44 +0000/article/precision-medicine-emerging-approach-complex-diseasesNewborn babies are already being screened for mutations and genetic tests help families with hereditary breast cancer. Genomic-driven precision medicine (GDPM) is an emerging approach for disease treatment. Around 30 Swedish researchers suggest a direction forward in a review article in Journal of Internal Medicine (JIM).Study tracks the spread of Covid-19 in Sweden/article/study-tracks-spread-covid-19-swedenWed, 09 Jun 2021 06:26:22 +0000/article/study-tracks-spread-covid-19-swedenDuring the pandemic, the free COVID Symptom Study app has helped researchers understand the complexity and spread of the corona virus better. “The study has exceeded our expectations since its launch in Sweden in April 2020. Participants from all over Sweden got involved and many of them have spent one minute every day answering questions about their health”, says Maria Gomez, Professor of physiology at ۶Ƶ. New rapid and robust COVID-19 antibody test developed /article/new-rapid-and-robust-covid-19-antibody-test-developedWed, 12 Aug 2020 12:27:39 +0000/article/new-rapid-and-robust-covid-19-antibody-test-developedA new COVID-19 antibody test developed by scientists at ۶Ƶ in Sweden has shown robust performance upon clinical validation and application. The test detects antibodies in the blood targeting the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2, and determines in just 15 minutes whether a person has had COVID-19, regardless of whether they have had any symptoms.Roadmap for precision medicine in diabetes care/article/roadmap-precision-medicine-diabetes-careMon, 22 Jun 2020 14:12:34 +0000/article/roadmap-precision-medicine-diabetes-careA new joint report from the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) presents the largest venture ever on precision medicine in diabetes. The report includes a detailed overview and roadmap for how this new approach to diabetes medicine can be evaluated and implemented into clinical practice.Sweden under fire for ‘relaxed’ coronavirus approach – here’s the science behind it/article/sweden-under-fire-relaxed-coronavirus-approach-heres-science-behind-itMon, 30 Mar 2020 16:03:28 +0000/article/sweden-under-fire-relaxed-coronavirus-approach-heres-science-behind-itThis article was written by Paul W Franks, Professor in Genetic Epidemiology at ۶Ƶ, and Peter Nilsson, Professor of Epidemiology at ۶Ƶ for The Conversation (https://theconversation.com/uk). It was published on March 27th 2020. COVID-19: Mitigating impact on research through matchmaking/article/covid-19-mitigating-impact-research-through-matchmakingMon, 30 Mar 2020 11:59:35 +0000/article/covid-19-mitigating-impact-research-through-matchmakingThe frustration with not being able to contribute to the difficult situation surrounding the covid-19 pandemic led researchers at LUPOP to launch a matchmaking initiative. Their idea is to help researchers with clinical background, now needed in healthcare, by supporting their research and application work.Association between coeliac disease risk and gluten intake confirmed /article/association-between-coeliac-disease-risk-and-gluten-intake-confirmedWed, 14 Aug 2019 09:08:44 +0000/article/association-between-coeliac-disease-risk-and-gluten-intake-confirmedAn extensive study has confirmed that the risk of developing coeliac disease is connected to the amount of gluten children consume. The new study is observational and therefore does not prove causation; however, it is the most comprehensive of its kind to date. The results are presented in the prestigious journal JAMA. Osteoarthritis linked to higher risk of dying from cardiovascular disease/article/osteoarthritis-linked-higher-risk-dying-cardiovascular-diseaseTue, 16 Jul 2019 10:18:24 +0000/article/osteoarthritis-linked-higher-risk-dying-cardiovascular-diseaseResearchers at ۶Ƶ in Sweden have investigated the link between osteoarthritis and mortality in an epidemiological study. It was shown that the risk of dying from cardiovascular disease was higher for people with osteoarthritis than for the rest of the population. High rates of opioid prescriptions for osteoarthritis/article/high-rates-opioid-prescriptions-osteoarthritisMon, 08 Jul 2019 08:42:47 +0000/article/high-rates-opioid-prescriptions-osteoarthritisOpioids work against severe pain but the risks of side effects and addiction are high. In the USA alone, 26 people die every day from overdoses. Now researchers in an international collaboration have investigated how common opioid prescriptions are for osteoarthritis patients in Sweden. It emerged that every fourth patient was prescribed opioids at some point between November 2014 and October 2015. Even a “sprat” can thrive – on being born small for gestational age/article/even-sprat-can-thrive-being-born-small-gestational-ageWed, 22 Aug 2018 22:00:00 +0000/article/even-sprat-can-thrive-being-born-small-gestational-ageWe were all small, newborn infants once. But some of us were perhaps too small as newborns? A child that is born “small for gestational age” means that they have not grown according to their normal curve during the foetal period. By studying the group of small newborns in epidemiological, or register, studies, researchers follow what happens to these infants later in life. This knowledge is of great importance, as there is much to indicate that ill-health in adulthood may be caused by factors such as poor growth during the foetal period.Live healthily – for the sake of your future children/article/live-healthily-sake-your-future-childrenWed, 22 Aug 2018 22:00:00 +0000/article/live-healthily-sake-your-future-childrenOur health in later life is shaped not only by the way we live, what our childhood was like or our time in our mothers’ wombs. Even our parents’ health and lifestyle at the time of our conception may affect our health. Peter M Nilsson, professor of clinical cardiovascular research at ۶Ƶ, is calling for a major investment in health and lifestyle advice for adolescents and those planning to have children.How healthy is your food pattern?/article/how-healthy-your-food-patternFri, 17 Aug 2018 12:25:37 +0000/article/how-healthy-your-food-patternDo you eat a lot of chicken, pasta, cheese and oils? Or do you prefer yogurt and cereal, but stay away from coffee and meat? A unique population study from ۶Ƶ in Sweden has identified different food patterns - and found that some are healthier than others.Jan Sundquist at ۶Ƶ awarded an ERC Advanced Grant /article/jan-sundquist-lund-university-awarded-erc-advanced-grantMon, 09 Apr 2018 13:26:52 +0000/article/jan-sundquist-lund-university-awarded-erc-advanced-grantProfessor and family physician Jan Sundquist at the Center for Primary Health Care Research at ۶Ƶ in Sweden has been awarded an ERC Advanced Grant from the European Research Council in the 2017 call for applications. ERC Advanced Grant (ERC AdG) is awarded to world-leading researchers in support of excellent and innovative research.Marker involved in lymphatic system connected to heart failure /article/marker-involved-lymphatic-system-connected-heart-failureWed, 07 Mar 2018 15:16:40 +0000/article/marker-involved-lymphatic-system-connected-heart-failureResearchers at ۶Ƶ in Sweden have found a new marker in the blood that is associated with an increased risk of heart failure. Surprisingly, the marker is not directly involved in how the heart functions, unlike most of the previously known markers. Instead, the new marker affects processes in the lymphatic system.New link between gut bacteria and obesity/article/new-link-between-gut-bacteria-and-obesityFri, 23 Feb 2018 12:52:30 +0000/article/new-link-between-gut-bacteria-and-obesityResearchers at ۶Ƶ in Sweden have discovered a new link between gut bacteria and obesity. They found that certain amino acids in our blood can be connected to both obesity and the composition of the gut microbiome.Bacteria – important for gut feeling/article/bacteria-important-gut-feelingThu, 22 Feb 2018 23:00:00 +0000/article/bacteria-important-gut-feelingIn the major population survey, Malmö Offspring Study, researchers are trying to discover how our intestinal flora is affected by diet and the consequences this has on health. “We have about one and a half kilos of bacteria in our intestines”, says Louise Brunkwall – doctoral student in the research group Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease – Genetic Epidemiology. Prestigious ERC grants awarded to Lund researchers/article/prestigious-erc-grants-awarded-lund-researchersThu, 30 Nov 2017 15:06:56 +0000/article/prestigious-erc-grants-awarded-lund-researchersCapsules for transporting drugs, knee injuries that are really osteoarthritis, skin cells reprogrammed into nerve cells, variations in our DNA affecting the production of blood cells, and the urban sharing economy as a potential solution to our sustainability challenges. These are the research areas which have been awarded ERC Consolidator Grants from the European Research Council (ERC) in the 2017 round of awards. High-fat dairy products linked to reduced type 2 diabetes risk/article/high-fat-dairy-products-linked-reduced-type-2-diabetes-riskThu, 02 Apr 2015 08:39:46 +0000/article/high-fat-dairy-products-linked-reduced-type-2-diabetes-riskConsumption of high-fat yoghurt and cheese are linked to a reduction in the risk of type 2 diabetes by as much as a fifth, according to new research from ۶Ƶ in Sweden. High meat consumption, on the other hand, is linked to a higher risk.Type 2 diabetes risk starts in pregnancy/article/type-2-diabetes-risk-starts-pregnancyFri, 05 Dec 2014 12:16:36 +0000/article/type-2-diabetes-risk-starts-pregnancyThe risk of developing type 2 diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease is affected by exposures in the uterus. Researchers at ۶Ƶ in Sweden are now calling for updated guidelines in light of research evidence from the past decades.Mindfulness treatment as effective as CBT for depression and anxiety/article/mindfulness-treatment-effective-cbt-depression-and-anxietyThu, 27 Nov 2014 15:22:20 +0000/article/mindfulness-treatment-effective-cbt-depression-and-anxietyGroup mindfulness treatment is as effective as individual cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) in patients with depression and anxiety, according to a new study from ۶Ƶ in Sweden and Region Skåne. This is the first randomised study to compare group mindfulness treatment and individual cognitive behavioural therapy in patients with depression and anxiety in primary health care.