Evaluation of Medicine and Health (EVALMEDHELSE) 2023-2024
Surgery
The thematic theme «Surgery» consists of different researchers in the fields of General and Gastrointestinal surgery, Anaesthesia, Otorhinolaryngology, and Orthodontics.
Research group's organization
The evaluated group is not a consolidated research entity but comprises individual researchers from Surgery, Anaesthesiology, Otorhinolaryngology, and Orthodontics across three of the four hospitals in Møre and Romsdal Hospital Trust (HMR). While some collaborate on specific research projects, most have external networks nationally and internationally.
The majority of researchers in this group balance clinical work and research, serving as supervisors for colleagues and contributing to quality improvement projects in clinical settings. The group includes ten medical physicians, five of whom are senior consultants with PhD degrees, three are senior consultants and PhD students, two are residents and PhD students, and one senior consultant without formal research education. Additionally, a clinical dietitian is currently a PhD student, and two senior consultants also hold part-time positions as Associate Professors.
Notably, at least three senior consultants possess PhD degrees but haven't been active as researchers for the past 10 years.
Research group's strategy
The primary objective of the research group is to conduct clinical research of high scientific quality. The aim is not only to enhance the quality of medical treatment within HMR but also to contribute to improvements on a national and international scale. The synergy between clinical work and research serves as an inspiration for generating research ideas from patients and colleagues. Additionally, it provides an avenue to integrate research findings back into clinical practice, creating a beneficial loop of innovation and improvement.
Andersen FH, Ariansen Haaland Ø, Klepstad P, Flaatten H. Frailty and survival in elderly intensive care patients in Norway. Acta Anaesthesiol Scand. 2021;65(8):1065-72. https://doi.org/10.1111/aas.13836
Andersen SK, Hustveit R, Frøland E, Uleberg O, Krüger A, Klepstad P, Nordseth T. Improper monitoring and deviations from physiologic treatment goals in patients with brain injury in the early phases of emergency care. J Clin Monit Comput. 2021;35(1):147-53. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10877-019-00455-0
Baldia PH, Wernly B, Flaatten H, Fjølner J, Artigas A, Pinto BB, et al. The association of prior paracetamol intake with outcome of very old intensive care patients with COVID-19: results from an international prospective multicentre trial. BMC Geriatr. 2022;22(1):1000. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-022-03709-w
Belgau I, Johnsen G, Græslie H, Mårvik R, Nymo S, Bjerkan K, et al. Frequency of cholelithiasis in need of surgical or endoscopic treatment a decade or more after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. Surg Endosc. 2023;37(2):1349-56. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00464-022-09676-y
Bjerkan KK, Sandvik J, Nymo S, Græslie H, Johnsen G, Mårvik R, et al. The Long-Term Impact of Postoperative Educational Programs on Weight Loss After Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass. Obes Surg. 2022;32(9):3005-12. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11695-022-06187-6
Bjørshol CA, Jamtli B, Kramer-Johansen J, Myklebust H, Olsen S, Nordseth T, et al. Saving lives together. Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen. 2019;139(12). https://doi.org/10.4045/tidsskr.19.0128
Brede JR, Lafrenz T, Klepstad P, Skjærseth EA, Nordseth T, Søvik E, Krüger AJ. Feasibility of Pre-Hospital Resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Occlusion of the Aorta in Non-Traumatic Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest. J Am Heart Assoc. 2019;8(22):e014394. https://doi.org/10.1161/jaha.119.014394
Bruno RR, Wernly B, Flaatten H, Fjølner J, Artigas A, Baldia PH, et al. The association of the Activities of Daily Living and the outcome of old intensive care patients suffering from COVID-19. Ann Intensive Care. 2022;12(1):26. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13613-022-00996-9
Bruno RR, Wernly B, Flaatten H, Fjølner J, Artigas A, Bollen Pinto B, et al. Lactate is associated with mortality in very old intensive care patients suffering from COVID-19: results from an international observational study of 2860 patients. Ann Intensive Care. 2021;11(1):128. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13613-021-00911-8
Bruno RR, Wernly B, Hornemann J, Flaatten H, FjØlner J, Artigas A, et al. Early evaluation of organ failure using MELD-XI in critically ill elderly COVID-19 patients. Clin Hemorheol Microcirc. 2021;79(1):109-20. https://doi.org/10.3233/ch-219202
Bruno RR, Wernly B, Kelm M, Boumendil A, Morandi A, Andersen FH, et al. Management and outcomes in critically ill nonagenarian versus octogenarian patients. BMC Geriatr. 2021;21(1):576. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-021-02476-4
Bruno RR, Wernly B, Wolff G, Fjølner J, Artigas A, Bollen Pinto B, et al. Association of chronic heart failure with mortality in old intensive care patients suffering from Covid-19. ESC Heart Fail. 2022;9(3):1756-65. https://doi.org/10.1002/ehf2.13854
de Lange DW, Brinkman S, Flaatten H, Boumendil A, Morandi A, Andersen FH, et al. Cumulative Prognostic Score Predicting Mortality in Patients Older Than 80 Years Admitted to the ICU. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2019;67(6):1263-7. https://doi.org/10.1111/jgs.15888
de Lange DW, Guidet B, Andersen FH, Artigas A, Bertolini G, Moreno R, et al. Huge variation in obtaining ethical permission for a non-interventional observational study in Europe. BMC Med Ethics. 2019;20(1):39. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12910-019-0373-y
Eggen IB, Brønstad G, Langeland H, Klepstad P, Nordseth T. Short-term effects of endotracheal suctioning in post-cardiac arrest patients: A prospective observational cohort study. Resusc Plus. 2022;10:100221. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resplu.2022.100221
Flaatten H, Guidet B, Andersen FH, Artigas A, Cecconi M, Boumendil A, et al. Reliability of the Clinical Frailty Scale in very elderly ICU patients: a prospective European study. Ann Intensive Care. 2021;11(1):22. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13613-021-00815-7
Fronczek J, Flaatten H, Guidet B, Polok K, Andersen FH, Andrew BY, et al. Short-term mortality of patients ≥80 years old admitted to European intensive care units: an international observational study. Br J Anaesth. 2022;129(1):58-66. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bja.2022.03.026
Fronczek J, Polok K, de Lange DW, Jung C, Beil M, Rhodes A, et al. Relationship between the Clinical Frailty Scale and short-term mortality in patients ≥ 80 years old acutely admitted to the ICU: a prospective cohort study. Crit Care. 2021;25(1):231. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13054-021-03632-3
Guidet B, Flaatten H, Boumendil A, Morandi A, Andersen FH, Artigas A, et al. Correction to: Withholding or withdrawing of life-sustaining therapy in older adults (≥ 80 years) admitted to the intensive care unit. Intensive Care Med. 2018;44(9):1598-601. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00134-018-5312-8
Guidet B, Flaatten H, Boumendil A, Morandi A, Andersen FH, Artigas A, et al. Withholding or withdrawing of life-sustaining therapy in older adults (≥ 80 years) admitted to the intensive care unit. Intensive Care Med. 2018;44(7):1027-38. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00134-018-5196-7
Guidet B, Jung C, Flaatten H, Fjølner J, Artigas A, Pinto BB, et al. Correction to: Increased 30-day mortality in very old ICU patients with COVID-19 compared to patients with respiratory failure without COVID-19. Intensive Care Med. 2022;48(6):797-9. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00134-022-06674-5
Guidet B, Jung C, Flaatten H, Fjølner J, Artigas A, Pinto BB, et al. Increased 30-day mortality in very old ICU patients with COVID-19 compared to patients with respiratory failure without COVID-19. Intensive Care Med. 2022;48(4):435-47. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00134-022-06642-z
Hauge MT, Nilsen E, Nordseth T. [M.T. Hauge and colleagues respond]. Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen. 2020;140(8). https://doi.org/10.4045/tidsskr.20.0377
Hauge MT, Nilsen E, Nordseth T. Acute respiratory distress syndrome in a patient with COVID-19 and negative nasopharyngeal swabs. Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen. 2020;140(7). https://doi.org/10.4045/tidsskr.20.0297
Heian IT, Helvik AS, Hummel T, Øie MR, Nordgård S, Bratt M, Thorstensen WM. Measured and self-reported olfactory function in voluntary Norwegian adults. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2022;279(10):4925-33. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-022-07298-7
Haas LEM, Boumendil A, Flaatten H, Guidet B, Ibarz M, Jung C, et al. Frailty is associated with long-term outcome in patients with sepsis who are over 80 years old: results from an observational study in 241 European ICUs. Age Ageing. 2021;50(5):1719-27. https://doi.org/10.1093/ageing/afab036
Ibarz M, Boumendil A, Haas LEM, Irazabal M, Flaatten H, de Lange DW, et al. Sepsis at ICU admission does not decrease 30-day survival in very old patients: a post-hoc analysis of the VIP1 multinational cohort study. Ann Intensive Care. 2020;10(1):56. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13613-020-00672-w
Iliadou V, Kiese-Himmel C, Bamiou DE, Grech H, Ptok M, Chermak GD, et al. Clinical Expertise Is Core to an Evidence-Based Approach to Auditory Processing Disorder: A Reply to Neijenhuis et al. 2019. Front Neurol. 2019;10:1096. https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2019.01096
Iliadou VV, Chermak GD, Bamiou DE, Rawool VW, Ptok M, Purdy S, et al. Letter to the Editor: An Affront to Scientific Inquiry Re: Moore, D. R. (2018) Editorial: Auditory Processing Disorder, Ear Hear, 39, 617-620. Ear Hear. 2018;39(6):1236-42. https://doi.org/10.1097/aud.0000000000000644
Iliadou VV, Ptok M, Grech H, Pedersen ER, Brechmann A, Deggouj N, et al. European 17 countries consensus endorses more approaches to APD than reported in Wilson 2018. Int J Audiol. 2018;57(5):395-6. https://doi.org/10.1080/14992027.2018.1442937
Jung C, Bruno RR, Wernly B, Joannidis M, Oeyen S, Zafeiridis T, et al. Inhibitors of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and COVID-19 in critically ill elderly patients. Eur Heart J Cardiovasc Pharmacother. 2021;7(1):76-7. https://doi.org/10.1093/ehjcvp/pvaa083
Jung C, Fjølner J, Bruno RR, Wernly B, Artigas A, Bollen Pinto B, et al. Differences in mortality in critically ill elderly patients during the second COVID-19 surge in Europe. Crit Care. 2021;25(1):344. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13054-021-03739-7
Jung C, Flaatten H, Fjølner J, Bruno RR, Wernly B, Artigas A, et al. The impact of frailty on survival in elderly intensive care patients with COVID-19: the COVIP study. Crit Care. 2021;25(1):149. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13054-021-03551-3
Jung C, Mamandipoor B, Fjølner J, Bruno RR, Wernly B, Artigas A, et al. Disease-Course Adapting Machine Learning Prognostication Models in Elderly Patients Critically Ill With COVID-19: Multicenter Cohort Study With External Validation. JMIR Med Inform. 2022;10(3):e32949. https://doi.org/10.2196/32949
Jung C, Wernly B, Fjølner J, Bruno RR, Dudzinski D, Artigas A, et al. Steroid use in elderly critically ill COVID-19 patients. Eur Respir J. 2021;58(4). https://doi.org/10.1183/13993003.00979-2021
Jung C, Wernly B, Muessig JM, Kelm M, Boumendil A, Morandi A, et al. A comparison of very old patients admitted to intensive care unit after acute versus elective surgery or intervention. J Crit Care. 2019;52:141-8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcrc.2019.04.020
Langeland H, Bergum D, Nordseth T, Løberg M, Skaug T, Bjørnstad K, et al. Circulatory trajectories after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: a prospective cohort study. BMC Anesthesiol. 2021;21(1):219. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12871-021-01434-2
Laurenius A, Näslund I, Sandvik J, Videhult P, Wirén M. [Nordiska riktlinjer för kosttillskott och uppföljning efter obesitaskirurgi - Monitorering och supplementering med vitaminer och mineraler]. Lakartidningen. 2018;115:ETD7. https://lakartidningen.se/klinik-och-vetenskap-1/artiklar-1/klinisk-oversikt/2018/01/nordiska-riktlinjer-for-kosttillskott-och-uppfoljning-efter-obesitaskirurgi/
Loro LL, Bjørnland T. Calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease: A case report with bilateral involvement of the temporomandibular joints and concurrence of psoriatic arthritis. Clin Case Rep. 2020;8(4):640-3. https://doi.org/10.1002/ccr3.2715
Mattsson TS, Follestad T, Andersson S, Lind O, Øygarden J, Nordgård S. Normative data for diagnosing auditory processing disorder in Norwegian children aged 7-12 years. Int J Audiol. 2018;57(1):10-20. https://doi.org/10.1080/14992027.2017.1366670
Mattsson TS, Lind O, Follestad T, Grøndahl K, Wilson W, Nicholas J, et al. Electrophysiological characteristics in children with listening difficulties, with or without auditory processing disorder. Int J Audiol. 2019;58(11):704-16. https://doi.org/10.1080/14992027.2019.1621396
Mattsson TS, Lind O, Follestad T, Grøndahl K, Wilson W, Nordgård S. Contralateral suppression of otoacoustic emissions in a clinical sample of children with auditory processing disorder. Int J Audiol. 2019;58(5):301-10. https://doi.org/10.1080/14992027.2019.1570358
Nordseth T. [T. Nordseth svarer]. Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen. 2019;139(13). https://doi.org/10.4045/tidsskr.19.0551
Nordseth T. [Home births entail unnecessary risks]. Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen. 2019;139(11). https://doi.org/10.4045/tidsskr.19.0084
Nordseth T. [Naken nødrespirator kan også spinne]. Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen. 2020;140. https://doi.org/10.4045/tidsskr.20.0304
Nymo S, Børresen Skjølsvold O, Aukan M, Finlayson G, Græslie H, Mårvik R, et al. Suboptimal Weight Loss 13 Years After Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass: Is Hedonic Hunger, Eating Behaviour and Food Reward to Blame? Obes Surg. 2022;32(7):2263-71. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11695-022-06075-z
Nymo S, Lundanes J, Aukan M, Sandvik J, Johnsen G, Græslie H, et al. Diet and physical activity are associated with suboptimal weight loss and weight regain 10-15 years after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass: A cross-sectional study. Obes Res Clin Pract. 2022;16(2):163-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.orcp.2022.03.006
Polok K, Fronczek J, Artigas A, Flaatten H, Guidet B, De Lange DW, et al. Noninvasive ventilation in COVID-19 patients aged ≥ 70 years-a prospective multicentre cohort study. Crit Care. 2022;26(1):224. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13054-022-04082-1
Polok K, Fronczek J, van Heerden PV, Flaatten H, Guidet B, De Lange DW, et al. Association between tracheostomy timing and outcomes for older critically ill COVID-19 patients: prospective observational study in European intensive care units. Br J Anaesth. 2022;128(3):482-90. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bja.2021.11.027
Rasmussen K, Langdalen H, Sollid SJM, Abrahamsen EB, Sørskår LIK, Bondevik GT, Abrahamsen HB. Training and assessment of non-technical skills in Norwegian helicopter emergency services: a cross-sectional and longitudinal study. Scand J Trauma Resusc Emerg Med. 2019;27(1):1. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13049-018-0583-1
Rasmussen K, Røislien J, Sollid SJM. Does Medical Staffing Influence Perceived Safety? An International Survey on Medical Crew Models in Helicopter Emergency Medical Services. Air Med J. 2018;37(1):29-36. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amj.2017.09.008
Sandvik ECS, Aasarød KM, Johnsen G, Hoff DAL, Kulseng B, Hyldmo Å A, et al. The Effect of Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass on Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Fibrosis Assessed by FIB-4 and NFS Scores-An 11.6-Year Follow-Up Study. J Clin Med. 2022;11(16). https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm11164910
Sandvik J. Surgery or lifestyle interventions? Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen. 2020;140(16). https://doi.org/10.4045/tidsskr.20.0819
Sandvik J, Bjerkan KK, Græslie H, Hoff DAL, Johnsen G, Klöckner C, et al. Iron Deficiency and Anemia 10 Years After Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass for Severe Obesity. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2021;12:679066. https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2021.679066
Sandvik J, Hole T, Klöckner C, Kulseng B, Wibe A. The Impact of Post-bariatric Abdominoplasty on Secondary Weight Regain After Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2020;11:459. https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2020.00459
Sandvik J, Hole T, Klöckner CA, Kulseng BE, Wibe A. High-Frequency of Computer Tomography and Surgery for Abdominal Pain After Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass. Obes Surg. 2018;28(9):2609-16. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11695-018-3223-y
Sandvik J, Hole T, Klöckner CA, Kulseng BE, Wibe A. Intravenous Iron Treatment in the Prevention of Iron Deficiency and Anaemia After Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass. Obes Surg. 2020;30(5):1745-52. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11695-020-04396-5
Sandvik J, Laurenius A, Näslund I, Videhult P, Wiren M, Aasheim ET. [Nordic guidelines for follow-up after obesity surgery]. Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen. 2018;138(4). https://doi.org/10.4045/tidsskr.17.1106
Singhal R, Tahrani AA, Sakran N, Herrera M, Menon V, Khaitan M, et al. Effect of COVID-19 pandemic on global Bariatric surgery PRActiceS - The COBRAS study. Obes Res Clin Pract. 2021;15(4):395-401. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.orcp.2021.04.005
Skogvoll E, Nordseth T, Sutton RM, Eftestøl T, Irusta U, Aramendi E, et al. Factors affecting the course of resuscitation from cardiac arrest with pulseless electrical activity in children and adolescents. Resuscitation. 2020;152:116-22. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resuscitation.2020.05.013
Soliman IW, Leaver S, Flaatten H, Fjølner J, Wernly B, Bruno RR, et al. Health-related quality of life in older patients surviving ICU treatment for COVID-19: results from an international observational study of patients older than 70 years. Age Ageing. 2022;51(2). https://doi.org/10.1093/ageing/afab278
Strømmen M, Bakken IJ, Klöckner C, Sandvik J, Kulseng B, Holen A. Diagnoses related to abuse of alcohol and addictive substances after gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy: a nation-wide registry study from Norway. Surg Obes Relat Dis. 2020;16(4):464-70. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soard.2019.12.011
Strømmen M, Bakken IJ, Klöckner C, Sandvik J, Kulseng B, Holen A. Corrigendum to 'Diagnoses Related to Abuse of Alcohol and Addictive Substances after Gastric Bypass and Sleeve Gastrectomy - A Nation-Wide Registry Study from Norway': [Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases Volume 16/4 (2020) 464 - 470]. Surg Obes Relat Dis. 2021;17(3):646-7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soard.2020.11.029
Strømmen M, Klöckner CA, Bjerkan KK, Græslie H, Hoff DAL, Johnsen G, et al. Characteristics of Patients Reporting Presumed Problematic Drinking Behavior After Gastric Bypass: Exploring Long-Term Data From the BAROBS Study. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2021;12:679006. https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2021.679006
Sørlie V, De Soysa AK, Hyldmo Å A, Retterstøl K, Martins C, Nymo S. Effect of a ketogenic diet on pain and quality of life in patients with lipedema: The LIPODIET pilot study. Obes Sci Pract. 2022;8(4):483-93. https://doi.org/10.1002/osp4.580
Thorsen B, Gjeilo KH, Sandvik J, Follestad T, Græslie H, Nymo S. Self-Reported Gastrointestinal Symptoms Two To Four Years After Bariatric Surgery. A Cross-Sectional Study Comparing Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass and Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy. Obes Surg. 2021;31(10):4338-46. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11695-021-05605-5
van Duinen AJ, Adde HA, Fredin O, Holmer H, Hagander L, Koroma AP, et al. Travel time and perinatal mortality after emergency caesarean sections: an evaluation of the 2-hour proximity indicator in Sierra Leone. BMJ Glob Health. 2020;5(12). https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2020-003943
Wernly B, Bruno RR, Kelm M, Boumendil A, Morandi A, Andersen FH, et al. Sex-specific outcome disparities in very old patients admitted to intensive care medicine: a propensity matched analysis. Sci Rep. 2020;10(1):18671. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-74910-3
Wernly B, Bruno RR, Kelm M, Boumendil A, Morandi A, Andersen FH, et al. Publisher Correction: Sex-specific outcome disparities in very old patients admitted to intensive care medicine: a propensity matched analysis. Sci Rep. 2021;11(1):14184. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-93448-6
Wernly B, Flaatten H, Beil M, Fjølner J, Bruno RR, Artigas A, et al. A retrospective cohort study comparing differences in 30-day mortality among critically ill patients aged ≥ 70 years treated in European tax-based healthcare systems (THS) versus social health insurance systems. Sci Rep. 2022;12(1):17460. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-21580-y
Wernly B, Rezar R, Flaatten H, Beil M, Fjølner J, Bruno RR, et al. Variations in end-of-life care practices in older critically ill patients with COVID-19 in Europe. J Intern Med. 2022;292(3):438-49. https://doi.org/10.1111/joim.13492
Wichmann S, Itenov TS, Berthelsen RE, Lange T, Perner A, Gluud C, et al. Goal directed fluid removal with furosemide versus placebo in intensive care patients with fluid overload: A trial protocol for a randomised, blinded trial (GODIF trial). Acta Anaesthesiol Scand. 2022;66(9):1138-45. https://doi.org/10.1111/aas.14121
Wolff G, Wernly B, Flaatten H, Fjølner J, Bruno RR, Artigas A, et al. Sex-specific treatment characteristics and 30-day mortality outcomes of critically ill COVID-19 patients over 70 years of age-results from the prospective COVIP study. Can J Anaesth. 2022;69(11):1390-8. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12630-022-02304-2
Zahl SM. [Postoperative bleeding after tonsil surgery]. Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen. 2021;141(5). https://doi.org/10.4045/tidsskr.20.0813
Zahl SM, Egge A, Helseth E, Skarbø AB, Wester K. Quality of life and physician-reported developmental, cognitive, and social problems in children with benign external hydrocephalus-long-term follow-up. Childs Nerv Syst. 2019;35(2):245-50. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-018-4016-2
Zahl SM, Egge A, Helseth E, Wester K. Clinical, Radiological, and Demographic Details of Benign External Hydrocephalus: A Population-Based Study. Pediatr Neurol. 2019;96:53-7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2019.01.015
Zahl SM, Mack JA, Rossant C, Squier W, Wester K. Thrombosis is not a marker of bridging vein rupture in infants with alleged abusive head trauma. Acta Paediatr. 2021;110(10):2686-94. https://doi.org/10.1111/apa.15908
Zahl SM, Mack JA, Rossant C, Squier W, Wester K. Demanding clarification that venous thrombosis is representative of vascular trauma. Acta Paediatr. 2022;111(4):893-4. https://doi.org/10.1111/apa.16219
Zahl SM, Nybø CJ, Salberg KR. [Not Available]. Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen. 2018;138(9). https://doi.org/10.4045/tidsskr.18.0342
Zahl SM, Wester K, Gabaeff S. Examining perinatal subdural haematoma as an aetiology of extra-axial hygroma and chronic subdural haematoma. Acta Paediatr. 2020;109(4):659-66. https://doi.org/10.1111/apa.15072
Project 1: "The Impact of Frailty on ICU and 30-Day Mortality and the Level of Care in Very Elderly Patients (≥ 80 years)" (2016-2017), ESICM (European Society of intensive care medicine); HRSO (Health Services Resource and Outcome Section), Finn Husøy Andersen.
Objectives: Very old critical ill patients are a rapid expanding group in the ICU. Indications for admission, triage criteria and level of care are frequently discussed for such patients. However, most relevant outcome studies in this group frequently find an increased mortality and a reduced quality of life in survivors. The main objective was to study the impact of frailty compared with other variables with regards to short-term outcome in the very old ICU population.
Conclusions: Among very old patients (≥ 80 years) admitted to the ICU, the consecutive classes in Clinical Frailty Scale were inversely associated with short-term survival. The scale had a very low number of missing data. These findings provide support to add frailty to the clinical assessment in this patient group. https://vipstudy.org
Project 2: "Long-Term Survival and Quality of Life After Intensive Care for Patients 80 Years of Age or Older", (2013-2015), HMR, NTNU, Finn Husøy Andersen.
Background: Comparison of survival and quality of life in a mixed ICU population of patients 80 years of age or older with a matched segment of the general population. Conclusions: Overall 1-year survival was 42.0 %. Survival rates beyond that were comparable to those of the general octogenarian population. Among survivors at follow-up, HRQOL was comparable to that of the age- and sex-matched general population. Patients admitted for planned surgery had better short- and long-term survival rates than those admitted for medical reasons or unplanned surgery for 3 years after ICU admittance. The majority of the ICU non-survivors died within 2 days, and most of these had LST limitation decisions. https://annalsofintensivecare.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s13613-015-0053-0
Project 3: Overlege ØNH, Molde Sjukehus, Helse Møre og Romsdal PhD-stipendiat, INB, NTNU, "Olfaction - Increasing the Knowledge of the Cinderella of Senses", HMR, INB, NTNU, St. Olavs University Hospital, Ingrid Heian.
Paper 1: «Measured and self-reported olfactory function in voluntary Norwegian adults». I. T. Heian – A.S. Helvik – T. Hummel – M. R. Øie – S. Nordgård – M. Bratt – W. M. Thorstensen. Published in European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, February 2022.
Measured and self-reported olfactory function in voluntary Norwegian adults (springer.com)
Paper 2: “Olfactory training in normosmic individuals: a randomised controlled trial”. I.T. Heian - W.M. Thorstensen - T.A. Myklebust - T. Hummel - S. Nordgård - M. Bratt - A.S. Helvik - A.S. Helvik. Accepted for Rhinology Journal, September 2023. Olfactory training in normosmic individuals: a randomised controlled trial - PubMed (nih.gov).
Paper 3: “MRI and fMRI before and after olfactory training in adults with normal olfactory function”.
Project 4: "BAROBS - Bariatric Surgery Observation Study in Central Norway", St. Olavs University Hosptial, Møre and Romsdal Hospital Trust, Nord-Trøndelag Hospital Trust, Jorunn Sandvik.
Bariatric surgery has been offered as a treatment for severe obesity at public hospitals in Norway since 2003. The aim of the Bariatric Surgery Observation Study (BAROBS) is to explore known and unknown effects of bariatric surgery after a decade when it comes to improvement in health, and surgery related new morbidity,
Nearly 60% of 930 patients who underwent bariatric surgery in public hospitals in Central Norway 2003-2009 participated in BAROBS1 in 2018-2020, resulting in a data used by several researchers and students. A second wave of data collection – BAROBS2 - takes place in 2023-2025, inviting 1400 patients.
By the end of 2022, seven papers from BAROBS have been published, and results from BAROBS have been presented at national and international medical congresses. Publication of results from BAROBS is expected to continue for 5-10 years and there is a broad collaboration with researchers from many medical fields.
1 PhD and 1 post-doc was funded by 2022 and 11 master-thesis finalized. The plan for the second wave of the project is 2 PhD-projects. Results from BAROBS have been used in revision of the Nordic guidelines for follow-up after bariatric surgery.
BAROBS, langtidsoppfølging etter fedmekirurgi - St. Olavs hospital HF (stolav.no)
BAROBS 2 - Langtidsoppfølging etter fedmekirurgi - St. Olavs hospital HF (stolav.no)
Project 5: "When Professional Knowledge Meets Lived Life: Patient Education After Bariatric Surgery", Volda University College, Møre and Romsdal Hospital Trust, Kirsti Kverndokk Bjerkan.
This is a part of the Bariatric surgery observation study (BAROBS) with focus on patient education, health literacy, and change in lifestyle to improve health after bariatric surgery.
Paper 1 aims to explore the long-term outcome of participation in group-based educational programs lasting 2 to 3 years postoperatively. We explore data on weight, self-rated health, adherence to recommended vitamin supplements, and physical activity 10-15 years after RYGB.
Paper 2 aims to explore whether patients followed the recommendations on life-long supplementation of vitamins and minerals more than a decade after RYGB surgery and whether patients adhering to supplements had fewer deficiencies compared to patients not following the recommendations.
Paper 3 aims to explore a potential relationship between abdominal pain and glucose fluctuations gastric bypass, and whether continuous glucose monitoring with dietary intervention had an educational role to reduce symptoms.
Project 6: Jorunn Sandvik PhD "Long-Term Results After Surgical Treatment for Severe Obesity" (2017-2020), NTNU.
Severe obesity reduces individual health, as well as length and quality of life. The aims of this project was to study the long-term consequences of gastric bypass surgery, first in terms of the frequency of abdominal pain in need for medical imaging and surgical treatment, second to explore whether self-rated health changed from baseline to five years after surgery, and whether this measurement, widely used in public health research, may be applicable as a sum-score for long-term health-change after obesity surgery. The third aim was to explore the change in iron stores, the frequency of anaemia after gastric bypass, and the need for intravenous iron treatment. A local quality registry on 795 patients who underwent obesity surgery at Aalesund hospital from 2004 to 2015 with prospectively data was supplemented with clinical information from the patient records until five years or more after surgery.
Project 7: "Auditory Processing Disorder in Children: A Study of Underlying Neurophysiological Mechanisms, and the Standardization of a Behavioural Test Battery", (2013-2019), HMR, Tone Stokkereit Mattson.
This project included three papers focusing on the underlying neurophysiological mechanisms and diagnostics of auditory processing in children. The aim of paper 1 was to standardise the Norwegian AP test battery for children aged 7-12 years. Normative data were obtained from 268 children with normal hearing, the test-retest reliability was examined and a final AP test battery was presented.
For papers 2 and 3 the study population included 46 children aged 8-14 years with normal peripheral hearing, The aim of paper 2 was to investigate the suppression of otoacoustic emissions in children with listening difficulties. The third paper aimed at investigating neurobiological aspects of early and late auditory processing and their relationships with AP performance and cognitive function.
The need for a multidisciplinary approach was recognized, with the evaluation of electrophysiological measures, cognition and AP abilities, not merely the results of AP tests, in order to address the specific needs of the patient.
Project 8: "Patient Safety in Helicopter Emergency Services", The Centre for Resilience in Healthcare (SHARE), University of Stavanger, Norwegian Air Ambulance Foundation, HMR. Patient safety in Helicopter Emergency Services. Exploring influential factors using a mixed-methods approach. (PhD project.)
Project 9: "Infantile External Hydrocephalus. Epidemiological, Radiological, Clinical, Cognitive, and Social Aspects", Sverre Morten Zahl.The aim of the project was to gain thorough epidemiological data about external hydrocephalus in infants. To explore the long-term consequences of external hydrocephalus, both with and without treatment. To examine the pathophysiology of external hydrocephalus and chronic SDH/SDHy, and their relation to and importance in the investigation of infants with suspected abusive head trauma (AHT).
The project consists of 6 papers and thesis defended for a Dr. Philos degree at University of Bergen in 2022
Project 10: "Understanding the Present to Better Build the Future: A Nationwide Evaluation of the Surgical Environment, its Workforce, Operative Output, Geospatial Accessibility, and Associated Economic Value in Liberia", (2018-2023), NTNU, Håvard Askinm Vedde, PhD.
Five billion people worldwide lack access to safe, timely and affordable surgical and anesthesia care. Globally, West-African countries have the highest unmet need for surgery. Liberia is a small West-African country with a brutal history of civil war and the Ebola virus outbreak that left the healthcare system in crisis. The aim of this project has been to evaluate the surgical system in Liberia to inform health policy prioritization. A nationwide assessment of surgical facilities was conducted in Liberia in 2018. Data were collected through on-site facility visits using a hospital assessment tool, a human resources survey form and through review of operation theatre logbooks. A total of 51 out of 52 surgical facilities were included in the study. The survey revealed critically low surgical volumes, lacking infrastructure and equipment, scarcity of surgical providers and low population access to essential surgical care. Furthermore, the high unmet need for surgery is associated with productivity losses of between 11% and 46% of the annual GDP for Liberia. There is an urgent need to strengthen surgical services in Liberia and the data collected in this project can support prioritization of surgical care within the national healthcare strategy.
NB! The Cristin links redirect to the Norwegian version of the page. In order to read the information in English, click "English" in the upper right corner of the Cristin page.
Members with a doctorate degree
Jorunn Sandvik (Cristin, NTNU)
Lado Lako Loro (Cristin)
Hege Synnøve Carlsen (Cristin)
Trond Dyngeland (Cristin)
Finn Husøy Andersen (Cristin, NTNU)
Tove Pettersen Heger (Cristin)
Tone Stokkereit Mattson (Cristin)
Sverre Morten Zahl (Cristin)
Employees without a doctorate degree
Sverrir Olafson (Cristin)
PhD candidates
Kirsti Kverndokk Bjerkan (Cristin, HiVolda)
Paul Åsmund Vågen (Cristin)
Ingrid Torvik Heian (Cristin)
Olav Skjærpe Brattli (Cristin)
Bente Fennigje Annemarie Bruijn (Cristin)
Hans Vangsnes Vingen (Cristin)
Kristen Rasmussen (Cristin, norsk UiS-side)
Håvard Askim Adde (Cristin)
New PhD candidates in 2023
Åsne Ask Hyldmo (Cristin)
William Indrevåg (Cristin)