Cathrine Abrahamsen

• Abrahamsen, Cathrine; Wangen, Knut Reidar; Lindbæk, Morten & Werner, Erik Lønnmark (2024). Predictors of treatment outcomes for patients with persistent physical symptoms in primary care: findings from a cluster randomised controlled trial. British Journal of General Practice Open. 8(4), p. 1–8. doi: 10.3399/BJGPO.2024.0004. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Background Persistent physical symptoms (PPS) are consistently prevalent among primary care patients. PPS can negatively affect quality of life, healthcare costs, and work participation. In a previous study, we found substantially improved outcomes and reduced sick leave for patients treated by a work-focused communication tool, known as the Individual Challenge Inventory Tool (ICIT), compared with a control group. Aim To examine predictors of treatment outcome in patients who received treatment by ICIT, delivered by the patient’s GP. Design & setting This study is based on the findings of our previous cluster randomised controlled trial undertaken in Norway. Method Regression analyses of the intervention group were used to identify predictors (all measured at baseline) of improvements in Patient Global Impression of Change (PGIC) and sick leave after 11 weeks follow-up. Results Living alone predicted improvement in the adjusted model (odds ratio [OR] 4.03, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.33 to 12.25, P = 0.014). Receiving long-term benefits predicted improved PGIC in both the unadjusted (OR 2.30, 95% CI = 1.21 to 4.39, P = 0.011) and adjusted models (OR 2.46, 95% CI = 1.04 to 5.83, P = 0.040). In addition, living alone predicted reduced sick leave in the adjusted model (OR 3.23, 95%CI = 1.11 to 9.42, P = 0.032). Conclusion In general, there were few factors to predict the outcome of the work-focused communication tool. We therefore suggest that this work-focused communication tool is applicable to most patients with PPS. GPs may consider using the ICIT for all primary care patients who exhibit ineffective coping strategies in their daily lives and work, especially those who live alone.

• Abrahamsen, Cathrine; Reme, Silje Endresen; Wangen, Knut Reidar; Lindbæk, Morten & Werner, Erik Lønnmark (2023). The effects of a structured communication tool in patients with medically unexplained physical symptoms: a cluster randomized trial. EClinicalMedicine. doi: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2023.102262. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Background Medically Unexplained Physical Symptoms (MUPS) are prevalent among primary care patients and frequently lead to diminished quality of life, increased healthcare costs, and decreased work participation. We aimed to examine the effects of a work-focused structured communication tool based on cognitive-behavioral therapy in patients with MUPS. Methods In a Norwegian two-arm cluster randomized trial, the effectiveness of the structured communication tool Individual Challenge Inventory Tool (ICIT) was compared to usual care for patients with MUPS using a two-arm cluster randomized design. Enrollment period was between March 7 and April 1, 2022. Ten groups (clusters) of 103 General Practitioners (GPs) were randomized to provide the ICIT or usual care for 11 weeks. Patients received two or more sessions with their GP, and outcomes were assessed individually. Primary outcome was patient-reported change in function, symptoms, and quality of life measured by the Patient Global Impression of Change (PGIC). Secondary outcomes included sick leave, work-related self-efficacy (RTW-SE), health-related quality of life (RAND-36), and patient experiences with consultants (PEQ). The trial was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05128019). Findings A total of 541 patients with MUPS were enrolled in the study. In the intervention group 76% (n = 223) showed a significant overall improvement in function, symptoms, and quality of life as measured by the PGIC, compared to 38% (n = 236) in the usual care group (mean difference −0.8 ([95% CI −1.0 to −0.6]; p < 0.0001). At 11 weeks, the intervention group had a 27-percentage point decrease in sick leave (from 52.0 to 25.2), compared to 4-percentage point decrease (from 49.7 to 45.7) in the usual care group. Furthermore, compared to usual care, the intervention group reported significant improvements in work-related self-efficacy, health-related quality of life, and greater satisfaction with the communication during the consultations. No adverse events were reported. Interpretation The implementation of the structured communication tool ICIT in primary care significantly improved patient outcomes and reduced sick leave among patients with MUPS.

• Abrahamsen, Cathrine; Lindbæk, Morten & Werner, Erik Lønnmark (2022). Experiences with a structured conversation tool: a qualitative study on feasibility in general practice in Norway. Scandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care. ISSN 0281-3432. 40(2). doi: 10.1080/02813432.2022.2076396. Full text in Research Archive

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• Reme, Silje Endresen; Landmark, Live; Asprusten, Tarjei Tørre; Suvatne, Christer; Herner, Linn Breen & Drivenes, Elin [Show all 63 contributors for this article] (2026). Gi pasientene livet tilbake. Tidsskrift for Den norske legeforening (Tidsskriftet). ISSN 0029-2001. 146. doi: 10.4045/tidsskr.26.0480. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Vi vet nok til å kunne hjelpe langt flere pasienter med langvarige symptomer. Likevel holder vi tilbake håpet, av frykt for å skuffe. Det kan koste pasientene store deler av livet. Denne kronikken er et faglig opprop fra 63 klinikere, forskere og fagpersoner fra hele landet. Vi har klinisk og forskningsmessig erfaring med vedvarende fysiske symptomer, som smerter, utmattelse, «hjernetåke», svimmelhet og mageplager og har samlet oss om et felles budskap: Ny kunnskap om hvordan slike symptomer oppstår og opprettholdes gir grunn til langt større håp om bedring enn mange pasienter får formidlet i dag.

• Boye, Birgitte; Abrahamsen, Cathrine; Helgeland, Helene; Kristiansen, Hege; Diseth, Trond Haaken & Elgen, Irene Bircow [Show all 8 contributors for this article] (2026). Jan Christian Vestre, Helse Midt-Norge | Jan Christian Vestre: Leger krever krafttak mot funksjonelle lidelser. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Én av tre pasienter ved norske sykehus lider av plager leger ikke finner ut av. Samfunnskostnadene er enorme.

• Hammer, Hilde Berner & Abrahamsen, Cathrine (2025). Nye funn om smertelidelse. [Journal]. Dagbladet. doi: https:/redir.opoint.com/?key=tkVxtGgWt9TSGVkgzqj3. Full text in Research Archive
• Abrahamsen, Cathrine & Fors, Egil Andreas (2024). Smertekommunikasjon i praksis. Full text in Research Archive

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