Hein Stigum

• Dahl, Cecilie; Holvik, Kristin; Meyer, Haakon E; Stigum, Hein; Solbakken, Siri Marie; Schei, Berit; Søgaard, Anne Johanne & Omsland, Tone Kristin (2021). Increased mortality in hip fracture patients living alone: A NOREPOS study. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research.  ISSN 0884-0431.  s 1- 10 . doi: 10.1002/jbmr.4212 Full text in Research Archive. Show summary

  Hip fracture is associated with excess mortality, persisting for many years after the fracture. Several factors may affect survival; however, the role of social support has been less studied. Living situation could be an indicator of a person's social support, which predicts mortality in the general population. In this longitudinal cohort study, we considered whether living alone was a risk factor for post-hip fracture mortality compared with living with a partner. Information on hip fractures from all hospitals in Norway from 2002 to 2013 was combined with the 2001 National Population and Housing Census. The association between living situation and mortality during 12.8 years of follow-up in 12,770 men and 22,067 women aged 50 to 79 years at fracture was investigated using flexible parametric survival analysis. We also estimated relative survival of hip fracture patients compared with that of the non-fractured background population in the same living situation (alone or with a partner). Higher mortality after hip fracture was found in both men and women living alone versus with a partner (hazard ratio [HR] men = 1.37, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.29—1.44; HR women = 1.23, 95% CI 1.18—1.28, adjusting for age, education level, urbanization degree, and number of children). We demonstrated the strongest association in male hip fracture patients aged <60 years (long-term mortality HR = 3.29, 95% CI 2.25—6.49). Compared with the general population, relative survival 8 years after a hip fracture was 43% in men and 61% in women living alone, whereas relative survival in those living with a partner was 51% in men and 67% in women. In conclusion, hip fracture patients who lived alone had higher mortality than those living with a partner and lower survival relative to the general population.

• Engdahl, Bo Lars; Stigum, Hein & Aarhus, Lisa (2021). Explaining better hearing in Norway. A comparison of two cohorts 20 years apart - the HUNT study. BMC Public Health.  ISSN 1471-2458.  21 . doi: 10.1186/s12889-021-10301-1 Full text in Research Archive. Show summary

  Background The hearing function at a given age seems to have improved in more recent born cohorts in industrialized countries. But the reasons for the improvement have not yet been explained. Methods We investigated the extent to which better hearing in Norway is attributed to modifiable risk factors by using representative demographic and audiometric data from two cohorts of the Trøndelag Health Study, HUNT2 (1996–1998) and HUNT4 (2017–2019). We estimated natural indirect effects using causal inference methods in order to assess whether cohort improvement in hearing thresholds (HTs) was mediated by occupational noise exposure, recurrent ear infections, smoking and education. Results The improvement in HTs from HUNT2 to HUNT4 was 2.8 and 3.0 dB at low respectively high frequencies. Together all risk factors mediated this improvement by 0.8 dB (95% CI 0.7–0.9) and 0.8 dB (95% CI 0.7–0.9) respectively, corresponding to mediated proportions of 27 and 28%. Substantial mediation was specifically found for occupational noise in men and recurrent ear infections in women (mediated proportions of 11 and 17% at high frequencies, respectively). Conclusions Increased education, less occupational noise exposure, ear infections and smoking contributed considerably to better hearing in Norway the last two decades.

• Holte, Kari; Ersdal, Hege Langli; Klingenberg, Claus; Eilevstjønn, Joar; Stigum, Hein; Jatosh, Samwel; Kidanto, Hussein & Størdal, Ketil (2021). Expired carbon dioxide during newborn resuscitation as predictor of outcome. Resuscitation.  ISSN 0300-9572.  s 1- 8 . doi: 10.1016/j.resuscitation.2021.05.018
• Aye, Win Thuzar; Lien, Lars; Stigum, Hein; Schei, Berit; Sundby, Johanne & Bjertness, Espen (2020). Domestic violence victimisation and its association with mental distress: A cross-sectional study of the Yangon Region, Myanmar. BMJ Open.  ISSN 2044-6055.  10:e037936(9), s 1- 13 . doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-037936 Full text in Research Archive. Show summary

  Objectives To estimate the prevalence of domestic violence, with subgroups of physical, sexual and emotional violence, among men and women and to assess the association between any lifetime domestic violence (DV) and mental distress among ever-married men and women. Design We conducted a cross-sectional study from October to November 2016 using a multistage sampling design. DV questionnaire was adopted from the Demographic and Health Survey programme. Mental distress was estimated using the Hopkins Symptom Checklist-10 (HSCL-10). HSCL-score and DV were the outcome and exposure variables, respectively, in multiple linear regression. Prevalence estimates and associations were presented with a 95% CI and the Wald test. Setting Urban and rural areas of the Yangon region, Myanmar. Participants Men and women ages 18 to 49 years were included. Institutionalised people, monks, nuns and individuals deemed too ill physically and/or mentally to participate were excluded. Results A random sample of 2383 people was included in the analyses. Among ever-married participants, lifetime (LT) and past-12-month (12M) prevalence of any domestic violence victimisation was higher in women compared with men: LT women: 61.8% (95% CI: 54.3 to 68.9) versus LT men: 42.4% (95% CI: 37.5 to 47.5) and 12M women: 51.2% (95% CI: 44.9 to 57.5) versus 12M men: 37.7% (95% CI: 32.9 to 42.7). Among never-married participants, lifetime physical and sexual violence victimisation rates was higher in men (34.3% and 7.9%) compared with women (19.1% and 6.4%). Mental distress was significantly associated with lifetime DV in women who were afraid of their husbands and men who had wives who exhibited controlling behaviours. Conclusions Domestic violence is prevalent among both men and women and is associated with mental distress. The findings highlight an urgent need to prevent domestic violence in both sexes, including through legal and policy reform and improved mental health services for DV victims.

• Aye, Win Thuzar; Lien, Lars; Stigum, Hein; Win, Hla Hla; Oo, Tin & Bjertness, Espen (2020). The prevalence of mental distress and the association with education: a cross-sectional study of 18-49-year-old citizens of Yangon Region, Myanmar. BMC Public Health.  ISSN 1471-2458.  20(1) . doi: 10.1186/s12889-020-8209-8 Full text in Research Archive. Show summary

  Background: Poor mental health is an important contributor to the global burden of disease. Mental health problems are often neglected in communities, and are scarcely studied in developing countries, including Myanmar. This study estimates the prevalence of mental distress by socio-demographic and health related factors, and the association between education and mental distress. As far as the authors are aware, this is the first population-based study in Myanmar estimating the prevalence of mental distress. Methods: Between October and November 2016, a cross sectional study was conducted using a multi-stage sampling design with face-to-face interviews using the Hopkins Symptom Checklist (HSCL-10) for mental distress (symptoms of depression and anxiety). The multivariable analysis strategy was based on Directed Acyclic Graphs (DAGs), to identify confounders, mediators and colliders. Pearson's chi-square was used for testing differences between proportions and multiple linear regression analysis was applied to explore the association between education (years at school) and mental distress (HSCL score). Results: A random sample of 2391 (99.6% response) men and women aged 18-49 years participated in the study. The prevalence of mental distress was 18.0% (95% confidence interval (CI): 14.7-21.9), being higher among women (21.2%; 95% (CI): 16.6-26.6) than men (14.9%; 95% (CI): 11.4-19.2). Older-age, being separated or divorced and having a higher number of children were associated with increased mental distress. In linear regression analyses, adjusted for confounders (age, marital status and income), there was a significant negative association between years at school and mental distress among women and older men (> 30 years), but not among the youngest men. Conclusions: The prevalence of mental distress is high, and there is an association between HSCL-10 score and education. Due to the scarcity of mental health services in Myanmar, the findings indicate a need for a mental health policy to handle the burden of mental health problems in Yangon, a burden which is probably high within the country.

• Forns, Joan; Verner, Marc-André; Iszatt, Nina; Nowack, Nikola; Bach, Cathrine Carlsen; Vrijheid, Martine; Costa, Olga; Andiarena, Ainara; Sovcikova, Eva; Høyer, Birgit Bjerre; Wittsiepe, Jürgen; Lopez-Espinosa, Maria-Jose; Ibarluzea, Jesus; Hertz-Picciotto, Irva; Toft, Gunnar; Stigum, Hein; Guxens, Mònica; Liew, Zeyan & Eggesbø, Merete Åse (2020). Early Life Exposure to Perfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) and ADHD: A Meta-Analysis of Nine European Population-Based Studies. Environmental Health Perspectives.  ISSN 0091-6765.  128(5) . doi: 10.1289/EHP5444 Full text in Research Archive.
• Forsén, Lisa; Søgaard, Anne-Johanne; Holvik, Kristin; Meyer, Haakon E; Omsland, T.K.; Stigum, Hein & Dahl, Cecilie (2020). Geographic variations in hip fracture incidence in a high-risk country stretching into the Arctic: a NOREPOS study. Osteoporosis International.  ISSN 0937-941X.  31, s 1323- 1331 . doi: 10.1007/s00198-020-05346-8 Full text in Research Archive.
• Guzman, Joan Forns; Verner, Marc-André; Iszatt, Nina; Nowack, Nikola; Bach, Cathrine Carlsen; Vrijheid, Martine; Costa, Olga; Andiarena, Ainara; Sovcikova, Eva; Høyer, Birgit Bjerre; Wittsiepe, Jürgen; Lopez-Espinosa, Maria-Jose; Ibarluzea, Jesús; Hertz-Picciotto, Irva; Toft, Gunnar; Stigum, Hein; Guxens, Mònica; Liew, Zeyan & Eggesbø, Merete Åse (2020). Early Life Exposure to Perfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) and ADHD: A Meta-Analysis of Nine European Population-Based Studies. Environmental Health Perspectives.  ISSN 0091-6765.  128(5) . doi: 10.1289/EHP5444 Full text in Research Archive.
• Holte, Kari; Ersdal, Hege Langli; Eilevstjønn, Joar; Gomo, Øystein; Klingenberg, Claus; Thallinger, Monica; Linde, Jørgen Erland; Stigum, Hein; Yeconia, Anita; Hussein, Kidanto & Størdal, Ketil (2020). Positive end-expiratory pressure in newborn resuscitation around term: A randomized controlled trial. Pediatrics.  ISSN 0031-4005.  146(4), s 1- 12 . doi: 10.1542/peds.2020-0494
• Rantala, Aino K.; Magnus, Maria Christine; Karlstad, Øystein; Stigum, Hein; Håberg, Siri Eldevik; Nafstad, Per; Nystad, Wenche & Jaakkola, Jouni J. K. (2020). Is the association of early day care attendance with childhood asthma explained by underlying susceptibility?. Epidemiology.  ISSN 1044-3983.  s 451- 458 . doi: 10.1097/EDE.0000000000001163 Full text in Research Archive.
• Wai, Myint Myint; Bjertness, Espen; Htay, Thein Thein; Liabsuetrakul, Tippawan; Myint, Aye Nyein Moe; Stigum, Hein & Sundby, Johanne (2020). Dynamics of contraceptive use among married women in North and South Yangon, Myanmar: findings from a cross-sectional household survey. Contraception: X.  2 . doi: 10.1016/j.conx.2019.100015
• Ahmed, Hassan Soheir; Marjerrison, Niki; Kjøllesdal, Marte Karoline Råberg; Stigum, Hein; Htet, Aung Soe; Bjertness, Espen; Meyer, Haakon E & Madar, Ahmed Ali (2019). Comparison of Cardiovascular Risk Factors among Somalis Living in Norway and Somaliland. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (IJERPH).  ISSN 1661-7827.  16(13), s 1- 12 . doi: 10.3390/ijerph16132353 Full text in Research Archive.
• Ariansen, Inger; Strand, Bjørn Heine; Kjøllesdal, Marte Karoline Råberg; Steingrímsdóttir, Ólöf Anna; Mortensen, Laust Hvas; Stigum, Hein; Graff-Iversen, Sidsel & Næss, Øyvind (2019). The educational gradient in premature cardiovascular mortality: Examining mediation by risk factors in cohorts born in the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s. European Journal of Preventive Cardiology (EJPC).  ISSN 2047-4873.  26(10), s 1096- 1103 . doi: 10.1177/2047487319826274 Full text in Research Archive.
• Aung, Wai Phyo; Bjertness, Espen; Htet, Aung Soe; Stigum, Hein & Kjøllesdal, Marte Karoline Råberg (2019). Trends in diabetes prevalence, awareness, treatment and control in Yangon region, Myanmar, between 2004 and 2014, two cross-sectional studies. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (IJERPH).  ISSN 1661-7827.  16(18) . doi: 10.3390/ijerph16183461 Full text in Research Archive.
• Iszatt, Nina; Janssen, Stefan; Lenters, Virissa Claire; Dahl, Cecilie; Stigum, Hein; Knight, Rob; Mandal, Siddhartha; Peddada, Shyamal; González, Antonio; Midtvedt, Tore & Eggesbø, Merete Åse (2019). Environmental toxicants in breast milk of Norwegian mothers and gut bacteria composition and metabolites in their infants at 1 month. Microbiome.  ISSN 2049-2618.  7(34) . doi: 10.1186/s40168-019-0645-2 Full text in Research Archive.
• Lenters, Virissa Claire; Iszatt, Nina; Guzman, Joan Forns; Cechova, Eliska; Kočan, Anton; Legler, Juliette; Leonards, Pim; Stigum, Hein & Eggesbø, Merete Åse (2019). Early-life exposure to persistent organic pollutants (OCPs, PBDEs, PCBs,PFASs) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: A multi-pollutant analysis of a Norwegian birth cohort. Environment International.  ISSN 0160-4120.  125, s 33- 42 . doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2019.01.020 Full text in Research Archive.
• Nakken, Ola; Meyer, Haakon E; Stigum, Hein & Holmøy, Trygve (2019). High BMI is associated with low ALS risk: A population-based study. Neurology.  ISSN 0028-3878.  93(5), s e424- e432 . doi: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000007861 Full text in Research Archive. Show summary

  This article requires a subscription to view the full text. If you have a subscription you may use the login form below to view the article. Access to this article can also be purchased. Abstract Objective To investigate the temporal relationship among prediagnostic body mass index (BMI), weight change, and risk of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Methods From the compulsory Norwegian tuberculosis screening program, we collected objectively measured BMI from 85% of all citizens (near 1.5 million) between 20 and 70 years of age living in 18 of 19 Norwegian counties between 1963 and 1975. For those who participated in later health surveys, we collected further information on weight change, lifestyle, and health. We identified ALS cases until September 2017 through national registries of diagnoses at death and at encounters with the specialist health service. Both Cox hazard models and flexible parametric survival models were fitted to address our research question. Results We identified 2,968 ALS cases during a mean of 33 (maximum 54) years follow-up. High prediagnostic BMI was associated with low subsequent ALS risk across the typical ALS ages in both sexes. Overall, hazard ratio (HR) for ALS per 5-unit increase in prediagnostic BMI was 0.83 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.79–0.88). After an initial increase during the first 10 years, it decreased almost linearly throughout the observation period and was 0.69 (95% CI 0.62–0.77) after 50 years. Those in the quartile with highest weight gain had lower ALS risk than those in the lowest quartile (HR 0.63, 95% CI 0.44–0.89). Conclusion High BMI and weight gain are associated with low ALS risk several decades later. The strength of the association between BMI and ALS risk increases up to 50 years after BMI measurement.

• Santos, Susana; Voerman, Ellis; Amiano, Pilar; Barros, Henrique; Beilin, Lawrence; Bergstrom, Anna; Charles, Marie Aline; Chatzi, Leda; Chévrier, Cécilie; Chrousos, George Panagiotis; Corpeleijn, Eva; Costa, Olga; Costet, Nathalie; Crozier, Sarah R.; Devereux, Graham; Doyon, Myriam; Eggesbø, Merete Åse; Fantini, Maria Pia; Farchi, Sara; Forastiere, Francesco; Georgiu, Vagelis; Godfrey, Keith M.; Gori, Davide; Grote, Veit; Hanke, Wojciech; Hertz-Picciotto, Irva; Heude, Barbara; Hivert, Marie-France; Hryhorczuk, Daniel O.; Huang, Rae-Chi; Inskip, Hazel M.; Karvonen, Anne M.; Kenny, Louise Clare; Koletzko, Berthold; Küpers, Leanne K.; Lagström, Hanna; Lehmann, Irina; Magnus, Per; Majewska, Renata; Mäkelä, Johanna; Manios, Yannis; McAuliffe, Fionnuala M.; McDonald, Sheila W.; Mehegan, John; Melén, Erik; Mommers, Monique; Morgen, Camilla Schmidt; Moschonis, George; Murray, Deirdre; Ní Chaoimh, Carol; Nohr, Ellen Aagaard; Nybo Andersen, Anne-Marie; Oken, Emily; Oostvogels, Adriëtte J.J.M.; Pac, Agnieszka; Papadopoulou, Eleni Zoumpoulia; Pekkanen, Juha; Pizzi, Costanza; Polańska, Kinga; Porta, Daniela; Richiardi, Lorenzo; Rifas-Shiman, Sheryl L.; Roeleveld, Nel; Ronfani, Luca; Santos, Ana Cristina Lima; Standl, Marie; Stigum, Hein; Stoltenberg, Camilla; Thiering, Elisabeth; Thijs, Carel; Torrent, Maties; Tough, Suzanne C.; Trnovec, Tomáš; Turner, Steve W.; van Gelder, Marleen M.H.J.; van Rossem, Lenie; von Berg, Andrea; Vrijheid, Martine; Vrijkotte, Tanja G.M.; West, Jane; Wijga, Alet H.; Wright, John Michael; Zvinchuk, Oleksandr; Sørensen, Thorkild I.A.; Lawlor, Debbie A.; Gaillard, Romy & Jaddoe, Vincent W.V. (2019). Impact of maternal body mass index and gestational weight gain on pregnancy complications: an individual participant data meta‐analysis of European, North American, and Australian cohorts. BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.  ISSN 1470-0328.  126(8), s 984- 995 . doi: 10.1111/1471-0528.15661
• Solbakken, Siri Marie; Magnus, Jeanette H.; Meyer, Haakon E; Dahl, Cecilie; Stigum, Hein; Søgaard, Anne-Johanne; Holvik, Kristin; Tell, Grethe S.; Emaus, Nina; Forsmo, Siri; Gjesdal, Clara Gram; Schei, Berit; Vestergaard, Peter & Omsland, Tone Kristin (2019). Urban–Rural Differences in Hip Fracture Mortality: A Nationwide NOREPOS Study. JBMR Plus.  ISSN 2473-4039.  3(11) . doi: 10.1002/jbm4.10236 Full text in Research Archive.
• Voerman, Ellis; Santos, Susana; Inskip, Hazel; Amiano, Pilar; Barros, Henrique; Charles, Marie-Aline; Chatzi, Leda; Chrousos, George P.; Corpeleijn, Eva; Crozier, Sarah; Doyon, Myriam; Eggesbø, Merete Åse; Fantini, Maria Pia; Farchi, Sara; Forastiere, Francesco; Georgiu, Vagelis; Gori, Davide; Hanke, Wojciech; Hertz-Picciotto, Irva; Heude, Barbara; Hivert, Marie-France; Hryhorczuk, Daniel; Iñiguez, Carmen; Karvonen, Anne M.; Küpers, Leanne K.; Lagström, Hanna; Lawlor, Debbie A.; Lehmann, Irina; Magnus, Per; Majewska, Renata; Mäkelä, Johanna; Manios, Yannis; Mommers, Monique; Morgen, Camilla S.; Moschonis, George; Nohr, Ellen A.; Andersen, Anne-Marie Nybo; Oken, Emily; Pac, Agnieszka; Papadopoulou, Eleni Zoumpoulia; Pekkanen, Juha; Pizzi, Costanza; Polanska, Kinga; Porta, Daniela; Richiardi, Lorenzo; Rifas-Shiman, Sheryl L.; Roeleveld, Nel; Stigum, Hein; Stoltenberg, Camilla & Gaillard, Romy (2019). Association of Gestational Weight Gain With Adverse Maternal and Infant Outcomes. Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).  ISSN 0098-7484.  321(17), s 1702- 1715 . doi: 10.1001/jama.2019.3820
• Wai, Myint Myint; Bjertness, Espen; Stigum, Hein; Htay, Thein Thein; Liabsuetrakul, Tippawan; Moe Myint, Aye Nyein & Sundby, Johanne (2019). Unmet Need for Family Planning among Urban and Rural Married Women in Yangon Region, Myanmar-a Cross-Sectional Study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (IJERPH).  ISSN 1661-7827.  16(19) . doi: 10.3390/ijerph16193742 Full text in Research Archive.
• Aung, Wai Phyo; Bjertness, Espen; Htet, Aung Soe; Stigum, Hein; Chongsuvivatwong, Virasakdi; Soe, Pa Pa & Kjøllesdal, Marte Karoline Råberg (2018). Fatty Acid Profiles of Various Vegetable Oils and the Association between the Use of Palm Oil vs. Peanut Oil and Risk Factors for Non-Communicable Diseases in Yangon Region, Myanmar. Nutrients.  ISSN 2072-6643.  10(9), s 1- 14 . doi: 10.3390/nu10091193 Full text in Research Archive.
• Aung, Wai Phyo; Htet, Aung Soe; Bjertness, Espen; Stigum, Hein; Chongsuvivatwong, Virasakdi & Kjøllesdal, Marte Karoline Råberg (2018). Urban-rural differences in the prevalence of diabetes mellitus among 25-74 year-old adults of the Yangon Region, Myanmar: Two cross-sectional studies. BMJ Open.  ISSN 2044-6055.  8:e020406(3), s 1- 9 . doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2017-020406 Full text in Research Archive. Show summary

  Objectives To investigate the association between urban–rural location and the occurrence of diabetes mellitus (DM) in the Yangon Region, and to estimate the proportion of urban and rural participants already diagnosed with DM, and of those, the proportion under treatment and under control. Design Two cross-sectional studies, using the WHO STEPs methodology. Setting The Yangon Region of Myanmar, urban and rural areas. Participants Men and women, aged 25–74 years, included during the study period from September–November 2013 (urban) and 2014 (rural areas) (n=1372). Institutionalised people, physically and mentally ill person, monks and nuns were excluded. Results The age-standardised prevalence of DM was 12.1% in urban and 7.1% in rural areas (p=0.039). In urban areas, the prevalence of DM was lowest in the highest educational groups (p<0.001). There were no differences in DM prevalence between gender or income levels. In rural areas, those who were physically inactive had a low intake of fruit and vegetable and were overweight/obese had a higher DM prevalence than others. In a logistic regression, the OR for DM in rural compared with urban areas was 0.38 (0.22, 0.65), adjusted for sociodemographic variables and behavioural risk factors. In urban areas, 43.1% of participants had the experience of receiving blood glucose measurements by a doctor or health worker, and 61.5% of all cases of DM were already diagnosed, 78.7% were under treatment and 45.8% were under control. The corresponding proportions in rural areas were 26.4%, 52.4%, 78.1% and 32.0%, respectively. Conclusion The prevalence of DM in the Yangon Region was high, and significantly higher in urban than in rural areas. More health services are needed to serve this population with a large proportion of undiagnosed diabetes. Preventive measures to halt and reduce the prevalence of DM are urgently needed. This is an Open Access article distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial.

• Dahl, Cecilie; Stigum, Hein; Valeur, Jørgen; Iszatt, Nina; Lenters, Virissa Claire; Peddada, Shyamal; Bjørnholt, Jørgen; Midtvedt, Tore; Mandal, Siddhartha & Eggesbø, Merete Åse (2018). Preterm infants have distinct microbiomes not explained by mode of delivery, breastfeeding duration or antibiotic exposure. International Journal of Epidemiology.  ISSN 0300-5771.  47(5), s 1658- 1669 . doi: 10.1093/ije/dyy064 Full text in Research Archive.
• Eriksen, Astrid; Hansen, Ketil Lenert; Schei, Berit; Sørlie, Tore; Stigum, Hein; Bjertness, Espen & Javo, Anne Cecilie (2018). Childhood violence and mental health among indigenous Sami and non-Sami populations in Norway: a SAMINOR 2 questionnaire study. International Journal of Circumpolar Health.  ISSN 1239-9736.  77(1) . doi: 10.1080/22423982.2018.1508320 Full text in Research Archive.
• Guzman, Joan Forns; Stigum, Hein; Høyer, Birgit Bjerre; Sioen, Isabelle; Sovcikova, Eva; Nowack, Nikola; Lopez-Espinosa, Maria-Jose; Guxens, Mònica; Ibarluzea, Jesús; Torrent, Matias; Wittsiepe, Jürgen; Govarts, Eva; Trnovec, Tomas; Chevrier, Cécile; Toft, Gunnar; Vrijheid, Martine; Iszatt, Nina & Eggesbø, Merete Åse (2018). Prenatal and postnatal exposure to persistent organic pollutants and attention-deficit and hyperactivity disorder: A pooled analysis of seven European birth cohort studies. International Journal of Epidemiology.  ISSN 0300-5771.  47(4), s 1082- 1097 . doi: 10.1093/ije/dyy052
• Ariansen, Inger Kristine; Mortensen, Laust Hvas; Graff-Iversen, Sidsel; Stigum, Hein; Kjøllesdal, Marte Karoline Råberg & Næss, Øyvind (2017). The educational gradient in cardiovascular risk factors: impact of shared family factors in 228,346 Norwegian siblings. BMC Public Health.  ISSN 1471-2458.  17(1) . doi: 10.1186/s12889-017-4123-0 Full text in Research Archive.
• Criswell, Rachel Louise; Lenters, Virissa Claire; Mandal, Santosh; Stigum, Hein; Iszatt, Nina & Eggesbø, Merete Åse (2017). Persistent Environmental Toxicants in Breast Milk and Rapid Infant Growth. Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism.  ISSN 0250-6807.  70(3), s 210- 216 . doi: 10.1159/000463394
• Dahl, Cecilie; Stanislawski, Maggie; Iszatt, Nina; Mandal, Siddhartha; Lozupone, Catherine; Clemente, José C; Knight, Rob; Stigum, Hein & Eggesbø, Merete Åse (2017). Gut microbiome of mothers delivering prematurely shows reduced diversity and lower relative abundance of Bifidobacterium and Streptococcus. PLOS ONE.  ISSN 1932-6203.  12(10) . doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0184336 Full text in Research Archive.
• Gonggalanzi, ?; Labasangzhu, X; Bjertness, Espen; Wu, Tianyi; Stigum, Hein & Nafstad, Per (2017). Acute mountain sickness, arterial oxygen saturation and heart rate among Tibetan students who reascend to Lhasa after 7 years at low altitude: A prospective cohort study. BMJ Open.  ISSN 2044-6055.  7 . doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2017-016460 Full text in Research Archive.
• Htet, Aung Soe; Bjertness, Marius Bergsmark; Oo, Win Myint; Kjøllesdal, Marte Karoline Råberg; Sherpa, Lhamo Yangchen; Zaw, Ko Ko; Ko, Ko; Stigum, Hein; Meyer, Haakon E & Bjertness, Espen (2017). Changes in prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of hypertension from 2004 to 2014 among 25-74-year-old citizens in the Yangon Region, Myanmar. BMC Public Health.  ISSN 1471-2458.  17(1) . doi: 10.1186/s12889-017-4870-y Full text in Research Archive.
• Kahrs, Christian Riddervold; Magnus, Maria Christine; Stigum, Hein; Lundin, Knut Erik Aslaksen & Størdal, Ketil (2017). Early growth in children with coeliac disease: a cohort study. Archives of Disease in Childhood.  ISSN 0003-9888.  102(11), s 1037- 1043 . doi: 10.1136/archdischild-2016-312304 Full text in Research Archive.
• Madsen, Christian; Håberg, Siri Eldevik; Aamodt, Geir; Stigum, Hein; Magnus, Per; London, Stephanie J.; Nystad, Wenche & Nafstad, Per (2017). Preeclampsia and hypertension during pregnancy in areas with relatively low levels of traffic air pollution. Maternal and Child Health Journal.  ISSN 1092-7875.  22(4), s 512- 519 . doi: 10.1007/s10995-017-2417-6
• Madsen, Christian; Håberg, Siri Eldevik; Magnus, Maria Christine; Aamodt, Geir; Stigum, Hein; London, Stephanie J.; Nystad, Wenche & Nafstad, Per (2017). Pregnancy exposure to air pollution and early childhood respiratory health in the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study (MoBa). BMJ Open.  ISSN 2044-6055.  7(12) . doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2016-015796 Full text in Research Archive.
• Gonggalanzi, X; Labasangzhu, X; Nafstad, Per; Stigum, Hein; Wu, Tianyi; Haldorsen, Øyvind Drejer; Ommundsen, Kristoffer & Bjertness, Espen (2016). Acute mountain sickness among tourists visiting the high-altitude city of Lhasa at 3658 m above sea level: A cross-sectional study. Archives of Public Health.  ISSN 0778-7367.  74 . doi: 10.1186/S13690-016-0134-Z
• Guzman, Joan Forns; Mandal, Siddhartha; Iszatt, Nina; Polder, Anuschka; Thomsen, Cathrine; Lyche, Jan Ludvig; Stigum, Hein; Vermeulen, Roel & Eggesbø, Merete Åse (2016). Novel application of statistical methods for analysis of multiple toxicants identifies DDT as a risk factor for early child behavioral problems. Environmental Research.  ISSN 0013-9351.  151, s 91- 100 . doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2016.07.014
• Htet, Aung Soe; Bjertness, Marius Bergsmark; Sherpa, Lhamo Yangchen; Kjøllesdal, Marte Karoline Råberg; Oo, Win Myint; Meyer, Haakon E; Stigum, Hein & Bjertness, Espen (2016). Urban-rural differences in the prevalence of non-communicable diseases risk factors among 25-74 years old citizens in Yangon Region, Myanmar: a cross sectional study.. BMC Public Health.  ISSN 1471-2458.  16(1) . doi: 10.1186/s12889-016-3882-3
• Iszatt, Nina; Stigum, Hein; Govarts, Eva; Murinova, Lubica Palkovicova; Schoeters, Greet; Trnovec, Tomas; Legler, Juliette; Thomsen, Cathrine; Koppen, Gudrun & Eggesbø, Merete Åse (2016). Perinatal exposure to dioxins and dioxin-like compounds and infant growth and body mass index at seven years: A pooled analysis of three European birth cohorts. Environment International.  ISSN 0160-4120.  94, s 399- 407 . doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2016.04.040 Show summary

  Background: Dioxins and dioxin-like compounds are endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). Experimental studies suggest perinatal exposure to EDCs results in later obesity. However, the few epidemiological investigations on dioxins are inconclusive. We investigated perinatal exposure to dioxins and dioxin-like compounds, infant growth and body mass index (BMI) in childhood. Methods: We pooled data from 3 European birth cohorts (Belgian, Norwegian, Slovak) with exposure assessment in cord blood or breast milk. Two cohorts had dioxin-like toxicity assessed using dioxin-responsive chemical activated luciferase expression (DR-CALUX) bioassay and one cohort had measured concentrations of dioxins, furans and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenols with CALUX relative potency values applied. Growth was cohort- and sex-specific change in weight-for-age z-score between birth and 24 months (N = 367). BMI was calculated at around 7 years (median 7.17, interquartile range [IQR] 7.00-7.37 years, N = 251), and overweight defined according to international standards for children equivalent to adult BMI >25 kg/m(2) (Cole and Lobstein, 2012). We fitted multivariate models using generalized estimating equations, and tested effect modification by sex, breastfeeding and cohort. Results per 10 pg CALUX TEQ/g lipid increase in exposure. Results: Dioxin exposure was highest in the Belgian and lowest in the Norwegian cohort; median (IQR) of the pooled sample 13 (12.0) pg CALUX TEQ/g lipid. Perinatal exposure to dioxins and dioxin-like compounds appeared associated with increased growth between 0 and 24 months (adjusted estimate for change in z-score: beta = 0.07, 95% CI: -0.01, 0.14). At 7 years, dioxins exposure was associated with a statistically significant increase in BMI in girls (adjusted estimate for BMI units beta = 0.49, 95% CI: 0.07, 0.91) but not in boys (beta = -0.03, 95% CI: -0.55, 0.49) (p-interaction = 0.044). Furthermore, girls had a 54% (-6%, 151%) increased risk of overweight at 7 years (p-interaction = 0.023). Conclusion: Perinatal exposure to dioxin and dioxin-like compounds was associated with increased early infant growth, and increased BMI in school age girls. Studies in larger sample sizes are required to confirm these sex specific effects. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

• Jaradat, Yousef; Nielsen, Morten Birkeland; Kristensen, Petter; Nijem, Khaldoun; Bjertness, Espen; Stigum, Hein & Bast-Pettersen, Rita (2016). Workplace aggression, psychological distress, and job satisfaction among Palestinian nurses. A cross-sectional study. Applied Nursing Research.  ISSN 0897-1897.  32, s 190- 198 . doi: 10.1016/j.apnr.2016.07.014 Show summary

  Background: Nurses can be exposed to aggressive behavior from patients, patient's relatives, colleagues and visitors. Purpose: To determine the prevalence of workplace aggression among Palestinian nurses in the Hebron district and to examine cross-sectional associations between exposure to workplace aggression and the occurrence of psychological distress and job satisfaction. Methods: Of 372 nurses eligible for the study, 343 were included (response rate of 92.2%). The sample comprised 62% females and 38% males. The participants responded to questions about their socio-demographic status, workplace aggression (WHO questionnaires), psychological distress (General Health Questionnaire, GHQ-30), and job satisfaction (Generic Job Satisfaction Scale). Results: Ninety-three (27.1%) of the respondents reported exposure to workplace aggression of any kind. Seventeen (5%) reported exposure to physical aggression, 83 (24.2%) reported exposure to verbal aggression, and 25 (7.3%) reported exposure to bullying. The patients and the patients' relatives were the main sources of physical and verbal aggression, whereas colleagues were the main source of bullying. Males reported a higher prevalence of bullying than females. Younger nurses reported a higher prevalence of exposure to physical aggression, verbal aggression and bullying. Verbal aggression was associated with more psychological distress. Bullying was associated with lower job satisfaction. Conclusions: More than a quarter of the nurses reported that they had been subject to some sort of aggression at the workplace. Verbal aggression was associated with higher psychological distress. Workplace bullying was associated with lower job satisfaction. Increased awareness and preventive measures to address this problem among health care workers are warranted.

• Jaradat, Yousef; Nijem, Khaldoun; Lien, Lars; Stigum, Hein; Bjertness, Espen & Bast-Pettersen, Rita (2016). Psychosomatic symptoms and stressful working conditions among Palestinian nurses: a cross-sectional study. Contemporary Nurse: health care across the lifespan.  ISSN 1037-6178.  52(4), s 381- 397 . doi: 10.1080/10376178.2016.1188018 Show summary

  Background: High levels of perceived stressful working conditions have been found to have an adverse effect on physical and mental health. Objectives: To examine the associations between self-reported stressful working conditions and Psychosomatic Symptoms (PSS), and to investigate possible gender differences. Methods: The present cross-sectional study comprises 430 nurses employed in Hebron district, Palestine. Self-reported stressful working conditions were recorded, and a Psychosomatic Symptoms Check list was used to assess prevalence of PSS. Findings: Median score on the psychosomatic symptom checklist for the group was 11, (range 1–21). Women reported more symptoms than men, with medians 11.6 and 10.0, respectively (p = .0001). PSS were associated with more self-reported stressful working conditions for both men (p < .0001) and women (p < .0001). The association was strongest among men. Conclusions: PSS were associated with high self-reported stressful working conditions, and this association was strongest among the men

• Kjøllesdal, Marte Karoline Råberg; Htet, Aung Soe; Stigum, Hein; Hla, Ne Yi; Hlaing, Hlaing Hlaing; Khaine, Ei Kay; Khaing, Win; Khant, Aung Kyaw; Khin, Naw Ohn Khin; Mauk, Kay Khine Aye; Moe, Ei Ei; Moe, Hla; Mon, Kyawt Kyawt; Mya, Kyaw Swa; Myint, Chomar Kaung; Myint, Cho Yi; Myint, Maung Maung; Myint, Ohnmar; New, Aye Aye; Oo, Ei Sanda; Oo, Khin Sandar; Pyone, Zin Zin; Soe, Yin Yin; Wai, Myint Myint; Win, Nilar & Bjertness, Espen (2016). Consumption of fruits and vegetables and associations with risk factors for non-communicable diseases in the Yangon region of Myanmar: A cross-sectional study. BMJ Open.  ISSN 2044-6055. . doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2016-011649. Full text in Research Archive. Show summary

  OBJECTIVES: To explore the intake of fruits and vegetables in the Yangon region, Myanmar, and to describe associations between intake of fruits and vegetables (FV) and established risk factors for non-communicable diseases. DESIGN: 2 cross-sectional studies, using the STEPs methodology. SETTING: Urban and rural areas of the Yangon region of Myanmar. PARTICIPANTS: 1486, men and women, 25-74 years, were recruited through a multistage cluster sampling method. Institutionalised people, military personnel, Buddhist monks and nuns were not invited. Physically and mentally ill people were excluded. RESULTS: Mean intake of fruit was 0.8 (SE 0.1) and 0.6 (0.0) servings/day and of vegetables 2.2 (0.1) and 1.2 (0.1) servings/day, in urban and rural areas, respectively. Adjusted for included confounders (age, sex, location, income, education, smoking and low physical activity), men and women eating ≥2 servings of fruits and vegetables/day had lower odds than others of hypertriglyceridaemia (OR 0.72 (95% CI 0.56 to 0.94)). On average, women eating at least 2 servings of fruits and vegetables per day had cholesterol levels 0.28 mmol/L lower than the levels of other women. When only adjusted for sex and age, men eating at least 2 servings of fruits and vegetables per day had cholesterol levels 0.27 mmol/L higher than other men. CONCLUSIONS: A high intake of FV was associated with lower odds of hypertriglyceridaemia among men and women. It was also associated with cholesterol levels, negatively among women and positively among men.

• Owe, Katrine Mari; Nystad, Wenche; Stigum, Hein; Vangen, Siri & Bø, Kari (2016). Exercise during pregnancy and risk of Cesarean delivery in nulliparous women: A large population-based cohort study. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology.  ISSN 0002-9378.  215(6), s 791.e1- 791.e13 . doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2016.08.014 Show summary

  Background: Vaginal delivery for the first birth is of great importance for further obstetric performance for the individual woman. Given the rising cesarean delivery (CD) rates worldwide over the past decades, the search for modifiable factors associated with CD is needed. Exercise may be a modifiable factor associated with type of delivery, but the results of previous studies are not conclusive. Objective: To investigate the association between exercise during pregnancy and CD, both acute and elective, in nulliparous women. Study design: A population-based cohort study involving 39,187 nulliparous women with a singleton pregnancy enrolled in the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study (MoBa) between 2000 and 2009. All women answered two questionnaires in pregnancy weeks 17 and 30. Acute and elective CD were obtained from the Medical Birth Registry of Norway. Information on exercise frequency and type was assessed prospectively by questionnaires in pregnancy weeks 17 and 30. Generalized linear models estimated risk differences (RD) of acute and elective CD for different frequencies and types of exercise during pregnancy weeks 17 and 30. We used restricted cubic splines to examine dose-response associations of exercise frequency and acute CD. A test for non-linearity was also conducted. Results: The total CD rate was 15.4% (n=6030), of which 77.8% (n=4689) was acute CD. Exercise during pregnancy was associated with a reduced risk of CD, particularly for acute CD. A nonlinear association was observed for exercise frequency in weeks 17 and 30 and risk of acute CD (test for nonlinearity, P =0.003 and P =0.027, respectively). The largest risk reduction was observed for acute CD among women exercising more than five times weekly during weeks 17 (-2.2 percent) and 30 (-3.6 percent) compared to non-exercisers (test for trend P<.001). Reporting high impact exercises in weeks 17 and 30 was associated with the greatest reduction in risk of acute CD (-3.0 and -3.4 percent, respectively). Conclusion: Compared to non-exercisers, regular exercise and high impact exercises during pregnancy are associated with reduced risk of having an acute CD in first-time mothers.

• Panasevich, Sviatlana; Håberg, Siri Eldevik; Aamodt, Geir; London, Stephanie J; Stigum, Hein; Nystad, Wenche & Nafstad, Per (2016). Association between pregnancy exposure to air pollution and birth weight in selected areas of Norway. Archives of Public Health.  ISSN 0778-7367.  74 . doi: 10.1186/s13690-016-0138-8 Full text in Research Archive.
• Solbakken, Siri Marie; Meyer, Haakon E; Stigum, Hein; Søgaard, Anne-Johanne; Holvik, Kristin; Magnus, Jeanette H. & Omsland, Tone Kristin (2016). Excess mortality following hip fracture: impact of self-perceived health, smoking, and body mass index. A NOREPOS study. Osteoporosis International.  ISSN 0937-941X.  28(3), s 881- 887 . doi: 10.1007/s00198-016-3795-0
• Ariansen, Inger; Graff-Iversen, Sidsel; Stigum, Hein; Strand, Bjørn Heine; Wills, Andrew K & Næss, Øyvind (2015). Do repeated risk factor measurements influence the impact of education on cardiovascular mortality?. Heart.  ISSN 1355-6037.  101(23), s 1889- 1894 . doi: 10.1136/heartjnl-2014-307380
• Forns, Joan; Iszatt, Nina; White, Richard; Mandal, Siddhartha; Sabaredzovic, Azemira; Lamorée, Marja; Thomsen, Cathrine; Haug, Line Småstuen; Stigum, Hein & Eggesbø, Merete Åse (2015). Perfluoroalkyl substances measured in breast milk and child neuropsychological development in a Norwegian birth cohort study. Environment International.  ISSN 0160-4120.  83, s 176- 182 . doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2015.06.013
• Iszatt, Nina; Stigum, Hein; Verner, Marc-André; White, Richard; Govarts, Eva; Murinova, Lubica Palkovicova; Schoeters, Greet; Trnovec, Tomas; Legler, Juliette; Pelé, Fabienne; Botton, Jérémie; Chevrier, Cécile; Wittsiepe, Jürgen; Ranft, Ulrich; Vandentorren, Stéphanie; Kasper-Sonnenberg, Monika; Klümper, Claudia; Weisglas-Kuperus, Nynke; Polder, Anuschka & Eggesbø, Merete Åse (2015). Prenatal and postnatal exposure to persistent organic pollutants and infant growth: A pooled analysis of seven European birth cohorts. Environmental Health Perspectives.  ISSN 0091-6765.  123(7), s 730- 736 . doi: 10.1289/ehp.1308005 Full text in Research Archive.
• Magnus, Maria Christine; Stigum, Hein; Håberg, Siri Eldevik; Nafstad, Per; London, Stephanie J. & Nystad, Wenche (2015). Peak weight an heavy velocity to age 36 months and asthma development: the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study. PLOS ONE.  ISSN 1932-6203.  10:e0116362(1), s 1- 13 . doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0116362 Full text in Research Archive.
• Stigum, Hein; Iszatt, Nina; Polder, Anuschka; Mandal, Siddhartha & Eggesbø, Merete Åse (2015). A novel model to characterize postnatal exposure to lipophilic environmental toxicants and application in the study of hexachlorobenzene and infant growth. Environment International.  ISSN 0160-4120.  85, s 156- 162 . doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2015.08.011
• Yangzong, Yangzong; Berntsen, Sveinung; Andersen, Lars Bo; Stigum, Hein; Nafstad, Per; Bjertness, Espen; X, Bianba & X, Gonggalanzi (2015). Anthropometric measures of 9-to 10-year-old native tibetan children living at 3700 and 4300m above sea level and han Chinese living at 3700m. Medicine.  ISSN 0025-7974.  94(42) . doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000001516 Full text in Research Archive.
• Bianba, X; Berntsen, Sveinung; Andersen, Lars Bo; Stigum, Hein; Ouzhuluobu, O.; Nafstad, Per; Wu, Tianyi & Bjertness, Espen (2014). Exercise capacity and selected physiological factors by ancestry and residential altitude: Cross-sectional studies of 9-10-year-old children in Tibet. High Altitude Medicine & Biology.  ISSN 1527-0297.  15(2), s 162- 169 . doi: 10.1089/ham.2013.1084
• Leventakou, Vasiliki; Roumeliotaki, Theano; Martinez, David; Barros, Henrique; Brantsæter, Anne Lise; Casas, Maribel; Charles, Marie-Aline; Cordier, Sylvaine; Eggesbø, Merete Åse; Haugen, Margaretha; Meltzer, Helle Margrete; Stigum, Hein; Govarts, Eva; Halldórsson, Thorhallur I; Hanke, Wojciech; Haugen, Margaretha; Heppe, Denise HM; Heude, Barbara; Inskip, Hazel M; Jaddoe, Vincent WV; Jansen, Maria; Kelleher, Cecily; Meltzer, Helle Margrete; Merletti, Franco; Moltó-Puigmartí, Carolina; Mommers, Monique; Murcia, Mario; Oliveira, Andreia; Olsen, Sjúrour F; Pele, Fabienne; Polanska, Kinga; Porta, Daniela; Richiardi, Lorenzo; Robinson, Siân M; Stigum, Hein; Sunyer, Jordi; Thijs, Carel; Viljoen, Karien; Vrijkotte, Tanja GM; Wijga, Alet H; Kogevinas, Manolis; Vrijheid, Martine & Chatzi, Leda (2014). Fish intake during pregnancy, fetal growth, and gestational length in 19 European birth cohort studies 1-4. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.  ISSN 0002-9165.  99(3), s 506- 516 . doi: 10.3945/ajcn.113.067421
• Myrstad, Marius; Løchen, Maja-Lisa; Graff-Iversen, Sidsel; Gulsvik, Anne Kristine; Thelle, Dag Steinar; Stigum, Hein & Ranhoff, Anette Hylen (2014). Increased risk of atrial fibrillation among elderly Norwegian men with a history of long-term endurance sport practice. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports.  ISSN 0905-7188.  24(4), s e238- e244 . doi: 10.1111/sms.12150
• Myrstad, Marius; Nystad, Wenche; Graff-Iversen, Sidsel; Thelle, Dag Steinar; Stigum, Hein; Aarønæs, Marit & Ranhoff, Anette Hylen (2014). Effect of years of endurance exercise on risk of atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter. American Journal of Cardiology.  ISSN 0002-9149.  114(8), s 1229- 1233 . doi: 10.1016/j.amjcard.2014.07.047
• Torjusen, Hanne; Brantsæter, Anne Lise; Haugen, Margaretha; Alexander, Jan; Bakketeig, Leiv Sigmund; Lieblein, Geir; Stigum, Hein; Næs, Tormod; Swartz, Jackie; Holmboe-Ottesen, Gerd; Roos, Gun & Meltzer, Helle Margrete (2014). Reduced risk of pre-eclampsia with organic vegetable consumption: results from the prospective Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study. BMJ Open.  ISSN 2044-6055.  4 . doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2014-006143 Full text in Research Archive.
• Hanvold, Therese Nordberg; Wærsted, Morten; Mengshoel, Anne Marit; Bjertness, Espen; Stigum, Hein; Twisk, Jos & Veiersted, Kaj Bo (2013). The effect of work-related sustained trapezius muscle activity on the development of neck and shoulder pain among adults. Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health.  ISSN 0355-3140.  39(4), s 390- 400 . doi: 10.5271/sjweh.3357 Show summary

  Objective: This study aimed to evaluate if sustained trapezius muscle activity predicts neck and shoulder pain over a 2.5-year period. Methods: Forty young adults (15 hairdressers, 14 electricians, 5 students and 6 with various work) were followed during their first years of working life. Self-reported neck and shoulder pain during the last four weeks was assessed seven times over the observational period. Upper-trapezius muscle activity was measured during a full working day by bilateral surface electromyography (EMG) at baseline (winter 2006/7). Sustained trapezius muscle activity was defined as continuous muscle activity with amplitude >0.5% EMGmax lasting >4 minutes. The relative time of sustained muscle activity during the working day was calculated and further classified into low (0–29%), moderate (30–49%) and high (50–100%) level groups. Results: Generalized estimating equations (GEE), adjusted for time, gender, mechanical workload, control-over-work intensity, physical activity, tobacco use, and prior neck and shoulder pain, showed that participants with a high level of sustained muscle activity had a rate of neck and shoulder pain three times higher than the low level group during a 2.5-year period. The association was strongest at the same time and shortly after the EMG measurement, indicating a time-lag of ≤6 months. Conclusion: The results support the hypothesis that sustained trapezius muscle activity is associated with neck and shoulder pain. This association was strongest analyzing cross-sectional and short-term effects.

• Magnus, Maria Christine; Stene, Lars Christian; Håberg, Siri Eldevik; Nafstad, Per; Stigum, Hein; London, Stephanie J & Nystad, Wenche (2013). Prospective study of maternal mid-pregnancy 25-hydroxyvitamin D level and early childhood respiratory disorders. Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology.  ISSN 0269-5022.  27(6), s 532- 541 . doi: 10.1111/ppe.12080
• Sherpa, Lhamo Yangchen; Deji, -; Stigum, Hein; Chongsuvivatwong, Virasakdi; Nafstad, Per & Bjertness, Espen (2013). Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome and Common Metabolic Components in High Altitude Farmers and Herdsmen at 3700 m in Tibet. High Altitude Medicine & Biology.  ISSN 1527-0297.  14(1), s 37- 44 . doi: 10.1089/ham.2012.1051
• Zong, Yang; Berntsen, Sveinung; Bjertness, Espen; Stigum, Hein; Gonggalanzi, X; Bianba, X & Nafstad, Per (2013). Lung Function Among 9-to 10-Year-Old Tibetan and Han Chinese Schoolchildren Living at Different Altitudes in Tibet. High Altitude Medicine & Biology.  ISSN 1527-0297.  14(1), s 31- 36 . doi: 10.1089/ham.2012.1034
• Fleten, Anne Caroline; Nystad, Wenche; Stigum, Hein; Skjaerven, Rolv; Lawlor, Debbie A.; Smith, George Davey & Næss, Øyvind (2012). Parent-Offspring Body Mass Index Associations in the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study: A Family-based Approach to Studying the Role of the Intrauterine Environment in Childhood Adiposity. American Journal of Epidemiology.  ISSN 0002-9262.  176(2), s 83- 92 . doi: 10.1093/aje/kws134
• Govarts, Eva; Nieuwenhuijsen, Mark J.; Schoeters, Greet; Ballester, Ferran; Bloemen, Karolin; de Boer, Michel; Chevrier, Cécile; Eggesbø, Merete Åse; Guxens, Mònika; Krämer, Ursula; Legler, Juliette; Martinez, David; Palkovicova, Lubica; Patelarou, Evridiki; Ranft, Ulrich; Rautio, Arja; Petersen, Maria Skaalum; Slama, Rémy; Stigum, Hein; Toft, Gunnar; Trnovec, Tomas; Vandentorren, Stéphanie; Weihe, Pål; Kuperus, Nynke Weisglas; Wilhelm, Michael; Wittsiepe, Jürgen & Bonde, Jens Peter (2012). Birth Weight and Prenatal Exposure to Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) and Dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE): A Meta-analysis within 12 European Birth Cohorts. Environmental Health Perspectives.  ISSN 0091-6765.  120(2), s 162- 170 . doi: 10.1289/ehp.1103767
• Jaradat, Yousef Mohammad Mustafa; Bast-Pettersen, Rita Elisabeth; Nijem, Khaldoun; Bjertness, Espen; Lien, Lars; Kristensen, Petter & Stigum, Hein (2012). The impact of shift work on mental health measured by GHQ-30: a comparative study. Middle East Journal of Psychiatry and Alzheimers.  ISSN 1838-9619.  3(1), s 8- 16 Show summary

  Background: Shift work has been associated with adverse physiological and psychological effects.Objective: To estimate associations between mental health and demanding work schedules (rotating shift) among nurses.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among nurses. 422 nurses were included in analyses, of whom 261 (62%) were women and 161 (38%) were men. The General Health Questionnaire 30-items (GHQ-30) was used to measure mental distress, Health Risk Behaviors scale used to measure Life-style behavior, and Generic Job Satisfaction scale to measure level of job satisfaction.Results: In linear regression, adjusted mental distress symptoms were significantly more prevalent among rotating shift workers (+ 4.1 units, p = 0.002)than fixed day-workers.Men reported less distress (-2.2 units, p = 0.04) than women. Effects on mental health from rotating shift were moderated by job satisfaction.Conclusions: In this study, men had less overall mental distress than did women, but seemed to be more prone to mental distress reactions in association with rotating shifts. High job satisfaction moderated the mental distress associated with shift work.

• Kvalem, Helen Engelstad; Brantsæter, Anne Lise; Meltzer, Helle Margrete; Stigum, Hein; Thomsen, Cathrine; Haugen, Margaretha; Alexander, Jan & Knutsen, Helle Katrine (2012). Development and validation of prediction models for blood concentrations of dioxins and PCBs using dietary intakes. Environment International.  ISSN 0160-4120.  50, s 15- 21 . doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2012.09.003
• Køpp, Unni Mette Stamnes; Andersen, Lene Frost; Dahl-Jørgensen, Knut; Stigum, Hein; Næss, Øyvind & Nystad, Wenche (2012). Maternal pre-pregnant body mass index, maternal weight change and offspring birthweight. Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica.  ISSN 0001-6349.  91(2), s 243- 249 . doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0412.2011.01321.x
• Køpp, Unni Mette Stamnes; Dahl-Jørgensen, Knut; Stigum, Hein; Andersen, Lene Frost; Næss, Øyvind & Nystad, Wenche (2012). The associations between maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index or gestational weight change during pregnancy and body mass index of the child at 3 years of age. International Journal of Obesity.  ISSN 0307-0565.  36(10), s 1325- 1331 . doi: 10.1038/ijo.2012.140
• Magnus, Maria Christine; VESTRHEIM, DIDRIK FRIMANN; Nystad, Wenche; Håberg, Siri Eldevik; Stigum, Hein; London, Stephanie J.; Bergsaker, Marianne A Riise; Caugant, Dominique A; Aaberge, Ingeborg Sundsvalen & Nafstad, Per (2012). Decline in early childhood respiratory tract infections in the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study after introduction of pneumococcal conjugate vaccination. The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal.  ISSN 0891-3668.  31(9), s 951- 955 . doi: 10.1097/INF.0b013e31825d2f76
• Owe, Katrine Mari; Nystad, Wenche; Skjaerven, Rolv; Stigum, Hein & Bø, Kari (2012). Exercise during Pregnancy and the Gestational Age Distribution: A Cohort Study. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise.  ISSN 0195-9131.  44(6), s 1067- 1074 . doi: 10.1249/MSS.0b013e3182442fc9
• Magnus, Maria Christine; Håberg, Siri Eldevik; Stigum, Hein; Nafstad, Per; London, SJ; Vangen, Siri & Nystad, Wenche (2011). Delivery by cesarean section and early childhood respiratory symptoms and disorders the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study. American Journal of Epidemiology.  ISSN 0002-9262.  174(11), s 1275- 1285 . doi: 10.1093/aje/kwr242
• Mikki, Nahed; Abdul-Rahim, Hanan F; Stigum, Hein & Holmboe-Ottesen, Gerd (2011). Anaemia prevalence and associated sociodemographic and dietary factors among Palestinian adolescents in the West Bank. Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal.  ISSN 1020-3397.  17(3)
• Sherpa, Lhamo Yangchen; Deji, -; Stigum, Hein; Chongsuvivatwong, Virasakdi; Luobu, Ouzhu; Thelle, Dag Steinar; Nafstad, Per & Bjertness, Espen (2011). Lipid Profile and Its Association with Risk Factors for Coronary Heart Disease in the Highlanders of Lhasa, Tibet. High Altitude Medicine & Biology.  ISSN 1527-0297.  12(1), s 57- 63 . doi: 10.1089/ham.2010.1050
• Bentdal, Yngvild E; Håberg, Siri Eldevik; Karevold, Gunnhild; Stigum, Hein; Kværner, Kari J & Nafstad, Per (2010). Birth characteristics and acute otitis media in early life. International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology.  ISSN 0165-5876.  74(2), s 168- 172 . doi: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2009.11.001
• Bianba, B.; Berntsen, Sveinung; Andersen, Lars Bo; Stigum, Hein & Bjertness, Espen (2010). Estimation of peak oxygen uptake from maximal power output among 9-10 year-old children in Lhasa, Tibet. Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness.  ISSN 0022-4707.  50(3), s 274- 280
• Fleten, Anne Caroline; Stigum, Hein; Magnus, Per & Nystad, Wenche (2010). Exercise during pregnancy, maternal prepregnancy body mass index, and birth weight. Obstetrics and Gynecology.  ISSN 0029-7844.  115(2), s 331- 337 . doi: 10.1097/AOG.0b013e3181ca4414
• Madsen, Christian; Gehring, Ulrike; Walker, Sam-Erik; Brunekreef, Bert; Stigum, Hein; Næss, Øyvind Erik & Nafstad, Per (2010). Ambient air pollution exposure, residential mobility and term birth weight in Oslo, Norway. Environmental Research.  ISSN 0013-9351.  110(4), s 363- 371 . doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2010.02.005
• Meltzer, Helle Margrete; Brantsæter, Anne Lise; Borch-Iohnsen, Berit; Ellingsen, Dag; Alexander, Jan; Thomassen, Yngvar; Stigum, Hein & Ydersbond, Trond Arild (2010). Low iron stores are related to higher blood concentrations of manganese, cobalt and cadmium in non-smoking, Norwegian women in the HUNT 2 study. Environmental Research.  ISSN 0013-9351.  110(5), s 497- 504 . doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2010.03.006 Show summary

  Low iron (Fe) stores may influence absorption or transport of divalent metals in blood. To obtain more knowledge about such associations, the divalent metal ions cadmium (Cd), manganese (Mn), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn) and lead (Pb) and parameters of Fe metabolism (serum ferritin, haemoglobin (Hb) and transferrin) were investigated in 448 healthy, menstruating non-smoking women, age 20–55 years (mean 38 years), participating in the Norwegian HUNT 2 study. The study population was stratified for serum ferritin: 257 were iron-depleted (serum ferritin <12 μg/L) and 84 had iron deficiency anaemia (serum ferritin <12 μg/L and Hb<120 g/L). The low ferritin group had increased blood concentrations of Mn, Co and Cd but normal concentrations of Cu, Zn and Pb. In multiple regression models, ferritin emerged as the main determinant of Mn, Co and Cd (p<0.001), while no significant associations with Cu, Zn and Pb were found. Adjusted r2 for the models were 0.28, 0.48 and 0.34, respectively. Strong positive associations between blood concentrations of Mn, Co and Cd were observed, also when controlled for their common association with ferritin. Apart from these associations, the models showed no significant interactions between the six divalent metals studied. Very mild anaemia (110≤Hb<120 g/L) did not seem to have any effect independent of low ferritin. Approximately 26% of the women with iron deficiency anaemia had high concentrations of all of Mn, Co and Cd as opposed to 2.3% of iron-replete subjects. The results confirm that low serum ferritin may have an impact on body kinetics of certain divalent metal ions, but not all. Only a fraction of women with low iron status exhibited an increased blood concentration of divalent metals, providing indication of complexities in the body's handling of these metals.

• Schei, Berit & Stigum, Hein (2010). A study of men who pay for sex, based on the Norwegian National Sex Surveys. Scandinavian Journal of Public Health.  ISSN 1403-4948.  38(2), s 135- 140 . doi: 10.1177/1403494809352531
• Sherpa, Lhamo Yangchen; Deji, D; Stigum, Hein; Chongsuvivatwong, V; Thelle, Dag Steinar & Bjertness, Espen (2010). Obesity in Tibetans aged 30-70 living at different altitudes under the north and south faces of Mt. Everest. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (IJERPH).  ISSN 1661-7827.  7(4), s 1670- 1680 . doi: 10.3390/ijerph7041670
• Stigum, Hein; Samuelsen, Sven Ove & Træen, Bente (2010). Analysis of first coitus. Archives of Sexual Behavior.  ISSN 0004-0002.  39(4), s 907- 914 . doi: 10.1007/s10508-009-9494-6
• Thomsen, Cathrine; Stigum, Hein; Frøshaug, May; Broadwell, Sharon Lynn; Becher, Georg & Eggesbø, Merete Åse (2010). Determinants of brominated flame retardants in breast milk from a large scale Norwegian study. Environment International.  ISSN 0160-4120.  36(1), s 68- 74 . doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2009.10.002
• Torjusen, Hanne; Brantsæter, Anne Lise; Haugen, Margaretha; Lieblein, Geir; Stigum, Hein; Roos, Gun; Holmboe-Ottesen, Gerd & Meltzer, Helle Margrete (2010). Characteristics associated with organic food consumption during pregnancy; data from a large cohort of pregnant women in Norway. BMC Public Health.  ISSN 1471-2458.  10 . doi: 10.1186/1471-2458-10-775
• Træen, Bente & Stigum, Hein (2010). Sexual problems in 18-67 year-old Norwegians. Scandinavian Journal of Public Health.  ISSN 1403-4948.  38(5), s 445- 456 . doi: 10.1177/1403494810371245
• Håberg, Siri Eldevik; London, SJ; Stigum, Hein; Nafstad, Per & Nystad, Wenche (2009). Folic acid supplements in pregnancy and early childhood respiratory health. Archives of Disease in Childhood.  ISSN 0003-9888.  94(3), s 180- 184 . doi: 10.1136/adc.2008.142448
• Håberg, Siri Eldevik; Stigum, Hein; London, Stephanie J; Nystad, Wenche & Nafstad, Per (2009). Maternal obesity in pregnancy and respiratory health in early childhood. Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology.  ISSN 0269-5022.  23(4), s 352- 362 . doi: 10.1111/j.1365-3016.2009.01034.x
• Abudayya, Abdallah; Stigum, Hein; Shi, Zumin; Abed, Y & Holmboe-Ottesen, Gerd (2009). Sociodemographic correlates of food habits among school adolescents (12-15 year) in north Gaza Strip. BMC Public Health.  ISSN 1471-2458.  9 . doi: 10.1186/1471-2458-9-185
• Eggesbø, Merete Åse; Stigum, H; Longnecker, MP; Polder, Anuschka; Aldrin, Magne; Basso, O; Thomsen, C; Skaare, JU; Becher, G & Magnus, P (2009). Levels of hexachlorobenzene (HCB) in breast milk in relation to birth weight in a Norwegian cohort. Environmental Research.  ISSN 0013-9351.  109(5), s 559- 566 . doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2009.04.001
• Kvalem, Helen Engelstad; Knutsen, Helle Katrine; Thomsen, Cathrine; Haugen, Margaretha; Stigum, Hein; Brantsæter, Anne Lise; Frøshaug, May; Lohmann, Nina; Päpke, Olaf; Becher, Georg; Alexander, Jan & Meltzer, Helle Margrete (2009). Role of dietary patterns for dioxin and PCB exposure. Molecular Nutrition & Food Research.  ISSN 1613-4125.  53(11), s 1438- 1451 . doi: 10.1002/mnfr.200800462 Show summary

  Dietary patterns were related to intake and blood concentrations of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (dl-PCBs) and selected non-dioxin-like-PCBs (ndl-PCBs). Intake calculations were based on an extensive food frequency questionnaire and a congener-specific database on concentrations in Norwegian foods. The study (2003) applied a two-step inclusion strategy recruiting representative (n=73) and high consumers (n=111) of seafood and game. Estimated median intakes of ∑PCDDs/Fs/dl-PCBs of the representative and high consumers were 0.78 and 1.25 pg TEQ/kg bw/day, respectively. Estimated median intakes of ndl-PCBs and ∑CB-28, 52, 101, 138, 153, 180 were 4.26 and 6.40 ng/kg bw/day. The median blood concentrations for ∑CB-101, 138, 153 and 180 were 28.7 and 35.1 pg TEQ/g lipid, and 252 and 299 ng/g lipid. The Spearman correlations between dietary intake and serum concentration were r=0.34 (p=0.017) for dl-compounds and r=0.37 (p<0.001) for ndl-PCBs. Oily fish was the major source of dl-compounds and ndl-PCBs in high and representative consumers. Four dietary patterns were identified by principal component analysis. Two were related to high intakes, one dominated by oily fish (“omega-3”), the other by fish liver and seagull eggs (“northern coastal”). Only the latter was closely associated with high blood concentrations of dioxins and PCBs.

• Grøholt, Else-Karin; Stigum, Hein & Nordhagen, Rannveig (2008). Overweight and obesity among adolescents in Norway: cultural and socio-economic differences. Journal of Public Health (Berlin).  ISSN 2198-1833.  30(3), s 258- 265 . doi: 10.1093/pubmed/fdn037
• Grøtvedt, Liv; Stigum, Hein; Hovengen, Ragnhild & Graff-Iversen, Sidsel (2008). Social differences in smoking and snuff use among Norwegian adolescents: A population based survey. BMC Public Health.  ISSN 1471-2458.  8 . doi: 10.1186/1471-2458-8-322

View all works in Cristin

• Dahl, Cecilie; Stigum, Hein; Valeur, Jørgen; Iszatt, Nina; Lenters, Virissa; Mandal, Siddhartha; Peddada, Shyamal; Bjørnholt, Jørgen & Eggesbø, Merete Åse (2016). Preterm infants have distinct microbiomes, not explained by mode of delivery, less breastfeeding, or antibiotic exposure.
• Jaradat, Yousef; Nijem, Khaldoun; Kristensen, Petter; Bjertness, Espen; Lien, Lars; Stigum, Hein & Bast-Pettersen, Rita (2014). Psychosomatic symptoms and self-reported stressful working conditions among Palestinian female and male nurses: a cross-sectional study.
• Magnus, Maria Christine; Nafstad, Per; Stene, Lars Christian; Håberg, Siri Eldevik; London, Stephanie J.; Stigum, Hein & Nystad, Wenche (2013). Maternal Vitamin D Status During Pregnancy and Asthma in the Offspring Among Participants in the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.  ISSN 0091-6749.  131(2), s AB128- AB128
• Fleten, Anne Caroline; Nystad, Wenche; Stigum, Hein; Skjaerven, Rolv; Lawlor, Debbie A.; Smith, George Davey & Næss, Øivind (2012). Fleten et al.Respond to Early origins of obesity. American Journal of Epidemiology.  ISSN 0002-9262.  176(2), s 97- 98 . doi: 10.1093/aje/kws132
• Owe, Katrine Mari; Nystad, Wenche; Stigum, Hein; Vangen, Siri & Bo, Kari (2012). Exercise During Pregnancy Decreases Cesarean Rate In Nulliparous Women. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise.  ISSN 0195-9131.  44, s 339- 339
• Jaradat, Yousef; Nijem, Khaldoun; Bjertness, Espen; Lien, Lars; Kristensen, Petter; Bast-Pettersen, Rita Elisabeth & Stigum, Hein (2010). Effect of shift work on mental health of Palestinian nurses: a comparative study. The Lancet.  ISSN 0140-6736.
• Owe, Katrine Mari; Stigum, Hein; Nystad, Wenche & Bø, Kari (2010). Does Exercise during Pregnancy Affect Gestational lenght at Birth. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise.  ISSN 0195-9131.  42(5), s 772- 773
• Thomsen, Cathrine; Haug, Line Småstuen; Stigum, Hein; Frøshaug, May; Broadwell, Sharon Lynn & Becher, Georg (2010). Changes in Concentrations of Perfluorinated Compounds, Polybrominated Biphenyl Ethers, and Polychlorinated Biphenyls in Norwegian Breast-Milk during Twelve Months of Lactation. Environmental Science and Technology.  ISSN 0013-936X.  44(24), s 9550- 9556 . doi: 10.1021/es1021922
• Fleten, Anne Caroline; Nafstad, Per; Stigum, Hein; Brunborg, Gunnar; Schwarze, Per E; Aasvang, Gunn Marit; Nord, Erik & Nystad, Wenche (2009). Miljørettet helsevern : kjemiske, fysiske og biologiske miljøforholds betydning for helse i vårt land og fordelingen av disse. rapport Nasjonalt folkehelseinstitutt. 2009:7. Full text in Research Archive.
• Madsen, Christian; Gehring, U; Walker, SE; Brunekreef, B; Stigum, Hein; Næss, Øyvind Erik & Nafstad, Per (2009). Ambient Air Pollution Exposure, Residential Mobility and Term Birth Weight in Oslo, Nonway. Epidemiology.  ISSN 1044-3983.  20(6), s S151- S151
• Bianba, Bianba; Berntsen, Sveinung; Stigum, Hein; Andersen, Lars Bo & Bjertness, Espen (2007). ESTIMATION OF MAXIMAL OXYGEN UPTAKE FROM MAXIMAL POWER OUTPUT DURING BICYCLING AMONG 9-10 YEAR OLD CHILDREN IN LHASA, TIBET. Show summary

  Aim: A study to compare maximal power output among 812 Tibetan and Han children aged 9-10 years old was carried out in 2005 in Lhasa. However, it is necessary to validate the bicycle procedure to develop an appropriate equation for estimating among these subjects. Therefore, the aim of present study is to evaluate a maximal watt cycle ergometer test against direct measured in 9-10 year old Tibetan /Chinese children in Lhasa, 3,700 m above sea level. Methods: The present study was carried out in 46 children (20 boys and 26 girls) aged 9-10 years in one school in Lhasa city. was measured directly (MetaMax II, CORTEX Biophysik MetaMax ® II portable CPX system, Germany) and predicted from maximal power output (Wmax) in a progressive maximal watt cycle ergometer test. Standard multiple regressions were used to explain the variance of and to calculate a prediction model for from Wmax. A probability value of less than 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: The relationship between and Wmax was: (l¿min-1) = 0.62+(0.0097¿ Wmax)-(0.083¿ sex). A correlation coefficient of r=0.83 was found between Wmax and . The prediction model included Wmax and sex and they explained 74% and 5% of the variability in , respectively. Conclusions: The maximal oxygen uptake could be predicted from maximal power output in a progressive cycle ergometer test in 9 to 10 year old Tibetan /Chinese children in Tibet. However, the beta value for Wmax was different from the beta found in validation studies at sea level.

• Dybing, Erik; Alexander, Jan; Krogh, Truls; Hetland, Ragna Bogen; Stigum, Hein & Johansen, Bjørn V. (2007). Drikkevannsledninger av asbest og mulig kreftrisiko. rapport Nasjonalt folkehelseinstitutt. 2007:3. Full text in Research Archive.

View all works in Cristin