Publications
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Hardang, Ingrid Marie; Neumann, Kirill; Gjønnes, Geir Tormod; Strand, Trond-Eirik; Ashraf, Haseem & Einvik, Gunnar
(2026).
Biomarker-Defined Iron Deficiency in Heavy Smokers with and without COPD and/or Emphysema.
The International Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.
ISSN 1176-9106.
Volume 21,
p. 1–11.
doi:
10.2147/copd.s573503.
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Purpose: Assess whether iron deficiency prevalence in heavy smokers is higher in presence of COPD and/or emphysema, how the prevalence of iron deficiency is impacted by the biomarker used to define it, and examine the prevalence of anemia and polycythemia in heavy smokers with or without COPD.
Patients and Methods: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted on 1002 participants from the Norwegian Early Lung Cancer Screening study. All participants underwent chest CT scans, spirometry, and venous blood sampling to analyze iron-related parameters, C-reactive protein (CRP), and hemoglobin. Iron deficiency was defined using transferrin saturation (TSat) < 20%, ferritin < cutoff (CRP-dependent), or a combination of both.
Results: The prevalence of iron deficiency varied from 3% to 30%, being highest when defined by TSat < 20%, and was more prevalent in participants with COPD. Emphysema was not associated with iron deficiency. Decreasing hemoglobin, increasing soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) and CRP were associated with TSat < 20%. COPD was not independently associated with iron deficiency. Increasing age and sTfR, along with female sex, were associated with ferritin < cutoff. Anemia was more common than polycythemia, with approximately one-third of anemia cases attributable to iron deficiency.
Conclusion: Iron deficiency was more prevalent in heavy smokers with COPD than in those without, but not in individuals with emphysema. TSat < 20% identified significantly more cases of iron deficiency than ferritin < cutoff. Eight percent of participants had anemia, while four percent had polycythemia, with neither condition related to COPD or emphysema.
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Mahovkic, Albin; Neumann, Kirill; Strand, Trond-Eirik; Røe, Oluf Dimitri & Ashraf, Haseem
(2026).
Baseline results from the Norwegian radiology-led lung cancer screening pilot.
Acta Oncologica.
ISSN 0284-186X.
65,
p. 59–65.
doi:
10.2340/1651-226x.2026.44910.
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Background and purpose: Implementation of low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) screening for lung cancer is recommended. The Norwegian Lung Cancer Screening pilot (TIDL) has been conducted to explore recruitment strategy, detection rate and the value of a radiology-led screening program. This publication presents baseline results from the screened participants. Patient/material and methods: All 125,095 individuals aged 60–79 years in Akershus county, Norway were invited to participate. Ever-smokers completed a risk questionnaire based on the PLCOm2012NoRace model: those with ≥35 pack-years or a ≥2.6% 6-year lung cancer risk were eligible for inclusion. Of 2,499 eligible participants, 1,006 underwent baseline LDCT between August 2022 and May 2023, and up to two more rounds later. Nodules were categorized by Lung-RADS v2022. Follow-up and staging were managed by thoracic radiologists; High-suspicion cases were referred to pulmonologists.Results: At baseline, lung cancer was diagnosed in 23 participants (2.3%), whereof 19 (83%) in stage I and 2 (9%) in stage II. Most underwent curative treatment, primarily robot-assisted surgery. Only 2.9% of the screened individuals were referred for further diagnostic evaluation. The false positive rate was 0.6% after pulmonologist referral and 1.7% after radiological staging. A total of 13.8% required 3- or 6-month imaging follow-up. Complication rates from diagnostic procedures were low.Interpretation: LDCT screening using combined risk-based eligibility and a radiology-led model is feasible and effective in the Norwegian context. The high detection rate and low clinical burden support its potential for national implementation. These findings may guide the development of future lung cancer screening programs in the Nordic countries and beyond.
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Borgen, Morten Højsgård; Neumann, Kirill; Frølund, Jannie Christina; Khalife, Ghida; Saghir, Zaigham & Knuuttila, Aija
[Show all 9 contributors for this article]
(2026).
Current opinions on lung cancer screening in the Nordic countries: a survey-based study.
Journal of Cancer Policy.
47.
doi:
10.1016/j.jcpo.2026.100703.
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Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide, with early detection critical for curative treatment. Low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) can detect lung cancer at earlier stages, but its implementation in the Nordic countries remains limited. This study surveys invasive respiratory physicians in Sweden, Finland, Norway, and Denmark to explore their views on LDCT screening.
A web-based survey was conducted among invasive respiratory physicians in Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Finland to assess opinions on lung cancer screening. Responses were analysed using descriptive statistics and the Kruskal-Wallis test.
A total of 125 respondents from 54 Nordic hospitals completed the survey. The majority reported no prior experience with LDCT screening. Most physicians were familiar with LDCT and recognized its potential to improve early detection, though opinions on national implementation were mixed. Key barriers identified included financial constraints, lack of trained personnel, and limited access to CT scanners. Significant differences were observed by country, hospital type, and years of clinical experience (p < 0.05).
Nordic respiratory physicians acknowledge the benefits of LDCT screening for early lung cancer detection but highlight substantial implementation challenges, particularly related to resources and personnel. Addressing these barriers, standardizing protocols, and exploring supportive measures such as risk-scores and AI-assisted imaging will be essential for successful adoption of national screening programs across the Nordic region.
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Wu, Yansi; Kunst, Natalia; Gyõrbiró, David M.; Kristiansen, Ivar Sønbø; Strand, Trond-Eirik & Nguyen, Olav Toai Duc
[Show all 10 contributors for this article]
(2025).
Cost-effectiveness of low-dose CT lung cancer screening among individuals that have ever smoked in Norway: A model-based analysis using NELSON trial criteria and outcomes.
International Journal of Cancer.
ISSN 0020-7136.
158(9),
p. 2452–2465.
doi:
10.1002/ijc.70270.
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Naimi, Salma; Tetteh, Mercy Afadzi; Ashraf, Haseem & Johansen, Safora
(2024).
Evaluation of an in-use chest CT protocol in lung cancer screening - A single institutional study.
Acta Radiologica Open.
13(7).
doi:
10.1177/20584601241256005.
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Background: Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer-related death worldwide and therefore there has been a growing demand for low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) protocols. Purpose: To investigate and evaluate the dose and image quality of patients undergoing lung cancer screening (LCS) using LDCT in Norway. Materials and Methods: Retrospective dosimetry data, volumetric CT dose index (CTDIvol) and dose-length product (DLP), from 70 average-size and 70 large-size patients who underwent LDCT scan for LCS were included in the survey. Effective dose and size-specific dose were calculated for each examination and were compared with the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) requirement. For a quantitative image quality analysis, noise, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) were determined for different regions in the chest with two iterative reconstruction techniques, iDose and Iterative Model Reconstruction. Differences in dose and image quality between average-size and large-size patients were evaluated by Independent sample t test, and Wilcoxon signed rank test within the same patient group. Results: The independent sample t test revealed significant differences (p < .05) in dose values between average-size and large-size patients. Mean CTDIvol and DLP for average-size patients were 2.8 mGy and 115 mGy.cm, respectively, with appropriate increment for the large-size patients. Image quality (image noise, SNR, and CNR) did not significantly differ between patient groups when images were reconstructed with a model based iterative reconstruction algorithm. Conclusion: The screening protocol assessed in this study resulted in CTDIvol values that were compliant with AAPM recommendation. No significant differences in objective image quality were found between patient groups.
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Tonkopi, Elena; Tetteh, Mercy Afadzi; Gunn, Catherine; Ashraf, Haseem; Rusten, Sigrid Lia & Safi, Perkhah
[Show all 11 contributors for this article]
(2024).
A multi-institutional assessment of low-dose protocols in chest computed tomography: Dose and image quality.
Acta Radiologica Open.
13(1).
doi:
10.1177/20584601241228220.
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Background: Low-dose CT (LDCT) chest protocols have widespread clinical applications for many indications; as a result, there is a need for protocol assessment prior to standardization. Dalhousie University and Oslo Metropolitan University have a formally established cooperative relationship. Purpose: The purpose is to assess radiation dose and image quality for LDCT chest protocols in seven different hospital locations in Norway and Canada. Material and methods: Retrospective dosimetry data, volumetric CT dose index (CTDIvol), and dose length product (DLP) from 240 average-sized patients as well as CT protocol parameters were included in the survey. Effective dose (ED) and size-specific dose estimate (SSDE) were calculated for each examination. For a quantitative image quality analysis, noise, CT number, and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) were determined for three regions in the chest. The contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) was calculated for lung parenchyma in comparison to the subcutaneous fat. Differences in dose and image quality were evaluated by a single-factor ANOVA test. A two-sample t-test was performed to determine differences in means between individual scanners. Results: The ANOVA test revealed significant differences (p < .05) in dose values for all scanners, including identical scanner models. Statistically significant differences (p < .05) were determined in mean values of the SNR distributions between the scanners in all three measured regions in the chest, as well as the CNR values. Conclusion: The observed variations in dose and image quality measurements, even within the same hospitals and between identical scanner models, indicate a potential for protocol optimization in the involved hospitals in both countries.
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Aaløkken, Trond Mogens; Ashraf, Haseem; Einvik, Gunnar; Lerum, Tøri Vigeland; Meltzer, Carin & Rivero, Jezabel Rodriguez
[Show all 8 contributors for this article]
(2024).
CT abnormalities 3 and 12 months after hospitalization for COVID-19 and association with disease severity: A prospective cohort study.
PLOS ONE.
19(5).
doi:
10.1371/journal.pone.0302896.
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Objectives To investigate changes in chest CT between 3 and 12 months and associations with disease severity in patients hospitalized for COVID-19 during the first wave in 2020. Materials and methods Longitudinal cohort study of patients hospitalized for COVID-19 in 2020. Chest CT was performed 3 and 12 months after admission. CT images were evaluated using a CT severity score (CSS) (0–12 scale) and recoded to an abbreviated version (0–3 scale). We analyzed determinants of the abbreviated CSS with multivariable mixed effects ordinal regression. Results 242 patients completed CT at 3 months, and 124 (mean age 62.3±13.3, 78 men) also at 12 months. Between 3 and 12 months (n = 124) CSS (0–12 scale) for ground-glass opacities (GGO) decreased from median 3 (25th–75th percentile: 0–12) at 3 months to 0.5 (0–12) at 12 months (p<0.001), but increased for parenchymal bands (p<0.001). In multivariable analysis of GGO, the odds ratio for more severe abbreviated CSS (0–3 scale) at 12 months was 0.11 (95%CI 0.11 0.05 to 0.21, p<0.001) compared to 3 months, for WHO severity category 5–7 (high-flow oxygen/non-invasive ventilation/ventilator) versus 3 (non-oxygen use) 37.16 (1.18 to 43.47, p = 0.032), and for age ≥60 compared to <60 years 4.8 (1.33 to 17.6, p = 0.016). Mosaicism was reduced at 12 compared to 3 months, OR 0.33 (95%CI 0.16 to 0.66, p = 0.002). Conclusions GGO and mosaicism decreased, while parenchymal bands increased from 3 to 12 months. Persistent GGO were associated with initial COVID-19 severity and age ≥60 years.
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Lerum, Tøri Vigeland; Meltzer, Carin; Rivero, Jezabel Rodriguez; Aaløkken, Trond Mogens; Brønstad, Eivind & Aarli, Bernt Bøgvald
[Show all 12 contributors for this article]
(2023).
A prospective study of pulmonary outcomes and chest computed tomography in the first year after COVID-19.
European Respiratory Journal Open Research (ERJ Open Research).
9(2).
doi:
10.1183/23120541.00575-2022.
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COVID-19 primarily affects the respiratory system. We aimed to evaluate how pulmonary outcomes develop after COVID-19 by assessing participants from the first pandemic wave prospectively 3 and 12 months following hospital discharge. Pulmonary outcomes included self-reported dyspnoea assessed with the modified Medical Research Council dyspnoea scale, 6-min walk distance (6MWD), spirometry, diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO), body plethysmography and chest computed tomography (CT). Chest CT was repeated at 12 months in participants with pathological findings at 3 months. The World Health Organization (WHO) ordinal scale for clinical improvement defined disease severity in the acute phase. Of 262 included COVID-19 patients, 245 (94%) and 222 (90%) participants attended the 3- and 12-month follow-up, respectively. Self-reported dyspnoea and 6MWD remained unchanged between the two time points, while DLCO and total lung capacity improved (0.28 mmol·min−1·kPa−1, 95% CI 0.12–0.44, and 0.13 L, 95% CI 0.02–0.24, respectively). The prevalence of fibrotic-like findings on chest CT at 3 and 12 months in those with follow-up chest CT was unaltered. Those with more severe disease had worse dyspnoea, DLCO and total lung capacity values than those with mild disease. There was an overall positive development of pulmonary outcomes from 3 to 12 months after hospital discharge. The discrepancy between the unaltered prevalence of self-reported dyspnoea and the improvement in pulmonary function underscores the complexity of dyspnoea as a prominent factor of long-COVID. The lack of increase in fibrotic-like findings from 3 to 12 months suggests that SARS-CoV-2 does not induce a progressive fibrotic process in the lungs.
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Skretting, Ingegjerd Kristina; Ruud, Espen Asak & Ashraf, Haseem
(2022).
Diagnostic yield, complications, pathology and anatomical features in CT-guided percutaneous needle biopsy of mediastinal tumours.
PLOS ONE.
17(11).
doi:
10.1371/journal.pone.0277200.
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Objectives This study presents the experiences of percutaneous CT-guided needle biopsy at a university hospital in Norway. Methods A retrospective examination of all mediastinal biopsy procedures between April 2015 and August 2019 was performed at Akershus University Hospital in Norway. We registered patient and procedure characteristics, along with lesion pathology and characteristics including localization according to anatomical and Felson mediastinal compartments. Results The study included 48 procedures, conducted in 45 patients (29 men and 16 women) with a mean age of 60,5 years. Pneumothorax occurred in 12 procedures (60% of the transpulmonary procedures) and pneumomediastinum in 18 procedures (38%). Pneumothorax was only seen in procedures with transpulmonal access. Four of the pneumothorax cases required pleural drainage. Diagnostic yield was 96%. We found significant (p = 0,006), moderate to high association between anatomical compartment localization and histopathological diagnosis (Cramér’s V = 0,49) for tumours selected for CT-guided percutaneous biopsy. Felson’s compartment division on the other hand, did not show any significant associations. Conclusion We found CT-guided percutaneous needle biopsy of mediastinal tumours to be an effective and safe procedure with a diagnostic yield of 96%. The main complications were pneumothorax and pnumomediastinum, with a relatively low chest drainage rate. Anatomical mediastinum compartment showed a significant, moderate to high association with the histopathological diagnosis for tumours selected for percutaneous CT-guided biopsies, where most malignancies were seen in the anterior compartment.
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Ruud, Espen Asak; Heck, Sigurd; Stavem, Knut; Søyseth, Vidar; Geitung, Jonn Terje & Ashraf, Haseem
(2022).
Low diffusion capacity of the lung predicts pneumothorax and chest drainage after CT-guided lung biopsy.
BMC Research Notes.
15(1).
doi:
10.1186/s13104-022-06234-6.
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Objectives Complications after CT-guided lung biopsy is a burden both for the individual patient and for the overall healthcare. Pneumothorax is the most common complication. This study determined the association between lung function tests and pneumothorax and chest drainage following CT-guided lung biopsy in consecutive patients in a large university hospital. Results We prospectively registered 875 biopsy procedures from 786 patients in one institution from January 27th 2012 to March 1st 2017 and recorded complications including pneumothorax with or without chest drainage. Lung function data from 637 patients undergoing 710 of the procedures were available. The association of lung function measures with pneumothorax with or without chest drainage was assessed using multivariable logistic regression analyses. Diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) below 4.70 mmol/min/kPa was associated with increased occurrence of pneumothorax and chest drainage after CT guided lung biopsy. We found no association between FEV1, RV and occurrence of pneumothorax and chest drainage. We found low DLCO to be a risk factor of pneumothorax and chest drainage after CT-guided lung biopsy. This should be taken into account in planning and performing the procedure.
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Tran, Thien Trung; Kristiansen, Cathrine Helgestad; Thomas, Owen Matthew Truscott; Roy, Sumit K; Haidl, Frans Felxi & Ashraf, Haseem
[Show all 9 contributors for this article]
(2022).
Indirect CT venography of the lower extremities: impact of scan delay and patient factors on contrast enhancement and examination quality.
European Radiology.
ISSN 0938-7994.
32(11),
p. 7946–7955.
doi:
10.1007/s00330-022-08841-0.
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Objectives Indirect computed tomography venography (CTV) is often the next imaging modality for deep vein thrombosis (DVT) when sonography is inconclusive. Our aim was to investigate the impact of scan delay and patient factors on contrast enhancement (CE) and examination quality in CTV. Methods Patients with clinical suspicion or clinical mimics of DVT in one large hospital were enrolled. Age, sex, body weight, height, heart rate, systolic blood pressure and cardiac output were registered. CTV of the popliteal veins was obtained at 30 s intervals at 30–210 s delays. The proportions of examinations with CE exceeding predefined cut-offs were estimated and subjective examination quality was rated. Changes in CE with time, and associations between patient factors and time to peak contrast enhancement (TPCE) were modelled with mixed effects non-linear and linear regression, respectively. Results The CE increased with increasing scan delay and reached a plateau from 120 to 210 s. The percentages of examinations achieving enhancement above cut-offs across all thresholds from 70 to 100 HU were higher at 120 s compared to 90 s (p < 0.001). After 120 s, there were no differences across scan delays for any thresholds. No patient factors showed a significant effect on TPCE. The percentage of examinations rated as acceptable was higher at 120 s compared to 90 s (p < 0.001). After 120 s, there were no statistically significant differences across scan delays. Conclusions No patient factors were associated with TPCE in CTV. A fixed scan delay of 120–210 s yielded the best examination quality.
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Ruud, Espen Asak; Stavem, Knut; Geitung, Jonn Terje; Borthne, Arne Sigmund; Søyseth, Vidar & Ashraf, Haseem
(2021).
Predictors of pneumothorax and chest drainage after percutaneous CT-guided lung biopsy: A prospective study.
European Radiology.
ISSN 0938-7994.
doi:
10.1007/s00330-020-07449-6.
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Lerum, Tøri Vigeland; Aaløkken, Trond M; Brønstad, Eivind; Aarli, Bernt Bøgvald; Ikdahl, Eirik & Lund, Kristine Marie Aarberg
[Show all 14 contributors for this article]
(2020).
Dyspnoea, lung function and CT findings three months after hospital admission for COVID-19.
European Respiratory Journal.
ISSN 0903-1936.
57.
doi:
10.1183/13993003.03448-2020.
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The long-term pulmonary outcomes of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are unknown. We aimed to describe self-reported dyspnoea, quality of life, pulmonary function, and chest CT findings three months following hospital admission for COVID-19. We hypothesised outcomes to be inferior for patients admitted to intensive care units (ICU), compared with non-ICU patients. Discharged COVID-19-patients from six Norwegian hospitals were consecutively enrolled in a prospective cohort study. The current report describes the first 103 participants, including 15 ICU patients. Modified Medical Research Council dyspnoea scale (mMRC), EuroQol Group's Questionnaire, spirometry, diffusion capacity (DLCO), six-minute walk test, pulse oximetry, and low-dose CT scan were performed three months after discharge. mMRC was >0 in 54% and >1 in 19% of the participants. The median (25th–75th percentile) forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in one second were 94% (76, 121) and 92% (84, 106) of predicted, respectively. DLCO was below the lower limit of normal in 24%. Ground-glass opacities (GGO) with >10% distribution in ≥1 of 4 pulmonary zones were present in 25%, while 19% had parenchymal bands on chest CT. ICU survivors had similar dyspnoea scores and pulmonary function as non-ICU patients, but higher prevalence of GGO (adjusted odds ratio [95% confidence interval] 4.2 [1.1, 15.6]) and performance in lower usual activities. Three months after admission for COVID-19, one fourth of the participants had chest CT opacities and reduced diffusion capacity. Admission to ICU was associated with pathological CT findings. This was not reflected in increased dyspnoea or impaired lung function.
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Hoyer, Nils; Thomsen, Laura H.; Wille, Mathilde Marie Winkler; Wilcke, Torgny; Dirksen, Asger & Pedersen, Jesper Holst
[Show all 9 contributors for this article]
(2020).
Increased respiratory morbidity in individuals with interstitial lung abnormalities.
BMC Pulmonary Medicine.
20(67),
p. 1–10.
doi:
10.1186/s12890-020-1107-0.
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Background
Interstitial lung abnormalities (ILA) are common in participants of lung cancer screening trials and broad population-based cohorts. They are associated with increased mortality, but less is known about disease specific morbidity and healthcare utilisation in individuals with ILA. Methods
We included all participants from the screening arm of the Danish Lung Cancer Screening Trial with available baseline CT scan data (n = 1990) in this cohort study. The baseline scan was scored for the presence of ILA and patients were followed for up to 12 years. Data about all hospital admissions, primary healthcare visits and medicine prescriptions were collected from the Danish National Health Registries and used to determine the participants’ disease specific morbidity and healthcare utilisation using Cox proportional hazards models. Results
The 332 (16.7%) participants with ILA were more likely to be diagnosed with one of several respiratory diseases, including interstitial lung disease (HR: 4.9, 95% CI: 1.8–13.3, p = 0.008), COPD (HR: 1.7, 95% CI: 1.2–2.3, p = 0.01), pneumonia (HR: 2.0, 95% CI: 1.4–2.7, p < 0.001), lung cancer (HR: 2.7, 95% CI: 1.8–4.0, p < 0.001) and respiratory failure (HR: 1.8, 95% CI: 1.1–3.0, p = 0.03) compared with participants without ILA. These findings were confirmed by increased hospital admission rates with these diagnoses and more frequent prescriptions for inhalation medicine and antibiotics in participants with ILA. Conclusions
Individuals with ILA are more likely to receive a diagnosis and treatment for several respiratory diseases, including interstitial lung disease, COPD, pneumonia, lung cancer and respiratory failure during long-term follow-up.
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Røe, Oluf Dimitri; Markaki, Maria; Tsamardinos, Ioannis; Lagani, Vincenzo; Nguyen, Olav Toai Duc & Pedersen, Jesper Holst
[Show all 8 contributors for this article]
(2019).
‘Reduced’ HUNT model outperforms NLST and NELSON study criteria in predicting lung cancer in the Danish screening trial.
BMJ Open Respiratory Research.
6(1),
p. 1–9.
doi:
10.1136/bmjresp-2019-000512.
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Hypothesis We hypothesise that the validated HUNT Lung Cancer Risk Model would perform better than the NLST (USA) and the NELSON (Dutch‐Belgian) criteria in the Danish Lung Cancer Screening Trial (DLCST). Methods The DLCST measured only five out of the seven variables included in validated HUNT Lung Cancer Model. Therefore a ‘Reduced’ model was retrained in the Norwegian HUNT2-cohort using the same statistical methodology as in the original HUNT model but based only on age, pack years, smoking intensity, quit time and body mass index (BMI), adjusted for sex. The model was applied on the DLCST-cohort and contrasted against the NLST and NELSON criteria. Results Among the 4051 smokers in the DLCST with 10 years follow-up, median age was 57.6, BMI 24.75, pack years 33.8, cigarettes per day 20 and most were current smokers. For the same number of individuals selected for screening, the performance of the ‘Reduced’ HUNT was increased in all metrics compared with both the NLST and the NELSON criteria. In addition, to achieve the same sensitivity, one would need to screen fewer people by the ‘Reduced’ HUNT model versus using either the NLST or the NELSON criteria (709 vs 918, p=1.02e-11 and 1317 vs 1668, p=2.2e-16, respectively). Conclusions The ‘Reduced’ HUNT model is superior in predicting lung cancer to both the NLST and NELSON criteria in a cost-effective way. This study supports the use of the HUNT Lung Cancer Model for selection based on risk ranking rather than age, pack year and quit time cut-off values. When we know how to rank personal risk, it will be up to the medical community and lawmakers to decide which risk threshold will be set for screening.
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Pedersen, Jesper Holst; Saghir, Zaigham; Wille, Mathilde Marie Winkler; Thomsen, Laura Hohwü; Skov, Birgit Guldhammer & Ashraf, Haseem
(2016).
Ground-glass opacity lung nodules in the era of lung cancer CT screening: Radiology, Pathology, and clinical management.
Oncology (Williston Park, N.Y.).
ISSN 0890-9091.
30(3).
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Thorgeirsson, TE; Steinberg, S; Reginsson, GW; Bjornsdottir, G; Rafnar, T & Jonsdottir, I
[Show all 35 contributors for this article]
(2016).
A rare missense mutation in CHRNA4 associates with smoking behavior and its consequences.
Molecular Psychiatry.
ISSN 1359-4184.
21(5),
p. 594–600.
doi:
10.1038/mp.2016.13.
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Using Icelandic whole-genome sequence data and an imputation approach we searched for rare sequence variants in CHRNA4 and tested them for association with nicotine dependence. We show that carriers of a rare missense variant (allele frequency=0.24%) within CHRNA4, encoding an R336C substitution, have greater risk of nicotine addiction than non-carriers as assessed by the Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence (P=1.2 × 10−4). The variant also confers risk of several serious smoking-related diseases previously shown to be associated with the D398N substitution in CHRNA5. We observed odds ratios (ORs) of 1.7–2.3 for lung cancer (LC; P=4.0 × 10−4), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD; P=9.3 × 10−4), peripheral artery disease (PAD; P=0.090) and abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs; P=0.12), and the variant associates strongly with the early-onset forms of LC (OR=4.49, P=2.2 × 10−4), COPD (OR=3.22, P=2.9 × 10−4), PAD (OR=3.47, P=9.2 × 10−3) and AAA (OR=6.44, P=6.3 × 10−3). Joint analysis of the four smoking-related diseases reveals significant association (P=6.8 × 10−5), particularly for early-onset cases (P=2.1 × 10−7). Our results are in agreement with functional studies showing that the human α4β2 isoform of the channel containing R336C has less sensitivity for its agonists than the wild-type form following nicotine incubation.
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Kubak, Mateuzs Pioter; Lauritzen, Peter Mæhre; Borthne, Arne Sigmund; Ruud, Espen Asak & Ashraf, Haseem
(2016).
Elevated d-dimer cut-offvalues for computed tomography pulmonary angiography-d-dimer correlates with location of embolism.
Annals of Translational Medicine.
ISSN 2305-5839.
4(11:212).
doi:
10.21037/atm.2016.05.55.
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Moen, Oda Klavestad; Johannessen, Øyvind; Myhre, Peder Langeland; Heck, Siri Lagethon; Corbett, Rebecca Aure & Windstad, Vilde Malo
[Show all 10 contributors for this article]
(2025).
Pre-test probability (PTP) for coronary artery disease (CAD) is enhanced by incorporating risk factors and coronary artery calcium (CAC) score.
European Society of Cardiology.
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Røe, Oluf Dimitri; Nguyen, Olav Toai Duc & Ashraf, Haseem
(2024).
Improving Lung Cancer Screening Selection: Hunt Lung Cancer Model (HUNT LCM) versus PLCOm2012, early results after two rounds of screening in a prospective screening pilot study in Norway (TIDL).
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Kristiansen, Cathrine Helgestad; Tran, Thien Trung; Ashraf, Haseem & Lauritzen, Peter Mæhre
(2017).
New protocol: Quality improvement in CT venography.
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Kubak, Mateusz; Borthne, Arne Sigmund; Lauritzen, Peter Mæhre; Ruud, Espen & Ashraf, Haseem
(2014).
Acute pulmonary embolism. Correlation between level of d-dimer and embolus location.
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Published
Jan. 2, 2018 3:25 PM
- Last modified
Jan. 3, 2018 2:50 PM
