Högni Oskarsson

Humus Inc

Background and aim: Overall, suicide rates in the Nordic region, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden, have declined in the past 40 years. The aim of this study was to determine trends in suicide mortality from 2000 to 2018. Methods: Data were obtained from official suicide statistics for men and women, 15 years and older. Gender and age...

In polygenic score (PGS) analysis, the coefficient of determination (R2) is a key statistic to evaluate efficacy. R2 is the proportion of phenotypic variance explained by the PGS, calculated in a cohort that is independent of the genome-wide association study (GWAS) that provided estimates of allelic effect sizes. The SNP-based heritability (hSNP2,...

Introduction: Suicides are number 16 as a cause of death worldwide. Causes are not always known, often associated with depression or trauma. Suicide incidence has decreased world- wide in the past three decades. The economic crisis of 2008 led to an increase in many countries. Many confounding factors make comparisons between countries difficult....

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a common illness accompanied by considerable morbidity, mortality, costs, and heightened risk of suicide. We conducted a genome-wide association meta-analysis based in 135,458 cases and 344,901 controls and identified 44 independent and significant loci. The genetic findings were associated with clinical features...

Figure S1. Prevalence of self‐reported ever‐smoking and odds ratio of SCZ‐PRS for ever‐smoking for subjects without treatment for alcohol or drug addiction Figure S2. Distribution of SCZ‐ and BPD‐PRS Figure S3. Variance explained by the PRSs in their corresponding disorders in Iceland Table S1. Associations between PRS and smoking phenotypes in...

We use polygenic risk scores (PRSs) for schizophrenia (SCZ) and bipolar disorder (BPD) to predict smoking, and addiction to nicotine, alcohol or drugs in individuals not diagnosed with psychotic disorders. Using PRSs for 144 609 subjects, including 10 036 individuals admitted for in-patient addiction treatment and 35 754 smokers, we find that diagn...

Background: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a disabling mood disorder, and despite a known heritable component, a large meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies revealed no replicable genetic risk variants. Given prior evidence of heterogeneity by age at onset in MDD, we tested whether genome-wide significant risk variants for MDD could...

Background: Findings from family and twin studies suggest that genetic contributions to psychiatric disorders do not in all cases map to present diagnostic categories. We aimed to identify specific variants underlying genetic effects shared between the five disorders in the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium: autism spectrum disorder, attention defic...

Background and aim: The Nordic countries provide a suitable setting for comparing trends in suicide mortality. The aim of this report is to compare suicide trends by age, gender, region and methods in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden 1980-2009. Methods: Suicide statistics 1980-2009 were analyzed for men and women aged 15 years and ab...

Background Findings from family and twin studies suggest that genetic contributions to psychiatric disorders do not in all cases map to present diagnostic categories. We aimed to identify specifi c variants underlying genetic eff ects shared between the fi ve disorders in the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium: autism spectrum disorder, attention defi...

Prior genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of major depressive disorder (MDD) have met with limited success. We sought to increase statistical power to detect disease loci by conducting a GWAS mega-analysis for MDD. In the MDD discovery phase, we analyzed more than 1.2 million autosomal and X chromosome single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 1...

We conducted a combined genome-wide association study (GWAS) of 7,481 individuals with bipolar disorder (cases) and 9,250 controls as part of the Psychiatric GWAS Consortium. Our replication study tested 34 SNPs in 4,496 independent cases with bipolar disorder and 42,422 independent controls and found that 18 of 34 SNPs had P < 0.05, with 31 of 34...

We conducted a combined genome-wide association study (GWAS) of 7,481 individuals with bipolar disorder (cases) and 9,250 controls as part of the Psychiatric GWAS Consortium. Our replication study tested 34 SNPs in 4,496 independent cases with bipolar disorder and 42,422 independent controls and found that 18 of 34 SNPs had P < 0.05, with 31 of 34...

Smoking is a common risk factor for many diseases. We conducted genome-wide association meta-analyses for the number of cigarettes smoked per day (CPD) in smokers (n = 31,266) and smoking initiation (n = 46,481) using samples from the ENGAGE Consortium. In a second stage, we tested selected SNPs with in silico replication in the Tobacco and Genetic...

Here, we provide an overview of previous family studies of addiction and present a new family study based on clinical data for more than 19,000 individuals who have been treated for addiction in Iceland over the last three decades. Coupled with the extensive Icelandic genealogy information, this population-based sample provides a unique opportunity...

Individual psychotherapy is often an important contribution to the overall treatment of hospitalized patients. It is not indicated, though, for all inpatients, nor is it indicated at any given time during the course of illness, and it is not a treatment technique which can be performed without prior training and supervision. Consequently, it is onl...

Brief comment is made on the paper on psychotherapy outcome by Bratfos in this journal. The main shortcomings of the meta-analysis psychotherapy outcome studies are reviewed, and it is concluded that the methodology involved is unlikely to further our understanding of psychotherapy outcome. Recent psychotherapy research as it relates to outcome is...

The therapist's dilemma to be discussed here has as one of its two main components the therapist's conscious wish - supported by external pressure - to help the schizophrenic patient through psychotherapy. The second main component of the dilemma - which may undermine the therapist's endeavour on a conscious as well as on an unconscious level consi...

The European Alliance Against Depression (EAAD) was formed in 2004 with funding from the European Commission. The EAAD, which is currently active in 17 countries, creates community-based networks that use an evidence-based approach to improving care for depressed persons and preventing suicidality. This column describes the creation of EAAD and the...

Neðst á síðunni er hægt að nálgast greinina í heild sinni með því að smella á hlekkinn View/Open Eitt hundrað ár eru ekki langur tími í sögu læknisfræðinnar almennt, enda nær sú saga örugglega langt aftur fyrir elstu skrifuðu heimildir. Mannskepnan hefur örugglega reynt að bæta heilsu sína og græða sár sín frá því hún fór að ganga um á þessari jörð...

No recent cross-country examinations for youth suicide trends and methods for Europe were found. The aim of the study is to specify differences in suicide rates, trends and methods used among 15-24 years olds by gender across 15 European countries. Data for 14,738 suicide cases in the age group 15-24 in 2000-2004/5 were obtained and analysed. Suici...

To identify the most frequent gender-specific suicide methods in Europe. Proportions of seven predominant suicide methods utilised in 16 countries participating in the European Alliance Against Depression (EAAD) were reported in total and cross-nationally. Relative risk (RR) relating to suicide methods and gender was calculated. To group countries...

Smoking is a leading cause of preventable death, causing about 5 million premature deaths worldwide each year. Evidence for genetic influence on smoking behaviour and nicotine dependence (ND) has prompted a search for susceptibility genes. Furthermore, assessing the impact of sequence variants on smoking-related diseases is important to public heal...

Action programmes fostering partnerships and bringing together regional and national authorities to promote the care of depressed patients are urgently needed. In 2001 the ‘Nuremberg Alliance Against Depression’ was initiated as a community-based model project within the large-scale ‘German Research Network on Depression and Suicidality’ (Kompetenz...

The results of a genomewide scan for genes conferring susceptibility to anxiety disorders in the Icelandic population are described. The aim of the study was to locate genes that predispose to anxiety by utilizing the extensive genealogical records and the relative homogeneity of the Icelandic population. Participants were recruited in two stages:...

The prevalence of seasonal affective disorder-as measured by the Seasonal Pattern Assessment Questionnaire-has been found to be unexpectedly low among Icelanders. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to measure seasonal variations in the prevalence of anxiety and depression among Icelanders assessed with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Que...

The Icelandic Medical Association appointed a committee in 1993 with the task of recommending how to introduce the concept of Total Quality Management into the Icelandic healthcare system. The first task was to conduct a mail survey of the current status of quality assurance. Heads of departments at the five major hospitals in Iceland were contacte...

Schaaber Ú, Smári J, Óskarsson H. Comparison of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Rating Scale (HAD) with other depression and anxiety rating scales. The ability of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Rating Scale (HAD) to detect depression and anxiety in a psychiatric, medical, and non-patient setting was compared with that of the Beck Depressio...

The phenomena discussed in this article elucidate how necessary it is to assess carefully the match between the needs and the structure of an organization on the one hand and the skills and the theoretical orientation of the leader on the other hand. Clearly, the process of leadership change in any complex social system is disruptive. When careful...

Neðst á síðunni er hægt að nálgast greinina í heild sinni með því að smella á hlekkinn View/Open The Icelandic Medical Association appointed a committee in 1993 with the task of recommending how to introduce the concept of Total Quality Management into the Icelandic healthcare system. The first task was to conduct a mail survey of the current statu...