Aims: To investigate the putative association between semaglutide and non‐arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (NAION). Materials and Methods: Data from national health registries in Denmark (2018–2024) and Norway (2018–2022) were used to compare NAION risk in individuals with type 2 diabetes initiating semaglutide versus sodium‐glucose co‐transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT‐2is). A supplementary self‐controlled analysis examined NAION risk among all semaglutide users. National estimates were pooled using a fixed‐effects model. Results: We identified 44 517 users of semaglutide for the management of type 2 diabetes in Denmark and 16 860 in Norway, with a total of 32 NAION events observed. The unadjusted incidence rate of NAION was 2.19/10 000 person‐years among Danish semaglutide initiators, compared to 1.18 among SGLT‐2i initiators. In Norway, the corresponding rates were 2.90 and 0.92, respectively. After adjustment, the pooled hazard ratio (HR) was 2.81 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.67–4.75), and the incidence rate difference (IRD) was +1.41 (95% CI +0.53 to +2.29) per 10 000 person‐years. Estimates were consistent across both countries but higher and less precise in Norway (HR 7.25; 95% CI 2.34–22.4) compared to Denmark (HR 2.17; 95% CI 1.20–3.92). Results remained consistent across sensitivity and supplementary analyses, with a stronger association observed in a post hoc per‐protocol analysis (HR 6.35; 95% CI 2.88–14.0). In the supplementary self‐controlled study, symmetry ratios (SRs) for NAION were 1.14 (95% CI 0.55–2.36) in Denmark and 2.67 (95% CI 0.91–8.99) in Norway. Conclusions: The use of semaglutide for managing type 2 diabetes is associated with an increased risk of NAION compared with the use of SGLT‐2is. However, the absolute risk remains low.

The objective of the present study was to quantify the relationship between body mass index (BMI; in kilogrammes per metre squared) and asthma in middle-aged males and females, and to evaluate change in BMI as a risk factor for asthma.Asthma incidence was estimated from data on redeemed prescriptions of anti-asthmatic drugs during the period 2004–2007, retrieved from the nationwide Norwegian Prescription Database. BMI was measured during health surveys in 1994–1999 in >100,000 individuals born during 1952–1959. Change in BMI was based on self-report. Relative risks were estimated using Poisson regression.The relative risk associated with a 3-unit increase in BMI ranged from 1.14 (95% confidence interval 1.10–1.18) in current smokers to 1.27 (1.22–1.32) in never-smokers after adjusting for confounders. The relative risk associated with a 3-unit increase in BMI was 1.21 (1.16–1.26) after adjusting for confounders, including sex, smoking and BMI.Asthma incidence, as measured by anti-asthmatic drug use, was positively related to both BMI and change in BMI. For BMI, the association was stronger for never-smokers than for ex-smokers and current smokers.

Peer reviewed article authored by (Hjellvik V, Sakshaug S, Strøm H). Read article or submit your manuscript for publishing.

Studies have suggested that prostate cancer (PCa) patients receiving androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) are at increased risk of developing or exacerbating cardiovascular disease (CVD). We aimed to explore the association between ADT for PCa and subsequent CVD and all‐cause mortality in this nationwide, longitudinal study. We also evaluated the role of cardiovascular risk and ADT duration to determine effect modification. Norwegian registry data were used to identify patients with PCa from 2008‐18 and who received primary ADT in the first year after diagnosis. The associations between ADT and composite cardiovascular events, and the individual components of myocardial infarction, stroke and heart failure, in addition to atrial fibrillation and all‐cause mortality, were explored using time‐varying Cox regression models. We included 30 923 PCa patients, of whom 8449 (27%) received primary ADT. Mean follow‐up was 2.9 and 3.8 years for CVD events and mortality, respectively. We found an association between ADT and composite CVD (adjusted HR 1.13: 95% CI 1.05‐1.21), myocardial infarction (1.18: 1.05‐1.32), stroke (1.21: 1.06‐1.38), heart failure (1.23: 1.13‐1.35) and all‐cause mortality (1.49: 1.39‐1.61). These associations persisted in those with low and moderate CVD risk and ADT longer than 7 months. A relationship between ADT and composite CVD and all‐cause mortality was observed, especially in those with moderate CVD risk and longer treatment duration. Future studies with more detailed cancer data are needed to verify the clinical relevance of these results, especially when considering all‐cause mortality within the context of treatment guidelines and benefits of ADT.

Background: The evidence on the relationship between coffee intake and cancer of the oral cavity and oesophagus is conflicting and few follow-up studies have been done. Methods: A total of 389 624 men and women 40–45 years who participated in a national survey programme were followed with respect to cancer for an average of 14.4 years by linkage to the Cancer Registry of Norway. Coffee consumption at baseline was reported as a categorical variable (0 or <1 cup, 1–4, 5–8, 9+ cups per day). Results Altogether 450 squamous oral or oesophageal cancers were registered during follow-up. The adjusted hazard ratios with 1–4 cups per day as reference were 1.01 (95% confidence interval: 0.70, 1.47), 1.16 (0.93, 1.45) and 0.96 (0.71, 1.14) for 0 or <1 cup, 5–8 and 9+ cups per day, respectively. Stratification by sex, type of coffee, smoking status and dividing the end point into oral and oesophageal cancers gave heterogeneous and non-significant estimates. Conclusion: This study does not support an inverse relationship between coffee intake and incidence of cancer in the mouth or oesophagus, but cannot exclude a weak inverse relationship.

Background: Antipsychotics are increasingly used among women of childbearing age and during pregnancy. Objective: To determine whether children exposed to antipsychotics in utero are at increased risk of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), accounting for maternal diagnoses of bipolar, psychotic and other psychiatric disorders. Design Population-based cohort study, including a sibling analysis. Setting Nationwide data on all pregnant women and their live-born singletons in Denmark (1997-2017), Finland (1996-2016), Iceland (2004-2017), Norway (2004-2017), and Sweden (2006-2016). Participants 4 324 086 children were eligible for inclusion to the study cohort. Intervention Antipsychotic exposure in utero, assessed by pregnancy trimester, type of antipsychotic, and varying patterns of use. Main outcome measures Non-mutually exclusive diagnoses of ADHD and ASD. We used Cox proportional hazard models to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) controlling for maternal psychiatric disorders and other potential confounding factors. Findings: Among 4 324 086 singleton births, 15 466 (0.4%) were exposed to antipsychotics in utero. During a median follow-up of 10 years, we identified 72 257 children with ADHD and 38 674 children with ASD. Unadjusted HRs were raised for both outcomes but shifted substantially towards the null after adjustment; 1.10 (95%CI 1.00 to 1.27) for ADHD and 1.12 (0.97 to 1.29) for ASD. Adjusted HRs remained consistent by trimester of exposure and type of antipsychotic. Comparing in utero exposure with pre-pregnancy use yielded HRs of 0.74 (0.62 to 0.87) for ADHD and 0.88 (0.70 to 1.10) for ASD. Sibling analyses yielded HRs of 1.14 (0.79 to 1.64) for ADHD and 1.34 (0.75 to 2.39) for ASD. Discussion: Our findings suggest little or no increased risk of child ADHD or ASD after in utero exposure to antipsychotics. Clinical implications: Results regarding child neurodevelopment are reassuring for women who need antipsychotics during pregnancy.