An individual dietary plan based on everyday food, combined with three follow-up visits (one, four, and eight weeks) after discharge, led to an improvement in nutritional status and self-rated health in geriatric patients.

Elimination of the allergen is an effective remedy in allergic contact dermatitis. When contact allergy to a preservative is diagnosed, the patient is instructed to read the labelling of contents and to avoid the use of products containing the allergens. The present study, using qualitative research methods, was performed to examine how socially different groups of patients handle everyday life with allergic contact dermatitis caused by preservatives in consumer products. 8 women were interviewed about reading the ingredient labelling on cosmetic products. Observational studies were carried out as well. The study illustrates that the patients experienced problems when trying to read the labelling of contents. The problems were related to social status and ranged from not being able to read the chemical names of the preservatives to doubting the accuracy of the ingredient labelling. The study indicates that non-compliance with instructions on reading the ingredient labelling is not only a question of patients' lack of knowledge, but also the result of patients not possessing the resources necessary to act in accordance with the medical instructions. The present study is, to our knowledge, the first to apply qualitative research methods to contact dermatitis. The study points out interesting observations about social status and resources in relation to compliance. Further research on this area is necessary to expose the extent of the problem.

The aim of the study is to describe the ability of patients with allergic contact dermatitis to avoid exposure to allergens in cosmetics. The study is a questionnaire survey among 382 patients with contact allergy to preservatives and fragrances, included from 3 dermatological clinics. The questionnaire included questions about the level of difficulty in reading labels of ingredients on cosmetics and about patients' strategies to avoid substances they were allergic to. It also included questions about eczema severity as well as about educational level. 46% of the patients found it difficult or extremely difficult to read the ingredient labelling of cosmetics, and this finding was significantly related to low educational level. Patients allergic to formaldehyde and methyldibromo glutaronitrile experienced the worst difficulties, while patients with fragrance allergy found ingredient label reading easier than patients with preservative allergy. Reading of ingredient labels is a major problem for patients with contact allergy to allergens in consumer products. It is a general problem for all patients and not restricted to a small group with multiple allergies.

The study highlights the need to develop both clinical guidelines towards treating constipation, and preventive measures to ensure that patients do not become constipated while staying in hospital.

Constipation is a common health problem in relation to hospitalization. This randomized controlled trial aimed to investigate whether advice from a home care nurse after discharge had an effect on self-reported signs of constipation. A total of 59 patients were included in the study on the basis of their self-reported signs of constipation evaluated using the Constipation Assessment Scale. Advice from the home care nurses was given on the intake of fiber and liquid and mobilization related to scorings on the Constipation Risk Assessment Scale, the administration of laxatives, and referral to a physician when needed. Results showed a tendency toward the visits being effective, but a more complex intervention might be needed.

The typical CAM user is female, lives in a rural district or town (not the capital area), has long disease duration and often work-related problems. Overall, the use of CAM is not an alternative to conventional treatment, but is a supplement.

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