Clinical Epidemiology

Our passion is using big data to create value for patients and populations.
Description of our research

Professor Johan Sundström. Photo: Mikael Wallerstedt.
Our research group is leading a national strategic research program in epidemiology funded by the Swedish government. We utilize many of Sweden’s cohorts in our observational research and have collected many of them ourselves, and we are leading a national initiative to increase the value of all Swedish cohorts. We also lead randomized clinical trials, mainly in cardiometabolic diseases and emergency care, and conduct systematic reviews and meta-analyses.
Our methods and method development are focused on using big data to guide risk estimation, treatment decisions, and evaluation of treatment effects, risks and costs. In addition to traditional data sources such as clinical trials and cohorts with multiple omics data, we use emerging ones such as electronic health records and patient-generated data. We use causal inference methods such as Mendelian randomization, causal diagrams, and propensity score-based methods. We also use machine learning methods and develop new digital tools for clinical research.
Group members
Research projects
- AI-based ECG diagnosis of heart attacks
- Home-based screening for heart failure (U-SCREEN-HF)
- Improving emergency department safety, efficiency and cost effectiveness through artificial intelligence (EmergAI)
- Large-scale analysis of population studies (Cohorts.se)
- Markers of Imminent Myocardial Infarction (MIMI)
- Minforskning.se
- Personalised blood pressure treatment (PHYSIC)
- U-SCREEN - Uppsala self-screening of cardiovascular health
Publications
Standardized Mortality Ratio and Long-Term Stroke Incidence After PFO Closure: A Register Study
Part of JACC: Advances, 2026
- DOI for Standardized Mortality Ratio and Long-Term Stroke Incidence After PFO Closure: A Register Study
- Download full text (pdf) of Standardized Mortality Ratio and Long-Term Stroke Incidence After PFO Closure: A Register Study
Part of Nature Medicine, p. 1351-1361, 2026
- DOI for Antibiotic use and gut microbiome composition links from individual-level prescription data of 14,979 individuals
- Download full text (pdf) of Antibiotic use and gut microbiome composition links from individual-level prescription data of 14,979 individuals
Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography in Prediction of First Coronary Events
Part of Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), p. 245-254, 2026
Frail Older Patients' Experiences During Boarding in the Emergency Department: A Qualitative Study
Part of Journal of Advanced Nursing, p. 5244-5255, 2026
- DOI for Frail Older Patients' Experiences During Boarding in the Emergency Department: A Qualitative Study
- Download full text (pdf) of Frail Older Patients' Experiences During Boarding in the Emergency Department: A Qualitative Study
Part of Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety, 2026
- DOI for Methodological Challenges of Emulating a Target Trial to Assess Effectiveness of Timing of PCSK9 Inhibitor Treatment Initiation Post Myocardial Infarction
- Download full text (pdf) of Methodological Challenges of Emulating a Target Trial to Assess Effectiveness of Timing of PCSK9 Inhibitor Treatment Initiation Post Myocardial Infarction
GWAS and Replication Analysis of Apparent Treatment-Resistant Hypertension
Part of Hypertension, 2026
Part of Diabetes, obesity and metabolism, p. 1327-1338, 2026
- DOI for SGLT2 inhibitor or metformin as standard treatment in early-stage type 2 diabetes? Baseline data in SMARTEST, a novel, decentralised, register-based randomised trial on prevention of diabetic complications
- Download full text (pdf) of SGLT2 inhibitor or metformin as standard treatment in early-stage type 2 diabetes? Baseline data in SMARTEST, a novel, decentralised, register-based randomised trial on prevention of diabetic complications
Part of European Stroke Journal, 2026
- DOI for Early versus delayed DOAC after ischaemic stroke in atrial fibrillation: 1-year outcomes in the TIMING study and in concurrent practice
- Download full text (pdf) of Early versus delayed DOAC after ischaemic stroke in atrial fibrillation: 1-year outcomes in the TIMING study and in concurrent practice
Part of Therapeutic Advances in Gastroenterology, 2026
- DOI for Association of inflammatory bowel disease with cardiovascular disease, and the mediating role of inflammation: a matched-cohort study
- Download full text (pdf) of Association of inflammatory bowel disease with cardiovascular disease, and the mediating role of inflammation: a matched-cohort study
Part of Journal of Hypertension, p. 346-353, 2026
- DOI for Systolic inter-arm blood pressure difference and subclinical atherosclerosis: a population-based cohort study of 29 921 individuals
- Download full text (pdf) of Systolic inter-arm blood pressure difference and subclinical atherosclerosis: a population-based cohort study of 29 921 individuals
A deep learning ECG model for identification and localization of occlusion myocardial infarction
Part of Nature Communications, 2026
- DOI for A deep learning ECG model for identification and localization of occlusion myocardial infarction
- Download full text (pdf) of A deep learning ECG model for identification and localization of occlusion myocardial infarction
Part of Hypertension, p. 167-176, 2026
- DOI for Consistency of Blood Pressure Response to Potassium-Enriched Salt in the China Salt Substitute Study.
- Download full text (pdf) of Consistency of Blood Pressure Response to Potassium-Enriched Salt in the China Salt Substitute Study.
Part of eClinicalMedicine, 2026
- DOI for Persistence to antihypertensive drug classes in uncomplicated hypertension: a nationwide Swedish cohort study
- Download full text (pdf) of Persistence to antihypertensive drug classes in uncomplicated hypertension: a nationwide Swedish cohort study
Plasma protein profiles in different heart failure phenotypes
Part of ESC Heart Failure, 2026
- DOI for Plasma protein profiles in different heart failure phenotypes
- Download full text (pdf) of Plasma protein profiles in different heart failure phenotypes
Cardiomyopathies: Nationwide Trends in Prevalence, Incidence, and Mortality (2004-2023)
Part of Journal of the American College of Cardiology, p. 1087-1090, 2026
Part of Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica, p. 466-478, 2026
- DOI for Differences in prediction of adverse perinatal outcome in term pregnancies by choice of fetal growth reference: A validation study
- Download full text (pdf) of Differences in prediction of adverse perinatal outcome in term pregnancies by choice of fetal growth reference: A validation study
Part of European journal of emergency medicine, p. 138-138, 2026
Part of European journal of emergency medicine, p. 18-23, 2026
Part of BMC Nursing, 2026
- DOI for Opening Pandora's box in the emergency room: a secondary analysis of existential needs from observational, registered nurse, and patient perspectives
- Download full text (pdf) of Opening Pandora's box in the emergency room: a secondary analysis of existential needs from observational, registered nurse, and patient perspectives
Part of Cell Reports, 2026
- DOI for RAB3GAP2 is a regulator of skeletal muscle endothelial cell proliferation and associated with capillary-to-fiber ratio
- Download full text (pdf) of RAB3GAP2 is a regulator of skeletal muscle endothelial cell proliferation and associated with capillary-to-fiber ratio
Part of BMJ Open, 2025
- DOI for Effect of the FoodSwitch application on type 2 diabetes in Sweden: a study protocol for the randomised controlled DIgitAl diabeTES Treatment - the Healthy Eating, heaLthy Patients trial (DIATEST-HELP)
- Download full text (pdf) of Effect of the FoodSwitch application on type 2 diabetes in Sweden: a study protocol for the randomised controlled DIgitAl diabeTES Treatment - the Healthy Eating, heaLthy Patients trial (DIATEST-HELP)
Impact of genetic variants linked to liver fat and liver volume on MRI-mapped body composition
Part of JHEP Reports, 2025
- DOI for Impact of genetic variants linked to liver fat and liver volume on MRI-mapped body composition
- Download full text (pdf) of Impact of genetic variants linked to liver fat and liver volume on MRI-mapped body composition
[Chronic coronary syndrome - new ESC guidelines].
Part of Läkartidningen, 2025
Part of International Journal for Equity in Health, 2025
- DOI for Socio-geographical disparities in cardiometabolic multimorbidity in Sweden: an Intersectional Multilevel Analysis of Individual Heterogeneity and Discriminatory Accuracy (I-MAIHDA)
- Download full text (pdf) of Socio-geographical disparities in cardiometabolic multimorbidity in Sweden: an Intersectional Multilevel Analysis of Individual Heterogeneity and Discriminatory Accuracy (I-MAIHDA)
Part of Metabolism, 2025
- DOI for Plasma metabolite profiles of meat intake and their association with cardiovascular disease risk: A population-based study in Swedish cohorts
- Download full text (pdf) of Plasma metabolite profiles of meat intake and their association with cardiovascular disease risk: A population-based study in Swedish cohorts
Part of Metabolism, 2025
Part of Atherosclerosis, 2025
- DOI for Different plasma biomarker patterns associated with coronary atherosclerosis in low- versus high-risk individuals: - an observational cross-sectional study
- Download full text (pdf) of Different plasma biomarker patterns associated with coronary atherosclerosis in low- versus high-risk individuals: - an observational cross-sectional study
Part of Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, 2025
Part of Cardiovascular Research, p. 2360-2373, 2025
- DOI for A multi-omics approach uncovers causality of IL6R on endotypes of subclinical carotid atherosclerosis and the possible role of the IL6R/OSMR pathway
- Download full text (pdf) of A multi-omics approach uncovers causality of IL6R on endotypes of subclinical carotid atherosclerosis and the possible role of the IL6R/OSMR pathway
Part of The Lancet, p. 43-51, 2025
- DOI for Collaboration on the optimal timing of anticoagulation after ischaemic stroke and atrial fibrillation: a systematic review and prospective individual participant data meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials (CATALYST)
- Download full text (pdf) of Collaboration on the optimal timing of anticoagulation after ischaemic stroke and atrial fibrillation: a systematic review and prospective individual participant data meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials (CATALYST)
Part of Heart, p. 300-305, 2025
Associations between physical activity and CVD-related metabolomic and proteomic biomarkers
Part of PLOS ONE, 2025
- DOI for Associations between physical activity and CVD-related metabolomic and proteomic biomarkers
- Download full text (pdf) of Associations between physical activity and CVD-related metabolomic and proteomic biomarkers
Implementing electronic informed consent in rare disease genomics
Part of Scientific Reports, 2025
- DOI for Implementing electronic informed consent in rare disease genomics
- Download full text (pdf) of Implementing electronic informed consent in rare disease genomics
Part of Clinical Kidney Journal, 2025
- DOI for Causal effects of obesity on estimated glomerular filtration rate: a Mendelian randomization and image data analysis study
- Download full text (pdf) of Causal effects of obesity on estimated glomerular filtration rate: a Mendelian randomization and image data analysis study
Part of Cardiovascular Research, p. 1649-1652, 2025
- DOI for Plasma proteomic and metabolomic profiling of coronary and carotid atherosclerosis in the SCAPIS study: differences and similarities
- Download full text (pdf) of Plasma proteomic and metabolomic profiling of coronary and carotid atherosclerosis in the SCAPIS study: differences and similarities
Part of European Heart Journal - Quality of Care and Clinical Outcomes, p. 415-423, 2025
- DOI for Diverticular disease and risk of incident major adverse cardiovascular events: a nationwide matched cohort study
- Download full text (pdf) of Diverticular disease and risk of incident major adverse cardiovascular events: a nationwide matched cohort study
Part of Nature Communications, 2025
- DOI for Effects of an anti-lipogenic low-carbohydrate high polyunsaturated fat diet or a healthy Nordic diet versus usual care on liver fat and cardiometabolic disorders in type 2 diabetes or prediabetes: a randomized controlled trial (NAFLDiet)
- Download full text (pdf) of Effects of an anti-lipogenic low-carbohydrate high polyunsaturated fat diet or a healthy Nordic diet versus usual care on liver fat and cardiometabolic disorders in type 2 diabetes or prediabetes: a randomized controlled trial (NAFLDiet)
A genome-wide association study of imaging-defined atherosclerosis
Part of Nature Communications, 2025
- DOI for A genome-wide association study of imaging-defined atherosclerosis
- Download full text (pdf) of A genome-wide association study of imaging-defined atherosclerosis
Part of The Lancet, p. 1873-1922, 2025
- DOI for Burden of 375 diseases and injuries, risk-attributable burden of 88 risk factors, and healthy life expectancy in 204 countries and territories, including 660 subnational locations, 1990–2023: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2023
- Download full text (pdf) of Burden of 375 diseases and injuries, risk-attributable burden of 88 risk factors, and healthy life expectancy in 204 countries and territories, including 660 subnational locations, 1990–2023: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2023
Part of Nature Genetics, p. 815-828, 2025
- DOI for Genome-wide association study meta-analysis provides insights into the etiology of heart failure and its subtypes
- Download full text (pdf) of Genome-wide association study meta-analysis provides insights into the etiology of heart failure and its subtypes
Part of Scandinavian Cardiovascular Journal, 2025
- DOI for Prevalence of atrial fibrillation among Swedish adults participating in the general population study EpiHealth
- Download full text (pdf) of Prevalence of atrial fibrillation among Swedish adults participating in the general population study EpiHealth
Studentlitteratur AB, 2025
Akutsjukvård från Ö till Ä: Prio 1
Studentlitteratur AB, 2025
Part of Journal of Advanced Nursing, p. 5103-5111, 2025
- DOI for The Fundamentals of Care Framework: Application Within a Post‐Graduate Nursing Programme Facilitated by a Pedagogical Project for Educators
- Download full text (pdf) of The Fundamentals of Care Framework: Application Within a Post‐Graduate Nursing Programme Facilitated by a Pedagogical Project for Educators
Precision Omics Initiative Sweden (PROMISE) will integrate research with healthcare
Part of Nature Medicine, p. 1730-1732, 2025
Part of Journal of Patient Experience, 2025
- DOI for Vaccine Knowledge and Awareness Among Patients With Chronic Inflammatory Diseases: Results From a Nordic Survey
- Download full text (pdf) of Vaccine Knowledge and Awareness Among Patients With Chronic Inflammatory Diseases: Results From a Nordic Survey
Part of The Lancet, p. 785-812, 2025
- DOI for Global, regional, and national prevalence of child and adolescent overweight and obesity, 1990–2021, with forecasts to 2050: a forecasting study for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021
- Download full text (pdf) of Global, regional, and national prevalence of child and adolescent overweight and obesity, 1990–2021, with forecasts to 2050: a forecasting study for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021
Meat intake in relation to composition and function of gut microbiota
Part of Clinical Nutrition, p. 124-133, 2025
- DOI for Meat intake in relation to composition and function of gut microbiota
- Download full text (pdf) of Meat intake in relation to composition and function of gut microbiota
The association between the gut microbiome and 24-h blood pressure measurements in the SCAPIS study
Part of Communications Medicine, 2025
- DOI for The association between the gut microbiome and 24-h blood pressure measurements in the SCAPIS study
- Download full text (pdf) of The association between the gut microbiome and 24-h blood pressure measurements in the SCAPIS study
Part of NMCD. Nutrition Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases, 2025
- DOI for Combinations of BMI and metabolic syndrome and the risk of myocardial infarction, stroke, and heart failure
- Download full text (pdf) of Combinations of BMI and metabolic syndrome and the risk of myocardial infarction, stroke, and heart failure
The Anders Wiklöf Institute for Heart Research
The Anders Wiklöf Institute for Heart Research is a focused research initiative striving towards improved prediction and prevention of cardiovascular diseases. The Institute was made possible through a donation by Åland businessman Anders Wiklöf. The Institute brings together experts in cardiovascular diseases, computer science, artificial intelligence (AI), statistics, innovation, and the administration and accessibility of medical data.
Read more about the the Anders Wiklöf Institute for Heart Research (AWI)
The Anders Wiklöf Institute for Heart Research visits Ålands Lyceum