[Prevalence of myocardial infarction and coronary heart disease in adults aged 40-79 years in Germany: results of the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Adults (DEGS1)]. Bundesgesundheitsblatt Gesundheitsforschung Gesundheitsschutz. 2013;56:650-655. [PMID: 23703482 DOI: 10.1007/s00103-013-1666-9]

[Gender-sensitive health indicators for health reporting at the Robert Koch Institute (GBE-GI)-a pilot project as part of the Joint Action PreventNCD project]

Health reporting (GBE) based on gender-sensitive indicators can provide information on gender inequalities, improve health promotion and healthcare, promote gender mainstreaming, and provide relevant information for gender equality measures. To date, there is no set of gender-sensitive health indicators for Federal Health Reporting at the Robert Koch Institute. As part of the Joint Action Prevent Non-Communicable Diseases, gender-sensitive health indicators are to be identified, evaluated, and integrated into the Robert Koch Institute's health reporting website in a pilot project. This is done in three work packages. In a scoping review, the available evidence on gender-sensitive health indicators and theoretical explanations for gender inequality in EU and OECD member states since 2014 will initially be assessed (work package 1). Building on this, identified indicators and explanatory approaches will be collated for evaluation and selection in a structured consensus process as part of a three-stage Delphi approach consisting of a focus group discussion and an online survey (work package 2). The evaluated indicator set will then be integrated into the Robert Koch Institute's health reporting website (work package 3). The results will be disseminated via scientific publications and conference presentations. An English full-text version of this article is available at SpingerLink as Supplementary Information.

Non-motor symptoms in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: current state and future directions

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease characterized by the progressive degeneration of both upper and lower motor neurons. A defining histopathological feature in approximately 97% of all ALS cases is the accumulation of phosphorylated trans-activation response (TAR) DNA-binding protein 43 protein (pTDP-43) aggregates in the cytoplasm of neurons and glial cells within the central nervous system. Traditionally, it was believed that the accumulation of TDP-43 aggregates and subsequent neurodegeneration primarily occurs in motor neurons. However, contemporary evidence suggests that as the disease progresses, other systems and brain regions are also affected. Despite this, there has been a limited number of clinical studies assessing the non-motor symptoms in ALS patients. These studies often employ various outcome measures, resulting in a wide range of reported frequencies of non-motor symptoms in ALS patients. The importance of assessing the non-motor symptoms reflects in a fact that they have a significant impact on patients' quality of life, yet they frequently go underdiagnosed and unreported during clinical evaluations. This review aims to provide an up-to-date overview of the current knowledge concerning non-motor symptoms in ALS. Furthermore, we address their diagnosis and treatment in everyday clinical practice.

[Healthier at work for longer? Trends in life years free of cardiovascular and musculoskeletal diseases in the employed and general population based on health insurance claims data]

BACKGROUND

Our study focuses on the development of disease-free life years of two disease groups with high public health relevance: musculoskeletal diseases (MSD) and cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Against the backdrop of prolonged working lives, the development of disease-free life years in the working-age population is compared with the trend in the employed population. Differences between occupational groups are also examined.

METHODS

The study is based on data from the statutory health insurance provider AOK Lower Saxony (N = 2,001,225). Incident cases were identified based on the diagnosis data. The expected years free of MSD and CVD were calculated using multistate life table analysis for three periods between 2006 and 2018. The occupational group is identified via the occupational key. Three groups are distinguished: unskilled and semi-skilled workers, skilled workers and specialists, and highly skilled workers.

RESULTS

Life years free of MSD clearly decreased in the general population and among the employed population. The decrease was strongest in the higher-skilled occupational groups. Life years free of CVD increased in the general population. The increase was weaker among the employed population. The only occupational group showing increases were men in unskilled and semi-skilled occupations.

DISCUSSION

The study shows that disease-free life years among employed persons developed in some cases worse than in the general population. For the analysed disease groups MSD and CVD, there are clear inequalities between occupational groups, which decreased somewhat over time. The inequalities and the decrease in years free of MSD highlight the high public health relevance and the need for effective prevention strategies to prevent CVD and MSD in working age.

Spatial characteristics of non-communicable diseases and their associations to social conditions in a large urban cohort in Germany-Results from the Hamburg City Health Study

BACKGROUND

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are responsible for many deaths. They are associated with several modifiable and metabolic risk factors and are therefore prone to significant regional variations on different scales. However, only few intra-urban studies examined spatial variation in NCDs and its association with social circumstances, especially in Germany. Thus, the present study aimed to identify associations of personal risk factors and local social conditions with NCDs in a large German city.

METHODS

This study is based on a population-based cohort of the Hamburg City Health Study including 10,000 probands. Six NCDs were analyzed (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD], coronary heart disease [CHD], diabetes mellitus, heart failure, depression, and hypertension) in 68 city district clusters. As risk factors, we considered socio-demographic variables (age, sex, education) and risk behaviour variables (smoking, alcohol consumption). Logistic regression analyses identified associations between the district clusters and the prevalence rates for each NCD. Regional variation was detected by Gini coefficients and spatial cluster analyses. Local social condition indexes were correlated with prevalence rates of NCDs on city district level and hot-spot analyses were performed for significant high or low values.

RESULTS

The analyses included 7,308 participants with a mean age of 63.1 years (51.5% female). The prevalence of hypertension (67.6%) was the highest. Risk factor associations were identified between smoking, alcohol consumption and education and the prevalence of NCDs (hypertension, diabetes, and COPD). Significant regional variations were detected and persisted after adjusting for personal risk factors. Correlations for prevalence rates with the local social conditions were significant for hypertension (r = 0.294, p < 0.02), diabetes (r = 0.259, p = 0.03), and COPD (r = 0.360, p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

The study shows that regional differences in NCD prevalence persist even after adjusting for personal risk factors. This highlights the central role of both personal socio-economic status and behaviors such as alcohol and tobacco consumption. It also highlights the importance of other potential regional factors (e.g. the environment) in shaping NCD prevalence. This knowledge helps policy- and decision-makers to develop intervention strategies.

Claims data analysis of the health care utilization for patients with coronary heart disease and mental comorbidity

OBJECTIVE

Mental disorders (MD) are a common comorbidity in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) and have a significant impact on morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to determine to what extent mental disorders are diagnosed as comorbidity in patients with CHD and whether adequate therapeutic measures are taken.

METHODS

Claims data from 4435 Cologne citizens with diagnosed CHD and a hospital stay due to CHD in 2015 were examined through a longitudinal analysis. The data were analyzed descriptively with regard to mental disorders, investigating diagnostic examinations performed, prescriptions for psychotropic drugs, and utilization of psychotherapy. We differentiated between pre-existing MD, existing in the year before the CHD-related hospital stay, and incident MD with new onset during or within six months after hospitalization.

RESULTS

Psychodiagnostic examinations for mental disorders occurred very rarely during cardiological hospitalization (0.04%) and psychiatric/psychosomatic consultation sessions rarely (5%). The longitudinal analysis showed a high rate of pre-existing MDs (56%, n = 2490) and a new diagnosis of mental disorders in 7% (n = 302) of the patients. Within one year after inpatient treatment for CHD, psychotropic medication was prescribed in 64-67% of patients with newly diagnosed affective or neurotic, adjustment/somatoform disorder and 10-13% received outpatient psychotherapy.

CONCLUSION

The results indicate low rates of inpatient diagnostic examinations and low rates of adequate treatment of mental disorders in patients from Cologne with CHD and new onset mental disorders. The rate of prescriptions of psychopharmacotherapy after hospitalization due to CHD exceeds that of the utilization of outpatient psychotherapy.

Preventive health examinations: protocol for a prospective cross-sectional study of German employees aged 45 to 59 years (Ü45-check)

Objective

Early identification of health-related risk factors is of great importance for maintaining workability. Screening examinations can help to detect diseases at an early stage and provide more needs-based recommendations. This study aims (1) to assess the individual need for prevention or rehabilitation based on preventive health examinations compared to a questionnaire survey, (2) to assess the results of the preventive health examinations compared to the Risk Index - Disability Pension (RI-DP), (3) to assess the results of the questionnaire survey compared to the RI-DP, (4) to assess the general health status of the sample (target population > 1,000) in German employees aged 45-59, (5) to identify the most common medical conditions. A further study question aims, and (6) to investigate the general health status of the specific occupational groups.

Methods

Comprehensive diagnostics including medical examination, anamnesis, anthropometric measurements, bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), handgrip strength, resting electrocardiogram (ECG), resting blood pressure, pulse wave velocity (PWV), and laboratory blood analyses added by a questionnaire are conducted. The research questions are analyzed in an exploratory manner.

Results and conclusion

We expect that the results will allow us to formulate recommendations regarding screening for prevention and rehabilitation needs on a more evidence-based level.Clinical Trial Registration: DRKS ID: DRKS00030982.

Event dependent overall survival in the population-based LIFE-Adult-Study

BACKROUND

Information about the direct comparability of big data of epidemiological cohort studies and the general population still is lacking, especially regarding all-cause mortality rates. The aim of this study was to investigate the overall survival and the influence of several diagnoses in the medical history on survival time, adjusted to common risk factors in a populations-based cohort.

METHODS

From 10,000 subjects of the population-based cohort LIFE-Adult-Study (Leipzig Research Centre for Civilization Diseases), the medical history and typical risk factors such as age, smoking status and body-mass-index (BMI) were assessed. The survival status was identified from the saxonian population register. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to determine the influence of the medical history and risk factors on overall survival. To develope an optimal model, the method by Collet [1] was used.

RESULTS

The mortality rate of the participants is approximately half the mortality rate expected for the german population. The selection bias in epidemiological studies needs to be considered whenever interpreting results of epidemiological cohort studies. Nevertheless we have shown that several diagnoses proved to have a negative influence on overall survival time even in this relatively healthy cohort. This study showed the significantly increased mortality risk if the following diseases are reported in medical history of the participants in a large population-based cohort study including adults aged 18 and over: diabetes mellitus (HR 1.533, p = 0.002), hypertension (HR 1.447, p = 0.005), liver cirrhosis (HR 4.251, p < 0.001), osteoporosis (HR 2.165, p = 0.011), chronic bronchitis (HR 2.179, p < 0.001), peptic ulcer disease (HR 1.531, p = 0.024) and cancer (HR 1.797, p < 0.001). Surprisingly, asthma has the opposite effect on survival time (HR 0.574, p = 0.024), but we believe this may be due to an overrepresentation of mild to moderate asthma and its management, which includes educating patients about a healthy lifestyle.

CONCLUSION

In the LIFE-Adult-Study, common risk factors and several diseases had relevant effect on overall survival. However, selection bias in epidemiological studies needs to be considered whenever interpreting results of epidemiological cohort studies. Nevertheless it was shown that the general cause-and-effect principles also apply in this relatively healthy cohort.

Adherence to exercise and fitness following exercise-based outpatient cardiac rehabilitation: a cross-sectional survey for Germany

Background

Exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation is safe and effective, evidence-based and implemented in national and international cardiac rehabilitation guidelines. Recent data show a decrease in cardiovascular mortality, reduced hospital admissions and an overall improvement in quality of life. To maintain positive effects and to prevent further cardiovascular events a major goal of cardiac rehabilitation is to induce a long-term health behaviour change and the integration of regular physical activity and exercise training in everyday life. The aim of this study is to evaluate the adherence of cardiac patients to exercise-based programs following rehabilitation phase III.

Methods

A nationwide online cross-sectional survey was conducted. All outpatient aftercare providers who offer sports rehabilitation programs (heart groups) for cardiac patients in Germany were contacted. The questionnaire comprised 15 questions in five subcategories (general information regarding the outpatient aftercare provider, structure of rehabilitation sport programs, membership structure, content of heart groups, adherence to exercise-based programs).

Results

560 of 2447 outpatient aftercare providers participated in the survey (response rate: 23%). On average, rehabilitation sport facilities hosted 2 (IQR 2) heart groups per week, and 23 patients (IQR 30) (61% males; 31% females) per facility completed rehabilitation sport prescription in 2018. Almost all providers offer follow-up programs on a self-payer basis after rehabilitation sport prescription ends. Adherence to follow-up programs was at 54% (IQR 65; 55% males and 50% females). With 60% (IQR 71), patients with a statutory health insurance (mainly pensioners) adhere slightly more often to a follow-up program compared to privately insured persons (mainly population with a high income or civil servants) with 50% and significantly more often compared to persons who were insured by the German pension fund (covering working population) with only 9% (IQR 89) adherence.

Conclusion

Almost all outpatient aftercare providers offer follow-up programs for cardiac rehabilitation patients but only half of them actually participate. Younger people (working population) do not adhere sufficiently to sport and exercise programs following rehabilitation phase III. This seems critical to address in terms of achieving long-term rehabilitation goals.

The psychological consequences of living with coronary heart disease: Are patients' psychological needs served? A mixed-method study in Germany

INTRODUCTION

This mixed-method study explores psychological needs, access and barriers in coronary heart disease (CHD) patients with and without mental health issues (MHI) within the German healthcare system.

METHODS

This study was conducted in three different healthcare settings: two hospitals, two rehabilitation clinics and three cardiology practices in Cologne, Germany. Patients were screened for angiographically documented CHD and other inclusion criteria. In total, 364 CHD patients took part in this study. It consisted of two parts: In the first part, participants filled in a newly developed questionnaire about their psychological needs, access and barriers within the healthcare system and their contact with their doctor in these matters. Then, patients were screened for MHIs with the help of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). When a score above seven was scored on the HADS, patients were additionally screened for specific MHIs using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders. In the second part, 20 participants were subsequently interviewed in a semi-structured interview to generate more in-depth findings.

RESULTS

The interviews show that CHD patients with and without MHI experienced a cardiac event as life-changing and had an urgent need to talk about CHD with their doctor, mostly the general practitioner (GP). When the GP spoke to the patient shortly after the cardiac event, patients experienced relief and were better able to cope with their illness. Only 9.1% reported being aided in their search for psychotherapeutic treatment or drug treatment (4.1%).

CONCLUSION

The needs of CHD patients with and without MHI were not adequately satisfied within our sample. Psychological measures are necessary for sufficient improvement, such as training of doctors in doctor-patient communication (e.g., better support in coping with MHI/CHD), improvements in the procedure (more time for conversations during doctor contacts), and improvement of structural requirements (referring patients faster to psychotherapists).

PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION

We received input from patients during pretests and used the feedback to tailor our questionnaire and the interview guidelines. Afterwards, we disseminated the main results for the patient and public involvement (e.g., public lectures, leaflets for self-help groups, etc.).

[Long-term course of heart disease: How can psychosocial care be improved?]

Cardiovascular diseases, which primarily include coronary artery disease (CAD), heart failure (HF) and cardiac arrhythmias, are the leading causes of death in the European Union and responsible for most of the serious courses of coronary disease. Acute events are usually the focus of clinical attention. In contrast, there are hardly any structured care and therapy concepts for the long-term course of these diseases. Based on a literature review, this article provides an overview of the long-term consequences and long-term care of heart diseases. Deficits in the psychosocial care of patients and possible solutions are discussed.Patients with CAD often experience problems with medication adherence and compliance to behavioural recommendations due to inadequate long-term psychosocial care. Psychological comorbidities reduce the quality of life and are a driver for health-damaging behaviour. Patients with cardiac arrhythmias often get into a vicious circle of recurrent physical complaints interacting with anxiety and panic attacks and the associated use of outpatient, emergency, or inpatient care facilities. In the course of heart failure, a clinically significant growing number of patients are treated with antidepressants, the benefit of which is rather doubtful.The apparent deficits in long-term psychosocial care of cardiovascular disease and the quality of life of patients could be improved through the increased use of systematic collaborative care models by specialised care facilities with the involvement of general practitioners.

Predictors of Psychological Distress and Coronavirus Fears in the First Recovery Phase of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic in Germany

Objectives: While previous research has mainly focused on the impact of the first acute phase of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health, little empirical knowledge exists about depression, anxiety, and somatic symptom levels and possible predictors of symptom levels in the pandemic's recovery phase. The present study aimed to analyze the mental burden of a convenience ample of the general German population during the first recovery phase of the pandemic and to identify significant predictors of symptom levels. Methods: Standardized measures of anxiety (GAD-2), depression (PHQ-2), somatic symptoms (PHQ-15), and health anxiety, as well as measures of COVID-19 fears and possible vulnerability factors, were administered through a national, cross-sectional online survey (n = 2160, mean age 42.7 years, 75% female), asking participants for their current symptom levels and their symptom levels prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: Our findings show significantly elevated levels of depression, anxiety, somatic symptoms, and health anxiety in the recovery period compared to before the pandemic. The current prevalence rates based on self-reporting were 26.7% for depression, 24.5% for anxiety, and 29% for somatization. The strongest predictors of these symptom reports included domain-specific pre-existing symptom levels, neuroticism, biological COVID-19 risk factors, avoidance of illness information, and younger age. The most important predictors of COVID-19 fears were subjective COVID-19 risk perception, followed by pre-existing health anxiety, the number of biological COVID-19 risk factors, older age, neuroticism, avoidance of illness information and female gender. Discussion: These findings indicate the need for specific psychological programs to help individuals with enhanced psychological and biological vulnerability to cope better with the mental distress experienced during all phases of the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.

Exercise-Based Cardiac Rehabilitation: Secondary Data Analyses of Mortality and Working Capacity in Germany, 2010-2017

BACKGROUND

Exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation is safe and implemented in international cardiac rehabilitation guidelines. Evidence for long-term health effects is scarce and rare for health care service research.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of exercise-based phase III cardiac rehabilitation programs in improving mortality and working capacity outcomes.

METHODS

The present analyses used claims data of the German pension fund from 2010 to 2017. Overall, 54,163 patients with coronary heart disease (ICD10 I20.-I25.) were included and followed up for exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation participation (mean 4.3 ± 1.9 years). All patients were categorized according to participation duration (long: ≥ 90 days, short: < 90 days, no). The effectiveness of exercise-based rehabilitation was analyzed by calculating adjusted hazard ratios for mortality and reduced working capacity in relation to program participation.

RESULTS

Of all the cardiac patients, 57.6% received medical recommendations for exercise-based phase III rehabilitation, and 16.8% participated in this rehabilitation. In total, 1776 (3.3%) patients died during the study period, and 3050 (5.5%) received reduced earning capacity pensions. Mortality risk was nearly doubled for those who did not participate in exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation compared to those who participated for a long duration (HR 1.97, 95% CI 1.60-2.43) and 44% higher compared to a short participation (HR 1.44, 95% CI 1.03-2.01). Furthermore, the risk of reduced working capacity was higher for those who did not participate compared to those who participated for a short duration (HR 1.24, 95% CI 1.00-1.54).

CONCLUSION

Exercise-based phase III cardiac rehabilitation is independently associated with reduced mortality and reduced loss in working capacity. Strong efforts should be made to increase participation rates to improve cardiac patients care.

Atypical Manifestations of Women Presenting with Myocardial Infarction at Tertiary Health Care Center: An Analytical Study

Introduction:

Typical chest pain symptoms are the cause that requires individuals to seek out medical care in Acute coronary syndrome(ACS). Evidence suggests, symptoms labelled as 'atypical 'is more common in women with ACS. The present study focuses on the need for the implementation of a gender specific approach in the current scenario by identifying gender based differences that exist in clinical presentations of the patients with ACS. Early identification of women's prodromal and acute symptoms of Myocardial Infarction is an important step in provision of appropriate treatment modality. Present study focus on need for implementation of gender-specific approach in current scenario by identifying gender based differences that exist in risk factors, clinical manifestations in patients presenting with MI.

Methodology:

Cross- sectional analytical study was conducted among 240 Participants (120 males and 120 females). Both men and women diagnosed with MI, who survived, stabilized after admission was included in the study. Consecutive sampling technique was used to select the participants. Data was collected on risk factors profile, clinical manifestations by administering structured questionnaire.

Results:

Risk factors such as history of diabetes, history of dyslipidemia was found to be homogenous among both men and women. 60% of men were ever smokers. Hypertension and known IHD was noted to be significant in women (p<0.002, p <0.001) but men presented with higher BMI (p<0.030). Females increasingly presented with atypical presentations when compared to males (p<0.005). Women commonly had squeezing and tightness type of pain and men reported tightness, burning, pricking type of pain (p<0.003). The majority of the women reported the onset of pain occurrence between 6am to 12 pm(p<0.004), whereas men significantly reported the onset of pain between 12 am -6 am(p<0.001).

Conclusion:

Gender based differences in risk factors and clinical presentation in men and women with myocardial infarction had been a focus in researches that emphasized need for focused assessment for women as they increasingly presents with atypical symptoms. The current study also supports the need of a gender specific approach to avoid delay in diagnosis and care of them.

High Unawareness of Chronic Kidney Disease in Germany

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular events, hospitalizations, end stage renal disease and mortality. Main risk factors for CKD are diabetes, hypertension, and older age. Although CKD prevalence is about 10%, awareness for CKD is generally low in patients and physicians, hindering early diagnosis and treatment. We analyzed baseline data of 3305 participants with CKD Stages 1-4 from German cohorts and registries collected in 2010. Prevalence of CKD unawareness and prevalence ratios (PR) (each with 95%-confidence intervals) were estimated in categories of age, sex, CKD stages, BMI, hypertension, diabetes and other relevant comorbidities. We used a log-binomial regression model to estimate the PR for CKD unawareness for females compared to males adjusting for CKD stage and CKD risk factors. CKD unawareness was high, reaching 71% (68-73%) in CKD 3a, 49% (45-54%) in CKD 3b and still 30% (24-36%) in CKD4. Prevalence of hypertension, diabetes or cardiovascular comorbidities was not associated with lower CKD unawareness. Independent of CKD stage and other risk factors unawareness was higher in female patients (PR = 1.06 (1.01; 1.10)). Even in patients with CKD related comorbidities, CKD unawareness was high. Female sex was strongly associated with CKD unawareness. Guideline oriented treatment of patients at higher risk for CKD could increase CKD awareness. Patient-physician communication about CKD might be amendable.

[Years of life lost: known methods and a refined approach using the example of the most frequent causes of death in Germany]

Hintergrund

Verlorene Lebensjahre (Years of Life Lost, YLL) sind ein aussagekräftiger, in Deutschland jedoch wenig verwendeter Indikator für die Relevanz von Todesursachen. Es existieren zahlreiche Methoden, mit denen YLL berechnet werden können.

Ziel der Arbeit

Es werden prototypische Methoden zur Berechnung von YLL vorgestellt und kritisch eingeordnet. Auf dieser Basis wird eine verbesserte Methode vorgeschlagen, die auf der Nutzung von todesursachenbereinigten Sterbetafeln (Cause-Elimination Life Tables, CELT) beruht.

Methoden

Etablierte Methoden und die hier vorgeschlagene Modifikation werden auf die Sterblichkeit in Deutschland 2018 angewandt. Veränderungen gegenüber 1998 werden anhand der modifizierten Methode dargestellt.

Ergebnisse

Während nach der Zahl der Sterbefälle Herz-Kreislauf-Erkrankungen im Jahr 2018 die bedeutendste Todesursache waren, war Krebs für die meisten YLL verantwortlich. Unterschiedliche Methoden zur Berechnung der YLL führen zu deutlich abweichenden Rängen bei den weniger bedeutsamen Todesursachen. YLL auf Basis von allgemeinen Sterbetafeln unterschätzen die YLL auf Basis der todesursachenbereinigten Sterbetafeln um bis zu 18,4 % (Herz-Kreislauf-Erkrankungen). Gemessen an den CELT-basierten YLL waren im Jahr 1998 Herz-Kreislauf-Erkrankungen die bedeutsamste Todesursache.

Diskussion

Die Berechnung von YLL auf der Basis von todesursachenbereinigten Sterbetafeln vermeidet Inkonsistenzen etablierter Methoden und führt zu relevant abweichenden Ergebnissen. Besonderheiten der vorgeschlagenen Methode (Verstoß gegen das Egalitätsprinzip, fehlende Additivität) beeinträchtigen ihren Nutzen als Instrument zur Steuerung der Gesundheitsversorgung nicht.

Zusatzmaterial online

Zusätzliche Informationen sind in der Online-Version dieses Artikels (10.1007/s00103-021-03424-8) enthalten.

A low-threshold intervention to increase physical activity and reduce physical inactivity in a group of healthy elderly people in Germany: Results of the randomized controlled MOVING study

BACKGROUND

Lack of physical activity (PA) and a high level of physical inactivity (PI) are associated with a higher risk for mortality and responsible for several non-communicable diseases including cardiovascular disease. Higher age is associated with a decrease of PA and an increasing level of PI. Studies have shown that interventions in the elderly have the potential to increase the amount of PA and to decrease the level of PI. However, most interventions are complex, elaborated, time- and resource-consuming. Here, we examined the effect of individual feedback-letters reporting the measured PA and PI in a sample of elderly people in Germany. Primary outcomes of the study were overall PA and PI after 6 months in the intervention group compared to a control group.

METHODS

We examined data from the MOVING intervention study (RCT) for people aged ≥ 65 years living in the northeast of Germany. At baseline, 3 and 6-months follow-up, all study participants wore a 3-axis accelerometer over a period of seven consecutive days. After the baseline measurement, the participants were randomized into intervention and control group. Participants in the intervention group received automatically generated, individualized feedback letters reporting their PA and PI by mail after the baseline measurement and after the 3-months follow-up. A Two-Way Mixed ANOVA with repeated measures was calculated with light, moderate and overall PA as well as PI as dependent variables, and group (between subject) and time (inner subject) as factors. The analysis based on retrospective data from the MOVING study (2016-2018).

RESULTS

N = 258 patients were recruited. N = 166 participants could be included in the analysis, thereof N = 97 women (58.4%). The mean age was 70.8 years (SD 4.8). At baseline, the participants had a mean wearing time of 5,934.5 minutes (SD = 789.5) per week, which corresponds to about 14 hours daily on average. The overall PA in the intervention group at the 6-months follow up was 2488.8 (95% CI 2358.9-2618.2) minutes and 2408.2 (95% CI 2263.0-2553.4) minutes in the control group. There was no statistically significant interaction effect (time*group) between the intervention and control group for the depending variables. Sensitivity analyses showed significant small positive effects of the interaction time*partnership, F(2, 300) = 3.020, p = 0.05, partial η2 = 0.020.

DISCUSSION

On average, study participants had high levels of PA at baseline and showed a good adherence in wearing the accelerometer. Both is likely due to selection in the convenience study sample. Thus, some ceiling effect reduced the overall intervention effect somewhat. At baseline, the weekly average of PI was 3436.7 minutes, which correspondents to about 8.2 hours per day and about 57% of participants' daily waking time. The average level of PI could be slightly decreased in both study groups.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

DRKS00010410, 17 May 2017.

Psychological changes after coronary angiographic intervention: pre-post comparison and follow-up

Epidemiological studies demonstrate the relevance of cardiovascular diseases for health policies and medical care, especially coronary heart diseases and myocardial infarction. Research has shown that a significant proportion of patients undergoing coronary angiography suffer from clinically relevant mental stress. The aim of this study is to investigate to what extent the psychological state of cardiology patients changes in short- and mid-term periods after coronary angiography has been performed. The study design is naturalistic, longitudinal and comparative about consecutively admitted patients undergoing coronary angiography (N = 419; consenting patients fulfilling inclusion criteria n = 68) at four measurement points: before and after angiography and 6 weeks and 6 months after discharge. The statistical analysis includes paired t-tests, chi-square tests, effect sizes and random effects regression models. The sample was representative of the target population. The prevalence of risk factors were: 84% heart attack, 31% diabetes and 84% hypertension. There were no angiographic pathological findings in 12% of the sample. The neuroticism levels of the sample was higher than in the general population. There were almost no pre-post differences for depression, anxiety, psychological well-being, self-efficacy, resilience or locus of control. At the mid-term, well-being and anxiety decreased and internal locus of control increased. Neuroticism was negatively and extraversion and openness were positively associated with mental state and resources. The sample showed persistent adverse subsyndromal depressivity. At the mid-term, patients realised that their prognosis also depends on their own behaviour (internal attribution). Special psychosomatic attention should be given to people with subsyndromal depression, higher emotional instability and those with angina pectoris symptoms displaying normal coronary angiography.

Diabetes mellitus and comorbidities - A cross-sectional study with control group based on nationwide ambulatory claims data

As a condition, diabetes mellitus is associated with risk factors and diseases such as obesity. At the same time, cardiovascular diseases are a frequent consequence of diabetes. There have yet to be any findings on the Germany-wide prevalence of diabetes and diabetes comorbidities based on statutory health insurance data. This study estimates the documented prevalence of diabetes in 2019 on the basis of all ambulatory physicians' claims data of German statutory health insurance. In addition, the prevalence of obesity, high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, heart failure, stroke and depression is calculated for diabetes and non-diabetes patients, and the prevalence ratio (PR) is determined as a quotient. The approach used was a case-control design, which assigns a control person without diabetes to each diabetes patient who is similar in terms of age, region and sex. In diabetes patients, a PR greater than 1 was observed for all examined diseases across all age groups, thus demonstrating a higher prevalence compared to persons without diabetes. The highest PR across all age groups for women (3.8) and men (3.7) was found for obesity. In a comparison over time, documented prevalence figures of diabetes in Germany stagnate. With the exception of depression, the documented prevalences of comorbidities correspond well with the prevalences found in population-wide examination surveys.

Association of Treatment Intensity and Adherence to Lipid-Lowering Therapy with Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events Among Post-MI Patients in Germany

Introduction

Patients with a history of myocardial infarction (MI) are at very high risk of subsequent cardiovascular events. This study evaluated the association of treatment intensity and adherence to lipid-lowering therapies (LLT) with major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) among post-MI patients in Germany.

Methods

We carried out a retrospective cohort study using German health claims data (2010–2015). We included patients ≥ 18 years, with a history of MI and who started an LLT (statin and/or ezetimibe), between 2011 and 2013. The follow-up period started 1 year after the second LLT prescription and continued until MACE, all-cause death or December 31, 2015, whichever occurred first. Treatment intensity was classified based on expected low-density lipoprotein cholesterol reduction; adherence was measured by the proportion of days covered using prescription data. A combined adherence-adjusted intensity variable was created by multiplying intensity and adherence. We used Cox proportional hazards models to control for age, sex, Charlson Comorbidity Index and other cardiovascular risk factors at baseline.

Results

A total of 14,944 patients were included. Mean age was 66.7 (SD = 13.0) years; 68.7% of patients were men. Each 10% increase in treatment intensity, adherence, or adherence-adjusted intensity was associated with a decrease in the risk of MACE of 17% (HR = 0.83, 95% CI 0.79–0.87), 5% (HR = 0.95, 95% CI 0.94–0.97), and 14% (HR = 0.86, 95% CI 0.83–0.90), respectively.

Conclusions

Higher treatment intensity and/or adherence of LLT was associated with significantly lower risk of MACE in post-MI patients. Strategies to tailor intensity to patient profiles and improve adherence could reduce the risk of cardiovascular events.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12325-021-01697-8.

Polypharmacy and saliva volumes in the northeast of Germany - The Study of Health in Pomerania

OBJECTIVES

Associations between saliva volumes or salivary flow rates and potentially xerogenic medication are rarely evaluated in cohorts with a wide age range. This cross-sectional cohort study investigated possible relationships between the regular consumption of potentially xerogenic medication and stimulated saliva volumes.

METHODS

Data from the German Studies of Health in Pomerania (SHIP-2 and SHIP-Trend-0) were pooled. Potentially xerogenic medications were identified using the Workshop on Oral Medicine VI criteria. Stimulated saliva was sampled using Salivette®, and saliva volumes expressed as μl/min were determined. Applying linear mixed models with adjustment for time point of saliva collection, associations of (a) age and sex with regularly consumed medication, (b) age and sex with saliva volumes, and (c) the number of regularly consumed xerogenic medications with saliva volumes were evaluated.

RESULTS

Six thousand seven hundred and fifty-three participants aged 20-83 years (mean 53.4 ± 14.9) were included. The average number of medications did not differ markedly between females (2.21 ± 2.46) and males (2.24 ± 2.83). Males took more potentially xerogenic medication (1.0 ± 1.3) than did females (0.9 ± 1.3). Also, males took more potentially xerogenic cardiovascular medications than did females (0.9 ± 1.2 versus 0.7 ± 1.1), while females were prescribed a higher number of potentially xerogenic medications affecting the nervous system (0.2 ± 0.5 versus 0.1 ± 0.4). The average stimulated saliva volume was 967.0 ± 433.3 µL/min. Regularly consumed and potentially xerogenic medications were associated with lower saliva volumes. Older age correlated not only with a higher number of total medications and a higher number of xerogenic medications affecting either the cardiovascular (in males) or the nervous system (in females), but also with lower saliva volumes.

CONCLUSIONS

Ageing was associated with polypharmacy, especially with the intake of potentially xerogenic medication, and lower average saliva volumes. With regard to complications of dry mouth, anamnesis of medication consumption is of high importance.

[A retrospective mortality analysis of natural deaths of the 65+ generation based on postmortem autopsies performed at the Institute of Legal Medicine in Frankfurt am Main during two periods]

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY

In Germany, a constant demographic change is taking place, which leads to an increasing aging of the society. The present study aimed to analyze natural deaths occurring at an age of ≥ 65 years, since health vulnerability in this age group is gaining importance.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Autopsy reports of the Institute of Forensic Medicine, University Hospital of the Goethe University Frankfurt/Main, Germany, were retrospectively evaluated regarding natural death cases of ≥ 65-year-olds in a time comparison (period I: 2000-2002; period II: 2013-2015).

RESULTS

During both periods, a total of 1206 autopsies concerning this age group were performed. Among these, 404 cases (33.5%) of unnatural death and 39 cases (3.2%) of a combination of natural and unnatural death were recorded; in 94 cases (7.8%), the manner of death could not be elucidated. The majority (n = 669; 55.5%) included cases of natural death. In the largest group of these (n = 350; 52.3%), cardiac causes of death were predominant, followed by 132 (19.7%) respiratory and 47 (7.0%) abdominal causes of death. In addition, 37 (5.5%) cases of malignant neoplasms, 33 (4.9%) of ruptures of large vessels, 33 (4.9%) of cerebral, and 37 (5.5%) other cases of natural death were noted. A significant decrease of cardiac causes of death was observed in the comparison of periods I and II. In particular, there was a significant decrease in high-grade occlusive coronary sclerosis. Moreover, there were significant differences between both sexes. Men had significantly more bypasses, stents and heart scars and suffered a myocardial infarction about 10 years earlier than women.

CONCLUSION

The results of the present study are largely consistent with the literature. The decrease in numbers of cardiac deaths may be attributed to increasingly better medical care and to a significantly higher rate of stent implantation. Especially in times of pandemics, the role of forensic gerontology will become more important.

Improving care coordination for patients with cardiac disease: Study protocol of the randomised controlled new healthcare programme (Cardiolotse)

INTRODUCTION

A lack of effective coordination and communication between ambulatory care physicians and hospitals, including the lack of follow-up care, poses a challenge to the recovery process of patients suffering from cardiac disease, often resulting in rehospitalisation and adverse outcomes. This innovative care programme aims to bridge the gap between ambulatory and hospital care. A key element of this programme is specifically trained care managers (Cardiolotse) who provide post-discharge support, access to additional resources and help the patient to navigate successfully through the healthcare system.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study is set up as a prospective, randomised, controlled trial. Allocation to intervention group (support of care managers) and control group (usual care) follows an allocation ratio of 1:1 using block randomisation. Sample size calculations resulted in 1454patients per group after adjusting for potential non-compliance. All participants are surveyed at discharge, after 3 and 12 months. The primary outcome of the study is the 12-month rehospitalisation rate. Secondary outcomes include differences in length of hospital stay, mortality, quality-adjusted life years, costs and patient satisfaction. Statistical analysis and economic evaluation will be complemented by a process evaluation.

DISCUSSION

The new healthcare programme is designed to support patients when leaving hospital with cardiac conditions by easing the transition between sectors through access to Cardiolotses and individualised care plans. We hypothesise that the programme reduces rehospitalisation and improves clinically relevant patient outcomes.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

German Clinical Trial Register, DRKS00020424. Registered 2020-06-18, http://www.drks.de/DRKS00020424.

[Social inequalities in healthcare provision for patients with coronary heart disease: Results from the GEDA (German Health Update) study 2014/2015]

INTRODUCTION

Little is known about social inequalities in outpatient long-term care of coronary heart disease (CHD) in Germany.

METHODS

Regression analyses are based on the responses of women and men who participated in the national cross-sectional study "German Health update" (GEDA) 2014/2015 and had self-reported CHD (N=920). Outpatient healthcare of CHD was analysed on the basis of the self-reported administration of antihypertensive and cholesterol-lowering drugs, and the frequency of general practitioner (GP) contacts.

RESULTS

On average, respondents visited their GP 7.5 times a year (mean). 46 % did not receive guideline-consistent treatment, i. e. both antihypertensive and cholesterol-lowering drugs. Respondents of lower social status consulted their GP more frequently (approx. two visits per year) than those of higher social status (AME: 1.94; 95% CI 0.56 to 3.31). Regarding treatment with antihypertensive and cholesterol-lowering drugs, there were no significant differences for either gender or social status. Nevertheless, the probability that respondents with increased levels of blood lipids or cholesterol took only one or none of the two medications recommended for long-term treatment of CHD was reduced by 54 percentage points (AME: -0,54; 95% CI -0,61 to -0,48).

DISCUSSION

There are no social inequalities in the treatment of CHD patients with antihypertensive and cholesterol-lowering drugs, but inequalities exist in the frequency of visits to the GP who is more often consulted by the more socially disadvantaged patients.

CONCLUSION

With about 7.5 consultations per year, CHD patients visit their general practitioner more often than average, but in about half of these patients the medication supply is less than optimal. This may indicate a deficit in the medical treatment of CHD that cannot be explained by social inequalities. A possible starting point for improving healthcare, especially for patients without other risk factors, is to focus more strongly on a guideline-based approach to prescribing medication for CHD patients.

Recruitment and Baseline Characteristics of Participants in the AgeWell.de Study-A Pragmatic Cluster-Randomized Controlled Lifestyle Trial against Cognitive Decline

Targeting dementia prevention, first trials addressing multiple modifiable risk factors showed promising results in at-risk populations. In Germany, AgeWell.de is the first large-scale initiative investigating the effectiveness of a multi-component lifestyle intervention against cognitive decline. We aimed to investigate the recruitment process and baseline characteristics of the AgeWell.de participants to gain an understanding of the at-risk population and who engages in the intervention. General practitioners across five study sites recruited participants (aged 60–77 years, Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Aging, and Incidence of Dementia/CAIDE dementia risk score ≥ 9). Structured face-to-face interviews were conducted with eligible participants, including neuropsychological assessments. We analyzed group differences between (1) eligible vs. non-eligible participants, (2) participants vs. non-participants, and (3) between intervention groups. Of 1176 eligible participants, 146 (12.5%) dropped out before baseline; the study population was thus 1030 individuals. Non-participants did not differ from participants in key sociodemographic factors and dementia risk. Study participants were M = 69.0 (SD = 4.9) years old, and 52.1% were women. The average Montreal Cognitive Assessment/MoCA score was 24.5 (SD = 3.1), indicating a rather mildly cognitively impaired study population; however, 39.4% scored ≥ 26, thus being cognitively unimpaired. The bandwidth of cognitive states bears the interesting potential for differential trial outcome analyses. However, trial conduction is impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, requiring adjustments to the study protocol with yet unclear methodological consequences.

Efficacy of team-based collaborative care for distressed patients in secondary prevention of chronic coronary heart disease (TEACH): study protocol of a multicenter randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the leading cause of death and years of life lost worldwide. While effective treatments are available for both acute and chronic disease stages there are unmet needs for effective interventions to support patients in health behaviors required for secondary prevention. Psychosocial distress is a common comorbidity in patients with CHD and associated with substantially reduced health-related quality of life (HRQoL), poor health behavior, and low treatment adherence.

METHODS

In a confirmatory, randomized, controlled, two-arm parallel group, multicenter behavioral intervention trial we will randomize 440 distressed CHD patients with at least one insufficiently controlled cardiac risk factor to either their physicians' usual care (UC) or UC plus 12-months of blended collaborative care (TeamCare = TC). Trained nurse care managers (NCM) will proactively support patients to identify individual sources of distress and risk behaviors, establish a stepwise treatment plan to improve self-help and healthy behavior, and actively monitor adherence and progress. Additional e-health resources are available to patients and their families. Intervention fidelity is ensured by a treatment manual, an electronic patient registry, and a specialist team regularly supervising NCM via videoconferences and recommending protocol and guideline-compliant treatment adjustments as indicated. Recommendations will be shared with patients and their physicians who remain in charge of patients' care. Since HRQoL is a recommended outcome by both, several guidelines and patient preference we chose a ≥ 50% improvement over baseline on the HeartQoL questionnaire at 12 months as primary outcome. Our primary hypothesis is that significantly more patients receiving TC will meet the primary outcome criterion compared to the UC group. Secondary hypotheses will evaluate improvements in risk factors, psychosocial variables, health care utilization, and durability of intervention effects over 18-30 months of follow-up.

DISCUSSION

TEACH is the first study of a blended collaborative care intervention simultaneously addressing distress and medical CHD risk factors conducted in cardiac patients in a European health care setting. If proven effective, its results can improve long-term chronic care of this vulnerable patient group and may be adapted for patients with other chronic conditions.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

German Clinical Trials Register, DRKS00020824, registered on 4 June, 2020; https://www.drks.de/drks_web/navigate.do?navigationId=trial.HTML&TRIAL_ID=DRKS00020824.

Reporting of Safety Events during Anti-VEGF Treatment: Pharmacovigilance in a Noninterventional Trial

Aim

The prospective, noninterventional OCEAN study assessed the safety of intravitreal ranibizumab injections for treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration, diabetic macular edema, and retinal vein occlusion under real-world conditions in Germany.

Methods

Adults receiving ≥1 ranibizumab (0.5 mg) injections were recruited by 369 ophthalmologists and followed for 24 months. Information on adverse events (AEs) was reported by the treating physician or detected by the data management team. Collected information included observed AE, AE start and end date, intensity, causal relationship, outcome, severity, suspected drug, and actions taken.

Results

2,687 AEs were reported for 1,176 of the 5,781 patients who had received a total of 32,621 injections: 27.4% nonserious AEs, 30.3% serious AEs, 27.3% nonserious adverse drug reactions (ADRs), and 15.0% serious ADRs. Most patients reported no AEs (79.7%) or only 1 AE (10.3%). AEs were most commonly reported in the Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities (MedDRA) System Organ Class (SOC) Eye disorders (9.4% of patients) and General disorders and administration site conditions (5.8%). The most frequent AEs by MedDRA preferred term (PT) were visual acuity reduced (3.5% of patients), intraocular pressure increased (2.5%), and drug ineffective (2.1%). AEs occurred most frequently after 3 or 4 injections (1,129 of 2,687 AEs). The proportion of AEs in the SOC Eye disorders decreased slightly with increasing number of injections, from 39.8% of events after 1 or 2 injections to 29.1% after 5 or more injections. Rates of the most frequently reported PTs did not show any consistent increase with increasing number of injections. A decrease in overall AE rates was observed over the study course.

Conclusions

The results did not raise any new safety concerns for ranibizumab. The findings allow conclusions to be drawn on how pharmacovigilance data can be collected even more effectively in real-world studies to facilitate discussion on benefit-risk ratio.

Socioeconomic inequalities and COVID-19 - A review of the current international literature

Social epidemiological research describes correlations between socioeconomic status and the population's risk to become diseased or die. Little research of such correlations for SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 has so far been conducted. This scoping review provides an overview of the international research literature. Out of the 138 publications found, 46 were later included in the analysis. For the US and the UK, the reported findings indicate the presence of socioeconomic inequalities in infection risks as well as the severity of the course of the disease, with socioeconomically less privileged populations being hit harder. There are far fewer findings for Germany to date, as is the case for most other European countries. However, the scant evidence available so far already indicates that social inequalities are a factor in COVID-19. Most of these analyses have been ecological studies with only few studies considering socioeconomic inequalities at the individual level. Such studies at the individual level are particularly desirable as they could help to increase our understanding of the underlying pathways that lead to the development of inequalities in infection risks and the severity of disease and thereby could provide a basis to counteract the further exacerbation of health inequalities.

Effects of visualization of successful revascularization on chest pain and quality of life in chronic coronary syndrome: study protocol for the multi-center, randomized, controlled PLA-pCi-EBO-pilot-trial

Background

Stable coronary artery disease (CAD), recently termed chronic coronary syndrome (CCS), is a highly prevalent disease. Current treatment strategies often include a relevant placebo effect. The hypothesis is that visual angiographic demonstration of the coronary arteries before and after successful percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) by itself reduces the symptom burden of stable CAD/CCS.

Design and methods

The PLA-pCi-EBO-pilot-trial is a prospective, multi-center, randomized, controlled investigator-initiated pilot trial to study the effect of visual demonstration of successful PCI on quality of life (QoL) and angina pectoris (AP) in patients with symptomatic stable CAD/CCS. All patients with stable CAD/CCS and successful PCI will be screened. One hundred forty four patients with a frequency of AP ≥ 2/week will be randomized 1:1 stratified for AP frequency > 1/day. The control group will receive the common written procedural report on the procedure. Patients in the intervention group will additionally be given a printout picture of their coronary angiogram both before and after PCI. Primary endpoints are change in the Seattle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ)-derived QoL score 1 and 6 months after PCI. Secondary endpoints are changes in other SAQ-derived scores and dyspnea (NYHA score) 1 and 6 months after PCI.

Discussion

The PLA-pCi-EBO-pilot-trial evaluates the effect of visual angiographic result demonstration on disease symptoms and QoL in patients with stable CAD/CCS on top of PCI. A positive outcome of our study would encourage the routine use of angiographic picture demonstration and has thus the potential to change daily routine in the catheterization laboratory.

Trial registration

German Clinical Trials Register DRKS00017524. Registered on 5 July 2019

[Somatic diseases of homeless people in Germany. A narrative literature review for the years 2009-2019]

BACKGROUND

According to estimates, between 337,000 and 650,000 people in Germany live without a permanent residence. They are highly deprived in terms of health. Studies on the health situation are rare and methodologically heterogeneous. Previous reviews have focused on mental illness.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of current research on somatic diseases of homeless people in Germany.

METHODS

Based on a systematic literature review for the years 2009-2019, the methodological approaches, sample access, recruitment, and health aspects reported in the studies are compared.

RESULTS

By means of a systematic literature search, eight peer-reviewed journal articles were identified. Often the term "homelessness" was not operationalised. The average age of homeless participants was between 40.9 years and 67 years, and the proportion of women was between 0 and 35.3%. Frequently the sample was taken from accommodation and medical services for homeless people. One recruitment strategy was "respondent-driven sampling" in conjunction with incentives. The respondents most frequently reported cardiovascular diseases (17%-37.2%), musculoskeletal diseases (≥20%), and respiratory diseases (7%-24%). Depending on the recruitment site, infectious diseases were common (tuberculosis, hepatitis B and C).

CONCLUSION

Somatic health studies of homeless people are often selective. Older men with lower educational backgrounds living in large German cities appear to be overrepresented, and there is no uniform use of the term "homelessness." Compared with representative population data for Germany, increased risks of somatic illness were observed; cohort characteristics can explain these to a limited extent. Biographical and intersectional approaches are needed to capture multiple and cumulative exposure situations in homelessness.

Levels of and determinants for physical activity and physical inactivity in a group of healthy elderly people in Germany: Baseline results of the MOVING-study

BACKGROUND

Low levels of physical activity (PA) and high levels of physical inactivity (PI) are associated with higher mortality and cardiovascular diseases. Higher age is associated with a decrease of PA, only 2.4-29% of ≥60 year-olds achieve the PA times recommended by WHO. The aim of this study was to identify levels of and determinants for moderate PA, overall PA and PI in a sample of individuals aged ≥65 years.

METHODS

We analyzed baseline data from an intervention-study aiming to increase PA and decrease PI by automatically generated feedback letters to objectively measured PA and PI. Recruitment was multimodal including re-contacting participants of previous studies and advertisements in regional public buses and newspapers. At baseline, participants wore an accelerometer over a period of 7 consecutive days. PA was categorized using cut-points suggested by Freedsoon 1998 in light, moderate and vigorous physical intensity as well as physical inactivity. Potential determinants (self-efficacy, education) were measured by questionnaires or in a physical examination (BMI). Multiple linear regression models were fitted to identify determinants for PA and PI.

RESULTS

N = 199 persons (mean age 71.0 years (SD 4.9), 59.3% female) participated in the study. The weekly amount of overall PA for men was on average 1,821 minutes (SD 479.1), for women on average 1,929 minutes (SD 448.8). 79.7% of the women and 72.8% of the men achieved the WHO recommendation of 30 minutes moderate PA/day at baseline. The time of PI during the observation time period of 7 days was on average 4,057 minutes in men and 3,973 minutes in women. In males, age was found to be a significant negative determinant for overall PA (p = 0.002) and for moderate PA (p<0.001). Higher education was positively associated with higher levels of overall PA (p = 0.013) and moderate PA (p = 0.06) in men. BMI was a significant negative determinant for overall PA both in men (p = 0.039) and women (p = 0.032) as well as for moderate PA for women (p = 0.009). Only in women, not in men, self-efficacy was to be a significant positive determinant for overall PA (p = 0.020) as well as negatively associated with PI (p = 0.006).

DISCUSSION

The participants of our study showed high levels of PA. This is likely due to selection bias in this convenience sample. However, also levels of PI are very high and those correspond with average levels in the German population. The determinants for higher PA and lower PI differed between males and females. Thus, strategies for improving PA and decrease PI are likely different with respect to sex and should take individual factors (e.g. age, BMI) into account.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

DRKS00010410 Date: 17 May 2017.

GFR in Healthy Aging: an Individual Participant Data Meta-Analysis of Iohexol Clearance in European Population-Based Cohorts

BACKGROUND

Population mean GFR is lower in older age, but it is unknown whether healthy aging is associated with preserved rather than lower GFR in some individuals.

METHODS

We investigated the cross-sectional association between measured GFR, age, and health in persons aged 50-97 years in the general population through a meta-analysis of iohexol clearance measurements in three large European population-based cohorts. We defined a healthy person as having no major chronic disease or risk factors for CKD and all others as unhealthy. We used a generalized additive model to study GFR distribution by age according to health status.

RESULTS

There were 935 (22%) GFR measurements in persons who were healthy and 3274 (78%) in persons who were unhealthy. The mean GFR was lower in older age by -0.72 ml/min per 1.73 m² per year (95% confidence interval [95% CI], -0.96 to -0.48) for men who were healthy versus -1.03 ml/min per 1.73 m² per year (95% CI, -1.25 to -0.80) for men who were unhealthy, and by -0.92 ml/min per 1.73 m² per year (95% CI, -1.14 to -0.70) for women who were healthy versus -1.22 ml/min per 1.73 m² per year (95% CI, -1.43 to -1.02) for women who were unhealthy. For healthy and unhealthy people of both sexes, both the 97.5th and 2.5th GFR percentiles exhibited a negative linear association with age.

CONCLUSIONS

Healthy aging is associated with a higher mean GFR compared with unhealthy aging. However, both the mean and 97.5 percentiles of the GFR distribution are lower in older persons who are healthy than in middle-aged persons who are healthy. This suggests that healthy aging is not associated with preserved GFR in old age.

Is there an association between social determinants and care dependency risk? A multi-state model analysis of a longitudinal study

Despite a growing body of knowledge about the morbidities and functional impairment that frequently lead to care dependency, the role of social determinants is not yet well understood. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of social determinants on care dependency onset and progression. We used data from the Berlin Initiative Study, a prospective, population-based cohort study including 2,069 older participants living in Berlin. Care dependency was defined as requiring substantial assistance in at least two activities of daily living for 90 min daily (level 1) or 3+ hours daily (level 2). Multi-state time to event regression modeling was used to estimate the effects of social determinants (partnership status, education, income, and sex), morbidities, and health behaviors, characteristics, and conditions. During the study period, 556 participants (27.5%) changed their status of care dependency. Participants without a partner at baseline were at a higher risk to become care-dependent than participants with a partner (hazard ratio [HR], 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.24 (1.02-1.51)). After adjustment for other social determinants, morbidities and health behaviors, characteristics, and conditions the risk decreased to a HR of 1.19 (95% CI: 0.79-1.79). Results indicate that older people without a partner may tend to be at higher risk of care dependency onset but not at higher risk of care dependency progression. Clinicians should inquire about and consider patients' partnership status as they evaluate care needs.

The aging human body shape

Body shape and composition are heterogeneous among humans with possible impact for health. Anthropometric methods and data are needed to better describe the diversity of the human body in human populations, its age dependence, and associations with health risk. We applied whole-body laser scanning to a cohort of 8499 women and men of age 40–80 years within the frame of the LIFE (Leipzig Research Center for Civilization Diseases) study aimed at discovering health risk in a middle European urban population. Body scanning delivers multidimensional anthropometric data, which were further processed by machine learning to stratify the participants into body types. We here applied this body typing concept to describe the diversity of body shapes in an aging population and its association with physical activity and selected health and lifestyle factors. We find that aging results in similar reshaping of female and male bodies despite the large diversity of body types observed in the study. Slim body shapes remain slim and partly tend to become even more lean and fragile, while obese body shapes remain obese. Female body shapes change more strongly than male ones. The incidence of the different body types changes with characteristic Life Course trajectories. Physical activity is inversely related to the body mass index and decreases with age, while self-reported incidence for myocardial infarction shows overall the inverse trend. We discuss health risks factors in the context of body shape and its relation to obesity. Body typing opens options for personalized anthropometry to better estimate health risk in epidemiological research and future clinical applications.

[Self-reported cancer in the German National Cohort (NAKO Gesundheitsstudie): assessment methods and first results]

BACKGROUND

In the German National Cohort (NAKO Gesundheitsstudie), the largest prospective cohort study in Germany, data on self-reported cancer diagnoses are now available for the first half of participants.

OBJECTIVES

Description of the methods to assess self-reported cancer diagnoses and type of cancer in the NAKO and presentation of first results.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In a computer-assisted, standardized personal interview, 101,787 participants (54,526 women, 47,261 men) were asked whether they had ever been diagnosed with cancer (malignant tumors including in situ) by a physician and how many cancer diagnoses they had. The type of cancer was classified with a list. Absolute and relative frequencies of self-reported cancer diagnoses and types of cancer were calculated and compared with cancer registry data.

RESULTS

A physician-diagnosed cancer was reported by 9.4% of women and 7.0% of men. Of the participants who reported a cancer diagnosis, 88.3% reported to have had only one cancer diagnosis. In women, the most frequent malignancies were breast cancer, cervical cancer, and melanoma. In men, the most frequent malignancies were prostate cancer, melanoma, and colorectal cancer. Comparing the frequencies of cancer diagnoses reported by 45- to 74-year-old NAKO participants within the last five years to cancer registry-based 5‑year prevalences, most types of cancer were less frequent in the NAKO, with the exception of melanoma in men and women, cervical cancer and liver cancer in women, and bladder cancer and breast cancer in men.

CONCLUSIONS

The NAKO is a rich data basis for future investigations of incident cancer.

[Assessment of self-reported cardiovascular and metabolic diseases in the German National Cohort (GNC, NAKO Gesundheitsstudie): methods and initial results]

BACKGROUND

Data on self-reported cardiovascular and metabolic diseases are available for the first 100,000 participants of the population-based German National Cohort (GNC, NAKO Gesundheitsstudie).

OBJECTIVES

To describe assessment methods and the frequency of self-reported cardiovascular and metabolic diseases in the German National Cohort.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Using a computer-based, standardized personal interview, 101,806 participants (20-75 years, 46% men) from 18 nationwide study centres were asked to use a predefined list to report medical conditions ever diagnosed by a physician, including cardiovascular or metabolic diseases. For the latter, we calculated sex-stratified relative frequencies and compared these with reference data.

RESULTS

With regard to cardiovascular diseases, 3.5% of men and 0.8% of women reported to have ever been diagnosed with a myocardial infarction, 4.8% and 1.5% with angina pectoris, 3.5% and 2.5% with heart failure, 10.1% and 10.4% with cardiac arrhythmia, 2.7% and 1.8% with claudicatio intermittens, and 34.6% and 27.0% with arterial hypertension. The frequencies of self-reported diagnosed metabolic diseases were 8.1% and 5.8% for diabetes mellitus, 28.6% and 24.5% for hyperlipidaemia, 7.9% and 2.4% for gout, and 10.1% and 34.3% for thyroid diseases. Observed disease frequencies were lower than reference data for Germany.

CONCLUSIONS

In the German National Cohort, self-reported cardiovascular and metabolic diseases diagnosed by a physician are assessed from all participants, therefore representing a data source for future cardio-metabolic research in this cohort.

[ICD coding of causes of death: challenges for calculating the burden of disease in Germany]

In the project BURDEN 2020 - "The burden of disease in Germany and its regions" - the years of life lost (YLL) due to premature mortality are calculated on the basis of official cause-of-death statistics. This requires the identification and redistribution of the so-called ill-defined ICD codes. "Ill-defined" means that an ICD code does not sufficiently reflect the cause of death, such that it is not informative for the calculation of the burden of disease.The first steps on the way to calculating cause-specific YLL are presented. Different frameworks of ill-defined codes are compared. The number of deaths with ill-defined codes that can be found in the German cause-of-death statistics in absolute and relative terms are analyzed, including how they are distributed by age, sex, and region.According to the WHO framework, 15.6% of the 925,200 deaths in Germany in 2015 can be identified as ill-defined. According to the framework of the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) in the Global Burden of Disease Study (GBD), the proportion of ill-defined codes is 26.6%. The ICD-related distribution patterns hardly differ between WHO and IHME classifications. Considerable differences exist between the federal states, with shares of ill-defined codes between 16 and 35% (IHME framework).The cause-of-death statistics in Germany contain a considerable proportion of ill-defined codes. The differences between the federal states can only partially be explained by different electronic data processing. Due to further dissemination and improvement of electronic data collection, higher quality of cause-of-death statistics can be expected in the future.

[Differential diagnosis of acute back pain and demarcation to other specialist fields]

The treatment of patients with acute back pain is becoming increasingly more important due to the high incidence; however, acute clinical pictures from other disciplines can also primarily be symptomatic with back pain and falsely lead to a consultation with an orthopedist. In order to assure an adequate treatment of potentially critical patients, it is absolutely necessary to exclude life-threatening differential diagnoses by a structured study of the patient history, investigations and diagnostics. Depending on the suspected diagnosis, necessary first aid measures and emergency referral to the appropriate specialist department should be initiated. This article gives an overview of selected clinical pictures and tries to look beyond the field of orthopedics.

The value of the GP's clinical judgement in predicting dementia: a multicentre prospective cohort study among patients in general practice

BACKGROUND

Clinical judgement is intrinsic to diagnostic strategies in general practice; however, empirical evidence for its validity is sparse.

AIM

To ascertain whether a GP's global clinical judgement of future cognitive status has an added value for predicting a patient's likelihood of experiencing dementia.

DESIGN AND SETTING

Multicentre prospective cohort study among patients in German general practice that took place from January 2003 to October 2016.

METHOD

Patients without baseline dementia were assessed with neuropsychological interviews over 12 years; 138 GPs rated the future cognitive decline of their participating patients. Associations of baseline predictors with follow-up incident dementia were analysed with mixed-effects logistic and Cox regression.

RESULTS

A total of 3201 patients were analysed over the study period (mean age = 79.6 years, 65.3% females, 6.7% incident dementia in 3 years, 22.1% incident dementia in 12 years). Descriptive analyses and comparison with other cohorts identified the participants as having frequent and long-lasting doctor-patient relationships and being well known to their GPs. The GP baseline rating of future cognitive decline had significant value for 3-year dementia prediction, independent of cognitive test scores and patient's memory complaints (GP ratings of very mild (odds ratio [OR] 1.97, 95% confidence intervals [95% CI] = 1.28 to 3.04); mild (OR 3.00, 95% CI = 1.90 to 4.76); and moderate/severe decline (OR 5.66, 95% CI = 3.29 to 9.73)). GPs' baseline judgements were significantly associated with patients' 12-year dementia-free survival rates (Mantel-Cox log rank test P<0.001).

CONCLUSION

In this sample of patients in familiar doctor-patient relationships, the GP's clinical judgement holds additional value for predicting dementia, complementing test performance and patients' self-reports. Existing and emerging primary care-based dementia risk models should consider the GP's judgement as one predictor. Results underline the importance of the GP-patient relationship.

Quality of health care with regard to detection and treatment of mental disorders in patients with coronary heart disease (MenDis-CHD): study protocol

BACKGROUND

Mental disorders (MD), such as depression, anxiety, and cognitive impairment, are highly prevalent in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). Current guidelines on cardiovascular diseases recommend screening and appropriate treatment of MD; however, the degree of implementation of such recommendations in clinical practice is unknown. This study aims to analyze the quality of health care of patients with CHD and MD. Specifically, we aim to analyze (1) the quality of care, (2) trajectories of care, and (3) barriers regarding the detection and treatment of MD. Moreover, we want to identify potentials of changes in health care delivery towards more patient-centered care. The results of this study shall be the first step towards value-based care of people with CHD and comorbid mental disorders.

METHODS

We aim to include the following participants: adult patients with CHD (n = 400), their relatives (n = 350) and physicians (n = 80). A particular focus will be on the vulnerable subgroups of patients with CHD and congestive heart failure (left ventricular ejection fraction < 40%) and on the underrepresented group of women with CHD. We will apply a mixed-method approach with a quantitative and a qualitative part. Patient-related outcomes (e.g., health-related quality of life, needs, and preferences regarding health care, reasons for non-detection, and lack of treatment of MD) will be explored in a multi-perspective approach including patients, relatives, and physicians' perspectives. Furthermore, routine data from four statutory health insurance funds (SHI) will be analyzed regarding the frequency and treatment of MD in CHD patients.

DISCUSSION

MenDis-CHD will provide important insights into the trajectories of health care, quality of health care, barriers, patient needs and preferences as well as expectations and satisfaction with health care in patients with CHD and MD. Potential implications of MenDis-CHD are to enable health care providers to redesign care pathways concerning the treatment of mental comorbidity in patients with CHD by proposing value-based changes in health care and by understanding the barriers to and facilitators of change towards patient-centered care.

TRIALS REGISTRATION

German clinical trials register (Deutsches Register Klinischer Studien, DRKS) ieRegistration Number: DRKS00012434, date of registration: May 11th, 2017.

Toward a Diagnostic Score in Cushing's Syndrome

Cushing's syndrome (CS) is a classical rare disease: it is often suspected in patients who do not have the disease; at the same time, it takes a mean of 3 years to diagnose CS in affected individuals. The main reason is the extreme rarity (1-3/million/year) in combination with the lack of a single lead symptom. CS has to be suspected when a combination of signs and symptoms is present, which together make up the characteristic phenotype of cortisol excess. Unusual fat distribution affecting the face, neck, and trunk; skin changes including plethora, acne, hirsutism, livid striae, and easy bruising; and signs of protein catabolism such as thinned and vulnerable skin, osteoporotic fractures, and proximal myopathy indicate the need for biochemical screening for CS. In contrast, common symptoms like hypertension, weight gain, or diabetes also occur quite frequently in the general population and per se do not justify biochemical testing. First-line screening tests include urinary free cortisol excretion, dexamethasone suppression testing, and late-night salivary cortisol measurements. All three tests have overall reasonable sensitivity and specificity, and first-line testing should be selected on the basis of the physiologic conditions of the patient, drug intake, and available laboratory quality control measures. Two normal test results usually exclude the presence of CS. Other tests and laboratory parameters like the high-dose dexamethasone suppression test, plasma ACTH, the CRH test, and the bilateral inferior petrosal sinus sampling are not part of the initial biochemical screening. As a general rule, biochemical screening should only be performed if the pre-test probability for CS is reasonably high. This article provides an overview about the current standard in the diagnosis of CS starting with clinical scores and screenings, the clinical signs, relevant differential diagnoses, the first-line biochemical screening, and ending with a few exceptional cases.

Relevante Nebenerkrankungen zu Notfallindikationen und Notfalloperationen in der Viszeral- und Allgemeinchirurgie

Die Adipositas ist eine über das Normalmaß hinausgehende Vermehrung des Körperfetts und wird über den Body-Mass- Index (BMI = kg/m) bestimmt. Ab einem BMI von 30 kg/m liegt definitionsgemäß eine Adipositas vor. Der Krankheitswert ergibt sich aus der Assoziation von Folgeerkrankungen, deren Risiko mit der Prävalenzdauer und dem Schweregrad der Adipositas ansteigt (Tab. 28.1). Dabei korreliert das kardiovaskuläre Risiko besonders mit dem Vorliegen einer viszeralen Adipositas (>88/102 cm Taillenumfang bei Frauen/ Männern). Die Prävalenz der Adipositas steigt in Deutschland kontinuierlich an. Derzeit ist knapp ein Viertel der deutschen Bevölkerung als adipös einzustufen.

Aspirin Before Elective Surgery-Stop or Continue?

BACKGROUND

Cessation of long-term aspirin treatment before noncardiac surgery can cause adverse cardiac events in patients at risk, particularly in those with previous percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) with stent implantation. The factors influencing the clinical decision to stop aspirin treatment are currently unknown.

METHODS

In a single-center, cross-sectional study (retrospective registration: NCT03049566) carried out from February to December 2014, we took a survey among patients scheduled for noncardiac surgery who were under long-term aspirin treatment, and among their treating anesthesiologists using standardized questionnaires on preoperative aspirin use, comorbidities, and risk-benefit assessments. The main objective was to identify factors associated with the decision to stop aspirin treatment. The results of multivariable logistic regressions and intraclass correlations are presented.

RESULTS

805 patients were included in the study, and 636 questionnaires were returned (203 of which concerned patients with coronary stents). 46.8% of the patients stopped their long-term aspirin treatment before surgery; 38.7% of these patients stopped it too early (>10 days before surgery) or too late (≤ 3 days before surgery). A prior PCI with stent implantation lowered the probability of aspirin cessation (odds ratio [OR] = 0.47 [0.31; 0.72]; p <0.001). On the other hand, patients were more likely to stop their long-term aspirin treatment if it had already been discontinued once before (OR = 4.58 [3.06; 6.84]; p <0.001), if there was a risk of bleeding into a closed space (OR = 4.54 [2.02; 10.22]; p <0.001), if they did not know why they were supposed to take aspirin (OR = 2.12 [1.05; 4.28]; p = 0.036), or if the preoperative consultation with the anesthesiologist occurred <2 days before surgery (OR = 1.60 [1.08; 2.37]; p = 0.018). Patients often assessed the risks related to aspirin cessation lower than their physicians did.

CONCLUSION

This study reveals discordance between guideline recommendations and everyday clinical practice in patients with coronary stents. The early integration of cardiologists and anesthesiologists and a more widespread use of stent implant cards could promote adherence to the guidelines.

Prevalence of Cardiac Disease in Breast Cancer Patients at Time of Diagnosis Compared to the General Female Population in Germany

Background

Advances in oncological therapy have significantly improved breast cancer survival; therefore comorbid conditions are becoming more relevant. We investigated the prevalence of prior cardiovascular diseases and risk factors in patients with breast cancer compared to those in the general female population in Germany.

Methods

The PASSOS heart study is a retrospective multicenter cohort study on cardiac late effects in breast cancer patients treated between 1998 and 2008. We analyzed the frequencies of cardiac diseases and cardiovascular risk factors in patients from this cohort as documented in anesthesia protocols compared to self-reported frequencies in the general female population in Germany.

Results

3,496 patients aged between 40 and 79 years who underwent breast surgery were considered for analysis. The age-standardized prevalence of cardiac diseases or cardiovascular risk factors was 6.75 versus 7.52% and 69 versus 80.92%, respectively. Coronary heart disease (3.96 vs. 5.18%) and angina pectoris (0.37 vs. 1.03%) prevalence was lower in breast cancer patients, while non-fatal myocardial infarction (2.06 vs. 1.81%) and stroke (2.64 vs. 2.34%) were more frequent (not statistically significant).

Conclusion

Pre-existing cardiac diseases and cardiovascular risk factors are common in both study populations, being slightly less frequent in the PASSOS cohort. When making therapy decisions, the cardiac risk profile should be carefully monitored and taken into account.

Lower-extremity amputations in people with and without diabetes in Germany, 2008-2012 - an analysis of more than 30 million inhabitants

Background and purpose

Lower-extremity amputations (LEAs) in people with diabetes are associated with reduced quality of life and increased health care costs. Detailed knowledge on amputation rates (ARs) is of utmost importance for future health care and economics strategies. We conducted the present cohort study in order to estimate the incidences of LEA as well as relative and attributable risk due to diabetes and to investigate time trends for the period 2008–2012.

Methods

On the basis of the administrative data from three large branches of German statutory health insurers, covering ~34 million insured people nationwide (about 40% of the German population), we estimated age-sex-standardized AR (first amputation per year) in the populations with and without diabetes for any, major, and minor LEAs. Time trends were analyzed using Poisson regression.

Results

A total of 108,208 individuals (diabetes: 67.3%; mean age 72.6 years) had at least one amputation. Among people with diabetes, we observed a significant reduction in major and minor ARs during 2008–2012 from 81.2 (95% CI 77.5–84.9) to 58.4 (55.0–61.7), and from 206.1 (197.3–214.8) to 177.0 (169.7–184.4) per 100,000 person-years, respectively. Among people without diabetes, the major AR decreased significantly from 14.3 (13.9–14.8) to 11.6 ([11.2–12.0], 12.0), whereas the minor AR increased from 15.8 (15.3–16.3) to 17.0 (16.5–17.5) per 100,000 person-years. The relative risk (RR) comparing the diabetic with the nondiabetic populations decreased significantly for both major and minor LEAs (4% and 5% annual reduction, respectively).

Conclusion

In this large nationwide population, we still found higher major and minor ARs among people with diabetes compared with those without diabetes. However, AR and RR of major and minor LEAs in the diabetic compared with the nondiabetic population decreased significantly during the study period, confirming a positive trend that has been observed in smaller and regional studies in recent years.

MOVING: Motivation-Oriented interVention study for the elderly IN Greifswald: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of mortality. In 2014, they were responsible for 38.9% of all causes of death in Germany. One major risk factor for CVD is a lack of physical activity (PA). A health-promoting lifestyle including regular PA and minimizing sitting time (ST) in daily life is a central preventive measure. Previous studies have shown that PA decreases in older age; 2.4-29% of the people aged over 60 years achieve the World Health Organization recommendations. This age group spends on average 9.4 h per day in sedentary activities. To increase PA and decrease ST, a low-threshold intervention, consisting of individualized feedback letters based on objectively measured data of PA and ST, was developed. The research question is: Do individual feedback letters, based on accelerometer data, have a positive effect on PA and ST?

METHODS/DESIGN

MOVING is a two-arm, randomized controlled trial. Inclusion criteria are age ≥ 65 years and the ability to be physically active. Exclusion criteria are the permanent use of a wheelchair and simultaneous participation in another study on PA. At baseline participants who give informed consent will receive general information and recommendations about the positive effects of regular PA and less ST. Participants of both groups will receive an accelerometer device, which records PA and ST over a period of seven consecutive days following by a randomization. Participants in the intervention group will receive automatically generated, individualized feedback letters by mail based on their PA and ST at baseline and at 3-month follow-up. Further follow-up examinations will be carried out at 6 and 12 months. The primary outcome is the increase of PA and the reduction of ST after 6 months in the intervention group compared to the control group.

DISCUSSION

The goal of the study is to examine the effects of a simple feedback intervention on PA and ST in elderly people. We aim to achieve an effect of 20% increase in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). The intervention may have the potential to decrease crucial cardiovascular risk factors and, therefore, contribute to prevention of CVD.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

German Clinical Trials Register, ID: DRKS00010410 . Registered on 17 May 2017.

Empowerment for healthy nutrition in German communities: a study framework

Empowerment is seen as a key strategy for sustainable health promotion efforts. However, there is only limited research on how to link the empowerment approach to the promotion of healthy eating, which is a major current public health issue. The article presents the development of a study framework for implementing and evaluating an empowerment intervention for healthy nutrition. This framework was created for a community intervention study meaning to involve elderly citizens in Bavaria, Germany. The study protocol was developed in an iterative process basing on (i) literature reviews on the topics empowerment in relation to healthy nutrition and mixed-methods evaluation, (ii) workshops with empowerment and public health experts and (iii) consultations with local community representatives. Through these measures we identified good practice criteria as well as specific challenges of integrating empowerment and healthy nutrition, e.g. engaging people in healthy nutrition, reconciling participants' nutrition preferences with public health nutrition priorities and evaluating bottom-up activities in the community. Consequences for the study design were deducted from the literature and the consultations, e.g. practical recommendations as to how power could be gradually assigned to group members. A qualitative mixed-method evaluation design was chosen to capture emergent empowerment processes. The study framework presented here is the first on empowerment and nutrition to provide explicit guidance on how empowerment may be applied to healthy nutrition and implemented and evaluated in the community context.

Lipidological competence centres and networks: Future perspectives to improve healthcare of patients with disorders of lipid metabolism

BACKGROUND

Numerous healthcare studies have shown that more than 90% of all patients with dyslipidaemia are not treated adequately.

OBJECTIVES

The "Deutsche Gesellschaft zur Bekämpfung von Fettstoffwechselstörungen und ihren Folgeerkrankungen (DGFF)" [German Society of Lipidology], a non-profit professional membership organization, has already made a series of efforts to improve the care of patients suffering from dyslipidaemia. A recent outcome is the nationwide implementation and certification of Lipidological Competence Centres and Networks (LCCNs).

METHODS AND RESULTS

By involving numerous external medical cooperation partners and combining the detailed work of different in-house medical specialists, the Medical Care Centre Kempten-Allgäu was able to improve both the diagnosis and treatment of patients exhibiting disorders of lipid metabolism (DLM). This local lipidological network is so successful, that it may serve as a nationwide standard model for outpatient lipidological care. Detailed organizational structures for improved lipidological care which are suitable to provide a template for future guidelines for the certification of LCCNs have been developed by the Medical Care Centre Kempten-Allgäu. Stringent requirements of implementation with respect to medical staff, content and structure, staff training, patient education and public relations as well as to documentation, quality assurance and quality improvement must be fulfilled both by the lipidological competence centre (LCC) and the cooperation partners within the lipidological network (LN). Finally, members of the health care system (e.g. health policy and health insurances) should be involved in this attempt and convinced of financial support.

CONCLUSION

The implementation and certification of national LCCNs supported by DGFF could contribute to a comprehensive improvement in the care of patients with dyslipidaemia, resulting in prevention of cardiovascular diseases and reduction of cardiovascular sequelae.