Ten years of weekly epidemiological teleconference (EpiLag) - an effective and time-efficient tool for infectious disease event information, Germany, 2009-2018.

In 2009, the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) and the 16 German federal state public health authorities (PHAs) established a weekly epidemiological teleconference (EpiLag) to discuss infectious disease (ID) events and foster horizontal and vertical information exchange. We present the procedure, discussed ID topics and evaluation results of EpiLag after 10 years. We analysed attendance, duration of EpiLag and the frequency of reported events.

Risk Factors for Sporadic Non-Pregnancy Associated Listeriosis in Germany-Immunocompromised Patients and Frequently Consumed Ready-To-Eat Products.

Non-pregnancy associated (N-PA) listeriosis, caused by Listeria monocytogenes, is a rare but severe disease, and is predominantly food-borne. Most cases appear sporadic and their infection vehicle remains unknown. Incidence has increased since 2008 in Germany.

How specific are risk factors for headache in adolescents? Results from a cross-sectional study in Germany.

Background: The identified preventable risk factors for primary headache in adolescents are smoking; consumption of coffee or alcoholic mixed drinks; physical inactivity; muscle pain in the head, neck, or shoulder region; and chronic stress.

Objective: To investigate the interrelation of headache with other health complaints and the specificity of the above-mentioned risk factors for headache in adolescents.

Methods: A total of 1,260 students (grades 10 and 11) filled in questionnaires on headache, dietary, and lifestyle factors.

Prevention of headache in adolescents: population-attributable risk fraction for risk factors amenable to intervention.

Introduction: Several risk factors for headache have been identified, some of which are potentially amenable to interventions. The potential effect of such interventions can be predicted by the population-attributable risk fraction (PARF). We assessed PARFs of the the following risk factors: neck muscle pain, chronic stress, alcohol consumption, smoking, coffee consumption, and physical inactivity.

Identified risk factors and adolescents' beliefs about triggers for headaches: results from a cross-sectional study.

Although there are few studies on adolescents' beliefs about triggers of headache, none of these compared the associations between perceived and observed triggers. This study aimed at comparing the prevalence of self-perceived and observed risk factors for headache among adolescents. Adolescents from the 10th and 11th grades of high schools answered questionnaires on their headaches and on potential risk factors regarding lifestyle, stress and muscle pain.

Self-reported muscle pain in adolescents with migraine and tension-type headache.

Aim: To identify possible associations between muscular pain and headache in adolescents in a large population-based sample.

Methods: Grammar school students were invited to fill in a questionnaire on headache and associated lifestyle factors. Headache was classified according to the German version of the International Classification of Headache Disorders (2nd edition).

Altered cerebrovenous drainage in patients with migraine as assessed by phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging.

Objective: We aimed to assess whether migraine is associated with changes in the distribution of the venous drainage through primary and secondary pathways by using phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Methods: We examined 26 patients (37.3 ± 13.

Associations between stress and migraine and tension-type headache: results from a school-based study in adolescents from grammar schools in Germany.

Introduction: Stress is considered the major contributor to migraine and tension-type headache in adolescents. Previous studies have focused on general stressors, whereas the aim of the present study was to investigate associations between individuals' stressful experiences and different types of headache.

Methods: Adolescents from 10th and 11th grades of grammar schools filled in questionnaires.

Associations of diet and lifestyle with headache in high-school students: results from a cross-sectional study.

Background: Diet and lifestyle are seen as factors which influence headache in adults. However, population-based studies on this issue in adolescents are rare.

Objective: Aim of the present study was to investigate associations between diet and lifestyle factors and different types of headache, ie, migraine and tension-type headache (TTH) in adolescents.

Quality of life in adolescents with headache: results from a population-based survey.

The aim of the investigation was to study the impact of headache on quality of life (QOL) in adolescents in a population-based sample (N = 1047, aged between 13 and 17 years). QOL was assessed using the KINDL-R (Revidierter Kinder Lebensqualitätsfragebogen) questionnaire with its six dimensions. In order to assess potential differences in the impact on QOL according to the type of headache, a stratified analysis was performed.

The association between use of electronic media and prevalence of headache in adolescents: results from a population-based cross-sectional study.

Background: Use of electronic media, i.e. mobile phones, computers, television, game consoles or listening to music, is very common, especially amongst adolescents.

Higher prevalence of psychopathological symptoms in adolescents with headache. A population-based cross-sectional study.

Background: Headache is commonly voiced by adolescents and is known to be associated with reduced quality of life. Otherwise, there are only limited data regarding associations between different types of headache and psychopathological symptoms in adolescents.

Objectives: Aim of the present study in adolescents was to assess the impact of headache on psychopathological symptoms and whether these differ between types of headache.

Association between peer relationship problems and childhood overweight/obesity.

Aims: To assess the association between peer relationship problems and childhood overweight and obesity.

Methods: Data on 4718 preschool children were obtained at the obligatory school entry health examination in Bavaria. Parentally reported peer relationship problems ('normal', 'borderline' or 'abnormal') were assessed from the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire.

Invasive Haemophilus influenzae infections in Germany: impact of non-type b serotypes in the post-vaccine era.

Background: Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccination led to a significant decrease in invasive bacterial infections in children. The aim of this study was to assess a potential shift to more non-type b invasive infections in a population with high Hib vaccination coverage and to compare the burden of suffering between children with Hib, capsulated non-b and non-capsulated Hi infections.

Methods: Cases with confirmed invasive Hi infections were ascertained through two independent nationwide active surveillance systems in 1998-2005.

Surveillance for rare infectious diseases: is one passive data source enough for Haemophilus influenzae?

Background: The completeness of a compulsory reporting system of systemic Haemophilus influenzae infections in children in Germany is studied by means of cross-linking registry data from three sources and applying capture-recapture methods.

Methods: Cases were collected for the years 2001-05 by three national data sources: a passive administration registry (SurvNet@RKI), an active hospital surveillance system and an active laboratory surveillance system. The case definition required cultural detection of H.