Home and workforce reintegration one year after thrombectomy in acute stroke patients.

Introduction: Endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) combined with intravenous thrombolysis is the current standard treatment for acute large-vessel occlusion stroke. Beyond clear clinical benefits in the acute and post-acute phases, comprehensive evaluations of long-term outcomes, including home and workforce reintegration, remain limited. This study aimed to assess home and workforce reintegration 1 year post-EVT in a cohort of acute stroke patients and explore their association with health-related quality of life (HRQoL).

Machine learning models for outcome prediction in thrombectomy for large anterior vessel occlusion.

Objective: Predicting long-term functional outcomes shortly after a stroke is challenging, even for experienced neurologists. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate multiple machine learning models and the importance of clinical/radiological parameters to develop a model that balances minimal input data with reliable predictions of long-term functional independency.

Methods: Our study utilized data from the German Stroke Registry on patients with large anterior vessel occlusion who underwent endovascular treatment.

Current Status and Future Directions: The Application of Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning for Precision Medicine.

Technological innovations, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), have the potential to expedite the goal of precision medicine, especially when combined with increased capacity for voluminous data from multiple sources and expanded therapeutic modalities; however, they also present several challenges. In this communication, we first discuss the goals of precision medicine, and contextualize the use of AI in precision medicine by showcasing innovative applications (e.g.

[Digital health applications (DiGA) in the area of tension between progress and criticism : Discussion paper from the "Digital health" specialist group of the German Informatics Society].

Since December 2019, digital health applications (DiGA) have been included in standard care in Germany and are therefore reimbursed by the statutory health insurance funds to support patients in the treatment of diseases or impairments. There are 48 registered DiGA listed in the directory of the Federal Institute of Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM), mainly in the areas of mental health; hormones and metabolism; and muscles, bones, and joints. In this article, the "Digital Health" specialist group of the German Informatics Society describes the current developments around DiGA as well as the current sentiment on topics such as user-centricity, patient and practitioner acceptance, and innovation potential.

An overview and a roadmap for artificial intelligence in hematology and oncology.

Background: Artificial intelligence (AI) is influencing our society on many levels and has broad implications for the future practice of hematology and oncology. However, for many medical professionals and researchers, it often remains unclear what AI can and cannot do, and what are promising areas for a sensible application of AI in hematology and oncology. Finally, the limits and perils of using AI in oncology are not obvious to many healthcare professionals.

New developments in electronic health record analysis.

Electronic health records (EHRs) contain enormous amounts of real-world data that could inform researchers, doctors and patients about many aspects of rheumatology. However, EHRs are not yet fully utilized, mainly because automatic data extraction is difficult. Several studies in 2022 highlight the feasibility and clinical utility of computer-assisted EHR analysis.

Pregabalin improves axon regeneration and motor outcome in a rodent stroke model.

Ischaemic stroke remains a leading cause of death and disability worldwide. Surviving neurons in the peri-infarct area are able to establish novel axonal projections to juxtalesional regions, but this regeneration is curtailed by a growth-inhibitory environment induced by cells such as reactive astrocytes in the glial scar. Here, we found that the astroglial synaptogenic cue thrombospondin-1 is upregulated in the peri-infarct area, and hence tested the effects of the anticonvulsant pregabalin, a blocker of the neuronal thrombospondin-1 receptor Alpha2delta1/2, in a mouse model of cortical stroke.

Digitalization and disruptive change in rheumatology.

Introduction: Recently, many sectors have seen disruptive changes due to the rapid progress in information and communication technology (ICT). The aim of this systematic literature review was to develop a first understanding of what is known about new ICTs in rheumatology and their disruptive potential.

Methods: PubMed, LIVIVO, and EBSCO Discovery Service (EDS) databases were searched for relevant literature.

Reimbursement of innovative pharmaceuticals in English and Spanish hospitals-The example of isavuconazole.

Background: Kron et al (Mycoses, 64, 2021, 86) found cost savings for the use of the innovative pharmaceutical isavuconazole in the inpatient setting in Germany (Bismarck-based healthcare system). Little is known about the reimbursement of innovative pharmaceuticals in the inpatient setting of Beveridge-based healthcare systems.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the market access process and reimbursement of isavuconazole, exemplary for innovative pharmaceuticals, in England and Spain.

Epothilones Improve Axonal Growth and Motor Outcomes after Stroke in the Adult Mammalian CNS.

Stroke leads to the degeneration of short-range and long-range axonal connections emanating from peri-infarct tissue, but it also induces novel axonal projections. However, this regeneration is hampered by growth-inhibitory properties of peri-infarct tissue and fibrotic scarring. Here, we tested the effects of epothilone B and epothilone D, FDA-approved microtubule-stabilizing drugs that are powerful modulators of axonal growth and scar formation, on neuroplasticity and motor outcomes in a photothrombotic mouse model of cortical stroke.

Principal-agent theory-based cost and reimbursement structures of isavuconazole treatment in German hospitals.

Background: Isavuconazole (ISA) is a frequently used antifungal agent for the treatment of invasive fungal diseases (IFDs). However, hospital reimbursement data for ISA is limited.

Objectives: The primary objective of this study was to analyse the different perspectives of relevant stakeholders and the (dis)incentives for the administration of ISA in Germany.

Health Applications for Corporate Health Management.

Introduction: Many corporate organizations around the world are looking at new ways to improve the health and well-being of their employees. Many have begun to use m-health approaches and unique applications (apps) to provide assistance. In Germany, both m-health and occupational health management (OHM) are growing quickly.

Failure to address potential bias in non-randomised controlled clinical trials may cause lack of evidence on patient-reported outcomes: a method study.

Objectives: We conducted a workup of a previously published systematic review and aimed to analyse why most of the identified non-randomised controlled clinical trials with patient-reported outcomes did not match a set of basic quality criteria.

Setting: There were no limits on the level of care and the geographical location.

Participants: The review evaluated permanent interstitial low-dose rate brachytherapy in patients with localised prostate cancer and compared that intervention with alternative procedures such as external beam radiotherapy, radical prostatectomy and no primary therapy.

Use of antidiabetic agents in the treatment of gestational diabetes mellitus in Germany, 2008-2012.

Aim: Adequate blood glucose control during pregnancy is important because gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is known to have adverse effects on the mother and child. Due to an increasing prevalence of GDM in recent years, more information on the use of different antidiabetic agents is required, which was the aim of the present study.

Material And Methods: Data from 32 diabetic practices in Germany were collected from January 2008 to December 2012 and analyzed using the Disease Analyzer Database.

[Sickness funds' activities for early detection, prevention and health promotion in depressive disorders].

Objective: We analyzed programs managed by the ten biggest social health insurance companies in Germany that aim at early detection, prevention, and promotion of health in depression.

Methods: We conducted interviews with the responsible managers and studied relevant web sites.

Results: The content of these programs ranges from internet-based offers to relaxation techniques.

A clinician's perspective on pharmacoeconomics and rheumatology.

This paper provides a brief introduction into pharmacoeconomics and its role in rheumatology from the perspective of a clinician, and is regarded as providing complementary simplified explanations for rheumatologists, which are used in a in much greater sophistication and complexity in other articles in this supplement. Different definitions of pharmacoeconomics are discussed. In the major part of the article, typical pharmacoeconomic methods are explained and illustrated using examples derived from rheumatology: cost, cost-benefit analysis, cost-effectiveness analysis, cost-utility analysis, decision tree analysis, and Markov models.

[Communication of psychiatric hospitals' specialization].

Objective: To analyze whether specialization of psychiatric hospitals results in quality improvement, and whether it can and should be measured and communicated to patients and ambulatory care physicians.

Methods: Depth interviews with key deciders in the German psychiatric care system.

Results: There are several specializations within the system of psychiatric hospital care which can be communicated to patients and physicians; this would facilitate choice of hospital.

Long-term future of telemedicine in Germany: the patient's, physician's, and payer's perspective.

While the near-term future of telemedicine development in Germany is quite clear, the long-term future has not been investigated. To determine telemedicine's long-term future in Germany, in-depth interviews were conducted with 20 key decision-makers in the German healthcare system. Interviewees included payers, doctors and their professional associations; and patients and their organizations.