Effectiveness and cost-efficacy of phosphate binders in hemodialysis.

Objectives: Worldwide, incidence rates of chronic renal insufficiency have clearly increased over the past decade, especially in people of older age. Hyperphosphatemia is the strongest independent risk factor for mortality in renal patients. In order to reduce serum phosphate concentrations to recommended values, phosphate binders (P binders) are used to bind ingested phosphate in the digestive tract.

Effectiveness and cost-efficiency of phosphate binders in hemodialysis.

Health Political Background: In 2006, the prevalence of chronic renal insufficiency in Germany was 91,718, of which 66,508 patients were on dialysis. The tendency is clearly growing.

Scientific Background: Chronic renal insufficiency results in a disturbance of the mineral balance.

Computerized Physician Order Entry - effectiveness and efficiency of electronic medication ordering with decision support systems.

Health Political Background: Computerized physician order entry (CPOE) systems are software to electronically enter medication orders. They can be equipped with tools for decision support (CDS). In Germany, various vendors offer such systems for hospitals and physicians' offices.

Effectiveness and efficiency of CT-colonography compared to conventional colonoscopy for the early detection and diagnosis of colorectal cancer.

Health Political Background: Colorectal cancer (CC) is the second most common cancer and cause of cancer death for both men and women in Germany. Various methods for early detection of CC exist, including conventional coloscopy which is reimbursed within the scope of cancer screening, as well as computertomography-coloscopy (CTC) which is currently not reimbursed.

Scientific Background: CTC is a mere diagnostic procedure which has a lower risk of perforation than conventional coloscopy.

Longevity of dental amalgam in comparison to composite materials.

Health Political Background: Caries is one of the most prevalent diseases worldwide. For (direct) restaurations of carious lesions, tooth-coloured composite materials are increasingly used. The compulsory health insurance pays for composite fillings in front teeth; in posterior teeth, patients have to bear the extra cost.