Minimally invasive versus open surgery for colonic diverticular disease: a nationwide analysis of German hospital data.

Background: This study aims to evaluate the current rates and outcomes of minimally invasive versus open surgery for colonic diverticular disease in Germany, using a nationwide dataset.

Methods: We analyzed data from 36 hospitals, encompassing approximately 1.25 million hospitalizations from 1 January 2019 to 31 December 2023.

Discharge Against Medical Advice in Cancer Patients: Insights from a Multicenter Study in Germany.

Background: Discharge against medical advice (DAMA) disrupts continuity of care and is associated with increased readmission rates, morbidity, and mortality. While extensively studied in general hospital populations, its prevalence and associated factors in cancer patients, where treatment adherence is critical for outcomes, remain underexplored.

Methods: This multicenter, cross-sectional study analyzed anonymized data from the IQVIA hospital database, including cancer patients hospitalized in 36 German hospitals between January 2019 and December 2023.

No Significant Association Between Herpes Zoster and Breast Cancer: A German Outpatient Study with over 120,000 Participants.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate a possible association between Herpes Zoster (HZ) and the subsequent diagnosis of breast cancer (BC).

Methods: Utilizing the Disease Analyzer database, anonymized medical records from German office-based practices were accessed. Longitudinal data of female patients aged 18 years and above diagnosed with HZ between 2005 and 2021 were included.

Negative Association Between Schizophrenia and Subsequent Cancer Diagnoses-A Retrospective Cohort Study from Germany.

Background: Since previous studies have reported contradictory findings regarding the relationship between schizophrenia and cancer, we evaluated the association between schizophrenia and cancer diagnoses.

Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, the IQVIA Disease Analyzer database was utilized to examine the incidence of cancer among patients aged over 18 years diagnosed with schizophrenia in German general practices from 2005 to 2022. Patients with schizophrenia were compared with those without the condition, with adjustments made for age, sex, index year of diagnosis, average annual practitioners visit frequency, and comorbidity.

Multimorbidity clusters and their contribution to well-being among the oldest old: Results based on a nationally representative sample in Germany.

Aim: Our aim was to identify multimorbidity clusters and, in particular, to examine their contribution to well-being outcomes among the oldest old in Germany.

Methods: Data were taken from the large nationally representative D80+ study including community-dwelling and institutionalized individuals aged 80 years and over residing in Germany (n = 8,773). The mean age was 85.

Depression in patients with anorectal fistulas and anal fissures: a propensity score-matched cohort study.

Purpose: Anal fissures and anorectal fistulas are diseases often associated with significant pain and prolonged discomfort, resulting in a significantly reduced quality of life (QoL). They are not only a surgical problem but also have a profound psychosocial impact and influence on QoL. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of depression in patients with these pathologies and to highlight the need to address the psychosocial aspects of these diseases.

Shortage of antiseizure medication in Germany: How big is the problem?

Objectives: We determined the frequency of drug shortages of antiseizure medication (ASM) availability in Germany.

Methods: Retrospective and descriptive analysis of databases of 2 pharmaceutical wholesalers in Germany with a market share of about 45% of the German market in July 2023 (chosen arbitrarily) focusing on antiseizure drug shortages (i.e.

Cancer and the 10-Year Incidence of Chronic Low Back Pain in 407,314 Adults Followed in General Practices in Germany.

There is a scarcity of data on the long-term relationship between cancer and chronic low back pain (CLBP). Therefore, this retrospective cohort study investigated the association between cancer and the 10-year incidence of CLBP in Germany. Data collected in 1293 German general practices between 2005 and 2022 were used for the study.

Exploring the Spectrum of Comorbidities Associated with Primary Aldosteronism: Insights from a Large Real-World Case-Control Study.

: Primary aldosteronism (PA) is a common cause of endocrine hypertension, characterized by excessive aldosterone secretion leading to hypertension, hypokalemia, and metabolic alkalosis. While historically diagnosed based on this classic triad of symptoms, current understanding reveals a more nuanced presentation. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of PA-associated diseases in a large German population.

Documentation of prodromal features and risk factors of dementia disease in primary care practice.

Background: Documented risk factors and prodromal features of dementia in primary care practices may support dementia prevention and early detection in routine care.

Objective: To identify documented prodromal features and risk factors of dementia before the incident dementia diagnosis in German primary care practices.

Methods: This case-control study used documented diagnoses (risk factors, prodromal features) and prescriptions of primary care practices for 73,717 patients with dementia disease and 73,717 matched controls (ratio 1:1).

In-Hospital Mortality Among Elderly Patients Hospitalized for Femur Fracture with and Without Diabetes Mellitus: A Multicenter Case-Control Study.

: The aim of the present study was to explore whether diabetes mellitus (DM) is associated with in-hospital mortality in patients admitted for femur fractures. : Our multicenter case-control study included patients aged ≥65 with a primary diagnosis of femur fracture with and without DM treated in 36 German hospitals between January 2019 and December 2023. Patients with DM were matched to patients without DM (1:3) using propensity scores based on age and sex.

Medication Burden Before and After Prescription of Biologics in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Biologics are a cornerstone in the treatment of severe cases of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and aim to control the disease and improve quality of life. This study investigated changes in nonbiologic medication prescriptions for IBD patients initiating biologic therapy in Germany. This study used data from anonymized pharmacy records in the German longitudinal prescription (LRx) database and included biologic-naive IBD patients who received their first biologic therapy prescription between 2016 and 2022.

The nexus between appendicitis and chronic inflammatory bowel diseases: Unraveling an intriguing association.

Appendicitis is 1 of the most frequent diseases worldwide. In general, it is treated with appendectomy, which, in almost all cases, leads to the healing of the disease and averts acute complications. However, only limited data regarding long-term sequalae, including inflammatory bowel diseases following appendicitis are available.

Association between Chronic Hepatitis B/C and Incidence of Osteoporosis and Bone Fractures: Results from a Retrospective Cohort Study.

Osteoporosis and bone fractures affect health and quality of life. Since bone disease is multifactorial, identifying risk factors is key in prevention. There are multiple reports on how viral hepatitis, especially chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and chronic hepatitis C (CHC), are affecting bone disease, but results vary.

Seasonal variation and demographic characteristics of acute tonsillitis and peritonsillar abscess in ENT practices in Germany (2019-2023).

Objective: Peritonsillar abscess (PTA) is a common soft tissue infection of the head and neck. It remains unclear to what extent inflammatory diseases of the palatine tonsils or other infections contribute to the development of PTA. This study examines the demographic characteristics and seasonal variations of acute tonsillitis (aT) and PTA in ENT practices in Germany using a practice database.

[Alzheimer's Dementia and Anti-Dementia Medication Prescriptions 2010-2021 in 357 GP Practices and 71 Specialist Practices].

Background: The predicted prevalence of people with dementia (PWD) in Germany has risen to 1.8 million since 2010. In the near future, we will see the approval of antibody therapies.

Death anxiety among the oldest old in Germany. Evidence from the nationally representative 'Old Age in Germany (D80+)'.

Background: There is a lack of studies investigating death anxiety among the oldest old based on a large, nationally representative sample during the pandemic. Thus, our aim was to investigate the prevalence and determinants of death anxiety among the oldest old in Germany during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Methods: Cross-sectional data were taken from the 'Old Age in Germany' (D80+) study.

The Association between Aortic Valve Stenosis and a Subsequent Diagnosis of Depression in Germany.

: Aortic valve stenosis (AS) represents one of the most common valve diseases in the western world. It often leads to severe symptoms that can lead to a restriction of everyday life and thus to psychological stress. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the association between AS and depression in outpatients in Germany.