Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on incidence of coronary heart disease in Bavaria, Germany: an analysis of health claims data.

Background: Inconsistent findings about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cardiovascular disease diagnosis and consultations have been reported internationally. The objective of this study was to analyse the impact of the pandemic period (2020-2021) on the incidence rate of coronary heart disease (CHD) compared with the pre-pandemic period (2012-2019) in Bavaria, Germany.

Methods: We used health claims data of around 9 million statutorily insured residents (≥20 years) of Bavaria, Germany.

Cost-effectiveness and cost-utility analysis of a nurse-led, transitional care model to improve care coordination for patients with cardiovascular diseases: results from the "Cardiolotse" study.

Objective: To assess the 12-month cost-effectiveness of the nurse-led transitional care program "Cardiolotse" (CL) for patients with cardiovascular diseases compared to usual care (UC).

Methods: A cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA) and cost-utility analysis (CUA) were conducted from the perspective of statutory health insurance (SHI), covering a time horizon of 12 months. Analyzed outcomes included the number of rehospitalizations and health-related quality of life (HRQoL).

Reducing rehospitalization in cardiac patients: a randomized, controlled trial of a cardiac care management program ("Cardiolotse") in Germany.

Background: We conducted a prospective, randomized, controlled, two-group parallel trial investigating the effectiveness of a care management program employing cardiac care navigators providing post-discharge support to patients compared to standard care.

Methods: The intervention commenced in 2019/2020 for 2862 patients hospitalized with heart failure, coronary heart disease, or cardiac arrhythmias in departments of cardiology across eight participating sites of a hospital group in Berlin, Germany. We analyzed the results using an intention-to-treat approach.

Exploring heterogeneity in coxarthrosis medication use patterns before total hip replacement: a State Sequence Analysis.

Objective: Evidence of geographical variation in total hip replacement (THR) and deviations from treatment guidelines persists. In this exploratory study, we aim to gain an in-depth understanding of patients' healthcare trajectories by identifying and visualising medication use patterns in coxarthrosis patients before surgery. We examine their association with patient characteristics and THR, and compare them with recommendations on mild analgesics, opioid prescription and exhaustion of conservative therapy.

Analysis of health claims data on vaccination coverage in older adults in Bavaria, Germany: Influenza, pneumococcus and herpes zoster.

Background: Vaccination is essential, especially in older adults whose immune system function declines with age. The COVID-19 pandemic and its associated lockdowns temporarily disrupted routine vaccination services. We aimed to assess vaccination coverage for Influenza, Pneumococcus, and Herpes zoster among older adults in Bavaria over time and investigate potential pandemic effects on these rates.