[5-Year-Follow-up of the MEmbeR Multicenter Study on Medical-Occupational Rehabilitation].

In Germany, medical-occupational rehabilitation represents an essential link between rehabilitation programs focusing either on medical or occupational rehabilitation. Its main objective is return to work. The current study presents the vocational integration 5 years after medical-occupational rehabilitation and determines possible prognostic factors for long-term occupational integration.

[The MEmbeR Multicenter Study on medical-occupational rehabilitation].

Introduction: MEmbeR is a prospective multi-center study on medical-occupational rehabilitation in Germany.

Methods: 196 neurological, psychiatric, orthopaedic, and internal medicine patients from 21 rehabilitation centres all across Germany have been enrolled and followed-up for 2 years after discharge. Primary outcome parameter was defined as return to work.

Prevention of exercise-induced asthma by a fixed combination of disodium cromoglycate plus reproterol compared with montelukast in young patients.

Background: The leukotriene inhibitor montelukast has been recommended against exercise-induced asthma (EIA), however, single-dose agents might be favourable in several aspects.

Objective: To compare the protective effects against EIA of a single inhalation of the combination disodium cromoglycate (DSCG, CAS 16110-51-3) and reproterol (REP, CAS 54063-54-6) with 3 days oral treatment of montelukast (MON, CAS 158966-92-8).

Methods: Open-label, cross-over, single-centre trial.

Domestic allergens and endotoxin in three hospitals offering in-patient rehabilitation for allergic diseases in the alpine mountain climate of Bavaria - The AURA study.

Endotoxins and allergens represent the major relevant contents of the atmospheric bioaerosol with regard to the triggering and exacerbation of allergic diseases. In this study, mattress concentrations of endotoxin and indoor allergens were measured in three hospitals in the alpine climate of Bavaria and in adjacent homes. Dust was collected from each of 10 mattresses according to a standardized protocol, and endotoxin was analyzed with the Limulus Amebocyte Lysate (LAL) test, indoor allergens Der p 1, Der f 1 and Fel d 1 were analyzed by ELISAs.

[Pulmonary rehabilitation in asthma bronchiale].

Pulmonary rehabilitation for patients with asthma is designed to achieve and to maintain an optimal daily functioning at a health-related quality of life and to increase participation in social and professional life. In this context, rehabilitation is defined as a time-limited treatment programme which systematically employs scientifically-based diagnostic management and evaluation options to achieve a normal life irrespective of the chronic disease. This requires therapeutic interventions that are characteristic for rehabilitation and complete the regular medical treatment in order to minimise the physical, psychological and social consequences of the chronic disease.

Disease severity, mental health, and quality of life of children and adolescents with asthma.

Asthma has been found related to a higher risk of psychological problems. Inconsistent results have been reported with respect to the quality of life of children with asthma. So there may be a complex relationship between asthma severity, quality of life, and psychological factors.

Outcomes of a Web-based patient education program for asthmatic children and adolescents.

Background: Asthma is the most common chronic disease among children in Germany. Approaches to reduce the burden of asthma include patient education to improve self-management skills.

Study Objectives: We determined whether a continuous Internet-based education program (IEP) as an add-on to a standardized patient management program (SPMP) improves health outcomes of asthma patients at a favorable benefit-cost ratio.

[Bronchial asthma: a comparison of the doctor's assessment and the patient's opinion].

Objectives: The aim of this enquiry was to compare the doctor's attitude with the patient's opinion on asthma treatment, in order to reveal gaps in each other's relationship, which could be the basis of designing a better information strategy and improve disease management.

Methods: General practitioners (n = 202) and Internists (n = 103) in private practice, as well as asthma patients (n = 244) were asked to take part in telephone interviews regarding their treatment beliefs. To accomplish this, a structured questionnaire was used by an experienced interviewer.

[Corticophobia in asthma].

Background: Steroid phobia is regarded as a common phenomenon in the management of asthma, eventually contributing to poor compliance in these patients. The aim of this survey was to examine asthma patients (adults and children with their parents) and general practitioners (GPs) if inhaled corticosteroids are a matter of concern.

Methods: The physicians were asked what they assume, their patients would answer.

[Exercise-induced asthma].

Physical exercise and, in particular, sport activities put strain on the respiratory system due to increased. Though healthy subjects undergo a light distension of the respiratory passages, those with bronchial hyperreactivity experience a decrease of lung function. The main triggers responsible are the relative cooling down, drying up and--compared to healthy subjects--overfast airway rewarming.

[Occupational training measures for adolescents with asthma and allergy: one-year vocational education].

The "Förderungslehrgang" in our asthma center is a special training program for adolescents handicapped by asthma or allergic diseases who are therefore not able to start apprenticeship. The course takes one year. Besides vocational guidance and tryout of different occupations, medical and psychological diagnostics are performed.

[Sports for children and adolescents with asthma--risk or chance?].

Even though every child suffering from asthma is prone to exercise-induced asthma attacks, avoiding all physical exertion is no solution to the problem. By means of a carefully graded physical training programme every asthma patient is not only able to participate in school sports but can even achieve above average performances in other suitable sports activities. Today, sports therapy is an integral part of successful active rehabilitation programs for chronically asthmatic children and youths.

[Deficits in school performance in children and adolescents with chronic asthma].

At the time of their admission to the Buchenhöhe Jugendorf asthma centre (an institution for medical, professional and social rehabilitation), an investigation was made into the cases of 186 children and youths (average age: 14.0), the majority of whom suffered from severe asthma. The investigation, focused on the patients' ailment symptomatology and its effect on school progress, showed that one third of the children had spent considerable time hospitalized in intensive care (an average of 4.

[Preventive vocational measures for adolescents with asthma and allergies--a model project].

The difficulties encountered by asthmatic and allergic youngsters faced with choosing a career represent a problem that is gaining in relevance. The general prohibition of certain trades is, for many of those involved, both unsatisfactory and lacing in future prospects. In a model project supported by the Federal Institute of Labour is intended to help young people with asthma and allergies.