Does the care dependency of nursing home residents influence their health-related quality of life?-A cross-sectional study.

Background: Studies on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) are missing for nursing home residents independent from their health conditions or interventions after admission. Our aim was to analyse if the care dependency of nursing home residents influence their HRQOL and to describe HRQOL of nursing home residents at the time of admission.

Method: Eleven German nursing homes were randomly selected for a cross-sectional multicentre study from April 2008 until December 2009.

Depression, Comorbidities, and Prescriptions of Antidepressants in a German Network of GPs and Specialists with Subspecialisation in Anthroposophic Medicine: A Longitudinal Observational Study.

Background. Depression is a major reason for counselling in primary care. Our study aims at evaluating pharmacological treatment strategies among physicians specialised in anthroposophic medicine (AM).

Adverse drug reactions for CAM and conventional drugs detected in a network of physicians certified to prescribe CAM drugs.

Background: Within recent years, the increasing popularity of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has led health care authorities to focus on the safety of these drugs. One reason for the low awareness of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) associated with CAM might be that users and physicians believe that there are no risks associated with CAM drugs. Recent studies have shown that ADRs are under-reported and are considered a leading cause of morbidity and mortality.

The Nottingham Health Profile: a feasible questionnaire for nursing home residents?

Background: The Nottingham Health Profile (NHP) assesses perceived emotional, social, and physical health problems and the extent to which such problems affect daily activities. The objective of our study was to determine the feasibility of the NHP for nursing home residents.

Methods: A prospective multicenter observational study was conducted in 11 nursing homes from April 2008 to December 2009 in which 286 newly admitted residents were included.

Prescribing patterns in dementia: a multicentre observational study in a German network of CAM physicians.

Background: Dementia is a major and increasing health problem worldwide. This study aims to investigate dementia treatment strategies among physicians specialised in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) by analysing prescribing patterns and comparing them to current treatment guidelines in Germany.

Methods: Twenty-two primary care physicians in Germany participated in this prospective, multicentre observational study.

Anthroposophic medicine in pediatric primary care: a prospective, multicenter observational study on prescribing patterns.

Background: Although the treatment of children has been a core domain ofanthroposophic medicine since its inception, a systematic analysis of anthroposophic therapies in pediatric primary care is still lacking. This study describes the spectrum of diagnoses and therapies observed in children treated in everyday anthroposophic practice.

Methods: Thirty-eight primary care physicians in Germany participated in this prospective, multicenter observational study on prescribing patterns.

Pharmacotherapy of elderly patients in everyday anthroposophic medical practice: a prospective, multicenter observational study.

Background: Pharmacotherapy in the older adult is a complex field involving several different medical professionals. The evidence base for pharmacotherapy in elderly patients in primary care relies on only a few clinical trials, thus documentation must be improved, particularly in the field of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) like phytotherapy, homoeopathy, and anthroposophic medicine. This study describes diagnoses and therapies observed in elderly patients treated with anthroposophic medicine in usual care.

Diagnostic profiles and prescribing patterns in everyday anthroposophic medical practice--a prospective multi-centre study.

Background: Although anthroposophic medicine has been used for more than 80 years and global interest in complementary treatments is increasing, a comprehensive and long-term description of everyday anthroposophic care is still lacking. Our study aims to evaluate how anthroposophic medicine is practised under everyday conditions.

Methods: A total of 38 primary-care physicians in Germany participated in this prospective, multi-centre observational study.

Educational intervention to improve physician reporting of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in a primary care setting in complementary and alternative medicine.

Background: Recent studies have shown that adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are underreported. This may be particularly true of ADRs associated with complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Data on CAM-related ADRs, however, are sparse.

Remedies containing Asteraceae extracts: a prospective observational study of prescribing patterns and adverse drug reactions in German primary care.

Background: The use of complementary therapies by patients has increased over the past 20 years, both in terms of self-medication and physician prescriptions. Among herbal medicines, those containing extracts of Asteraceae (Compositae), such as Echinacea spp., Arnica montana, Matricaria recutita and Calendula officinalis, are especially popular in the primary-care setting.

[Prescribing practices in the treatment of upper respiratory tract infections in anthroposophic medicine].

Background: Upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) are among the leading reasons for doctor consultations. This study investigates the prescribing practices of medical doctors specialized in anthroposophic medicine in the treatment of URTI with a special focus on the prescription of antibiotics, complications, recurrence rates and costs.

Materials And Methods: Starting in May 2004 all prescriptions within a 1-year period by 35 primary care practitioners in Germany were analysed.