Publications by authors named "Philipp N Walter"

Comparison of several regimens of oral vitamin D including an individually calculated loading regimen with the aim of achieving serum values > 75 nmol/l. Interventional, randomized, 3-arm study in vitamin D-deficient outpatients. Participants were allocated to supplementation of 24,000 IU vitamin D monthly over three months, using either a monthly drinking solution (Vi-De 3) or capsule (D VitaCaps), or an individualized loading regimen with the capsules taken weekly.

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Background: Our goal was to determine vitamin B12 (cobalamin) deficiency with different diagnostic strategies, to propose the best possible laboratory strategy, and to synthesize the relevance of biomarkers in the diagnosis of a cobalamin deficiency.

Methods: We performed a secondary data analysis. The testing strategies were (i) vitamin B12 solely, (ii) holotranscobolamin solely, (iii) vitamin B12 and holotranscobolamin, and (iv) reflex testing of holotranscobalamin in samples with vitamin B12 < 300 pmol.

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Background: To assess adherence to and preference for vitamin D substitution with different pharmaceutical forms and frequencies of administration.

Methods: A focus group of stakeholders aimed at preparing the design of an interventional, randomized, cross-over study with 2 × 2 groups obtaining monthly or weekly vitamin D products in liquid or solid form for 3 months each. Dosage corresponds to cumulated amount of recommended 800 IU daily (5.

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Aims: Assessment of the impact of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and metformin use on vitamin B12 (VB12) associated biomarkers and their suitability to represent VB12 supply.

Methods: Differences of VB12, holotranscobalamine (HoloTc), the biologically active fraction  (%AB12)=HoloTc/VB12*100 and homocystein (Hcy) were analysed i) among diabetic outpatients with (DMMet+ ) and without metformin use (DMMet-) and ii) in comparison to an external non-diabetic reference group with low VB12 (<200 pmol/L).

Results: VB12 associated biomarkers were distributed equally between DMMet+  (n=29, 58%) and DMMet- (n=21, 42%).

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Rationale, Aims And Objectives: To translate in German the 8-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8D). To validate it against objective and subjective measures of adherence in cardiovascular patients with polypharmacy.

Methods: A standard forward-backward procedure was used to translate the MMAS-8 into German.

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Antiplatelet resistance with aspirin and clopidogrel has been associated with clinical, cellular and pharmacogenetic factors; and non-adherence has been considered as a major contributor to resistance in outpatients. We aimed at assessing factors to resistance when adherence to the antiplatelet drugs and all other oral solid drugs was controlled for. In a pilot study, we tested arachidonic acid and/or ADP-induced in vitro platelet aggregation of 82 outpatients with chronic aspirin and/or clopidogrel treatment before and after a one-week period of measuring the patient's adherence with the polymedication electronic monitoring system (POEMS).

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Introduction: Reliable and precise measurement of patient adherence to medications is feasible by incorporating a microcircuitry into pharmaceutical packages of various designs, such that the maneuvers needed to remove a dose of drug are detected, time-stamped, and stored. The principle is called "electronic medication event monitoring" but is currently limited to the monitoring of a single drug therapy.

Aim: Our aims were introducing a new technology; a clear, self-adhesive polymer film, with printed loops of conductive wires that can be affixed to multidrug punch cards for the electronic adherence monitoring of multiple medication regimens (Polymedication Electronic Monitoring System, POEMS), and illustrating potential benefits for patient care.

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