Prevention of relapsing backache.

Background: The condition of non-specific back pain is characterized by high prevalence, non satisfactory therapeutic options and severe socioeconomic consequences. Therefore prevention seems an attractive option to downsize the problem. However, the construction of effective preventive measures is complicated by the obscure aetiology of the condition, the multidimensionality of risk and prognostic factors (bio psychosocial model!) and the variability of its natural as well as clinical course.

Minimally invasive surgical procedures for the treatment of lumbar disc herniation.

Introduction: In up to 30% of patients undergoing lumbar disc surgery for herniated or protruded discs outcomes are judged unfavourable. Over the last decades this problem has stimulated the development of a number of minimally-invasive operative procedures. The aim is to relieve pressure from compromised nerve roots by mechanically removing, dissolving or evaporating disc material while leaving bony structures and surrounding tissues as intact as possible.

Long-term survival of children with neuroblastoma prior to the neuroblastoma screening project in Germany.

Background: In the last decades, prognosis of children with neuroblastoma has improved only slightly. Traditional estimates of survival reflect the survival experience of children diagnosed many years ago, and may thus not capture more recent progress in prognosis. We applied a new method of survival analysis, denoted period analysis, to provide more up-to-date estimates of long-term prognosis.

Long-term survival of children with leukemia achieved by the end of the second millennium.

Background: The prognosis for patients with childhood leukemia has improved steadily over the last decades due to major progress in therapy. Much of this progress remains unaccounted for in traditional estimates of long-term survival rates, which essentially reflect the survival experience of patients who were diagnosed many years ago.

Methods: The authors applied a new method of survival analysis, called period analysis, to provide up-to-date estimates of long-term survival rates.