Incidence estimate and guideline-oriented treatment for post-stroke spasticity: an analysis based on German statutory health insurance data.

Background: Spasticity after stroke has been internationally recognized as an important health problem causing impairment of mobility, deformity, and pain. The aim of this study was to assess the frequency of first-ever and recurrent stroke and of subsequent spastic and flaccid paresis. Factors influencing the development of spasticity were analyzed.

['To read' does not imply 'to act upon': indicators of the acceptance of general practice guidelines. Results of a survey among quality circles of general practitioner centred care (Hausarztzentrierte Versorgung; HZV)].

Context: Successful guideline implementation requires that the authors get feedback from target groups on the general acceptance of a guideline and the barriers to its implementation. The Guideline Group of General Practitioners (GPs) in Hesse continually surveyed participants of quality circles on pharmacotherapy who discussed these GP specific guidelines together with an analysis of their prescription behaviour.

Material And Methods: Written survey of six general practice guidelines conducted among the members of quality circles in Hesse during 2006 and 2007.

The association of psychosocial factors with nausea and vomiting during pregnancy.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to identify predictors for nausea and vomiting during pregnancy (NVP).

Study Design: A large German health insurance company provided data on prescription reimbursements and socio-demographics for all women giving birth between June 2000 and May 2001. The prescribed drugs were classified according to the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) code.

Prescribing patterns of anti-emetic drugs during pregnancy in Germany.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the prescribing patterns of anti-emetics for pregnant women in Germany.

Method: A large, nation-wide German statutory sickness fund provided data of reimbursed prescriptions and personal data for all insured women giving birth between June 2000 and May 2001 (n = 41,293). The prescribed drugs were classified according to the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical code.

Antibiotics in pregnancy: analysis of potential risks and determinants in a large German statutory sickness fund population.

Purpose: Antibiotics are frequently prescribed drugs in pregnancy. The purpose of the study was to analyse the use, the potential risks and the determinants of systemic antibiotic prescriptions during pregnancy.

Methods: A large, nation-wide acting German statutory sickness fund provided prescription data and personal data of 41,293 pregnant women.

Drug prescription in pregnancy: analysis of a large statutory sickness fund population.

Objective: To examine the prescription of drugs in Germany prior to, during and after pregnancy.

Methods: For the first time, prescription data of a large cohort of pregnant women, from a German statutory sickness fund, were available for scientific analysis. For each woman who gave birth between June 2000 and May 2001 reimbursed prescriptions for two periods (90 days each) before pregnancy, three during and two after delivery were considered.