Qualitätsentwicklung im Gesundheitswesen: Sind wir schon so weit,wie wir wollten?

Bundesgesundheitsblatt - Gesundheitsforschung - Gesundheitsschutz -     

Survivorship als neue Herausforderung für die Versorgung

Bundesgesundheitsblatt - Gesundheitsforschung - Gesundheitsschutz -     

Complete response to therapy: why do primary central nervous system lymphoma patients not return to work?

Journal of Neuro-Oncology - Evidence supporting routine postoperative antiepileptic drug (AED) prophylaxis following oncologic neurosurgery is limited, and actual practice patterns are largely...     

Polypharmacy among patients with multiple sclerosis: a qualitative systematic review

ABSTRACT

Objectives: The consequences of polypharmacy (intake of ≥ 5 drugs) are diverse, including drug interactions, rising costs and side effects. Risk groups for polypharmacy are multimorbid and chronically ill people, such as patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). MS is the most common neuroimmunological disease in young adults worldwide. We aimed to provide a systematic overview of the current research status regarding frequency and predictors of polypharmacy in MS patients.

Methods: A systematic literature search in the databases PubMed, Cochrane Library and Scopus was carried out according to the PRISMA guidelines. English and German original research articles were included.

Results: Seven studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria of this review, while the research objectives and methods were very heterogenous. The polypharmacy rates in these studies ranged from 15% to 59%. Polypharmacy correlated with comorbidities, increased disability, cognitive deficits, increased hospitalization, higher relapse rate and lower quality of life.

Conclusions: In MS patients, polypharmacy is common and closely associated with health issues. There is a great need for research in this area, especially regarding longitudinal changes in drug utilization. Effective networks between physicians and pharmacists are needed to optimize medication management for patients and to achieve the best possible therapy results.     

Intensive Care Unit-Acquired Weakness – diagnostischer Stellenwert des neuromuskulären Ultraschalls

Die Anaesthesiologie - Die Intensive Care Unit-Acquired Weakness (ICUAW) stellt eine der häufigsten neuromuskulären Komplikationen in der Intensivmedizin dar. Besonders bei...     

Motor and language deficits correlate with resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging networks in patients with brain tumors

Background and purpose

Evidence of pre-operative resting state functional magnetic resonance (RS-fMRI) validation by correlating it with clinical pre-operative status in brain tumor patients is scarce. Our aim was to validate the functional relevance of RS-fMRI by investigating the association between RS-fMRI and pre-operative motor and language function performance in patients with brain tumor.

Teen Use of Marijuana Edibles: A Focus Group Study of an Emerging Issue

Recent research indicates that marijuana-infused food product (i.e., edible) use is becoming nearly as common as smoking marijuana where medical marijuana is available. This study explores edible use among teens. We conducted four focus groups in the San Francisco Bay Area with youth, ages 15–17. The focus groups were divided by gender and whether they used marijuana. Some teens mentioned edible use at school. Youth reported that teens consume edibles, primarily to reduce the likelihood of getting caught. Edibles are also attractive to those who do not like to smoke or have concerns about smoking. Both male and female respondents suggested that females are more likely than males to prefer edibles over smoking, one reason for which may be to avoid smelling like marijuana smoke. For some young women, edibles may be a way to avoid publicly presenting themselves as marijuana users. Findings also suggest that youth have access to edibles through multiple sources. Youth reported that they can purchase edibles at school from other students who either make the edibles themselves or are reselling edibles obtained from dispensaries. Both users and non-users were aware of potentially negative consequences related to edible use. Some youth mentioned that they have heard of youth dying from edibles, and several reported being concerned about the high produced by edibles. Female non-users appeared to be more concerned than others about edibles and compared them to drinks that could be spiked with drugs. However, sentiment among some male marijuana users was that if you cannot handle edibles you should not be using them. These findings suggest that strategies to curb access to edibles and use among youth, such as restricting sales of edibles with strong youth appeal and educating youth on the risks of edibles, will need to be developed.     

Sexual Assistance in Italy: An Explorative Study on the Opinions of People with Disabilities and Would-Be Assistants

Providing assistance services for sexual activity is becoming of increasing importance to the community of people with disabilities and to mental health professionals. Nevertheless, the literature on this topic is sparse. The aim of this study is to explore potential clients’ and assistants’ views, needs, experiences, opinions, and concerns about sexual assistance (SA) in Italy. Twenty-two semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 people with a congenital physical disability and 10 would-be assistants. A Grounded Theory approach was used to analyze data. Participants with disabilities considered SA useful. Despite most of them having unfulfilled sexual needs, they would prefer to have their sexual needs met within a romantic relationship. Would-be assistants constructed themselves as people who have a “natural aptitude to being useful”. Results suggest that SA services might represent an opportunity for people with disabilities to discover new ways to satisfy their personal needs and to live more autonomously while, at the same time, allowing would-be sexual assistants to fulfill their desire to be helpful. Nevertheless, the use of SA is likely to only be a part of the answer to fulfilling the sexual needs of people with disabilities.     

Social media as a platform for science and health engagement: challenges and opportunities

Social media has become a major platform for debates on science and health. This commentary argues that while social media can present challenges to communicating important health matters, it can also provide health experts a unique opportunity to engage with and build trust among members of the public.