Magenkarzinom – eine Infektionskrankheit

Gastric cancer still represents the second most common cause of gastrointestinal cancers in Germany. A disturbing issue is that at the time of diagnosis there are less than 15% of patients for whom a cure can be achieved. Nowadays, biological, histomorphological, molecular genetic and epidemiological data suggest that Helicobacter pylori eradication may lead to the prevention of gastric pre-neoplastic lesions and even gastric cancer. At present, eradication can be offered to selected patients and populations at increased risk, but more research is required before embarking on general and global H. pylori eradication for gastric cancer prevention. The main challenge is to determine how long mucosal abnormalities remain reversible and gastric cancer development can be halted.     

Constructing osteoarthritis through discourse – a qualitative analysis of six patient information leaflets on osteoarthritis

Background  

Health service policy in the United Kingdom emphasises the importance of self-care by patients with chronic conditions. Written information for patients about their condition is seen as an important aid to help patients look after themselves. From a discourse analysis perspective written texts such as patient information leaflets do not simply describe the reality of a medical condition and its management but by drawing on some sorts of knowledge and evidence rather than others help construct the reality of that condition. This study explored patient information leaflets on osteoarthritis (OA) to see how OA was constructed and to consider the implications for self-care.     

Präklinische Intubation

Endotracheal intubation is required in 5–10% of all prehospital emergencies. Poor environmental conditions (e.g. limited space, poor or excessive lighting etc.), unfavorable patient-related factors (e.g. trauma, bleeding, pulmonary aspiration etc.) and the pressure of time make prehospital airway management a challenging procedure even for experienced emergency physicians. The incidence of difficult endotracheal intubation is significantly higher than in-hospital. Profound clinical practice, recognition and adequate treatment of complications of intubation, and ongoing clinical practice are essential for successful and responsible prehospital airway management. A brief physical examination helps to identify predictors for difficult intubation, thereby modifying treatment strategies. Every emergency physician must be closely familiar with at least one supraglottic airway device and the recent algorithms to manage the unanticipated difficult airway.     

Factors affecting aseptic loosening of 4750 total hip arthroplasties: multivariate survival analysis

Background  

Total hip arthroplasty is a successful surgery, that fails at a rate of approximately 10% at ten years from surgery. Causes for failure are mainly aseptic loosening of one or both components partially due to wear of articular surfaces and partially to design. The present analysis aimed to identify risk factors and quantify their effects on aseptic failure.