Struktur der ambulanten Schmerztherapie in Deutschland

Every physician should be able to treat pain regardless of the specialty, but patients with a risk of chronification or chronic pain should receive care from specialized physicians and non-medical professionals. Specialized pain treatment is an additional qualification in Germany, which may be achieved in different specialties by defined structure criteria and experience.The German Society for the Study of Pain and the Professional Association of the German Society of Anesthetists conducted a survey on specialized outpatient pain treatment settings in Germany, encompassing personal and technical equipment, procedures and interdisciplinary multi-professional cooperation.The survey showed a clear increase in the number of pain treatment settings compared to previous surveys, but with a huge span from small single practice or outpatient services at hospitals to large specialized hospitals. However, the quality criteria suggested by the pain treatment societies were not always met. Treatment options for patients with a risk of chronification and chronic pain show regional variations and are insufficiently developed.     

Validation of the German version of the Brief Pain Inventory.

The Brief Pain Inventory is a comprehensive instrument for pain assessment and has been validated in several languages. A validated German version was not available until now. From March to May 1995 all outpatients of the pain clinic of the Department of Anesthesiology completed a questionnaire with the German versions of the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) and the SF-36 quality-of-life questionnaire. The BPI was repeated after the consultation. The physician assessed the performance status score of the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG). The questionnaire was completed by 151 patients. Forty-two patients were excluded from evaluation for methodological reasons, so 109 patients were evaluated. As in the original version of the BPI, factor analysis showed a common factor for pain intensity and a second factor for pain-related interference with function. The comparative fit index of 0.86 confirmed this model. Responses before and after consultation correlated closely for the sum scores of the pain intensity items (Perarson correlation r = 0.976) as well as for the interference with function items (r = 0.974). Pain intensity in the BPI correlated with bodily pain in the SF-36 (r = 0.585). Sum scores of the pain interference items were higher in patients with deteriorated ECOG performance status, whereas sum scores of the intensity items were not changed. Validity and reliability of the German BPI were comparable to the original version. The BPI may be advantageous for palliative care patients, as it places only a small burden on the patient and offers easy criteria for evaluation. However, further research is needed to differentiate the impact of pain-related and disease-related interference with function on the BPI, and to find an algorithm for the evaluation of the BPI when values are missing.     

Kinderschmerzen – Schmerzenskinder Analgetika für Kinder: übersicht und Besonderheiten Analgetika für Kinder: übersicht und Besonderheiten

Schmerzen bei Kindern erfordern eine auf diese Zielgruppe zugeschnittene pharmakologische Behandlung. Besonderheiten der Wirkungen von Analgetika bei S?uglingen und Kindern werden erl?utert und Empfehlungen für die Behandlung gegeben.     

Begleitevaluation des F?rderschwerpunkts Palliativmedizin der Deutschen Krebshilfe

Introduction

The German Cancer Aid funded 12 regional projects which developed different models of palliative home care. The realization of the projects were concurrently monitored and evaluated.

Material and methods

The funded projects were asked to document all patients who were cared for beginning in January 2009 using HOPE (Hospice and palliative survey), MIDOS (Minimal documentation system for palliative patients) and the Barthel index. Documentation was mandatory at the beginning and the end of care as well as when patients changed settings, for example when patients were transferred from a palliative care unit to a palliative home care service. Additionally the projects were visited by an independent observer.

Results

Overall the 12 projects documented 2,663 patients. Analysis revealed differences between the projects mainly concerning target groups and interventions.

Discussion

The results of this evaluation can support the discussion about the development of palliative home care in Germany with particular focus on possible interrelations between structures, target groups and possible outcomes of care.     

Integrationsversorgung von Patienten mit Rückenschmerzen

INTRODUCTION: The results of conventional chronic back pain therapy are unsatisfactory. Deconditioning, psychosocial disorders and prolonged disability are common sequelae. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The health insurance fund Deutsche Angestellten Krankenkasse (DAK) offers an interdisciplinary assessment by the Berlin-Brandenburg back pain network (BBR) to its members with ongoing work disability on account of back pain. After medical, physiotherapeutic and psychological exploration one of the following four options is suggested: further diagnostics, outpatient monomodal treatment, day-care pain management program of two intensities or inpatient pain treatment. The data of 394 patients with the leading diagnostic group of back pain (M54, ICD 10, 65.7%) and disability for 92.7 days (mean) are presented. RESULTS: The patients were severely impaired in physical and psychosocial aspects. The chronification was moderate (stage II-III of Mainz Staging System, MPSS). The success of treatment was evaluated 6 months after the initial assessment. All groups showed a significant reduction of pain, anxiety and depression whereas the wellbeing and daily activities improved, but best in the day-care pain management groups. CONCLUSION: Patient selection by a health fund, interdisciplinary assessment and severity adapted treatment resulted in significant reduction in pain and functional improvement in disabled back pain patients.