Dtsch Arztebl Int
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Lumbar disc surgery is among the more common spinal procedures. In this paper, we report the current treatment recommendations for patients with symptomatic disc herniation. ⋯ Longer symptom duration and lower motor scores are associated with worse outcome and a lower chance of neurologic recovery. The recovery rate for motor deficits ranges from 33% to 75%, depending on the timing and modality of treatment as well as the motor score.
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Chronic renal insufficiency (CRI) is becoming more common and has an increasing impact on public health. In Germany, approximately one in ten adults has CRI. Its most serious consequence is generally not the development of end-stage renal failure, but rather the markedly increased cardiovascular risk as kidney function declines. ⋯ In patients with risk factors, renal function should be regularly tested.
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Even among minors, the use of psychotropic substances is widespread in Europe. Data on the use of tobacco, alcohol and cannabis are regularly reported in Germany, but data on problematic use are lacking. In the present study, established screening instruments were used to investigate the prevalence of problematic use of cigarettes, alcohol and cannabis among children and adolescents. ⋯ A comparison with the few available previous findings implies that problematic alcohol consumption has become more prevalent. There were both similarities and differences across the three substances studied with respect to patterns of problematic consumption, particularly in relation to the experience of stress.