Dtsch Arztebl Int
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Untreated celiac disease is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Until now, no up-to-date figures have been available on the prevalence of celiac disease among children and adolescents in Germany, or on the percentage of undiagnosed cases. ⋯ The 0.9% prevalence of celiac disease in Germany, as determined from a combination of serological findings and clinical histories, is similar to reported prevalences elsewhere in Europe and North America. Pediatricians, primary care physicians, internists, and other specialists should be aware of the broad spectrum of clinical manifestations of this disease. Children who have symptoms suggestive of celiac disease or belong to a group at risk for it should be tested for antibodies against tissue transglutaminase, as should symptomatic adults after the exclusion of other possible causes. It is not yet clear whether asymptomatic adults from high-risk groups should be tested.
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In Germany, rehabilitation is considered to be indicated after an acute hospital stay for the treatment of a severe cardiac condition. In comparative studies, at least 51% of German hospital patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) who were entitled to rehabilitative measures actually took part n rehabilitation. ⋯ Rehabilitation for cardiac patients was associated with lower mortality. Fewer patients underwent rehabilitation in this study than in other, comparable studies. Those who did not were older and had a greater burden of accompanying disease.
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Multicenter Study
Deaths Following Cholecystectomy and Herniotomy: An Analysis of Nationwide German Hospital Discharge Data From 2009 to 2013.
In 2010, 158 000 cholecystectomies and 207 000 herniotomies (without bowel surgery) were performed in Germany as inpatient procedures, generally on a routine, elective basis. Deaths following such operations are rare events. We studied the potential association of death after cholecystectomy or herniotomy with risk factors that could have been detected beforehand, and we examined the types of complications that were documented in these cases. ⋯ These findings suggest that there is potential for improvement in preoperative risk identification, complication avoidance, and the early recognition and treatment of complications, as well as in safe surgical technique. Measures to lower the mortality associated with herniotomy and cholecystectomy would lessen patients' individual risk and thereby improve patient safety.