Dtsch Arztebl Int
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More than 3% of the total population will suffer from epilepsy at some time during their lives. One quarter of newly diagnosed cases worldwide are children. With optimal treatment, around 70% will enter remission. In the long run, antiepileptic drugs can be discontinued in almost half of affected individuals. Most patients with epilepsy undergo normal cognitive development. This relatively good prognosis contrasts with persistent public stigma surrounding the condition. ⋯ A classification of epileptic seizures and epileptic syndromes is provided by the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE). Epilepsies are mainly split into symptomatic forms (i.e. those with a recognizable cause) and idiopathic forms, which result from a genetic predisposition and imply no other pathology aside from epilepsy. The classification of epilepsy syndromes is based on assumed etiology, and seizure symptomatology. Drug therapy is usually started after a second unprovoked seizure. The best possible seizure control, continuation of a successful school career, and preservation of a stable family situation are equally important therapeutic aims.
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This study analyzes the prevalence and associated factors for smoking and passive smoking among young people. ⋯ These results show that adolescents are an important target group for anti-smoking interventions and that the main settings for these interventions are the school, the family, and the peer group.
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Infection of the spinal column is rare, and often recognized and treated too late. Spondylodiscitis is osteomyelitis of the spine and can cause severe symptoms. Hospital mortality is in the region of 2% to 17%. ⋯ Spondylodiscitis should be borne in mind in cases of diffuse back pain and non-specific symptoms. MRI is the diagnostic modality of choice for detecting spondylodiscitis. Thanks to precise monitoring of conservative treatments and primarily stable surgical techniques, prolonged immobilization of the patient is no longer necessary nowadays.
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The trauma registry of the German Society of Trauma Surgery is a multicentric prospective record of the treatment of severely injured patients. ⋯ The German Trauma Registry records processes and treatment results in severely injured patients. This information is fed back to participating hospitals. The continuous data feedback is associated with a continuous improvement of process and outcome quality in the treatment of severely injured patients.