Med Klin
-
A prospective longitudinal study was performed from 1989 to 1996 in order to check the effectiveness of prophylactic measures in Germany. ⋯ The iodine supply has been improved. However, the declared targets have not yet been met. The findings show that effective goitre prophylaxis can still be achieved while maintaining the voluntary principle.
-
Back pain has become quite a health problem in today's modern industrial society. Even though an excellent network of doctors and efficient treatments is available and most of the patients need only a few treatments, back pain is a common cause of illness and inability to work. This amounts to a considerable reduction in quality of life for those affected, additionally this also leads to a high economic burden for the national economy and the solidarity of the insured. ⋯ Savings through restrictive prescriptions for medications therefore have no great impact on total costs. Only a more efficient therapy, which reduces sick days, number of recurrences and development of chronic illness as well as a more effective prevention, is able to limit the costs of back pain in the long-run. Therefore, more research on a broader base may result in a significant benefit in this area.