Deutsche medizinische Wochenschrift
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Cancer treatments, although life prolonging, are associated with side effects. The occurrence, duration, and severity of side effects vary, depending on treatment received. Long-term effects refer to effects that manifest during treatment and persist long after treatment has ended. ⋯ This overview aims to provide a non-exhaustive overview of the long-term and late effects associated with the traditional mainstay of cancer treatments (surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy) and newer treatments such as immunotherapy. In conclusion, long-term and late effects of cancer treatment can be associated with a high burden for those affected, including a reduction in their ability to function and health-related quality of life. Given the large and further growing number of cancer survivors and the abundance of long-term and late effects, it is essential to develop and implement risk-adapted, multidisciplinary survivorship care programmes.
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Dtsch. Med. Wochenschr. · Jan 2025
[(Surviving) life with cancer: the importance of sport and physical activity].
As the survival prognosis of cancer patients continues to improve, the improvement in quality of life during and after cancer treatment is becoming increasingly important 1. Exercise therapy has a positive effect on so-called "patient-reported outcomes" 2. The combination of endurance training and individualized strength training plays a particularly important role here. There is therefore a need for consistent and comprehensive implementation of quality-assured exercise therapy in everyday clinical practice.
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Dtsch. Med. Wochenschr. · Jan 2025
Review[Acutely Altered Mental Status: When the Patient is Acting Odd].
An acutely altered mental status is a common presenting complaint. A wide variety of neurological, systemic or psychiatric conditions can be the cause. Sometimes there is even overlap of various diseases that contribute to the patient's confusion. ⋯ Nevertheless, even with just limited preclinical resources perceptive teams are able to gather and analyse enough information to diagnose and treat the patient. The result of this detective work can be quite rewarding, especially if the initial diagnosis is confirmed. Therapeutic measures preclinically focus on maintaining the cerebral equilibrium.
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Dtsch. Med. Wochenschr. · Jan 2025
[Antibiotic prescribing trends in German acute care hospitals from 2012/13 through 2021/22].
An important prerequisite for ascertaining rational antibiotic prescribing is the availability and evaluation of antibiotic use data. In this study we report evolving trends of antibiotic use in German hospitals during the last decade. Using drug dispensing data from acute care hospital pharmacies, we calculated yearly antibiotic use density values for the period from 2012/13 through to 2021/22. ⋯ During the last decade, there was no increasing use of antibiotics in German acute care hospitals. We observed shifts in selected drug classes, in particular an increasing use of penicillins. The estimated hospital antibiotic consumption per population was slightly above the European average.
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Dtsch. Med. Wochenschr. · Jan 2025
Case Reports[Atypical spontaneous bacterial peritonitis linked to streptococcal toxic shock syndrome].
A 59-year-old female patient with an unremarkable medical history presented with watery diarrhea, severe lower abdominal pain, and fever for approximately 7 days. Physical examination revealed a distended abdomen, bowel sounds were absent, and there was an acute abdomen with generalized guarding and significantly elevated inflammatory markers. ⋯ Primary spontaneous bacterial peritonitis caused by Streptococcus pyogenes is a rare cause of acute abdomen. An early diagnosis and immediate antibiotic therapy are crucial for prognosis.