[Objectification of the efficacy of an ointment for joint injuries using a volumetric method]. / Zur Objektivierung der Wirksamkeit eines Externums bei Sprunggelenksverletzungen mit Hilfe einer volumetrischen Methode.

Distorsions of the upper ankle joint in 27 sport students were treated with an ointment dressing once daily in a double-blind test over 8 days. 14 cases were treated with Hepathrombin-50,000-Salbe Adenylchemie (100 g contain 50,000 I.E. heparin, 300 mg allantoin and 400 mg dexpanthenol) and 13 cases with the ointment base. The therapeutic effect was objectified based on measurements taken after 1, 2, 4, and 8 days of the foot volume (weight of displaced water by overflow at 23 cm height) and mobility of the joint. Moreover, resting, movement and pressure pain were individually assessed and compiled as a pain score (0-12). In the Hepathrombin group, swelling subsided continuously from 100 to 42% and the pain score decreased from 12 to 3. With application of the ointment base, swelling increased at first to 114% after 2 days, then decreased until Day 8 to 86% of the initial value. The pain score decreased from 12 to 7. The superiority of Hepathrombin-Salbe over the ointment base could be statistically demonstrated; the difference between the two groups was significant with respect to swelling after just one day, and with respect to joint mobility after just 2 days of treatment.

[Experience with etofenamate in sport injuries (author's transl)]. / Erfahrungen mit einem Etofenamat-Gel bei Sportverletzungen.

Experience with 2-(2-hydroxyethoxy)-ethyl-N-(a,a,a-trifluoro-m-tolyl)-anthranilate (etofenamate; active principle of Rheumon Gel) in the treatment of traumatic injury to the ankle joint is reported. In testing the effect of the product, volumetric measurements were carried out using an apparatus that permits highly accurate assessment by a simple and rapid method of measurement. The studies were carried out as a double blind trial. The result of the study shows that compared with placebo gel the increase in volume due to haematoma is reduced statistically significantly more rapidly under treatment with etofenamate. No localized or generalized side effects were observed.

[Predictor function of hemorheologic parameters with reference to the incidence of manifest circulatory disorders: Concept of the Aachen study]. / Prädiktorfunktion hämorheologischer Parameter im Hinblick auf die Inzidenz manifester Durchblutungsstörungen: Konzept der Aachen-Studie.

The prevention of cardiovascular disease has up till now generally been limited to control of the classical risk factors. The primary problem of the risk factor model is, that although a statistically verified relationship exists between risk factors and vascular disease, an individual prognosis is presently impossible. Surveys that show a relation between risk factors and impaired blood fluidity support the conception that a change in blood fluidity could be considered an early detection screening of vascular diseases. Prospective studies have shown that the hematocrit is related to circulatory disturbances. The main aim of the present study was to determine the clinical relevance of rheological parameters (hematocrit, plasma viscosity, erythrocyte rigidity, thrombocyte aggregation, erythrocyte aggregation), and the importance of altered blood fluidity as a predictor of manifest cerebral, cardiac or peripheral vascular disturbance.

Prevalence, risk factors and rheological profile of arterial vascular disease; first results of the Aachen study.

During a prospective cohort-study of several year's duration the results of a survey regarding prevalence of arterial occlusive disease, as well as classical risk factors and rheological profile of patients suffering from vascular disease were examined. 364 patients out of a total of 2,498 individuals suffered from vascular disease. 168 (6.7%) had cardiovascular, 151 (6.0%) cerebrovascular and 109 (4.4%) peripheral vascular disease. Compared to to healthy individuals, the patients showed a significant accumulation of classical risk factors (elevated cholesterol and triglyceride values, decreased HDL-cholesterol concentration, obesity, smoking, high blood pressure, gout or diabetes mellitus). Only 30.2% of the healthy controls presented two or more risk factors, whereas the angiological patients showed two or more risk factors in 71.9%. Rheological parameters measured in the survey were: Plasma viscosity, erythrocyte and platelet aggregation, erythrocyte rigidity and hematocrit. Only 14.2% of the healthy individuals had two or more rheological parameters exceeding the 1-s range, whereas 56.6% of the patients showed two or more elevated rheological parameters.