End-of-life care in Germany between 2016 and 2020 - A repeated cross-sectional analysis of statutory health insurance data.

BACKGROUND: The Hospice and Palliative Care Act of 2015 aimed at developing and regulating the provision of palliative care (PC) services in Germany. As a result of the legal changes, people with incurable diseases should be enabled to experience their final stage of life including death according to their own wishes. However, it remains unknown whether the act has impacted end-of-life care (EoLC) in Germany. OBJECTIVE: The present study examined trends in EoLC indicators for patients who died between 2016 and 2020, in the context of Lower Saxony, Germany. METHODS: Repeated cross-sectional analysis was conducted on data from the statutory health insurance fund AOK Lower Saxony (AOK-LS), referring to the years 2016-2020. EoLC indicators were: (1) the number of patients receiving any form of outpatient PC, (2) the number of patients receiving generalist outpatient PC and (3) specialist outpatient PC in the last year of life, (4) the onset of generalist outpatient PC and (5) the onset of specialist outpatient PC before death, (6) the number of hospitalisations in the 6 months prior to death and (7) the number of days spent in hospital in the 6 months prior to death. Data for each year were analysed descriptively and a comparison between 2016 and 2020 was carried out using t-tests and chi-square tests. RESULTS: Data from 160,927 deceased AOK-LS members were analysed. The number of patients receiving outpatient PC remained almost consistent over time (2016 vs. 2020 p = .077). The number of patients receiving generalist outpatient PC decreased from 28.4% (2016) to 24.5% (2020; p < .001), whereas the number of patients receiving specialist outpatient PC increased from 8.5% (2016) to 11.2% (2020; p < .001). The onset of generalist outpatient PC moved from 106 (2016) to 93 days (2020; p < .001) before death, on average. The onset of specialist outpatient PC showed the reverse pattern (2016: 55 days before death; 2020: 59 days before death; p = .041). CONCLUSION: Despite growing needs for PC at the end of life, the number of patients receiving outpatient PC did not increase between 2016 and 2020. Furthermore, specialist outpatient PC is being increasingly prescribed over generalist outpatient PC. Although the early initiation of outpatient PC has been proven valuable for the majority of people at the end of life, generalist outpatient PC was not initiated earlier in the disease trajectory over the study period, as was found to be true for specialist outpatient PC. Future studies should seek to determine how existing PC needs can be optimally met within the outpatient sector and identify factors that can support the earlier initiation of especially generalist outpatient PC. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study "Optimal Care at the End of Life" was registered in the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS00015108; 22 January 2019).

The development of working life expectancy without musculoskeletal diseases against the backdrop of extended working lives.

Musculoskeletal diseases (MSDs) are a major predictor of early retirement. Against the backdrop of the extension of working life, we investigated time trends and educational inequalities in years spent in the labour market free of MSD. Based on German statutory health insurance data (N = 3,405,673), total life years free of MSD (Healthy Life Expectancy, HLE) and years spent in the labour force free of MSD (Healthy Working Life Expectancy, HWLE) were estimated for three periods (2006-2008, 2011-2013, 2016-2018) using multistate analyses. Educational inequalities (8 to 11 vs. 12 or more years of schooling) are reported for 2011-2013. HLE decreased slightly over time in all genders. HWLE in women increased, while it remained rather constant in men. Over time, the share of years in the labour force spent free of MSD declined continuously. People with lower education had lower HLE and HWLE than individuals with higher education. With respect to musculoskeletal diseases, the increase in disease-free working life years cannot keep pace with the extension of working life, resulting in an increasing proportion of years spent in impaired musculoskeletal health in the labour market. Effective prevention strategies are needed, focusing especially on individuals with lower educational attainment.

[Advancement of an intermediate level of outpatient palliative care - A Delphi study]. / Weiterentwicklung der "Besonders qualifizierten und koordinierten palliativmedizinischen Versorgung" (BQKPMV) ­ Ergebnisse einer Delphi-Befragung.

INTRODUCTION: In the course of the further development of palliative care in Germany, an agreement on an intermediate level of outpatient palliative care, the so-called BQKPMV (specially qualified and coordinated palliative homecare) was realised in 2017. Family physicians play a central role in the BQKPMV; among other things, they are responsible for the coordination of care. There are indications that barriers exist in the practical implementation of the BQKPMV and that an adjustment may be necessary. This work is part of the Polite project (analysis of the implementation of an intermediate level of outpatient palliative care in the reality of care and recommendations for further development) and aims at building consensus on recommendations for the further development of the BQKPMV. METHODS: Between June and October 2022, an online Delphi survey was conducted among experts for outpatient palliative care from all over Germany (providers, professional associations, funders, science, self-government). The content of the recommendations, which were voted on as part of the Delphi survey, was based on the results of both the first project phase and an expert workshop. Participants rated the extent to which they agree with a) the clarity of the wording, and b) the relevance for the further development of the BQKPMV on a four-point Likert scale. Consensus was assumed when 75% of the participants (rather) agreed to a recommendation with regard to both criteria. If no consensus was reached, the recommendations were adjusted using the free text comments and presented again in the next round. Descriptive analyses were applied. RESULTS: Forty-five experts participated in the first Delphi round, 31 in the second, and 30 in the third round (43% female, average age 55). Consensus was obtained for seven recommendations in round 1, for six in round 2 and for three in round 3. These final 16 recommendations relate to four topics: awareness and implementation of the BQKPMV (6 recommendations), framework conditions of the BQKPMV (3), discrimination of forms of care (5), and cooperation at the interfaces of care (2). DISCUSSION: The Delphi method was used to identify concrete recommendations for the further development of the BQKPMV that are relevant to health care practice. In the final set of recommendations, a particular focus lies on increasing awareness and communicating information about the scope of the health care service, added value and framework conditions of the BQKPMV. CONCLUSION: The results provide an empirically sound basis for the further development of the BQKPMV. They show a concrete need for change and highlight that an optimisation of the BQKPMV is necessary.

[Informal care and occupation: Factors influencing the willingness to provide care]. / Informelle Pflege und Berufstätigkeit: Einflussfaktoren auf die Bereitschaft.

INTRODUCTION: The proportion of people in need of care will continue to rise in Germany. In 2019, the majority of people in need of care was cared for at home. Reconciling caregiving and work poses a heavy burden for many caregivers. Therefore, a monetary compensation for care is being discussed politically in order to facilitate the reconciliation of work and care. The aim of this study was to investigate whether and under which circumstances a sample of the German population is willing to care for a close relative. A particular focus was placed on the willingness to reduce working hours, the importance of the expected period of caregiving, and monetary compensation. METHODS: A primary data collection was conducted in two modes using a questionnaire. A self-completion postal survey was sent out via the AOK Lower Saxony and complemented with an online survey. Data was analysed descriptively and using logistic regression. RESULTS: 543 participants were included. 90% of the sample surveyed was willing to provide care for a close relative, with the majority stating that their willingness depended on various factors: both the health status and the person of the family member needing care had the greatest influence. 34% of the employed respondents were not willing to reduce their working hours, mostly for financial reasons. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Many older adults want to stay in their homes for as long as possible. Thus, the willingness to provide and take over the role of informal caregiver is and will remain a central pillar of the German care system. Negotiating between informal caregiving and professional activities often creates a substantial burden. For people from lower income households monetary compensation might enhance their willingness to provide informal care. However, in order to increase the willingness to engage in informal care of people from different backgrounds and life stages, flexible approaches are needed that go beyond monetary compensation.

Willingness to provide informal care to older adults in Germany: a discrete choice experiment.

As the German population is continually aging and the majority of older adults still wish to 'age in place', the need for informal care provided by family and friends will correspondingly continue to increase. In addition, while the need for formal (professional) care services is also likely to increase, the supply already does not meet the demand in Germany today. The aim of our study is the elicitation of people's willingness to provide informal care by means of a discrete choice experiment. The self-complete postal survey was disseminated to a random sample of the German general population in Lower Saxony. Data cleansing resulted in a final sample size of 280 participants. A conditional logit and a latent class model were estimated. All attributes were judged as highly relevant by the respondents. The results revealed that an increase in the care hours per day had the greatest negative impact overall on the willingness to provide informal care in our sample. The marginal willingness-to-accept for 1 h of informal care was €14.54 when having to provide informal care for 8 h in reference to 2 h per day. This value is considerably higher than the national minimum wage of €9.82. A three-class latent class model revealed preference heterogeneity. While a monetary compensation is often discussed to increase the willingness and availability of informal care in a country, our results show that this statement could not be generalized within our entire sample.

Effectiveness of Trainings of General Practitioners on Antibiotic Stewardship: Methods of a Pragmatic Quasi-Experimental Study in a Controlled Before-After Design in South-East-Lower Saxony, Germany (WASA).

Introduction: Antibiotic resistance is a serious threat to global public health. It reduces the effectiveness of treatments for serious bacterial infections and thus increases the risk of fatal outcomes. Antibiotic prescriptions are often not in line with clinical evidence-based guidelines. The process of emergence of resistant bacteria can be slowed down by adherence to guidelines. Yet this adherence seems to be lacking in primary health care. Methods and Analysis: This pragmatic quasi-experimental study using a controlled before-after design was carried out in South-East-Lower Saxony in 2018-2020. The voluntary attendance of interactive trainings with condensed presentation of current guidelines for general practitioners (GP) on antibiotic management for urinary and respiratory tract infections is regarded as intervention. Those GP not attending the trainings constitute the control group. Data were collected via questionnaires; routine health records are provided by a statutory health insurance. The primary outcome is the proportion of (guideline-based) prescriptions in relation to the relevant ICD-10 codes as well as daily defined doses and the difference in proportion of certain prescriptions according to guidelines before and after the intervention as compared to the control group. Further outcomes are among others the subjectively perceived risk of antibiotic resistance and the attitude toward the guidelines. The questionnaires to assess this are based on theory of planned behavior (TPB) and health action process approach (HAPA). Variations over time and effects caused by measures other than WASA (Wirksamkeit von Antibiotika-Schulungen in der niedergelassenen Aerzteschaft-Effectiveness of antibiotic management training in the primary health care sector) training are taken into account by including the control group and applying interrupted time series analysis. Ethics and Dissemination: The study protocol and the data protection concept respectively were reviewed and approved by the Ethics Committee of the Hannover Medical School and the Federal Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information. Trial Registration: https://www.drks.de/drks_web/navigate.do?navigationId=trial.HTML&TRIAL_ID=DRKS00013951, identifier DRKS00013951.

Non-Invasive Reliable Methods to Objectify the Positive Influence of Hepatitis C Virus Treatment on Liver Stiffness.

BACKGROUND: Chronic active hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major public health problem and causes liver fibrosis (LF) up to liver cirrhosis (LC). LF can be estimated by non-invasive, easy handling methods. With implementation of new HCV therapies, elimination rates of HCV are near 100%, resulting in less clinical complications and costs. The aim of our study was to evaluate the positive influence of HCV treatment on liver stiffness by non-invasive assessments of LF. METHODS: Sixty-two patients with HCV were treated with antiviral drug regimes. Serological fibrosis scores and ultrasound elastography (acoustic radiation force impulse and shear wave elasticity imaging (ARFI-SWEI)) were used for LF assessment on day 0 and 6 months after therapy. RESULTS: Antiviral treatment was successful in all cases. ARFI-SWEI measurements showed an improvement of all LF stages. Results of serological markers and scores were heterogeneous. Significant positive effects of treatment were seen for aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index (APRI) and fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) scores, only. Further Pearson's coefficient showed moderate till very high correlations for ARFI-SWEI and FIB-4/APRI scores. CONCLUSION: Today HCV therapy is able to cure HCV. Positive influences are improvement of LF stages. ARFI-SWEI, APRI and FIB-4 score are useful, easy handling tools to verify positive influence of HCV treatment on LF alone or in combination.

Willingness and preparedness to provide care: interviews with individuals of different ages and with different caregiving experiences.

BACKGROUND: At present, the provision of informal care to older relatives is an essential pillar of the long-term care system in Germany. However, the impact of demographic and social changes on informal caregiving remains unclear. METHODS: Thirty-three semi-structured interviews were conducted with care consultants, informal caregivers and people without any caregiving experience to explore if people are willing to provide older adult care and how prepared these are with regard to the possibility of becoming care dependent themselves. RESULTS: In total, three main categories (willingness to provide care, willingness to receive care and information as preparation) with several sub-categories were identified during the content analysis. While almost all interviewees were willing to provide care for close family members, most were hesitant to receive informal care. Other factors such as the available housing space, flexible working hours and the proximity of relatives were essential indicators of a person's preparedness to provide informal care. It is, however, unclear if care preferences change over time and generations. Six out of 12 informal caregivers and nine out of 14 care consultants also reported an information gap. Because they do not possess adequate information, informal caregivers do not seek help until it is too late and they experience high physical and mental strain. Despite the increased efforts of care consultants in recent years, trying to inform caregivers earlier was seen as almost impossible. CONCLUSIONS: The very negative perception of caregiving as a burden was a reoccurring theme throughout all interviews and influenced people's willingness to receive care as well as seeking timely information. Despite recent political efforts to strengthen home-based care in Germany, it remains unclear whether political efforts will be effective in changing individuals' perceptions of informal caregiving and their willingness to be better prepared for the highly likely scenario of having to care for a close relative or becoming care dependent at a later stage in life.

General populations' preferences for colorectal cancer screening: rationale and protocol for the discrete choice experiment in the SIGMO study.

INTRODUCTION: In Germany, the organised colorectal cancer (CRC) screening programme includes the immunologic faecal occult blood test and colonoscopy. The sigmoidoscopy is recommended for individuals rejecting colonoscopy but is not included into the screening programme. To examine whether the evidence based sigmoidoscopy should be additionally offered, the first objective of this study is to evaluate the demand for sigmoidoscopy by analysing the German general populations' preferences for CRC screening. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: Preference data will be collected using a discrete choice experiment (DCE). Identification and selection of the attributes and their levels will be supported by evidence resulting from a systematic literature search and focus groups. An efficient, fractional factorial choice design will be generated. In a cross-sectional study, the DCE will be administered as a written questionnaire to a random sample of 4000 members of the statutory health insurance company in Lower Saxony (AOK Lower Saxony). Insured persons 50-60 years of age without CRC or a chronic inflammatory bowel disease will be eligible. The collected choice data will be analysed by conducting a conditional logit regression model and latent class models. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethical approval for this study was obtained from the Ethics Committee of Hannover Medical School (reference number 8671_BO_K_2019). The study results will be disseminated via conference presentations, publications in peer-reviewed journals and, to participants, the membership magazine of the AOK Lower Saxony. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: DRKS00019010.

Quality indicators for the evaluation of end-of-life care in Germany - a retrospective cross-sectional analysis of statutory health insurance data.

BACKGROUND: The provision and quality of end-of-life care (EoLC) in Germany is inconsistent. Therefore, an evaluation of current EoLC based on quality indicators is needed. This study aims to evaluate EoLC in Germany on the basis of quality indicators pertaining to curative overtreatment, palliative undertreatment and delayed palliative care (PC). Results were compared with previous findings. METHODS: Data from a statutory health insurance provider (AOK Lower Saxony) pertaining to deceased members in the years 2016 and 2017 were used to evaluate EoLC. The main indicators were: chemotherapy for cancer patients in the last month of life, first-time percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) for patients with dementia in the last 3 months of life, number of hospitalisations and days spent in inpatient treatment in the last 6 months of life, and provision of generalist and specialist outpatient PC in the last year of life. Data were analysed descriptively. RESULTS: Data for 64,275 deceased members (54.3% female; 35.1% cancer patients) were analysed. With respect to curative overtreatment, 10.4% of the deceased with cancer underwent chemotherapy in the last month and 0.9% with dementia had a new PEG insertion in the last 3 months of life. The mean number of hospitalisations and inpatient treatment days per deceased member was 1.6 and 16.5, respectively, in the last 6 months of life. Concerning palliative undertreatment, generalist outpatient PC was provided for 28.0% and specialist outpatient PC was provided for 9.0% of the deceased. Regarding indicators for delayed PC, the median onset of generalist and specialist outpatient PC was 47.0 and 24.0 days before death, respectively. CONCLUSION: Compared to data from 2010 to 2014, the data analysed in the present study suggest an ongoing curative overtreatment in terms of chemotherapy and hospitalisation, a reduction in new PEG insertions and an increase in specialist PC. The number of patients receiving generalist PC remained low, with delayed onset. Greater awareness of generalist PC and the early integration of PC are recommended. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study was registered in the German Clinical Trials Register ( DRKS00015108 ; 22 January 2019).

["But you often come unstuck on particularities" - Care consultants on legislation amendments and the challenges of their job: A qualitative investigation]. / "Aber vielfach scheitert man dann an Besonderheiten" ­ Pflegeberater über Gesetzesänderungen und die Herausforderungen ihrer Arbeit: Eine qualitative Untersuchung.

INTRODUCTION: Since the implementation of long-term care insurance in 1995, various reforms have contributed to the development of the German nursing care system in order to meet the structural and financial needs of the growing number of people in need of care. The aim of this paper is to present an assessment of care consultants on past legislation, challenges encountered during their work and suggestions to improve the current care system. METHODS: 14 semi-structured, face-to-face interviews were conducted with care consultants. All interviews were transcribed verbatim and a qualitative content analysis was performed. RESULTS: Care consultants perceived tangible improvements with regard to the scope of benefits as a direct result of recent legislation changes. The use of these benefits, however, is limited due to an insufficient growth of care infrastructure. Particularly frequent legislation changes, unclear responsibilities and dissimilar regulations between federal states were seen as challenges. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Complex dependencies within the German nursing care system were identified and the necessity for a public discourse on themes such as self-responsibility, equity and a comprehensive (nationwide) care supply was underlined. A central information platform was proposed in order to concretely improve information about services available locally.

Elimination of hepatitis C virus in Germany: modelling the cost-effectiveness of HCV screening strategies.

BACKGROUND: Chronic hepatitis C is a major public health burden. With new interferon-free direct-acting agents (showing sustained viral response rates of more than 98%), elimination of HCV seems feasible for the first time. However, as HCV infection often remains undiagnosed, screening is crucial for improving health outcomes of HCV-patients. Our aim was to assess the long-term cost-effectiveness of a nationwide screening strategy in Germany. METHODS: We used a Markov cohort model to simulate disease progression and examine long-term population outcomes, HCV associated costs and cost-effectiveness of HCV screening. The model divides the total population into three subpopulations: general population (GEP), people who inject drugs (PWID) and HIV-infected men who have sex with men (MSM), with total infection numbers being highest in GEP, but new infections occurring only in PWIDs and MSM. The model compares four alternative screening strategies (no/basic/advanced/total screening) differing in participation and treatment rates. RESULTS: Total number of HCV-infected patients declined from 275,000 in 2015 to between 125,000 (no screening) and 14,000 (total screening) in 2040. Similarly, lost quality adjusted life years (QALYs) were 320,000 QALYs lower, while costs were 2.4 billion EUR higher in total screening compared to no screening. While incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) increased sharply in GEP and MSM with more comprehensive strategies (30,000 EUR per QALY for total vs. advanced screening), ICER decreased in PWIDs (30 EUR per QALY for total vs. advanced screening). CONCLUSIONS: Screening is key to have an efficient decline of the HCV-infected population in Germany. Recommendation for an overall population screening is to screen the total PWID subpopulation, and to apply less comprehensive advanced screening for MSM and GEP.

Informal and formal care preferences and expected willingness of providing elderly care in Germany: protocol for a mixed-methods study.

INTRODUCTION: In Germany, the number of elderly people in need of care is expected to increase from 2.4 million in 2015 to 3.2 million in 2030. The subsequent rise in demand for long-term care facilities is unlikely to be met by the current care structures and available staff. Additionally, many Germans still prefer to be cared for at home for as long as possible. In light of recent changes, such as increasing employment rates of women and growing geographical distances of family members, informal caregiving becomes more challenging in the future. The aim of this study is to explore preferences for informal and formal care services in the German general population, as well as the expected willingness of providing elderly care. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: A mixed-methods approach will be used to explore care preferences and expected willingness of providing elderly care in the German general population. A systematic literature review will be performed to provide an overview of the current academic literature on the topic. Qualitative interviews will be conducted with informal caregivers, care consultants and people with no prior caregiving experiences. A labelled discrete choice experiment will be designed and conducted to quantitatively measure the preferences for informal and formal care in the German general population. People between 18 and 65 years of age will be recruited in cooperation with a (regional) statutory health insurance (AOK Lower Saxony). A mixed multinomial logit regression model and a latent class finite mixture model will be used to analyse the data and test for subgroup differences in care preferences. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study has been approved by the Committee for Clinical Ethics of the Medical School in Hannover. Data will be treated confidential to ensure the participants' anonymity. The results will be discussed and disseminated to relevant stakeholders in the field. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: DRKS00012266.

[The Frequency of Depression Diagnoses in Different Groups of Insured Persons - A Routine Data Analysis of the Years 2006 to 2015]. / Die Häufigkeit von Depressionsdiagnosen nach Versichertengruppen im Zeitverlauf ­ eine Routinedatenanalyse der Jahre 2006­2015.

Depressive disorders are one of the most common type of mental disorders and are associated with a significant loss of social functioning and decrease in quality of life. While survey data from the Robert Koch-Institute show no increase in the prevalence of depression during recent years, data from social insurance agencies demonstrate an increasing social significance. Many people argue that changes in working conditions are a major reason for increasing depression diagnoses. Aim of the current study was to analyze the prevalence of depression diagnoses in health insurance data (administrative prevalence) for different types of insured persons and to examine the development over time with particular regard to working and non-working insured people. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of administrative depression prevalence for the years 2006 to 2015 using F32 and F33 diagnoses. Analyses were stratified by sex and insured persons were grouped in (1.) employees, (2.) self-employed, (3.) spouses with insurance coverage as family member, (4.) pensioners, (5.) unemployed people receiving unemployment benefit I, (6.) people receiving unemployment benefit II and (7.) students and trainees. During the 10-year period, we found an increase in administrative prevalence from 12.0% in 2006 (women: 16.3%; men: 6.8%) to 16.3% in 2015 (women: 21.3%; men: 10.9%). In 2015, highest administrative prevalence rates were observed in people receiving unemployment benefit I or II and in pensioners. The lowest rates were found in students and trainees as well as self-employed. Employees had significantly lower administrative prevalence rates than people receiving unemployment benefit. We observed large increases in administrative prevalence over time in all groups of insured persons. The results highlight the increasing social significance of depressive disorders. A comparatively greater increase in the working population was not observed. A long-term health objective should be to further improve psychiatric care.

Widening inequalities in multimorbidity? Time trends among the working population between 2005 and 2015 based on German health insurance data.

BACKGROUND: Previous research has produced evidence for social inequalities in multimorbidity, but little is known on how these disparities change over time. Our study investigates the development of social inequalities in multimorbidity among the middle-aged and older working population. Special attention is paid to whether differing time trends between socio-economic status (SES) groups have taken place, increasing or decreasing inequalities in multimorbidity. METHODS: The analyses are based on claims data of a German statutory health insurance company covering an observation period from 2005 to 2015. Multimorbidity prevalence risks are estimated using logistic generalized estimation equations (GEE) models. Predicted probabilities of multimorbidity prevalence are used to assess time trends in absolute social inequalities in terms of educational level, income, and occupational group. RESULTS: The prevalence risks of multimorbidity rose among all SES groups and social gradients persist throughout the observation period, indicating significantly higher multimorbidity prevalence risks for individuals with lower SES. Widening absolute inequalities are found among men in terms of educational level and among women in terms of occupational groups. CONCLUSIONS: The increases in multimorbidity prevalence among the working population are accompanied by widening social inequalities, pointing towards a growing disadvantage for men and women in lower SES groups. The rising burden and the increasing inequalities among the working population stress the importance of multimorbidity as a major public health concern.

[HBV-infections in Germany - health care costs in a real-life-setting]. / HBV-Infektionen in Deutschland ­ Versorgungskosten in einem Real-life-Setting.

Background An estimated 500 000 people are infected with hepatitis B in Germany, inducing an enormous burden on infected patients and the health care system. The aim of our study was to estimate the real-life costs of treating hepatitis B and to analyze sociodemographic factors. Methods We conducted a retrospective, non-interventional, single-center study from 07/2009 to 12/2012. Information on health care delivery was extracted from patient records. Besides that, a questionnaire survey regarding sociodemographic parameters and quality of life of HBV-infected patients was performed. Results A total of 117 patients were included in our study and grouped in six different disease stages. The response rate of our survey was 80 %. We determined annual total costs of €â€Š3509. The different groups altered between €â€Š221 and €â€Š5618. The main costs (80 %) were caused by the antiviral therapy. Costs of co-medication and hospitalizations were of minor importance. Laboratory costs were primarily caused by determination of virological parameters. Route of transmission of HBV-infection was unknown in 2/3 of all cases. Restrictions in quality of life due to the HBV-infection were reported by 60 % of the patients. Patients receiving interferon treatment reported highest restrictions. In an extrapolation, we estimated total annual hepatitis B treatment costs of 430 million € in Germany. Conclusion This is the first study estimating real-life treatment costs of hepatitis B infections in Germany. Further research should follow in the context of newly introduced generic antivirals.

Promoting Hand Hygiene Compliance: PSYGIENE­a Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial of Tailored Interventions

BACKGROUND: The German "Clean Hands Campaign" (an adaptation of the WHO "Clean Care is Safer Care" programme) to promote hand hygiene among hospital personnel at Hannover Medical School (MHH, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover), known as Aktion Saubere Hände (ASH), met with initial success. By 2013, however, compliance rates with hygienic hand disinfection in the hospital's ten intensive care units (ICUs) and two hematopoietic stem cell transplantation units (HSCTUs) had relapsed to their initial levels (physicians: 48%; nurses: 56%). The cluster- randomized controlled trial PSYGIENE was conducted to investigate whether interventions tai - lored in ways suggested by research in behavioral psychology might bring about more sustainable improvements than the ASH. METHODS: The "Health Action Process Approach" (HAPA) compliance model specifies key psychological determinants of compliance. These determinants were assessed among health care workers in the ICUs and HSCTUs of the MHH by questionnaire (response rates: physicians: 71%; nurses: 63%) and by interviews of the responsible ward physicians and head nurses (100%). In 2013, 29 tailored behavior change techniques were implemented in educational training sessions and feedback discussions in the six wards that constituted the intervention arm of the trial, while ASH training sessions were provided in the control arm. The compliance rates for 2014 and 2015 (the primary outcomes of the trial) were determined by nonparticipating observation of hygienic hand disinfection, in accordance with the World Health Organization's gold standard. RESULTS: The two groups did not differ in their baseline compliance rates in 2013 (intervention: 54%, control: 55%, p = 0.581). The tailored interventions led to increased compliance in each of the two follow-up years (2014: 64%, p<0.001; 2015: 70%, p = 0.001), while the compliance in the control arm increased to 68% in 2014 (p<0.001) but fell back to 64% in 2015 (p = 0.007). The compliance increases from 2013-2015 and the compliance rate in 2015 were higher in the intervention arm (p<0.005). This was mainly attributable to the nurses' behavior, as the corresponding parameters for physicians did not differ significantly between the two study arms in stratified analysis. CONCLUSION: Tailored interventions based on behavioral psychology principles led to more sustainable increases in compliance with hand hygiene guidelines than ASH training sessions did. This was true among nurses, and thus also for hospital ward personnel as a whole (i.e., nurses and physicians combined). Further studies are needed to identify more target group-specific interventions that may improve compliance among physicians.

[Laboratory requirements to diagnose viral hepatitis under the development of guidelines]. / Veränderungen der Laboranforderungen zur Diagnostik von Virushepatitiden unter Fortentwicklung von Leitlinien.

Infections with hepatitis B-, C- and D- viruses have a significant health burden. In Germany, the seroprevalence of HBs-Ag is calculated with 0.6 % and of HCV-antibodies with 0.3 %. However, most patients are not diagnosed. Sequelae are liver-cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Several S3-guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of viral hepatitis have been established. However, implementation of guidelines is not easy to evaluate. To estimate the changes of medical knowledge and diagnostic procedures about viral hepatitis, 7 parameters of liver-diagnostics were elected to analyze the requirements profile in the years 2005 - 2011 in 4 German federal states. GPT/ALT showed no important change except the influence of the laboratory-reformation. HBs-Ag and HCV-Ab show only a minor increase in adults. The molecular differentiation of HBV-DNA and HCV-RNA showed changes up to 200 % in some regions; however, this might not be explained by more screening but rather increased treatment monitoring or new region-specific regulations. The most significant increase was observed for HDV-antibodies, but the amount of testing is still at a low level. The development and update of guidelines, the World-Hepatitis-Awareness-Day, and other specific nationwide activities did not result in a major increase in the screening of viral hepatitis with the exception of HDV. The results and the new treatment options against hepatitis C should motivate to continue the education in the field of viral hepatitis in an intensified manor.