A volunteer-supported walking programme to improve physical function in older people with restricted mobility (the POWER Study): a randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Regular physical activity has multiple health benefits, especially in older people. Therefore, the World Health Organization recommends at least 2.5 h of moderate physical activity per week. The aim of the POWER Study was to investigate whether volunteer-assisted walking improves the physical performance and health of older people. METHODS: We approached people aged 65 years and older with restricted mobility due to physical limitations and asked them to participate in this multicentre randomised controlled trial. The recruitment took place in nursing homes and the community setting. Participants randomly assigned to the intervention group were accompanied by volunteer companions for a 30-50 min walk up to three times a week for 6 months. Participants in the control group received two lectures that included health-related topics. The primary endpoint was physical function as measured with the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) at baseline and 6 and 12 months. The secondary and safety endpoints were quality of life (EQ-5D-5L), fear of falling (Falls Efficacy Scale), cognitive executive function (the Clock Drawing Test), falls, hospitalisations and death. RESULTS: The sample comprised 224 participants (79% female). We failed to show superiority of the intervention with regard to physical function (SPPB) or other health outcomes in the intention-to-treat analyses. However, additional exploratory analyses suggest benefits in those who undertook regular walks. The intervention appears to be safe regarding falls. CONCLUSIONS: Regular physical activity is essential to preserve function and to improve health and quality of life. Against the background of a smaller-than-planned sample size, resulting in low power, and the interference of the COVID-19 pandemic, we suggest that community based low-threshold interventions deserve further exploration. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The trial was registered with the German Clinical Trials Register ( www.germanctr.de ), with number DRKS00015188 on 31/08/2018.

[Psychological Stress and its Consequences for the Cost of Illness: a Longitudinal Study in Germany]. / Psychische Belastung und ihre Folgen für die Krankheitskosten ­ eine Längsschnittstudie in Deutschland.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the effects of mental illness on the level and composition of medical costs (outpatient costs, hospital costs, rehabilitation costs, drug costs) over time. METHOD: In a longitudinal design, we examined the psychological distress of 3,287 study participants from the adult general population using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and its effect on the level and composition of medical costs resulting from mental illness in the year of survey t0 and the two subsequent years [t1] {t2}. RESULTS: Compared to the reference group with no mental distress, the cost of illness was significantly increased by a factor of 2.0 [2.2] {1.5} in the low mental distress group, by a factor of 3.7 [4.2] {3.1} in those with moderate mental distress, and by a factor of 7.5 [9.0] {5.2} in those with severe mental distress. Over time, significant effects on illness costs appeared only at the two outer edges of psychological distress levels (no and severe distress levels). As the level of mental distress increased, hospital costs dominated total costs due to mental distress and the proportion of outpatient medical costs in total costs decreased. CONCLUSIONS: The costs of illness rise steeply with the degree of mental stress. Preventing the progression of mental illness is therefore important not only from an individual but also from a health economic perspective.

[Immunohistochemical analysis of a hypoxia-associated signature in melanomas with positive and negative sentinel lymph nodes : Hypoxia-associated signature of primary cutaneous melanomas]. / Immunhistochemische Analyse einer Hypoxie-assoziierten Signatur in Melanomen mit positivem und negativem Schildwächterlymphknoten : Hypoxie-assoziierte Signatur primär kutaner Melanome.

Metabolic reprogramming mediated by hypoxia-inducible factors and its downstream targets plays a crucial role in many human malignancies. Excessive proliferation of tumor cells under hypoxic conditions leads to metabolic reprogramming and altered gene expression enabling tumors to adapt to their hypoxic environment. Here we analyzed the metabolic signatures of primary cutaneous melanomas with positive and negative sentinel node status in order to evaluate potential differences in their metabolic signature. We found a positive correlation of the expression of glucose transporter 1 (GLUT-1) with tumor thickness and ulceration in all melanomas with subgroup analyses as well as in the subgroup with a negative sentinel node. Furthermore, the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was positively correlated with the presence of ulceration in melanomas with positive sentinel node.

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-3 Expression Predicts Sentinel Node Status in Primary Cutaneous Melanoma.

This study analysed the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF), VEGFR-2, and VEGFR-3 in primary cutaneous melanomas with positive and negative sentinel node status (SLN) (a total of 58 specimens divided into 2 groups of 29 for each status). The specimens were collected from the pathological archive of the department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology of the University Medical Center Heidelberg. A quantification score was developed for protein expression, by considering the percentage of positive melanoma cells (0: 0%, 1: up to 1%, 2: 2-10%, 3: 11-50%, and 4: > 50%) in relation to the intensity of staining (0: negative, 1: low, 2: medium, 3: strong). Tumoural VEGFR-3 expression (mean ± standard deviation) in SLN+ tumours (9.62 ± 3.09) was significantly stronger than in SLN- tumours (6.13 ± 3.87; p < 0.001). A binary logistic regression model proved VEGFR-3 expression and tumour thickness to be significant independent predictors of SLN. These data provide evidence that VEGFR-3 expression may play a critical role in the pathogenesis of malignant melanoma and that its investigation may help to improve the selection of patients with primary cutaneous melanoma for sentinel node biopsy.

Therapeutic drug monitoring-guided continuous infusion of piperacillin/tazobactam significantly improves pharmacokinetic target attainment in critically ill patients: a retrospective analysis of four years of clinical experience.

PURPOSE: Standard dosing and intermittent bolus application (IB) are important risk factors for pharmacokinetic (PK) target non-attainment during empirical treatment with ß-lactams in critically ill patients, particularly in those with sepsis and septic shock. We assessed the effect of therapeutic drug monitoring-guided (TDM), continuous infusion (CI) and individual dosing of piperacillin/tazobactam (PIP) on PK-target attainment in critically ill patients. METHODS: This is a retrospective, single-center analysis of a database including 484 patients [933 serum concentrations (SC)] with severe infections, sepsis and septic shock who received TDM-guided CI of PIP in the intensive care unit (ICU) of an academic teaching hospital. The PK-target was defined as a PIP SC between 33 and 64 mg/L [fT > 2-4 times the epidemiological cutoff value (ECOFF) of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PSA)]. RESULTS: PK-target attainment with standard dosing (initial dose) was observed in 166 patients (34.3%), whereas only 49 patients (10.1%) demonstrated target non-attainment. The minimum PK-target of ≥ 33 mg/L was overall realized in 89.9% (n = 435/484) of patients after the first PIP dose including 146 patients (30.2%) with potentially harmful SCs ≥ 100 mg/L. Subsequent TDM-guided dose adjustments significantly enhanced PK-target attainment to 280 patients (62.4%) and significantly reduced the fraction of potentially overdosed (≥ 100 mg/L) patients to 4.5% (n = 20/449). Renal replacement therapy (RRT) resulted in a relevant reduction of PIP clearance (CLPIP): no RRT CLPIP 6.8/6.3 L/h (median/IQR) [SCs n = 752, patients n = 405], continuous veno-venous hemodialysis (CVVHD) CLPIP 4.3/2.6 L/h [SCs n = 160, n = 71 patients], intermittent hemodialysis (iHD) CLPIP 2.6/2.3 L/h [SCs n = 21, n = 8 patients]). A body mass index (BMI) of > 40 kg/m2 significantly increased CLPIP 9.6/7.7 L/h [SC n = 43, n = 18 patients] in these patients. Age was significantly associated with supratherapeutic PIP concentrations (p < 0.0005), whereas high CrCL led to non-target attainment (p < 0.0005). Patients with target attainment (33-64 mg/L) within the first 24 h exhibited the lowest hospital mortality rates (13.9% [n = 23/166], p < 0.005). Those with target non-attainment demonstrated higher mortality rates (≤ 32 mg/L; 20.8% [n = 10/49] ≥ 64 mg/L; 29.4% [n = 79/269]). CONCLUSION: TDM-guided CI of PIP is safe in critically ill patients and improves PK-target attainment. Exposure to defined PK-targets impacts patient mortality while lower and higher than intended SCs may influence the outcome of critically ill patients. Renal function and renal replacement therapy are main determinants of PK-target attainment. These results are only valid for CI of PIP and not for prolonged or intermittent bolus administration of PIP.

Association between a New Sugar Index and Caries Experience: Results of a Cross-Sectional Field Study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to test the relationship between a newly developed sugar index and caries experience in 4th- and 6th-graders. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 1,019 fourth-graders and 925 sixth-graders from 2 regions in Northern Germany participated in the study. Caries experience was recorded by applying the ICDAS criteria. Tooth-brushing habits and other independent variables were examined psychometrically. Structured questions were formulated that were related to specific everyday eating situations, especially between main meals, which proved to be relevant for a higher caries risk. To compare mean caries scores, nonparametric tests were applied. The Pearson coefficient was calculated in order to verify the correlation between the sugar index and the caries experience. The influence of various independent variables on caries experience was assessed by stepwise backward logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: With regard to the primary teeth of the 4th-graders, significant correlations with values > 0.1 were found for all ICDAS outcome variables. With regard to the permanent teeth of the 6th-graders, the only significant correlations with the sugar index were for the ICDAS outcome variables D3-6MFT and D3-6FS. CONCLUSION: The results of our study show that not only the correlation between the sugar index and caries experience was stronger for 4th-graders than for 6th-graders, but also more distinctly visible differences were observed when comparing extreme groups. This indicates that protective factors, such as fluoridation and the preventive sealing of fissures, help level out the differences in caries occurrence in older children when compared to younger children.

[Socioeconomic status and health insurance expenditures for children and adolescents with conduct disorder : An analysis of statutory health insurance data]. / Einfluss des sozioökonomischen Status auf Gesundheitskosten für Kinder und Jugendliche mit Störungen des Sozialverhaltens : Eine Analyse von Routinedaten einer gesetzlichen Krankenversicherung.

BACKGROUND: For various psychiatric and somatic disorders, there is evidence of an association between patients' socioeconomic status (SES), healthcare utilisation, and the resulting costs. In the field of child and adolescent psychiatric disorders, studies on this topic are lacking. OBJECTIVES: To exploratively analyse the association of healthcare expenditures for children and adolescents with conduct disorder (including oppositional-defiant disorder) - one of the most prevalent child and adolescent psychiatric disorders - and SES. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The analysis is based on routine data from the German statutory health insurance company AOK Nordost for the calendar year 2011, covering 6461 children and adolescents (age 5-18 years) with an ICD-10 diagnosis of conduct disorder. The insureds' SES was estimated indirectly, based on the social structure of the postcode area, using the German Index of Multiple Deprivation (Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Brandenburg), and the Berliner Sozialindex I (Berlin), respectively. From the two indices, quintiles were derived. Based on these quintiles, average costs per case for the following cost types were analysed: inpatient healthcare, outpatient healthcare (general practitioners, paediatricians, child and adolescent psychiatrists, child and adolescent psychotherapists), and prescribed medication. RESULTS: There was no significant functional association between SES and healthcare costs for any of the analysed cost types. CONCLUSIONS: In contrast to findings in adults, this study on children and adolescents with conduct disorders did not reveal an association between SES and healthcare costs. Within this group of patients, social inequality does not seem to have a significant influence on healthcare utilisation in Germany.

Differences in healthcare costs in youths with conduct disorders in rural vs. urban regions: an analysis of German health insurance data.

BACKGROUND: For children and adolescents with mental health problems, there is a lack of data as to whether the type of residential area (urban vs. rural) influences healthcare costs for affected individuals. The aim of this study was therefore to explore potential urban vs. rural healthcare cost differences in children and adolescents with conduct disorder (CD), one of the most frequent and cost-intensive child and adolescent psychiatric disorders. Additionally, we aimed to compare healthcare costs of youths with CD, and of youths without this diagnosis. METHODS: We analysed data from a German health insurance company, extracting all youths with a CD diagnosis in 2011 (CD group; N = 6337), and an age- and sex-matched group without this diagnosis (control group). For both groups, annual costs per person for outpatient and inpatient healthcare were aggregated, stratified by area of residence (urban vs. rural). RESULTS: While mean annual overall costs in the CD group did not differ significantly between urban and rural areas of residence (2785 EUR vs. 3557 EUR, p = 0.253), inpatient treatment costs were significantly higher in rural areas (2166 EUR (60.9% of overall costs) vs. 1199 EUR (43.1% of overall costs), p < 0.0005). For outpatient healthcare costs, the reverse effect was found, with significantly higher costs in individuals from urban areas of residence (901 EUR (32.3% of overall costs) vs. 581 EUR (16.3% of overall costs), p < 0.0005). In the control group, no significant rural vs. urban difference was found for either overall health costs, inpatient or outpatient costs. Mean overall costs in the CD group were four times higher than in the control group (3162 (±5934) EUR vs. 795 (±4425) EUR). CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first to demonstrate urban vs. rural differences in healthcare costs among youths with CD. The higher costs of inpatient treatment in rural regions may indicate a need for alternative forms of service provision and delivery in rural settings.

The effect of a new lifetime-cardiovascular-risk display on patients' motivation to participate in shared decision-making.

BACKGROUND: This study investigated the effects of three different risk displays used in a cardiovascular risk calculator on patients' motivation for shared decision-making (SDM). We compared a newly developed time-to-event (TTE) display with two established absolute risk displays (i.e. emoticons and bar charts). The accessibility, that is, how understandable, helpful, and trustworthy patients found each display, was also investigated. METHODS: We analysed a sample of 353 patients recruited in general practices. After giving consent, patients were introduced to one of three fictional vignettes with low, medium or high cardiovascular risk. All three risk displays were shown in a randomized order. Patients were asked to rate each display with regard to motivation for SDM and accessibility. Two-factorial repeated measures analyses of variance were conducted to compare the displays and investigate possible interactions with age. RESULTS: Regarding motivation for SDM, the TTE elicited the highest motivation, followed by the emoticons and bar chart (p < .001). The displays had no differential influence on the age groups (p = .445). While the TTE was generally rated more accessible than the emoticons and bar chart (p < .001), the emoticons were only superior to the bar chart in the younger subsample. However, this was only to a small effect (interaction between display and age, p < .01, η 2 = 0.018). CONCLUSIONS: Using fictional case vignettes, the novel TTE display was superior regarding motivation for SDM and accessibility when compared to established displays using emoticons and a bar chart. If future research can replicate these results in real-life consultations, the TTE display will be a valuable addition to current risk calculators and decision aids by improving patients' participation.

Adherence to the integrated management of childhood illness guidelines in Namibia, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda: evidence from the national service provision assessment surveys.

BACKGROUND: Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) is regarded as a standard public health approach to lowering child mortality in developing countries. However, little is known about how health workers adhere to the guidelines at the national level in sub-Saharan African countries. METHODS: Data from the Service Provision Assessment surveys of Namibia (NA) (survey year: 2009), Kenya (KE) (2010), Tanzania (TZ) (2006) and Uganda (UG) (2007) were analysed for adherence to the IMCI guidelines by health workers. Potential influencing factors included the survey country, patient's age, the different levels of the national health system, the training level of the health care provider (physician, non-physician clinician, nurse-midwife, auxiliary staff), and the status of re-training in IMCI. RESULTS: In total, 6856 children (NA: 1495; KE: 1890; TZ: 2469; UG: 1002 / male 51.2-53.5%) aged 2-73 months (2-24 months, 65.3%; median NA: 19 months; KE: 18 months; TZ: 16 months; UG: 15 months) were clinically assessed by 2006 health workers during the surveys. Less than 33% of the workers carried out assessment of all three IMCI danger signs, namely inability to eat/drink, vomiting everything, and febrile convulsions (NA: 11%; KE: 11%; TZ: 14%; UG: 31%) while the rate for assessing all three of the IMCI main symptoms of cough/difficult breathing, diarrhoea, and fever was < 60% (NA: 48%; KE: 34%; TZ: 50%; UG: 57%). Physical examination rates for fever (temperature) (NA: 97%; KE: 87%; TZ: 73%; UG: 90%), pneumonia (respiration rate/auscultation) (NA: 43%; KE: 24%; TZ: 25%; UG: 20%) and diarrhoea (dehydration status) (NA: 29%; KE: 19%; TZ: 20%; UG: 39%) varied widely and were highest when assessing children with the actual diagnosis of pneumonia and diarrhoea. Adherence rates tended to be higher in children ≤ 24 months, at hospitals, among higher-qualified staff (physician/non-physician clinician) and among those with recent IMCI re-training. CONCLUSION: Despite nationwide training in IMCI the adherence rates for assessment and physical examination remained low in all four countries. IMCI training should continue to be provided to all health staff, particularly nurses, midwives, and auxiliary staff, with periodic re-training and an emphasis to equally target children of all age groups.

Psychosocial risk factors underlie the link between attention deficit hyperactivity symptoms and overweight at school entry.

The link between symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and increased body weight is well established, while the underlying mechanisms are not yet clear. Since increased body weight and ADHD symptoms have been found to be associated with psychosocial risk factors in childhood, we analyzed whether the psychosocial risks explain the association between the two conditions. The sample consisted of 360 children (age range 6-7 years, 173 boys) attending the obligatory medical health exam before school entry. The childrens' height and weight were measured during the examination. ADHD symptoms were ascertained by parent-report questionnaires. Psychosocial risks were ascertained by a structured interview. The link between ADHD symptoms and body weight could be completely explained by cumulative psychosocial risks while controlling for gender, symptoms of depression/anxiety and oppositional defiant disorder of the child, maternal smoking during pregnancy, parental body mass index, and potential diagnosis of ADHD in the parents. In current models pertaining to the etiology of overweight/obesity and ADHD, chronic stress caused by psychosocial adversity is assumed to act as a trigger for these conditions. Psychosocial risks experienced during childhood may activate processes that specifically lead to the combined ADHD-overweight phenotype.

Use of AC impedance spectroscopy for monitoring sound teeth and incipient carious lesions.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess the ability of alternating current impedance spectroscopy technique (ACIST) to monitor sound tooth surfaces and incipient carious lesions. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Two hundred ninety-two teeth were examined in 30 patients. Occlusal surfaces were classified according to International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS). Two consecutive ACIST measurements at the investigation sites already visually examined were taken (t1). Examinations were repeated after 6 (t2) and 12 months (t3). Reproducibility of ACIST findings was calculated with the intra-class correlation coefficient. Values of the ACIST measurements were categorized, and kappa values were calculated. Spearman correlation coefficients (r s) were calculated for correlations between ICDAS findings and ACIST measurements. To test whether ACIST detected changes similarly to ICDAS, Wilcoxon's test was used (α = 0.05). RESULTS: Intra-class correlation coefficient values of ACIST measurements ranged between 0.88 and 0.98. Kappa values for ACIST categories were 0.66-0.80. Rank correlation coefficient of ICDAS and ACIST readings was 0.38-0.65 at different time intervals (p < 0.01). Significant differences could be shown for ICDAS findings between t1/t2 (p = 0.001), t2/t3 (p = 0.021), and over the total duration of the study (t1/t3, p < 0.001). No significant differences between the various examination periods were found for the impedance measurements (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: ACIST exhibited in vivo high reproducibility but moderate correlation to visual findings at each time of examination. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: ACIST can be used for monitoring sound teeth and early carious lesions although its suitability as a single detection method is limited since not all changes could be detected with respect to visual findings.

Pain Relief in Depressive Disorders: A Meta-Analysis of the Effects of Antidepressants.

BACKGROUND: Pain is a common symptom in patients with depressive disorders, which, if present, worsens the prognosis. However, there is little empirical knowledge of the therapeutic effects of antidepressants on painful physical symptoms of patients with depressive disorders. Furthermore, tricyclic/tetracyclic antidepressants (TCAs) have not yet been included in existing meta-analyses. METHODS: A broad, systematic search of PubMed literature on antidepressant drug treatment of patients with depressive disorders with comorbid pain symptoms was carried out. A random-effects meta-analysis has been performed among 3 different groups of drugs for the 2 end points: pain and depression. RESULTS: Fourteen placebo-controlled studies with selective serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SSNRIs) could be included, with 3 of them also investigating selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Three further placebo-controlled SSRI studies were identified, but only 2 placebo-controlled TCA studies.Both SSNRIs and SSRIs, but not TCAs, were significantly superior to placebo as regards their analgesic effects. However, all effects were small. For SSNRIs, there was a strong positive correlation between their effectiveness for pain relief and their positive effect on the mood of the patients. DISCUSSION: The analgesic effects of SSNRIs and SSRIs in patients with primary depressive disorders can be interpreted as largely equivalent. Because of a lack of placebo-controlled TCA studies, the results for TCAs would be comparable only to those of SSRIs and SSNRIs, if non-placebo-controlled TCA studies were included. The positive correlation found indicates a close relationship of pain relief and antidepressant treatment effects. These results refer merely to patients with primary depressive disorders, not to patients with primary pain disorders. Further studies comparing the effects of different types of antidepressant drugs on pain in depressive patients are warranted.

Time-to-event versus ten-year-absolute-risk in cardiovascular risk prevention - does it make a difference? Results from the Optimizing-Risk-Communication (OptRisk) randomized-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The concept of shared-decision-making is a well-established approach to increase the participation of patients in medical decisions. Using lifetime risk or time-to-event (TTE) formats has been increasingly suggested as they might have advantages, e.g. in younger patients, to better show consequences of unhealthy behaviour. In this study, the most-popular ten-year risk illustration in the decision-aid-software arribaTM (emoticons), is compared within a randomised trial to a new-developed TTE illustration, which is based on a Markov model. METHODS: Thirty-two General Practitioners (GPs) took part in the study. A total of 304 patients were recruited and counseled by their GPs with arribaTM, and randomized to either the emoticons or the TTE illustration, followed by a patient questionnaire to figure out the degree of shared-decision-making (PEF-FB9, German questionnaire to measure the participation in the shared decision-making process, primary outcome), as well as the decisional conflict, perceived risk, accessibility and the degree of information, which are all secondary outcomes. RESULTS: Regarding our primary outcome PEF-FB9 the new TTE illustration is not inferior compared to the well-established emoticons taking the whole study population into account. Furthermore, the non-inferiority of the innovative TTE could be confirmed for all secondary outcome variables. The explorative analysis indicates even advantages in younger patients (below 46 years of age). CONCLUSION: The TTE format seems to be as useful as the well-established emoticons. For certain patient populations, especially younger patients, the TTE may be even superior to demonstrate a cardiovascular risk at early stages. Our results suggest that time-to-event illustrations should be considered for current decision support tools covering cardiovascular prevention. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study was registered at the German Clinical Trials Register and at the WHO International Clinical Trials Register Platform ( ICTRP, ID DRKS00004933 ); registered 2 February 2016 (retrospectively registered).

Child and adolescent psychiatry: which knowledge and skills do primary care physicians need to have? A survey in general practitioners and paediatricians.

Primary care physicians (PCPs) play a key role in the initial assessment and management of children and adolescents with mental health problems. However, it is unclear whether current medical education curricula sufficiently equip PCPs for this task. The aim of this study was to investigate, which child and adolescent psychiatry (CAP)-related skills and knowledge PCPs say they require in their daily practice. A questionnaire was generated, employing a modified two-step Delphi approach. Besides socio-demographic items, the questionnaire contained 17 CAP-related knowledge items and 13 CAP-related skills items, which had to be rated by importance in daily practice. The questionnaire was distributed to 348 office-based paediatricians and 500 general practitioners (GPs) in Germany. The overall return rate was 51.3% (435/848). Regarding CAP-related knowledge, both paediatricians and GPs rated somatoform disorders and obesity as highly important for daily practice. Moreover, paediatricians also deemed regulatory disorders during infancy (e.g. crying, sleep disorders) as important, while GPs assessed knowledge on paediatric depression as relevant. For paediatricians and GPs, the most relevant CAP-related skills were communicating with children and adolescents and their parents. Additionally, paediatricians rated differentiating between non-pathologic and clinically relevant behaviour problems very relevant, while GPs considered basic psychotherapeutic skills essential. The CAP-related knowledge and skills perceived relevant for doctors in primary care differ from the majority of current medical school CAP curricula, which cover mainly typical, epitomic CAP disorders and are predominantly knowledge-oriented. Therefore, medical education in CAP should be amended to reflect the needs of PCPs to improve healthcare for children and adolescents with mental health problems.

Use of a fluorescence-based camera for monitoring occlusal surfaces of primary and permanent teeth.

BACKGROUND: Sound teeth and incipient lesions require regular monitoring to detect possible progression of caries early on. AIM: To evaluate the ability of the VistaProof (VP) fluorescence-based camera for monitoring occlusal surfaces. DESIGN: A total of 419 posterior teeth (205 primary molars, 145 permanent molars, and 69 premolars) of 35 patients were examined (average age: 9.1 years). The occlusal surfaces were classified visually according to the criteria of the International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS). VP measurements were performed at baseline (t1), and the examinations were repeated after six (t2) and twelve month (t3). Correlation between methods was calculated using Spearman's rank correlation coefficient (rs ). Wilcoxon test was used to monitor whether VP identified changes as well as ICDAS (α = 0.05). RESULTS: Correlations between ICDAS and VP were significantly positive (rs : 0.66-0.73, P < 0.001). No significant differences were found between all times for the ICDAS findings. Significant differences for the VP were ascertained for t1/t2 (P = 0.03). Results based on cluster randomization showed significant differences between ICDAS and VistaProof concerning the absence/presence of changes in the finding (P < 0.0005). CONCLUSION: Correlation between ICDAS and VP was strong. The VP supported the findings of visual examination for monitoring occlusal surfaces, although not all changes could be detected with respect to the visual findings.

Evaluation of an intensified prevention program for 4th graders with increased caries risk using ICDAS.

BACKGROUND: In order to investigate correlations between specific parameters and dental caries, it is useful to record incipient and dentine lesions. AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a selective intensified preventive program (SIP) on oral health of fourth graders using ICDAS. DESIGN: A cohort study was performed. ICDAS and DMFT index were recorded. Prevention and social factors were collected with psychometric questionnaires. The test group and the control group were parallelized using sociodemographic variables. RESULTS: The participants in the fluoride varnish program in the test region showed a significantly lower caries experience than pupils in the control region. The bivariate analysis revealed that a migrant background had a negative impact on oral health whereas fissure sealants, use of fluoridated table salt, use of fluoride tablets, early start of toothbrushing and high social status exerted a positive influence on dental health. Stepwise backward logistic regression analysis confirmed that fissure sealants, a high social status and an early start of toothbrushing had a significant positive impact on dental health. CONCLUSION: The results of our study suggest that a SIP impedes the primary occurrence of incipient lesions and the transition from incipient to advanced lesions.

Association of caries increment in preschool children with nutritional and preventive variables.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence of various risk factors on dental caries increment in deciduous teeth of preschool children over 2.5 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A longitudinal study was carried out in kindergartens in two German counties in Northern Hesse. At baseline examination in 2006-2007, the mean age of the children was 3.5 years. Caries experience was recorded according to WHO standards. Information about feeding practices during early childhood and preventive measures were collected by a structured questionnaire for each child. RESULTS: Three hundred ninety-five (69.8%) of the 566 children showed no caries increment. A caries increase of 1 to 10 dmf-teeth was exhibited by 171 children (30.2%). The mean dmf-t increment amounted to 0.75. The bivariate analysis revealed that the consumption of sugary food and beverages had a negative impact on oral health. Early start of toothbrushing, use of fluoridated children's toothpaste, and frequent toothbrushing exerted a positive influence on dental health. Stepwise backward logistic regression analysis confirmed that a high social status has a significant positive impact on dental health (p = 0.028), whereas the consumption of sugary food and beverages was significantly associated with a higher dental caries increment (p = 0.004). CONCLUSION: Obviously, it is not possible to limit the caries increment in children of low socioeconomic status as successfully as in children of high socioeconomic status. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: There must be a stronger focus on families of low socioeconomic status when preventive measures are performed on groups or individuals.

[Screening interview for early detection of high-functioning autism spectrum disorders]. / Screening von Kindern und Jugendlichen mit hochfunktionaler Autismus-Spektrum-Störung anhand ausgewählter Items des ADI-R.

OBJECTIVE: Various different questionnaires are available for the screening of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). These screening instruments show high sensitivity and are able to identify a large number of individuals with ASD, but they lack the specificity to differentiate individuals with ASD from those children and adolescents with other complex neurobehavioural disorders (such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, emotional disorders, and others), especially for those without intellectual disabilities. METHOD: The present study evaluates the data of 309 individuals (153 with high-functioning ASD, 156 with other psychiatric disorders, IQ > 70) to find out whether selected items of the ADI-R can be used for an economic and sensitive screening of high-functioning ASD. RESULTS: The results show that 8 items of the ADI-R can be used to discriminate high-functioning ASD and other psychiatric disorders. A cutoff of 5 led to a sensitivity of 0.93 and a cutoff of 6 to a specificity of 0.74. CONCLUSION: The combination of early onset, serious abnormalities in social contact with stereotyped or compulsive-ritualized behaviour or interests can be detected with few interview questions for screening of ASD. Nevertheless, a more detailed and specific assessment in an expert setting should follow the screening process.

Inhibitory control and delay aversion in unaffected preschoolers with a positive family history of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

BACKGROUND: From current theories on the etiology of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), it can be inferred that delay aversion (DA) and deficits in inhibitory control (IC) constitute basic deficits or endophenotypes of the disorder that already occur in the preschool period. This implies an occurrence of the characteristics in unaffected preschoolers with a positive family history of ADHD. Thus, it is hypothesized that preschoolers who are not affected by ADHD but who have first-degree relatives who suffer, or have suffered, from ADHD show deficits in IC and heightened DA in comparison to preschoolers from the general population. METHODS: Thirty unaffected preschoolers with a positive family history of ADHD were compared with 30 control children matched with respect to age in months, gender, intelligence, and maternal education level. The groups also did not differ in terms of maternal depressive symptoms and the number of psychosocial family risks. A set of age-appropriate neuropsychological tasks on executive IC (e.g. Puppet Says, Day-Night, relying on Go-NoGo and interference paradigms) and DA (e.g. Snack Delay, Gift Wrap, relying on delay of gratification paradigm) was conducted. RESULTS: Unaffected preschoolers showed significantly higher DA than control children (t(29) = -2.57, p < .008). The result did not change when subclinical ADHD symptoms and symptoms of oppositional defiant disorder were controlled for (F(1,29) = 5.21, p < .031). Differences in IC did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSION: The results are compatible with the assumption that DA constitutes a familial vulnerability marker that can be validly assessed in the preschool period. As this is the first study to address this issue in preschoolers, more research is needed to confirm and further analyze the significance of DA assessments specifically at this developmental stage.