Biomedical subjects

Achim Hochlehnert

Publications and source records attributed to Achim Hochlehnert.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2007

[Elevated costs of treatment in medical inpatients with psychiatric comorbidity are not reflected in the German DRG-system].

OBJECTIVE: So far, it remains unclear whether treatment of psychiatric comorbidity in medical inpatients is appropriately reflected in the German Diagnosis-Related Groups (DRG) system. Therefore, we investigated the relationship of psychiatric disorders and costs, returns, net gain, and duration of hospitalization in internal medicine inpatients. METHODS: For a period of 1 year, we analyzed costs, net gain and other outcome variables according to the DRG system for all inpatients of a university department of internal and psychosomatic medicine (n = 697). Psychiatric disorders were diagnosed by the treating physicians based on clinical criteria and results from the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ). With respect to the outcome variables, we compared three groups of patients with none, one, and more than one psychiatric disorder controlling for sociodemographic characteristics. RESULTS: The average total costs of the hospitalization (M +/- SD) for internal medicine patients without psychiatric comorbidity (4357 +/- 5312 euro), for patients with one psychiatric disorder, (4733 +/- 5389 euro), and for patients with more than one psychiatric disorder (7163 +/- 8277 euro) differed significantly (p = 0.0003). However, the increased costs for patients with psychiatric comorbidity were not related to elevated returns: the net gain for patients without psychiatric comorbidity was 457 +/- 2884 euro; in contrast, the treatment of internal medicine patients with one and more than one psychiatric disorder resulted in a net loss of - 260 +/- 2389 euro and - 348 +/- 3370 euro, respectively (overall group difference, p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Additional work and expenses caused by patients with psychiatric comorbidity should be documented and reflected in the revenue systems. Practical self-report screening questionnaires may help to detect and treat psychiatric disorders in internal medicine inpatients as early as possible.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Low intestinal glutamine level and low glutaminase activity in Crohn's disease: a rational for glutamine supplementation?

Intestinal glutamine utilization is integral to mucosal regeneration. We analyzed the systemic and intestinal glutamine status in Crohn's disease (CD) and evaluated the therapeutic effect of glutamine supplementation in an animal model of ileitis. In CD, glutamine concentrations were decreased systemically and in noninflamed and inflamed ileal/colonic mucosa. Mucosal glutaminase activities were depressed in the ileum independent of inflammation but were not different from controls in the colon. In experimental ileitis, oral glutamine feeding prevented macroscopic inflammation, enhanced ileal and colonic glutaminase activities above controls, and normalized the intestinal glutathione redox status. However, glutamine supplementation enhanced myeloperoxidase activity along the gastrointestinal tract and potentiated lipid peroxidation in the colon. In conclusion, glutamine metabolism is impaired in CD. In experimental ileitis, glutamine supplementation prevents inflammatory tissue damage. In the colon, however, which does not use glutamine as its principal energy source, immune enhancement of inflammatory cells by glutamine increases oxidative tissue injury.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

A computer-based information-tool for chronic pain patients. Computerized information to support the process of shared decision-making.

OBJECTIVE: Assessment of the use of a computerized information-tool in the context of a shared decision-making process with chronic pain patients. METHODS: In the scope of a prospective and randomized study on shared decision-making with Fibromyalgia patients, a total of 75 patients had access to computer-based information about their illness. Fibromyalgia is a condition of chronic wide-spread pain, belonging to rheumatism, which mainly affects mature female patients. The majority of the patients in our study are female (93%) with an average age of 50 years. The computer-based information-tool provided the patients with detailed information about pathogenesis, typical symptoms, treatment options and prognosis. Six evaluative questions were posed to the participants concerning the assessment of the information presented, the handling of the programme, the need for an introduction to the programme, the quality of the layout and the assessment of the length of time spent in front of the computer and the assessment of the usefulness of such a tool in general practitioners' offices. Furthermore, psychological self-assessment questionnaires were filled out by the participants. RESULTS: The patients highly appreciate the possibility of using computer-based information-tools and endorse the implementation of such tools in general practitioners' offices. CONCLUSION: Computerized information leads to a better understanding of the illness and the treatment options on the part of the patient. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: For further practical use it is crucial to provide an introduction to the handling of a computer to unskilled patients.

Chronic Disease↗

PubMed2004

Improvement of the educational process by computer-based visualization of procedures: randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Before any invasive procedure, physicians have a legal obligation to inform patients. Traditionally, this involves a discussion with a physician, supplemented by written leaflet information directed at the specific procedure. OBJECTIVE: Comparison of the use and effectiveness of computer-based visualization opposed to standardized conversation for providing patients with information of forthcoming procedures (coronary catheters or endoscopy procedures). METHODS: Prospective, randomized trial with 56 participants allocated in two different groups: Visualization Group (standardized information supported by a tool for displaying two-dimensional pictures to explain medical facts as well as informative leaflet) or Control Group (standardized information and informative leaflet only). Detailed information was given about the indication, the probable complications and the details of the forthcoming procedures (coronary catheters or endoscopy procedures). All participants had to reach a Karnofsky Score of 70 points and be able to understand German or English. Main outcome measures were patient's satisfaction with physician-patient conversation, patient's acquired knowledge and duration of the intervention as described above. RESULTS: Patients of the Visualization Group were more satisfied with the conversation and had higher knowledge scores after the conversation. A Mann-Whitney-U-Test between the two groups showed that these differences in satisfaction (P<0.001) and knowledge (P= or <0.006) were statistically significant. Length of time needed for the conversation was slightly higher in the Visualization Group, but this difference was not statistically significant (25 versus 23 min; P= 0.441). No differences could be found due to differing age or educational level in the results of the Visualization and the Control Group. CONCLUSIONS: Using computerized visualization increased the satisfaction and knowledge of the patients. The presentation of the visualized information in the Visualization Group did not demand significantly more time than the standard conversation in the Control Group.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

[The process of shared decision making in chronic pain patients. Evaluation and modification of treatment decisions].

Conditions affecting the musculoskeletal system are the cause of approximately 25% of absenteeism from work. Fibromyalgia syndrome is an exemplary condition of chronic widespread pain which most physicians consider difficult to manage. The physician-patient relationship is burdened with resignation and frustration on both sides. Initial agreement regarding the aims of treatment is rare. The patient's active involvement in the decision making process is expected to improve the physician-patient relationship. One aspect of this shared decision making process is the evaluation and possibly modification of treatment decisions. In the present study 39 consultations of physicians who had undergone special communication training were examined as to whether these physicians actually exercised the option of revising their treatment decisions. In 87.2% of the consultations the therapy decisions were modified within three months after the first encounter. Patients considered to be "difficult" were less likely to modify their decisions. The shared decision making process usually takes more than one consultation.

Chronic Disease↗