Biomedical subjects

K-H Grotemeyer

Publications and source records attributed to K-H Grotemeyer.

2 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2004

[Dysfunctional syndromes: their diagnostics and treatment].

If a patient presents with symptoms of a functional somatic pain syndrome in the primary care setting, it is important to confirm the diagnosis based on a thorough history and physical examination including selected diagnostic tests to exclude somatic diseases with a similar clinical presentation. Important aspects of psychosomatic medicine in the primary care setting are to discuss the diagnosis, treatment options, and prognosis of the functional psychosomatic pain syndromes with the patient in detail. Patients who present with a functional somatic pain syndrome to secondary or tertiary care centers, should be screened for additional functional pain syndromes. A psychiatric-psychosomatic evaluation might be indicated. Based on criteria of evidence-based medicine, psychotherapy and/or tricyclic antidepressants seem to be the most promising treatment approaches for the functional somatic pain syndromes.

Combined Modality Therapy↗

PubMed2004

[Tension headache].

The life time prevalence of episodic tension headache ranges between 13-66%, of chronic tension headache between 1-3%. In most studies a slight preponderance of women was found. Approximately 20% of persons afflicted by tension headache seek for medical help. The costs of tension headache are mainly indirect ones due to lost work days. Increased pain sensitivity of the pericranial muscles, psychosocial stress and psychiatric disorders are discussed as main pathophysiological mechanisms. Taking into consideration the uncertainty of the entity "tension headache" tricyclic antidepressants and psychotherapy (biofeedback, stress management therapy, autogenic training) are effective. The superiority of a multicomponent therapy with tricyclic antidepressants and stress management therapy over pharmaceutical and psychotherapeutic treatment or placebo alone was demonstrated in one study.

Female↗