Purpose: To identify risk factors associated with the occurrence of complete uterine rupture (CUR) in comparison to partial uterine rupture (PUR) to further investigate to what extent a standardized definition is needed and what clinical implications can be drawn. Methods: Between 2005 and 2017 cases with CUR and PUR at Charité University Berlin, Germany were retrospectively identified. Demographic, obstetric and outcome variables were analyzed regarding the type of rupture. Binary multivariate regression analysis was conducted to identify risk factors associated with CUR. In addition, the intended route of delivery (trial of labor after cesarean delivery (TOLAC) and elective repeat cesarean delivery (ERCD)), divided according to the type of rupture, was compared. Results: 92 cases with uterine rupture were identified out of a total of 64.063 births (0.14%). Puerperal complications were more frequent in CUR (67.9 versus 41.1%, p = 0.021). Multiparity ≥ 3 was more frequent in CUR (31 versus 10.7%, p = 0.020). Factors increasing the risk for CUR were parity ≥ 3 (OR = 3.8, p = 0.025), previous vaginal birth (OR = 4.4, p = 0.011), TOLAC (OR = 6.5, p < 0.001) and the use of oxytocin (OR = 2.9, p = 0.036). After multivariate analysis, the only independent risk factor associated with CUR was TOLAC (OR = 7.4, p = 0.017). Conclusion: TOLAC is the only independent risk factor for CUR. After optimized antenatal counselling TOLAC and ERCD had comparable short-term maternal and fetal outcomes in a high resource setting. A high number of previous vaginal births does not eliminate the risk of uterine rupture. A clear distinction between CUR and PUR is essential to ensure comparability among studies.
Background: Osteoporosis is a disease of the skeletal system associated with loss of bone mass and an increased risk of fractures affecting women more often than men. Identification of the knowledge about osteoporosis and its preventive methods is the backbone of any awareness program. This study investigates the knowledge with a special focus on women with and without a migration background. Methods: Data from systematic patient interviews based on a questionnaire were collected at three different sites in Berlin between February and June 2021. The survey included questions assessing migrant background, demographic characteristics, lifestyle habits including physical exercise and smoking, prevention by vitamin D intake and bone densitometry, and information on personal and family medical history. According to the responses, a scale was created to assess the level of knowledge of preventive osteoporosis measures. The ethic committee of the Charité, Medical faculty has approved this study. SPSS (version 24.0) was used for the statistical analyses. Results: The survey of 502 female patients revealed that 25% had low and 34% no previous knowledge of osteoporosis. Older age and a better education level correlate with a higher knowledge. Patients with gynecologic cancer are less well informed. There is a significant difference in vitamin D intake between migrant and non-migrant women (57% vs. 49%). There were no significant differences regarding the use of bone densitometry. Conclusion: Knowledge of osteoporosis and the possibility of a bone densitometry as well as the implementation of preventive measures is low among women. Therefore, informing patients better should be a priority, with particular attention on the risks and needs of women with a migration background. Specific programs for women with and without migration background should be developed to increase the awareness of osteoporosis.
Introduction: Although creative therapies like painting, dancing, and writing are often used and encouraged to treat various diseases, including cancer, there are few systematic scientific studies on innovative therapies in medical care. Methods: An anonymous survey was developed for female patients, their relatives, and female medical staff on the impact of creative therapies on optimizing clinical therapy management in exclusively female trials. Results: Of 718 respondents, 358 were female patients, 69 were medical personnel, and 291 were in the control group. Overall, 91.2% of respondents had sought access to creative therapies, indicating strong self-motivated engagement in activities to improve health and well-being. This study also uncovered a significant preference for creative writing among patients. Furthermore, the data suggest that integrating innovative therapies into biopsychosocial anamnesis could offer valuable insights into patients’ mobility, mood, and social behaviors. Despite a general hesitation to discuss leisure activities with medical professionals, many patients wanted to incorporate creative activities into their treatment plans. Moreover, group settings for innovative therapy were preferred, highlighting the need for more structured support in medical environments to facilitate these therapeutic interactions. Conclusions: This study suggests creative therapies can be valuable in medical care.
27 October 2021 in Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics
Purpose: The pandemic SARS-CoV-2 poses new and unprecedented challenges for health care systems on a national and global level. Although the current situation has been going on for more than 1 year, there is limited data on the impact of the pandemic on general hospital and medical practice care. This survey captures the perspective of patients with gynaecological diseases of this impact. Methods: Using a paper-based questionnaire, 327 patients were asked about medical care and their experiences during the pandemic at the University Hospital Bonn and the University Hospital Charité Berlin. The study was performed from the 1st June to 30th September 2020. Results: A total of 327 patients participated in the study: 156 stated to have been tested for coronavirus, and 1 patient reported a positive test. 41.3% of the patients felt insecure about the current situation, 30.4% were concerned about the risk of infection during the hospital stay. The pandemic-specific measures in hospitals and medical practices unsettled 6.8% of patients. 18.1% of patients feared that their gynaecological disease would not be treated adequately due to the pandemic. 55.7% of patients reported that their confidence in their physicians has increased during the pandemic. Conclusion: The results show that patients’ confidence in the healthcare system and the physicians acting significantly increased during the COVID-19 crisis. Transparent and comprehensive information policy regarding actions and restrictions within the COVID-19 crisis eases patients concerns and improves patients’ confidence in their physicians, which is crucial for a successful treatment’s outcome.
18 September 2023 in Bundesgesundheitsblatt - Gesundheitsforschung - Gesundheitsschutz
Zusammenfassung: Die Akzeptanz der kulturellen Vielfalt und das Anerkennen und Wertschätzen der Facetten des „Andersseins“ wie Geschlecht, Alter, Berufsgruppe, Krankheitsgruppe, Religion, soziokultureller Hintergrund sowie Migrationsgeschichten sind Grundvoraussetzungen für eine adäquate Kommunikation und Interaktion im Gesundheitswesen. Der Begriff interkulturelle Kompetenz ist multidimensional und umfasst eine Reihe von Eigenschaften und Fähigkeiten, die sowohl emotionale und kognitive Elemente beinhalten als auch die Verhaltensebene berühren. In dem vorliegenden Artikel diskutieren wir die Bedeutung der interkulturellen Kompetenz für das Gesundheitswesen und welche Aspekte der interkulturellen Kommunikation für eine kultursensible medizinische Versorgung besonders relevant sind. Wir berichten außerdem über die Implementierung eines interprofessionellen Fort- und Weiterbildungskonzeptes für die klinische Praxis (IPIKA – „Interprofessionelles und Interkulturelles Arbeiten in Medizin, Pflege und Sozialdienst“).Basis der spezifischen Ansätze zur Verbesserung der interkulturellen Kompetenz sollte die systematische Aus- und Weiterbildung grundsätzlicher kommunikativer Fähigkeiten sein. Dies betrifft nahezu alle Ausbildungscurricula für die medizinischen Professionen. Es ist wichtig zu betonen, dass interkulturelle Kompetenz ein Kern- und Querschnittsthema für alle Beteiligten im Gesundheitssystem darstellt.