@article{FroehlichZahnerSchmalzingetal.2023, author = {Froehlich, Matthias and Zahner, Antonia and Schmalzing, Marc and Gernert, Michael and Strunz, Patrick-Pascal and Hueper, Sebastian and Portegys, Jan and Schwaneck, Eva Christina and Gadeholt, Ottar and K{\"u}bler, Andrea and Hewig, Johannes and Ziebell, Philipp}, title = {Patient-reported outcomes provide evidence for increased depressive symptoms and increased mental impairment in giant cell arteritis}, series = {Frontiers in Medicine}, volume = {10}, journal = {Frontiers in Medicine}, doi = {10.3389/fmed.2023.1146815}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-319761}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Objectives The spectrum of giant cell arteritis (GCA) and polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) represents highly inflammatory rheumatic diseases. Patients mostly report severe physical impairment. Possible consequences for mental health have been scarcely studied. The aim of this study was to investigate psychological well-being in the context of GCA and PMR. Methods Cross-sectional study with N = 100 patients with GCA and/or PMR (GCA-PMR). Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) were measured using the Short Form 36 Version 2 (SF-36v2) and visual analog scale (VAS) assessment. Moreover, the Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9) was used in 35 of 100 patients to detect depression. To compare PROs with physician assessment, VAS was also rated from physician perspective. To assess a possible association with inflammation itself, serological parameters of inflammation (C-reactive protein [CRP], erythrocyte sedimentation rate [ESR]) were included. Results In all scales of the SF-36v2 except General Health (GH) and in the physical and mental sum score (PCS, MCS), a significant impairment compared to the German reference collective was evident (MCS: d = 0.533, p < 0.001). In the PHQ-9 categorization, 14 of the 35 (40\%) showed evidence of major depression disorder. VAS Patient correlated significantly with PHQ-9 and SF-36 in all categories, while VAS Physician showed only correlations to physical categories and not in the mental dimensions. Regarding inflammatory parameters, linear regression showed CRP to be a complementary significant positive predictor of mental health subscale score, independent of pain. Conclusion PRO show a relevant impairment of mental health up to symptoms of major depression disorder. The degree of depressive symptoms is also distinctly associated with the serological inflammatory marker CRP.}, language = {en} } @article{HornKristLiebetal.2021, author = {Horn, A. and Krist, L. and Lieb, W. and Montellano, F. A. and Kohls, M. and Haas, K. and Gelbrich, G. and Bolay-Gehrig, S. J. and Morbach, C. and Reese, J. P. and St{\"o}rk, S. and Fricke, J. and Zoller, T. and Schmidt, S. and Triller, P. and Kretzler, L. and R{\"o}nnefarth, M. and Von Kalle, C. and Willich, S. N. and Kurth, F. and Steinbeis, F. and Witzenrath, M. and Bahmer, T. and Hermes, A. and Krawczak, M. and Reinke, L. and Maetzler, C. and Franzenburg, J. and Enderle, J. and Flinspach, A. and Vehreschild, J. and Schons, M. and Illig, T. and Anton, G. and Ungeth{\"u}m, K. and Finkenberg, B. C. and Gehrig, M. T. and Savaskan, N. and Heuschmann, P. U. and Keil, T. and Schreiber, S.}, title = {Long-term health sequelae and quality of life at least 6 months after infection with SARS-CoV-2: design and rationale of the COVIDOM-study as part of the NAPKON population-based cohort platform (POP)}, series = {Infection}, volume = {49}, journal = {Infection}, number = {6}, issn = {0300-8126}, doi = {10.1007/s15010-021-01707-5}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-308960}, pages = {1277-1287}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Purpose Over the course of COVID-19 pandemic, evidence has accumulated that SARS-CoV-2 infections may affect multiple organs and have serious clinical sequelae, but on-site clinical examinations with non-hospitalized samples are rare. We, therefore, aimed to systematically assess the long-term health status of samples of hospitalized and non-hospitalized SARS-CoV-2 infected individuals from three regions in Germany. Methods The present paper describes the COVIDOM-study within the population-based cohort platform (POP) which has been established under the auspices of the NAPKON infrastructure (German National Pandemic Cohort Network) of the national Network University Medicine (NUM). Comprehensive health assessments among SARS-CoV-2 infected individuals are conducted at least 6 months after the acute infection at the study sites Kiel, W{\"u}rzburg and Berlin. Potential participants were identified and contacted via the local public health authorities, irrespective of the severity of the initial infection. A harmonized examination protocol has been implemented, consisting of detailed assessments of medical history, physical examinations, and the collection of multiple biosamples (e.g., serum, plasma, saliva, urine) for future analyses. In addition, patient-reported perception of the impact of local pandemic-related measures and infection on quality-of-life are obtained. Results As of July 2021, in total 6813 individuals infected in 2020 have been invited into the COVIDOM-study. Of these, about 36\% wished to participate and 1295 have already been examined at least once. Conclusion NAPKON-POP COVIDOM-study complements other Long COVID studies assessing the long-term consequences of an infection with SARS-CoV-2 by providing detailed health data of population-based samples, including individuals with various degrees of disease severity. Trial registration Registered at the German registry for clinical studies (DRKS00023742).}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Enzensberger2024, author = {Enzensberger, Eva}, title = {Stellenwert der Dobutamin-Stress-Echokardiographie bei der Unterscheidung einer hochgradigen von einer pseudo-hochgradigen Aortenklappenstenose und Bestimmung deren echokardiographischer Pr{\"a}diktoren}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-36014}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-360146}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2024}, abstract = {Ziel dieser Studie war es, zu eruieren, ob die DSE zur Unterscheidung einer TS- von einer PSAS beitragen kann. Ebenfalls untersuchten wir, ob es bestimmte echokardiographische Pr{\"a}diktoren f{\"u}r eine TS- und eine PSAS gibt und ob die LVEF bei Patienten mit einer LGAS eine entscheidende Rolle spielt. Methoden: Es wurde bei 130 Patienten mit einer asymptomatischen AS im Uniklinikum W{\"u}rzburg zwischen Januar 2011 und Dezember 2016 sowohl eine TTE als auch eine DSE durchgef{\"u}hrt. Mittels TTE wurden verschiedene echokardiographische Daten erhoben und falls die Patienten eine AVAi  0,6 cm2/m2 und eine PGmean < 40 mmHg aufwiesen, wurden sie in die Studie eingeschlossen. Sie wurden in zwei Gruppen aufgeteilt, je nachdem ob sie eine LGAS mit einer LVEF  50\% oder < 50\% aufwiesen. Bei allen Patienten wurde in der DSE die AVAproj berechnet und sie wurden daraufhin in zwei Untergruppen aufgeteilt, Patienten mit einer AVAproj  1 cm2 wurden der Gruppe mit einer hochgradigen LGAS (TS-LGAS) und Patienten mit einer AVAproj > 1cm2 der Gruppe mit einer pseudo-hochgradigen LGAS (PS-LGAS) zugeteilt. Alle Patientendaten wurden manuell ausgewertet. Das klinische Follow Up fand fr{\"u}hestens ein Jahr nach der DSE statt und bestand aus einem Telefoninterview oder einer klinischen Untersuchung. Ergebnisse: Die DSE ist zur Diagnose einer TS-LGAS bei Patienten mit einer erhaltenen LVEF von großem Nutzen. Die in der TTE gemessene AVA ist ein unabh{\"a}ngiger Pr{\"a}diktor f{\"u}r eine TS-LGAS bei Patienten mit erhaltener und reduzierter LVEF. Eine verringerte MAPSE und eine reduzierte TDI-s´ sprechen bei Patienten mit erhaltener LVEF f{\"u}r eine TS-LGAS. Bei Patienten mit reduzierter LVEF weisen ein erh{\"o}hter sPAP und eine verringerte AV Geschwindigkeits Ratio auf eine TS-LGAS hin. Bei Zweifeln k{\"o}nnen weitere bildgebende Verfahren zur Diagnosefindung hinzugezogen werden.}, subject = {Aortenstenose}, language = {de} } @phdthesis{Hammel2024, author = {Hammel, Clara}, title = {Einfluss longitudinaler Ver{\"a}nderungen der linksventrikul{\"a}ren Ejektionsfraktion auf das Langzeit{\"u}berleben bei Herzinsuffizienzpatienten mit leicht reduzierter Ejektionsfraktion oder reduzierter Ejektionsfraktion}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-36002}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-360025}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2024}, abstract = {Diese retrospektive Studie an der Universit{\"a}tsklinik W{\"u}rzburg diente der Beurteilung der longitudinalen Funktion in Bezug auf die Gesamtmortalit{\"a}t bei Patienten mit HFmrEF und HFrEF. Die Gruppierung erfolgte anhand der jeweiligen Baseline LVEF. Eine weitere Unterteilung erfolgte in eine isch{\"a}mische oder nicht-isch{\"a}mische Genese der HF. Die Subgruppen wurden anhand der Baseline klinischen Charakteristika sowie der echokardiographischen Parameter verglichen. Hier ließ sich ein relativ {\"a}hnliches Patientenklientel mit vergleichbarem Alter, Geschlecht, BMI sowie kardialen Risikofaktoren zeigen. Signifikante Unterschiede ergab der Vergleich des NYHA-Stadiums, der Nierenfunktion sowie des Auftretens von Myokardinfarkten. Die Ver{\"a}nderung der LVEF {\"u}ber die Zeit hat einen zentralen Stellenwert zur Evaluation des Outcomes von Patienten mit HFmrEF und HFrEF. Eine Verbesserung der LVEF fand sich signifikant h{\"a}ufiger bei HFrEF Patienten als bei HFmrEF Patienten, welche {\"u}ber die Zeit signifikant h{\"a}ufiger eine stabile LVEF aufwiesen. Außerdem war nach Auswertung der {\"U}berlebenskurven nach Kaplan-Meier in HFmrEF Patienten eine verbesserte oder unver{\"a}nderte LVEF {\"u}ber die Zeit mit einem besseren {\"U}berleben verbunden, vor allem bei Patienten mit isch{\"a}mischer {\"A}tiologie. In der HFrEF Gruppe konnte gezeigt werden, dass sowohl Patienten mit isch{\"a}mischer als auch mit nicht-isch{\"a}mischer {\"A}tiologie bei Vorliegen einer verbesserten oder unver{\"a}nderten LVEF {\"u}ber die Zeit ein besseres Outcome aufwiesen. Eine erniedrigte MAPSE bedeutete vor allem bei HFmrEF Patienten mit nicht-isch{\"a}mischer {\"A}tiologie ein schlechteres Outcome. Die Ergebnisse dienten unter anderem der weiteren Charakterisierung der HFmrEF und HFrEF Gruppe sowie der Identifikation von Faktoren zur Beurteilung der Ver{\"a}nderung der LVEF {\"u}ber die Zeit und der Prognose des Langzeit{\"u}berlebens beider Gruppen. Ziel f{\"u}r die Zukunft sollte sein, auch f{\"u}r HFmrEF Patienten evidenzbasierte Herzinsuffizienz Therapien zu etablieren.}, subject = {Transthorakale Echokardiographie}, language = {de} } @phdthesis{Adam2024, author = {Adam, Pia Sophie}, title = {Expression von PD-L1 und FGFR1-4 beim anaplastischen und gering differenzierten Schilddr{\"u}senkarzinom - Evaluation als pr{\"a}klinische diagnostische Marker}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-35939}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-359391}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2024}, abstract = {Background: Treatment options for poorly differentiated (PDTC) and anaplastic (ATC) thyroid carcinoma are unsatisfactory and prognosis is generally poor. Lenvatinib (LEN), a multi-tyrosine kinase inhibitor targeting fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFR) 1-4 is approved for advanced radioiodine refractory thyroid carcinoma, but response to single agent is poor in ATC. Recent reports of combining LEN with PD-1 inhibitor pembrolizumab (PEM) are promising. Materials and methods: Primary ATC (n=93) and PDTC (n=47) tissue samples diagnosed 1997-2019 at five German tertiary care centers were assessed for PD-L1 expression by immunohistochemistry using Tumor Proportion Score (TPS). FGFR 1-4 mRNA was quantified in 31 ATC and 14 PDTC with RNAscope in-situ hybridization. Normal thyroid tissue (NT) and papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) served as controls. Disease specific survival (DSS) was the primary outcome variable. Results: PD-L1 TPS≥50\% was observed in 42\% of ATC and 26\% of PDTC specimens. Mean PD-L1 expression was significantly higher in ATC (TPS 30\%) than in PDTC (5\%; p<0.01) and NT (0\%, p<0.001). 53\% of PDTC samples had PD-L1 expression ≤5\%. FGFR mRNA expression was generally low in all samples but combined FGFR1-4 expression was significantly higher in PDTC and ATC compared to NT (each p<0.001). No impact of PD-L1 and FGFR 1-4 expression was observed on DSS. Conclusion: High tumoral expression of PD-L1 in a large proportion of ATCs and a subgroup of PDTCs provides a rationale for immune checkpoint inhibition. FGFR expression is low thyroid tumor cells. The clinically observed synergism of PEM with LEN may be caused by immune modulation.}, subject = {Schilddr{\"u}senkrebs}, language = {de} } @article{RemdeKranzMorelletal.2023, author = {Remde, Hanna and Kranz, Stefanie and Morell, Sarah Maria and Altieri, Barbara and Kroiss, Matthias and Detomas, Mario and Fassnacht, Martin and Deutschbein, Timo}, title = {Clinical course of patients with adrenal incidentalomas and cortisol autonomy}, series = {Frontiers in Endocrinology}, volume = {14}, journal = {Frontiers in Endocrinology}, issn = {1664-2392}, doi = {10.3389/fendo.2023.1123132}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-316793}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Background Adrenal incidentalomas with cortisol autonomy are associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Specific data on the clinical and biochemical course of affected patients are lacking. Methods Retrospective study from a tertiary referral centre in Germany. After exclusion of overt hormone excess, malignancy and glucocorticoid medication, patients with adrenal incidentalomas were stratified according to serum cortisol after 1 mg dexamethasone: autonomous cortisol secretion (ACS), >5.0; possible ACS (PACS), 1.9-5.0; non-functioning adenomas (NFA), ≤1.8 µg/dl. Results A total of 260 patients were enrolled (147 women (56.5\%), median follow-up 8.8 (2.0-20.8) years). At initial diagnosis, median age was 59.5 (20-82) years, and median tumour size was 27 (10-116) mm. Bilateral tumours were more prevalent in ACS (30.0\%) and PACS (21.9\%) than in NFA (8.1\%). Over time, 40/124 (32.3\%) patients had a shift of their hormonal secretion pattern (NFA to PACS/ACS, n=15/53; PACS to ACS, n=6/47; ACS to PACS, n=11/24; PACS to NFA, n=8/47). However, none of the patients developed overt Cushing's syndrome. Sixty-one patients underwent adrenalectomy (NFA, 17.9\%; PACS, 24.0\%; ACS, 39.0\%). When non-operated patients with NFA were compared to PACS and ACS at last follow-up, arterial hypertension (65.3\% vs. 81.9\% and 92.0\%; p<0.05), diabetes (23.8\% vs. 35.6\% and 40.0\%; p<0.01), and thromboembolic events (PACS: HR 3.43, 95\%-CI 0.89-13.29; ACS: HR 5.96, 95\%-CI 1.33-26.63; p<0.05) were significantly less frequent, along with a trend towards a higher rate of cardiovascular events in case of cortisol autonomy (PACS: HR 2.23, 95\%-CI 0.94-5.32; ACS: HR 2.60, 95\%-CI 0.87-7.79; p=0.1). Twenty-five (12.6\%) of the non-operated patients died, with higher overall mortality in PACS (HR 2.6, 95\%-CI 1.0-4.7; p=0.083) and ACS (HR 4.7, 95\%-CI 1.6-13.3; p<0.005) compared to NFA. In operated patients, prevalence of arterial hypertension decreased significantly (77.0\% at diagnosis to 61.7\% at last follow-up; p<0.05). The prevalence of cardiovascular events and mortality did not differ significantly between operated and non-operated patients, whereas thromboembolic events were significantly less frequent in the surgical treatment group. Conclusion Our study confirms relevant cardiovascular morbidity in patients with adrenal incidentalomas (especially those with cortisol autonomy). These patients should therefore be monitored carefully, including adequate treatment of typical cardiovascular risk factors. Adrenalectomy was associated with a significantly decreased prevalence of hypertension. However, more than 30\% of patients required reclassification according to repeated dexamethasone suppression tests. Thus, cortisol autonomy should ideally be confirmed before making any relevant treatment decision (e.g. adrenalectomy).}, language = {en} } @article{SchreiberLohrBaltesetal.2023, author = {Schreiber, Laura M. and Lohr, David and Baltes, Steffen and Vogel, Ulrich and Elabyad, Ibrahim A. and Bille, Maya and Reiter, Theresa and Kosmala, Aleksander and Gassenmaier, Tobias and Stefanescu, Maria R. and Kollmann, Alena and Aures, Julia and Schnitter, Florian and Pali, Mihaela and Ueda, Yuichiro and Williams, Tatiana and Christa, Martin and Hofmann, Ulrich and Bauer, Wolfgang and Gerull, Brenda and Zernecke, Alma and Erg{\"u}n, S{\"u}leyman and Terekhov, Maxim}, title = {Ultra-high field cardiac MRI in large animals and humans for translational cardiovascular research}, series = {Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine}, volume = {10}, journal = {Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine}, issn = {2297-055X}, doi = {10.3389/fcvm.2023.1068390}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-317398}, year = {2023}, abstract = {A key step in translational cardiovascular research is the use of large animal models to better understand normal and abnormal physiology, to test drugs or interventions, or to perform studies which would be considered unethical in human subjects. Ultrahigh field magnetic resonance imaging (UHF-MRI) at 7 T field strength is becoming increasingly available for imaging of the heart and, when compared to clinically established field strengths, promises better image quality and image information content, more precise functional analysis, potentially new image contrasts, and as all in-vivo imaging techniques, a reduction of the number of animals per study because of the possibility to scan every animal repeatedly. We present here a solution to the dual use problem of whole-body UHF-MRI systems, which are typically installed in clinical environments, to both UHF-MRI in large animals and humans. Moreover, we provide evidence that in such a research infrastructure UHF-MRI, and ideally combined with a standard small-bore UHF-MRI system, can contribute to a variety of spatial scales in translational cardiovascular research: from cardiac organoids, Zebra fish and rodent hearts to large animal models such as pigs and humans. We present pilot data from serial CINE, late gadolinium enhancement, and susceptibility weighted UHF-MRI in a myocardial infarction model over eight weeks. In 14 pigs which were delivered from a breeding facility in a national SARS-CoV-2 hotspot, we found no infection in the incoming pigs. Human scanning using CINE and phase contrast flow measurements provided good image quality of the left and right ventricle. Agreement of functional analysis between CINE and phase contrast MRI was excellent. MRI in arrested hearts or excised vascular tissue for MRI-based histologic imaging, structural imaging of myofiber and vascular smooth muscle cell architecture using high-resolution diffusion tensor imaging, and UHF-MRI for monitoring free radicals as a surrogate for MRI of reactive oxygen species in studies of oxidative stress are demonstrated. We conclude that UHF-MRI has the potential to become an important precision imaging modality in translational cardiovascular research.}, language = {en} } @article{LisowskiLutyjAbazarietal.2023, author = {Lisowski, Dominik and Lutyj, Paul and Abazari, Arya and Weick, Stefan and Traub, Jan and Polat, B{\"u}lent and Flentje, Michael and Kraft, Johannes}, title = {Impact of Radiotherapy on Malfunctions and Battery Life of Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices in Cancer Patients}, series = {Cancers}, volume = {15}, journal = {Cancers}, number = {19}, issn = {2072-6694}, doi = {10.3390/cancers15194830}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-358008}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Purpose: This study analyses a large number of cancer patients with CIEDs for device malfunction and premature battery depletion by device interrogation after each radiotherapy fraction and compares different guidelines in regard to patient safety. Methods: From 2007 to 2022, a cohort of 255 patients was analyzed for CIED malfunctions via immediate device interrogation after every RT fraction. Results: Out of 324 series of radiotherapy treatments, with a total number of 5742 CIED interrogations, nine device malfunctions (2.8\%) occurred. Switching into back-up/safety mode and software errors occurred four times each. Once, automatic read-out could not be performed. The median prescribed cumulative dose at planning target volume (PTV) associated with CIED malfunction was 45.0 Gy (IQR 36.0-64.0 Gy), with a median dose per fraction of 2.31 Gy (IQR 2.0-3.0 Gy). The median maximum dose at the CIED at time of malfunction was 0.3 Gy (IQR 0.0-1.3 Gy). No correlation between CIED malfunction and maximum photon energy (p = 0.07), maximum dose at the CIED (p = 0.59) nor treatment localization (p = 0.41) could be detected. After excluding the nine malfunctions, premature battery depletion was only observed three times (1.2\%). Depending on the national guidelines, 1-9 CIED malfunctions in this study would have been detected on the day of occurrence and in none of the cases would patient safety have been compromised. Conclusion: Radiation-induced malfunctions of CIEDs and premature battery depletion are rare. If recommendations of national safety guidelines are followed, only a portion of the malfunctions would be detected directly after occurrence. Nevertheless, patient safety would not be compromised.}, language = {en} } @article{WeismannMoeckelPaethetal.2023, author = {Weismann, Dirk and M{\"o}ckel, Martin and Paeth, Heiko and Slagman, Anna}, title = {Modelling variations of emergency attendances using data on community mobility, climate and air pollution}, series = {Scientific Reports}, volume = {13}, journal = {Scientific Reports}, doi = {10.1038/s41598-023-47857-4}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-357578}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Air pollution is associated with morbidity and mortality worldwide. We investigated the impact of improved air quality during the economic lockdown during the SARS-Cov2 pandemic on emergency room (ER) admissions in Germany. Weekly aggregated clinical data from 33 hospitals were collected in 2019 and 2020. Hourly concentrations of nitrogen and sulfur dioxide (NO2, SO2), carbon and nitrogen monoxide (CO, NO), ozone (O3) and particulate matter (PM10, PM2.5) measured by ground stations and meteorological data (ERA5) were selected from a 30 km radius around the corresponding ED. Mobility was assessed using aggregated cell phone data. A linear stepwise multiple regression model was used to predict ER admissions. The average weekly emergency numbers vary from 200 to over 1600 cases (total n = 2,216,217). The mean maximum decrease in caseload was 5 standard deviations. With the enforcement of the shutdown in March, the mobility index dropped by almost 40\%. Of all air pollutants, NO2 has the strongest correlation with ER visits when averaged across all departments. Using a linear stepwise multiple regression model, 63\% of the variation in ER visits is explained by the mobility index, but still 6\% of the variation is explained by air quality and climate change.}, language = {en} } @article{WeissGruendahlDeckertetal.2023, author = {Weiß, Martin and Gr{\"u}ndahl, Marthe and Deckert, J{\"u}rgen and Eichner, Felizitas A. and Kohls, Mirjam and St{\"o}rk, Stefan and Heuschmann, Peter U. and Hein, Grit}, title = {Differential network interactions between psychosocial factors, mental health, and health-related quality of life in women and men}, series = {Scientific Reports}, volume = {13}, journal = {Scientific Reports}, organization = {STAAB-COVID Study Group}, doi = {10.1038/s41598-023-38525-8}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-357858}, year = {2023}, abstract = {Psychosocial factors affect mental health and health-related quality of life (HRQL) in a complex manner, yet gender differences in these interactions remain poorly understood. We investigated whether psychosocial factors such as social support and personal and work-related concerns impact mental health and HRQL differentially in women and men during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Between June and October 2020, the first part of a COVID-19-specific program was conducted within the "Characteristics and Course of Heart Failure Stages A-B and Determinants of Progression (STAAB)" cohort study, a representative age- and gender-stratified sample of the general population of W{\"u}rzburg, Germany. Using psychometric networks, we first established the complex relations between personal social support, personal and work-related concerns, and their interactions with anxiety, depression, and HRQL. Second, we tested for gender differences by comparing expected influence, edge weight differences, and stability of the networks. The network comparison revealed a significant difference in the overall network structure. The male (N = 1370) but not the female network (N = 1520) showed a positive link between work-related concern and anxiety. In both networks, anxiety was the most central variable. These findings provide further evidence that the complex interplay of psychosocial factors with mental health and HRQL decisively depends on gender. Our results are relevant for the development of gender-specific interventions to increase resilience in times of pandemic crisis.}, language = {en} }