@article{KaemmererTribiusCohrsetal.2023,
  author    = {K{\"a}mmerer, Peer W. and Tribius, Silke and Cohrs, Lena and Engler, Gabriel and Ettl, Tobias and Freier, Kolja and Frerich, Bernhard and Ghanaati, Shahram and Gosau, Martin and Haim, Dominik and Hartmann, Stefan and Heiland, Max and Herbst, Manuel and Hoefert, Sebastian and Hoffmann, J{\"u}rgen and H{\"o}lzle, Frank and Howaldt, Hans-Peter and Kreutzer, Kilian and Leonhardt, Henry and Lutz, Rainer and Moergel, Maximilian and Modabber, Ali and Neff, Andreas and Pietzka, Sebastian and Rau, Andrea and Reichert, Torsten E. and Smeets, Ralf and Sproll, Christoph and Steller, Daniel and Wiltfang, J{\"o}rg and Wolff, Klaus-Dietrich and Kronfeld, Kai and Al-Nawas, Bilal},
  title     = {Adjuvant radiotherapy in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity or oropharynx and solitary ipsilateral lymph node metastasis (pN1) — a prospective multicentric cohort study},
  series = {Cancers},
  volume    = {15},
  journal   = {Cancers},
  number    = {6},
  issn      = {2072-6694},
  doi       = {10.3390/cancers15061833},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-311024},
  year      = {2023},
  abstract  = {(1) Background: Evaluation of impact of adjuvant radiation therapy (RT) in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity/oropharynx (OSCC) of up to 4 cm (pT1/pT2) and solitary ipsilateral lymph node metastasis (pN1). A non-irradiated group with clinical follow-up was chosen for control, and survival and quality of life (QL) were compared; (2) Methods: This prospective multicentric comprehensive cohort study included patients with resected OSCC (pT1/pT2, pN1, and cM0) who were allocated into adjuvant radiation therapy (RT) or observation. The primary endpoint was overall survival. Secondary endpoints were progression-free survival and QL after surgery; (3) Results: Out of 27 centers, 209 patients were enrolled with a median follow-up of 3.4 years. An amount of 137 patients were in the observation arm, and 72 received adjuvant irradiation. Overall survival did not differ between groups (hazard ratio (HR) 0.98 [0.55-1.73], p = 0.94). There were fewer neck metastases (HR 0.34 [0.15-0.77]; p = 0.01), as well as fewer local recurrences (HR 0.41 [0.19-0.89]; p = 0.02) under adjuvant RT. For QL, irradiated patients showed higher values for the symptom scale pain after 0.5, two, and three years (all p < 0.05). After six months and three years, irradiated patients reported higher symptom burdens (impaired swallowing, speech, as well as teeth-related problems (all p < 0.05)). Patients in the RT group had significantly more problems with mouth opening after six months, one, and two years (p < 0.05); (4) Conclusions: Adjuvant RT in patients with early SCC of the oral cavity and oropharynx does not seem to influence overall survival, but it positively affects progression-free survival. However, irradiated patients report a significantly decreased QL up to three years after therapy compared to the observation group.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{MeierMoebusHeigletal.2023,
  author    = {Meier, Johannes P. and M{\"o}bus, Selina and Heigl, Florian and Asbach-Nitzsche, Alexandra and Niller, Hans Helmut and Plentz, Annelie and Avsar, Korkut and Heiß-Neumann, Marion and Schaaf, Bernhard and Cassens, Uwe and Seese, Bernd and Teschner, Daniel and Handzhiev, Sabin and Graf, Uwe and L{\"u}bbert, Christoph and Steinmaurer, Monika and Kontogianni, Konstantina and Berg, Christoph and Maieron, Andreas and Blaas, Stefan H. and Wagner, Ralf and Deml, Ludwig and Barabas, Sascha},
  title     = {Performance of T-Track\(^®\) TB, a novel dual marker RT-qPCR-based whole-blood test for improved detection of active tuberculosis},
  series = {Diagnostics},
  volume    = {13},
  journal   = {Diagnostics},
  number    = {4},
  issn      = {2075-4418},
  doi       = {10.3390/diagnostics13040758},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-304113},
  year      = {2023},
  abstract  = {Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the leading causes of death by an infectious disease. It remains a major health burden worldwide, in part due to misdiagnosis. Therefore, improved diagnostic tests allowing the faster and more reliable diagnosis of patients with active TB are urgently needed. This prospective study examined the performance of the new molecular whole-blood test T-Track\(^®\) TB, which relies on the combined evaluation of IFNG and CXCL10 mRNA levels, and compared it to that of the QuantiFERON\(^®\)-TB Gold Plus (QFT-Plus) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Diagnostic accuracy and agreement analyses were conducted on the whole blood of 181 active TB patients and 163 non-TB controls. T-Track\(^®\) TB presented sensitivity of 94.9\% and specificity of 93.8\% for the detection of active TB vs. non-TB controls. In comparison, the QFT-Plus ELISA showed sensitivity of 84.3\%. The sensitivity of T-Track\(^®\) TB was significantly higher (p < 0.001) than that of QFT-Plus. The overall agreement of T-Track\(^®\) TB with QFT-Plus to diagnose active TB was 87.9\%. Out of 21 samples with discordant results, 19 were correctly classified by T-Track\(^®\) TB while misclassified by QFT-Plus (T-Track\(^®\) TB-positive/QFT-Plus-negative), and two samples were misclassified by T-Track\(^®\) TB while correctly classified by QFT-Plus (T-Track\(^®\) TB-negative/QFT-Plus-positive). Our results demonstrate the excellent performance of the T-Track\(^®\) TB molecular assay and its suitability to accurately detect TB infection and discriminate active TB patients from non-infected controls.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{GrundgeigerErtleDietheietal.2023,
  author    = {Grundgeiger, Tobias and Ertle, Franz and Diethei, Daniel and Mengelkamp, Christoph and Held, Volker},
  title     = {Improving procedural skills acquisition of students during medical device training: experiments on e-Learning vs. e-Learning with hands-on},
  series = {Advances in Health Sciences Education},
  volume    = {28},
  journal   = {Advances in Health Sciences Education},
  number    = {1},
  doi       = {10.1007/s10459-022-10148-0},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-324477},
  pages     = {127-146},
  year      = {2023},
  abstract  = {In the context of medical device training, e-Learning can address problems like unstandardized content and different learning paces. However, staff and students value hands-on activities during medical device training. In a blended learning approach, we examined whether using a syringe pump while conducting an e-Learning program improves the procedural skills needed to operate the pump compared to using the e-Learning program only. In two experiments, the e-Learning only group learned using only the e-Learning program. The e-Learning + hands-on group was instructed to use a syringe pump during the e-Learning to repeat the presented content (section "Experiment 1") or to alternate between learning on the e-Learning program and applying the learned content using the pump (section "Experiment 2"). We conducted a skills test, a knowledge test, and assessed confidence in using the pump immediately after learning and two weeks later. Simply repeating the content (section "Experiment 1") did not improve performance of e-Learning + hands-on compared with e-Learning only. The instructed learning process (section "Experiment 1") resulted in significantly better skills test performance for e-Learning + hands-on compared to the e-Learning only. Only a structured learning process based on multi-media learning principles and memory research improved procedural skills in relation to operating a medical device.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{DoehlerRoederSchlesingeretal.2023,
  author    = {D{\"o}hler, Ida and R{\"o}der, Daniel and Schlesinger, Tobias and Nassen, Christian Alexander and Germer, Christoph-Thomas and Wiegering, Armin and Lock, Johan Friso},
  title     = {Risk-adjusted perioperative bridging anticoagulation reduces bleeding complications without increasing thromboembolic events in general and visceral surgery},
  series = {BMC Anesthesiology},
  volume    = {23},
  journal   = {BMC Anesthesiology},
  doi       = {10.1186/s12871-023-02017-z},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-357305},
  year      = {2023},
  abstract  = {Background Perioperative bridging of oral anticoagulation increases the risk of bleeding complications after elective general and visceral surgery. The aim of this study was to explore, whether an individual risk-adjusted bridging regimen can reduce bleeding events, while still protecting against thromboembolic events. Methods We performed a quality improvement study comparing bridging parameters and postoperative outcomes before (period 1) and after implementation (period 2) of a new risk-adjusted bridging regimen. The primary endpoint of the study was overall incidence of postoperative bleeding complications during 30 days postoperatively. Secondary endpoints were major postoperative bleeding, minor bleeding, thromboembolic events, postoperative red blood cell transfusion, perioperative length-of-stay (LOS) and in-hospital mortality. Results A total of 263 patients during period 1 and 271 patients during period 2 were compared. The included elective operations covered the entire field of general and visceral surgery. The overall incidence of bleeding complications declined from 22.1\% during period 1 to 10.3\% in period 2 (p < 0.001). This reduction affected both major as well as minor bleeding events (8.4\% vs. 4.1\%; p = 0.039; 13.7\% vs. 6.3\%; p = 0.004). The incidence of thromboembolic events remained low (0.8\% vs. 1.1\%). No changes in mortality or length-of-stay were observed. Conclusion It is important to balance the individual thromboembolic and bleeding risks in perioperative bridging management. The risk adjusted bridging regimen reduces bleeding events in general and visceral surgery while the risk of thromboembolism remains comparably low.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{MontellanoKluterRueckeretal.2022,
  author    = {Montellano, Felipe A. and Kluter, Elisabeth J. and R{\"u}cker, Viktoria and Ungeth{\"u}m, Kathrin and Mackenrodt, Daniel and Wiedmann, Silke and Dege, Tassilo and Quilitzsch, Anika and Morbach, Caroline and Frantz, Stefan and St{\"o}rk, Stefan and Haeusler, Karl Georg and Kleinschnitz, Christoph and Heuschmann, Peter U.},
  title     = {Cardiac dysfunction and high-sensitive C-reactive protein are associated with troponin T elevation in ischemic stroke: insights from the SICFAIL study},
  series = {BMC Neurology},
  volume    = {22},
  journal   = {BMC Neurology},
  number    = {1},
  doi       = {10.1186/s12883-022-03017-1},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-300119},
  year      = {2022},
  abstract  = {Background Troponin elevation is common in ischemic stroke (IS) patients. The pathomechanisms involved are incompletely understood and comprise coronary and non-coronary causes, e.g. autonomic dysfunction. We investigated determinants of troponin elevation in acute IS patients including markers of autonomic dysfunction, assessed by heart rate variability (HRV) time domain variables. Methods Data were collected within the Stroke Induced Cardiac FAILure (SICFAIL) cohort study. IS patients admitted to the Department of Neurology, W{\"u}rzburg University Hospital, underwent baseline investigation including cardiac history, physical examination, echocardiography, and blood sampling. Four HRV time domain variables were calculated in patients undergoing electrocardiographic Holter monitoring. Multivariable logistic regression with corresponding odds ratios (OR) and 95\% confidence intervals (CI) was used to investigate the determinants of high-sensitive troponin T (hs-TnT) levels ≥14 ng/L. Results We report results from 543 IS patients recruited between 01/2014-02/2017. Of those, 203 (37\%) had hs-TnT ≥14 ng/L, which was independently associated with older age (OR per year 1.05; 95\% CI 1.02-1.08), male sex (OR 2.65; 95\% CI 1.54-4.58), decreasing estimated glomerular filtration rate (OR per 10 mL/min/1.73 m2 0.71; 95\% CI 0.61-0.84), systolic dysfunction (OR 2.79; 95\% CI 1.22-6.37), diastolic dysfunction (OR 2.29; 95\% CI 1.29-4.02), atrial fibrillation (OR 2.30; 95\% CI 1.25-4.23), and increasing levels of C-reactive protein (OR 1.48 per log unit; 95\% CI 1.22-1.79). We did not identify an independent association of troponin elevation with the investigated HRV variables. Conclusion Cardiac dysfunction and elevated C-reactive protein, but not a reduced HRV as surrogate of autonomic dysfunction, were associated with increased hs-TnT levels in IS patients independent of established cardiovascular risk factors.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{GruenwaldPinkEgereretal.2022,
  author    = {Gr{\"u}nwald, Viktor and Pink, Daniel and Egerer, Gerlinde and Schalk, Enrico and Augustin, Marinela and Deinzer, Christoph K. W. and Kob, Viola and Reichert, Dietmar and Kebenko, Maxim and Brandl, Stephan and Hahn, Dennis and Lindner, Lars H. and Hoiczyk, Mathias and Ringsdorf, Uta and Hanker, Lars C. and Hempel, Dirk and De Rivas, Beatriz and Wismann, Tobias and Ivanyi, Philipp},
  title     = {Trabectedin for patients with advanced soft tissue sarcoma: a non-interventional, prospective, multicenter, phase IV trial},
  series = {Cancers},
  volume    = {14},
  journal   = {Cancers},
  number    = {21},
  issn      = {2072-6694},
  doi       = {10.3390/cancers14215234},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-290898},
  year      = {2022},
  abstract  = {This non-interventional, prospective phase IV trial evaluated trabectedin in patients with soft tissue sarcoma (STS) in real-life clinical practice across Germany. The primary endpoints were progression-free survival (PFS) rates at 3 and 6 months, as defined by investigators. Overall, 128 patients from 19 German sites were evaluated for efficacy and 130 for safety. Median age was 58.5 years (range: 23-84) and leiomyosarcoma was the most frequent histotype (n = 45; 35.2\%). Trabectedin was mostly used as second/third-line treatment (n = 91; 71.1\%). Median PFS was 5.2 months (95\% CI: 3.3-6.7), with 60.7\% and 44.5\% of patients free from progression at 3 and 6 months, respectively. Median overall survival was 15.2 months (95\% CI: 9.6-21.4). One patient achieved a complete and 14 patients a partial response, conferring an objective response rate of 11.7\%. Decreases in white blood cells (27.0\% of patients), platelets (16.2\%) and neutrophils (13.1\%) and increased alanine aminotransferase (10.8\%) were the most common trabectedin-related grade 3/4 adverse drug reactions. Two deaths due to pneumonia and sepsis were considered trabectedin-related. Trabectedin confers clinically meaningful activity in patients with multiple STS histotypes, comparable to that previously observed in clinical trials and other non-interventional studies, and with a manageable safety profile.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{LuekeHallerUtpateletal.2022,
  author    = {L{\"u}ke, Florian and Haller, Florian and Utpatel, Kirsten and Krebs, Markus and Meidenbauer, Norbert and Scheiter, Alexander and Spoerl, Silvia and Heudobler, Daniel and Sparrer, Daniela and Kaiser, Ulrich and Keil, Felix and Schubart, Christoph and T{\"o}gel, Lars and Einhell, Sabine and Dietmaier, Wolfgang and Huss, Ralf and Dintner, Sebastian and Sommer, Sebastian and Jordan, Frank and Goebeler, Maria-Elisabeth and Metz, Michaela and Haake, Diana and Scheytt, Mithun and Gerhard-Hartmann, Elena and Maurus, Katja and Br{\"a}ndlein, Stephanie and Rosenwald, Andreas and Hartmann, Arndt and M{\"a}rkl, Bruno and Einsele, Hermann and Mackensen, Andreas and Herr, Wolfgang and Kunzmann, Volker and Bargou, Ralf and Beckmann, Matthias W. and Pukrop, Tobias and Trepel, Martin and Evert, Matthias and Claus, Rainer and Kerscher, Alexander},
  title     = {Identification of disparities in personalized cancer care — a joint approach of the German WERA consortium},
  series = {Cancers},
  volume    = {14},
  journal   = {Cancers},
  number    = {20},
  issn      = {2072-6694},
  doi       = {10.3390/cancers14205040},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-290311},
  year      = {2022},
  abstract  = {(1) Background: molecular tumor boards (MTBs) are crucial instruments for discussing and allocating targeted therapies to suitable cancer patients based on genetic findings. Currently, limited evidence is available regarding the regional impact and the outreach component of MTBs; (2) Methods: we analyzed MTB patient data from four neighboring Bavarian tertiary care oncology centers in W{\"u}rzburg, Erlangen, Regensburg, and Augsburg, together constituting the WERA Alliance. Absolute patient numbers and regional distribution across the WERA-wide catchment area were weighted with local population densities; (3) Results: the highest MTB patient numbers were found close to the four cancer centers. However, peaks in absolute patient numbers were also detected in more distant and rural areas. Moreover, weighting absolute numbers with local population density allowed for identifying so-called white spots—regions within our catchment that were relatively underrepresented in WERA MTBs; (4) Conclusions: investigating patient data from four neighboring cancer centers, we comprehensively assessed the regional impact of our MTBs. The results confirmed the success of existing collaborative structures with our regional partners. Additionally, our results help identifying potential white spots in providing precision oncology and help establishing a joint WERA-wide outreach strategy.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{LenschowFussKircheretal.2021,
  author    = {Lenschow, Christina and Fuss, Carmina Teresa and Kircher, Stefan and Buck, Andreas and Kickuth, Ralph and Reibetanz, Joachim and Wiegering, Armin and Stenzinger, Albrecht and H{\"u}bschmann, Daniel and Germer, Christoph Thomas and Fassnacht, Martin and Fr{\"o}hling, Stefan and Schlegel, Nicolas and Kroiss, Matthias},
  title     = {Case Report: Abdominal Lymph Node Metastases of Parathyroid Carcinoma: Diagnostic Workup, Molecular Diagnosis, and Clinical Management},
  series = {Frontiers in Endocrinology},
  volume    = {12},
  journal   = {Frontiers in Endocrinology},
  issn      = {1664-2392},
  doi       = {10.3389/fendo.2021.643328},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-233362},
  year      = {2021},
  abstract  = {Parathyroid carcinoma (PC) is an orphan malignancy accounting for only ~1\% of all cases with primary hyperparathyroidism. The localization of recurrent PC is of critical importance and can be exceedingly difficult to diagnose and sometimes futile when common sites of recurrence in the neck and chest cannot be confirmed. Here, we present the diagnostic workup, molecular analysis and multimodal therapy of a 46-year old woman with the extraordinary manifestation of abdominal lymph node metastases 12 years after primary diagnosis of PC. The patient was referred to our endocrine tumor center in 2016 with the aim to localize the tumor causative of symptomatic biochemical recurrence. In view of the extensive previous workup we decided to perform [18F]FDG-PET-CT. A pathological lymph node in the liver hilus showed slightly increased FDG-uptake and hence was suspected as site of recurrence. Selective venous sampling confirmed increased parathyroid hormone concentration in liver veins. Abdominal lymph node metastasis was resected and histopathological examination confirmed PC. Within four months, the patient experienced biochemical recurrence and based on high tumor mutational burden detected in the surgical specimen by whole exome sequencing the patient received immunotherapy with pembrolizumab that led to a biochemical response. Subsequent to disease progression repeated abdominal lymph node resection was performed in 10/2018, 01/2019 and in 01/2020. Up to now (12/2020) the patient is biochemically free of disease. In conclusion, a multimodal diagnostic approach and therapy in an interdisciplinary setting is needed for patients with rare endocrine tumors. Molecular analyses may inform additional treatment options including checkpoint inhibitors such as pembrolizumab.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{SchischlevskijCordtsGuentheretal.2021,
  author    = {Schischlevskij, Pavel and Cordts, Isabell and G{\"u}nther, Ren{\´e} and Stolte, Benjamin and Zeller, Daniel and Schr{\"o}ter, Carsten and Weyen, Ute and Regensburger, Martin and Wolf, Joachim and Schneider, Ilka and Hermann, Andreas and Metelmann, Moritz and Kohl, Zacharias and Linker, Ralf A. and Koch, Jan Christoph and Stendel, Claudia and M{\"u}schen, Lars H. and Osmanovic, Alma and Binz, Camilla and Klopstock, Thomas and Dorst, Johannes and Ludolph, Albert C. and Boentert, Matthias and Hagenacker, Tim and Deschauer, Marcus and Lingor, Paul and Petri, Susanne and Schreiber-Katz, Olivia},
  title     = {Informal caregiving in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS): a high caregiver burden and drastic consequences on caregivers' lives},
  series = {Brain Sciences},
  volume    = {11},
  journal   = {Brain Sciences},
  number    = {6},
  issn      = {2076-3425},
  doi       = {10.3390/brainsci11060748},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-240981},
  year      = {2021},
  abstract  = {Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease that causes progressive autonomy loss and need for care. This does not only affect patients themselves, but also the patients' informal caregivers (CGs) in their health, personal and professional lives. The big efforts of this multi-center study were not only to evaluate the caregivers' burden and to identify its predictors, but it also should provide a specific understanding of the needs of ALS patients' CGs and fill the gap of knowledge on their personal and work lives. Using standardized questionnaires, primary data from patients and their main informal CGs (n = 249) were collected. Patients' functional status and disease severity were evaluated using the Barthel Index, the revised Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale (ALSFRS-R) and the King's Stages for ALS. The caregivers' burden was recorded by the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI). Comorbid anxiety and depression of caregivers were assessed by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Additionally, the EuroQol Five Dimension Five Level Scale evaluated their health-related quality of life. The caregivers' burden was high (mean ZBI = 26/88, 0 = no burden, ≥24 = highly burdened) and correlated with patients' functional status (r\(_p\) = -0.555, p < 0.001, n = 242). It was influenced by the CGs' own mental health issues due to caregiving (+11.36, 95\% CI [6.84; 15.87], p < 0.001), patients' wheelchair dependency (+9.30, 95\% CI [5.94; 12.66], p < 0.001) and was interrelated with the CGs' depression (r\(_p\) = 0.627, p < 0.001, n = 234), anxiety (r\(_p\) = 0.550, p < 0.001, n = 234), and poorer physical condition (r\(_p\) = -0.362, p < 0.001, n = 237). Moreover, female CGs showed symptoms of anxiety more often, which also correlated with the patients' impairment in daily routine (r\(_s\) = -0.280, p < 0.001, n = 169). As increasing disease severity, along with decreasing autonomy, was the main predictor of caregiver burden and showed to create relevant (negative) implications on CGs' lives, patient care and supportive therapies should address this issue. Moreover, in order to preserve the mental and physical health of the CGs, new concepts of care have to focus on both, on not only patients but also their CGs and gender-associated specific issues. As caregiving in ALS also significantly influences the socioeconomic status by restrictions in CGs' work lives and income, and the main reported needs being lack of psychological support and a high bureaucracy, the situation of CGs needs more attention. Apart from their own multi-disciplinary medical and psychological care, more support in care and patient management issues is required.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{PeseschkianCordtsGuentheretal.2021,
  author    = {Peseschkian, Tara and Cordts, Isabell and G{\"u}nther, Ren{\´e} and Stolte, Benjamin and Zeller, Daniel and Schr{\"o}ter, Carsten and Weyen, Ute and Regensburger, Martin and Wolf, Joachim and Schneider, Ilka and Hermann, Andreas and Metelmann, Moritz and Kohl, Zacharias and Linker, Ralf A. and Koch, Jan Christoph and B{\"u}chner, Boriana and Weiland, Ulrike and Sch{\"o}nfelder, Erik and Heinrich, Felix and Osmanovic, Alma and Klopstock, Thomas and Dorst, Johannes and Ludolph, Albert C. and Boentert, Matthias and Hagenacker, Tim and Deschauer, Marcus and Lingor, Paul and Petri, Susanne and Schreiber-Katz, Olivia},
  title     = {A nation-wide, multi-center study on the quality of life of ALS patients in Germany},
  series = {Brain Sciences},
  volume    = {11},
  journal   = {Brain Sciences},
  number    = {3},
  issn      = {2076-3425},
  doi       = {10.3390/brainsci11030372},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-234147},
  year      = {2021},
  abstract  = {Improving quality of life (QoL) is central to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) treatment. This Germany-wide, multicenter cross-sectional study analyses the impact of different symptom-specific treatments and ALS variants on QoL. Health-related QoL (HRQoL) in 325 ALS patients was assessed using the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Assessment Questionnaire 5 (ALSAQ-5) and EuroQol Five Dimension Five Level Scale (EQ-5D-5L), together with disease severity (captured by the revised ALS Functional Rating Scale (ALSFRS-R)) and the current care and therapies used by our cohort. At inclusion, the mean ALSAQ-5 total score was 56.93 (max. 100, best = 0) with a better QoL associated with a less severe disease status (β = -1.96 per increase of one point in the ALSFRS-R score, p < 0.001). "Limb-onset" ALS (lALS) was associated with a better QoL than "bulbar-onset" ALS (bALS) (mean ALSAQ-5 total score 55.46 versus 60.99, p = 0.040). Moreover, with the ALSFRS-R as a covariate, using a mobility aid (β = -7.60, p = 0.001), being tracheostomized (β = -14.80, p = 0.004) and using non-invasive ventilation (β = -5.71, p = 0.030) were associated with an improved QoL, compared to those at the same disease stage who did not use these aids. In contrast, antidepressant intake (β = 5.95, p = 0.007), and increasing age (β = 0.18, p = 0.023) were predictors of worse QoL. Our results showed that the ALSAQ-5 was better-suited for ALS patients than the EQ-5D-5L. Further, the early and symptom-specific clinical management and supply of assistive devices can significantly improve the individual HRQoL of ALS patients. Appropriate QoL questionnaires are needed to monitor the impact of treatment to provide the best possible and individualized care.},
  language  = {en}
}