Preventive care measures remain underutilized despite recommendations to increase their use. The objective of this review was to examine the characteristics, types, and effects of paper- and computer-based interventions for preventive care measures. The study provides an update to a previous systematic review. We included randomized controlled trials that implemented a physician reminder and me...

Cirrhosis is a diffuse process characterized by fibrosis and the conversion of normal liver architecture into structurally abnormal nodules. The modified Child-Pugh score, which ranks the severity of cirrhosis based on signs and liver function test results, has been shown to predict survival. Strategies have been established to prevent complications in patients with cirrhosis. Esophageal varice...

The last 2 decades have seen major advances in understanding of the mechanism of onset and treatment of acute coronary syndromes. It has become accepted that acute myocardial infarction (MI), sudden cardiac death, and stroke can be triggered by stressors such as heavy physical exertion and severe emotional stress; the clinical implications that can be derived from the findings of triggering rem...

Estimates of cancer risks following exposure to ionizing radiation traditionally have been based on the experience of populations exposed to substantial (and known) doses delivered over short periods of time. Examples include survivors of the atomic bombings at Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and persons treated with radiation for benign or malignant disease. Continued follow-up of these populations is...

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD), of which coronary heart disease is the most common, are the major causes of death in middle-aged and older patients in most developed countries and in many developing countries. The comprehensive action for CVD prevention has to include: a) "population" strategy--for altering the lifestyle and environmental factors in the entire population, and b) "high-risk" stra...

Neurotoxicity is a burdensome side effect of platinum-based chemotherapy that prevents administration of the full efficacious dosage and often leads to treatment withdrawal. Peripheral sensory neurotoxicity varies from paresthesia in fingers to ataxic gait, which might be transient or irreversible. Because the number of patients being treated with these neurotoxic agents is still increasing, th...

Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is still a severe complication due to controlled ovarian stimulation for artificial reproductive technology. Even though multiple techniques to avoid OHSS have been discussed in the last decades, up to now no clear concepts for primary and secondary prevention exist. This review gives an overview over proposed strategies to avoid OHSS. In a retrospective...

One of the common complications associated with anaesthesia and surgery in geriatric patients is the postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD). This cognitive impairment affects the long-term prognosis and has been shown to be associated with long-term disability, higher health care costs, and even increased mortality. On the other hand, clinical research on POCD is in its infancy, the conditi...