@article{SalzwedelReibisHadzicetal.2019, author = {Salzwedel, Annett and Reibis, Rona Katharina and Hadzic, Miralem and Buhlert, Hermann and V{\"o}ller, Heinz}, title = {Patients' expectations of returning to work, co-morbid disorders and work capacity at discharge from cardiac rehabilitation}, series = {Vascular Health and Risk Management}, volume = {15}, journal = {Vascular Health and Risk Management}, publisher = {Dove Medical Press}, address = {Albany, Auckland}, issn = {1176-6344}, doi = {10.2147/VHRM.S216039}, pages = {301 -- 308}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Objective: We aimed to characterize patients after an acute cardiac event regarding their negative expectations around returning to work and the impact on work capacity upon discharge from cardiac rehabilitation (CR). Methods: We analyzed routine data of 884 patients (52±7 years, 76\% men) who attended 3 weeks of inpatient CR after an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) or cardiac surgery between October 2013 and March 2015. The primary outcome was their status determining their capacity to work (fit vs unfit) at discharge from CR. Further, sociodemographic data (eg, age, sex, and education level), diagnoses, functional data (eg, exercise stress test and 6-min walking test [6MWT]), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and self-assessment of the occupational prognosis (negative expectations and/or unemployment, W{\"u}rzburger screening) at admission to CR were considered. Results: A negative occupational prognosis was detected in 384 patients (43\%). Out of these, 368 (96\%) expected not to return to work after CR and/or were unemployed before CR at 29\% (n=113). Affected patients showed a reduced exercise capacity (bicycle stress test: 100 W vs 118 W, P<0.01; 6MWT: 380 m vs 421 m, P<0.01) and were more likely to receive a depression diagnosis (12\% vs 3\%, P<0.01), as well as higher levels on the HADS. At discharge from CR, 21\% of this group (n=81) were fit for work (vs 35\% of patients with a normal occupational prognosis (n=175, P<0.01)). Sick leave before the cardiac event (OR 0.4, 95\% CI 0.2-0.6, P<0.01), negative occupational expectations (OR 0.4, 95\% CI 0.3-0.7, P<0.01) and depression (OR 0.3, 95\% CI 0.1-0.8, P=0.01) reduced the likelihood of achieving work capacity upon discharge. In contrast, higher exercise capacity was positively associated. Conclusion: Patients with a negative occupational prognosis often revealed a reduced physical performance and suffered from a high psychosocial burden. In addition, patients' occupational expectations were a predictor of work capacity at discharge from CR. Affected patients should be identified at admission to allow for targeted psychosocial care.}, language = {en} } @article{EichlerSalzwedelReibisetal.2017, author = {Eichler, Sarah and Salzwedel, Annett and Reibis, Rona and Nothroff, J{\"o}rg and Harnath, Axel and Schikora, Martin and Butter, Christian and Wegscheider, Karl and V{\"o}ller, Heinz}, title = {Multicomponent cardiac rehabilitation in patients after transcatheter aortic valve implantation}, series = {European journal of preventive cardiology : the official ESC journal for primary \& secondary cardiovascular prevention, rehabilitation and sports cardiology}, volume = {24}, journal = {European journal of preventive cardiology : the official ESC journal for primary \& secondary cardiovascular prevention, rehabilitation and sports cardiology}, number = {3}, publisher = {Sage Publ.}, address = {London}, issn = {2047-4873}, doi = {10.1177/2047487316679527}, pages = {257 -- 264}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Background: In the last decade, transcatheter aortic valve implantation has become a promising treatment modality for patients with aortic stenosis and a high surgical risk. Little is known about influencing factors of function and quality of life during multicomponent cardiac rehabilitation. Methods: From October 2013 to July 2015, patients with elective transcatheter aortic valve implantation and a subsequent inpatient cardiac rehabilitation were enrolled in the prospective cohort multicentre study. Frailty-Index (including cognition, nutrition, autonomy and mobility), Short Form-12 (SF-12), six-minute walk distance (6MWD) and maximum work load in bicycle ergometry were performed at admission and discharge of cardiac rehabilitation. The relation between patient characteristics and improvements in 6MWD, maximum work load or SF-12 scales were studied univariately and multivariately using regression models. Results: One hundred and thirty-six patients (80.6 +/- 5.0 years, 47.8\% male) were enrolled. 6MWD and maximum work load increased by 56.3 +/- 65.3 m (p < 0.001) and 8.0 +/- 14.9 watts (p < 0.001), respectively. An improvement in SF-12 (physical 2.5 +/- 8.7, p = 0.001, mental 3.4 +/- 10.2, p = 0.003) could be observed. In multivariate analysis, age and higher education were significantly associated with a reduced 6MWD, whereas cognition and obesity showed a positive predictive value. Higher cognition, nutrition and autonomy positively influenced the physical scale of SF-12. Additionally, the baseline values of SF-12 had an inverse impact on the change during cardiac rehabilitation. Conclusions: Cardiac rehabilitation can improve functional capacity as well as quality of life and reduce frailty in patients after transcatheter aortic valve implantation. An individually tailored therapy with special consideration of cognition and nutrition is needed to maintain autonomy and empower octogenarians in coping with challenges of everyday life.}, language = {en} } @article{ZochLesniakDobberkeSchlittetal.2020, author = {Zoch-Lesniak, Beate and Dobberke, Jeanette and Schlitt, Axel and Bongarth, Christa and Glatz, Johannes and Sp{\"o}rl-D{\"o}nch, Sieglinde and Koran, Iryna and V{\"o}ller, Heinz and Salzwedel, Annett}, title = {Performance Measures for Short-Term Cardiac Rehabilitation in Patients of Working Age}, series = {Archives of Rehabilitation Research and Clinical Translation}, volume = {2}, journal = {Archives of Rehabilitation Research and Clinical Translation}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {2590-1095}, doi = {10.1016/j.arrct.2020.100043}, pages = {14}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Objective: To determine immediate performance measures for short-term, multicomponent cardiac rehabilitation (CR) in clinical routine in patients of working age, taking into account cardiovascular risk factors, physical performance, social medicine, and subjective health parameters and to explore the underlying dimensionality. Design: Prospective observational multicenter register study in 12 rehabilitation centers throughout Germany. Setting: Comprehensive 3-week CR.}, language = {en} } @article{HuberTreszlReibisetal.2013, author = {Huber, Matthias and Treszl, Andras and Reibis, Rona Katharina and Teichmann, Christopher and Zergibel, Irina and Bolbrinker, Juliane and Scholze, Juergen and Wegscheider, Karl and V{\"o}ller, Heinz and Kreutz, Reinhold}, title = {Genetics of melatonin receptor type 2 is associated with left ventricular function in hypertensive patients treated according to guidelines}, series = {European journal of internal medicine : official journal of the European Federation of Internal Medicine}, volume = {24}, journal = {European journal of internal medicine : official journal of the European Federation of Internal Medicine}, number = {7}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {0953-6205}, doi = {10.1016/j.ejim.2013.03.015}, pages = {650 -- 655}, year = {2013}, abstract = {Background: Melatonin exerts multiple biological effects with potential impact on human diseases. This is underscored by genetic studies that demonstrated associations between melatonin receptor type 2 gene (MTNR1B) polymorphisms and characteristics of type 2 diabetes. We set out to test the hypothesis whether genetic variants at MTNR1B are also relevant for other disease phenotypes within the cardiovascular continuum. We thus investigated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of MTNR1B in relation to blood pressure (BP) and cardiac parameters in hypertensive patients. Methods: Patients (n = 605, mean age 56.2 +/- 9.4 years, 82.3\% male) with arterial hypertension and cardiac ejection fraction (EF) >= 40\% were studied. Cardiac parameters were assessed by echocardiography. Results: The cohort comprised subjects with coronary heart disease (73.1\%) and myocardial infarction (48.1\%) with a mean EF of 63.7 +/- 8.9\%. Analysis of SNPs rs10830962, rs4753426, rs12804291, rs10830963, and rs3781638 revealed two haplotypes 1 and 2 with frequencies of 0.402 and 0.277, respectively. Carriers with haplotype 1 (CTCCC) showed compared to non-carriers a higher mean 24-hour systolic BP (difference BP: 2.4 mm Hg, 95\% confidence interval (CI): 0.3 to 4.5 mm Hg, p = 0.023). Haplotype 2 (GCCGA) was significantly related to EF with an absolute increase of 1.8\% (CI: 0.45 to 3.14\%) in carriers versus non-carriers (p = 0.009). Conclusion: Genetics of MTNR1B point to impact of the melatonin signalling pathway for BP and left ventricular function. This may support the importance of the melatonin system as a potential therapeutic target.}, language = {en} } @article{SalzwedelNosperRoehrigetal.2014, author = {Salzwedel, Annett and Nosper, Manfred and Roehrig, Bernd and Linck-Eleftheriadis, Sigrid and Strandt, Gert and V{\"o}ller, Heinz}, title = {Outcome quality of in-patient cardiac rehabilitation in elderly patients - identification of relevant parameters}, series = {European journal of preventive cardiology : the official ESC journal for primary \& secondary cardiovascular prevention, rehabilitation and sports cardiology}, volume = {21}, journal = {European journal of preventive cardiology : the official ESC journal for primary \& secondary cardiovascular prevention, rehabilitation and sports cardiology}, number = {2}, publisher = {Sage Publ.}, address = {London}, issn = {2047-4873}, doi = {10.1177/2047487312469475}, pages = {172 -- 180}, year = {2014}, abstract = {Background: Outcome quality management requires the consecutive registration of defined variables. The aim was to identify relevant parameters in order to objectively assess the in-patient rehabilitation outcome. Methods: From February 2009 to June 2010 1253 patients (70.9 +/- 7.0 years, 78.1\% men) at 12 rehabilitation clinics were enrolled. Items concerning sociodemographic data, the impairment group (surgery, conservative/interventional treatment), cardiovascular risk factors, structural and functional parameters and subjective health were tested in respect of their measurability, sensitivity to change and their propensity to be influenced by rehabilitation. Results: The majority of patients (61.1\%) were referred for rehabilitation after cardiac surgery, 38.9\% after conservative or interventional treatment for an acute coronary syndrome. Functionally relevant comorbidities were seen in 49.2\% (diabetes mellitus, stroke, peripheral artery disease, chronic obstructive lung disease). In three key areas 13 parameters were identified as being sensitive to change and subject to modification by rehabilitation: cardiovascular risk factors (blood pressure, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides), exercise capacity (resting heart rate, maximal exercise capacity, maximal walking distance, heart failure, angina pectoris) and subjective health (IRES-24 (indicators of rehabilitation status): pain, somatic health, psychological well-being and depression as well as anxiety on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale). Conclusion: The outcome of in-patient rehabilitation in elderly patients can be comprehensively assessed by the identification of appropriate key areas, that is, cardiovascular risk factors, exercise capacity and subjective health. This may well serve as a benchmark for internal and external quality management.}, language = {en} } @article{RoehrigNosperLinckEleftheriadisetal.2014, author = {Roehrig, B. and Nosper, M. and Linck-Eleftheriadis, S. and Strandt, G. and Salzwedel, Annett and V{\"o}ller, Heinz}, title = {Method of the assessment of patients Outcome in cardiac rehabilitation by means of quality indicators - a description of the method}, series = {Die Rehabilitation : Zeitschrift f{\"u}r Praxis und Forschung in der Rehabilitation}, volume = {53}, journal = {Die Rehabilitation : Zeitschrift f{\"u}r Praxis und Forschung in der Rehabilitation}, number = {1}, publisher = {Thieme}, address = {Stuttgart}, issn = {0034-3536}, doi = {10.1055/s-0033-1341457}, pages = {31 -- 37}, year = {2014}, abstract = {Introduction: Cardiac rehabilitation is designed for patients suffering from cardiovascular diseases or functional disabilities. The aim of a cardiac rehabilitation is to improve overall physical health, psychological well-being, physical function, the ability to participate in social life and help patients to change their habits. Regarding the heterogeneity of these aims measuring of the effect of cardiac rehabilitation is still a challenge. This study recommends a concept to assess the effects of cardiac rehabilitation regarding the individual change of relevant quality indicators. Methods: With EVA-Reha; cardiac rehabilitation the Medical Advisory Service of Statutory Health Insurance Funds in Rhineland-Palatinate, Alzey (MDK Rheinland-Pfalz) developed a software to collect data set including sociodemographic and diagnostic data and also the results of specific assessments. The project was funded by the Techniker Krankenkasse, Hamburg, and supported by participating rehabilitation centers. From 01. July 2010 to 30. June 2011 1309 patients (age 71.5 years, 76.1\% men) from 13 rehabilitation centers were consecutively enrolled. 13 quality indicators in 3 scales were developed for evaluation of cardiac rehabilitation: 1) cardiovascular risk factors (blood pressure, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides), 2) exercise capacity (resting heart rate, maximal exercise capacity, maximal walking distance, heart failure [NYHA classification], and angina pectoris [CCS classification]) and 3) subjective health (IRES-24: pain, somatic health, psychological wellbeing and depression as well as anxiety on the HADS). The study was prospective; data of patients were assessed at entry and discharge of rehabilitation. To measure the success of rehabilitation each parameter was graded in severity classes at entry and discharge. For each of the 13 quality indicators changes of severity class were rated in a rating matrix. For indicators without a requirement for medical care neither at entry nor at discharge no rating was performed. Results: The grading into severity classes as well as the minimal important differences were given for the 13 quality indicators. The result of rehabilitation can be demonstrated in suitable form by means of rating of the 13 quality indicators according to a clinical population. The rating model differs well between clinically changed and unchanged patients for the quality indicators. Conclusion: The result of cardiac rehabilitation can be assessed with 13 quality indicators measured at entry and discharge of the rehabilitation program. If a change into a more favorable category at the end of rehabilitation could be achieved it was counted as a success. The 13 quality indicators can be used to assess the individual result as well as the result of a population - e.g. all patients of a clinic in a specific time period. In addition, the assessment and rating of relevant quality indicators can be used for comparisons of rehabilitation centers.}, language = {de} } @article{MuckelbauerEnglertRieckmannetal.2015, author = {Muckelbauer, Rebecca and Englert, Heike and Rieckmann, Nina and Chen, Chih-Mei and Wegscheider, Karl and V{\"o}ller, Heinz and Katus, Hugo A. and Willich, Stefan N. and M{\"u}ller-Nordhorn, Jacqueline}, title = {Long-term effect of a low-intensity smoking intervention embedded in an adherence program for patients with hypercholesterolemia: Randomized controlled trial}, series = {Preventive medicine : an international journal devoted to practice and theory}, volume = {77}, journal = {Preventive medicine : an international journal devoted to practice and theory}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {San Diego}, issn = {0091-7435}, doi = {10.1016/j.ypmed.2015.05.026}, pages = {155 -- 161}, year = {2015}, abstract = {Objective. We evaluated the long-term effect of a smoking intervention embedded in an adherence program in patients with an increased risk for cardiovascular disease. Method. Secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial: In 2002-2004,8108 patients with hypercholesterolemia were enrolled from general practices in Germany. Patients received a 12-month adherence program and statin medication (intervention) or statin medication only (control). The program aimed to improve adherence to medication and lifestyle by educational material, mailings, and phone calls. Smoking was self-reported at baseline and every 6 months during the 3-year follow-up. Results. In total, 7640 patients were analyzed. At baseline, smoking prevalence was 21.7\% in the intervention and 21.5\% in the control group. Prevalence decreased in both groups to 16.6\% vs. 19.5\%, 153\% vs. 16.8\%, and 14.2\% vs. 15.6\% at the 12-, 24-, and 36-month follow-up. The intervention had a beneficial effect on smoking differing over time (group x time: P = 0.005). The effect was largest after 6 and 12 months [odds ratios (95\% confidence intervals): 0.67 (0.54-0.82) and 0.63 (0.51-0.78)]. The effect decreased until the 18-month follow-up [0.72 (0.58-0.90)] and was not significant after 24 months. Conclusion. A low-intensity smoking intervention embedded in an adherence program can contribute to smoking cessation although the intervention effect diminished over time. (C) 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.}, language = {en} } @article{HofmannVoellerNagelsetal.2015, author = {Hofmann, Reiner and V{\"o}ller, Heinz and Nagels, Klaus and Bindl, Dominik and Vettorazzi, Eik and Dittmar, Ronny and Wohlgemuth, Walter and Neumann, Till and St{\"o}rk, Stefan and Bruder, Oliver and Wegscheider, Karl and Nagel, Eckhard and Fleck, Eckart}, title = {First outline and baseline data of a randomized, controlled multicenter trial to evaluate the health economic impact of home telemonitoring in chronic heart failure - CardioBBEAT}, series = {Trials}, volume = {16}, journal = {Trials}, publisher = {BioMed Central}, address = {London}, organization = {CardioBBEAT Investigators}, issn = {1745-6215}, doi = {10.1186/s13063-015-0886-8}, pages = {12}, year = {2015}, abstract = {Background: Evidence that home telemonitoring for patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) offers clinical benefit over usual care is controversial as is evidence of a health economic advantage. Methods: Between January 2010 and June 2013, patients with a confirmed diagnosis of CHF were enrolled and randomly assigned to 2 study groups comprising usual care with and without an interactive bi-directional remote monitoring system (Motiva (R)). The primary endpoint in CardioBBEAT is the Incremental Cost-Effectiveness Ratio (ICER) established by the groups' difference in total cost and in the combined clinical endpoint "days alive and not in hospital nor inpatient care per potential days in study" within the follow-up of 12 months. Results: A total of 621 predominantly male patients were enrolled, whereof 302 patients were assigned to the intervention group and 319 to the control group. Ischemic cardiomyopathy was the leading cause of heart failure. Despite randomization, subjects of the control group were more often in NYHA functional class III-IV, and exhibited peripheral edema and renal dysfunction more often. Additionally, the control and intervention groups differed in heart rhythm disorders. No differences existed regarding risk factor profile, comorbidities, echocardiographic parameters, especially left ventricular and diastolic diameter and ejection fraction, as well as functional test results, medication and quality of life. While the observed baseline differences may well be a play of chance, they are of clinical relevance. Therefore, the statistical analysis plan was extended to include adjusted analyses with respect to the baseline imbalances. Conclusions: CardioBBEAT provides prospective outcome data on both, clinical and health economic impact of home telemonitoring in CHF. The study differs by the use of a high evidence level randomized controlled trial (RCT) design along with actual cost data obtained from health insurance companies. Its results are conducive to informed political and economic decision-making with regard to home telemonitoring solutions as an option for health care. Overall, it contributes to developing advanced health economic evaluation instruments to be deployed within the specific context of the German Health Care System.}, language = {en} } @article{HuberLeziusReibisetal.2015, author = {Huber, Matthias and Lezius, Susanne and Reibis, Rona Katharina and Treszl, Andras and Kujawinska, Dorota and Jakob, Stefanie and Wegscheider, Karl and V{\"o}ller, Heinz and Kreutz, Reinhold}, title = {A Single Nucleotide Polymorphism near the CYP17A1 Gene Is Associated with Left Ventricular Mass in Hypertensive Patients under Pharmacotherapy}, series = {International journal of molecular sciences}, volume = {16}, journal = {International journal of molecular sciences}, number = {8}, publisher = {MDPI}, address = {Basel}, issn = {1422-0067}, doi = {10.3390/ijms160817456}, pages = {17456 -- 17468}, year = {2015}, abstract = {Cytochrome P450 17A1 (CYP17A1) catalyses the formation and metabolism of steroid hormones. They are involved in blood pressure (BP) regulation and in the pathogenesis of left ventricular hypertrophy. Therefore, altered function of CYP17A1 due to genetic variants may influence BP and left ventricular mass. Notably, genome wide association studies supported the role of this enzyme in BP control. Against this background, we investigated associations between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in or nearby the CYP17A1 gene with BP and left ventricular mass in patients with arterial hypertension and associated cardiovascular organ damage treated according to guidelines. Patients (n = 1007, mean age 58.0 +/- 9.8 years, 83\% men) with arterial hypertension and cardiac left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) 40\% were enrolled in the study. Cardiac parameters of left ventricular mass, geometry and function were determined by echocardiography. The cohort comprised patients with coronary heart disease (n = 823; 81.7\%) and myocardial infarction (n = 545; 54.1\%) with a mean LVEF of 59.9\% +/- 9.3\%. The mean left ventricular mass index (LVMI) was 52.1 +/- 21.2 g/m(2.7) and 485 (48.2\%) patients had left ventricular hypertrophy. There was no significant association of any investigated SNP (rs619824, rs743572, rs1004467, rs11191548, rs17115100) with mean 24 h systolic or diastolic BP. However, carriers of the rs11191548 C allele demonstrated a 7\% increase in LVMI (95\% CI: 1\%-12\%, p = 0.017) compared to non-carriers. The CYP17A1 polymorphism rs11191548 demonstrated a significant association with LVMI in patients with arterial hypertension and preserved LVEF. Thus, CYP17A1 may contribute to cardiac hypertrophy in this clinical condition.}, language = {en} } @article{RingwaldLehmannNiemeyeretal.2014, author = {Ringwald, Juergen and Lehmann, Marina and Niemeyer, Nicole and Seifert, Isabel and Daubmann, Anne and Wegscheider, Karl and Salzwedel, Annett and Luxembourg, Beate and Eckstein, Reinhold and V{\"o}ller, Heinz}, title = {Travel habits and complications in patients treated with vitamin K antagonists: A cross sectional analysis}, series = {Travel medicine and infectious disease}, volume = {12}, journal = {Travel medicine and infectious disease}, number = {3}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Oxford}, issn = {1477-8939}, doi = {10.1016/j.tmaid.2014.02.006}, pages = {258 -- 263}, year = {2014}, abstract = {Background: Travel-related conditions have impact on the quality of oral anticoagulation therapy (OAT) with vitamin K-antagonists. No predictors for travel activity and for travel-associated haemorrhage or thromboembolic complications of patients on OAT are known. Methods: A standardised questionnaire was sent to 2500 patients on long-term OAT in Austria, Switzerland and Germany. 997 questionnaires were received (responder rate 39.9\%). Ordinal or logistic regression models with travel activity before and after onset of OAT or travel-associated haemorrhages and thromboembolic complications as outcome measures were applied. Results: 43.4\% changed travel habits since onset of OAT with 24.9\% and 18.5\% reporting decreased or increased travel activity, respectively. Long-distance worldwide before OAT or having suffered from thromboembolic complications was associated with reduced travel activity. Increased travel activity was associated with more intensive travel experience, increased duration of OAT, higher education, or performing patient self-management (PSM). Travel-associated haemorrhages or thromboennbolic complications were reported by 6.5\% and 0.9\% of the patients, respectively. Former thromboennbolic complications, former bleedings and PSM were significant predictors of travel-associated complications. Conclusions: OAT also increases travel intensity. Specific medical advice prior travelling to prevent complications should be given especially to patients with former bleedings or thromboennbolic complications and to those performing PSM. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.}, language = {en} }