Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf (HHU) (German: Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf) was founded in 1965 as the successor organisation to Düsseldorf's Medical Academy of 1907 and was named after German poet Heinrich Heine.Following several expansions throughout the decades, the university has comprised five faculties since 1993. At present, more than 36,000 full-time students are pursuing studies at HHU. There is a total staff of approximately 3,600 persons at HHU (academic and non-academic).
Abstract Background Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) are associated with a high burden of depression, pain, and physical disability, all of which significantly impair quality of life. At the same time, discussions on the cost-effectiveness of treatment strategies are gaining importance. However, it is not yet known whether specific symptom burdens are particularly cost-driving. This study aims to provide a comprehensive cost analysis considering depression and pain to optimise future healthcare strategies. Methods This prospective cross-sectional multicentre study was conducted at twelve centres of the Neuromyelitis Optica Study Group (NEMOS). Over a three-year period, 115 NMOSD patients were recruited. Disease-related costs, pain, and depression were assessed using standardised questionnaires. A generalised linear model analysis and graphical sub-cost analysis were performed to identify key cost drivers. The robustness of our findings was confirmed using two independent depression rating scales. Results In our sample of 115 patients, 77% suffered from chronic pain with a median pain intensity of 4.0 on the numeric rating scale (NRS). Moreover, 56% of patients reported depressive symptoms. In multivariate regression analysis, depression emerged as a significant predictor of total costs (p < 0.001) alongside the EDSS score (p < 0.001) and age (p = 0.004). In contrast, pain was not significantly influencing total costs (p = 0.057), despite being reported by the majority of patients. Graphical analyses highlighted informal costs as the main cost driver in patients with increasing depressive symptoms. Conclusions Depressive symptoms are not only common in NMOSD patients but also represent a major cost driver alongside neurological disability. Addressing these symptoms is essential for optimal patient care and may help reduce the socioeconomic burden.
Abstract Background Myasthenia gravis has a variable disease course. Early identification of patients with a highly active disease is crucial to prevent myasthenic exacerbations and crisis, necessitating more aggressive immunotherapy. However, no biomarkers currently exist to identify patients at risk for highly active disease course. Objective The PROGNO-MG study aims to identify blood-based biomarker signatures associated with a highly active disease course in immunotherapy-naïve patients with acetylcholine-receptor-antibody positive (AChR+) generalized Myasthenia gravis (gMG). Methods This is an investigator-initiated prospective, multicentric, observational study. Seventy newly diagnosed immunotherapy-naïve AChR+ gMG patients will be enrolled and followed up for 24 months. Blood samples and clinical data will be collected biannually. Biomarkers (calprotectin, neurofilament light chain, ITIH3, complement activation, kappa free light chains, and exploratory proteome-analyses and immune cell phenotyping) will be measured and their association with clinical outcomes will be evaluated. Perspective The results will provide evidence for prognostic biomarkers, supporting risk stratification and early individualized treatment for AChR+ gMG patients. Trial registration The study is registered in the German clinical trial register (DRKS00035457).
To investigated the prevalence of anterior corneal scars after Descemet’s membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK), and the results of transepithelial phototherapeutic keratectomy (transPTK) in affected patients. Records were reviewed of all patients who underwent DMEK at the study center between March 2014 and December 2020. Patients were included if surgery had been performed for Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy or bullous keratopathy and no relevant concomitant eye disease was documented. Two groups were formed based on postoperative CDVA (Snellen): CDVA ≤ 0.7 (group 1), and CDVA ≥ 0.8 (group 2). After PTK was established at the study center, records of group 1 were reviewed again (“follow-up”), including pre- and postoperative data in those patients that had undergone wavefront-guided PTK. Of 760 eyes that received DMEK, 420 were included in the analysis. A corneal scar was documented in 11.2 What is new
Ruptures of the distal biceps brachii tendon are injuries that most frequently affect the dominant arm of middle-aged men. Surgical repair is indicated in active patients to restore elbow flexion and forearm supination strength. Complications of repair include neurovascular injury, elbow stiffness, re-rupture, wound infection, and heterotopic ossification. Heterotopic ossification is a rare complication that may be asymptomatic or present with pain, restricted range of motion, palpable mass, or neurovascular symptoms. We report a case of heterotopic ossification with adhesion to the distal biceps tendon and displacement of the brachial artery following open repair using a single-incision approach. The patient presented 7 months postoperatively with restricted range of motion. Surgical excision of the ossification and tenolysis for tendon release were performed, preceded by preoperative radiation therapy. Postoperative follow-up demonstrated full range of motion and complete resolution of symptoms.
Data on the association of previous cardiac surgery (PCS) with outcomes following tricuspid valve transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (T-TEER) are limited. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of PCS on outcomes after T-TEER. This analysis included patients from the EuroTR registry (European Registry of Transcatheter Repair for Tricuspid Regurgitation; NCT0630726) who underwent T-TEER for clinically relevant tricuspid regurgitation (TR) between 2016 and 2024 and had available information on cardiac surgical history. Study endpoints were procedural TR reduction, improvement in NYHA functional class, all-cause mortality, and the composite of death or heart failure hospitalization (HFH) at 2 years. Among 2929 patients, 27.2
