Philine Ritter, Stefan Schönland, Markus Weiler, Jörg Beimler, Fabian Aus dem Siepen, Carsten Müller-Tidow, Ute Hegenbart
{"title":"[Retrospective analysis of a patient cohort with suspicion of systemic amyloidosis, finally not confirmed].","authors":"Philine Ritter, Stefan Schönland, Markus Weiler, Jörg Beimler, Fabian Aus dem Siepen, Carsten Müller-Tidow, Ute Hegenbart","doi":"10.1055/a-2601-8080","DOIUrl":"10.1055/a-2601-8080","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Systemic amyloidoses present with non-specific symptoms which lead to a wide spectrum of possible differential diagnoses. In this retrospective study we analyzed a patient cohort that was referred to the amyloidosis center Heidelberg under the suspicion of amyloidosis but ultimately did not receive the diagnosis of amyloidosis after diagnostic work-up. The usefulness of differential diagnosis (DDX) generators in the diagnostic process of amyloidosis is unclear.Included in this retrospective analysis were the data of patients who were referred to the amyloidosis center between 2014 and 2020 and who did not receive the diagnosis of amyloidosis.In order to test the usefulness of the DDX-Generator, 90 patients without amyloidosis were selected from this cohort and compared to another cohort of 30 random patients with confirmed amyloidosis.The diagnosis of amyloidosis was ruled out in 351/2829 (12,4%) patients. The most frequent diagnoses were polyneuropathies (n=129/351, 36,7%) and cardiomyopathies (n=76/351, 21,7%). Plasma cell dyscrasia associated diseases were only present in 17/351 (4,8%) of patients. The cause of the disease remained unknown in 160/186 (86,0%) patients with a mean follow-up time of 34,5 months.In the non-amyloidosis cohort, the DDX generator listed amyloidosis as a possible differential diagnosis in the top 10 differential diagnoses in 25/90 (27,8%) cases.In the amyloidosis-cohort, amyloidosis was significantly more often present in the top 10 differential diagnoses (n=28/30, 93,3%,).Point of contact for patients with unknown or rare diseases are the centers for rare diseases. DDX-Generators could aid physicians to consider amyloidosis as a possible differential diagnosis.</p>","PeriodicalId":93975,"journal":{"name":"Deutsche medizinische Wochenschrift (1946)","volume":" ","pages":"e42-e49"},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12396889/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144786243","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Henrike Ak Hillmann, Christian Veltmann, David Duncker
{"title":"[Detection of Arrhythmias Using Digital Devices - Implementation and Potential Benefits in Daily Clinical Practice].","authors":"Henrike Ak Hillmann, Christian Veltmann, David Duncker","doi":"10.1055/a-2588-8922","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1055/a-2588-8922","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Digital devices can be used for arrhythmia detection and cardiac rhythm monitoring. Various technologies, such as electrocardiography, photoplethysmography and phonocardiogram are available for this approach. Current recommendations emphasize the need for appropriate recording, evaluation and assessment of data. Benefits and risks of digital devices need to be weighed for the individual patient. Moreover, reimbursement varies between different countries. In the future, wearables are expected to have a rising impact on the establishment of diagnosis as well as monitoring of heart rhythm disorders.</p>","PeriodicalId":93975,"journal":{"name":"Deutsche medizinische Wochenschrift (1946)","volume":"150 19","pages":"1143-1150"},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145031425","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"[The Dawn of Generative AI in Medicine: Empathy Through Emulation].","authors":"Ali Amr, Benjamin Meder","doi":"10.1055/a-2593-7888","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1055/a-2593-7888","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Rapid advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI) have significantly impacted multiple sectors of our society, including healthcare. While conventional AI has been instrumental in solving mainly image recognition tasks and thereby adding in well-defined situations such as supporting diagnostic imaging, the emergence of generative AI is impacting on one of the main professional competences: doctor-patient interaction.A convergence of natural language processing (NLP) and generative AI is exemplified by intelligent chatbots like ChatGPT. A first study that has compared the empathy and quality of responses between ChatGPT and human physicians in a healthcare setting has shown that ChatGPT can outperform human physicians in both quality and empathy of answers to medical questions. The results suggest that generative AI models like ChatGPT could serve as valuable adjuncts in medical consultations, potentially improving patient engagement and reducing clinician workload.</p>","PeriodicalId":93975,"journal":{"name":"Deutsche medizinische Wochenschrift (1946)","volume":"150 19","pages":"1129-1134"},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145031492","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"[Beyond the role: Who we can truly be as doctors. - Why professional identity development is more than just knowledge and skills.]","authors":"Sandra Apondo, Pascal O Berberat","doi":"10.1055/a-2623-6505","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1055/a-2623-6505","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Beyond the role: </strong>WHO WE CAN TRULY BE AS DOCTORS. WHY PROFESSIONAL IDENTITY FORMATION IS MORE THAN KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS: <i>How do we become - and remain - the kind of doctors we truly aspire to be? This article explores how self-reflection and teaching methods from narrative medicine can open up space for developing a professional identity within medical training. From clinical, educational, and lived illness perspectives, the authors argue that vulnerability, subjectivity, and humanity are fundamental to the medical profession.</i></p>","PeriodicalId":93975,"journal":{"name":"Deutsche medizinische Wochenschrift (1946)","volume":"150 19","pages":"1158-1162"},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145031401","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"[Trembling hands and more: when to suspect Parkinson's disease].","authors":"Kenan Steidel, David Pedrosa","doi":"10.1055/a-2514-0260","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1055/a-2514-0260","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Tremor is the most common movement disorder in clinical neurology and it significantly impacts patients' quality of life. In primary care, particularly among older adults, differentiating between tremor types is essential for early diagnosis and appropriate management, especially when Parkinson's disease is suspected. This review provides a concise overview of tremor classification and diagnostic strategies, with a focus on distinguishing Parkinsonian tremor from other common tremor syndromes such as essential, dystonic, functional, orthostatic, and secondary tremors.Key clinical characteristics, including tremor type (rest, postural, kinetic, re-emergent), frequency, distribution, and associated neurological signs, are discussed in detail. The hallmark of Parkinsonian tremor, an asymmetric resting tremor with a \"pill-rolling\" quality and possible re-emergence after postural, is highlighted as a critical diagnostic clue, particularly when accompanied by bradykinesia and non-motor prodromal symptoms such as REM sleep behaviour disorder, constipation, or hyposmia.The article outlines a pragmatic diagnostic pathway, including clinical examination, structured anamnesis, medication review, and the use of neuro-imaging or DAT-SPECT when indicated. Therapeutic options are also discussed, ranging from dopaminergic medication to advanced interventions like deep brain stimulation or focused ultrasound for refractory tremor. The review aims to support non-expert clinicians in making accurate early diagnoses and initiating therapy.</p>","PeriodicalId":93975,"journal":{"name":"Deutsche medizinische Wochenschrift (1946)","volume":"150 18","pages":"1069-1075"},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144983769","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"[Multiple Sclerosis in primary care pratices].","authors":"Mathias Mäurer","doi":"10.1055/a-2495-4800","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1055/a-2495-4800","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system (CNS). Approximately one million people are affected worldwide; in Germany the prevalence is approximately 250,000. The disease typically manifests in young adulthood between the ages of 20 and 40, with women affected approximately three times more often. Due to its sociomedical significance, knowledge of the disease and current treatment options is essential for general practitioners, even though the disease is likely to be relatively rare in primary care practices.</p>","PeriodicalId":93975,"journal":{"name":"Deutsche medizinische Wochenschrift (1946)","volume":"150 18","pages":"1076-1084"},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144983782","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"[Polyneuropathies - What are possible causes?]","authors":"Dieter Felix Heuß","doi":"10.1055/a-2495-4756","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1055/a-2495-4756","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Polyneuropathies are among the most common neurological diseases and the complaints they cause are a frequent reason for a consultation in general medical care. Around 5-8% of people over the age of 55 are affected, with an upward trend due to the ageing population, the increase in diabetes mellitus and many new neurotoxic drugs. As the name \"poly\" indicates, several peripheral nerves are affected. Depending on the cause, motor, sensory or even autonomic nerves can be affected individually or in combination. Sensory and motor symptoms occur (sensitive: numbness, prickling, tingling, unsteady gait and sharp, jabbing, throbbing or burning pain; motor: muscle cramps, muscle weakness, skeletal deformities). Clinically, polyneuropathies usually present insidiously with these symptoms and frequently with pain in the feet, often symmetrical and distally emphasized (\"stocking pattern\"). The disease can affect the insulating layer of the nerves (myelin) and/or the extension of the nerve cell (neurite, axon) itself. The etiology is diverse, ranging from metabolic to toxic to genetic causes. Early diagnosis is crucial in order to treat any underlying disease and, if possible, prevent progression and complications. This paper describes the causes of polyneuropathies and, in particular, a valuable diagnostic procedure for investigating the causes. It is emphasized that the physiological loss of nerve fibers in older patients can also be the cause of a (mild) polyneuropathy or, in the sense of a \"double crash\", can trigger a clinically manifest polyneuropathy together with another possible cause.</p>","PeriodicalId":93975,"journal":{"name":"Deutsche medizinische Wochenschrift (1946)","volume":"150 18","pages":"1085-1092"},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144983742","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"[Patient-centred communication in general practice].","authors":"Anne Simmenroth, Jessica Ruck","doi":"10.1055/a-2593-4157","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1055/a-2593-4157","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>General practice is 'talking medicine' and communication is an essential part of every medical activity, and also influences key outcome parameters (e.g. adherence, healing success) and even job satisfaction of physicians. In this article, the principles of patient-centred communication (in contrast to physician-centred communication) were described. Basic techniques such as active listening, paraphrasing, reflecting and summarizing were taught with formulation examples. Case examples illustrate typical consultations in practice where patient-centred communication is indicated and helpful. Furthermore, tips are given on how to deal with patients' emotions and reactance. At last, the importance of good training and owns self-care is emphasised.</p>","PeriodicalId":93975,"journal":{"name":"Deutsche medizinische Wochenschrift (1946)","volume":"150 18","pages":"1100-1108"},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144983764","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}