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Published on: September 26, 2018
[Outpatient treatment of patients with cardiovascular diseases]
G Brenner1, L Altenhofen, H Kerek-Bodden
1Zentralinstitut für die kassenärztliche Versorgung, Köln. GBrenner@KBV.de
Insights
Cardiovascular disease management in Germany, focusing on hypertension and lipometabolism disorders, improves patient quality of life and prevents premature death through integrated outpatient and inpatient care.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Public Health
- General Practice
Background:
- Cardiovascular diseases are a leading cause of treatment in German general practices and specialist offices.
- Approximately 18 million patients in Germany suffer from circulatory diseases, with a significant portion over 70 years old receiving treatment for hypertension.
- Effective monitoring and therapeutic interventions are crucial for managing cardiovascular conditions and preventing secondary diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the importance of hypertension and lipometabolism disorder management in outpatient settings.
- To demonstrate the impact of integrated care on patient outcomes and quality of life.
- To analyze trends in cardiovascular disease treatment and prevention strategies.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of treatment data from general practitioners and internal specialists in Germany.
- Monitoring of cardiovascular disease prevalence and mortality rates.
- Evaluation of the effectiveness of outpatient and inpatient interventions, including bypass surgery.
Main Results:
- The average mortality age for patients with circulatory diseases is 79.4 years.
- Treatment success is evidenced by decreasing age-standardized rates of cardiac infarctions, particularly in men, and reduced mortality in patients under 65.
- Increased outpatient treatment is complemented by inpatient procedures like bypass surgery.
Conclusions:
- Integrated outpatient and inpatient care significantly enhances service provision for cardiovascular patients.
- Concerted actions in both sectors contribute to improved quality of life and prevention of early mortality.
- The management of hypertension and lipometabolism disorders is a key strategy in reducing cardiovascular disease burden.
Abstract:
In Germany, cardiovascular disturbances belong to the diseases most frequently treated in the offices of general practitioners and internal specialists. With comprehensive monitoring and the taking of adequate therapeutic measures, the average mortality age of the majority of the 18 million patients suffering from circulatory diseases lies at 79.4 years. In the age group of over 70 years, 70 to 80% of the patients receive treatment against cardiovascular disturbances, most of them against hypertension. One of the most important goals of monitoring and intervention in the outpatient sector is the treatment of hypertension, especially in connection with measures taken against disturbances in lipometabolism in order to prevent secondary diseases. The success of treatment is shown by the decreasing age standardized rate of cardiac infarctions, especially among men, and the decreasing mortality rate of patients below 65. The increasing treatment in the outpatient sector is accompanied by additional interventions, especially by bypass surgery in the hospital sector. The concerted actions in both the outpatient and the inpatient sector result in a higher service provision to come to a higher quality of life in the patients and to prevent early death.
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