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Schwermer M, Fetz K, Ostermann T, Truxius L, Längler A, Jan Zuzak T. Evaluation of a guideline for supportive anthroposophic therapies for hospitalised children with acute gastroenteritis - A prospective case series study. Complement Ther Med 2024; 82:103042. [PMID: 38636719 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctim.2024.103042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Even though several German children's hospitals offer integrative, anthroposophic medical therapies in addition to the standard medical care, guidelines for these anthroposophic therapies are still rare. Therefore, we investigated the feasibility of implementing a published, consensus-based guideline for the treatment of children with acute gastroenteritis (aGE) with anthroposophic therapies in the community hospital Herdecke. DESIGN A prospective case series of paediatric patients (≤18 years) with an aGE admitted to the department of integrative paediatrics of the community hospital Herdecke was conducted. Demographic, clinical and therapeutic data was recorded at initial presentation and at follow-up visits. Physicians were surveyed with a questionnaire to evaluate feasibility of implementing the guideline. RESULTS Sixty-two patients (0-15 years; 22 male, 40 female) were included in the case series. All patients received some form of anthroposophic therapy. The most frequently used remedies were Geum urbanum, Nux vomica and Bolus alba comp. Treating physicians showed a high adherence to the expert-based consensus guideline in their prescribed therapies. All physicians stated that they were familiar with the guideline and used the recommendation to inform their therapy decision. Suitability for daily use and effectiveness in treating the main symptoms of aGE were highly scored by the physicians. CONCLUSION The consensus-based guideline of anthroposophic therapies for aGE in children was successfully implemented and found to be useful for physicians in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie Schwermer
- Department of Pediatrics, Gemeinschaftskrankenhaus Herdecke, Germany; Professorship for Integrative Pediatrics, Witten/Herdecke University, Faculty of Health, Germany.
| | - Katharina Fetz
- Department of Psychology, Chair of Research Methodology and Statistics in Psychology, Witten/Herdecke University, Germany
| | - Thomas Ostermann
- Department of Psychology, Chair of Research Methodology and Statistics in Psychology, Witten/Herdecke University, Germany
| | - Louisa Truxius
- Department of Pediatrics, Gemeinschaftskrankenhaus Herdecke, Germany
| | - Alfred Längler
- Department of Pediatrics, Gemeinschaftskrankenhaus Herdecke, Germany; Professorship for Integrative Pediatrics, Witten/Herdecke University, Faculty of Health, Germany
| | - Tycho Jan Zuzak
- Department of Pediatrics, Gemeinschaftskrankenhaus Herdecke, Germany; Faculty of Medicine, University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany
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Büttner R, Schwermer M, Ostermann T, Längler A, Zuzak T. Complementary and alternative medicine in the (symptomatic) treatment of acute tonsillitis in children: A systematic review. Complement Ther Med 2023; 73:102940. [PMID: 36868289 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctim.2023.102940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acute tonsillitis (including tonsillopharyngitis) in childhood is a common disease with a peak of illness in school-age. Most of these cases have a viral origin and antibiotic therapy is not indicated, therefore, effective symptomatic therapy is required. For this reason, complementary, alternative and integrative medicine therapies might be a solution. OBJECTIVE The aim of this review is to demonstrate study status of such therapies. METHODS The databases PubMed, Cochrane Library, OVID, CAMbase, CAM-QUEST® and Anthromedics were systematically screened for studies investigating complementary, alternative and integrative therapy approaches in paediatric cohorts. Studies were analyzed by therapy approach, study design, cohort and outcome, using the PRISMA 2020 checklist. RESULTS The systematic literature search resulted in 321 articles. Five publications corresponded to the search criteria and were assigned to the following specific therapeutic categories: herbal medicine (3), homeopathy (1) and ayurvedic medicine (1). Clinical trials were found for the herbal compounds BNO 1030 (Impupret®) and EPs® 7630 (Umckaloabo), the homeopathic complex Tonzolyt® and the ayurvedic medicine Kanchnara-Guggulu and Pratisarana of Tankana‑Madhu. Antimicrobial effects of essential oils and carvacrol as single agents as well as in combination with erythromycin were analysed in an in vitro study. CONCLUSION Clinical studies indicate an improvement of symptoms and a good tolerability of all investigated remedies of complementary, alternative and integrative medicine in the treatment of tonsillitis in childhood. Nevertheless, quality and quantity of the studies were insufficient to make a reliable conclusion regarding effectiveness. Therefore, more clinical trials are urgently needed to achieve a meaningful result.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Büttner
- Department of Pediatrics, Gemeinschaftskrankenhaus Herdecke, Germany; Professorship for integrative Pediatrics, Witten/Herdecke University, Faculty of Health, Germany
| | - Melanie Schwermer
- Department of Pediatrics, Gemeinschaftskrankenhaus Herdecke, Germany; Professorship for integrative Pediatrics, Witten/Herdecke University, Faculty of Health, Germany.
| | - Thomas Ostermann
- Department of Psychology, Chair of Research Methodology and Statistics in Psychology, Witten/Herdecke University, Germany
| | - Alfred Längler
- Department of Pediatrics, Gemeinschaftskrankenhaus Herdecke, Germany; Professorship for integrative Pediatrics, Witten/Herdecke University, Faculty of Health, Germany
| | - Tycho Zuzak
- Department of Pediatrics, Gemeinschaftskrankenhaus Herdecke, Germany; Faculty of medicine, University of Duisburg Essen, Germany
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Wopker PM, Schwermer M, Sommer S, Längler A, Fetz K, Ostermann T, Zuzak TJ. Expert consensus-based clinical recommendation for an integrative anthroposophic treatment of acute bronchitis in children: A Delphi survey. Complement Ther Med 2021; 60:102736. [PMID: 34058369 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctim.2021.102736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Revised: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acute bronchitis is one of the most common pediatric diseases. In addition to conventional therapies, a frequent use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has been stated. Anthroposophic medicine (AM) is one of the most practiced complementary and integrative medicine (CIM) approaches in Central Europe but hitherto no consensus-based clinical recommendations or guidelines are available. Therefore, a consensus-based recommendation leading to an informed and reasonable use of AM in the treatment of acute bronchitis in pediatrics was developed. METHODS A total of 61 physicians in Germany with expertise in the field of anthroposophic pediatrics was invited to complete an online multistep Delphi process. Two independent reviewers quantitatively and qualitatively evaluated the results. The survey was completed when >75 % consensus was achieved. RESULTS The clinical recommendation comprises 15 subitems related to treatment as well as clinical and psychosocial aspects. All items reached strong consensus (>90 %; N = 9) or consensus (75-90 %; N = 6). CONCLUSION The comprehensive clinical recommendation creates a scientific base for the anthroposophic integrative treatment of acute bronchitis in children in Germany. It will make the anthroposophic approach more applicable, understandable and comparable to a wider public of physicians and other health professionals in Germany.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pilar Marie Wopker
- Department of Pediatrics, Gemeinschaftskrankenhaus Herdecke, Gerhard-Kienle-Weg 4, 58313, Herdecke, Germany; Witten/Herdecke University, Faculty of Health, Alfred-Herrhausen-Straße 50, 58455, Witten, Germany
| | - Melanie Schwermer
- Department of Pediatrics, Gemeinschaftskrankenhaus Herdecke, Gerhard-Kienle-Weg 4, 58313, Herdecke, Germany; Witten/Herdecke University, Faculty of Health, Alfred-Herrhausen-Straße 50, 58455, Witten, Germany.
| | - Simon Sommer
- Department of Pediatrics, Vestische Kinder- und Jugendklinik Datteln, Dr.-Friedrich-Steiner-Straße 5, 45711, Datteln, Germany
| | - Alfred Längler
- Department of Pediatrics, Gemeinschaftskrankenhaus Herdecke, Gerhard-Kienle-Weg 4, 58313, Herdecke, Germany; Witten/Herdecke University, Faculty of Health, Alfred-Herrhausen-Straße 50, 58455, Witten, Germany
| | - Katharina Fetz
- Department of Psychology, Chair of Research Methodology and Statistics in Psychology, Witten/Herdecke University, Alfred-Herrhausen-Straße 50, 58455, Witten, Germany
| | - Thomas Ostermann
- Department of Psychology, Chair of Research Methodology and Statistics in Psychology, Witten/Herdecke University, Alfred-Herrhausen-Straße 50, 58455, Witten, Germany
| | - Tycho Jan Zuzak
- Department of Pediatrics, Gemeinschaftskrankenhaus Herdecke, Gerhard-Kienle-Weg 4, 58313, Herdecke, Germany; Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstr.55, 45147, Essen, Germany
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Fetz K, Längler A, Schwermer M, Carvalho-Hilje C, Vagedes J, Zuzak TJ, Ostermann T. Comparative analysis of resource utilization in integrative anthroposophic and all German pediatric inpatient departments. BMC Health Serv Res 2020; 20:939. [PMID: 33046108 PMCID: PMC7552368 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-020-05782-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Integrative Medicine (IM) combines conventional and complementary therapies. It aims to address biological, psychological, social, spiritual and environmental aspects of patients' health. During the past 20 years, the use and request of IM in children and adults has grown. Anthroposophic Medicine (AM) is an IM approach frequently used in children in Germany. From both public health and health economic perspectives, it is relevant to investigate whether there are differences in the resource utilization between integrative pediatric departments (IPD) and the entirety of all pediatric departments. METHODS Standard ward documentation data from all German integrative anthroposophic pediatric departments (2005-2016; N = 29,956) is investigated and systematically compared to data of the entirety of all pediatric departments in Germany derived from the Institute for the Hospital Reimbursement System (2005-2016, N = 8,645,173). The analyses focus on: length of stay, Diagnosis Related Groups (DRG), Major Diagnosis Categories (MDC), and effective Case Mix Index (CMI). RESULTS The length of stay in the IPD (M = 5.38 ± 7.31) was significantly shorter than the DRG defined length of stay (M = 5.8 ± 4.71; p < .001; d = - 0.07) and did not exceed or undercut the DRG covered length of stay. Compared to the entirety of all pediatric departments (M = 4.74 ± 6.23) the length of stay was significantly longer in the in the IPD (p <. 001; d = 0.12). The effective CMI in IPD and all pediatric departments were identical (M = 0.76). The frequencies of DRG and MDC differed between IPD and all pediatric departments, with higher frequencies of DRGs and MDCs associated with chronic and severe illnesses in the IPD. CONCLUSIONS Treatment within integrative anthroposophic pediatric departments fits well in terms of the DRG defined conditions concerning length of stay, even though integrative pediatric patients has an increased length of stay of averagely 1 day, which is most likely associated to time consuming, complex integrative treatment approaches and to a certain extend to higher amount of chronic and severe diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Fetz
- Department of Psychology, Chair of Research Methodology and Statistics in Psychology, Witten/Herdecke University, Alfred-Herrhausen-Straße 50, 58448, Witten, Germany.
| | - Alfred Längler
- Department of Pediatrics, Gemeinschaftskrankenhaus Herdecke, Gerhard-Kienle-Weg 4, 58313, Herdecke, Germany.,Professorship for Integrative Pediatrics, Institute for Integrative Medicine, Witten/Herdecke University, Alfred-Herrhausen-Straße 50, 58448, Witten, Germany
| | - Melanie Schwermer
- Department of Pediatrics, Gemeinschaftskrankenhaus Herdecke, Gerhard-Kienle-Weg 4, 58313, Herdecke, Germany
| | - Clara Carvalho-Hilje
- Department of Pediatrics, Gemeinschaftskrankenhaus Herdecke, Gerhard-Kienle-Weg 4, 58313, Herdecke, Germany.,Professorship for Integrative Pediatrics, Institute for Integrative Medicine, Witten/Herdecke University, Alfred-Herrhausen-Straße 50, 58448, Witten, Germany
| | - Jan Vagedes
- ARCIM Academic Research in Complementary and Integrative Medicine, Filderstadt, Germany.,Department of Neonatology, University Hospital Tuebingen, Calwerstraße 7, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Tycho Jan Zuzak
- Department of Pediatrics, Gemeinschaftskrankenhaus Herdecke, Gerhard-Kienle-Weg 4, 58313, Herdecke, Germany.,Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, University Hospital Essen, Hufelandstr.55, 45147, Essen, Germany
| | - Thomas Ostermann
- Department of Psychology, Chair of Research Methodology and Statistics in Psychology, Witten/Herdecke University, Alfred-Herrhausen-Straße 50, 58448, Witten, Germany
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Fetz K, Ostermann T, Schwermer M, Appelbaum S, Vagedes J, Zuzak TJ, Längler A. Do patients of integrative anthroposophic pediatric inpatient departments differ? Comparative analysis to all pediatric inpatients in Germany considering demographic and clinical characteristics. BMC Public Health 2019; 19:1623. [PMID: 31795983 PMCID: PMC6889203 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-019-7972-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2019] [Accepted: 11/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Integrative medicine (IM) is a patient-centered, evidence-based, therapeutic paradigm which combines conventional and complementary approaches. The use of IM in pediatrics has increased in the past two decades and parents' demand for it is growing. An IM whole systems approach is anthroposophic medicine. Considering the growing demand for integrative approaches in children, it is relevant from a public health perspective to find out which kind of children use IM in Germany and whether they differ from the entirety of pediatric inpatients in Germany. Moreover, it would be interesting to known, whether these patients are willing to travel a longer distance to gain integrative treatment. METHODS The present study investigates the standard ward documentation datasets of 29,956 patients of all German integrative anthroposophic pediatric inpatient wards from 2005 to 2016 and compares them systematically to collect data of the entirety of all pediatric inpatient wards in Germany. Apart from patients' age and gender, and the ICD-10 admission diagnoses, the geographical catchment area of the hospitals were analyzed. RESULTS Sociodemographic characteristics of pediatric inpatients in the integrative anthroposophic departments (IAH) did not differ from the entirety of all pediatric inpatients. Regarding clinical characteristics, higher frequencies were found for endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases (IAH: 7.24% vs. 2.98%); mental, behavioral, and neurodevelopmental disorders (IAH: 9.83% vs. 3.78%) and nervous diseases (IAH: 8.82% vs. 5.16%) and lower frequencies for general pediatric diseases such as respiratory diseases (IAH: 17.06% vs. 19.83%), digestive diseases (IAH: 3.90% vs. 6.25%), and infectious and parasitic diseases (IAH: 12.88% vs. 14.82%) in comparison to the entirety of all pediatric inpatients in Germany. The IAH showed a broad catchment area, with most patients being from former, Western federal republic of Germany. Large catchment areas (> 100 km) for the IAH are merely covered by severe and chronic diseases. CONCLUSION Pediatric inpatients of IAH do not differ from the entirety of pediatric inpatients in Germany regarding sociodemographic characteristics but show differences regarding clinical characteristics. Parents are willing to travel further distance to get specialized integrative anthroposophic medical care for children with severe and chronic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Fetz
- Department of Psychology and Psychotherapy, Chair of Research Methodology and Statistics in Psychology, Witten/Herdecke University, Alfred-Herrhausen-Straße 50, 58448 Witten, Germany
| | - Thomas Ostermann
- Department of Psychology and Psychotherapy, Chair of Research Methodology and Statistics in Psychology, Witten/Herdecke University, Alfred-Herrhausen-Straße 50, 58448 Witten, Germany
| | - Melanie Schwermer
- Department of Pediatrics, Gemeinschaftskrankenhaus Herdecke, Gerhard-Kienle-Weg 4, 58313 Herdecke, Germany
| | - Sebastian Appelbaum
- Department of Psychology and Psychotherapy, Chair of Research Methodology and Statistics in Psychology, Witten/Herdecke University, Alfred-Herrhausen-Straße 50, 58448 Witten, Germany
| | - Jan Vagedes
- ARCIM Institute Academic Research in Complementary and Integrative Medicine, Filderstadt, Germany
- Department of Neonatology, University Hospital Tuebingen, Calwerstraße 7, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Tycho Jan Zuzak
- Department of Pediatrics, Gemeinschaftskrankenhaus Herdecke, Gerhard-Kienle-Weg 4, 58313 Herdecke, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, University Hospital Essen, Hufelandstr.55, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Alfred Längler
- Department of Pediatrics, Gemeinschaftskrankenhaus Herdecke, Gerhard-Kienle-Weg 4, 58313 Herdecke, Germany
- Professorship for Integrative Pediatrics, Institute for Integrative Medicine, Witten/Herdecke University, Alfred-Herrhausen-Straße 50, 58448 Witten, Germany
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Schwermer M, Fetz K, Vagedes J, Krüger M, Längler A, Ostermann T, Zuzak T. An expert consensus-based guideline for the integrative anthroposophic treatment of acute gastroenteritis in children. Complement Ther Med 2019; 45:289-294. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ctim.2019.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2019] [Revised: 04/02/2019] [Accepted: 04/02/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022] Open
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