[Prophylaxis in general practice. Aspects of the problems (author's transl)]. / Modell einer Vorsorge in der Allgemeinpraxis. Aspekte ihrer Problematik

For four and a half years prophylactic examinations were carried out quarterly in addition to the statutory early recognition investigations in a general practice. The participation being 42.5% was above the participation rate at the statutory early recognition investigations and showed a marked correlation to age and social stratum, but not to sex. The therapeutic effect, measured by the lowering of the cholesterol level, was compared with data from the literature, our results being below those of the other authors. Then the therapeutic effect was considered from various points of view such as sex, age, social stratum and frequency of participation. The most important result appeared to be that similar investigations are probably necessary once a year at the most on medical grounds, to detect and treat risk factors, which would be of great economic importance.

[Disease, physician-patient contacts and work disability in a general practice]. / Krankheit, Arzt-Patient-Kontakte und Arbeitsunfähigkeit in einer Allgemeinpraxis

The frequency of Coronary Heart Disease symptoms (questionnaire from G. Rose) and some risk factors were recorded for 314 men in a general practice as part of a preventive screening programme. Simultaneously the number of physician-patient contacts and the total days of work disability were registered. The patients were divided into four social classes. There was a significant increase of symptoms of autonomic nervous disorder and hyperuricemia (p less than 0,025) as well as the number of smokers (p less than 0,001) with descending social class. The same trend was found with the frequency of physician-patient contacts and the total days of work disability (p less than 0,1). Patients with vegetative symptoms showed a mean of 7,2 physician-patient contacts and a work disability of 37,4 days per year. For patients with abnormal ECG findings the rates were 5,6 contacts and 33,4 days of disability per year. There was a significant difference in these rates compared to a control group.