[Social factors in gerontology]. / Soziale Faktoren in der Gerontologie.

As an inter-branch research and working field of modern medicine, gerontology has to satisfy health-political requirements to a growing extent. Related to the specific subject of the investigation of aging and its biosocial character, this requires a view of human aging and being old that exceeds the limits of the medico-naturalscintific conceptions. Any analysis of phenomena of aging in later periods of life has to deal with the individual and his/her social environment-two interacting and dynamically changing parts of a global system. Associated therewith is the previously insufficiently solved problem of the clear determination of the "social", of the "social factors". Following already existing approaches, a possible systematization of the conglomerate of social factors is introduced and consequences concerning research and practice are pointed out.

[The social function of the hospital]. / Zur sozialen Funktion des Krankenhauses.

Issuing from the statements to the change of the social institution hospital in the course of history the experiment is undertaken to outline the social function of the hospital on the conditions of the developed socialist society.

[Determination of biologic aging within the scope of the Halberstadt Gerontologic Study. 5. Correlation of physiologic parameters with calendar and biologic age. 1. Relative cell number of peripheral B and T lymphocytes]. / Zur Bestimmung des biologischen Alters im Rahmen der Halberstädter gerontologischen Studie. 5. Mitteilung: Die Korrelation physiologischer Parameter zum kalendarischen und biologischen Alter. 1. Die relative Zahl peripherer B- und T-Lymphozyten.

There can occur considerable differences between the individual chronological age and the biological (functional) age of individuals. The relationship between chronological age, biological age and the relative number of T- and B-lymphocytes is examined. Whereas the number of B-lymphocytes does not show a dependence of biological age, the number of T-lymphocytes shows significant modifications dependent of biological age.

[Determination of biologic aging within the scope of the Halberstadt Gerontologic Study. 4. Some theoretical and methodologic considerations on the future development of assessment tests]. / Zur Bestimmung des biologischen Alters im Rahmen der Halberstädter gerontologischen Studie. 4. Mitteilung: Einige theoretische und methodische Uberlegungen zur künftigen Gestaltung der Messbatterie.

With regard to the test-set developed by RIES and co-workers for the purpose of determination of the biological age the authors again refer to the necessity of a corresponding catalogue of methods with a view to the measurement of work capacity and of health condition at the age. Theoretic problems concerning the examination of functional parameters are discussed. Proposals to a theory-related continued development of work capacity and of health condition are presented, especially to master common problems of daily life at the age.

[Value of disease and awareness of disease--a gerontologic consideration]. / Krankheitswert und Krankheitsbewusstsein--eine gerontologische Betrachtung.

In 1980 the World Health Organization issued an International Classification for the evaluation of lesions, functional impairments and social handicaps. Though it has been elaborated prevailingly for the disabled, in our opinion it is very well suited for the application in practical geriatrics. Unfortunately, this possibility of classification has not met with the proper response in gerontology yet. A revision for its application in gerontology, however, seems to be absolutely necessary. This classification expands the previously common process chain diagnosis-to-therapy. It provides the possibilities of a systematic incorporation of the consequences of a disease and of an extensive therapeutical strategy directed to the organization of an active, independent life. Both rehabilitative measures and aspects of coping with being chronically ill are taken into consideration. It will provide the preconditions of an evaluation of the need for medical and social care and allows a new geroprophylactical way of care as the connection between rehabilitation and prophylaxis, which is inseparable for gerontology, is made clear. It is an essential concern of these studies to use this International Classification and to make a contribution to its adaptation to socio-gerontological requirements.

[Determination of biologic aging within the scope of the Halberstadt gerontologic study. 1. Preliminary remarks, on Partial Index I (prevailing physical area]. / Zur Bestimmung des biologischen Alters im Rahmen der Halberstädter gerontologischen Studie. 1. Mitteilung: Vorbemerkungen, zum Teilindex I (prävalierend physischer Bereich).

Within the bounds of the Halberstadt study it is undertaken, to register the health condition and the work capacity of elderly people. To this purpose the Leipzig test set for the determination of biological age examination and its applicability is discussed. The experience shows, that this test set with the discussed task specific modifications can be applied. Character and extent of the necessary modifications, which result for the partial index I (prevalent physical range) are presented in this first information.

[Determination of biologic aging within the scope of the Halberstadt gerontologic study. 3. Partial Index III (prevailing social area)]. / Zur Bestimmung des biologischen Alters im Rahmen der Halberstädter gerontologischen Studie. 3. Mitteilung: Teilindex III (prävalierend sozialer Bereich).

In the third information on the application of the Leipzig test set for the determination of biological age within the bounds of the Halberstadt study the partial index III (prevalent social range) is submitted to critical consideration. The Leningrad Assessment Scale is compared with the Halberstadt questionnaire programme.

[Chronic pyelonephritis of older and old patients--a diagnostic problem in general medical practice (author's transl)]. / Die chronische Pyelonephritis älterer und alter Patienten--ein diagnostisches Problem in der allgemeinmedizinischen Praxis.

Chronic pyelonephritis is the most common renal disease of old age. The number of registered cases of this disease is below current diagnostic possibilities, since chronic urinary tract infection and chronic pyelonephritis still too rarely play a role in differential diagnostic considerations. Because of the insecure reliability of anamnesis and complaints reported by the patients the uroscopic examination of the urine and bacteriologic diagnostics are of special importance. These examinations can be carried out in general medical practice and they will lead to a diagnosis of chronic pyelonephritis with relatively high probability.