Dtsch Arztebl Int
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Chronic renal insufficiency (CRI) is becoming more common and has an increasing impact on public health. In Germany, approximately one in ten adults has CRI. Its most serious consequence is generally not the development of end-stage renal failure, but rather the markedly increased cardiovascular risk as kidney function declines. ⋯ In patients with risk factors, renal function should be regularly tested.
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Lumbar disc surgery is among the more common spinal procedures. In this paper, we report the current treatment recommendations for patients with symptomatic disc herniation. ⋯ Longer symptom duration and lower motor scores are associated with worse outcome and a lower chance of neurologic recovery. The recovery rate for motor deficits ranges from 33% to 75%, depending on the timing and modality of treatment as well as the motor score.
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Cardiovascular diseases due to arteriosclerosis are the most common causes of death and disability in both men and women. Hypercholesterolemia, a treatable risk factor, is often detected after a delay in women, and then inadequately treated. It is, therefore, important to know the sex-specific aspects of cholesterol metabolism and to address them specifically. ⋯ Lowering high cholesterol levels, especially in postmenopausal women, may prevent the development of cardiovascular diseases.