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Der Nutzen von Krebsfruherkennungsuntersuchungen (KFU) bei alteren Menschen ist nicht gesichert. Wahrend das Risiko einer Krebserkrankung mit dem Alter steigt, sinkt die Inanspruchnahme von KFU. Einstellungen alterer Menschen und deren Motive fur oder gegen eine Teilnahme an KFU sollten festgestellt werden. Die vorliegende populationsbasierte, explorative „Mixed-methods“-Studie basiert auf einer Befragung von Bewohnern des Landkreises Vorpommern-Greifswald, die sich im Alter zwischen 69 und 89 Jahren befinden. Ausschlusskriterien waren kognitive Einschrankungen und/oder das Vorliegen von Malignomen. Mithilfe eines Fragebogens wurden Einstellungen zu verschiedenen Aussagen bezuglich KFU mit 5-stufigen Likert-Skalen erfasst. In leitfadengestutzten Interviews erfolgte die Exploration der Motive. Von 630 kontaktierten Bewohnern nahmen 120 im Durchschnittsalter von 77 Jahren [Standardabweichung (SD) ± 6 Jahre] an einer „Face-to-face“-Befragung (19 %) teil. Die Mehrheit stimmte der lebenslangen Durchfuhrung der KFU zu. Es gaben 14 % an, dass andere gesundheitliche Probleme im hoheren Alter wichtiger sind als die Teilnahme an KFU. Von den Befragten nahmen 7 % an, nicht mehr lange genug zu leben, um von einer KFU profitieren zu konnen. Motive fur die Teilnahme an einer KFU waren Regelmasigkeit, Pflichtgefuhl, Angst und Glaube an den Nutzen. Motive fur die Nichtteilnahme waren mangelndes Interesse, keine Notwendigkeit oder Angst; Nachteile wurden nicht befurchtet. Altere Menschen zeigen ein hohes Vertrauen in die KFU. Sie sollten uber Nutzen und Risiken einer KFU besser aufgeklart werden. Ihre Lebenserwartung und ihre Praferenzen sollten als Grundlage einer gemeinsamen Entscheidung fur oder gegen eine KFU berucksichtigt werden.

Autoimmune thyroid disease (AIT) is more common in females than in males. Furthermore, it is well documented that the risk of thyroid autoimmunity increases during pregnancy and in the postpartum period. The objective of the present study was to analyse the association between parity and AIT by using ultrasound and serological data.The study population included 2156 women, aged 20-79 years. Serum thyroperoxidase antibodies (anti-TPO) and thyrotropin levels were measured and thyroid ultrasonography was performed. AIT was defined according to the combined presence of a hypoechogenic thyroid pattern and positive anti-TPO levels (200 IU/ml). Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated.The analyses revealed an association between parity and AIT. Women with at least one pregnancy had increased odds for AIT (OR 4.6 [95%-CI 1.4-15.1], p0.05) compared to women who have never been pregnant. Similar results were observed using hypoechogenic thyroid pattern (OR 1.7 [95%-CI 1.0-2.9], p0.05) and positive anti-TPO levels (OR 1.8 [95%-CI 1.0-3.3], p = 0.05) as separate dependent variables or using number of births as alternate independent variable.In this female population we found an association between parity and AIT and conclude that parity appears to be a potential risk factor for AIT.

The benefits of cancer screening in the elderly are uncertain. While the risk of cancer increases with age the participation in cancer screening decreases.The study investigated the attitudes of older adults towards cancer screening as well as their motives for or against participation.This population-based explorative mixed methods study was based on a survey of residents aged 69-89 years from the district of Western Pomerania-Greifswald (northeast Germany). Criteria for exclusion were cognitive deficits and/or cancer. Attitudes towards different statements regarding cancer screening were assessed by a questionnaire using 5-point Likert scales. Semi-structured interviews were used to explore the motivations.Out of 630 contacted residents, 120 (19%) with an average age of 77 years (SD ± 6 years) participated in the face-to-face survey. The majority were in favor of lifelong cancer screening, 14% stated other health problems to be more important than cancer screening and 7% assumed that they would not live long enough to benefit from screening. Motives for participation in cancer screening were habit, regularity, sense of obligation, fear and belief in benefits. Motives for discontinuing screening included a lack of interest, no assumed necessity and fear. Disadvantages were not feared.Elderly people show great trust in cancer screening. They overestimated the benefits of cancer screening and their risk to die of cancer. The elderly should be better informed about the benefits and risks of cancer screening. Shared decision-making should be based on life expectancy and personal preferences.

Background: The scope of this project was the implementation of technology from vitalexpertise® as a quality system for guest support in tourism. An organisation model based on the conceptual and structural requirements was developed. Methods: The surveying of the guests was carried out within the framework of the German Federal Ministry for Education and Research project called “Development of a Quality Assurance System in a Preventative Self-pay Market.” Questionnaires were handed-out both at guests’ arrival and departure. Twenty-three people were surveyed. Results: The results should be considered in the social context and individual situations of each guest. Guests showed curative knowledge, but only slightly so in the area of preventative medicine in the sense of salutogenesis. The self-assessment of the guests on the topic of health-consciousness does not correlate with the actual activities in daily living. Conclusion: A guest’s rethinking of salutogenesis principles is not shown. The spread of knowledge aimed at health preservation activities must be achieved. Because of the recovery time, duration of stay, calmness etc. in a hotel, the prerequisites for spreading of salutogenesis principles exists. While the acceptance of such offerings in hotels are noticeable, theoretic knowledge and implementation in everyday living is not.