News

27.09.2024: New scientific publication on parental acceptance, attitudes, and knowledge regarding HPV vaccinations

A systematic literature review and meta-analysis on parental acceptance, attitudes, and knowledge regarding HPV vaccinations has been published in BMC Women’s Health. Based on 86 studies, the results show that acceptance of the HPV vaccine among parents varies widely, although parents generally support the HPV vaccination. The highest acceptance rate was found in Africa (79.6%), while the lowest was in North America (56.7%). Mothers were more willing to have their daughters vaccinated. The main barriers identified by parents included fears of side effects and concerns about vaccine safety.

Heyde S, Osmani V, Schauberger G, Cooney C, Klug SJ. Global parental acceptance, attitudes, and knowledge regarding human papillomavirus vaccinations for their children: a systematic literature review and meta-analysis. BMC Womens Health. 2024; 24(1): 537. doi: 10.1186/s12905-024-03377-5. [Link]

19.09.2024: New study on HPV prevalence in unvaccinated women in Germany

A new publication on our MARZY study was published in BMC Infectious Diseases, examining the age- and type-specific prevalence of HPV infections in unvaccinated women aged 30 and older in Germany. The analyses are based on data from 2,520 women recruited between 2005 and 2012 in Mainz and Mainz-Bingen. Overall, HPV prevalence was 10.6%, with 6.5% of women testing positive for high-risk HPV (HR-HPV). The most common HR-HPV types in this population were 16, 56, 52, and 31. A relevant proportion of HR-HPV infections involved HPV types not covered by currently available HPV vaccines.

Liang LA, Tanaka LF, Radde K, Bussas U, Ikenberg H, Heideman DAM, Meijer C, Blettner M, Klug SJ. Population-based age- and type-specific prevalence of human papillomavirus among non-vaccinated women aged 30 years and above in Germany. BMC Infect Dis. 2024; 24(1): 1008. doi: 10.1186/s12879-024-09827-7. [Link]

11.09.2024: New publication on vaccination rates among older adults in Bavaria

A new publication on vaccination rates for Influenza, Pneumococcus, and Herpes Zoster among people aged 60 and older in Bavaria has been published in Vaccine. Based on data from the Bavarian Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (KVB), vaccinations between 2012 and 2021 were analyzed. In 2020, at the beginning of the pandemic, vaccination rates increased by 9.9 (Influenza), 8.7 (Pneumococcus), and 2.5 (Herpes Zoster) percentage points. While the Influenza rate decreased in 2021, Pneumococcus and Herpes Zoster rates continued to rise. The pandemic seems to have triggered awareness of the importance of vaccinations. However, more efforts are needed to increase vaccination rates in Bavaria.

Baffour Awuah G, Tanaka LF, Eberl M, Donnachie E, Schauberger G, Lehner CT, Himmler S, Sundmacher L, Klug SJ. Analysis of health claims data on vaccination coverage in older adults in Bavaria, Germany: Influenza, pneumococcus and herpes zoster. Vaccine. 2024; 42(26): 126354. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2024.126354. [Link]

13.08.2024: New publication on the effectiveness of the random forest method for analysing matched case-control studies

A new paper has been published in the journal BMC Bioinformatics on the application of the random forest method (CLogitForest) from the field of machine learning to analyse matched case-control studies. The efficacy of the CLogitForest method was evaluated in comparison with ordinary conditional logistic regression (CLR) and conditional logistic regression trees (CLogitTree) through the implementation of a simulation study and the utilisation of real data from our TeQaZ study. The conducted analysis demonstrates that the CLogitForest method is a promising complementary methodology for analysing matched case-control studies. It overcomes the high variability problem associated with conventional methodologies and offers a more flexible approach.

Schauberger G, Klug SJ, Berger M. Random forests for the analysis of matched case-control studies. BMC Bioinformatics. 2024; 25(1): 253. doi: 10.1186/s12859-024-05877-5. [Link]

02.07.2024: New Publication on the Trends in Hysterectomy Rates in Germany

A new publication on the trends in hysterectomy rates in Germany has been released in Scientific Reports. Based on data from the German Statistical Office, the trends in hysterectomies over a 15-year period (2005–2019) were analyzed. The analyses revealed that total and radical hysterectomy decreased by 49.7% and 44.2%, respectively, whilst subtotal hysterectomy increased five-fold. The publication is based on a master's thesis written by Gifty Baffour Awuah as part of her Master in Health Science at TUM under the supervision of Prof. Klug.

Baffour Awuah G, Schauberger G, Klug SJ, Tanaka LF. An age-period-cohort analysis of hysterectomy incidence trends in Germany from 2005 to 2019. Scientific Reports. 2024; 14(1): 15110. doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-66019-8. [Link]

19.06.2024: TUM.Africa Talent – Initial results on plant-based compounds for treating leishmaniasis

On June 19, 2024, Vanesa Osmani and Alberta Anning presented the findings of their systematic review on the use of plant-based compounds in treating leishmaniasis at the farewell event of the TUM.Africa Talent Program. Alberta Anning, a visiting doctoral student from the University of Cape Coast in Ghana, participated in a three-month residency in Munich through this program, joining the Chair of Epidemiology at TUM. She collaborated with her TUM program buddy, Vanesa Osmani, on the systematic review, under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Stefanie J. Klug (TUM) and Prof. Dr. Dorcas Obiri-Yeboah (University of Cape Coast). The program concluded successfully with the presentation of their initial results.

03.05.24: Improved method for assessing the risk of developing a second lung cancer

A new publication on the use of an innovative method to calculate the standardized incidence ratio (SIR) for second primary lung cancer in lung cancer survivors has been published in BMC Medicine. Based on data from eleven German population-based cancer registries histology-specific reference rates were used to calculate SIR. Results were compared to analyses of the US SEER (Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program) program.

Eberl M, Tanaka LF, Kraywinkel K, Klug SJ. Histology-specific standardized incidence ratio improves the estimation of second primary lung cancer risk. BMC Medicine. 2024; 22(1): 187. doi: 10.1186/s12916-024-03398-9. [Link]

10.04.2024: TUM.Africa Talent – Exchange at the Chair of Epidemiology

On April 10, 2024, Prof. Dr. Stefanie J. Klug (right), Vanesa Osmani (left), and Alberta Anning (middle) gathered for the first Welcome Day of the TUM.Africa Talent Program. Alberta Anning, a visiting doctoral student from the University of Cape Coast, Ghana, has joined the Chair of Epidemiology at TUM for a three-month stay in Munich through this program. She will collaborate with Vanesa Osmani (her TUM program buddy) on a research project supervised by Prof. Dr. Stefanie J. Klug and Prof. Dr. Dorcas Obiri-Yeboah. Their research will focus on leishmaniasis and explore the effectiveness of plant-based compounds in treating this disease by conducting a systematic literature review.

 

08.03.2024: Insights into the world of epidemiology - presentation by Vanesa Osmani at TUM Open Campus

As part of the TUM Open Campus, the Chair of Epidemiology at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) offered all prospective students the opportunity to gain an insight into the world of epidemiology. Under the title "Navigating the World of Epidemiology: Insights into Health and Disease", Ms. Vanesa Osmani gave a presentation on Friday, March 8, 2024, on the various methods and goals of epidemiology. She showed how this science contributes to the fight against diseases. Numerous interested students for Health Sciences and Sport Sciences courses listened intently to Ms. Osmani's presentation and took the opportunity to ask questions after the lecture.

27.02.2024: New publication on the development of type 2 diabetes incidence in Bavaria between 2012 and 2021

The DFG funded ChroVID project investigates the influence of the Covid-19 pandemic on chronically ill patients in Bavaria. The project analyzes billing data, prescription data, and disease management program data from the Bavarian Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (KVB). The first publication from this project, which examines the development of the incidence of type 2 diabetes in Bavaria between 2012 and 2021, has now been published in the journal Diabetologia. Based on health insurance data from the KVB, the incidence rates during the C pandemic period (2020-2021) were compared with data from the pre-pandemic period (2012-2019). The study shows a considerable decrease in the incidence of type 2 diabetes over the 10 years. However, the Covid-19 pandemic appears not to have affected the incidence of type 2 diabetes.

Lehner CT, Eberl M, Donnachie E, Tanaka LF, Schauberger G, Schederecker F, Himmler S, Sundmacher L, Klug SJ. Incidence trend of type 2 diabetes from 2012 to 2021 in Germany: an analysis of health claims data of 11 million statutorily insured people. Diabetologia. 2024; 67(6): 1040-1050. doi: 10.1007/s00125-024-06113-8. [Link]

16.02.2024: New publication on quality of cytology in routine cervical cancer screening in Germany

In the European Journal of Cancer, a new publication of our TeQaZ study was published investigating the quality of cytology within cervical cancer screening. The analyses are based on 1632 routine smears retrieved from 97 laboratories across Germany and indicate issues in quality of cytology such as low sensitivity and inadequate specimens.

Tanaka LF, Schoffer O, Schriefer D, Schauberger G, Ikenberg H, Klug SJ. An audit of 1632 routinely collected cervical cancer screening smears from 398 women in Germany: Results from the TeQaZ Study. European Journal of Cancer. 2024; 201. doi: 10.1016/j.ejca.2024.113915. [Link]

09.02.2024: New publication on weight loss interventions for people with physical disabilities

A new systematic review on behavioral weight loss interventions for people with physical disabilities was published in Obesity Reviews. The paper is based on a project that Jihad Hossaini began as part of the “Systematic Literature and Meta-Analysis” module under supervision of Prof. Klug. In cooperation with Vanesa Osmani from the Chair of Epidemiology, the paper was finalized and published.

Hossaini J, Osmani V, Klug SJ. Behavioral weight loss interventions for people with physical disabilities: A systematic review. Obesity Reviews. 2024; 1-14. doi: 10.1111/obr.13722. [Link]

15.12.2023: Scientific publication on the health risks of titanium dioxide (TiO2) dust exposure in occupational settings was published by the University Medical Center Mainz with the participation of the Chair of Epidemiology

A new scoping review on the health effects of exposure to titanium dioxide (TiO₂) dust in the workplace has been published in the International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health. A detailed article has been published on the website of the Department of Health and Sport Sciences. [Link].

Hansa J, Merzenich H, Cascant Ortolano L, Klug SJ, Blettner M, Gianicolo E. Health risks of titanium dioxide (TiO₂) dust exposure in occupational settings - A scoping review. International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health. 2023; 252: 114212. doi: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2023.114212. [Link]

30.11.2023 - 01.12.2023: Workshop: “Global Challenges & Opportunities for Vaccines”

A German Alliance for Global Health Research (GLOHRA)-funded workshop organized by the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and University Clinic Tübingen (UKT) was successfully taking place from the 30^th of November until 1^st of December 2023 in Bernried, am Starnberger See. The event was coordinated by Prof. Clarissa Prazeres da Costa, a member of the GLOHRA Steering Committee, Co-Director at the Center for Global Health, and Group Leader at the Institute of Medical Microbiology, Immunology & Hygiene, along with Prof. Stefanie J. Klug, Chair of Epidemiology at TUM School of Medicine and Health, and Dr. Meral Esen, a GLOHRA Steering Committee member and Group Leader at the Institute of Tropical Medicine, University Clinic Tübingen. Key contributors to the planning and organization of this event included doctoral students Marrium Habib MPH, Alex Siebner MSc. and Vanesa Osmani MSc.

This interdisciplinary workshop brought together a diverse group of global vaccine research experts, including immunologists, virologists, vaccine developers, medical doctors, epidemiologists, and social scientists. One of the key objectives of this workshop was to disseminate the findings and broaden the scope of partnerships formed through the GLOHRA-supported HelmSys (Systematic review of Heminths and vaccine responses) research project. The focus was also on addressing the multifaceted challenges and opportunities in vaccine development, dissemination, and deployment, particularly in resource-limited settings. A significant emphasis was placed on understanding and addressing vaccine hesitancy. This workshop represented a crucial step in enhancing collaborative efforts in vaccine research and development, aimed at improving global health outcomes.

30 October 2023: Oral doctoral defense of Linda Liang

On Monday, 30^th October 2023, Linda Liang, a doctoral student at the Chair of Epidemiology, defended her doctoral dissertation titled "A Population-based Study on Cervical Cancer Screening in Germany: Beyond the Baseline". The examination board consisted of Prof. Dr. Nikkil Sudharsanan, Prof. Dr. Stefanie Klug and Prof. Dr. Jenny Chang-Claude. The examination was open to the public and was also streamed online via zoom.

After working together for more than six years, Professor Klug and the team from the Chair of Epidemiology congratulate Linda Liang and wish her all the best for her career.

30 October 2023: Publication on demographic change and healthcare infrastructure in German hospitals

A new longitudinal national study on demographic change and healthcare infrastructure in German hospitals is published in BMC Health Services.

Schoffer O, Schriefer D, Werblow A, Gottschalk A, Peschel P, Liang LA, Karmann A, Klug SJ. Modelling the effect of demographic change and healthcare infrastructure on the patient structure in German hospitals – A longitudinal national study based on official hospital statistics. BMC Health Services Research. 2023; 23(1):1081. doi: 10.1186/s12913-023-10056-y [Link]

26 October 2023: Guest lecture from Professor Dr. Dorcas Obiri-Yeboah

On Thursday, 26^th October 2023, Prof. Dr. Dorcas Obiri-Yeboah, Professor at the University of Cape Coast (Ghana), held a guest lecture on “The Role of Implementation Science in Infectious Disease Research”, hosted by Prof. Dr. Stefanie Klug (Chair of Epidemiology) at the TUM Campus Olympiapark. The lecture was also streamed via Zoom and open to the students of TUM School of Medicine and Health as well as to students of the University of Cape Coast (UCC) School of Medicine in Ghana.

The in-person and Zoom audience had the chance to ask questions and interact with Prof. Dr. Obiri-Yeboah after the lecture.

23 to 24 October 2023: Consortium COM-CAST TUM-Ghana Meeting in Raitenhaslach

The Chair of Epidemiology led by Prof. Dr. Stefanie Klug hosted a two-day consortium meeting on the 23^rd and 24^th October 2023 at the TUM Akademiezentrum Raitenhaslach with the Ghanaian and German delegates part of the Ghana-Germany COM-CAST collaboration project. The purpose of this meeting was to further develop and finalize a grant proposal to apply for third-party research grant funding.

09 October 2023: Visiting Professor Dr. Dorcas Obiri-Yeboah from Ghana

Prof. Dr. Dorcas Obiri-Yeboah, Professor at the University of Cape Coast, Ghana has been appointed Visiting Professor by the Vice-President Prof. Dr. Juliane Winkelmann through the TUM Global Visiting Professor Program 2023.

Prof. Dr. Obiri-Yeboah holds a medical degree (MBChB), a Master of Science (MSc), and a PhD in Clinical Microbiology. She is a clinician-scientist specialising in infectious diseases and virology, with a primary focus on Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), and Human Papillomavirus (HPV). She is also the Deputy Director at the Directorate of Research, Innovation & Consultancy at the University of Cape Coast (UCC), Ghana.

TUM honours the laureate as a guest scientist at the Chair of Epidemiology of Prof. Dr. Stefanie Klug, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Department of Health and Sport Sciences. Prof. Dr. Obiri-Yeboah’s visit spans from the 9^th of October to the 10^th of November. While at the TUM, she will offer a Master’s level elective course on sexually transmitted infections in low and middle-income countries, deliver a guest lecture, and collaborate with the Chair in the preparation of a joint grant proposal with fellow Ghanaian researchers from the UCC, Ghana Health Services and affiliates in the field of cervical cancer.

"I am very excited to be here at TUM. Thanks to Prof. Klug (Chair of Epidemiology) for the nomination and all those who have worked hard to ensure I get here and settle in quickly. I look forward to a productive time with students and faculty. I believe this will further strengthen the collaboration between TUM and our research team from the University of Cape Coast and the Ghana Health Services", shares Dr. Obiri-Yeboah.

We are delighted about her visit and collaboration with the Chair.

08 September 2023: New publication on clinical health conditions predicted by machine learning diagnostic and prognostic model

A new systematic review on clinical health conditions predicted by machine learning diagnostic and prognostic models is published in Plose One. The publication stems from the Master's thesis by Hebatullah Abdulazeem.

Abdulazeem H, Whitelaw S, Schauberger G, Klug SJ. A systematic review of clinical health conditions predicted by machine learning diagnostic and prognostic models trained or validated using real-world primary health care data. PLOS ONE. 2023; 18(9):e0274276. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0274276 [Link]

12 September 2023: New meta-analysis on psychological distress, anxiety and depression in adolescent and young adult cancer survivors

A  systematic review and meta-analysis on the prevalence and risk of  psychological distress, anxiety and depression in adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors was published in Cancer Medicine. The paper is based on the Master's thesis by Vanesa Osmani.

Osmani V, Hörner L, Klug SJ, Tanaka LF. Prevalence and risk of psychological distress, anxiety and depression in adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Cancer Medicine. 2023; 12: 18354-18367. doi: 10.1002/cam4.6435 [Link]

26 September 2023: Publication of new DHS results on Women's Empowerment

A new publication on Women’s Empowerment based on DHS data was published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Global Health. The publication stems from the Master's thesis by Theresa Schierl which was conducted in cooperation between the Chair of Epidemiology and the TUM Center of Global Health.

Schierl, T., Tanaka, L.F., Klug, S.J. Winkler, A.S, Stelzle, D. The Association of Women’s Empowerment with HIV-Related Indicators: A Pooled Analysis of Demographic and Health Surveys in Sub-Saharan Africa. J Epidemiol Glob Health (2023). Online first. doi: 10.1007/s44197-023-00153-w [Link]

22 August 2023: A new DFG collaboration: Community-based Cervical Cancer Awareness, Screening and Treatment (COM-CAST) project in Ghana

In 2022, a Ghanaian-German research collaboration was initiated as part of the DFG call for African-German Scientific Exchange in the Field of Public Health. The DFG granted funding to Prof Dr Stefanie Klug, Chair of Epidemiology (TUM, principal investigator) and four co-applicants, Dr Emmanuel Atsu Dodor from the Ghana Health Service (GHS; Takoradi-Sekondi), Dr Sebastian Ken-Amoah and Dr Joseph Somuah Akuamoah (University of Cape Coast (UCC)), and Dr Nana Esi Gaisie (Effia-Nkwanta Regional Hospital, Sekondi) in Ghana. As part of this DFG-funded collaboration, three workshops and various field visits were planned in both Ghana and Germany. This collaboration led to the initiation of the Community-based Cervical Cancer Awareness, Screening and Treatment (COM-CAST) research and capacity-building project.

 

Workshop 1 – Ghana

From 27^th February to 8^th March 2023, Prof Klug along with Linda Liang, Gifty Baffour Awuah and a delegation of HPV and cervical cancer experts from across Germany attended the first collaboration workshop (W1) in Takoradi, Ghana. W1 was hosted by the Western Regional Health Directorate of the Ghana Health Service and brought together collaboration partners and key experts across the health sector to present their expertise on cervical cancer prevention strategies to be considered for implementation in Ghana. Following W1, the delegation visited various sites within the Western and Central Regions of Ghana, including the Nyamebekyere Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compound (Ellembelle), the Anyinase Health Centre (Ellembelle), the St. Martin de Porres Hospital (Eikwe), the Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital (Sekondi), the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital (Cape Coast) as well as the University of Cape Coast (UCC, Cape Coast). Sites in Accra were also visited including the laboratories of Pathologists Without Borders, the Nyaho Medical Centre and the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.

 

Workshop 2 – Germany

The Chair of Epidemiology was pleased to welcome and host the Ghanaian delegation under the lead of Dr Emmanuel Dodor for the reciprocal visit to Germany between 20^th and 26^th March 2023. During this time, a second workshop (W2) was held to further discuss and move forward the COM-CAST project in greater detail, which was hosted at the TUM Science & Study Center in Raitenhaslach, Germany. The primary goal of W2 was to further develop the research goals and methods of the COM-CAST project, which was to be presented at the DFG Status Workshop in Bonn, end of March 2023. The Ghanaian delegations visited several sites around Munich including the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics of the TUM University Hospital rechts der Isar (organised by Prof Dr Marion Kiechle), the nurse and midwifery simulation lab of the Catholic Foundation of Applied Sciences Munich (organised by Prof Dr Nicole Schmidt) as well as the laboratories of the Amedes Group and the Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine at the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) Hospital (organised by PD Dr Christof Geldmacher).

 

DFG Status Workshop – Bonn Germany

As part of the DFG-funded collaboration, all five successfully funded co-applicants were invited to attend a status workshop in Bonn hosted by the DFG (29^th to 31^st March 2023) and to present their collaboration and joint research project proposals. The co-applicants presented the Community-based Cervical Cancer Awareness, Screening and Treatment (COM-CAST) project on behalf of all involved delegates from Ghana and Germany.

 

The collaboration partners include:

German delegation:
Prof Dr Stefanie Klug (principal investigator & co-applicant), Linda Liang (coordinator), Gifty Baffour Awuah (Chair of Epidemiology, TUM Department of Sport and Health Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Munich); Prof Dr Marion Kiechle (Director and Chair of Gynecology and Obstetrics, TUM University Hospital rechts der Isar, Munich); Prof Dr Nikkil Sudharsanan (Professorship of Behavioral Sciences in Prevention and Care, TUM Department of Sport and Health Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Munich); Prof Dr Nicole Schmidt (Professorship of Health Sciences, Katholische Stiftungshochschule München, University of Applied Sciences, Munich); Dr Steffi Silling/Prof Dr Ulrike Wieland (National Reference Centre for Papilloma- and Polyomaviruses, Institute of Virology, University of Cologne, Cologne); PD Dr Christof Geldmacher (International Clinical Trials Unit, German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, University Hospital of the Ludwig-Maximilians-University (LMU), Munich); Dr Isabelle Lange (Center for Global Health, TUM University Hospital rechts der Isar, Munich, and Department of Global Health and Development, Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine); Prof Dr Dr Andrea Winkler (Center for Global Health TUM University Hospital rechts der Isar, Munich); Prof Dr Orkan Okan (Professorship of Health Literacy, TUM Department of Sport and Health Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Munich)

Ghana delegation:
Dr Emmanuel Atsu Dodor (co-applicant) (Deputy Director Clinical Care, Western Regional Health Directorate, Ghana Health Service, Sekondi); Dr Sebastian Ken-Amoah (co-applicant) (Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, University of Cape Coast School of Medical Sciences, Cape Coast); Dr Joseph Otumfuo Somuah Akuamoah (co-applicant) (Department of Community Medicine, University of Cape Coast School of Medical Sciences, Cape Coast); Dr Nana Esi Gaisie (co-applicant) (Department of Paediatrics, Effia-Nkwanta Regional Hospital, Sekondi); Dr Yaw Ofori Yeboah (Regional Director of Health Service, Western Regional Health Directorate, Ghana Health Service, Sekondi); Prof Dr Dorcas Obiri-Yeboah (Directorate of Research, Innovation & Consultancy, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast); Prof Dr Patrick Kafui Akakpo (Department of Pathology, University of Cape Coast School of Medical Sciences, Cape Coast); Dr Eric Mensah (Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Effia-Nkwanta Regional Hospital, Sekondi); Theresa Kudjo (Western Regional Health Directorate, Ghana Health Service, Sekondi); Dr Patrick Kuma Aboagye (The Director General, Ghana Health Service, Accra)

11 July 2023: Publication on the incidence, treatment, and survival of cervical cancer among elderly women was published

A new analysis on the incidence, treatment and survival of elderly women with cervical cancer has been published in Cancer Medicine. The analyses were based on data from the German cancer registry (ZfKD) at the Robert Koch Institute.

5 July 2023: Publication on second primary cancers following colorectal cancer was published

A new publication on second primary cancers following colorectal cancer has been published in the International Journal of Cancer. The analyses are based on data from the German cancer registry (ZfKD) at the Robert Koch Institute. The publication is the result of the master's thesis from Ying-Ju Tseng (MSc Epidemiology, LMU).

30 June 2023: Publication on titanium dioxide (TiO2) dust exposure in occupational settings was published by the University Medical Center Mainz in collaboration with the Chair of Epidemiology at TUM

A new scoping review on Health risks of titanium dioxide (TiO2) dust exposure in occupational settings has been published in International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health.

16 June 2023: Certificate for Excellence in Teaching awarded to Linda Liang

Recently, the Honorary Certificate for Excellence in Teaching was received by Linda Liang from the Chair of Epidemiology from Dean Prof. Dr. Renate Oberhoffer-Fritz and Prof. Dr. Stefanie Klug. Linda was honored with the award for her exceptional teaching and didactic abilities. This award was based on her nomination for the "Prize for Good Teaching" of the Bavarian State Ministry of Education and Culture, Science and the Arts that is awarded every year. Her dedication to innovative teaching methods and her commitment to student learning have earned her this prestigious accolade. Detailed background information can be found here

11 May 2023: Publication on stunting in Burundi

A new analysis of household survey data on determinants of stuting amoung children in Burundi has been published in Food Science & Nutrition. The publication is based on the bachelor thesis of Manuel Gaiser and is based on a cooperation between the Chair of Epidemiology and the TUM Center for Global Health.

Gaiser ML, Winkler AS, Klug SJ, Nkurunziza S, Stelzle D. Determinants of stunting among children under age five in Burundi: Evidence from the 2016–2017 Burundi Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS 2016–17).
Food Science & Nutrition. online first. doi: 10.1002/fsn3.3400.  [Link]
 

27 March 2023: Publication on reported cancer diagnoses during the COVID-19 pandemic

A new analysis on impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on reported cancer diagnoses in Bavaria has been published in Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology. 

Voigtländer S, Hakimhashemi A, Grundmann N, Radespiel-Tröger M, Inwald EC, Ortmann O, Gerken M, Klug SJ, Klinkhammer-Schalke M, Meyer M, Müller-Nordhorn J. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on reported cancer diagnoses in Bavaria, Germany.
Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology. 2023; online first. doi: 10.1007/s00432-023-04707-0.  [Link]
 

20 February 2023: Publication on rising incidence of early-onset colorectal cancer

A new paper on the rising incidence of early-onset colorectal cancer in Germany has been published in Deutsches Ärzteblatt International. Some background information and an interview about this publication with the authors can be found here.

Tanaka LF, Hechenbichler Figueroa S, Popova V, Klug SJ, Buttmann-Schweiger N. The rising incidence of early-onset colorectal cancer.
Deutsches Ärzteblatt international. 2023; 120:59–64. doi: 10.3238/arztebl.m2022.0368.  [Link]
 

13 January 2023: New publication on machine learning methods

A new paper titled "A tree-based modeling approach for matched case-control studies" has been published in Statistic in Medicine. The manuscript describes a newly developed machine learning method for the analyses of matched case-control studies.

Schauberger G, Tanaka LF, Berger M. A tree-based modeling approach for matched case-control studies.
Statistics in Medicine. 2023; online first. doi: 10.1002/sim.9637.  [Link]
 

12 January 2023: Publication of new results from the MARZY study

A new paper on changes in the probability of hysterectomy has been published in BMC Public Health. This paper presents results from the population-based MARZY cohort study.

Tanaka LF, Schoffer O, König J, Weyer-Elberich V, Blettner M, Klug SJ. Changes in the probability of hysterectomy in the city of Mainz and Mainz-Bingen region, Germany.
BMC Public Health. 2023; 23(1):84. doi: 10.1186/s12889-022-14916-w.  [Link]
 

12 December 2022: Publication on HPV vaccination and rates of cervical lesions and genital warts

A new retrospective cohort analysis on the effects of HPV vaccination on the rates of cervical lesions and genital warts among young women in Bavaria has been published in BMC Cancer. This study was conducted in collaboration with the Bavarian Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (KVB).

Osmani V, Fett S, Tauscher M, Donnachie E, Schneider A, Klug SJ. HPV vaccination leads to decrease of anogenital warts and precancerous lesions of the cervix uteri in young women with low vaccination rates: a retrospective cohort analysis.
BMC Cancer. 2022; 22(1):1293. doi: 10.1186/s12885-022-10214-1. [Link]
 

22 November 2022: Publication about "Global Health Challenges and One Health" Online Course

Dr. Tanaka and colleagues from 5 other universities spread in Europe (LMU – Germany, KAAB – Kosovo), Brazil (Federal University of Espírito Santo, Federal University of Paraná) and Mozambique (Catholic University of Mozambique) published their experience on successfully implementing a fully online, joint course on One Health.

Vicente CR, Jacobs F, de Carvalho DS, Chhaganlal K, de Carvalho RB, Raboni SM, Qosaj FA, Dau PH, Ferreira MAM, Brunetti MN, Tanaka LF. The Joint Initiative for Teaching and Learning on Global Health Challenges and One Health experience on implementing an online collaborative course. One Health. 2022; 15:100409. doi: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2022.100409. [Link]
 

16 November 2022: New meta-analysis on animal-assisted interventions

A systematic review and meta-analysis on animal-assisted interventions has been published in the International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction. The published results orginate from a Master's thesis published by Annalena Huber (supervised Prof. Klug, Chair of Epidemiology, Department Sport and Health Sciences, and Prof. Winkler, Center of Global Health, TUM School of Medicine).

Huber A, Klug SJ, Abraham A, Westenberg E, Schmidt V, Winkler AS. Animal-Assisted Interventions Improve Mental, But Not Cognitive or Physiological Health Outcomes of Higher Education Students: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction. 2022; online first. doi: 10.1007/s11469-022-00945-4. [Link]

06 October 2022: New meta-analysis on breast cancer among flight attendants

A systematic review and meta-analysis on breast cancer among female flight attendants has been published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. 

Weinmann S, Tanaka LF, Schauberger G, Osmani V, Klug SJ. Breast Cancer Among Female Flight Attendants and the Role of the Occupational Exposures: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. 2022; 64(10):822–30. doi: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000002606 [Link]

05 October 2022: DFG funding for African-German Scientific Exchange

The Chair of Epidemiology together with co-applicants from Takoradi-Sekondi and Cape Coast in Ghana have secured DFG funding for two workshops to be conducted in Ghana and Germany. The successful application was part of the DFG call for African-German Scientific Exchange in the Field of Public Health. The planned workshops will put in motion further Ghanaian-German collaborations on cervical cancer prevention. The focus of the workshops will be to develop a joint research project involving the training of primary healthcare providers on cervical cancer screening, who are currently under-utilised for this service in Ghana. 

The Ghanaian co-applicants from this collaboration are:

• Dr. Emmanuel Atsu Dodor, Regional Health Directorate, Ghana Health Service
• Dr. Sebastian Ken-Amoah, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Cape Coast (UCC)
• Dr. Nana Esi Gaisie, Paediatric Department, Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital
• Dr. Joseph Somuah Akuamoah, School of Medical Sciences, School of Health and Allied Sciences, University of Cape Coast (UCC)

The funding is granted for 12 months.
 

19 August 2022: Closing Presentation of the TUM-PREP Project 2022

Over the summer period, the Chair of Epidemiology hosted Yale University undergraduate Sabrina Mellinghoff within the TUM PREP Program. Supervised by Linda Liang, Sabrina prepared and analysed Demographic Health Survey (DHS) data to investigate the prevalence of female genital cutting/mutilation (FGC/M) and prevalence of HIV among women with FGC/M and with obstetric fistula in several sub-Saharan African countries.

As part of the PREP closing presentation round, Sabrina presented her work to the working group and the results revealed large variations in prevalence across the regions that warrant further investigation. The results of Sabrina's preliminary work will feed into further analyses within the project. We thank Sabrina for her excellent contributions and hard work and wish her well for her future endeavours!
 

12 August 2022: New publication on the clinical complexity of penile cancer

A new paper on the clinical complexity of penile cancer has been published in Urologia Internationalis. This paper is a cooperation with the Department of Urology at the University Hospital, Technical University Dresden.

Boehm W-DU, Piontek D, Latarius S, Schoffer O, Borkowetz A, Klug SJ, Wirth MP. The Clinical Complexity of Penile Cancer: Current Clinical-Epidemiological Data from the Database of the Free State of Saxony/Germany.
Urologia Internationalis. 2022; 106(7):706–15. doi: 10.1159/000519210. [Link]
 

29 July 2022: New publication on diagnostics via telemedicine in Rwanda

A new paper on telemedicine intervention for surgical site infection diagnosis after caesarean section in Rwanda has been published in BMJ Global Health. This paper is a cooperation with the Department of Global Health and Social Medicine at Harvard Medical School.

Nkurunziza T, Williams W, Kateera F, Riviello R, Niyigena A, Miranda E, Bikorimana L, Nkurunziza J, Velin L, Goodman AS, Matousek A, Klug SJ, Gaju E, Hedt-Gauthier BL. mHealth-community health worker telemedicine intervention for surgical site infection diagnosis: a prospective study among women delivering via caesarean section in rural Rwanda.
BMJ Global Health. 2022; 7(7):e009365. doi: 10.1136/bmjgh-2022-009365. [Link]
 

15 July 2022: New TUM-PREP Student

As part of the Practical Research Experience Program (TUM PREP), the Chair of Epidemiology is hosting for 8 weeks Sabrina Mellinghoff, a rising junior at Yale University studying Global Health on the pre-med track. Sabrina is currently working on the project "HIV prevalence among women with female genital cutting and with obstetric fistula" using Demographic Health Survey (DHS) from sub-Saharan countries under Linda Liang's supervision.

Sabrina will also take part in other cultural and academic activities with her peers organized by the TUM PREP Program.
 

14 July 2022: Publication of new results from the MARZY study

A new paper on colposcopy non-attendance following an abnormal cervical cancer screening result has been published in BMC Women's Health. This paper presents results from the MARZY study.

Liang LA, Zeissig SR, Schauberger G, Merzweiler S, Radde K, Fischbeck S, Ikenberg H, Blettner M, Klug SJ. Colposcopy non-attendance following an abnormal cervical cancer screening result: a prospective population-based cohort study.
BMC Women’s Health. 2022; 22(1):285. doi: 10.1186/s12905-022-01851-6. [Link]
 

27 June 2022: Public lecture from Dr. John H. Amuasi

On Monday, 27^th of June 2022, Dr. John Amuasi, Senior lecturer at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and head of the Global Health Department of the School of Public Health, held the open lecture ”The COVID-19 paradox in Africa: The case of Ghana“, hosted by Prof. Dr. Stefanie Klug (TUM Chair of Epidemiology). The lecture was streamed via Zoom and open to the students of the TUM Master of Sciences - Health Prevention and Promotion as well as to the Master of Public Health students at KNUST.

In his talk, Dr. John Amuasi presented the “COVID-19 paradox in Africa”: low COVID-19 mortality rates compared to other world regions, despite indications of high community transmission. He presented hypotheses that have been raised but argued that none could fully explain what has been observed in Ghana. He concluded his talk by underscoring the need to strengthen systematic data collection in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The in-person and Zoom audience had the chance to ask questions and interact with Dr. Amuasi after the lecture. Lecture streaming was possible thanks to TUM ProLehre HyScout support and enabled the participation of numerous colleagues and students from KNUST and TUM.

27 June 2022: Meeting with the TUM Senior Vice President for International Alliances and Alumni Prof. Dr. Juliane Winkelmann

The delegation from the School of Public Health of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) from Kumasi, Ghana, represented by Dr. John Amuasi, Dr. Edward Dassah and Dr. Rose Adjei, accompanied by the hosting team of the Chair of Epidemiology, Prof. Dr. Stefanie Klug, Dr. Luana Fiengo Tanaka, Linda Liang, and Gifty Awuah Baffour, as well as the Co-Director of the TUM Center for Global Health, Prof. Dr. Dr. Andrea Winkler, and the Director of TUM Women’s Hospital Prof. Dr. Marion Kiechle were received by Prof. Dr. Juliane Winkelmann, TUM Senior Vice President for International Alliances and Alumni on 27th June 2022.

During the meeting, the participants discussed ongoing joint activities as well as potential future collaborations. The ultimate goal of the group is to establish a collaboration on Women’s Health in Kumasi, Ghana.
 

25 to 26 June 2022: Workshop: “Developing a Collaboration on Cervical Cancer Prevention in Ghana”

Following the symposium, a team from the Chair of Epidemiology of TUM hosted a workshop on the 25^th and 26^th of June 2022 together with a team from the School of Public Health at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Kumasi, Ghana, to discuss future collaborations on cervical cancer projects in Ghana. Making use of lessons learned from the symposium and the expertise present, the group was able to draw up a plan for joint collaborations between the two Universities. In attendance were:

• Prof. Dr. Stefanie Klug (Chair of Epidemiology) and her team represented by Dr. Luana Tanaka, Linda Liang, MSc., Vanesa Osmani, MSc. and Gifty Baffour Awuah, MSc.
• The team from the School of Public Health of KNUST represented by Dr. John Amuasi, Dr. Edward Dassah and Dr. Rose Adjei
• Prof. Dr. Dr. Andrea Winkler (Co-Director of the TUM Global Health Centre)
• Prof. Dr. Marion Kiechle (Director, TUM Women’s Hospital) and Dr. Lea Traub
   

23 to 24 June 2022: International Symposium on Women's Health and Cervical Cancer in Raitenhaslach

On the 23^rd and 24^th of June 2022, the Chair of Epidemiology, TUM Department of Sport and Health Sciences, hosted several experts from the field of cervical cancer prevention and treatment at Raitenhaslach as part of an international symposium. The symposium goal was to discuss the sub-Saharan African perspective relating to cervical cancer prevention, in line with the World Health Organization’s elimination goal announced in 2018. With over 90 guests online and in-person, the symposium covered topics ranging from human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination, HPV screening, integrative technology such as mHealth, artificial intelligence as well as post-screening management with devices such as portable colposcopes and 3D-printed cervical models.

After welcome messages from the TUM Senior Vice President for International Alliances and Alumni, Prof. Dr. Juliane Winkelmann and Department of Sport and Health Sciences Dean Prof. Dr. Renate Oberhoffer-Fritz (virtually), the host, Prof. Dr. Stefanie Klug (Chair of Epidemiology, Department of Sport and Health Sciences, TUM) formally opened the symposium. A keynote session on HPV vaccination and screening chaired by the host, Prof. Dr. Stefanie Klug followed from the keynote speakers:

• Prof. Dr. Karen Canfell (Daffodil Centre, Australia)
• Prof. Dr. Ruanne Barnabas (Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, United States)
• Prof. Dr. Joakim Dillner (Karolinska Institute, Sweden)

The next session chaired by Prof. Dr. Dr. Andrea Winkler (Center for Global Health, TUM Department of Medicine), explored the HPV screening status quo in both high and lower-income contexts and included speakers:

• Dr. Maribel Almonte Pacheco (International Agency for Research on Cancer IARC, France)
• Dr. Edward Tieru Dassah (Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology KNUST, Ghana)
• Prof. Dr. Amaya Bustinduy (London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, United Kingdom)

The first day ended with a session chaired by Dr. John Amuasi (School of Public Health, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology KNUST, Ghana), addressing innovative HPV screening technology in both high and lower-income contexts by:

• Dr. Nicolas Wentzsensen (National Cancer Institute, United States)
• Prof. Dr. Karen Yeates (Queen’s University, Canada) 

On the second day of the symposium, Prof. Dr. Stefanie Klug and Dr. Luana Tanaka led a panel discussion with the invited speakers to discuss lessons learned in sub-Saharan Africa.

The last session chaired by Prof. Dr. Marion Kiechle (TUM Women’s Hospital), covered the treatment and post-screening management with talks by:

• Prof. Dr. Michael Chung (Emory University, United States)
• Prof. Dr. Adeline Boatin (virtually - Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, United States)
• Dr. Edward Tieru Dassah (Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology KNUST, Ghana)

We thank all speakers and guests who attended the event both online and in-person!
 

13 June 2022: Health Science Talks

The Chair of Epidemiology is hosting the "Health Science Talks" lecture series. This new format is aimed to present the research areas of the new professors at the Department of Sport and Health Science and to foster scientific discussions. Up to 100 participants have attended the previous five Health Science Talks since January 2022.

For the next months, we have planned at least three more events - always hosted Wednesdays at 4 p.m. Look at the Department website in the section "Current lecture series" to find out about dates and topics of the upcoming talks.
 

09 June 2022: New publication on post-discharge care in Rwanda

A new paper on post-discharge care after caesarean section in Rwanda has been published in BMC Health Services Research. This paper is a cooperation with the Department of Global Health and Social Medicine at Harvard Medical School. Some background information and an interview about this publication with the authors can be found here.

Nkurunziza T, Riviello R, Kateera F, Nihiwacu E, Nkurunziza J, Gruendl M, Klug SJ, Hedt-Gauthier B. Enablers and barriers to post-discharge follow-up among women who have undergone a caesarean section: experiences from a prospective cohort in rural Rwanda.
BMC Health Services Research. 2022; 22(1):733. doi: 10.1186/s12913-022-08137-5. [Link]
 

25 February 2022

New publication on incidence of second primary cancer after lung cancer

A new paper on incidence of smoking-related cancer after lung cancer has been published in Journal of Thoracic Oncology. The journal also published an editorial article to discuss implications of the study results.

Eberl M, Tanaka LF, Kraywinkel K, Klug SJ. Incidence of Smoking-Related Second Primary Cancers After Lung Cancer in Germany: An Analysis of Nationwide Cancer Registry Data. 
Journal of Thoracic Oncology. 2022; 17(3):388–98. doi: 10.1016/j.jtho.2021.11.016. [Link]
 

10 December 2021

New publication on paediatric surgery in Nigeria

A new paper on access to paediatric surgery in Nigeria has been published in BMJ Global Health. This paper is a cooperation with the United Nations Population Fund and the Harvard Medical School.

El Vilaly MA salam, Jones MA, Stankey MC, Seyi-Olajide J, Onajin-Obembe B, Dasogot A, Klug SJ, Meara JG, Ameh EA, Osagie OO, Juran S. Access to paediatric surgery: the geography of inequality in Nigeria.
BMJ Glob Health. 2021; 6(10):e006025. doi: 10.1136/bmjgh-2021-006025 [Link]
 

01 December 2021

DAAD Prize awarded to Gifty Baffour Awuah

The Master student Gifty Baffour Awuah has been awarded the DAAD Prize for International students in recognition of her academic performance and contribution to society. Ms Baffour Awuah has a degree in Medicine and Surgery from the University of Ghana and came to the Technical University of Munich to study in our Master Programme Health Sciences – Prevention and Health Promotion. She is currently writing her Master thesis under the supervision of Dr. Luana Tanaka at the Chair of Epidemiology. TUM Vice-President Prof. Dr. Juliane Winkelmann awarded Ms Baffour Awuah the Prize in a closed ceremony.
A portrait on the prize winner can be found here.
 

28 October 2021

New publication in HPVWorld

Dr Tanaka, Dr Stelzle and Prof Dr Stefanie Klug published a summary of their recent paper “The Global Burden of Cervical Cancer Associated with HIV – A Meta-Analysis and Modelling Study” in the HPVWorld newsletter. The HPVWorld is a key communication vehicle among researchers in the area of HPV, with over 80000 readers and more than 200 contributors. To read their contribution, please visit [this site].
 

23 October 2021

DGEpi Poster Prize for Annalena Huber

Annalena Huber has won the DGEpi Poster Prize 2021 for her work „Animals in higher education settings: Do animal-assisted interventions improve mental and cognitive health outcomes of students? A systematic review and meta-analysis“ awarded by the German Society for Epidemiology (DGEpi). The poster was presented at the 16th Annual Congress of DGEpi and is a summary of the Masters Thesis by Annalena Huber supervised by Prof. Klug at the Chair of Epidemiology.
 

27 September 2021

Prof. Klug appointed as core member of the Munich Data Science Institute at TUM

In November 2020, the Technical University of Munich (TUM) founded the "Munich Data Science Institute" (MDSI), a center of excellence for integrated data science and machine learning. Prof. Dr. Stefanie Klug, head of the Chair of Epidemiology, has been appointed a core member of the new MDSI.

You can find more information on the appointment on the department website. [Link]
 

24 September 2021

New publication on the number of cancer diagnoses during the COVID-19 pandamic in Bavaria

New results on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cancer incidence and treatment by cancer stage in Bavaria, Germany have been published in Deutsches Ärzteblatt.

Voigtländer S, Hakimhashemi A, Inwald EC, Ortmann O, Gerken M, Klug SJ, Klinkhammer-Schalke M, Meyer M, Müller-Nordhorn J. Auswirkungen der COVID-19-Pandemie auf die Zahl der Krebsneuerkrankungen und Krebsbehandlungen nach Tumorstadium in Bayern.
Deutsches Ärzteblatt. 2021; 118(39):660–1. doi: 10.3238/arztebl.m2021.0329 [Link]

26 July 2021

New publication on results of the TeQaZ study

New results of the TeQaZ study have been published in PLOS ONE.

Tanaka LF, Schriefer D, Radde K, Schauberger G, Klug SJ. Impact of opportunistic screening on squamous cell and adenocarcinoma of the cervix in Germany: A population-based case-control study.
PLOS ONE. 2021; 16(7):e0253801. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0253801 [Link]

14 April 2021

New publication on HPV vaccination

A review on HPV vaccination has been published.

Osmani V, Klug SJ. HPV-Impfung zur Prävention von Genitalwarzen und Krebsvorstufen – Evidenzlage und Bewertung.
Bundesgesundheitsbl. 2021; online first; doi: 10.1007/s00103-021-03316-x [Link]

10 March 2021

New publication on Cervical Cancer Screening Strategies from the MARZY Study

A new paper comparing cervical cancer screening strategies has been published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention. The analyses includes screening data from over 2,600 women recruited in the MARZY study, and compares cotesting to stand-alone HPV testing based on various cytology and HPV DNA screening tests. The paper was also selected as a highlight in the current issue and an accompanying commentary was published alongside it.

Liang LA, Einzmann T, Franzen A, Schwarzer K, Schauberger G, Schriefer D, Radde K, Zeissig SR, Ikenberg H, Meijer CJLM, Kirkpatrick CJ, Kölbl H, Blettner M, Klug SJ. Cervical Cancer Screening: Comparison of Conventional Pap Smear Test, Liquid-Based Cytology, and Human Papillomavirus Testing as Stand-alone or Cotesting Strategies.
Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2021; 30(3):474–84; doi: 10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-20-1003 [Link]

01 March 2021

New Publication on Vaccination against Influenza

A review on vaccination against influenza has been published in ZEFQ.

Brombacher F, Sanftenberg L, Klug SJ, Schelling J, Gensichen J. Impfen gegen Influenza – Internationale Bestandsaufnahme und Perspektiven für Deutschland.
Zeitschrift für Evidenz, Fortbildung und Qualität im Gesundheitswesen. 2021; online first; doi: 10.1016/j.zefq.2021.01.007 [Link]
 

17 February 2021

DFG funded project on health care for patients with chronic diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic

DFG - the organisation for science and research in Germany - is funding a project initiated by the Chair of Epidemiology (Prof. Klug) in cooperation with the Chair of Health Economics (Prof. Sundmacher) about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on health care for patients with chronic diseases.

In an interdisciplinary approach between Epidemiology, General Medicine and Health Economics, we examine the impact of the pandemic on T2D, CHD and cancer patients from multiple perspectives. We describe how diagnosis, disease management, prevention and access to health care and have developed during the pandemic in comparison to the reference period (2010 to 2019). The project answers the following overarching research questions: How did incidence of newly diagnosed chronic diseases and mortality develop during the pandemic? How do patient characteristics and area indicators impact upon the continuity of care for patients during the pandemic? Is there any indication that changes in primary care for patients with chronic diseases are associated with changes in health outcomes?

We will use health claims data of approximately 11 million people, provided by the Bavarian Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (KVB) as well as KVB prescription data and KVB disease management data for T2D and CHD patients. Further, data on cancer incidence is obtained from the Bavarian Cancer Registry, and hospital DRG and mortality statistics from the Bavarian State Office for Statistics.

The funding period is 30 months.
 

17 November 2020

New Publication on Cervical Cancer and HIV

In cooperation with the the Centre for Global Health, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) we published a new systematic review on "Estimates of the global burden of cervical cancer associated with HIV" in Lancet Global Health.

Stelzle D, Tanaka LF, Lee KK, Ibrahim Khalil A, Baussano I, Shah ASV, McAllister DA, Gottlieb SL, Klug SJ, Winkler AS, Bray F, Baggaley R, Clifford GM, Broutet N, Dalal S. Estimates of the global burden of cervical cancer associated with HIV.
The Lancet Global Health. 2020; online first. [Link]

28 September 2020

New Systematic Review on school-based PA Interventions

In cooperation with the Associate Professorship of Educational Science in Sport and Health of Prof. Yolanda Demetriou we published a new systematic review on "Effects of school-based interventions on motivation towards physical activity in children and adolescents" in Psychology of Sport and Exercise.

Kelso A, Linder S, Reimers AK, Klug SJ, Alesi M, Scifo L, Borrego CC, Monteiro D, Demetriou Y. Effects of school-based interventions on motivation towards physical activity in children and adolescents: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Psychology of Sport and Exercise. 2020; 51:101770; doi: 10.1016/j.psychsport.2020.101770 [Link]

05 August 2020

New Publication on Endothelial Dysfunction and Type 2 Diabetes

A new analysis on the association of endothelial dysfunction with incident prediabetes, type 2 diabetes and related traits has been published in BMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care.

Huemer M-T, Huth C, Schederecker F, Klug SJ, Meisinger C, Koenig W, Rathmann W, Peters A, Thorand B. Association of endothelial dysfunction with incident prediabetes, type 2 diabetes and related traits: the KORA F4/FF4 study.
BMJ Open Diabetes Research and Care. 2020; 8:e001321; doi: 10.1136/bmjdrc-2020-001321 [Link]

27 April 2020

New Publication on Cervical Cancer

A review on risk factors and primary prevention strategies for cervical cancer has been published in Der Onkologe.

Ganzenmüller T, Soergel P, Weinmann S, Klug SJ. Risikofaktoren und primäre Präventionsstrategien des Zervixkarzinoms: Inzidenz, Mortalität, Epidemiologie, HPV‑Impfung.
Der Onkologe. 2020, online first; doi: 10.1007/s00761-020-00756-z [Link]
 

04 - 05 February 2020

Women's Health and Cervical Cancer Prevention in Ghana

Availability of cervical cancer prevention and treatment is limited in Ghana. Cervical cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among Ghanaian women.

To improve Women’s Health in Ghana, the School of Public Health, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science (KNUST) (Dr. John Amuasi, Dr. Edward Dassah) and Technical University of Munich (TUM), Chair of Epidemiology, Department of Sport and Health Sciences (Prof. Dr. Stefanie Klug) and Center for Global Health, Department of Neurology (Prof. Dr. Dr. Andrea Winkler) jointly organized a two-day workshop on cervical cancer prevention in Kumasi, Ghana. On world cancer day, February 4^th and on February 5^th 2020, clinicians, epidemiologists, health care workers, policymakers and students explored the question of how to improve cervical cancer prevention and treatment in Ghana and how cervical cancer can be put into the global context of non-communicable diseases. The main goal was to assess the current situation and ongoing research projects on these issues. Moreover, challenges as well as possibilities regarding availability and affordability of HPV vaccination and screening were discussed. Field site visits to cervical cancer screening facilities at the Kumasi South Hospital and the Catholic Hospital in Battor provided more insights into cervical cancer screening and treatment on site.

This project aims to develop collaborative research and capacity building strategies to support national efforts to improve cervical cancer prevention and treatment in Ghana. Moreover, this project supports the exchange of lecturers and students between KNUST and TUM. Additionally, Prof. Klug and Prof. Winkler gave the following lectures for the KNUST Public Health Master Students: “Global Cancer with a focus on cervical cancer” (Prof. Stefanie Klug) and “Milestones of Global Health” (Prof. Andrea Winkler).

21 - 24 January 2020

Workshop on “Challenges to Women’s Health in Subsaharan Africa”

Prof. Klug was an invited speaker at the workshop “Challenges to Women’s Health in Subsaharan Africa” in Lambaréné, Gabon. She gave a talk on „Cervical Cancer und HPV in Subsaharan Africa“. The workshop was funded by the German Research Foundation.
 

09 - 11 December 2019

Workshop of the German Egyptian Network for Advancing Genomic Medicine and Population Health

Professor Klug was an invited speaker at this workshop at the Goethe Institut in Cairo funded by DAAD. Her two talks were about “Women’s health & global cancer from a population perspective” and „Women’s health in Africa: status & priorities“.

22 November 2019

Academic Teacher Training Course (ATTC)

The Academic Teacher Training Course (ATTC) took place between 4 and 8 November at the Federal University of Espírito Santo (UFES). Twenty-four professors from public and private higher education institutions participated in the course, taught by Fabian Jacobs (LMU), Luana Fiengo Tanaka (TUM), Raquel Baroni de Carvalho (UFES), and Creuza Rachel Vicente (UFES) (named from left to right on the photo). Topics covered included: teaching and learning in higher education, learning objectives, feedback, microteaching, and assessment. Participants had the opportunity to develop activities aimed at improving their teaching. The ATTC was organized by the Teaching Support Center of the Health Sciences Center of UFES (NAD-CCS-UFES) and had financial support from the Espírito Santo Research and Innovation Foundation (FAPES) and German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).

A report about this event has been published on the website of DWIH São Paulo [Link] (currently only available in Portuguese)

29 October 2019

New Publication - Systematic Review on Football Intervention Studies

A systematic review of football interventions studies has been published in Deutsches Ärzteblatt International.

Eberl M, Tanaka LF, Klug SJ, Adamek HE. Football as a health promotion strategy - a systematic review of football intervention studies.
Deutsches Ärzteblatt International. 2019;116(43):721–8. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2019.0721 Link

22 October 2019

Presentation by Sabrina Juran on Geospatial Methods in Global Surgery

Dr. phil. Sabrina Juran, associated researcher with the Chair of Epidemiologie, gave a presentation on the topic "Developing geospatial methodology to assess national realities and vulnerabilities regarding surgical care in low-and-middle income countries".  The talk focussed on the use of geospatial mapping to help estimate population size for important things such as election roll-out and census data collection. She highlighted an example in Afghanistan where they were able to use modelling of various geographical data such as topography, vegetation, light emmisions etc. collected from some regions to predict how many persons possibly residing in other areas where data collection is difficult. Then she spoke about how this could be utilized for determining surgical needs by determining access to the nearest centre with surgical care, particularly Nigeria, in which the health ministry has taken interest in order to use as a policy decision-maker. Finally, Sabrina Juran touched on other sources of data that could help determine the barriers to surgical care by implementing questionnaire items in the Demographic Health Survey DHS for example on the type of care that has been accessed by locals.

23 September 2019

New Publication - Influenza Vaccination Rates

A systematic review of measures to increase influenza vaccination rates in people with chronic illness has been published in Deutsches Ärzteblatt International.

Sanftenberg L, Brombacher F, Schelling J, Klug SJ, Gensichen J.Increasing influenza vaccination rates in people with chronic illness.
Deutsches Ärzteblatt International. 2019;116(39):645–52. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2019.0645 [Link]

16 September 2019

Presentations at the DGEpi conference for Epidemiology in Ulm

The Chair of Epidemiology presented results from multiple projects at the 14th Annual conference of DGEpi in Ulm. 

Prof. Stefanie Klug presented on the topics "Breast cancer among female flight attendants and the role of the occupational exposures" and "Effects of HPV vaccination on the prevalence of genital warts and precancerous lesions in young women in Bavaria". Dr. Luana Tanaka gave a talk on “Risk of non-cutaneous second primary malignancies after a diagnosis of cutaneous malignant melanoma: Data from nine German regions“, Linda Liang on "Accuracy of Cervical Cancer Screening among Women Aged 30 years and above in Germany" und Marian Eberl on „Incidence of Smoking-related Second Primary Cancers after Lung Cancer in Germany”.

22 July 2019

Presentation by Prof. Maria Blettner

Prof. Maria Blettner, the former director of of the Institute for Medical Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics (IMBEI) at the University Medical Center Mainz has given a presentation on the topic Radiation Epidemiology for the masters students in the module Applied Cancer Research.

20 June 2019

New Publication - Call to Collect Global Surgery Data

A call to collect global anesthesia and surgery data has been published in the Canadian Journal of Anesthesia.

Juran S, Gruendl M, Marks IH, Broer PN, Guzman JM, Davies J, Shrime M, Johnson W, Holmer H, Peck G, Makasa E, Hagander L, Klug SJ, Meara JG, Gelb AW, Ljungman D. The need to collect, aggregate, and analyze global anesthesia and surgery data.
Canadian Journal of Anesthesia. 2019; 66(2):218-229. doi: 10.1007/s12630-018-1261-5 [Link]

15 April 2019

Grant by the TUM Global Incentive Fund

The Chair of Epidemiology by Professor Stefanie Klug has received a grant by the TUM Global Incentive Fund to organize a workshop with the Kumasi Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Ghana.

The collaboration partners are Professor Winkler, TUM Center of Global Health, Professor Kiechle, Department of Gynecology at TUM University Hospital rechts der Isar, Dr. Amuasi and Dr. Dessah, KNUST. The workshop will be on women's health and cervical cancer and takes place in Ghana. It will also provide opportunity to plan future collaborations in research and teaching projects.

03 April 2019

New Publication on Incidence, Mortality, and Survival of Penile Cancer

An analysis of regional cancer registry data on the incidence, mortality and survival of penile cancer has been published in  Journal Urologic Oncology: Seminars and Original Investigations.
Schoffer O, Neumann A, Stabenow R, Schülein S, Böhm W-D, Gonsior A, Horn L-S, Kriegel C, Stolzenburg J-U, Wirth M, Klug SJ. Penile cancer – Incidence, mortality, and survival in Saxony, Germany. Urologic Oncology: Seminars and Original Investigations. 2019; 37(4):295.e1-295.e8. [Link]

22 March 2019

More than 60 international guests attend Symposium on Physical Activity & Prevention

The first Symposium Physical Activity & Prevention "Building networks and designing intervention studies" took place 21 to 22 March 2019 at the TUM Science and Study Center in Raitenhaslach. This event gathered numerous interesting presentations on international intervention and cohort studies, on the importance of physical activity in preventing chronic disease, on measuring physical activities and the question "What makes people active?". The keynote speakers brought their expert knowledge from various parts of the world (Canada, Australia, Denmark, UK, Netherlands, Germany) and added to great and innovative scientific discussions.
The organizing Chair of Epidemiology would like to thank all of the more than 60 international presenters and guests for making this such a successful symposium.

20 February 2019

Visiting Professor in March 2019

Prof. Dr. Christine Friedenreich, Alberta Health Services, University of Calgary, Canada, has been appointed Visiting Professor through the TUM Visiting Professor Program, funded by the Bavarian State Ministry of Science and Arts.
TUM honors the laureate as a guest scientist at the Chair of Epidemiology of Prof. Dr. Stefanie Klug, Department of Sport and Health Sciences, for her stay from March 20 to 28, 2019. Through the development of collaborative activities in the area of physical activity and prevention Prof. Friedenreich will contribute to the international reputation of our university.

16 January 2019

International Symposium and Workshop Physical Activity and Prevention - Detailed Agenda has been announced

We have published the <link file:11089 download file>detailed agenda incl. keynotes and presentations for our International Symposium and Workshop Physical Activity and Prevention on our event page.

Free registration is still possible. Please register latest by 31 January 2019.

05 December 2018

International Symposium and Workshop Physical Activity and Prevention - Submit your abstract until 31 December 2018

The Chair of Epidemiology will host an International Symposium and Workshop for „Physical Activity and Prevention. Building networks and designing intervention studies" from 21 to 22 March 2019. The Symposium will take place near Munich, Germany, at the TUM Science and Study Center Raitenhaslach.

Abstract submission deadline: 31 December 2018

Registration deadline: 31 January 2019

For more information about the event please click here
https://www.sg.tum.de/en/epidemiologie/paps2019/

05 October 2018

Presentation at the 32nd International Papillomavirus Conference in Sydney, Australia

Linda Liang represented the Chair of Epidemiology at the 32nd International Papillomavirus Conference in Sydney and gave a talk about the first results of her PhD project on „The stand-alone and co-testing screening accuracy of conventional cytology, liquid-based cytology and HPV-DNA testing in a randomised population-based cohort study (MARZY study)”.

28 September 2018

Presentations at the 13th DGEpi conference for Epidemiology in Bremen

The Chair of Epidemiology presented results from multiple projects at the 13th Annual conference of DGEpi in Bremen. Dr. Luana Tanaka gave a talk on "Quality of the Pap smear in Germany: Results of the TeQaZ study" and Sarah Tegenfeldt presented on „Comparing the results of DNA and RNA based Human Papillomavirus assays in a population-based study of older women”.

27 June 2018

Publication of the Report Global Surgery & Anaesthesia Statistics

Dr. Sabrina Juran und Magdalena Gründl – associated researchers of the Chair of Epidemiology – have contributed to a report on currant data about „Global Surgery & Anaesthesia Statistics“ by the German Global Surgery Association e.V. (GGSA) in collaboration with Harvard Medical School and G4 Alliance. This reports contributes important information to monitor the sustainable development goals (SDGs) by United Nations with regard to provision of health care services. More information about the report and a PDF download can be found at the G4 Alliance website [link].

11 August 2016

Interview with Professor Klug

To read an interview with Professor Stefanie Klug from July 2016 when she established the Chair of Epidemiology at TUM please click here.

Older News

Older news articles of the years 2016 to 2018 are available in German at this site: [Link]