title: [Evaluation of methods of traditional chinese medicine at the clinic at Steigerwald Part 2: therapy success and sustainability].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  in 2008, we described the documentation system of the ‘Klinik am Steigerwald’. Now, we report on the results gained with this system, especially on the therapeutic success and its sustainability.
  
  
  METHODS
  we evaluated 1,972 in-patients treated between 1999 and 2007. 74% of these patients were followed for up to 24 months. The therapeutic success achieved at the time of discharge from hospital was comparable in patients with follow-up and in patients lost to follow-up. Therefore, no relevant bias has to be assumed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  at discharge from hospital complaints had improved markedly or somewhat in 62–77% of the patients. 2 years after discharge from hospital between 62 and 85% of the patients said that their complaints had improved as compared to the time before admission. This is also true for progressive diseases and if medication had been reduced. The proportion of days with inability to work decreased from 21.6% before admission to 16.0% at 0–6 months after discharge to 14.0% at 6–12 months after discharge to 11.9% at 18–24 months after discharge from hospital. Special focus is laid on Morbus Crohn /colitis ulcerosa and polyneuropathy which are core areas of the ‘Klinik am Steigerwald’.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  documentation of the therapeutic success and its sustainability is essential for an evidence based medicine. Assessment of therapeutic success by complaints of patients is according to the idea of quality of life. This holds for modern as well as for traditional medical procedures like e.g., traditional Chinese medicine.
authors.affiliation: Klinik am Steigerwald, Gerolzhofen, Deutschland. c.schmincke@tmcklinik.de
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Schmincke
authors.forename: Monika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Seiling
authors.forename: Wilhelm
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Gaus
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000628:therapy; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008516:Medicine, Chinese Traditional / Q000592:standards*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011115:Polyneuropathies / Q000628:therapy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult