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BMC Women's Health
Published in: BMC Women's Health 1/2019

Open Access 01-12-2019 | Research article

Life situation of women impaired by Thalidomide embryopathy in North Rhine-Westphalia - a comparative analysis of a recent cross-sectional study with earlier data

Authors: Christina Samel, Christian Albus, Irmgard Nippert, Alexander Niecke, Markus Lüngen, Holger Pfaff, Klaus M. Peters

Published in: BMC Women's Health | Issue 1/2019

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Abstract

Background

Between 1957 and 1961 the substance Thalidomide was sold in West Germany and taken by many women as a sedative during pregnancy. This lead to miscarriages and infants been born with several severe malformations. The aim of this study was to describe the current situation of women impaired by Thalidomide induced embryopahty in North Rhine-Westphalia (Nordrhein-Westfalen), Germany, in comparison with the results found in a study done in 2002 by Nippert et al.

Methods

Questionnaires as well as examinations were performed. Data were compared using descriptive and inductive statistical methods.

Results

Both studies show that women impaired by Thalidomide embryopathy face a poorer health status than women their age in the general population and live in fear of further deteriorating health. The majority can only work reduced hours or are already retired due to poor health. Most of those who need assistance are being assisted by their social environment, while professional care is still utilized in only few cases.

Conclusions

An obvious need for a shift in the provision of assistance and/or care provided was found as the social environment supporting the impaired women is also aging and therefore in high danger of breaking apart.

Trial registration

The study has been registered at German Clinical Trials Register, DRKS00010593, on 07.06.2016 retrospectively.
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Metadata
Title
Life situation of women impaired by Thalidomide embryopathy in North Rhine-Westphalia - a comparative analysis of a recent cross-sectional study with earlier data
Authors
Christina Samel
Christian Albus
Irmgard Nippert
Alexander Niecke
Markus Lüngen
Holger Pfaff
Klaus M. Peters
Publication date
01-12-2019
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Women's Health / Issue 1/2019
Electronic ISSN: 1472-6874
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-019-0745-y

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