Effects of the Clinical Application of Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine (TCIM) Procedures During Inpatient Stays in Germany

0-100, higher scores indicate better health status.

0-100, higher scores indicate better health status.

0 (worst) to 1 (best), higher scores indicate better health-related quality of life.

Descriptive measure; not scored on a numeric scale.

MET-min/week (variable), higher scores indicate higher physical activity levels.

0-21 per subscale (Anxiety and Depression), higher scores indicate more severe symptoms.

0%-100%, higher scores indicate greater impairment (i.e., worse outcome).

0-16, higher scores indicate higher perceived stress.

Visual Analog Scale (0-100, higher scores mean a worse outcome)

0-100, higher scores indicate greater impact of fibromyalgia (worse outcome).

0-10, higher scores indicate greater disease activity (worse outcome).

0-10, higher scores indicate more active disease (worse outcome).

0-10, higher scores indicate more functional limitation (worse outcome).

0-100, higher scores indicate greater pain/stiffness/disability (worse outcome).

0-500, higher scores indicate more severe IBS symptoms (worse outcome).

10-70, higher scores indicate better quality of life.

0-70, higher scores indicate greater disability (worse outcome).

0-24, higher scores indicate more severe disability (worse outcome).

Variable by subscale (Emotional Exhaustion: 0-54, Depersonalization: 0-30, Personal Accomplishment: 0-48) Higher scores on EE/DP = worse outcome; higher PA = better outcome.

0-63, higher scores indicate more severe depressive symptoms (worse outcome).

1-6, higher scores indicate greater emotional distress related to diabetes (worse outcome).

0-30, higher scores indicate greater impact on quality of life (worse outcome).

0-108, higher scores indicate better quality of life.

Descriptive data (e.g., number of visits); not a scored scale.

5-point Likert scale, 1-5. Higher scores indicate stronger or more positive expectations.

0-33, higher scores mean a worse outcome

0-32, higher scores mean a worse outcome

36-78. A higher value indicates a greater impairment due to headaches.

The integrity of the intestinal barrier is tested via CLE during routine esophagogastro-duodenoscopy to detect primary or secondary (food-induced) barrier defects.

By CLE, the intestinal mucosa and the epithelial lining can be analyzed in vivo with a 1000 x magnification. An intestinal barrier defect can be detected by the leakage of a contrast agent (fluorescein) from the blood vessels through the intestinal epithelial spaces into the intestinal cavity and the shedding of epithelial cells.

Participants undergo an esophagogastro- duodenoscopy with CLE when clinically indicated as part of their inpatient care. Thereby, the inflammatory status and the intestinal barrier is routinely analyzed.

Intestinal biopsies, which are routinely taken during esophagogastroduodenoscopy, are processed for histopathological analysis of the mucosal and epithelial structure as well as of the immune cell compartment and to rule out inflammatory processes or intestinal infections.

Intestinal biopsies, which are routinely taken during esophagogastroduodenoscopy, are stained using immunohistochemistry and examined for the expression of specific marker proteins (e.g. CD3, eosinophils, Occludin, Claudins).

IgE screening of antibodies against typical food allergens (egg white, soy, milk, yeast, wheat) in the serum

The concentrations of different fecal biomarkers are analyzed in stool samples:

Calprotectin, Lactoferrin, PMN-Elastase, EDN, Zonulin, Alpha-1-Antitrypsin, Beta-Defensin.

Furthermore, digestive parameters such as digestion residues and the intestinal flora are determined.

Lactose, fructose, and sorbitol intolerance is tested via hydrogen breath test