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For about one third of all primary school children learning difficulties in acquiring reading, writing, or mathematical competencies are part of their everyday school life. If these difficulties persist, they are referred to as learning disabilities, learning disorders, or learning impairments. The conceptual distinction is currently complicated by diverging classification criteria in different classification systems (ICD-10/11, DSM-5 or AWMF guidelines), which leads to inconsistent diagnostic decisions and to divergent educational consequences. Of special importance in this regard is the so-called double discrepancy criterion for the diagnosis of a learning disorder: the performance of a child must be below the level expected according to age or schooling and intelligence. The child's academic performance must therefore be contrary to expectations – it must be delayed in comparison to a) the performance level typical for the class level and b) his or her own general cognitive abilities. The criterion of the discrepancy between school achievement and intelligence has been controversially discussed for a long time and is anchored differently in the classification systems. Its application has far-reaching consequences for both diagnostic and educational practice. Children who display the discrepancy between academic performance and intelligence receive the diagnosis "learning disorder", whereas children who do not reach this discrepancy are diagnosed with a "learning disability". Notably, these two groups experience different learning support both in school and outside of school. The present discussion paper questions the justification of the double discrepancy criterion on the basis of empirical evidence and highlights consequences for both its current implementation and for abandoning it. The conclusion of this discussion argues in favor of rethinking the use of the double discrepancy criterion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common comorbidity in adult patients with substance use disorders (SUDs). The diagnostics and treatment of ADHD with SUD are often a challenge, also with respect to the prescription of stimulants. Recently, a group of international experts developed a consensus paper on the diagnosis and treatment of comorbid ADHD and SUD. In addition, the German S3 guidelines on ADHD have been published, which also give advice on the treatment of ADHD in comorbid SUD. The German S3 guidelines on alcohol-related disorders and methamphetamine-related disorders also address ADHD as a comorbidity. Methods: Summary of consensus and guideline recommendations, supplemented with the most recent literature. Conclusion: In recent years new findings on the comorbidity of ADHD in patients with SUD have emerged. A series of screening and diagnostic instruments have meanwhile been evaluated in this patient group. The consensus paper and various guidelines therefore provide clinicians with specific help in detecting ADHD in patients with SUD and in conducting further diagnostics and treatment of both disorders. For example, the importance of stimulants in the treatment of patients with SUD and ADHD has significantly changed and first studies on psychotherapeutic interventions specific to this comorbidity are now available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite a decreasing incidence of tuberculosis (TB) over the last decades in Switzerland, the frequency of newly diagnosed tuberculous spondylitis has remained stable. It occurs most frequently in old, immunocompromised persons and/or persons who have moved to Switzerland from TB endemic areas. It is a chronic manifestation of TB, which is characterized by 'cold abscesses', neurological deficits and kyphotic spinal deformity. Tuberculous spondylitis is often diagnosed with a delay, which can lead to higher morbidity and treatment complexity. Antibiotic therapy is essential in tuberculous spondylitis. Surgical interventions aim to obtain samples, decompress nervous structures, obtain pain control and, if necessary, deformity correction/stabilization. This paper provides an overview of the modern diagnostic and therapeutic management of tuberculous spondylitis in Switzerland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The electroencephalogram (EEG) is a non-invasive and cost-effective method to monitor spontaneous neuronal activity over time. Pathologies in EEG recordings indicate with high sensitivity but low specificity abnormal functional brain states.The main psychiatric indications for EEG recordings include atypical clinical symptoms of a neuropsychiatric syndrome or atypical reactions to medication as well as a baseline diagnostic before starting treatment with specific drugs or stimulation modalities. In recent research the EEG continues to be a valuable tool not only in diagnostics but also for the prediction of treatment success.The following paper focuses on basic electrophysiological understanding of EEG recordings, the diagnostic value of EEG recordings in different clinical entities, and new research attempts in diagnostic and treatment prediction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper gives an overview of the most important German-language diagnostic instruments suitable for use in schizophrenia. The procedures are implemented in different phases of the disorder, depending on the nature of questions involved. In addition to clinical interviews for diagnostic classification, self-rating and observer rating scales of psychopathological symptoms are presented. The procedures described take into account psychotic phenomena (e. g., delusions, hallucinations) as well as quality of life, insight, and social consequences of the disorder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]