Effective virus-specific T-cell therapy for high-risk SARS-CoV-2 infections in hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients: initial case studies and literature review.

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated mortality rates among immunocompromised patients, accentuating the need for novel, targeted therapies. Transplant recipients, with their inherent immune vulnerabilities, represent a subgroup at significantly heightened risk. Current conventional therapies often demonstrate limited effectiveness in these patients, calling for innovative treatment approaches. In immunocompromised transplant recipients, several viral infections have been successfully treated by adoptive transfer of virus-specific T-cells (VST). This paper details the successful application of SARS-CoV-2-specific memory T-cell therapy, produced by an interferon-γ cytokine capture system (CliniMACS® Prodigy device), in three stem cell transplant recipients diagnosed with COVID-19 (case 1: alpha variant, cases 2 and 3: delta variants). These patients exhibited persistent SARS-CoV-2 PCR positivity accompanied by bilateral pulmonary infiltrates and demonstrated only partial response to standard treatments. Remarkably, all three patients recovered and achieved viral clearance within 3 to 9 weeks post-VST treatment. Laboratory follow-up investigations identified an increase in SARS-CoV-2-specific T-cells in two of the cases. A robust anti-SARS-CoV-2 S (S1/S2) IgG serological response was also recorded, albeit with varying titers. The induction of memory T-cells within the CD4 + compartment was confirmed, and previously elevated interleukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-8 levels normalized post-VST therapy. The treatment was well tolerated with no observed adverse effects. While the need for specialized equipment and costs associated with VST therapy present potential challenges, the limited treatment options currently available for COVID-19 within the allogeneic stem cell transplant population, combined with the risk posed by emerging SARS-CoV-2 mutations, underscore the potential of VST therapy in future clinical practice. This therapeutic approach may be particularly beneficial for elderly patients with multiple comorbidities and weakened immune systems.

Epidemiology of Peripheral Artery Disease: Narrative Review.

Past decades have witnessed a major epidemiologic transition with a considerable increase in the disease burden associated with atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), with low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) experiencing substantial increase in CVDs. As the global population is aging and peripheral artery disease (PAD) is strongly age-related, it is estimated to become increasingly prevalent in the future. PAD shares risk factors with coronary and cerebrovascular risk factors, particularly diabetes mellitus and smoking, and is associated with significant CVD morbidity and mortality. Despite advances in therapeutic modalities, 236 million people were estimated to be suffering from PAD worldwide in 2015, and numbers have been rising since. The prevalence of asymptomatic PAD has remained high; PAD prevalence seems higher among women and is related to ethnicity. Although several epidemiological studies have been published on PAD during the past decades, data from LMICs are scarce. Besides providing up-to-date epidemiological data retrieved from the literature and the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study database, this narrative review also intends to draw attention to the substantial disease burden of PAD manifesting in more Years of Life Lost (YLL), age-adjusted mortality and amputation rates, with a special focus on some European countries and especially Hungary, i.e., the country with the highest amputation rate in Europe.

The development of one-day surgical care in Hungary between 2010 and 2019.

BACKGROUND: The constant increase in the utilization of one-day surgical care could be identified since more than a decade in most of European countries. Initially, according to the international rankings, the exploitation of one-day surgery in Hungary was not really significant. In 2010, the Hungarian policy makers intended to increase one-day surgical care as a priority strategy. The aim of our study was to analyze the evolution of the Hungarian one-day surgical care during the last decade in DRG- based performance financing system in Hungary. METHODS: The dataset of the research was provided by the National Health Insurance Fund Administration of Hungary. The most important indicators related to the one-day surgical care were compared to inpatient care (market share, number of cases, and DRG cost-weights). To discover the impact of one-day surgical care to the utilization of inpatient treatment, the number of hospitalized days was also analyzed. RESULTS: Between 2010 and 2019, the market share of one-day surgical cases increased from 42, to 80%. Simultaneously the constant increase of one-day surgical cases, the number of hospitalized days were decreased in inpatient care by 17%. The value of Case Mix Index has also increased, approximately by 140%, which could confirm that more complex interventions are being conducted in one-day surgical care as well. CONCLUSIONS: Due to the comprehensive health policy strategy related to the dissemination of one-day surgical care in Hungary, several important performance indicators were improved between 2010 and 2019. Given that Hungary belongs to the low- and middle-income countries, the results of the study could be considerable even in an international comparison.

Experience and Attitude of Colorectal Screening Pilot Program Participants Regarding Screening and Screening Programs in Hungary.

Background: In 2015, in Csongrád County (Hungary), a general practitioner based colorectal screening model program was implemented by the financial support of the European Union. Our aim was to evaluate the indicators of screening program and to analyze the experiences and attitude of participants of colorectal screening pilot program. Methods: The colon cancer screening pilot programme was carried out in 2015 involving an average-risk population aged 50-69 in Csongrád county, Hungary (invited 22 130 persons). The screening method was iFOBT, the attendance rate was 51.2%. Overall, 5580 patients out of the 10374 participants completed the self-compiled questionnaire concerning socio-demographic data, current screening programs, stool sampling problems, invitation letters, information sources and future willingness of participation. Results: The response rate was 53%. 46.7% of the respondents had not heard about colorectal screening prior to the screening program. Participants with elementary education level mostly indicated physicians as primary information sources [OR: 2.72 (CI: 1.59-4.66)] than patients higher education level. 67.5% of patients decided alone about participation on screening. Among women, decisions supported by acquaintances were specific [OR: 2.05 (1.06-3.95]. 82.6% determined the iFOB test as an entirely accepted screening method. Medical advice is an important predictor of screening participation. If respondents were to receive an invitation after two years, 91.5% would be involved in the screening. Conclusion: The respondents were satisfied with the screening program. Awareness raising of men, lower educated patients, those living in major cities, and recommendation of the family physician may increase the participation rate in the future.

Annual epidemiological and health insurance burden of cervical cancer in Hungary / A méhnyakrák okozta éves epidemiológiai és egészségbiztosítási betegségteher Magyarországon.

Összefoglaló. Bevezetés: A méhnyakdaganatok kérdése kiemelten fontos, megoldatlan népegészségügyi probléma. A betegség terhe magas, ami elsosorban az alacsony és közepes jövedelmu országokban éloknél jelentkezik. Célkituzés: Elemzésünk célja volt meghatározni a méhnyakdaganatok epidemiológiai és egészségbiztosítási betegségterhét Magyarországon a 2018-as évre vonatkoztatva. Adatok és módszerek: Elemzésünket a Nemzeti Egészségbiztosítási Alapkezelo (NEAK) finanszírozási adatbázisának 2018. évi adatai alapján végeztük az in situ (D06), a jóindulatú (D26.0) és a malignus (C53) méhnyakdaganatokra vonatkozóan. Az elemzés a NEAK által finanszírozott összes szolgáltatóra és ellátási formára kiterjed. Meghatároztuk az éves betegszámokat, a prevalenciát 100 000 lakosra, továbbá az éves egészségbiztosítási kiadásokat betegségcsoportonként és korcsoportos bontásban, valamennyi egészségbiztosítási ellátás tekintetében. Eredmények: A NEAK 2018-ban 1,276 milliárd Ft-ot (4,7 millió USD; 4,0 millió EUR) költött a méhnyakdaganatok kezelésére. A betegek és a finanszírozás dönto többsége a méhnyak rosszindulatú daganatához kapcsolható. A finanszírozásból a malignus méhnyakdaganatok részesedése 97%. Ellátási típusonként vizsgálva a legnagyobb kiadási tétel az aktívfekvobeteg-szakellátásban jelenik meg, éves szinten 763,9 millió Ft, ami az összköltség 59,9%-a. A 100 000 lakosra jutó prevalencia az aktívfekvobeteg-szakellátás igénybevételi adatai alapján 26/100 000 lakos. Következtetés: A méhnyakdaganatok kezelésének meghatározó költségeleme az aktívfekvobeteg-szakellátás. Hazánkban a szervezett méhnyakszurés korszerusítéseként az új szurési stratégiát megfelelo finanszírozási támogatással célszeru bevezetni, a szurovizsgálatoknak, a hozzájuk kapcsolódó további diagnosztikus kivizsgálásnak és terápiának a teljesítményvolumen-korlát alóli mentesítésével. Orv Hetil. 2021; 162(Suppl 1): 22-29. INTRODUCTION: Cervical cancer is a particularly important, unresolved public health problem. The burden of the disease is high, primarily in those living in low- and middle-income countries. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to determine the annual epidemiological disease burden and health insurance cost of cervical cancer in Hungary in 2018. DATA AND METHODS: Our analysis was made according to the financial database of the National Health Insurance Fund Administration (NHIFA) of Hungary for the year 2018, which covers all service providers and maintenance forms financed by NHIFA. We analysed the in situ (D06), the benignant (D26.0) and the malignant (C53) cervical tumours. The data analysed included annual patient numbers and prevalence of care utilisation per 100 000 population furthermore annual health insurance costs calculated for disease and age groups. RESULTS: In 2018, NHIFA spent 1.276 billion HUF (4.7 million USD, 4.0 million EUR) on the treatment of patients with cervical cancer. The majority of patients and funding can be linked to malignant cervical cancer (97%). Acute inpatient care was the major cost driver: 763.9 million HUF (59.9% of the total health insurance expenditures) annually. The prevalence is 26 per 100 000 population based on acute inpatient care data. CONCLUSION: Acute inpatient care was the major cost driver. In Hungary, as a modernization of organized cervical screening, it is appropriate to introduce a new screening strategy with appropriate financial support, by exempting screening tests, associated additional diagnostic testing, and therapy from the performance volume limit. Orv Hetil. 2021; 162(Suppl 1): 22-29.

[Analysis of the utilization of one-day surgery in Hungary]. / Az egynapos sebészeti ellátás igénybevételi mutatóinak elemzése Magyarországon.

Introduction: The impact of one-day surgery has been increasing since the past few decades. This type of health service could fulfil many requirements of health policy, health care services, governments as well as patients. Aim: The aim of the research was to assess the publicly financed case numbers and interventions of one-day surgery in Hungary between 2010 and 2015 from different aspects. Method: A retrospective and quantitative research was made, based on data of the National Health Insurance Fund of Hungary. The database contained all publicly financed one-day surgery cases (both theoretical and performed cases), intervention codes (WHO) as well as the related medical field. Then the database also contained all relevant information related to the patients (age, sex, residency according to the county) and the type of the provider health care institutions. Results: Our results showed an increasing tendency according to the case numbers of one-day surgery from 130 995 (2010) to 251 328 (2015). The mean age of patients also increased in the analyzed period; in 2010: 47.4 years, in 2015: 54.5 years. In 2010, 42% of the theoretically defined one-day surgery cases were practically performed as one-day surgery cases which increased significantly to 65% in 2015. Gynecology, ophthalmology, general surgery and urology have had a significant impact in one-day surgery in Hungary. Conclusion: The analyzed data showed a significant increase of accounted cases, and we could identify the remarkable impact of gynecology and ophthalmology in one-day surgery in Hungary. Orv Hetil. 2019; 160(17): 670-678.