The economic burden of obesity in 4 south-eastern European countries associated with obesity-related co-morbidities.

OBJECTIVE: To provide an assessment of the cost burden of obesity across a spectrum of obesity-related comorbidities (ORCs) for four countries in South-Eastern Europe (SEE). METHODS: A micro-costing analysis from the public payer perspective was conducted to estimate direct healthcare costs associated with ten obesity-related comorbidities (ORCs) in Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, and Romania. A survey was administered to obtain healthcare resource use and unit cost data. Cost estimates were validated by local steering committees which comprised at least one public sector clinician and a panel of independent industry experts. RESULTS: Chronic kidney disease and cardiovascular diseases were the costliest ORCs across all 4 countries, where annual cost burden per ORC exceeded 1,500 USD per patient per year. In general, costs were driven by the tertiary care resources allocated to address treatment-related adverse events, disease complications, and associated inpatient procedures. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings confirm that the high prevalence of obesity and its comorbidities result in substantial financial burden to all 4 SEE public payers. By quantifying the burden of obesity from a public healthcare perspective, our study aims to support policy efforts that promote health education and promotion in combating obesity in the region.

[The spontaneous recanalization of the internal carotid artery. Case report]. / Az arteria carotis interna spontán rekanalizációja.

The occlusion of the internal carotid artery (ICA) frequently leads to stroke and develops most commonly as a consequence of embolism or atherosclerotic thrombosis. Following acute care, if the patient's general condition makes it possible, the patient is usually emitted from the hospital or, if necessary, his treatment continues in the rehabilitation department. The occlusion is generally considered irreversible, but a regular duplex ultrasonographic (sometimes CT angiographic) check of the patient is required. According to recent literature, spontaneous recanalization of the ICA may occur occasionally. The authors demonstrated by evaluating a local case that ICA occlusion is not necessarily permanent: through a case of a 67-year-old man, who suffered a right ICA occlusion, subsequent ichaemic stroke, then spontaneous recanalization of the occlusion allowing a successful endarterectomy later on, they overview the literature and propose appropriate prospective examinations to track patents with similar conditions. Orv Hetil. 2018; 159(37): 1525-1528.

[Adverse effects of long-term proton-pump inhibitor therapy on adults]. / A hosszú távú protonpumpagátló kezelés következményei felnotteken.

In the last few decades, proton-pump inhibitors have become the mainstay of the treatment of acid-related disorders. Despite their efficacy, these drugs are not without risks. Recently several articles have been published on their long-term adverse effects. Among these adverse effects, the higher risk of bone fractures, the vitamin B12 and magnesium deficiencies and the higher risk of Clostridium difficile infection may be relevant. As these drugs are prescribed more and more frequently all over the world, the knowledge of the long-term adverse effects is very important not only for the specialists but for the general practitioners as well. In this review, the authors discuss the recent findings in this field, emphasising that the long-term use of these drugs must be based on an adequate and strong indication. Orv Hetil. 2018; 159(19): 735-740.

[One year adherence of ramipril versus ramipril/amlodipine fixed dose combination therapy in hypertension]. / A ramipril versus ramipril/amlodipin fix kombináció egyéves perzisztenciája hypertoniás betegekben.

INTRODUCTION: In the treatment of hypertension avoiding adverse cardiovascular complications to achieve target blood pressure is essential. The appropriate drug selection, and if necessary to change to combination therapy, patients adherence is important which may help fixed dose combination. AIM: The aim of the authors was to investigate the one year adherence of the ramipril and ramipril/amlodipine fixed dose combination in hypertensive patients. METHOD: Prescriptions database of the National Health Insurance Fund in Hungary on pharmacy-claims was analysed between October 1, 2012 and September 30, 2013. The authors identified patients who filled prescriptions for ramipril monotherapy and fixed dose combinations of ramipril/amlodipine prescribed for the first time in hypertensive patients who have not received similar drugs in the previous year. To model the adherence, the apparatus of survival analysis was used, where "survival" was the time to abandon the medication. As it was available to month precision, discrete time survival analysis was applied: a generalized linear model was estimated with complementary log-log link function with the kind of drug being the only explanatory variable. RESULTS: 92,546 patients met the inclusion criteria. During the trial period, ramipril therapy or ramipril/amlodipine fixed dose combination was started in 82,251 and 10,295 patients, respectively. One year persistence rate in patients with ramipril was 30% and 54% in patients with ramipril/amlodipine fixed dose combination therapy. Considering only the 360-day study period, the mean duration of persistence was 189.9 days in patients on ramipril and 270.6 days on ramipril/amlodipine fixed dose combination therapy. The hazard of discontinuation was more than twofold higher during treatment with ramipril compared with the use of the ramipril/amlodipine fixed dose combination therapy (HR = 2.11 [95% CI: 2.05-2.17], p<0,001). CONCLUSIONS: There is a significant difference between the one year persistence of ramipril and ramipril/amlodipine fixed dose combination therapy in hypertension. The result demonstrated that ramipril/amlodipine fixed dose combination therapy has a better one year persistence rate. When the next step is necessary to achieve target blood pressure, ramipril/amlodipine fixed dose combination therapy is preferable. Orv Hetil. 2017; 158(42): 1668-1673.

[One year persistence of free and fixed dose combinations of perindopril/amlodipine]. / A perindopril/amlodipin szabad és fix kombinációk egyéves terápiahusége.

INTRODUCTION: In management of hypertension patient adherence is one of the most important factors. In hypertension the cardiovascular risk reduction can be reached only by prolonged and effective pharmacotherapy. AIM: To evaluate the persistence of one-year treatment of free and fixed-dose combination of perindopril/amlodipine in hypertension. METHOD: Information from the National Health Insurance of Hungary prescriptions database on pharmacy claims between October 1, 2012 and September 30, 2013 was analysed. Authors identified patients who filled prescriptions for free and fixed-dose combination of perindopril/amlodipine, prescribed for the first time for hypertension. Patients have not received antihypertensive therapy with similar active substances during the one year before. Apparatus of survival analysis was used, where "survival" was the time to abandon the medication. As it was available to month precision, discrete time survival analysis was applied. RESULTS: 109,248 patients met the inclusion criteria. Combination antihypertensive therapy with perindopril/amlodipine was started with a free or a fixed-dose combination of these agents in 19,365 and 89,883 patients, respectively. One year persistence rate in patients taking perindopril/amlodipine as a free combination was 27.15%, whereas it was 46.89% in those on the fixed-dose combination. Mean duration of persistence was 177.6 days in patients on the perindopril/amlodipine free, whereas 245.7 days on fixed-dose combination. Actual rate of discontinuation was approximately twice higher with the treatment of free, compared with the use of the fixed-dose combination (hazard ratio =1.94 [95% CI: 1.91-1.98], p<0.001). Orv Hetil. 2017; 158(36): 1421-1425.

A Simple Numerical Body Surface Mapping Parameter Signifies Successful Percutaneous Coronary Artery Intervention.

BACKGROUND: In coronary artery disease (CAD), body surface potential mapping (BSPM) may reveal minor electrical potential changes appearing in the depolarization phase even if pathological changes are absent on the conventional 12-lead ECG. We hypothesized that a simple BSPM parameter, Max/Min signifies successful percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS: Ninety-two adult Caucasian patients with stable CAD and positive exercise test underwent coronary angiography. Seventy patients (age, 59 ± 8; 46 males) were revascularized by PCI (left anterior descending [LAD] in 38, right [RCA] in 17 and left circumflex [LCX] coronary artery in 15). Control groups contained 22 patients (age, 60 ± 8; 14 males) without intervention and 35 healthy subjects (age, 58 ± 2; 15 males). Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF, transthoracic echocardiography) and Max/Min BSPM parameter (63-lead Montreal system) were evaluated before and 4-40 days following coronary angiography. Max/Min was defined by the ratio of the highest maximum to the deepest minimum potential of all leads recorded by BSPM. RESULTS: Before PCI, Max/Min value of patients with LAD lesion (0.83 [0.74; 0.93]) was significantly lower while that with RCA lesion (1.63 [1.35; 1.99]) was significantly higher than that of healthy group (1.01 [0.970; 1.13]) (P < 0.05) and LVEF was significantly lower in LAD lesion (46.50% [43.00; 51.00]) than in the healthy group (55.00% [50.00; 58.75]) (P < 0.01). Max/Min value significantly increased from 0.83 [0.74; 0.93] to 0.92 [0.82; 0.99] (P < 0.01) following LAD PCI while significantly decreased from 1.63 [1.35; 1.98] to 1.35 [1.21; 1.43] (P < 0.01) post-RCA PCI. It did not vary significantly, however, either following LCX PCI or without intervention. LVEF significantly increased (from 46.50% [43.00; 51.00] to 49.00% [46.00; 51.00]) only after LAD PCI. CONCLUSION: Max/Min parameter is suitable to follow patients after LAD and RCA PCI.

[One year persistence of metformin monotherapy versus metformin/sitagliptin fixed dose combination]. / A metformin-monoterápia és a szitagliptin/metformin fix kombináció egyéves perzisztenciája.

INTRODUCTION: In treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus it is important to reach glycaemic targets. The elements of this are the adequate diet and the patient's adherence to medication. AIM: The aim of the authors was to investigate the one year persistence of the metformin monotherapy and sitagliptin/metformin fixed dose combination in type 2 diabetic patients. METHOD: National Health Insurance Found prescriptions database of Hungary on pharmacy-claims between October 1, 2012 and September 30, 2013 was analyzed. The authors identified patients who filled prescriptions for metformin monotherapy and fixed dose combinations of sitagliptin/metformin prescribed for the first time. Patients have not received similar drugs one year previous to study. To model the persistence, the apparatus of survival analysis was used, where "survival" was the time to abandon the medication. As it was available to month precision, discrete time survival analysis was applied: a generalized linear model was estimated with complementary log-log link function with the kind of drug being the only explanatory variable. RESULTS: During the trial period, metformin monotherapy or sitagliptin/metformin fixed dose combination was started in 63,386 and 10,039 patients, respectively. One year persistence rate in patients with metformin monotherapy was 30%, and 58% in patients with sitagliptin/metformin fixed dose combination. Considering only the 360-day study period, the mean duration of persistence was 173.4 days in patients on metformin monotherapy and 261.9 days on sitagliptin/metformin fixed dose combination. The hazard of discontinuation was more than twofold higher during treatment with metformin monotherapy compared with the use of the sitagliptin/metformin fixed dose combination (hazard ratio = 2.267, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: There is a significant difference between the one year persistence of metformin monotherapy and sitagliptin/metformin fixed dose combination in type 2 diabetic patients. The result demonstrated sitagliptin/metformin fixed dose combination has a favourable patients' adherence as compared to metformin monotherapy.

[Ramipril plus amlodipine and lisinopril plus amlodipine fixed dose combinations and patient's adherence]. / A ramipril/amlodipin és a lisinopril/amlodipin fix kombinációk a terápiahuség tükrében.

INTRODUCTION: Patient's adherence has a great significance to reach target blood pressure values. The risk of cardiovascular adverse events decreases when patients are on target blood pressure. AIM: The aim of the authors was to investigate the one-year persistence of the ramipril/amlodipine and lisinopril/amlodipine fixed dose combination in hypertensive patients. METHOD: National Health Insurance Found prescriptions database of Hungary on pharmacy-claims between October 1, 2012 and September 30, 2013 was analyzed. The authors identified patients who filled prescriptions for fixed dose combinations of ramipril and amlodipine, and lisinopril and amlodipine prescribed for the first time, for the therapeutic indication of hypertension. Patients have not received antihypertensive therapy with similar active substances during one year before the study. To model the persistence, the apparatus of survival analysis was used, where "survival" was the time to abandon the medication. As it was available to month precision, discrete time survival analysis was applied: a generalized linear model was estimated with complementary log-log link function with the kind of drug being the only explanatory variable. RESULTS: During the study period, fixed dose combination antihypertensive therapy with ramipril plus amlodipine and lisinopril plus amlodipine was started in 10,449 and 20,276 patients, respectively. One-year persistence rate in patients taking ramipril and amlodipine as a fixed dose combination was 54%, whereas 36% in those on the fixed lisinopril and amlodipine combination. Considering only the 360-day study period, the mean duration of persistence was 271 days in patients on the ramipril based and 211 days on lisinopril based fixed dose combination. Analyzing persistence on treatment with these combinations showed that the actual rate of discontinuation was about twice higher during treatment with the lisinopril and amlodipine fixed dose combination compared with the use of the ramipril and amlodipine fixed dose combination (hazard ratio = 1.79, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: There is a significant difference between the one-year persistence of ramipril plus amlodipine and lisinopril plus amlodipine fixed dose combination in patients with hypertension. The result demonstrated that ramipril and amlodipine fixed dose combination has a favourable patients' adherence as compared to lisinopril and amlodipine fixed dose combination.

[One year persistence of atorvastatin and amlodipine fixed dose combination versus atorvastatin therapy]. / Az atorvastatin/amlodipin fix kombináció versus az atorvastatinterápia a terápiahuség tükrében.

INTRODUCTION: Hypertension and dyslipidemia are modifiable cardiovascular risk factors. In Hungary hypertension and dyslipidemia are quite frequent conditions. The patients' adherence is very important factor to reach the targets. AIM: The aim of the authors was to investigate the one-year persistence of the atorvastatin therapy and atorvastatin and amlodipine fixed dose combination. METHOD: National Health Insurance Found prescriptions database of Hungary on pharmacy claims between October 1, 2012 and September 30, 2013 was analyzed. The authors identified patients who filled prescriptions for atorvastatin and amlodipine fixed dose combination and atorvastatin prescribed for the first time. Patients did not receive similar drugs for one year before the study. To model the persistence, the apparatus of survival analysis was used, where "survival" was the time to abandon the medication. As it was available to month precision, discrete time survival analysis was applied: a generalized linear model was estimated with complementary log-log link function with the kind of drug being the only explanatory variable. RESULTS: During the trial period, atorvastatin and atorvastatin plus amlodipine fixed dose combination was started in 192,579 and 24,433 patients, respectively. One year persistence rate in patients with atorvastatin and amlodipine fixed dose combination was 43%, and 21% in patients with atorvastatin therapy. The 360-days-restricted study period, the mean duration of persistence was 221.4 (SE: 0.894) days in patients on atorvastatin and amlodipine fixed dose combination and 153.0 days (SE: 0.297) in those on atorvastatin regimen. The hazard of discontinuation was almost twofold higher during treatment with atorvastatin therapy compared with the use of the atorvastatin and amlodipine fixed dose combination (hazard ratio = 1.85, p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: There is a significant difference between the one-year persistence of atorvastatin therapy and atorvastatin plus amlodipine fixed dose combination. The result demonstrate that atorvastatin and amlodipine fixed dose combination is favourable to reach double goals on blood pressure and LDL-cholesterol.

[Low persistence of simvastatin and ezetimibe fixed combination in the lipid lowering therapy]. / A simvastatin/ezetimib kombinációk alacsony perzisztenciája a lipidcsökkento terápiában.

INTRODUCTION: The high cholesterol level is a well-known modifiable cardiovascular risk factor. Adequate patient adherence is important to decrease the cardiovascular risk. AIM: The aim of the authors was to evaluate the persistence on one-year treatment with the free or fixed combination of simvastatin and ezetimibe and rosuvastatin. METHOD: Information from the National Health Insurance Found prescriptions database on pharmacy-claims between October 1, 2012 and September 30, 2013 was analyzed. The authors identified patients who filled prescriptions for fixed or free combinations of simvastatin and ezetimibe and rosuvastatin prescribed for the first time. The subjects have not received antilipemic therapy with similar drugs during the year preceding the study. Using Kaplan-Meier technique, the authors constructed persistence curves with a 95% confidence interval for point estimates calculated on a log scale. Patients who were still persistent at the closing date of the study were considered censored. For the modelling of the curves, the authors used semi-parametric Cox's regression where antihypertensive therapy was the only (categorical) explanatory variable, and the patients taking the fixed combination of simvastatin and ezetimibe were regarded as the reference group. RESULTS: 204,699 patients met the inclusion criteria. During the study period, antilipemic therapy with simvastatin and ezetimibe free combination 10,030 and 7,613 fixed combination of these agents and 187,056 patients with rosuvastatin was started by patients. One-year persistence rate in patients taking simvastatin and ezetimibe as a free combination was 10.97%, whereas it was 24.35% in those on the fixed combination and 30.47% in those on rosuvastatin monotherapy. The hazard ratio of discontinuation of simvastatin and ezetimibe free combination was 1.73 [95% confidence interval: 1.61-1.85], p<0.0001 compared to fixed combination and 0.80 [95% confidence interval: 0.78-0.82], p<0.0001 compared to rosuvastatin. Considering only the 360-day study period, the mean duration of persistence was 107 days in patients on the free, 164 days in those taking the free combination of simvastatin and ezetimibe and 185 days those taking rosuvastatin. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that one-year persistence of free and fixed combination of simvastatin and ezetimibe was significantly lower compared to rosuvastatin.

[Lipid-lowering therapy and patient adherence in the MULTI GAP 2013 trial]. / Lipidcsökkento terápia és betegadherencia a MULTI GAP 2013 vizsgálat tükrében.

INTRODUCTION: Dyslipidemia is a well-known cardiovascular risk factor. To achieve lipid targets patient adherence is a particularly important issue. AIM: To assess adherence and persistence to statin therapy in patients with atherosclerotic disease who participated in the MULTI Goal Attainment Problem 2013 (MULTI GAP 2013) study. Patient adherence was assessed using estimation by the physicians in charge and analysis of pick up rate of prescribed statins in 319 patients based on data of National Health Insurance Fund Administration of Hungary. METHOD: In the MULTI GAP 2013 study, data from standard and structured questionnaires of 1519 patients were processed. Serum lipid values of patients treated by different healthcare professionals (general practitioners, cardiologists, diabetologists, neurologists, and internists), treatment adherence of patients assessed by doctors and treatment adherence based on data of National Health Insurance Fund Administration of Hungary were analysed. Satisfaction of doctors with results of statin therapy and the relationship between the level of adherence and serum lipid values were also evaluated. RESULTS: Considering the last seven years of survey data, the use of more effective statins became more prevalent with an about 70% increase of prescriptions of atorvastatin and rosuvastatin from 49% to 83%. Patients with LDL-cholesterol level below 2.5 mmol/l had 8 prescriptions per year. In contrast, patients who had LDL-cholesterol levels above 2.5 mmol/l had only 5.3-6.3 prescriptions per year. Patients who picked up their statins 10-12 or 7-9 times per year had significantly lower LDL-cholesterol level than those who had no or 1-3 pick up. The 100% persistence assessed by doctors was significantly lower (74%) based on data from the National Health Insurance Fund Administration of Hungary. About half of the patients were considered to display 100% adherence to lipid-lowering therapy by their doctors, while data from the National Health Insurance Fund Administration of Hungary showed only 36%. In patients with better adherence (90-100%) LDL-cholesterol levels below 2.5 mmol/l were more frequent (59.5%) compared to those with worse adherence. Satisfaction of doctors with lipid targets achieved was 69-80% in patients with total cholesterol between 4.5 and 6 mmol/l, and satisfaction with higher cholesterol values was also high (53-54%). CONCLUSIONS: The results show that doctors may overestimate patient adherence to lipid-lowering treatment. Based on data from the National Health Insurance Fund Administration of Hungary, satisfaction of doctors with high lipid level appears to be high. There is a need to optimize not only patient adherence, but adherence of doctors to lipid guidelines too.

[Medication adherence with the fixed combination of ramipril and amlodipine]. / A ramipril/amlodipin fix kombináció perzisztenciája.

INTRODUCTION: Adequate patient adherence has outstanding importance during the management of chronic disorders including hypertension. In particular, target blood pressure and reduction of cardiovascular risk can be reached only by prolonged, effective pharmacotherapy. Hypertension is known as one of the most significant cardiovascular risk factors. According to international data, antihypertensive therapy with a fixed combination improves patient adherence by about 20 per cent in comparison with free combinations. AIM: The aim of the study was to evaluate the persistence on one-year treatment with the free or fixed combination of ramipril and amlodipine, administered for the indication of hypertension. METHOD: Information from the National Health Insurance Found prescriptions database, on pharmacy-claims between October 1, 2012 and September 30, 2013 was analyzed. The authors identified patients who filled prescriptions for fixed or free combinations of ramipril and amlodipine, prescribed for the first time, for the therapeutic indication of hypertension. The subjects have not received antihypertensive therapy with similar active substances during the year preceding the study. Using the Kaplan-Meier technique, the authors constructed persistence curves with a 95% confidence interval for point estimates calculated on a log scale. Patients who were still persistent at the closing date of the study were considered censored. For modeling of the curves, the authors used semi-parametric Cox's regression where antihypertensive therapy was the only (categorical) explanatory variable, and the patients taking the fixed combination were regarded as the reference group. RESULTS: During the study period, combination antihypertensive therapy with ramipril and amlodipine was started with a free or a fixed combination of these agents in 20,096 and 10,449 patients, respectively. One-year persistence rate in patients taking ramipril and amlodipine as a free combination was 34%, whereas 54% in those on the fixed combination. This 20 percent difference means that the rate of persistence was higher by 58.8/2%. Considering only the 360-day study period, the mean duration of persistence was 272 days in patients on the fixed, and 206 days in those taking the free combination. Analyzing persistence on treatment with these combinations showed that the actual rate of discontinuation was about twice higher during treatment with the free, compared with the use of the fixed combination (hazard ratio = 1.94, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study, which is unique even by international standards, demonstrated the clear benefit of initiating antihypertensive therapy with the fixed combination of ramipril and amlodipine over starting treatment with the free combination. In particular, the chance of discontinuation during a one-year treatment with the former was approximately half of that seen with the latter. Inadequately controlled hypertension is a significant cardiovascular risk factor. The markedly higher persistence of patients on therapy with the fixed combination of ramipril and amlodipine can lead to a reduction in cardiovascular risk, which might prove - on the longer term - a positive outcome of public health significance.

[Statins and the risk of diabetes]. / A statinok és a diabeteskockázat.

Statins have a relevant role in decreasing cardiovascular mortality. Statins are effective in primary and secondary prevention. Recently, it has been suggested that statins may have a diabetogenic effect, because a moderate increase in the risk of newly developed diabetes mellitus was observed. The diabetogenic effect of statins is a group effect and it is dose-dependent, too. The effect of statins which lower the cardiovascular risk attenuates the risk of developing diabetes during statin therapy, too. Hence, statins remain the first line therapy of reaching LDL-cholesterol targets.

[Patient adherence in antihypertensive treatment]. / Betegadherencia az antihipertenzív terápiában.

Hypertension is one of the most frequent chronic diseases as well as most important cardiovascular risk factors in developed countries. Blood pressure control to target levels can significantly decrease the risk for development of coronary artery disease, stroke, chronic renal disease and mortality. Adequately maintained blood pressure is very important in high risk patients. In the treatment of hypertension, life style therapy and drug treatment have essential roles. Further, patient adherence plays a significant part of the treatment, too. Importantly, about half of the patients only become adherent to antihypertensive therapy by the end of the first year treatment. Hence, non-adherence of patients is an important cause for resistant hypertension. Adherence is influenced by the complexity of drug regimen and characteristic of drug class, as well as age and gender of patients.

[Advantages of ramipril/amlodipin fixed combination therapy. When should we use it?]. / A ramipril/amlodipin fix kombinációs kezelés elonyei. Mikor válasszuk a kombinációt?

Hypertension is one of the most frequent chronic disease in Hungary and one of the most important cardiovascular risk factor. Treatment of blood pressure to target value lowers significantly the risk of coronary artery disease, stroke and chronic renal disease as well as it decreases mortality. Blood pressure control has a great importance in high risk patients. In addition to life style changes, drug treatment plays an essential role in the management of hypertensive patients. The complexity of drug regimen, characteristics of drug class, age and gender are all exert impacts on patient adherence. Antihypertensive drugs should preferably have metabolically neutral properties and cardiovascular protective effects. Ramipril/amlodipine fixed combination meets these criteria and adherence of patients is favorable.

[Significance of patient adherence in cardiovascular therapy]. / A beteg-együttmuködés jelentosége a cardiovascularis terápiában.

The appropriate cooperation of patients is very important during therapy. The term of compliance used earlier for the definition of patient´s cooperation refers to a sub- or over-ordination of the relationship betwees physicians and patients. Nowadays the term of adherence is used, which suggests a higher level of patient cooperation because it assumes an active contribution of the patient. The adherence of patients to cardiocascular medical therapy in developed countries is just 50%, and this indicates that half of the patients do not take the prescribed medication. Because of the lack of medication, morbidity and mortality are increasing. There can be many reasons for the lack of patient cooperation, which should be taken account during medical treatment. Improving patient adherence can decrease the risk for complications and progression of the disease, which can improve health condition and reduce health care and social costs.

[Obesity and hypertension]. / Elhízás és hypertonia.

The frequency of hypertension and obesity is gradually growing in Hungary. At present 68.5% of men and 78% of women are obese. Hypertension and obesity are the most important risk factors of morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular disease. The relationship between increased sympathetic activity and hypertension is well known. Waist circumference and body fat mass correlate significantly with sympathetic activity, in which hyperlipidemia plays also a role. The increased activity of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system via its vascular and renal effects also contributes to an increase of blood pressure. Increased sympathetic activity with decreasing vagal tone accompanying the imbalance of the autonomous nervous system is independent and significant risk factor of cardiovascular events including sudden cardiac death.

[Instrumental therapy of drug-resistant hypertension]. / A rezisztens hypertonia eszközös kezelése.

It is well known that hypertension is an independent cardiovascular risk factor. Treatment of hypertension frequently includes administration of three or more drugs. Resistant hypertension is defined when blood pressure remains above target value despite full doses (the patient's maximum tolerated dose) of antihypertensive medication consisting of at least three different classes of drugs including a diuretic. Pharmacological treatment of hypertension is often unsuccessful despite the increasing number of drug combinations. Uncontrolled hypertension, however, increases the cardiovascular risk. Instrumental treatment of resistant hypertension is currently testing two major fields. One is the stimulation of baroreceptors in the carotid sinus and the other is radiofrequency ablation of sympathetic nerve fibers around renal arteries to reduce blood pressure in drug resistant hypertension.

[One-year persistence of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors fixed drug combinations in hypertensive patients]. / Renin-angiotenzin-aldoszteron-rendszer-gátlók fix gyógyszer-kombinációinak egyéves perzisztenciája hypertoniás betegekben.

INTRODUCTION: Various fixed combinations of antihypertensive agents are highlighted in European and Hungarian hypertension guidelines. A renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system antagonist (RAAS inhibitor) in combination with calcium channel blockers (CCBs) or diuretics are recommended as the first step in antihypertensive therapy. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the authors was to compare the one-year persistence of RAAS inhibitor fixed-dose combinations (FDCs) in hypertension. METHOD: The authors have analyzed the prescription database of the National Health Insurance Fund and selected patients who first filled prescriptions for any RAAS inhibitor FDC between October 1, 2012, and September 30, 2013, and who did not redeem prescriptions for similar preparations in the year preceding the selection period. Apparatus of survival analysis was used, where "survival" was the time to abandon the medication. RESULTS: A total of 443 149 patients met the selection criteria. The one-year persistence of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACE inhibitor)/CCB FDCs was 44.59%, while that of angiotensin II receptor inhibitor (ARB)/thiazide diuretic (HCT) FDCs was 42.52%. This was followed by ACE inhibitor/indapamide FDCs at 37.27%, ARB/CCB FDCs at 29.04%, and ACE inhibitors/HCT FDCs at 27.47%. Compared to ACE inhibitor/indapamide FDCs (reference), the risk of discontinuing ACE inhibitor/CCBs was 31 percentage points lower (HR = 0.69, 95% CI 0.6855-0.6996, p<0.0001), and the risk of discontinuing ARB/HCT FDCs was 18 percentage points lower (HR = 0.82, 95% CI 0.8096-0.8267, p<0.0001). However, the risk of discontinuing ACE inhibitor/HCT FDCs was 17 percentage points higher (HR = 1.17, 95% CI 1.1562-1.1825, p<0.0001), and the risk of discontinuing ARB/CCB FDCs was 20 percentage points higher (HR = 1.20, 95% CI 1.17316-1.2239, p<0.0001). The average medication adherence time limited to 360 days was 239.9 days for ACE inhibitor/CCB FDCs, 214.8 days for ARB/HCT FDCs, 193.8 days for ACE inhibitor/indapamide FDCs, 178.8 days for ARB/CCB FDCs, and 177.6 days for ACE inhibitor/HCT FDCs. CONCLUSIONS: The authors have demonstrated that the one-year persistence of RAAS inhibitor FDCs varies significantly in hypertensive patients. ACE inhibitor/CCB FDCs were found to be the most advantageous. Orv Hetil. 2023; 164(34): 1337-1341.

[Analysis of sudden cardiac death in competitive athletes, possibilities for reducing cases]. / Versenysportolók hirtelen szívhalálának elemzése, az esetszámok csökkentésének lehetoségei.

INTRODUCTION: Sudden cardiac death in athletes is rare (0.5 to 1 per 100 000 athlete years), but sudden cardiac death in known athletes causes general shock. OBJECTIVE: Our research aim was to collect and study as many sudden cardiac death cases as possible, judge the role of stress and look for ways to reduce fatal tragedies. METHOD: From registers and newspaper articles found on the Internet, we collected 360 (including 14 women) athletes' sudden cardiac death cases where the sport, age and place of death (during training/competition/after) could be determined. From these, a single database has been prepared in order of the year of death. The cases were grouped and analyzed by sports. Based on our results and literature data, we made recommendations to reduce fatalities. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: There were more sudden cardiac deaths in competitions than in trainings (239 vs. 99), but tragedies also happened during warm-ups and chess without physical exertion, furthermore, there was no sudden cardiac death in the stakeless training of marathon/half marathon/triathlon athletes; all these prove the role of stress, so we recommend a psychological conversation before a high-stakes race. There were also a lot of sudden cardiac deaths (79/360) during team sports trainings, so we recommend reanimation readiness there as well. After training/competition, sudden cardiac death happened mainly in sports requiring high static effort, where post-competition monitoring is also recommended. Those who died in training were younger than those who died during the race (p<0.01), so young people should be monitored more closely for medical and (under)fitness. Marathon runners and triathletes were older than team athletes (p<0.005) and only died in competition, so for them a basic examination and an ECG within 1 month before competition are recommended. Conclusions drawn from literature data: sports medicine examination should be standardized and documented in an accessible way; since resuscitation started earlier and professionally is more effective, all competitors should receive reanimation training. Orv Hetil. 2023; 164(29): 1155-1163.