Inequalities in premature mortality from ischaemic heart disease in the WHO European region.

OBJECTIVES: Ischaemic heart disease (IHD) is one of the leading causes of premature mortality. Our aim was to analyse standardised premature mortality rates from IHD by geographical groups in the age group 45-59 years. METHODS: We performed a retrospective, quantitative analysis of age-standardized mortality rates from IHD between 1990-2014 per 100,000 population in Western European (WE: N = 17), Eastern European countries (EE: N = 10), and countries of the former Soviet Union (fSU: N = 15) within the European Region of the World Health Organisation (WHO) based on data retrieved from the WHO European Mortality Database. Descriptive statistics, time series analysis and statistical tests were used for the analyses (ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis test, Mann-Whitney test, paired t-test). RESULTS: On average, age-standardized death rates (ASDR) from IHD per 100,000 population were the lowest in WE (men 1990: 143.67, 2014: 50.29; women 1990: 29.06, 2014: 9.89), and the highest in fSU (men 1990: 358.69, 2014: 253.25; women 1990: 99.78, 2014: 57.85). Between 1990 and 2014, all three groups experienced significant decrease in ASDR both in men and women (fSU: -29.39%, -42.02%; EE: -49.41%, -50.57%; WE: -64.99%, -65.97%, respectively) (p < 0.05). Between 1990 and 2004, ASDR decreased in WE in both sexes (p < 0.001), in EE among males (p = 0.032). Between 2004 and 2014, ASDR from IHD decreased significantly in both sexes in fSU and WE, in EE only among women (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: During the whole period analysed, ischaemic heart disease mortality significantly decreased in both sexes in all the groups.

A systematic review: the dimensions to evaluate health care performance and an implication during the pandemic.

BACKGROUND: The balanced scorecard (BSC) has been implemented to evaluate the performance of health care organizations (HCOs). BSC proved to be effective in improving financial performance and patient satisfaction. AIM: This systematic review aims to identify all the perspectives, dimensions, and KPIs that are vital and most frequently used by health care managers in BSC implementations. METHODS: This systematic review adheres to PRISMA guidelines. The PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and Google Scholar databases and Google search engine were inspected to find all implementations of BSC at HCO. The risk of bias was assessed using the nonrandomized intervention studies (ROBINS-I) tool to evaluate the quality of observational and quasi-experimental studies and the Cochrane (RoB 2) tool for randomized controlled trials (RCTs). RESULTS: There were 33 eligible studies, of which we identified 36 BSC implementations. The categorization and regrouping of the 797 KPIs resulted in 45 subdimensions. The reassembly of these subdimensions resulted in 13 major dimensions: financial, efficiency and effectiveness, availability and quality of supplies and services, managerial tasks, health care workers' (HCWs) scientific development error-free and safety, time, HCW-centeredness, patient-centeredness, technology, and information systems, community care and reputation, HCO building, and communication. On the other hand, this review detected that BSC design modification to include external and managerial perspectives was necessary for many BSC implementations. CONCLUSION: This review solves the KPI categorization dilemma. It also guides researchers and health care managers in choosing dimensions for future BSC implementations and performance evaluations in general. Consequently, dimension uniformity will improve the data sharing and comparability among studies. Additionally, despite the pandemic negatively influencing many dimensions, the researchers observed a lack of comprehensive HCO performance evaluations. In the same vein, although some resulting dimensions were assessed separately during the pandemic, other dimensions still lack investigation. Last, BSC dimensions may play an essential role in tackling the COVID-19 pandemic. However, further research is required to investigate the BSC implementation effect in mitigating the pandemic consequences on HCO.

The deployment of balanced scorecard in health care organizations: is it beneficial? A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Balanced Scorecard (BSC) has been implemented for three decades to evaluate and improve the performance of organizations. To the best of the researchers' knowledge, no previous systematic review has performed a comprehensive and rigorous methodological approach to figure out the impact of BSC implementation in Health Care Organizations (HCO). AIMS: The current work was intended to assess the impact of implementing the BSC on Health Care Workers' (HCW) satisfaction, patient satisfaction, and financial performance. METHODS: The authors prepared the present systematic review according to PRISMA guidelines. Further, the authors customized the search strategy for PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, Google Scholar databases, and Google's search engine. The obtained studies were screened to isolate those measuring scores related to HCW satisfaction, patient satisfaction, and financial performance. The Risk of Bias (RoB) in the non-Randomized Intervention Studies (ROBINS-I) tool was used to assess the quality of observational and quasi-experimental studies. On the other hand, for the Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs), the Cochrane (RoB 2) tool was used. RESULTS: Out of 4031 studies, the researchers included 20 studies that measured the impact of BSC on one or more of the three entities (HCW satisfaction, patient satisfaction, and financial performance). Throughout these 20 studies, it was found that 17 studies measured the impact of the BSC on patient satisfaction, seven studies measured the impact on HCW satisfaction, and 12 studies measured the impact on financial performance. CONCLUSION: This systematic review provides managers and policymakers with evidence to support utilizing BSC in the health care sector. BSC implementation demonstrated positive outcomes for patient satisfaction and the financial performance of HCOs. However, only a mild impact was demonstrated for effects related to HCW satisfaction. However, it is worth noting that many of the studies reflected a high RoB, which may have affected the impacts on the three primary outcomes measured. As such, this systematic review reflects the necessity for further focus on this area in the future. Moreover, future research is encouraged to measure the real and current impact of implementing BSC in HCO during the pandemic since we did not find any.

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.

[The patients' cost of the montelukast therapy due to the generic substitution]. / A montelukasztterápia betegterheinek változása a generikus árverseny hatására.

INTRODUCTION AND AIM: The aim of our study was to analyse the public price of the montelukast sodium therapy in Hungary. METHOD: Data derived from the nationwide pharmaceutical database of the Hungarian National Health Insurance Fund Administration. We observed the turnover and price of the medicaments containing the active substance montelukast sodium from 2007 to 2015. Accordingly, our indicators were: consumer price, DCT (daily cost of therapy), co-payment, quasi co-payment, DOT (days of treatment). RESULTS: Due to the increasing DOT, the total amount of the public price paid by the patients increased until 2011, reaching the amount of 1 million USD; then, due to the generic competition and the blind bid methods, it decreased to 490 000 USD. The total amount of the public price of the brand-name Singulair moved to the generics during 3 years (2011-2014). The DCT of the originator Singulair 10 mg tablets decreased from 1.1 USD to 0.34 USD; the DCT of the generic product Montelukast TEVA decreased from 0.67 USD to 0.16 USD in the period under review. CONCLUSION: Due to the generic competition, the patients' access to drugs containing montelukast sodium increased significantly: the DOT increased, the co-payment decreased. Orv Hetil. 2018; 159(17): 682-687.

[Meta-analysis of the side-effect profiles of modern radiation therapies for patients with prostate cancer]. / A korszeru sugárterápiás kezelések mellékhatásainak metaanalízise prosztatarákos betegeknél.

INTRODUCTION: One of the most relevant focus of recent developments in radiotherapy technology was the adequate irradiation of prostate cancer. AIM: The aim of this study was to analyse the safety of normo- and hypofractionated and high dose intensity-modulated radiotherapy. METHOD: Toxicities were identified through literature review and evidence was synthetized with meta-analytical methods. RESULTS: The use of high dose intensity-modulated radiotherapy resulted in no difference in severe genitourinary (acute p = 0.9; late p = 0.95) and moderate or severe gastrointestinal (acute: N/A; late: p = 0.08) toxicities compared to 3D conformal radiation therapy. The risk ratio of moderate acute (RR = 1.39, 95% CI: 1.09-1.78; p = 0.008) and late genitourinary toxicities (RR = 1.48, 95% CI: 1.26-1.75; p<0,00001) was higher. There was no difference in hypo- and normofractionated intensity-modulated radiotherapy regarding severe genitourinary (acute: N/A; late: p = 0.73) and moderate or severe gastrointestinal (acute: p = 0.73; late: p = 0.55) toxicities, the risk of late moderate genitourinary toxicities was higher when using hypofractionation scheme (RR = 1.39, 95% CI: 1.00-1.94; p = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The use of normo- and hypofractionated and high dose intensity-modulated radiotherapy proved to be safe. However the higher risk of moderate genitourinary adverse events require an extensive clinical risk estimation.

[Reimbursement of public dental care in Germany, the United Kingdom, Hungary and Poland]. / A fogászati ellátás finanszírozása Németországban, az Egyesült Királyságban, Magyarországon és Lengyelországban.

INTRODUCTION: Dental treatments have the highest rate among medical interventions and their reimbursement is also significant. AIM: The aim of the study was to compare the outcome of the reformed healthcare system process on public dental services in four European countries. METHOD: Assessment base for the comparison of reimbursement of dental treatments and dental fee schedules provided by the health insurance funds were used. The following indicators were examined: the ratio of public dental services and the main oral health indicators. Among dental fee schedules, reimbursement of general dental activity, prevention, operative dentistry, endodontic and oral surgery were selected. RESULTS: The lowest value of population to active dentist ratio was found in Germany (population to active dentist ratio: 1247) and the highest in Hungary (population to active dentist ratio: 2020). Oral health indicators showed significant differences between the West-European and East-European countries. On the other hand, the ratio of completely edentulous people at the age of 65yrs did not show great variations. Reimbursement of public dental treatments indicated significantly higher value in Germany and the United Kingdom compared to the other countries. CONCLUSIONS: Reimbursement of public dental services varies considerably in the selected European countries.

[A microcost analysis of radiation therapy of localized prostate cancer]. / A prosztatadaganatos betegek sugárterápiájának mikroköltség-számítása.

INTRODUCTION: Development of radiation technology provides new opportunities for the treatment of prostate cancer, but little is known about the costs of novel technologies. AIM: The aim of this analysis was to compare the costs of conventional three-dimensional radiation therapy to normal and hypofractionated intensity-modulated radiation therapy for the treatment of localized prostate cancer. METHOD: The cost-analysis was performed based on the data of a Hungarian oncology center from health care provider's perspective. Irradiation time was assessed from the data of 100 fractions delivered in 20 patients. Unit costs for each component were calculated based on actual costs retrieved from the accounting system of the oncology center. RESULTS: Average treatment delivery times were 14.5 minutes for three-dimensional radiation therapy, 16.2 minutes for intensity-modulated radiation therapy with image-guided and 14 minutes without image-guided method. Expected mean cost of patients undergoing conventional three-dimensional radiation therapy, normal and hypofractionated intensity-modulated radiation therapy were 619 000 HUF, 933 000 HUF and 692 000 HUF, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Although normal and hypofractionated intensity-modulated radiation therapies have already been proven to be cost-effective, current reimbursement rates do not encourage healthcare providers to use the more effective therapy techniques.

[Motivations for foreign employment and carrier change among Hungarian physiotherapists]. / Külföldi munkavállalás és pályaelhagyási indítékok a magyar gyógytornászok körében.

INTRODUCTION: An increasing motivation can be experienced among professional workers within the Hungarian healthcare system towards foreign employment or career change. AIM: The aim of the authors was to assess Hungarian physiotherapists' migration and career changing behaviour and to understand the underlying factors. METHOD: A national survey in Hungary from April to August, 2014 was performed. Only physiotherapists who practice in Hungary were included (n = 215). RESULTS: The results suggest that age (p<0.05) and the rate of financial appreciation experienced in the workplace (p<0.01) significantly affect the appearance of migratory thoughts. Those physiotherapists who do not feel themselves financially appreciated, are 55 times more likely to search for employment outside the country's borders [OR = 55.28 CI (95%) = 18.85 to 161.12]. The most common causes for that are unfavourable financial (p<0.01) and moral recognition (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: In order to prevent our already highly-qualified colleagues from leaving the country or from considering to leave the profession we should concentrate on increasing the financial and moral appreciation of the profession within the Hungarian healthcare system.

[Examination of work-related stress and coping strategies among ambulance- and air-ambulance workers]. / Munkahelyi stressz és megküzdési stratégiák vizsgálata földi és légi mentésben dolgozók körében.

INTRODUCTION: Among Hungary's health sector workers the presence of a high level of stress is known, which can affect the individual. AIM: The aim of the authors was to uncover major risk factors causing work-related stress, as well as its extent, and positive and negative coping strategies among ground and aerial rescue workers. METHOD: From June until October 2015, a national survey was conducted among Hungarian rescue workers. An own questionnaire and Rahe Stress and coping validated short questionnaire online form were used. A total of 141 persons took part in the survey. RESULTS: As compared to air-ambulance workers, ground rescue workers were exposed to higher work-related stress effects (p<0.01), resulting in a much larger variety of physical and psychological symptoms (p<0.05). Based on Global Stress and Coping Index effective coping mechanisms were observed among air rescue workers (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: It is important to perform regular professional theoretical and practical training. Human resource management should pay attention on occupational stress reduction. Orv. Hetil., 2016, 157(45), 1802-1808.

[The effect of generic price competition on drug consumption and health insurance pharmaceutical expenditures in Hungary]. / A generikus árverseny hatása a gyógyszerforgalomra es a társadalombiztosítási támogatás kiáramláisra Magyarországon.

AIM: The aim of our study was to analyze the Hungarian montelukast sodium drug market. We examined the effect of the appearance of generic drugs on the price and turnover of the brand-name drug, Singulair. DATA AND METHODS: Data derived from the nationwide pharmaceutical database of Hungarian National Health Insurance Fund Administration (2007-2014). We analized the turnover and price of the medicaments containing the active substance montelukast sodium. Accordingly our indicators were: consumer price, social insurance subsidy, patients' co-payment and days of treatment (DOT). RESULTS: First the generics started from a significantly lower price of 18 USD which was lower than the price of brand-name Singulair (32 USD). Then the prices of the generics started to diminish. While in 2007 the DOT was below 2 million, it increased over 10 million days by 2014. The increase of DOT was followed by the increase of health insurance subsidy until 2011. Then the amount of health insurance subsidy decreased from 10,5 million USD to 7 million USD in 2012. In 2013 and 2014 there was a further reduction, the amount of the health insurance subsidy decreased to 4,1 million USD in 2013, and in 2014 it was reduced to 2.2 million USD. CONCLUSIONS: Following the introduction of generic drugs, the price of the medicaments containing montelukast sodium was significantly reduced, while the days on treatment (DOT) increased. The patients' access to drugs containing montelukast sodium increased significantly. The annual health insurance subsidy was significantly reduced as well.

[Analysis of health insurance data on home nursing care in Hungary]. / Az otthoni szakápolás egészségbiztosítási vonatkozásainak elemzése Magyarországon.

INTRODUCTION: Home nursing care was introduced in Hungary in 1996. AIM: The aim of this study was to analyse health insurance data and utilization indicators of the Hungarian home nursing care. METHOD: Data derived from the database of the National Health Insurance Fund Administration (2001-2012). The number of patients and visits, and the ratio of special nursing and special therapy (physiotherapy, speech therapy) were analysed. RESULTS: The number of patients increased by 41.3% from 36.560 (2001) to 51.647 (2012). The number of visits also increased by 41.9% from 841.715 (2011) to 1.194.670 (2012). Significant geographical inequalities were found in the ratio of special nursing and special therapy as well as nursing needs. The ratio of reimbursement for special nursing was the highest in county Nógrád (80.4%), Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg (79.7%) and Komárom-Esztergom (74.6%), while the lowest in county Zala (53.0%), Csongrád (52.7%) and Budapest (47.9%). CONCLUSIONS: There are significant inequalities in the home nursing care in Hungary. In order to decrease these inequalities, specific guidelines should be developed for home nursing care.

[Experiences with price competition of biosimilar drugs in Hungary]. / A biohasonló gyógyszerek árversenyének tapasztalatai Magyarországon.

AIM: The aim of our study is to analyse the biosimilar bids of the Hungarian National Health Insurance Fund Administration in case of colony-stimulating factor and erythropoietin products. DATA AND METHODS: Data derived from the nationwide pharmaceutical database of Hungarian National Health Insurance Fund Administration. We analysed how the number of patients treated by colony-stimulating factor and erythropoietin products changed before (01.07.2011.-30.06.2012.) and after (01.07.2012.-30.06.2013.) the first biosimilar bid performed in March 2012 in Hungary. RESULTS: In the 12 months before biosimilar bid 4167 patients received erythropoietin treatment, while in the first 12 months after the bid 3647 patients, resulting in a 12.5 % decline. In the 12 months before biosimilar bid 13974 patients received colony-stimulating factor treatment, while in the first 12 months after the bid 13352 patients, resulting in a 4.5% decline. CONCLUSIONS: The analyses of the Hungarian price competition bid of biosimilar products showed a minimal decline in the number of patients under treatment by both colony-stimulating factor and erythropoietin products while the health insurance reimbursement of these drugs significantly decreased.

Engaging physicians and nurses in balanced scorecard evaluation-An implication at Palestinian hospitals and recommendations for policy makers.

Introduction: Healthcare workers (HCWs) are seldom involved in balanced scorecard (BSC) deployments. This study aims to incorporate Palestinian HCWs in the BSC to create health policy recommendations and action plans using BSC-HCW1, a survey designed and validated based on BSC dimensions. Methodology: In this cross-sectional study, the BSC-HCW1 survey was delivered to HCWs in 14 hospitals from January to October 2021 to get them involved in PE. The differences between physicians' and nurses' evaluations were assessed by the Mann-Whitney U-test. The causal relationships between factors were analyzed using multiple linear regression. The multicollinearity of the model was checked. Path analysis was performed to understand the BSC strategic maps based on the Palestinian HCWs' evaluations. Results: Out of 800 surveys, 454 (57%) were retrieved. No evaluation differences between physicians and nurses were found. The BSC-HCW1 model explains 22-35% of HCW loyalty attitudes, managerial trust, and perceived patient trust and respect. HCWs' workload time-life balance, quality and development initiatives, and managerial performance evaluation have a direct effect on improving HCWs' loyalty attitudes (ß = 0.272, P < 0.001; ß = 0.231, P < 0.001; ß = 0.199, P < 0.001, respectively). HCWs' engagement, managerial performance evaluation, and loyalty attitudes have a direct effect on enhancing HCWs' respect toward managers (ß = 0.260, P < 0.001; ß = 0.191, P = 0.001; ß = 0.135, P = 0.010, respectively). Quality and development initiatives, HCWs' loyalty attitudes, and workload time-life balance had a direct effect on improving perceived patient respect toward HCWs (ß = 254, P < 0.001; ß = 0.137, P = 0.006, ß = 0.137, P = 0.006, respectively). Conclusion: This research shows that it is important to improve low-performing indicators, such as the duration of time HCWs spend with patients, their knowledge of medications and diseases, the quality of hospital equipment and maintenance, and the inclusion of strengths and weaknesses in HCWs' evaluations, so that HCWs are more loyal and less likely to want to leave. For Palestinian hospital managers to be respected more, they must include HCWs in their action plans and explain their evaluation criteria. Patients will respect Palestinian HCWs more if they prioritize their education and work quality, spend more time with patients, and reflect more loyalty. The results can be generalized since it encompassed 30% of Palestinian hospitals from all categories.

Screening for Peripheral Artery Disease Using an Automated Four-Limb Blood Pressure Monitor Equipped with Toe-Brachial Index Measurement.

Toe-brachial index (TBI) measurement helps to detect peripheral artery disease (PAD) in patients with incompressible ankle arteries due to medial arterial calcification, which is most frequently associated with diabetes. We aimed to evaluate how an automated four-limb blood pressure monitor equipped with TBI measurement could contribute to PAD screening. In 117 patients (mean age 63.2 ± 12.8 years), ankle-brachial index (ABI) measurement was performed using the Doppler-method and the MESI mTablet. TBI was obtained via photoplethysmography (MESI mTablet, SysToe) and a laser Doppler fluxmeter (PeriFlux 5000). Lower limb PAD lesions were evaluated based on vascular imaging. A significant correlation was found between Doppler and MESI ankle-brachial index values (r = 0.672), which was stronger in non-diabetic (r = 0.744) than in diabetic (r = 0.562) patients. At an ABI cut-off of 0.9, Doppler (AUC = 0.888) showed a sensitivity/specificity of 67.1%/97.4%, MESI (AUC 0.891) exhibited a sensitivity/specificity of 57.0%/100%; at a cut-off of 1.0, MESI demonstrated a sensitivity/specificity of 74.7%/94.8%. The TBI values measured using the three devices did not differ significantly (p = 0.33). At a TBI cut-off of 0.7, MESI (AUC = 0.909) revealed a sensitivity/specificity of 92.1%/67.5%. Combining MESI ABI and TBI measurements recognised 92.4% of PAD limbs. Using an ABI cut-off level of 1.0 and sequential TBI measurement increases the sensitivity of the device in detecting PAD. The precise interpretation of the obtained results requires some expertise.

Oscillometric measurement of the ankle-brachial index and the estimated carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity improves the sensitivity of an automated device in screening peripheral artery disease.

Background and aims: To overcome the time and personnel constraints of the Doppler method, automated, four-limb blood pressure monitors were recently developed. Their additional functions, such as measuring the estimated carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (ecfPWV), have been, thus far, less studied. We aimed to compare the sensitivity and specificity of different ankle-brachial index (ABI), toe-brachial index (TBI), and ecfPWV measurement methodologies to evaluate their contribution to peripheral artery disease (PAD) screening. Methods: Among 230 patients (mean age 64 ± 14 years), ABI measurements were performed using a Doppler device and a manual sphygmomanometer. The Doppler ABI was calculated by taking the higher, while the modified Doppler ABI by taking the lower systolic blood pressure of the two ankle arteries as the numerator, and the higher systolic blood pressure of both brachial arteries as the denominator. The automated ABI measurement was carried out using an automatic BOSO ABI-system 100 PWV device, which also measured ecfPWV. TBI was obtained using a laser Doppler fluxmeter (Periflux 5000) and a photoplethysmographic device (SysToe). To assess atherosclerotic and definitive PAD lesions, vascular imaging techniques were used, including ultrasound in 160, digital subtraction angiography in 66, and CT angiography in four cases. Results: ROC analysis exhibited a sensitivity/specificity of 70.6%/98.1% for the Doppler ABI (area under the curve, AUC = 0.873), 84.0%/94.4% for the modified Doppler ABI (AUC = 0.923), and 61.5%/97.8% for the BOSO ABI (AUC = 0.882) at a cutoff of 0.9. Raising the cutoff to 1.0 increased the sensitivity of BOSO to 80.7%, with the specificity decreasing to 79.1%. The ecfPWV measurement (AUC = 0.896) demonstrated a 63.2%/100% sensitivity/specificity in predicting atherosclerotic lesions at a cutoff of 10 m/s. Combining BOSO ABI and ecfPWV measurements recognized 89.5% of all PAD limbs. Conclusion: The combined BOSO ABI and ecfPWV measurements may help select patients requiring further non-invasive diagnostic evaluation for PAD. The user-friendly feasibility may make it suitable for screening large populations.

Disease-Specific Quality of Life among Patients with Peripheral Artery Disease in Hungary.

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a progressive atherosclerotic disease significantly impacting functional status and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). This study aimed to investigate HRQoL among PAD patients in Hungary using the validated Hungarian version of the PADQoL questionnaire. Patients with symptomatic PAD were consecutively recruited from the Department of Angiology, Clinical Center, University of Pécs, Hungary. Demographics, risk factors, and comorbidities were registered. Disease severity was measured by Fontaine and WIFI stages. Descriptive statistical analysis, Chi-square test, and non-parametric tests were performed (p < 0.05). Overall, 129 patients (mean age 67.6 ± 11.9 years, men 51.9%) participated in our study. The Hungarian PADQoL demonstrated good internal consistency (α range: 0.745-0.910). Factors on intimate and social relationships gave the best (89.15 ± 20.91; 63.17 ± 26.05) and sexual function (28.64 ± 27.42), and limitations in physical functioning (24.68 ± 11.40) the worst scores. PAD had a significant negative impact on the social relationships of patients aged 21-54 years (51.6 ± 25.4). Fontaine stage IV patients experienced significantly lower HRQoL due to fear and uncertainty (46.3 ± 20.9) and limited physical functioning (33.2 ± 24.8). The Hungarian PADQoL identified central aspects of HRQoL. Advanced PAD was found to impact several areas of HRQoL, primarily physical functioning and psycho-social well-being, drawing attention to the importance of early diagnosis and management.

Examination of Lower Limb Microcirculation in Diabetic Patients with and without Intermittent Claudication.

Intermittent claudication is a frequent complaint in lower extremity artery disease, but approximately two thirds of patients are asymptomatic, most of which are diabetic patients. Non-invasive angiological and microrheological tests on diabetic subjects with and without intermittent claudication were performed in the present study. In total, 98 diabetic patients were included and divided into two groups: 20 patients (63.5 ± 8.8 years, 55% men, 45% women) had intermittent claudication, 78 patients (65.5 ± 9.3 years, 61.5% men, 38.5% women) were asymptomatic. Hand-held Doppler ultrasound examination, transcutaneous tissue partial oxygen pressure (tcpO2) measurement, Rydel-Seiffer tuning fork tests, and 6-min walk tests were performed, and erythrocyte aggregation was investigated. Ankle-brachial index (p < 0.02) and tcpO2, measured during provocation tests (p < 0.003) and the 6-min walk test (p < 0.0001), significantly deteriorated in the symptomatic group. A higher erythrocyte aggregation index and faster aggregate formation was observed in claudication patients (p < 0.02). Despite the statistically better results of the asymptomatic group, 13% of these patients had severe limb ischemia based on the results of tcpO2 measurement. Claudication can be associated with worse hemodynamic and hemorheological conditions in diabetic patients; however, severe ischemia can also develop in asymptomatic subjects. Non-invasive vascular tests can detect ischemia, which highlights the importance of early instrumental screening of the lower limbs.