Cost-utility analysis of cariprazine compared to risperidone among patients with negative symptoms of schizophrenia

Objectives

The aim was to assess the cost-effectiveness of cariprazine compared to second-generation antipsychotics in the treatment of schizophrenia for patients with negative symptoms in Hungary.

Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease Transplant Recipients After Kidney Transplantation: A Single-center Experience

Kidney transplantation is indicated for end-stage renal disease. Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) causes structural degeneration of the kidney and eventually becomes end-stage renal disease. ADPKD patients usually have several renal and nonrenal complications. We analyzed our kidney transplantation activities between 1991 and 2010 regarding ADPKD. We followed up with patients to December 31, 2016. Data were collected as patient and graft survival rates, the prevalence of polycystic manifestation of the gastrointestinal tract and other organs, and the attendance of urinary tract infection. Among the 734 kidney transplantations, 10.9% (n = 80) had an ADPKD. Four patients (5%) had diverticulum perforation. The prevalence of post-transplantation urinary tract infection was higher in ADPKD patients (55.9%) compared to non-ADPKD patients (44.1%). The 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival rates in ADPKD recipients versus non-ADPKD patients are 77.5%, 70.0%, and 67.5% versus 86.4%, 83.0%, and 80.1%, respectively. Patients with ADPKD were transplanted at an elder age compared to others (median: 47.5 years vs. 39.9 years). Female patients had longer graft survival times than males. ADPKD implies multiple cystic degeneration of the kidneys; however, it can cause structural degeneration in other organs. It is typical for ADPKD patients to have an acute abdominal-like syndrome. Immunosuppressive drugs can hide the clinical picture, which makes early diagnosis difficult.     

Epidemiology of osteoporosis related fractures in Hungary from the nationwide health insurance database, 1999–2003

Summary The Hungarian national health insurance database was screened for fractures of patients aged 50–100, 1999–2003. On average, there were 343 hip, 1,579 forearm, 342 proximal humerus, 48 inpatient vertebral and 2,459 other fractures/100,000 inhabitants/year. Introduction The incidence of fractures differs among populations. Our aim was to study the incidence of fractures in Hungary, focusing on classical osteoporotic sites and to compare the results with those of other European countries. Methods The Hungarian National Health Insurance Fund database, covering 100% of the population, was screened for fractures of patients aged 50–100, 1999–2003. The search of vertebral fractures was restricted to those admitted to hospital. A gender and age-matched comparison was performed with available data from Europe. Results There were mean 343 hip, 1,579 forearm, 342 proximal humerus, 48 inpatient vertebral and 2,459 other fractures/100,000 inhabitants/year; the female/male ratio was between 1.2–2.4. Multiple fractures occurred in 23.1% of the cases. Hip fracture incidence in Hungary lies between the rates of northern and southern countries of Europe. Conclusions Our study offers nationwide epidemiological data on fractures in Hungary. The incidence of fractures increased by age, regardless of the type of fracture. Incidence of hip fractures in Hungary fits in the previously established geographic trends in Europe. Our results fulfil a need for fracture data from Central Europe.     

Oral Health Status of Kidney Transplant Patients

Drug-induced immunosuppression can predispose kidney transplant patients to different complications including chronic infections and oral lesions. We surveyed oral hygiene habits and conducted detailed periodontal examinations for status assessment.Appropriate oral hygiene and regular professional control can reduce number and severity of complications, which might be preventive for transplant rejection.     

Analysis of choroidal morphology and comparison of imaging findings of subtypes of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy: a new classification system

AIM: To examine the coexistence of diabetes mellitus (DM) and cataract in Hungary and to analyse the effects of DM on the cataract surgical results. METHODS: Statistical data analysis of the results of the Rapid Assessment of Avoidable Blindness with Diabetic Retinopathy (RAAB+DR) module conducted in Hungary in 2015. This cross-sectional, population-based, national survey included 3523 people aged 50 years and over. Participants of the survey were examined on-site. Visual acuity, main cause for visual impairment (using direct and indirect ophthalmoscopes), in case of best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) ≤0.5 and blood glucose level (random test with glucometer) were examined. RESULTS: The prevalence of cataract was 23.4%, and DM was 20.0%. The occurrence of cataract steadily increased with age. Among the examined participants with DM, the prevalence of cataract was significantly higher (+35%) than that in non-diabetic subjects (29.5% vs 21.8%, P=0.012). Following aging (OR 15.2%, P<0.001), DM proved to be the most independent influencing risk factor (OR 49.9%, P<0.001). The presence of DM was neither an influencing factor for complications of cataract surgery, nor for postoperative visual acuity. CONCLUSION: DM appears to be one of the main risk factors for developing cataract. Other risk factors, such as age, sex and environment also play an influencing role. Diabetes does not seem to affect the occurrence of cataract surgical complications.     

Elderly women in a Hungarian village: Childlessness,generativity, and social control

This study considers the meaning of biological and cultural continuity, and the changing roles of older women in general and childless elderly women in particular in a Hungarian rural community, Cserepfalu. Data gathered from participant observation, life histories, and formal and informal interviews are supplemented with statistical, archival, secondary, and other documented material. After a glance at how childlessness is conceptualized in Cserepfalu, an overview of the social history, economy, demography, and ideology of the village is given. Then women's roles in the domestic economy, courting customs, and reproductive strategies are examined from a diachronic perspective. Finally it is suggested that, increasingly during the past four decades of radical, community-threatening social change, older women, including the childless, assumed the generative role of Kulturtrager (upholder, perpetuator of culture). They endeavor to guard selected, emically meaningful elements from the past, labor to govern the present, and thus attempt to guide the young thereby ensuring the future of their community.     

Distribution and morphometrical characterization of Xiphinema pachtaicum, X. simile and X. brevicollum from Hungary

Summary  The distribution of species of the Xiphinema americanumgroup in Hungary was studied by collecting 272 samples from 53 localities. Samples have been taken from soil in the rhizosphere of 70 plant species. In total, 12.86 % of the samples contained at least one species from the Xiphinema americanum-group. Three species were found: Xiphinema brevicollum, X. pachtaicum and X. simile. Xiphinema brevicollum occurred in 4.41 %, X. pachtaicum in 3.67 % and X. simile in 4.77 % of the samples. New data on plants associated with the reported species and developmental patterns for X. brevicollum and X. pachtaicum are also presented.     

Age-dependent decrease of the passive Rb+ and K+ permeability of the nerve cell membranes in rat brain cortex as revealed by in vivo measurement of the Rb+ discrimination ratio

Young, adult and old male CFY rats (2, 12 and 24 mth of age, respectively) were treated with a daily dose of 30 mg RbCl/100 g body weight, in form of aqueous solution injected intraperitoneally for 14 days. A considerable part of the intracellular K+-content of the body was replaced by Rb+ during this treatment. After cessation of the RbCl injections, a relative steady state came into being in each age group, called Rb+-release period. During this period Rb+ and K+ contents of the blood serum and the cisternal CSF were measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry, and of the intracellular space of brain cortical cells by energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis. Ultrastructural features of the brain cortex were also checked by transmission electron microscopy. For X-ray microanalysis, the L-line of Rb at 1.694 keV energy was used at 10 kV accelerating voltage in a scanning electron microscope equipped with an EDAX System F. Rb+ and K+ concentrations were obtained for the cellular dry mass and converted into wet concentrations on the basis of intracellular water contents known from former experiments. Rb+-replacement of K+ did not cause any ultrastructural alteration in the brain cortex. However, the Rb+ accumulation displayed a very significant age-dependent increase: at the beginning of release, adult and old rats had 32.6 and 44.7 mM Rb+ in their intracellular water as against the 8.6 mM found in the young group, and similar proportional difference persisted during 20 days of the release. Rb+ discrimination ratios (DR) calculated either for the blood or the CSF displayed very considerable age-dependent increase: the values of the adult and old groups were 191 and 242% of the young one, indicating that the passive Rb+ (and K+) permeability of the nerve cell membrane decreases throughout the life span of rats. These results give further support to the membrane hypothesis of aging.