Positive effect of colors and art in patient rooms on patient recovery after total hip or knee arthroplasty : A randomized controlled trial.

Background: Environmental stimuli and well-being are considered to be significant factors in patients' rehabilitation. The aim of this study was to describe the effect of colors and art in hospital rooms on patients' recovery after total hip or knee arthroplasty.

Methods: We performed a prospective randomized, controlled study including 80 patients.

Cognitive Gain or Handicap: Magical Ideation and Self-Absorption in Clinical and Non-clinical Participants.

This study aimed to examine magical ideation and absorption traits across non-clinical and clinical groups to determine their potential adaptive and maladaptive functions. We enrolled 760 healthy participants from neighboring communities (female = 53.2%).

Malnutrition as predictor of poor outcome after total hip arthroplasty.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of protein energy malnutrition (PEM) and correlation with poor post-operative outcome in the elderly undergoing primary total hip arthroplasty (THA).

Hypothesis: Patients with PEM would have inferior post-operative outcome after THA.

Materials And Method: We retrospectively evaluated the nutritional status of 220 hospitalized patients undergoing THA, 65 years and older.

Is there any difference between the findings of Clock Drawing Tests if the clocks show different times?

Background: The Clock Drawing Test (CDT) is a widely-used, rapid assessment tool for the screening of cognitive decline though its evaluation and interpretation are still not uniform. The aim of present study was to investigate the difference in sensitivity and specificity of two types of CDTs and to compare the clinical benefits of quantitative and semiquantitative scoring systems.

Objective: To investigate the difference in sensitivity and specificity of two types of CDTs and to compare the clinical benefits of quantitative and semiquantitative scoring systems.

[The interpretation of attachment in the Szondi test and in the questionnaire processes of attachment theory].

Introduction: [corrected] The Szondi-test is widely applied in clinical diagnostics in Hungary too, and the evidence resulting from the theory is that we can get information about attachment during its interpreting. Its validity is proven by empirical research and clinical experiences. By analyzing the modern attachment theory more thoroughly, it becomes clear in what ways the Szondi-test constellations regarding attachment are different from the classificationbased on questionnaires, allowing the discrete measurement of the attachment style.

Excess risk of diabetes in persons with hypertension.

Problem: Persons with hypertension appear to be at increased risk of diabetes, an important predictor of cardiovascular disease. Whether, and to what extent, this risk may vary across subgroups defined on the basis of important clinical characteristics has not been well characterized.

Methods: Study population included members of Kaiser Permanente Northwest Region, a large health maintenance organization, aged > or = 35 years and free of diabetes in 1998.

Adherence to prescribed antihypertensive drug treatments: longitudinal study of electronically compiled dosing histories.

Objective: To describe characteristics of dosing history in patients prescribed a once a day antihypertensive medication.

Design: Longitudinal database study.

Setting: Clinical studies archived in database for 1989-2006.

Effect of persistent use of antihypertensives on blood pressure goal attainment.

Objective: Discontinuation rates with antihypertensive drugs in real life are high. The present study investigates the relationship between persistence with antihypertensive drugs (AHT) and blood pressure (BP) goal attainment in daily clinical practice.

Methods: In the PHARMO Record Linkage System, which includes drug dispensing and hospital records for > 2 million inhabitants in the Netherlands, new users of AHT > or = 18 years were identified for the period 1999-2004.

Higher persistence with valsartan compared with enalapril in daily practice.

Objective: To compare persistence with valsartan and enalapril in daily practice.

Methods: The PHARMO Record Linkage System includes various data registries including drug dispensing and hospitalizations for > or =2 million subjects in the Netherlands. Patients newly treated with valsartan or enalapril in the period of 1999-2002 were selected.

Blood pressure control in patients initiating antihypertensive therapy.

Background: Although information concerning the attainment of goal blood pressure for patients commencing antihypertensive therapy is available from controlled trials, no studies have examined this issue in the context of typical clinical practice.

Objective: To examine attainment of blood pressure control over time in patients initiating antihypertensive therapy in clinical practice.

Methods: Using an electronic medical records database, we identified all adults with systolic blood pressure (SBP)/diastolic blood pressure (DBP) of 140/90 mm Hg or higher who initiated antihypertensive drug therapy.

The effect of discontinuation of antihypertensives on the risk of acute myocardial infarction and stroke.

Objective: Adherence to antihypertensive drug treatment is suboptimal. The present study investigates the effect of early treatment discontinuation with antihypertensive drugs on the risk of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) or stroke in daily clinical practice.

Methods: In the PHARMO Record Linkage System, which includes all records of drug dispensings and hospitalisations for > or = 2 million subjects in the Netherlands, new users of antihypertensive (AHT) drugs > or = 18 years of age were studied during the period 1 January 1993 - 1 October 2002 to determine the risk of AMI or stroke related to persistence with AHT.

Risk factors of cognitive decline in residential care in Hungary.

Objective: The incidence of dementia is known to vary between nations due to population specific interactions of genetic and epigenetic risk factors. Since this type of data was missing from the Central-Eastern part of Europe, especially from Hungary, an ongoing prospective multicentre study was initiated 3 years ago to determine the impact of some well-known social and biological dementia risk factors and the prevalences and conversion rates of dementia and depression syndromes.

Methods: As part of this work, the effects of age, gender, education, smoking and alcohol consumption were investigated in residental homes-based cohort of more than 2,100 elderly.

[Addictive behaviors in a general hospital population from the viewpoint of consultation-liaison psychiatry].

Aim: Based on a comprehensive survey among patients of general hospital departments, the data relating to addictive behaviours were analyzed in this publication.

Method: A questionnaire screening was performed involving general, demographic questions, and psychiatric rating scales in 9 Hungarian general hospitals. Data provided by 2485 patients were included in the analysis.

Strategies to improve adherence with medications in chronic, 'silent' diseases representing high cardiovascular risk.

Given the burden of illness related to diabetes, hypertension and dyslipidemia, it is very important to achieve glycemic control, optimal blood pressure and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in order to avoid severe long-term complications. Patients' adherence with, and persistence to, the treatment regimen is a critical factor in achieving this goal. Medication taking behavior in these chronic, nonsymptomatic ('silent') diseases is generally low, although a wide range of results have been reported.

CYP46 T/C polymorphism is not associated with Alzheimer's dementia in a population from Hungary.

Multiple genetic and environmental factors regulate the susceptibility to Alzheimer's disease (AD). Recently, several independent studies have reported that a locus on chromosome 14q32.1, where a gene encoding a cholesterol degrading enzyme of the brain, called 24-hydroxylase (CYP46A1) is located, has been linked with AD.

ApoE -491A/T promoter polymorphism is not an independent risk factor, but associated with the epsilon4 allele in Hungarian Alzheimer's dementia population.

Apolipoprotein E gene (Apo(epsilon)) has three common alleles (epsilon2, epsilon3, and epsilon4), of which epsilon4 has been shown to be associated with an increased risk for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Possible additional genetic factors, like the -491A variant of ApoE promoter may modify the development of AD, independently of the ApoE allele status. The objective of this study was to investigate whether A/T allelic polymorphism at site-491 of the ApoE promoter is associated with AD in a Hungarian population.

Regional cortical blood flow changes following sodium lactate infusion in Alzheimer's disease.

Bilateral temporoparietal hypoperfusion is a characteristic single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) finding in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Lactate is a metabolic vasodilator and is known to provoke increased cerebral blood flow (CBF) in healthy adults. This work investigated whether lactate, which is present in high concentrations in AD cerebrospinal fluid, affects AD-specific perfusion abnormalities.

[Psychiatric symptoms in general medical hospital units--assessment of the need for psychiatric consultation-liaison in Hungary].

Aim: Psychiatric symptoms and disorders are a serious problem area, absorbing high health service provision capacities. Extensive research work is done internationally relating to the morbidity of psychiatric disorders in general medical departments, but no Hungarian data have been available so far. In the present study, general psychiatric symptoms were detected in Hungarian general hospitals, with special regard to mood disorders.

[Dysmenorrhea in adolescent girls].

Introduction: Dysmenorrhea is highly prevalent during adolescence but the incidence of this disease is very often underestimated. Depending on different measurement methods 20-90% of adolescent girls report dysmenorrhea.

Objectives: This study examined the prevalence of dysmenorrhea among high-school female adolescent students in Eastern-Hungary.

Factors associated with adherence to self-monitoring of blood glucose among persons with diabetes.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between demographic, biological, and psychosocial characteristics of self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) among people with diabetes.

Methods: A total of 933 adults with diabetes were invited to participate in the study. A self-administered survey was used to address the study objective.