[Aim of the research: Functional independence determines the elderly’s health and quality of life. In them cross-sectional study the authors analysed the associations between functional abilities (balance, gait, functional mobility, cognitive abilities), age, BMI and comorbidities and independency in older adults with cognitive impairment. Research and sampling methods: 110 elderly people were measured. Self-sufficiency was measured by the Katz-index, balance, and gait by the Tinetti Test and functional mobility by the Timed Up and Go Test. Correlations between variables were analysed with the Spearman’s rank-order correlation. Results: There was strong association between balance (r=0,557), gait (r=0,515), functional mobility (r=-0,647), and independency. It means the better the balance, gait, and functional mobility is, the higher the independency is. There was weak association between age, BMI, cognitive abilities, comorbidities and independency. Conclusion: Results show that preserving of the functional independence in older adults with cognitive impairment is a multidisciplinary task: physiotherapists and nurses should work together to complete doctors’ curative work of chronic diseases.]

[Fibromyalgia is a chronic, non-inflammatory pain syndrome characterised by diffuse muscle pain and increased tenderness of specific tender points. The exact cause or pathomechanism of the disease is unknown. In the background, nociception and the pain processing pathways of the central nervous system are suspected as dysfunctional. The disease occurs primarily in middle-aged women. Occurence of fibromyalgia is between 1-4%, increasing up to 20% in a rheumatology clinic. In Canada, the cost of treatment of fibromyalgia was 350 million $ in 1993. Unfortunately, in Hungary no similar data is available. It is frequently joined by different vegetative and functional symptoms. One characteristic feature is insomnia, causing typical morning fatigue in patients. Effective therapy has yet to be found, although successful treatment may be achieved with drug therapy (amitryptilin), psychotherapy and aerobics with supplemental electro- and hydrotherapy. Patient education and involvement is also important for good therapeutic results and for the ability to return to work as soon as possible.]

[Pain is the most common symptom in rheumatology, which can be of mechanical or inflammatory origin, acute and chronic, nociceptive, neuropathic and psychogenic. Pain can be relieved by analgesics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, opioids, adjuvants and special drugs depending on the etiology, for example a gout attack can be stopped by colchicine. For pain relief, we use therapeutic guidelines of the World Health Organization (WHO), which recommends the use of analgesics, NSAIDs and adjuvants as the first step, weaker opioids as the second, and strong opioids as the third step. In rheumatology, the first step's drugs are generally used. If possible, NSAIDs should be administered briefly, potentially combined with analgesics and muscle relaxants. If pain management is insufficient, tramadol should be given. Pain relief in rheumatology also include the use of local and intraarticular injections, physiotherapy, TENS and balneotherapy. Complex therapies that combine the above mentioned methods is often more effective than the use of medications only.]

[Background and purpose – The aim of our study is to analyse the ambulatory rehabilitation care of patients with neurological disorders in the field of physiotherapy. Methods – Data derive from the database of the Hungarian National Health Insurance Fund Administration (year 2009). The analyses covered patients with diagnosis „G00–G99 Diseases of the nervous system” according to the International Classification of Diseases and underwent physiotherapy treatment. Results – In 2009 altogether 190986 patients with neurological disorders received physiotherapy treatment in outpatient care, representing 1331675 cases and got 388.215 million Hungarian Forint health insurance reimbursement. The number of patients with nerve, nerve root and plexus disorders was 39 patients/10 000 population for males and 66 patients/10000 population for females. The number of patients with cerebral palsy and other paralytic syndromes was 49 patients/10000 population for males and 35 patients/10000 population for females. The number of patients with episodic and paroxysmal disorders was 33 patients/10000 population for males and 52 patients/10000 population for females. Conclusion – In the outpatient physiotherapy care the utilization indicators of females were higher in nerve, nerve root and plexus disorders and episodic and paroxysmal disorders, while in cerebral palsy and other paralytic syndromes the utilization of male was higher. There are important age and gender inequalities in the utilization of physiotherapy care of patients with neurological disorders.]

[INTRODUCTION - The aim of this study is to analyse the local inequalities in the access and utilization of special home nursing within Hungary focusing on the South-Transdanubian Region. DATA AND METHODS - In the first part of the study we compared the indicators of the access and utilizations of special home nursing at national and county level. In the second part of the analyses we made a detailed analyses of utilization data of home nursing in the three counties (Baranya, Somogy, Tolna) of the South- Transdanubian Region of Hungary. Data is derived from the financial database of the National Health Insurance Fund of Hungary for the period 1998-2002. RESULTS - The access of population to the special home nursing increased from 83,8% (1998) to 95,1% (2002). The utilization rate increased from 74,8% (1998) to 84,1% (2002). Within the South-Transdanubian Region we found significant local inequalities in the utilization of services (number of cases, number of visits), which were represented by the tools of geographical information system. CONCLUSIONS - There have been significant differences in the access and utilization of home nursing with remarkable within country inequalities.]