[Elevated isolated systolic pressure is the most common and greatest cardiovascular risk factor with age. The prevalence of hypertension increases with age and ex­ceeds 60% over 70 years. Proper treatment of hypertension in the elderly, even in very old age (> 80 years), increases life expectancy and reduces the risk of cardiovascular events. For patients over 65 years of age, the target blood pressure range is between 130-139 / 70-80 mmHg if the patient tolerates the treatment. In elderly patients with poorer conditions, systolic blood pressure may be <150 mmHg. White-coat hypertension is common, nondipper ratio is increased, autonomic nervous system dysregulation is more common, and orthostatic decrease of blood pressure. The renal function is decreased or already impaired, often resulting in poorer therapeutic cooperation due to impaired cognitive function. The blood pressure lowering effect of targeted lifestyle changes may be the same as medication monotherapy, with the main disadvantage of decreasing adherence over time, for which a proper physician-patient relationship is essential. First-line agents for the treatment of elderly hypertension include angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors), angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), long-acting calcium channel blockers, and thiazide, thiazide-like diuretics. Beta-blockers should be used in the treatment of elderly hypertension if they have other indications (coronary heart disease, heart failure, arrhythmias). More than 70% of hypertensive patients should use combination therapy to achieve target blood pressure. Take advantage of fixed dose combination to improve compliance to optimize treatment. ]

[ INTRODUCTION - The number of new cases of colorectal cancer is over 10 000 and there are around 5000 deaths per year in Hungary. A nationwide colon cancer screening program was launched in 2018. AIMS - Concerning the upcoming national screening, our aim was to explore attitudes, preferences and knowledge of specialists (family medicine, gastroenterology, surgery, oncology, pathology) who will be engaged in screening, diagnosis and treatment of colorectal cancer. METHOD - Before the start of the program we conducted semi-structured interviews with 20 representatives of specialties mentioned above. Interview-questions focused on knowledge (epidemiology, screening methods, program-related), preferences (screening method, protocol) and impact of the program on medical practice. Quan­ti­ta­tive and qualitative methods were used for analysis. RESULTS - Incidence of colon cancer was well known but its mortality in Hungary was underestimated. The public health significance of colorectal cancer scored 7 on a 10-point Likert scale and all participants agreed with introduction of the program. 12 people knew the chosen protocol (two-stage), only a single person mentioned one-stage (colonoscopy), and 7 had no information. 16 people prefer colonoscopy as the best screening method. 11 support two-stage protocol, 5 do not support but accept it, 4 would only accept the one-stage approach. 13 people think their duties will increase considerably. CONCLUSIONS - Our review partners consider colorectal screening in Hungary as an initiative to be supported. They expect increase of workload in their everyday medical practice and assume that the current endoscopic capacity will be overburdened. The majority prefers two-stage protocol because of cost-effectiveness while arguing that the colonoscopy has a bad reputation among the general population, nevertheless they consider colonoscopy as the best method of screening. ]

[The management of neuropathic pain is a challenge both for patients and medical professioners. A novel approach is recommended for its management based on the novel neurobiological results of pain research. Multidisciplinary teams and medical consensus are required due to the variety of symptoms and concomittant psychopathology. This approach allows us to avoid extensive diagnostic and trerapeutic workups and appropiate treatment for our patients. Most extensive evidence is available for pharmacological treatment, and currently recommended first-line treatments include antidepressants (tricyclic agents and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors) and anticonvulsants (gabapentin and pregabalin). The aim of our review was to collect articles focusing on the efficacy of the most widely available and cheapest tricyclic agent, amitriptyline in different neuropathic pain conditions. ]