[Intravenous immunglobulin given in autoimmune neuromuscular disorders modulates the immune system by complex actions, including, 1. the modification of the expression and function of Fc receptors, 2. interference with the activation of the complement and the cytokine network, 3. neutralisation of antiidiotypic antibodies, 4. effects on the activation, differentiation and effector functions of the T and B cells. Controlled trials have shown that intravenous immunglobulin is effective as first-line therapy in patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome and multifocal motor neuropathy. In case of steroid resistance or coexisting diabetes mellitus, intravenous immunglobulin can be the first line therapy in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy as well. As an alternative therapy it can be a second-line choice in dermatomyositis, myasthenia gravis, Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome, and stiff person syndrome. While it has a remarkably good safety record for long term administration the following side effects have been observed: headache, skin rash, thromboembolic events and renal tubular necrosis. In some disorders, the appropriate dose and frequency of infusions that maintain a satisfactory therapeutic response is well defined on the basis of data of evidencebased medicine, whereas in others it still remains to be defined. For the analysis of pharmacoeconomical aspects and the mechanism(s) of response differences in the same disease categories, further studies are necessary.]

[Psoriatic arthritis is a destructive form of inflammatory arthritis that occurs in 10-30% of patients with psoriasis. Its prevalence is about 10.000 to 20.000 in Hungary. The pathogenesis includes both genetic and immunological factors. Average disease progression based on functional status is, on average, 0.05 HAQ score/year. The traditional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) are not always successful in controlling the disease and preventing joint damage. Based on the pathogenesis of psoriatic arthritis, several new drugs (anti-tumour necrosis factor alfa, or anti-TNF-α) have been introduced in the therapy, which have been found to be effective both in psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. The development of the Biological Response Modifying Drugs (BRMDs) makes treatment possible for patients with the most serious, high activity disease, who are refractory to other therapy. There is no significant difference in efficacy among the different biological agents (etanercept, infliximab, adalimumab). The review presents the traditional DMARDs, as well as the indications, effectiveness, side effects and the national prescription regulations of the anti- TNF-alfa agents. Both DMARDs and TNF-α inhibitors can be safely used in psoriatic arthritis under strict specialist control.]

[Epilepsy is not a singular disease, but a variety of disorders. It is affects up to 0.5% of the population. Over the past decade, the researchers have been made great advances in the field of epilepsy. These have been accompanied by the licensing of a great number of antiepileptic drugs. However, despite these efforts, up to 15-20% of patients have refractory epilepsy. The novel antiepileptic drugs must suit several requirements: higher efficacy, especially in resistant cases, better tolerability, and improved pharmacokinetic properties. Recently, three new drugs have been introduced for the medication. The retigabine is a carbamic derivate, and the anticonvulsive properties are largely due to its ability to prolong the opening of neuronal voltage-gated potassium Kv7.2 and Kv7.3 channels. The lacosamide is a functionalized amino acid, and selectively enhances voltage-gated sodium channel slow inactivation. The eslicarbazepine acetate is a new member of the dibenzazepine family, and blocks the fast inactivated voltage-gated sodium channel. All three of them differ from the foregoing agents in several important ways, including new mechanism of action (retigabine, lacosamide), or pharmacokinetics (eslicarbazepine acetate). These novel anticonvulsants appears to be a safe and effective addition to the armamentarium for the treatment of patients with refractory epilepsy. However, it must take some new approaches into consideration, in the therapeutic algorithm.]

[The high-income countries are characterized by the aging of the residents (epidemiological transition) and the change of the disease patterns that are recognized in the population (epidemiological transition). In that sense, considering the cardiovascular diseases in the last few decades, a decline of mortality of acute, fatal conditions (stroke, myocardial infarction) is notable. All these factors contributed to the recognition of the importance of peripheral arterial disease and related problems in the aging popula­tion of the affected people. The high prevalence, the decline of quality of life associated with compromised lower limb circula­tion, the risk of the limb loss, the challenge of rehabilitation and the high mortality represent a significant and increasing burden to the healthcare. The review aims to analyse the relation of the aging population and peripheral arterial disease, addressing the aspects of epidemiology, diagnostics, and therapy. ]

[Menopause and pregnancy are especially vulnerable periods of women’s life regarding hypertension. The “Guidelines for the Management of Arterial Hypertension”, issued by the European Society of Hypertension and the European Society of Cardiology, dedicates a separate chapter to hypertension in women. The renewed guidelines of the Hungarian Society of Hypertension also pays a special attention to hypertension detected during pregnancy. In this article, the euthors review the topics of hypertension detected during menopause and pregnancy, discussing pathomechanism and therapy.]