[The prevalence of hypertension among pa­tients with chronic kidney disease is high, reaching more than 80%. Hypertension is both one of the main causes and also the most common consequence of chronic kidney disease. It is also a main factor responsible for the high cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in this patient population. Blood pressure control can improve patient outcomes, lower cardiovascular risk and slow down the progression of kidney dis­ease, irrespective of the underlying cause. The optimal therapy should therefore focus not only on blood pressure reduction but also on renoprotection. Basic understanding of the renal pathophysiology in hypertension and renal effects of various medications is of paramount importance. In this review, we summarized cornerstones of the antihypertensive therapy in patients with chronic kidney disease. The management of patients receiving kidney replacement therapies, such as hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis or transplanta­tion requires special knowledge and expe­rience, therefore it is not discussed here. The aim of this review was to allow non-nephrologist physicians to take care of their kidney patients with more confidence and effectiveness.]

[Cholesterol-lowering statins are the most tested medications in respect of the effects and side-effects. Based on these, we can safely claim that most of the negative opinions about cholesterol-lowering are not realistic. It is not a panacea, but it is proven that around a 30% of cardio- and cerebrovascular risk reducation can be achieved by their regular taking, while the incidence of side effects and risks are at least one order of magnitude lower in each patient groups. For cholesterol, there is no “normal” lab threshold or low level, only “target values”, since the mean value in the general population is high in regard of atherosclerosis (the values measured at birth and among natural people can be considered normal). Let us appreciate the cholesterol- lowering medications because we do not have a large armamentarium!]

[Mitochondrial diseases are a significant part of neuromuscular diseases. Majority of them is multisystemic disorder. The diagnosis can be established in more and more cases. Beyond the routine neurological examination imaging methods (MRI and MR-spectroscopy) and electrophysiology (EMG, ENG, EEG, evoked potential tests) might be helpful in setting the diagnosis. Raised blood lactate level supports the diagnosis. Muscle biopsy demonstrates mitochondrial abnormalities in the majority of cases. The positivity of genetic tests is low, because the amount of mitochondrial DNA alterations is different in tissues. Therefore other tissue than blood (mainly muscle) is necessary for genetic tests. The other reason is that the respiratory chain is under double -mitochondrial and nuclear - genetic control, and testing the nuclear genes are available only in selected laboratories. The treatment is limited, mainly symptomatic.]

[INTRODUCTION - One of the basic elements of cardiovascular prevention is lipid lowering therapy, the quality of which is indicated by the increasing rate of lipid target values achieved during recent years. Further improvement is needed and for this the enhancement of patient adherence to statin treatment is a possible way. PATIENTS AND METHODS - The prescription habits in 81 patients taking statins (41 atorvastatin and 40 rosuvastatin) from 392 randomly selected ones for another study were analysed from the database of general practitioner in the village called Méhkerék in Békés County, Hungary. RESULTS - The statin adherence of the patients was evaluated in two different ways: the estimation by the general practitioner and the determination of prescribed drug boxes during one year. There was no significant difference between the two methods. Similarly, no significant difference was found between the atorvastatin or rosuvastatin adherence. The reduction of total cholesterol was significantly greater in patients taking rosuvastatin (p=0.03). A significant correlation was found between the prescribed box numbers and the decrease of LDL- and total cholesterol. CONCLUSIONS - The patients’ adherence seems to be independent from the type of statin. For the evaluation of patient adherence the GP's simple estimation and determination of prescribed drug boxes during one year are equally appropriate. This suggests, that the GP would be able to select those patients whose education needs longer time. ]

[INTRODUCTION - In some cases of polymyositis/ dermatomyositis (PM/DM) of autoimmune origin, different malignant tumours can initiate the difficult cascade mechanisms at cell level leading to the rapid weakness of the skeletal muscles. Till now, in the international literature only four cases of PM/DM associated with cancer of prostate has been reported. CASE REPORT - Authors present a case of a 57 yearold male patient, where weakness in patient's movements developed leading to total immobility in 3 months. Purple discoloration developed on his hand and face. Significantly elevated creatin kinase (CK) levels and blood sediment rate with mild anaemia were observed during laboratory examinations. Dysphagia and lack of appetite resulted in the loss 10 kgs in body weight. Both clinical evaluation, elevated serum CK level, skin symptomes, positive electromyography and muscle biopsy confirmed acute definitive dermatomyositis. Urological examination revealed a palpable hard area at the right lobe of the prostate. Prostate biopsy confirmed the presence of carcinoma in the right lobe of the prostate. There was no sign or symptome referring to either local propagation or distant manifestation. Therefore, radical prostatectomy was performed, the tumorous prostate and both seminal vesicles were removed. Histological examination proved malignant focus in the right lobe of the prostate. After the operation patient gradually became stronger, corticosteroid medication were decreased then stopped. Patient's original muscle power and movement recovered and his previous body weight was regained. During the regular control examinations all results of laboratory tests are in normal range. CONCLUSION - In the background of some autoimmune diseases malignant tumours can be revealed. It is rare when urological neoplasms initiative the process. In men with PM/DM commencing beyond 50 years of age it is necessary to think of the presence of prostate cancer, which can be cured by performing radical operation in appropriate time.]