Journal of Nursing Theory and Practice

APRIL 30, 2020

[The Effectiveness of Pain Control in Cancer]

BÖGYÖS Dorina Viola, KIRÁLY Edit

[Introduction: Cancer diseases pose a serious public health issue nowadays, as they are among the leading causes of death. As today it is possible to live with this disease for a long time, the quality of life, which is greatly affected by pain, becomes a very important factor. Objective: The purpose of the research is to investigate and explore potential existing problems in the field of cancer pain relief in Hungary and to propose solutions to these problems. In our questionnaire survey, we asked patients suffering from tumors who were in pain and living their lives at home. The research was an anonymous cross-sectional study using descriptive and comparative statistical methods. The average age of respondents was 55 and most of them were women. Answers showed that primary tumors appear mostly in breasts (n=25) or the lungs (n=13). Metastasis developed by almost 30% of the patients. 42% of the respondents experienced severe pain (VAS ≥7 point), which they estimated to last for 1-2 (n=40) or rather 4-5 hours daily (n=30). Almost two third of the respondents were using products containing NSAID (n=64). The number of mild (n=18) versus strong painkiller (n=15) users were almost equal. There was a significant difference between groups of patients experiencing “mild-medium” (p=0,01) versus “mild-strong” pains (p=0,004) due to the usage of medication containing stronger opioids. From this revealed that individuals with greater pain used potent analgetics. More than half of the patients use some sort of sleep or relax aid as a supplement to their medication. Patients with metastasis (n=28) use strong (n=7) as well as mild analgesics (n=10) in greater numbers than those without metastasis. The results reveal that in Hungary, relatively few patients with cancer diseases use strong opioid-containing drugs despite of the fact that their pains are severe. Therefore, a nearly precise estimate of pain levels would be important. Fear of side effects is often unjustified and cannot limit the choice of appropriate therapy. ]

HUN 2020;33(2)

Hypertension and nephrology

DECEMBER 19, 2020

[Possibility of ARNI (angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitor) treatment in hypertension]

KÉKES Ede

[The natriuretic peptide (NP) is an important endocrine, autocrine and paracrine system that is in constant interaction with RAAS and the sympathetic nervous system in order to ensure a continuous cardio-renal homeostasis. In abnormal conditions – if the pressure/volume load develops in the heart or there are some disorder in the vascular tone or in sodium-water balance, the NP system triggers the body’s defense mechanism. The neutral endopeptidase (NEP) inactivates the vasodilator NPs, bradykinin and vasoconstrictor angiotensin II and endothelin I as well. From this knowledge, the idea that inhibition of the effect of NEP (NEPg) offers a potentially beneficial option in the treatment of heart failure and hypertension was initiated, only the stimulatory effect of angiotensin II needs to be blocked. After a lengthy search, they arrived at a dualacting molecule with a beneficial effect of NEP inhibition (secubitrile) and the angiotensin II AT1 receptor antagonist valsartan (ARNI). Several clinical studies have shown that ARNI alone and in combination with other antihypertensive agents significantly reduces SBP and DBP in hypertensive patients. Its effect is also present in isolated systolic hypertension and in chronic kidney disease with high risk. Do not administer with an ACE inhibitor. Based on clinical experience to date, there is a logic expectation that ARNI will also be classified as a useful antihypertensive agent in the near future.]

HUN 2020;24(6)

Lege Artis Medicinae

DECEMBER 21, 2020

[The metamizole]

DUMELE Andreea

[Metamizole in use for almost 100 years, is reviving in our days since it has proved its efficiency and gained popularity during the past years. By its special triple effect (analgesic, antipyretic and spasmolytic) it has a wide range of indications. Among the non-opioid analgesics it is one of the most powerful painkillers. Metamizole is a prodrug, since it transforms into active metabolites within the human body. Its action mechanism is complex, not completely understood so far. Contrasted to classic non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, metamizole has low anti-inflammatory effect. Its severe, but very rare side effect – i.e. the agranulocytosis - hindered its administration for years and even today it is under intense discussions. Based on international studies, it proved to be a well tolerable, safe medication. Its side effect profile differs from non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, thus in NSAID contraindications it provides an excellent alternative. Its good water solubility makes metamizole suitable for both oral and parenteral administration. For its efficiency and good safety profile, metamizole has been correctly reintroduced to the supply of over-the-counter painkillers in our country.]

HUN 2020;30(12)

Journal of Nursing Theory and Practice

DECEMBER 30, 2019

[Nutritional changes in the elderly]

NAGY-LŐRINCZ Zsuzsanna, ZÁMBÓ Leonóra, MARGARITOVITS Tijana, VARGA-NAGY Veronika, VARGA Anita, ZENTAI Andrea

[Since population ageing is one of the greatest problem of our time, we should aim not only to increase life expectancy but also healthy life years. Ageing is considered to be a normal biological process that can be characterized by the decline of body functions contributing to the age-related changes in nutrition as well. Although the process is not necessarily accompanied by pathological conditions (such as malnutrition, dehydration, obstipation, cognitive deterioration, fragility, polypharmacy), the evolving physiological changes undoubtedly increase the susceptibility to diseases and accidents. Elderly care should be adapted to the evolving changes, and should meet the person’s specific needs. ]

HUN 2019;32(6)

Journal of Nursing Theory and Practice

DECEMBER 30, 2019

[Health awareness among nurses]

SZALÓCZY Nóra, VINGENDER István

[The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the dietary habits and health behaviors of nurses studying in SE-ETK. The study describes in a descriptive/informative manner the main characteristics of the target group mentioned above. In our research, and in our conclusions drawn and deduced from it, we sought answers to questions that have been addressed in the literature from other approaches so far. Our own research focused on nurses’ dietary habits and their health awareness. To explore whether occupational harm can only be considered, or whether the links here are much deeper and more complex. Based on the data, we can say that their theoretical knowledge of healthy eating is more complete, but in practice, their health awareness/behavior is not. Their answers to our eating and sports questions have an inverse relationship with their BMI data. This is probably because their workplace conditions (shifts) do not allow their health awareness to develop. ]

HUN 2019;32(6)

Hypertension and nephrology

NOVEMBER 04, 2020

[Hypertension and Covid-19 - part II.]

SZÉKÁCS Béla, KÉKES Ede, NAGY Judit, KOVÁCS Tibor

[The authors review those components and mechanisms in the two major regulatory systems of circulation and inflammation-coagulation whose internal balance and interactions are pathologically altered during SARS-CoV-2 infection, thereby enhancing lung and systemic inflammation threatening to enter into severe clinical condition. They examine the question of how – in addition to potentially promoting the coronavirus cellular entry and penetration – the RAS inhibitor therapy affects these changes and whether can be supposed difference between the anti-/pro-inflammatory influence of ACEi and ARB treatment of old hypertensive patients representing a remarkably high proportion of victims in COVID-19 epidemic. The paper is focussing to the pathomechanical background of inflammation beyond the direct immunological response to the infection: to the significance of immunological alterations characterizing old hypertensive patients also in basic condition, and to the key components as angiotensin II, ACE2, angiotensin1-7, bradykinin, ARB and ACEi. In conclusion a consideration on optimal point of action is offered in RASi treated and SARS-CoV-2 infected (old) hypertensive patients.]

HUN 2020;24(5)