Association of vitamin D status with disease severity and outcome in Indian patients with IgA nephropathy.

BACKGROUND: Vitamin D deficiency has been examined as a risk factor for severity and progression of kidney disease due to its immunomodulatory effects. There is paucity of data about its impact in IgA nephropathy (IgAN). METHODS: In a retrospective cohort study, 25 (OH) vitamin D assay was performed in bio-banked baseline serum samples collected during kidney biopsy of 105 adult patients with primary IgAN diagnosed between 2015 and 2019. A level of < 10 ng/mL was defined as Vitamin D deficiency. RESULTS: Mean age of patients was 34 ± 10.6 years, 69.5% were males. Mean baseline 25(OH) Vitamin D levels was 15.9 ± 11.9 ng/mL and 41(39%) patients had vitamin D deficiency. Serum albumin level was lower in vitamin D deficient patients compared to those who had higher vitamin D levels (3.7 ± 0.9 vs 4.1 ± 0.7 g/dl, p = 0.018)but there was no significant difference in baseline proteinuria and eGFR. Crescentic lesions were more frequent in vitamin D deficient group (19.5% vs 6.3%, p = 0.022). At median follow up of 21.5 months (6 - 56 months), there was no difference in remission (68.3% vs 65.6%, p = 0.777) and disease progression (12.5% vs 9.4%, p = 0.614) in those with and without Vitamin D deficiency respectively. On multivariate cox proportional hazard analysis, vitamin D deficiency was not a significant risk factor for renal survival (HR-1.79, 95% confidence interval:0.50-6.34, p = 0.368). CONCLUSION: There was no association between vitamin D deficiency and disease profile as well as renal outcome in Indian patients with IgAN.

Metabolic acidosis in the initial 6 months after renal transplantation: A prospective study.

BACKGROUND: There is limited information about the incidence of metabolic acidosis (MA) after renal transplantation. This single centre prospective study aimed to delineate the incidence and risk factors of MA in the first 6 months after renal transplantation (RTX). DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS AND MEASUREMENTS: Patients who underwent RTX between November 2018 and July 2020 were monitored with weekly measurement of serum bicarbonate level for 6 months and those who were diagnosed with MA were evaluated further to characterize the type of MA. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty-five patients were included in the study, 89 (71.2%) of whom developed MA. Seventy-two patients developed MA in the first month, 11 during the 2-3 months and 6 between 4 and 6 months after transplantation. Of the 89 patients, 55(61.8%) had type 1 renal tubular acidosis (T1RTA), 27 (30.3%) had type 2 RTA (T2RTA) and 7 (7.9%) type 4 RTA (T4RTA). Two patient who had T1RTA, subsequently developed high anion gap MA following severe graft rejection. On stepwise multivariate regression analysis, serum creatinine at time of diagnosis of MA [OR (95% CI): 12.02 (1.79 to 80.59), p = .01] and high tacrolimus C0 levels [OR (95% CI): 2.43 (1.0 to 5.90), p = .049], were independent risk factors for MA. CONCLUSION: There is a high incidence of MA in the initial 6 months post-transplant with serum creatinine and high tacrolimus C0 levels being independent risk factors.

Pulmonary infections after renal transplantation: a prospective study from a tropical country.

Pulmonary infection is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in renal transplant recipients. In a prospective study, we characterized their epidemiology in a tropical country with high infectious disease burden. Adult renal transplant recipients presenting with pulmonary infections from 2015 to 2017 were evaluated using a specific diagnostic algorithm. 102 pulmonary infections occurred in 88 patients. 32.3% infections presented in the first year, 31.4% between 1 and 5, and 36.3% beyond 5 years after transplantation. Microbiological diagnosis was established in 69.6%, and 102 microorganisms were identified. Bacterial infection (29.4%) was most common followed by tuberculosis (23.5%), fungal (20.6%), Pneumocystis jiroveci (10.8%), viral (8.8%), and nocardial (6.9%) infections. Tuberculosis(TB) and bacterial infections presented throughout the post-transplant period, while Pneumocystis (72.7%), cytomegalovirus (87.5%) and nocardia (85.7%) predominantly presented after >12 months. Fungal infections had a bimodal presentation, between 2 and 6 months (33.3%) and after 12 months (66.7%). Four patients had multi-drug resistant(MDR) TB. In 16.7% cases, plain radiograph was normal and infection was diagnosed by a computed tomography imaging. Mortality due to pulmonary infections was 22.7%. On multivariate Cox regression analysis, use of ATG (HR-2.39, 95% CI: 1.20-4.78, P = 0.013), fungal infection (HR-2.14, 95% CI: 1.19-3.84, P = 0.011) and need for mechanical ventilation (9.68, 95% CI: 1.34-69.82, P = 0.024) were significant predictors of mortality in our patients. To conclude, community-acquired and endemic pulmonary infections predominate with no specific timeline and opportunistic infections usually present late. Nocardiosis and MDR-TB are emerging challenges.

Multilocus Sequence Typing of Clinical Isolates of Cryptococcus from India.

Cryptococcosis is a life-threatening infection caused by Cryptococcus neoformans and C. gattii species complex. In the present study, to understand the molecular epidemiology of 208 clinical isolates of Cryptococcus from different parts of India, multilocus sequence typing (MLST) using ISHAM MLST consensus scheme for C. neoformans/C. gattii species complex was used. MLST analysis yielded a total of 10 Sequence Types (STs)-7 STs for C. neoformans and 3 for C. gattii species complex. The majority of isolates identified as C. neoformans belonged to molecular type VNI with predominant STs 31 and 93. Only 3 isolates of C. gattii species complex were obtained, belonging to ST58 and ST215 of VGI and ST69 of VGIV. Phylogenetic analysis revealed less diversity among the clinical Indian isolates compared to the global MLST database. No association between prevalent STs and HIV status, geographical origin or minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) could be established.

Spectrum of biopsy-proven renal disease in northern India: A single-centre study.

AIM: Pattern of kidney diseases varies across geographies due to multiple factors. There is a paucity of information from South Asia due to the absence of nationwide/regional biopsy registries. This study aimed to delineate the spectrum of renal parenchymal diseases in our region. METHODS: Records of kidney biopsies done in our nephrology department between 2006 and 2016 were analysed. Clinico-pathological correlation was done from the available records. RESULTS: Of the 3275 biopsy evaluated, 61.9% were males, and mean age was 33.2 ± 14.2 years. 6.2% patients were elderly (age ≥ 60 years). Nephrotic syndrome (60.3%) was the commonest indication for biopsy. On histology, 73.0% patients had primary glomerulonephritis (GN), 15.5% secondary GN, 5.3% tubulo-interstitial and 3.7% vascular disease. Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) was the commonest primary GN accounting for 18.2% of all GNs, followed by minimal change disease (16.8%), membranous nephropathy (MN) (16.0%) and IgA nephropathy (10.4%). Lupus nephritis (10.6%) and amyloidosis (3.7%) were the commonest secondary GN. The commonest cause of nephrotic syndrome was minimal change disease (22.9%), acute nephritic syndrome was lupus nephritis (30.6%), rapidly progressive renal failure was pauci-immune crescentic GN (24.5%). IgA nephropathy was the commonest etiology of asymptomatic urinary abnormalities (26.3%) and gross haematuria (50%). About 60.9% patients of undetermined chronic kidney disease had glomerular diseases, and 13.6% had chronic tubulointerstitial nephritis. Lupus nephritis and acute cortical necrosis were significantly more common in females compared with males. CONCLUSION: This is one of the largest cohorts of kidney biopsies from India, and it delineates the unique features and differences in the pattern of kidney disease in our population.

Infection is the chief cause of mortality and non-death censored graft loss in the first year after renal transplantation in a resource limited population: A single centre study.

AIM: Few studies have assessed the impact of infections after renal transplantation (RTX) in low and middle income countries. This single centre study aimed to delineate the profile and impact of infections requiring hospitalization (IRH) occurring in the first year after RTX in India. METHOD: Patients who underwent RTX between July 2012 and June 2015 were followed up for 12 months after transplantation. RESULTS: 60.2% of the 387 patients studied had at least one IRH and total 492 infections were diagnosed. The most common were urinary tract (30.3%), gastrointestinal (17.1%) and pulmonary (11.2%) infections. Viral aetiology (33.3%) was most frequent, followed by bacterial (23.6%), parasitic (5.1%), tuberculosis (4.5%), and fungal infections (3.9%). 86.4% deaths were due to infections. One year patient and graft survival were inferior among recipients with IRH compared to those with no IRH: 91.8% vs. 98.1% (log rank = 0.010) and 90.1% vs. 97.4% (log rank = 0.006) respectively. Average monthly income per family member <5000 Rupees (75 USD), NODAT, and acute rejection were independent risk factors for IRH. CONCLUSION: The profile of IRH is unique involving opportunistic, community-acquired and endemic infections seen in this country. It is the predominant cause of mortality and graft loss in the first year after RTX. Poor economic status is an important determinant of IRH in our population.

Dengue fever in renal allograft recipients: Clinical course and outcome.

BACKGROUND: There are annual outbreaks of dengue infection in tropical and subtropical countries. This retrospective study aimed to assess the clinical manifestation of dengue and outcome in renal transplant recipients. METHODS: Renal transplant recipients diagnosed with dengue in the nephrology department during the outbreak from August 2015 to December 2015 were included in the study. RESULTS: Twenty patients developed dengue presenting during the outbreak. Mean age was 31.9 ± 8.8 years and all were males. Two patients had severe dengue (dengue hemorrhagic fever, dengue shock syndrome). Clinical presentation included febrile illness (95%), myalgia (65%), headache (30%), retro-orbital pain (10%), and mucocutaneous bleeding manifestations (10%). Three (15%) had third space fluid accumulation and 2 (10%) had hypotension. Ninety percent patients had thrombocytopenia, with 4 requiring platelet transfusion. Leucopenia (WBC < 4000/mm3 ) developed in 50% patients. About 60% had transient transaminitis. One patient with severed dengue expired and 1 recovered with IV immunoglobulin therapy. About 40% patients had rise in serum creatinine, with complete recovery in all patients. CONCLUSION: Clinical manifestations of dengue infection in renal transplant recipients were similar to that in general population. However, leucopenia necessitating temporary withdrawal of immunosuppression was common. Renal dysfunction was frequent but completely reversible.

Impact of estimated glomerular filtration rate on diabetic macular edema.

PURPOSE: Diabetic macular edema (DME) is a major cause of visual impairment in patients with diabetes and is influenced by various systemic factors. This study evaluates the effect of renal status on DME using estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) as a study marker. METHODS: This was a prospective observational cross-sectional study. One hundred and ninety-five patients of diabetic retinopathy (DR) were included. Group 1 had patients of DR without DME (n = 100), and group 2 had patients of DR with DME (n = 95). All patients were evaluated for DR/DME-related risk factors. eGFR was calculated in all patients. Spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SDOCT) was done to identify the various patterns and severity of DME. RESULTS: Group 2 patients had significantly higher comorbidities than those in group 1 (p < 0.001). Hba1c, total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL/HDL ratio, systolic and diastolic blood pressures were significantly higher in group II (p < 0.001 in each). There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of blood urea, serum creatinine or eGFR. eGFR did not show a significant association with a specific SDOCT pattern or severity of DME. CONCLUSION: Comorbidities are more common and more severe in patients with DME. However, eGFR as a marker was not useful in predicting either the severity or pattern of DME. eGFR, in its present form, may not be useful in the evaluation and management of patients with DME.

Impact of type of calcineurin inhibitor on post-transplant tuberculosis: Single-center study from India.

INTRODUCTION: Tuberculosis (TB) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in renal transplant recipients. Immunosuppressive drugs are one of the most important risk factor for post-transplant tuberculosis (PTTB). A paucity of data exists about the impact of the type of calcineurin inhibitor on PTTB. METHODS: In this retrospective study, all adult patients on calcineurin inhibitor-based immunosuppression were included. Patients receiving TB chemoprophylaxis were excluded. Diabetes, duration of dialysis, hepatitis B and C, past treated TB, induction therapy, type of antimetabolite, acute rejection, new onset of diabetes after renal transplantation (RT) (NODAT) and cytomegalovirus (CMV) were analyzed in tacrolimus (Tac) and cyclosporine (CsA) groups. Primary outcome was incidence of TB and secondary outcomes were timeline of development of TB after RT and pattern of TB in the two groups. RESULTS: Of the 1664 patients included, 582 patients received CsA-based immunosuppression while 1082 received Tac-based immunosuppression. Duration of dialysis, positive tuberculin skin test, use of induction, mycophenolate mofetil use, CMV infection, and NODAT were significantly more, and hepatitis B infection, past treated TB, and acute rejection episodes were significantly less in the Tac group. At the end of follow-up, incidence of TB in the Tac group was significantly less than in the CsA group (6.1% vs 19.9%, P<.001). Mean time for development of TB after RT was similar in both the groups and nodal and disseminated TB were more common in the Tac group. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, our study shows that use of Tac as compared to CsA significantly decreases incidence of PTTB. Time of infection since transplant was similar in both the groups. However, nodal and disseminated TB were more common in the Tac group.

BK polyomavirus infection after renal transplantation: Surveillance in a resource-challenged setting.

BACKGROUND: There is a paucity of data available about BK polyomavirus (BKPyV) infection after renal transplantation (RTX) in resource-limited countries with a predominantly living-donor, ABO-compatible RTX program. We aimed to assess BKPyV infection in such patients in a public hospital in India. METHODS: We prospectively evaluated plasma BKPyV replication in 62 patients at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after RTX. Sustained significant BK viremia (SSBKV) was defined as significant viremia (≥10 000 copies/mL) detected ≥2 times, and BKPyV-associated nephropathy (BKVAN) as histologic changes of BKVAN with BK viremia with/without graft dysfunction. RESULTS: All patients underwent RTX without requiring desensitization. Incidence of BK viremia was: 17.7%, 41.9%, 16.1%, 25.8%, and 17.7% at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months, respectively. Of 62 patients, 64.5% had BKPyV viremia during the study, 32.2% had significant viremia, all except one detected in the first 6 months. Nine (14.5%) patients had SSBKV. There was no biopsy-proven BKVAN. At the end of 1 year, mean serum creatinine was higher and graft dysfunction was significantly more common in patients with SSBKV compared to those without SSBKV. CONCLUSION: Transient BK viremia is common in low/intermediate immunologic risk RTX recipients in India, with a peak occurring at 3-6 months. Most clear their viremia by 12 months. Graft dysfunction seems to be more frequent in patients with SSBKV, although BKVAN is uncommon on biopsy in these patients.

Association of impaired baroreflex sensitivity and increased arterial stiffness in peritoneal dialysis patients.

BACKGROUND: Peritoneal dialysis patients have high cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The underlying mechanism of cardiovascular dysfunction remains unclear. Large arterial stiffness in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients leads to increase in pulse wave velocity (PWV) and decrease in baroreflex sensitivity (BRS). Impairment in baroreflex function could be attributed to the alteration in mechanical properties of large vessels due to arterial remodeling observed in these patients. The present study was designed to study the association of BRS and PWV in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. METHODS: 42 CKD patients (21--without dialysis and 21--on PD) and 25 healthy controls were recruited in this study. BRS was determined by spontaneous sequence method. Short-term heart rate variability (HRV) and blood pressure variability (BPV) were assessed using power spectrum analysis of RR intervals and systolic blood pressure by time domain and frequency domain analysis. Arterial stiffness indices were assessed by carotid-femoral PWV using Sphygmocor Vx device (AtCor Medical, Australia). RESULTS: CKD patients had significantly high PWV and low BRS as compared to healthy controls. PWV had a significant negative correlation with BRS in CKD patients (Spearman r = -0.7049, P < 0.0001; BRS-Systolic BP). On subgroup analysis, PWV was higher with lower BRS in CKD patients on peritoneal dialysis (CKD-PD) as compared to those not on dialysis (CKD-ND). Negative relationship between PWV and BRS was found in both the groups. In addition, BRS was found to have a positive correlation with HRV in CKD patients as well as both the subgroups. CONCLUSION: Reduction in BRS is strongly associated with increase in PWV in PD patients. Large arterial stiffness probably explains this simultaneous impairment in baroreflex functioning and increase in pulse wave velocity observed in these patients. CKD patients are characterized by poor hemodynamic profile (low BRS, high PWV, and low HRV), and peritoneal dialysis patients had further worsened profile as compared to non-dialysis group.

Clinical and histopathologic profile of patients with primary IgA nephropathy seen in a tertiary hospital in India.

BACKGROUND: IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is known to have an aggressive course in Asians. There is a paucity of data regarding the Oxford classification pattern of Indian patients with IgAN. This study aims to characterize the clinical and histopathologic profile of these patients. METHODS: All patients diagnosed to have primary IgAN by kidney biopsy in the nephrology department from July 2009 to July 2014 were included in this study. All kidney biopsies were reviewed and the MEST score was assigned as per the Oxford classification. The clinical features and Oxford classification score of patients were characterized. RESULTS: Nephrotic range proteinuria (NRP) (65/103, 63.1%) with or without edema was the commonest presentation. 67.0% patients had eGFR ≥ 60 mL/min and 16.5% patients had eGFR < 30 mL/min. Of the 103 patients, 80 (77.7%) had M1, 10 (9.7%) had E1, 45 (43.7%) had S1 and 41 (39.8%) had T1/T2 lesions by the Oxford criteria and 11 (10.7%) patients had crescents. 62 patients had eGFR ≥ 30 mL/min and follow up for at least 6 months (median -17.7 (6-65.1) months) of whom 52(83.9%) had received ACEi/ARBs and 38 (61.3%) had received immunosuppression. 11/62 (17.7%) patients developed renal worsening in this period of which 7 (11.3%) developed end stage kidney disease (ESKD). CONCLUSION: Indian patients with primary IgA nephropathy have a unique profile. They commonly present with nephrotic range proteinuria. A significant proportion of these patients have normal renal function despite heavy proteinuria. Mesangial proliferative lesions are predominant with a paucity of endocapillary proliferation and crescents compared to other Asian populations. Immunosuppressive use is more common in Indian patients.

Monoclonal gammopathy of renal significance with light-chain deposition disease diagnosed postrenal transplant: a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge.

Patients with light-chain deposition disease (LCDD) frequently do not meet criteria for myeloma. In such cases, despite low tumor burden, the circulating monoclonal immunoglobulins cause renal damage, are responsible for post-transplant recurrence, and are rightly categorized as monoclonal gammopathy of renal significance (MGRS) requiring chemotherapy. A 65-year male with uncharacterized nodular glomerulopathy presented with proteinuria 3 years postrenal transplant. His allograft biopsies were diagnostic of light-chain deposition disease (likely recurrent), and in the absence of myeloma, he was labeled as MGRS. Based on the limited literature available, he was treated with bortezomib which resulted in normalization of serum-free light-chain ratios and resolution of proteinuria. He, however, later succumbed to complications of chemotherapy. This case highlights the diagnostic difficulties in LCDD, the importance of an accurate pretransplant diagnosis, and treatment of the malignant clone, in the absence of which post-transplant management of recurrence is challenging with poor outcomes.

Prevalence of systemic co-morbidities in patients with various grades of diabetic retinopathy.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Though diabetes affects multiple organs, most studies highlight the occurence of only one complication in isolation. We conducted a hospital-based study to estimate the co-existence of significant systemic co-morbid conditions in patients with varying grades of diabetic retinopathy. METHODS: A total of 170 consecutive patients with diabetic retinopathy were prospectively recruited for the study between June 2009 to June 2010 at a tertiary care eye centre in north India. Retinopathy was graded by fundus biomicroscopy and fundus photography and classified into three categories (mild-moderate nonproliferative retinopathy, proliferative retinopathy requiring only laser and proliferative retinopathy requiring surgery). Nephropathy was classified by calculating the six variable estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) for all patients. Nerve conduction studies and clinical assessment were used to determine presence of neuropathy. Co-existence of macrovascular disease and peripheral vascular disease was also ascertained. RESULTS: The percentages of patients with overt nephropathy in the three groups were 19.2, 38.0 and 41.2, respectively. Significant linear trends were observed for serum creatinine (P=0.004), albumin (P=0.017) and eGFR (P=0.030). A higher per cent had abnormal nerve conduction on electrophysiology than that diagnosed clinically (65.4 vs. 44.2, 76.0 vs. 40.0 and 64.8 vs. 48.6, respectively). The odds ratio (95% CI) for co-existence of nephropathy, neuropathy, CVA (cerebrovascular accidents) and PVD (peripheral vascular disease) was 2.9, 0.9, 4.8 and 3.5, respectively. Independent of retinopathy severity, patients with clinically significant macular oedema (CSME) had a higher percentage of nephropathy ( p0 < 0.005). INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSIONS: The co-existence of overt nephropathy, nerve conduction based neuropathy and macrovascular co-morbidity in patients with early grades of diabetic retinopathy was significant. Screening for overt nephropathy by eGFR should be considered in all patients with clinically significant macular oedema.

Significance of genetic analysis in adult patients with inherited chronic kidney disease.

Genetic focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is an important but underestimated cause of inherited proteinuric chronic kidney disease (CKD) in adults. We discuss a case of familial CKD due to inverted formin 2 (INF2) gene mutation, where three siblings had disparate phenotypic presentations ranging from CKD with subnephrotic proteinuria to nephrotic-range proteinuria with collapsing FSGS on kidney biopsy over a period of 8 years. The youngest sibling was the index case. The family agreed to undergo genetic testing only after two more siblings were diagnosed with kidney disease. This case highlights how clinical heterogeneity, absence of family history in the index case, initial lack of specific biopsy-proven diagnosis and reluctance to undergo genetic testing can delay the diagnosis of genetic kidney disease in adults.

The burden of chronic kidney disease of undetermined etiology (CKDu) in a tertiary care public hospital in north India.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic kidney disease of undetermined aetiology (CKDu) is an important public health problem. Indian data is mostly based on studies from rural regions in south and eastern India. We examined the burden and profile of CKDu in patients attending a tertiary care hospital in north India. METHODS: We assessed records of consecutive new CKD patients registered in nephrology clinic from January 2015 till June 2022. Patients were classified as CKDu based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Clinical and laboratory parameters at presentation and kidney biopsy when done were noted. RESULTS: Records of 32369 patients with CKD were screened, 29663 were included (2706 excluded due to inadequate data). 370 (1.2%) patients were categorized as CKDu. Mean age was 41±14.7 years, 58.1% being males. 158 (42.7%) patients were in CKD stage 3, 89 (24.1%) in stage 4, 84(22.7%) in stage 5 and 39(10.5%) were dialysis dependent at presentation. 232(62.7%) patients had proteinuria <0.5gm/day and 138(37.3%) between 0.5-1 gm/day. Renal histology was available for 65 CKDu patients :62 had chronic tubulointerstitial nephritis (CTIN) and 3 had non-specific changes. CONCLUSION: When defined using strict criteria with intensive diagnostic work-up, burden of CKDu is low in our hospital-based cohort of CKD patients. CTIN is the predominant histopathological finding in kidney biopsy.

Renal transplantation normalizes baroreflex sensitivity through improvement in central arterial stiffness.

BACKGROUND: In end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients, the most common cause of mortality and morbidity are cardiovascular events. This could be attributed to the impaired baroreflex function observed in this group of patients. The effect of renal transplantation (RT) on the baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) in ESRD patients has been inadequately addressed. Therefore, we investigated baroreflex function and its relation to arterial stiffness indices and cardiovascular variability parameters (heart rate and blood pressure variability--HRV and BPV) in ESRD patients before and after transplantation to decipher the underlying mechanism of attenuated BRS in ESRD patients. METHODS: We studied 23 ESRD patients (mean age; 36 years) prospectively before and at 3 and 6 months after RT. Baroreflex function was determined by spontaneous method (sequence and spectral indices). Short-term HRV and BPV were assessed using power spectrum analysis of RR intervals and systolic blood pressure by frequency domain analysis. Arterial stiffness indices were assessed by carotid-femoral pulse-wave velocity (PWV), augmentation index (AI) and central pulse pressure using Sphygmocor Vx device (AtCor Medical, Australia). RESULTS: RT was associated with the normalization of BRS by 6 months. Arterial stiffness indices, such as AI and central pulse pressure, showed a significant reduction as early as 3 months after RT. PWV and frequency domain measures of HRV after RT did not show statistically significant changes except the LF/HF ratio which had a significant increase at 6 months when compared with baseline. Systolic BPV total power showed a significant reduction by 3 months after RT. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that RT normalizes BRS in ESRD patients by 6 months which follows the improvement in the AI and central pulse pressure.