The changing trends of peritoneal dialysis related peritonitis and novel risk factors.

AIM: Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (PD) has become a treatment modality for end stage renal disease with a peak of its use in 1990 s. The aim of this study was to examine the peritonitis rates, causative organisms and the risk factors of peritonitis in a large group of patients in our center. METHODS: The study was conducted in the Nephrology Department of a University Hospital in Turkey. Patients in the PD programme between January 2000 and January 2006 were included. Cohort-specific and subject specific peritonitis incidence, and peritonitis-free survival were calculated. Causative organisms and risk factors were evaluated. RESULTS: Totally 620 episodes of peritonitis occurred in 440 patients over the six years period. Peritonitis rates showed a decreasing trend through the years (0.79 episodes/patient-year 2000-2003 and 0.46 episodes/patient-year 2003-2006). Cohort-specific peritonitis incidence was 0.62 episodes/patient-years and median subject-specific peritonitis incidence was 0.44 episodes/patient-years. The median peritonitis-free survival was 15.25 months (%95 CI, 9.45-21.06 months). The proportion of gram-negative organisms has increased from 9.8% to 17.3%. There was a significant difference in the percentage of culture negative peritonitis between the first three and the last three years (53.1% vs. 43.2%, respectively). Peritonitis incidence was higher in patients who had been transferred from HD, who had catheter related infection and who had HCV infection without cirrhosis. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed significant trends in the peritonitis rates, causative organisms and antibiotic resistance. Prior HD therapy, catheter related infections and HCV infection were found to be risk factors for peritonitis.

Endothelial nitric oxide synthase polymorphism influences renal allograft outcome.

BACKGROUND: Atherosclerotic lesions within the graft are considered to be a major cause of interstitial fibrosis/tubular atrophy (IF/TA). We evaluated the factors that influence the development of IF/TA and three- and five-yr graft survival including nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and angiotensin II type 1 and type 2 receptor gene polymorphism. METHODS: Seventy-one male and 35 female patients (age: 34.9 ± 11.2 yr) who underwent living-related renal transplantation were included. Angiotensin type 1 and type 2 receptor gene polymorphisms and eNOS intron 4 gene polymorphism were analyzed. The pre- and post-transplant laboratory data, patient characteristics, acute rejection episodes, and presence of IF/TA were evaluated. RESULTS: Patients with the bb allele of eNOS gene had a lower prevalence of post-transplant third year (12.6% and 38.5%, p = 0.005) and fifth year IF/TA (46.6% and 82.3%, p = 0.02) and a lower incidence of five-yr graft failure (35.4% and 55.6%, p < 0.005). The eNOS gene polymorphism was independent and was the most prominent factor associated with third and fifth year IF/TA (p = 0.01, RR: 29.72, and p = 0.03, RR: 4.1, respectively). No significant relationship existed when angiotensin II gene polymorphisms were considered. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that recipient eNOS gene polymorphism can predict IF/TA, and the presence of the bb allele is associated with better graft outcome.

Nondipping phenomenon and quality of life: are they related in essential hypertensive patients?

Hypertensive patients report lower general well-being, more severe psychological distress, poorer perceived health status, more physical symptoms, and functional disability when compared to normotensive patients. Nondipping of blood pressure (BP) is related to increased target organ damage in essential hypertension. However, the specific relationship between nocturnal nondipping and quality of life has not been extensively investigated. Patients with essential hypertension underwent the following procedures: anamnesis, office BP measurement, physical examination, routine biochemistry, and 24-hour ambulatory BP monitoring. To determine renal function, 24-hour urine specimens were collected. Quality of life was assessed by a short form of medical outcomes study (SF-36). Totally, 132 patients (male/female: 55/75) were included. Fifty-five of the patients were nondippers. The dippers and nondippers were not statistically different in terms of socio-demographic parameters. Dippers had higher physical functioning (P- 0.004), bodily pain (P- 0.008), and PCS (P - 0.003) than nondippers. PCS of SF-36 was independently associated with age (P - 0.029), body mass index (P - 0.022), presence of coronary artery disease (P - 0.01), gender (P - 0.009), and dipping phenomenon (P - 0.006). A mental component summary score of SF-36 was not associated with dipping phenomenon. Nocturnal nondipping, apart from having important prognostic implications for cardiovascular complications in essential hypertensive patients, is also related to quality of life, especially in its physical aspects.

Factors related to silent myocardial damage in hemodialysis patients.

BACKGROUND: Both traditional and non-traditional risk factors play a role for the development of cardiovascular disease in hemodialysis patients. However, a specific relationship between these risk factors and silent myocardial damage is unknown. METHODS: Demographic, anthropometric, clinical, and laboratory data were collected. Silent myocardial damage was defined by elevated cardiac troponin I values above cutoff values. RESULTS: In total, 113 hemodialysis patients were included. Cardiac troponin I concentrations were below cutoff value (<2.3 ng/mL) in 103 (91.2%) patients (Group 1), whereas 10 (8.8%) patients had elevated concentrations (Group 2). Group 1 patients had higher levels of hemoglobin (p = 0.002) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (p = 0.002) and lower C-reactive protein (p = 0.003) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (p = 0.005) levels, as well as less incidence of left ventricular hypertrophy (p = 0.045), when compared to Group 2 patients. Diabetes mellitus (Beta = +0.160, p = 0.021), left ventricular hypertrophy (Beta = +0.247, p < 0.0001), uncontrolled blood pressure (Beta = +0.170, p = 0.016), normalized protein equivalent of total nitrogen appearance (Beta = -0.230, p = 0.001), hemoglobin (Beta = -0.302, p < 0.0001), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (Beta = +0.506, p < 0.0001) were found to be independently associated with cardiac troponin I levels in multiple linear regression analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Both traditional and non-traditional risk factors are related with silent myocardial damage, which is considered to an antecedent of major cardiovascular events. Hemodialysis patients, even when asymptomatic, must be closely followed up for the presence of these risk factors.

Early assessment of renal resistance index and long-term renal function in renal transplant recipients.

BACKGROUND: The effect of the intrarenal arterial resistance index (RI) on long-term renal functions is not well known. We examined the predictive value of intrarenal RI on long-term allograft outcomes. METHODS: We retrospectively investigated 121 stable renal transplant recipients, followed for a mean of 63.21 +/- 19.9 months after renal transplant. Patients with complications during the first six months after transplant were not included. Color Doppler ultrasonography was done to calculate the intrarenal RI within the first four weeks after transplant. RESULTS: Older recipient age, high pulse pressure, active smoking, and proteinuria were associated with a higher intrarenal RI. Multivariate analyses revealed that renal RI and donor age were independent predictors of allograft outcome. Kaplan-Meier estimates of cumulative graft survival were significantly worse in patients who had an RI of 0.7 or more than they were in patients who had an RI of less than 0.7 (p = .005). Development of chronic allograft nephropathy (CAN) was significantly higher in patients who had an RI of 0.7 or more (p = .02). CONCLUSIONS: Renal RI determined within the first month after renal transplant predicts long-term allograft function and development of CAN in renal transplant recipients.

Determination of the impact of hepatitis C virus on insulin resistance and arterial stiffness in hemodialysis patients.

AIM: It has been shown that Hepatitis C virus (HCV) seropositivity and carotis artery plaque formation are independently correlated in the general population. Insulin resistance is also a risk factor for atherosclerosis. The association between HCV and type 2 diabetes mellitus is known. Determination of the impact of HCV on insulin resistance and arterial stiffness in hemodialysis patients would help to prevent related cardiovascular complications. METHODS: Thirty-seven HCV(+) and 30 HCV(-) HD patients were enrolled in this study. All patients were non-diabetic. Insulin resistance was assessed by "HOMA-IR." Arterial stiffness was measured by "stiffness index b" and "elastic modulus." RESULTS: In the HCV(+) group, there were 20 males and 17 females, while the HCV(-) group had 19 males and 11 females. The mean age was 43.4 +/- 16.7 years and 44.5 +/- 16.8 years, respectively. The HOMA-IR was 1.50 in HCV(+) group and 1.31 in HCV(-) group (p > 0.05). Stiffness index b and elastic modulus measurements revealed no difference between groups. In the HCV(+) group, arterial stiffness parameters were correlated with age, white blood cell, thrombocyte, total and LDL cholesterol, uric acid, mean arterial pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and HOMA-IR. There was no association between arterial stiffness and the above-mentioned parameters in the HCV(-) group. CONCLUSION: We found that there was no association of arterial stiffness in HCV(+) patients with insulin resistance. Further studies with larger patient groups and more sensitive methods of detecting HCV are needed. This study is the first in literature on this issue.

Is HOMA index a predictor of nocturnal nondipping in hypertensives with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus?

OBJECTIVE: Insulin resistance is involved in glucose intolerance, type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypertension. We aimed to analyze relationship between insulin resistance and nocturnal nondipping. METHODS: Patients underwent physical and biochemical evaluation, clinic and ambulatory blood pressure measurements. The homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) index was calculated. RESULTS: Ninety-six essential hypertensive patients, of whom 42 were dippers, with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus were included. Nighttime average heart rate and mean arterial pressure of nondippers were higher than dippers (P<0.0001 and 0.001). Nondippers had higher fasting plasma glucose, serum insulin levels and HOMA indices than dipper patients (P=0.006, <0.0001 and <0.0001). Ten dippers and 36 nondippers were insulin resistant (P<0.0001). Clinic (r=+0.22, P=0.031), daytime average (r=+0.27, P=0.007), nighttime average (r=+0.33, P=0.001), 24-h average systolic (r=+0.25, P=0.015) and nighttime average diastolic blood pressures (r=+0.31, P=0.002) were positively correlated with homeostasis model assessment index. Nighttime mean arterial pressure and heart rates (daytime, nighttime, 24-h average) showed positive correlation with homeostasis model assessment index. In multivariate analysis, high homeostasis model assessment index was associated with increased nondipping risk (odds ratio: 1.85, confidence interval: 1.24-2.76, P=0.003). After adjustment of several factors, average nighttime systolic (P<0.0001), diastolic (P<0.0001) and 24-h diastolic blood pressure (P=0.029) and heart rate (P=0.001) measurements of insulin resistant patients were higher than nonresistant patients. CONCLUSIONS: Insulin resistance is related with diurnal blood pressure variation. The HOMA index may be a predictor of nocturnal nondipping in patients with essential hypertension and newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene intron 4 (VNTR) polymorphism and vascular access graft thrombosis.

Vascular access thrombosis is a leading cause of vascular access failure in hemodialysis patients. Thrombosis is a multifactorial condition and genetic makeup can affect thrombosis risk. We conducted a study to investigate for possible associations between ecNOS gene intron 4 variable-number tandem repeat (VNTR) polymorphism and thrombosis of polytetrafluoroethylene hemodialysis arteriovenous access grafts (AVG) in Turkish patients. Fifty-five patients with end-stage renal disease who had AVGs implanted between 2000 and 2002 and 167 healthy individuals representing our healthy population were enrolled in this prospective study. Each subject provided a venous blood sample from which DNA was isolated, and polymerase chain reaction analysis was done to identify genotypes (aa, bb, ab) for ecNOS gene intron 4 VNTR polymorphism. All grafts were placed in brachioaxillary position. The subjects were divided into two groups based on duration of graft patency. The thrombosis group (Group I) comprised 26 patients who developed AVG thrombosis in the first 12 months after placement. The no-thrombosis group (Group II) comprised 29 patients whose grafts remained patient for at least 12 months. The frequency of the aa genotype in Group I was significantly higher than that in Group II (p = .005). At 6, 12, and 24 months, the primary patency rates for the AVGs in patients with the aa genotype were significantly lower than the corresponding rates for the bb and ab genotype groupings (p = .01, p = .01 and p = .04 for the three respective time points; Kaplan-Meier). ecNOS gene intron 4 VNTR polymorphism is linked with the pathogenesis of vascular access thrombosis in Turkish patients undergoing hemodialysis.

Effect of protein-energy malnutrition on erythropoietin requirement in maintenance hemodialysis patients.

Possible interactions between inflammatory and nutritional markers and their impact on recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) hyporesponsiveness are not well understood. We investigated the role of nutritional status in rHuEPO requirement in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients without evidence of inflammation. This cross-sectional study included 88 MHD patients. The associations between required rHuEPO dose and malnutrition-inflammation score (MIS) and several laboratory values known to be related to nutrition and/or inflammation were analyzed. Anthropometric measures including body mass index, triceps skinfold thickness, and midarm circumferences were also measured. Twenty-three patients with serum C-reactive protein levels >10 mg/L were excluded from the analysis. The remaining 65 patients (male/female, 41/24; age 49.1+/-11.4 years; dialysis duration 99.7+/-63.0 months) were studied. These patients had moderate malnutrition and the average MIS was 7.4 (range 3-17). The average weekly dose of administered rHuEPO was 69.1+/-63.1 U/kg. Malnutrition-inflammation score had a positive correlation with the serum concentration of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, whereas it had a negative correlation with anthropometric measures, total iron-binding capacity, prealbumin, phosphorus, creatinine, and triglyceride. According to Pearson's correlation analysis, significant relationships of increased MIS with increased required rHuEPO dose and rHuEPO responsiveness index (EPO divided by hematocrit) were observed (p=0.008, r=-0.326; p=0.017, r=-0.306, respectively). Recombinant human erythropoietin dose requirement is correlated with MIS and adverse nutritional status in MHD patients without evidence of inflammation. Further research should focus on reversing the undergoing microinflammation for a better outcome in dialysis patients.

Relationship of ENOS and RAS gene polymorphisms to initial peritoneal transport status in peritoneal dialysis patients.

BACKGROUND: Peritoneal membrane permeability is of major importance for adequate dialysis and fluid balance in peritoneal dialysis (PD) therapy. The peritoneal capillary endothelium plays a key role in peritoneal transport. Nitric oxide derived from endothelial cells is related to the maintenance of vascular permeability. We investigated the relationship between the endothelial nitric oxide synthase (ENOS) gene polymorphism, the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) gene polymorphisms, and initial peritoneal transport type in PD patients. METHODS: This study included 74 incident continuous ambulatory PD patients. The ENOS gene polymorphism was identified at the 4a/b variable number of tandem repeats in intron 4. Genetic polymorphisms of the renin-angiotensin system were performed for the angiotensin-converting enzyme I/D, angiotensinogen M235T, and angiotensin II type 1 receptor A1166C and type 2 receptor C3123A by polymerase chain reaction. Patients were divided into two groups according to the initial peritoneal equilibration test results performed within 3 months of PD therapy: group 1 consisted of high/high average transporters (n = 41), and group 2 consisted of low/low average transporters (n = 33). RESULTS: Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were similar between the two groups (p > 0.05). Group 1 had a significantly higher prevalence of the ENOS b/b genotype than group 2 (78% vs. 48.5%, p < 0.008). In contrast, group 2 had a significantly greater prevalence of the ENOS a/a+a/b genotype than group 1 (51.5% vs. 22%, p < 0.008). Genetic polymorphisms of the renin-angiotensin system were not associated with initial peritoneal transport type (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Modulation of the nitric oxide activity via the ENOS a/b polymorphism may have a considerable effect on the basal peritoneal permeability.

Acute renal failure due to mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis in a pregnant woman with primary Sjögren's syndrome.

The most common form of renal involvement in Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is tubulointerstitial nephritis. Renal dysfunction is usually mild and subclinical. Glomerulonephritis (GMN) is rare in patients with SS. We report a 28-year-old multigravida patient with primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) and associated manifestations, who presented with acute renal failure in the 20th week of her fifth pregnancy. The complaints and clinical findings, positive Schirmer's test, findings of dry eye on ophthalmologic examination, and the salivary gland biopsy were compatible with SS. The patient exhibited no other clinical or laboratory findings indicative of other collagenous disease and/or rheumatoid arthritis. She refused renal biopsy, hesitating for fear of fetal loss; thus, based on the clinical and laboratory findings indicating rapidly progressive GMN and vasculitis, prednisolone, plasmapheresis, and one dose of cyclophosphamide were administered during the pregnancy. Hemodialysis five times weekly was performed. At the 28th week of gestation, she underwent a cesarean section due to early rupture of membranes and fetal distress. A healthy male boy was delivered. The renal biopsy performed 2 weeks after labor revealed mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis. After the fourth cyclophosphamide treatment, her urinary output increased and she was discharged from the hemodialysis program. She remains in follow-up at our outpatient clinic free of hemodialysis for 4 months. This is the first report of mesangial proliferative GMN requiring dialysis in a pregnant pSS patient that has featured good maternal and fetal outcomes.

Reliability of mini nutritional assessment in hemodialysis compared with subjective global assessment.

Protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) is common in hemodialysis patients. Subjective Global Assesment (SGA) and Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) are two tools for monitoring PEM. Our aim was to determine reliability of MNA in detecting malnutrition in hemodialysis patients in comparison with SGA. The study population consisted of 137 patients with pure PEM with no signs of chronic inflammation. Nutritional statuses of patients were assessed concomitantly by SGA and MNA. Ninety-two patients were in SGA-A, 40 patients were in SGA-B, and 5 patients were in SGA-C. Forty-seven patients were in MNA-1, 77 patients were in MNA-2, and 13 patients were in MNA-3. Albumin (P = .0001), prealbumin (P = .0001), body mass index (P = .01), creatinine (P = .0001), and nPNA (P = .04) were statistically different between SGA groups. Creatinine (P = .001), blood urea nitrogen (P = .017), albumin (P = .001), prealbumin (P = .005), body mass index (P = .0001), and nPNA (P = .005) were statistically different between MNA groups. Fifty-two patients who had no evidence of malnutrition according to SGA were defined as having moderate malnutrition according to MNA. Seven patients who were in a state of moderate malnutrition determined by SGA were in good nutritional status according to MNA. SGA identified 8 patients as moderately malnourished; the same patients were defined as having severe malnutrition in MNA. Our results suggest that MNA might underestimate the nutritional status of hemodialysis patients who are not in an inflammatory state and may not be a reliable method for detecting moderate malnutrition when compared with SGA.

Effects of ACE gene polymorphism on vitamin D therapy according to parathyroid hormone level in patients on hemodialysis.

Medical management is still far from optimal in secondary hyperparathyroidism. This may be explained, at least in part, by genetic differences. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of genetic influences of angiotensinconverting enzyme (ACE) gene polymorphisms with response to vitamin D therapy among patients on hemodialysis (HD). Eighty-two patients (female/male, 34/48; mean age, 47.5+/-15.3 y; HD duration time, 76.6+/-33.2 mo) with endstage renal disease who were on maintenance HD were included in the study. Five-year retrospective demographic, clinical, laboratory, and treatment data (5-y cumulative doses of phosphate-binding drugs and oral and intravenous cumulative doses of active vitamin D) were retrieved from patients' hospital records. ACE gene polymorphisms of patients were documented and were used to group patients as follows: The insertion/deletion polymorphism group (I/D) consisted of (1) group non-DD (n=43), who had the DI or II allele, and (2) group DD (n=39), who had the DD allele. Patients with the DD allele (group DD) of ACE gene polymorphism had (1) significantly elevated mean 5-y intact parathyroid hormone levels when compared with the non-DD group (P=.009), and (2) significantly elevated oral and intravenous 5-y cumulative doses of vitamin D. Oral and intravenous 5-y cumulative doses of vitamin D used in group DD patients were significantly higher than those in group I patients (P=.038 and P=.037, respectively). Knowledge of genetic differences among patients on HD may be useful to the clinician in planning treatment strategy. ACE gene polymorphism may have an effect on hyperparathyroidism, as is seen in patients on HD. Patients from this group who have resistant hyperparathyroidism may be candidates for ACE inhibitor therapy.

Treatment of uremic pruritus with narrowband ultraviolet B phototherapy: an open pilot study.

We report the results of a pilot study of narrowband ultraviolet B phototherapy for the treatment of 20 patients with uremic pruritus. Ten patients completed the 6-week study period. A total of 8 patients were found to be responders. Of the remaining 10 patients who left the study before 6 weeks, 6 were satisfied with the response. In the follow-up period, 7 responders could be examined, and 3 were in remission 6 months after completing treatment. However, pruritus recurred in the remaining 4 responders. Narrowband ultraviolet B phototherapy may be an effective treatment for patients with uremic pruritus. Recurrence of pruritus, however, is a frequent problem.

Association of vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms with hypercalcemia in peritoneal dialysis patients.

BACKGROUND: Some polymorphisms at the human vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene locus may influence calcium and bone metabolism. We investigated the roles of the BsmI and TaqI VDR gene polymorphisms in the development of hypercalcemia in Turkish peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. METHODS: We enrolled 132 PD patients treated with dialysate containing 1.75 mmol/L calcium. Serum levels of calcium, phosphorus, albumin, and intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH), and the cumulative doses of calcium-based phosphate binders and calcitriol were recorded every 3 months. The VDR BsmI and TaqI genotypes were determined by polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: When the patients were categorized according to these VDR genotypes, serum levels of phosphorus and iPTH and cumulative doses of calcium-based phosphate binders and calcitriol were similar across groups. The corrected serum calcium levels tended to increase in the patients with BsmI non-BB (Bb + bb) variants, but were significantly decreased in the BB variants (9.9 +/- 0.7 vs 9.1 +/- 0.6 mg/dL, p < 0.05). Hypercalcemia appeared in 21.2% of the patients during the follow-up period. The hypercalcemic patients had a significantly higher prevalence of the BsmI non-BB genotype than the normocalcemic patients (85.7% vs 59.6%, p < 0.007). On the contrary, the serum calcium levels were not affected by the TaqI VDR gene polymorphism (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that the non-BB variants of the BsmI VDR gene polymorphism are associated with increased risk of developing hypercalcemia in PD patients.

Hepatic subcapsular steatosis as a complication associated with intraperitoneal insulin treatment in diabetic peritoneal dialysis patients.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate hepatic subcapsular steatosis (HSS) and its association with clinical parameters in nondiabetic continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients and in diabetic CAPD patients receiving intraperitoneal (IP) or subcutaneous (SC) insulin. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: A tertiary-care university hospital. PATIENTS: 28 CAPD patients (17 males and 11 females; mean age 53.5 +/- 14 years; mean CAPD duration 22.8 +/- 9 months) were included in the study. 14 patients had type II diabetes mellitus and 14 were nondiabetics. In the diabetic group, 8 patients were receiving IP insulin and 6 were receiving SC insulin. OUTCOME MEASURES: HSS was diagnosed on computed tomography without contrast administration. Other data collected were body mass index (BMI), weekly Kt/V, peritoneal equilibration test (PET) results, daily insulin dosage, duration of diabetes mellitus, duration of insulin treatment, dialysate glucose load, and serum findings for alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, albumin, and lipid profiles. RESULTS: HSS was detected in 5 of the 8 diabetics who were receiving IP insulin. None of the diabetics receiving SC insulin and none of the nondiabetic patients exhibited HSS. Daily insulin dosage [108 (95 - 108.5) vs 54 (36 - 72) U/day, p = 0.02], BMI [31 (30.5 - 36) vs 26.6 (26 - 30) kg/m2, p = 0.02], serum triglyceride level [194 (184 - 505) vs 69 (61 - 82) mg/dL, p = 0.04], and PET creatinine levels [D/P2 creat: 0.67 (0.54 - 0.74) vs 0.50 (0.50 - 0.56), p = 0.05; D/P4 creat: 0.75 (0.64 - 0.86) vs 0.60 (0.59 - 0.62), p = 0.02] were higher in diabetic patients receiving IP insulin who had HSS than in those who did not have HSS. PET glucose levels [D0/D2 glu: 0.40 (0.37 - 0.45) vs 0.50 (0.48 - 0.51), p = 0.03; D0/D4 glu: 0.36 (0.26 - 0.38) vs 0.44 (0.38 - 0.48), p = 0.04] were lower in diabetic patients receiving IP insulin who had HSS than in those who did not have HSS. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that IP insulin plays a more important role in the pathogenesis of HSS than glucose levels in diabetic CAPD patients. They also indicate that HSS is associated with higher daily insulin requirement, obesity, hypertriglyceridemia, and high peritoneal transport rate in diabetic CAPD patients receiving IP insulin.

Interdialytic weight gain is less with the Mediterranean type of diet in hemodialysis patients.

OBJECTIVE: Interdialytic weight gain is an important prognostic factor in dialysis patients. Different eating patterns may affect interdialytic weight gain. The goal was to assess the effect of the Mediterranean type of diet on interdialytic weight gain of chronic hemodialysis patients. DESIGN: This study had a cross-sectional design. SETTING: Four hospital-based satellite hemodialysis units in different cities in Turkey. PATIENTS: A total of 702 patients (279 women, 423 men; mean age, 47.8 +/- 15.5 years) were included in the study. They were grouped according to the hemodialysis centers: Alanya-Izmir (group 1, n = 194) and Ankara-Adana (group 2, n = 508). INTERVENTION: Group 1 patients were consuming a Mediterranean type of diet, whereas group 2 patients had a diet rich in protein and carbohydrates. All of the patients were under the same dialysis and treatment protocols. The demographic data, the medications, interdialytic weight gains, and laboratory data such as serum albumin, C-reactive protein, hemoglobin, hematocrit, serum iron binding capacity, ferritin, and parathyroid hormone during the last 3 months for each patient were recorded. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The interdialytic weight gain differences between the groups were compared using the Student t-test and the Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: When the two groups were compared according to age, sex, blood pressure, serum albumin, hematocrit, and parathyroid hormone levels, there was no statistically significant difference. Mean interdialytic weight gain for group 1 and group 2 was 2.47 +/- 0.94 kg and 3.08 +/- 0.94 kg, respectively (P < .001). When the two groups were compared according to their iron requirements, group 1 showed an increased requirement for doses of iron and erythropoietin (P < .001 and P < .001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: A Mediterranean-type diet, rich in seafood and vegetables, was associated with less interdialytic weight gain compared with a diet rich in protein and carbohydrates. Although all of our patients had the same diet education and treatment protocols, the geographic region and culture influenced their compliance to diet and their therapeutic outcomes.

Peritoneal transport status influence on atherosclerosis/inflammation in CAPD patients.

OBJECTIVE: Peritoneal transport status is one of the main determinants of dialysis adequacy and dialysis-related complications in end-stage renal disease patients receiving continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). In this study we aimed to investigate the relationship between peritoneal transport characteristics and known promoters of atherosclerosis in a group of patients receiving CAPD for a minimum of 36 months. DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS: We performed a cross-sectional study of a cohort of 84 patients with end-stage renal disease (37 men, 47 women; age, 44.0 +/- 15.7 years; dialysis duration, 40.3 +/- 8.1 months) who were receiving CAPD for minimum 36 months. Peritoneal transport characteristics were identified after a peritoneal equilibration test (PET) determined at the third month of CAPD using Dialysate/Plasma (D/P) reference values. Patients were classified according to one of four peritoneal transport types: high (H), high-average (HA), low-average (LA), and low (L). After PET, patients were grouped as high (H/HA group, n = 51) or low (L/LA group, n = 33) transporters. The patient groups' clinical and laboratory data before dialysis and after initiation of the CAPD were collected retrospectively. The patients' follow-up data were retrieved for the diagnosis of any atherosclerosis-related event after the initiation of CAPD. The following events were collected, including myocardial infarction, having been diagnosed as having coronary artery disease by angiography or myocardium scintigraphy, cerebrovascular accident, and development of clinically evident peripheral arterial disease. RESULTS: A comparison of follow-up data revealed that the H/HA transport characteristic was associated with lower albumin (P < .01), higher C-reactive protein (CRP) (P < .0001) levels, and higher recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) needs (P < .001) when compared with the L/LA type. During follow-up, 28 patients showed an atherosclerosis-related event. Twenty-two of these were in the H/HA group (43.1%), whereas only six were in the L/LA group (18.1%, P < .01). Reanalysis of 18 patients with atherosclerosis-related events and high CRP levels (> 10 mg/L) showed that 15 were in the H/HA and 3 were in the L/LA group. Sixty-eight percent of the H/HA patients with atherosclerosis and 50% of the L/LA patients with an atherosclerotic event also had chronic inflammation (P < .001). A Pearson correlation analysis showed that there was a positive correlation between D/P creatinine levels and 36-month mean CRP levels (r = 0.608, P < .0001), and a negative correlation between D/P creatinine levels and 36-month mean albumin levels (r = -0.299, P < .005). CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that the high transporter peritoneal membrane characteristic is a risk factor for inflammatory state in patients with end-stage renal disease. High-transporter patients are at an increased risk of atherosclerosis when compared with their low-transporter counterparts through chronic inflammation.

The role of microvascular injury on steroid and OKT3 response in renal allograft rejection.

BACKGROUND: The authors' aim is to understand the influence of human leukocyte antigen-DR positive microvascular (MV)-DR destruction on steroid and OKT3 response in acute rejection (AR). METHODS: Twenty of 40 patients had steroid-resistant AR (group 1) and received OKT3 treatment, and the other 20 patients had AR that responded to steroid treatment (group 2). A renal biopsy specimen was obtained from each subject during the AR episode. The degree of MV-DR destruction and the peritubular capillary (PTC) leukocyte infiltration were recorded in each case, using three-tiered scales. The follow-up biopsy specimens of all cases were evaluated for the development of interstitial fibrosis (IF). RESULTS: Seventy-eight percent of the cases with severe MV destruction and 45% of those with moderate MV destruction did not show response to steroid therapy, whereas 74% of the cases with mild MV destruction responded to steroid therapy. Group 1 patients showed higher frequencies of vascular rejection (80%) and high-grade PTC leukocyte infiltration (85%) than the group 2 cases (P<0.01 for both). Seventy percent of the patients in group 1 responded to OKT3 therapy. The biopsy specimens from the six individuals who were resistant to OKT3 had shown severe MV destruction, vascular rejection, and high-grade PTC leukocyte infiltration. Severity of MV destruction in the initial AR diagnostic biopsy was positively correlated with development of diffuse IF and chronic allograft nephropathy in the follow-up biopsy specimens (P<0.001) CONCLUSIONS: Analysis of MV destruction may be helpful for diagnosing rejection and predicting graft prognosis. This type of assessment may be useful for determining the immune response and thus identifying the most appropriate treatment.

Association of the genetic polymorphisms of the renin-angiotensin system and endothelial nitric oxide synthase with chronic renal transplant dysfunction.

BACKGROUND: Chronic allograft dysfunction (CAD) is a complex phenomenon caused by underlying kidney disease and superimposed environmental and genetic factors. We investigated the association of polymorphisms in the genes for angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), angiotensinogen (AGT), angiotensin II receptor type 1 (ATR1) and type 2 (ATR2), and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (ENOS) with the initiation of CAD. METHODS: Genotyping was performed in 125 patients who underwent renal transplantation during a 5-year period for the ACE I/D, AGT M235T, ATR1 A1166C, ATR2 C3123A, and ENOS intron 4a/b gene polymorphisms. The following information was collected for each case: date of transplantation, age and sex of donor and recipient, donor type, cold ischemia time, number of human leukocyte antigen mismatches, number of acute rejection episodes, and laboratory findings at discharge from hospital and annual rechecks. Blood pressure was measured at yearly intervals throughout follow-up. RESULTS: The proportions of the genotypes were ACE II/ID/DD 12%, 33.6%, 54.4%; AGT MM/MT/TT 33%, 65.2%, 1.9%; ATR1 AA/AC/CC 68.6%, 30.7%, 0.7%; ATR2 CC/CA/AA 57.9%, 27.5%, 14.4%; and ENOS aa/ab/bb 6.4%, 22%, 71.6%, respectively. Statistical analysis of the major risk factors for the initiation of CAD showed that ACE DD genotype, cadaveric donor type, and level of proteinuria at 1 year posttransplantation were associated with poorer renal function. The graft function was not affected by AGT, ATR1, ATR2, and ENOS gene polymorphisms. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that the DD variant of the ACE gene polymorphism is associated with increased risk of developing CAD.