A functional tool demonstrating the physical function decline independentof age in patients with predialysis chronic kidney disease.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Physical function decline in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients has been a popular area of investigation in the last decade. It has been shown that lower levels of physical function in CKD results in poor outcomes. Nevertheless, nephrology practice does not include routine assessment of physical function. The aim of the present study is to elucidate which physical function assessment tool is better in CKD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 148 predialysis CKD patients and 40 healthy controls were included in this cross-sectional single-blind study. CKD patients were further divided into two groups as stage 3 and stage 4/5. A hand dynamometer, the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), and the Timed Up and Go Test (TUGT) were applied to all study participants. RESULTS: All physical function tests were significantly different between study and control groups. In multivariate analysis the SPPB (P < 0.001) emerged as an independent variable in CKD group. CONCLUSION: The SPPB is a promising, easily applicable, inexpensive, and sensitive tool that can indicate functional decline independent of age in predialysis CKD patients and can be used in clinical practice to monitor these patients.

Association between plasma homocysteine levels and end-organ damage in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus patients.

PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between plasma homocysteine (Hcy) levels and carotid, cardiac, and renal end-organ damage in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients. METHODS: Newly diagnosed normotensive T2DM patients (n = 390) were enrolled in this study. The patients were not taking any medications over the duration of the study. The left ventricular mass index (LVMI), carotid intima media thickness (CIMT), and creatinine levels and 24-h microalbuminuria were used to determine cardiac, carotid, and kidney end-organ diseases, respectively. RESULTS: Using univariate logistic regression analysis; age, 24-h microalbuminuria, fasting blood glucose, CIMT, creatinine level, and LVMI were found to be significantly associated with the Hcy level. When those six variables were included in a multivariate regression model, CIMT, LVMI, and creatinine were found to be significantly associated with the Hcy level. We determined that an Hcy level >12.5 µmol/L was predictive of high LVMI, with a sensitivity of 70.1% and a specificity of 68%. An Hcy level >13.5 µmol/L was predictive of high CIMT, with a sensitivity of 67.5% and a specificity of 63.1%. CONCLUSION: In this study, LVMI, CIMT, and creatinine level were positively correlated with the Hcy level. We believe that the Hcy level may be a useful predictor of end-organ damage, including cardiac, carotid, and renal diseases, in newly diagnosed T2DM patients.

The relation between serum cathepsin D level and carotid intima-media thickness in nondiabetic hypertensive patients.

BACKGROUND/AIM: We aimed to investigate the relation between carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and serum cathepsin D level in hypertensive patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study of 74 hypertensive patients (22 males and 52 females, with a mean age of 51.86 ± 11.75 years). Serum levels of cathepsin D were measured with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. CIMT measurements were taken from 3 different points: right and left common carotid arteries, bifurcation, and the first 2 cm of the internal carotid artery. Mean CIMT was calculated by averaging the measurements taken 3 times from each carotid artery. RESULTS: Mean CIMT value was 0.76 ± 0.15 mm, and median cathepsin D level was 190.3 (12.8-2681.3) ng/mL. A marked positive correlation was found between cathepsin D levels and CIMT (r = 0.331, P = 0.04). In multivariate linear regression analysis, cathepsin D, albumin levels, and the duration of hypertension were significant predictors of CIMT (P = 0.017, P = 0.008, and P = 0.043, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Increased serum cathepsin D level was found to be associated with CIMT in nondiabetic hypertensive patients.

The relationship between dietary salt intake and ambulatory blood pressure variability in non-diabetic hypertensive patients.

High dietary salt intake was reported to increase blood pressure by numerous studies, but no study has investigated the effect of dietary salt intake on blood pressure variability (BPV). This study aimed to determine if daily salt intake is related to ambulatory BPV. The study included 136 primary hypertensive patients (92 male, 44 female) with a mean age of 50.7±11.1 years. All the patients underwent 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring to determine both the 24-h systolic and 24-h diastolic BPV. 24-h urine sodium was measured. The correlation between BPV and 24-h urinary sodium was investigated. Logarithmic transformation of 24-h urinary sodium [log(24-h urinary sodium)] was positively correlated with the mean 24-h systolic ARV, and nighttime systolic ARV (r=0.371 and p=0.001, r=0.329 and p=0.028, respectively). Similarly, log(24-h urinary sodium) was positively correlated with mean 24-h diastolic ARV and nighttime diastolic ARV (r=0.381 and p=0.001, r=0.320 and p=0.020 respectively). Log(24-h urinary sodium) was an independent predictor of BPV based on multivariate regression analysis. Dietary salt intake might play a role in the pathogenesis of ambulatory BPV.

Are increased oxidative stress and asymmetric dimethylarginine levels associated with masked hypertension?

OBJECTIVE: In this study, our aim was to determine total oxidative stress and asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) levels in patients with masked hypertension (MHT) and to examine their association with blood pressure. METHODS: Fifty patients diagnosed with MHT and 48 healthy volunteers without any known chronic diseases have been included in this study. RESULTS: When compared to the control group, patients with MHT had higher levels of mean ADMA (p < 0.001), total oxidant status (TOS) (p < 0.001), and oxidative stress index (OSI) (p < 0.001), and a lower mean total antioxidant status (TAS) (p < 0.001) level. While a positive correlation was determined between the systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) levels with ADMA, TOS, and OSI levels, a negative correlation was determined with the TAS level. During the stepwise multivariable logistic regression analysis, age (OR = 1.221; p = 0.003), body mass index (OR = 1.512; p = 0.005), low density lipoprotein (OR = 0.925; p = 0.016), ADMA (OR = 1.200; p = 0.002), and OSI (OR = 3.750; p = 0.002) levels were determined to be the predictors of MHT. During the linear regression analysis, it was determined that the independent risk factors of SBP and DBP are ADMA and OSI, and the independent risk factor of TOS, OSI, and ADMA is SBP. Our study found out that oxidative stress and ADMA levels of patients with MHT are higher than those of the control group. ADMA and OSI were determined to be predictors of MHT. CONCLUSION: Based on these results, it could be said that oxidative stress, and therefore the ADMA level, could have an effect on the etiopathogenesis of MHT.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus as a Rare Cause of Anemia Resistant to Erythropoiesis-stimulating Agents.

Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) play an important role in the management of anemia in patients with chronic kidney disease, but the goals cannot be reached in 5% to 10% of the patients despite high-dose ESA treatment. In case of ESA resistance, all causes of anemia encountered in the general population should be carefully reviewed. We present a patient examined for ESA resistance that was diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus and subsequently showed improvement of anemia with systemic corticosteroids.

Elevated circulating sST2 associated with subclinical atherosclerosis in newly diagnosed primary hypertension.

The aims of this study were to measure the levels of interleukin-33 (IL-33) and soluble Suppression of Tumorigenicity 2 (sST2) in patients with newly diagnosed primary hypertension (HT) and to determine the relationship between carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and IL-33/sST2. Eighty-two patients with newly diagnosed primary HT and ninety healthy volunteers were included in the study. CIMT ⩾0.9 mm was considered as significant for subclinical atherosclerosis. The sST2 levels of patients with primary HT were higher than those of the control group, whereas the IL-33 levels of these patients were much lower than those of the control group. The sST2 levels were higher in patients with subclinical atherosclerosis than in control subjects or patients with primary HT but not with subclinical atherosclerosis. In the primary HT group, sST2 had a positive correlation with CIMT, 24-h systolic-diastolic blood pressure, low-density lipoprotein and C-reactive protein, whereas sST2 had a negative correlation with the IL-33 level. A stepwise multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that sST2 is an independent risk factor for subclinical atherosclerosis. Although the diagnostic predictive value of HT risk was determined as >51.8 pg l(-1) in the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis in respect of the sST2 level, the diagnostic predictive value for subclinical atherosclerosis risk was determined to be >107.2 pg l(-1). The sST2 level displays a positive correlation with atherosclerotic changes, and is an independent risk factor for subclinical atherosclerosis expressed as increased CIMT.

Dynamic thiol/disulphide homeostasis in patients with newly diagnosed primary hypertension.

We aimed to investigate the thiol/disulphide homeostasis in patients with newly diagnosed primary hypertension with a novel and automated method. Blood thiol/disulphide homeostasis, which consists of native thiol/disulphide exchanges, was investigated in 45 patients with primary hypertension and 45 healthy controls. The levels of native thiol, total thiol, and native thiol/total thiol ratio were lower while the disulphide level and disulphide/native thiol and disulphide/total thiol ratios were higher in patients with primary hypertension when compared with those in the control group. Positive correlation was detected between 24-hour systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels and disulphide/native thiol ratio. With reference to the stepwise multiple linear regression model; increase in disulphide/native thiol ratio and log(24-hour urine microalbumin) and decrease in native thiol/total thiol ratio are independent predictors of 24-hour systolic and diastolic blood pressure. This study demonstrated that thiol/disulphide homeostasis was shifted toward disulphide formation in patients with primary hypertension.

Functional evaluation of secondary renal amyloidosis with diffusion-weighted MR imaging.

OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated whether diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) can be used to diagnose secondary renal amyloidosis looking specifically at the diagnostic efficacy of two apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) measurement methods as they were used with DW-MRI. METHODS: The study included 24 amyloid nephropathy (AN) patients, 20 chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients, and 20 healthy volunteers (HV). ADC values were measured using two different methods: 1) the method of the region of interest indicators (ROIs) and 2) the method of drawing whole renal parenchyma (WP). The correlation between the two methods was evaluated. RESULTS: ROIs could differentiate AN-CKD (p = 0.007). ROIs and WP could differentiate AN-HV (p < 0.05). However, none of the methods could differentiate CKD-HV (p > 0.05). The sensitivity and specificity of the ROIs method in differentiating AN from CKD patients for 1.8 × 10(-3) cutoff ADC values were 79% and 60% and for AN-HV patients 79% and 70%. ADC values of AN patients with GFR > 60 mL/min were lower than that of HV (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: DW-MRI is a useful and non-invasive diagnostic tool in diagnosing secondary renal amyloidosis and differentiating renal amyloidosis from other CKDs. ROIs had the highest sensitivity and specificity for assessing the involvement of renal amyloidosis. MRI diagnosis of AN may obviate a renal biopsy for diagnosis.

Is disulphide/thiol ratio related to blood pressure in masked hypertension?

Dynamic thiol/disulphide homeostasis plays a critical role in numerous intracellular enzymatic pathways including antioxidant defence and detoxification. In this study, we sought to investigate dynamic thiol/disulphide homeostasis in patients with masked hypertension (MHT) and its relationship with blood pressure. Forty patients (23 men, 17 women) with newly diagnosed MHT and not yet on medical therapy, and 40 healthy volunteers (21 men, 19 women) were enrolled. Blood thiol/disulphide homeostasis was measured in both groups. Serum native and total thiol levels were measured using the novel, fully automated colorimetric method developed by Erel et al. Serum disulphide level was calculated as (serum total thiol - serum native thiol)/2. Native and total thiol levels (p = 0.001) and native thiol/total thiol ratio (p = 0.023) were found to be lower in patients with MHT when compared to those of the control group. Disulphide level and ratios of disulphide/native thiol and disulphide/total thiol were higher in patients with MHT than in the control group (p = 0.001). A positive correlation of systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) was observed with disulphide/native thiol ratio (p < 0.001). Stepwise multivariable regression analysis showed disulphide/native thiol ratio to be an independent risk factor of SBP and DBP, and SBP to be an independent risk factor of disulphide/thiol ratio (p = 0.001). In this study, we found that dynamic thiol/disulphide homeostasis shifted towards disulphide formation due to thiol oxidation in patients with MHT. Prospective randomised controlled studies are required to elucidate whether abnormal thiol/disulphide status lies in the pathogenesis of MHT or is a consequence of MHT.

Factors associated with mortality in patients presenting to the emergency department with severe hypernatremia.

Hypernatremia is a common electrolyte disorder associated with prolonged hospitalization and death. Severe hypernatremia is defined as a serum sodium (Na(+)) concentration >160 mmol/L. To the best of our knowledge, there is little information on patients with severe hypernatremia, Na(+) >160 mmol/L. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to determine the frequency, demographic and clinical characteristics, comorbid conditions and treatment strategies in patients presenting to the emergency department with severe hypernatremia, and also to evaluate the effects of these factors on mortality. A retrospective chart review was performed on patients presenting to the emergency department between January 2011 and June 2014. Patients with Na(+) >160 mmol/L were screened retrospectively via the hospital electronic information management system and patient medical record files. During the 3.5 years of screening, 256 patients (0.04 %) with Na(+) >160 mmol/L presented to the emergency department. The mean age of the patients included in the study was 74.4 ± 15.2 years, mean Na(+) level was 168.7 ± 7.4 mmol/L and, mean mortality was 49.5 % during the hospitalization. Multivariable Cox regression analysis showed that low systolic blood pressure, low pH, Na(+) >166 mmol/L, increased plasma osmolarity, mean sodium reduction rate ≤-0.134 mmol/L/h, dehydration, and, pneumonia to be independently associated with mortality. This study describes the demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with Na(+) >160 mmol/L in a large population along with comorbid conditions, incidence, treatment strategies and, its association with mortality.

Coexistence of immunoglobulin M nephropathy and autoimmune hemolytic anemia: 2 rare entities.

Immunoglobulin M (IgM) nephropathy is described as mesengial proliferative glomerulonephritis with diffuse mesengial IgM deposition. We report a patient diagnosed with IgM nephropathy and concomitant autoimmune hemolytic anemia syndrome associated with cold-reacting autoantibodies. Complete remission was achieved with systemic corticosteroid and plasmapheresesis.

Association between high platelet indices and proteinuria in patients with hypertension.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to determine the association between platelet indices including plateletcrit (PCT), mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet distribution width (PDW), and proteinuria associated with hypertension (HT) as well as the relative power of each to predict proteinuria. METHODS: The study included 223 patients (68 men and 155 women) with primary HT. PCT, MPV, PDW, and proteinuria levels were measured. The patients were divided into two groups according to proteinuria status based on 24-hr urinary protein excretion: proteinuria (+) group (15 men and 40 women) and proteinuria (-) group (53 men and 115 women). RESULTS: The mean and SD of platelet count, PDW, PCT, and MPV were 278.8±49.6×108/L, 13.5±1.8%, 0.31±0.07%, and 11.3±2.6 fL, respectively. The mean platelet count, PCT, MPV, and PDW were significantly higher in the proteinuria (+) group than in the proteinuria (-) group (P<0.05); there were no significant differences in the other blood parameters between the two groups. The platelet count, PCT, MPV, and PDW were independent risk factors predictive of proteinuria according to a stepwise regression analysis of PDW, PCT, and MPV. PCT was the strongest independent predictor of proteinuria. CONCLUSIONS: The platelet indices PCT, PDW, and MPV were significantly higher in patients with proteinuria than in those without it. Among these three indices, PCT was the strongest predictor of proteinuria.

Unknown aspect of the old disease: does dyslipidemia in systemic AA amyloidosis differ from the dyslipidemia in primary glomerulonephritis?

AIM: To investigate the nature of dyslipidemia and its diversity in patients with systemic AA amyloidosis. METHODS: The reports of the kidney biopsies performed due to nephrotic proteinuria (>3.5 g/day/1.73 m(2)) with preserved renal function [glomerular filtration rate (GFR) >60 mL/min/1.73 m(2)] were reviewed. Clinical and laboratory data of the patients with systemic AA amyloidosis and primary glomerulonephritis (PG) were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 104 (systemic AA amyloidosis: 43, PG: 61) patients were included in the study. Proteinuria and GFR levels were similar in both the groups. Patients with systemic AA amyloidosis group had lower serum albumin (p = 0.002), lower hemoglobin levels (p = 0.001), higher platelet counts (p = 0.002) and higher C-reactive protein levels (p = 0.001) compared to patients in PG group. Although the frequency of dyslipidemia was similar in the groups (86.0 vs. 93.4%), patients with systemic amyloidosis had both lower values of LDL-C (4.56 ± 2.05 vs. 5.49 ± 2.23 mmol/L, p = 0.028) and HDL-C (1.19 ± 0.36 vs. 1.35 ± 0.39 mmol/L, p = 0.035). Serum lipid levels were correlated with serum total protein, albumin and proteinuria levels in PG group. However, in the systemic amyloidosis group, only one clear correlation between serum lipid and hemoglobin levels was estimated. A multivariate analysis demonstrated that LDL-C was independently associated with the etiology of nephrotic proteinuria, serum total protein, serum albumin (inversely) and hemoglobin levels. CONCLUSIONS: Although dyslipidemia is closely associated with serum total protein, albumin and proteinuria in patients with PG, there is no clear such association in patients with systemic amyloidosis. Correlation between serum lipid and hemoglobin levels in this group and other findings point out that probably complex mechanisms take place in dyslipidemia of nephrotic syndrome caused by systemic AA amyloidosis.

Relationship between oxidative stress parameters and asymptomatic organ damage in hypertensive patients without diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate the levels of oxidative stress (OS) parameters such as total antioxidant status or TAS, total oxidant status (TOS), OS index (OSI), paraoxonase 1 (PON1), arylesterase, and total thiol in hypertensive patients with and without asymptomatic organ damage (AOD), and to determine the relationship between these parameters and AOD. DESIGN: Sixty-six patients (21 men, 45 women) with AOD and 66 patients without AOD (21 men, 45 women) were enrolled in the study. Serum OS parameters were measured by colorimetric method. RESULTS: The OSI levels were found to be higher while PON1, PON1/high-density lipoprotein, and arylesterase levels were found to be lower in patients with AOD compared with those in the patients without AOD. Stepwise regression analysis showed high 24-h mean systolic blood pressure, OSI, and low arylesterase level to be independent predictors of AOD. CONCLUSION: OS level was found to be higher in hypertensive patients with AOD compared with the patients without AOD. However, it is not clear whether increased OS leads to AOD or AOD increases the level of OS. For this purpose, OS level needs to be decreased by antioxidant therapies and patients need to be followed up for a longer duration.

A case report on allergic rash caused by icodextrin.

Icodextrin may be used as an alternative to glucose as the osmotic agent in peritoneal dialysis with ultrafiltration failure. In general, icodextrin is known to be safe and well tolerated, but it can also cause hypersensitivity reactions such as skin rashes. Allergic rashes are generally defined as erythematous, itchy and maculopapular, visible over the trunk and the extremities. When a rash occurs, it generally develops early in therapy, is self-limited, and resolves without sequelae after the discontinuation of icodextrin. Although the safety and efficacy of icodextrin peritoneal dialysis solution is well documented, clinicians should be aware of the possibility of severe adverse cutaneous reactions to it. We report the case of a 23-year-old female who developed a skin rash following the use of icodextrin.

Relationship between socioeconomic level, and the prevalence of masked hypertension and asymptomatic organ damage.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of masked hypertension (MHT) and its association with asymptomatic organ damage (AOD) in a low socioeconomic district of Ankara, Turkey. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed data obtained from the medical records of 712 patients with no known diagnosis of hypertension who presented to a polyclinic due to symptoms related to elevated blood pressure (BP) and were screened for MHT. Essential hypertension (EHT) existed in 86 patients screened for AOD. The presence of AOD in patients diagnosed with MHT and EHT was recorded. RESULTS: Among the 712 patients, 206 were diagnosed with EHT. Among the remaining 506 patients, 73 were diagnosed with MHT. The patients with MHT had significantly higher left ventricular mass index, carotid intima-media thickness, and 24-h urinary microalbuminuria level (all indicators of AOD) than those with EHT. CONCLUSIONS: A significantly higher percentage of patients with MHT had AOD, as compared to those with EHT, in a low socioeconomic district of Ankara. Based on this finding, patients who present with hypertensive symptoms but have a normal BP should be advised to measure their BP at home.

Prognostic factors in crescentic glomerulonephritis: a single-center experience.

INTRODUCTION: Crescentic glomerulonephritis (CGN) is a fatal disease, rapidly leading to end-stage renal disease. Diagnosis should be accurate and treatment should be started immediately. We investigated the factors associated with the renal prognosis in CGN patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-one patients with CGN who were followed up at the Nephrology Clinic of Ankara Numune Education and Research Hospital were divided into 2 arms of the dialysis-dependent group after treatment and the group that was followed up without dialysis. Demographic and clinical features along with biopsy findings during time of diagnosis were evaluated for both groups. RESULTS: The mean age was 41.3 ± 17.2 years old and 26 were men. Twenty patients developed end-stage renal disease, requiring long-term dialysis. The dialysis-dependent group had higher serum creatinine levels (8.2 ± 3.6 mg/dL versus 2.6 ± 2.5 mg/dL) and percentages of glomeruli with crescent (83.1 ± 19.1% versus 56.4 ± 11.9%), were more likely to have oligoruia-anuria (90.5% versus 9.5%) and be dialysis-dependent at admission (86.4% versus 13.6%), and had longer elapsed time until the beginning of treatment (18.9 ± 10.4 days versus 10.6 ± 3.0 days) after treatment. At admission, their serum creatinine was greater than 4.2 mg/dL and the rate of crescentic glomeruli was greater than 63%. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with CGN, renal prognosis is poor and the time of admission to the hospital, degree of renal insufficiency, presence of oligo-anuria, dialysis requirement, and the percentage of crescentic glomeruli on biopsy are closely related to progression to end-stage renal disease.

Relation between serum cathepsin D levels and endothelial dysfunction in patients with chronic kidney disease.

We aimed to investigate the role of cathepsin D, an inflammatory and atherosclerotic mediator, in endothelial dysfunction in chronic kidney disease. The study included 65 patients with stage 2–4 chronic kidney disease (35 females, 30 males; mean age, 55.8±15.6 years). Serum creatinine and cathepsin D levels and glomerular filtration rates (GFRs) were determined, and brachial flow-mediated dilation (FMD) percentage was measured by two-dimensional gray scale and color flow Doppler and vascular imaging. FMD ≤6% was considered to indicate endothelial dysfunction. Mean GFR, median creatinine levels, and median cathepsin D levels were 40.2±11.2mL/min/1.73m2, 1.7mg/dL, and 819.75ng/mL, respectively. Endothelial dysfunction was present in 30 of the 65 patients (46.2%). There was a significant difference between groups with and without endothelial dysfunction in terms of cathepsin D (p=0.001) and creatinine (p=0.03) levels, and negative and significant correlations were found between brachial artery FMD% and cathepsin D (r=−0.359, p=0.003) and creatinine (r=−0.304, p=0.014) levels. Cathepsin D, which is known to be associated with atherosclerosis, may play a role in the process of endothelial dysfunction. Further studies are essential to determine the exact function of cathepsin D in endothelial dysfunction in chronic kidney disease and to determine its value as a tool for early diagnosis and target for treatment of cardiovascular diseases in patients with chronic kidney disease.