The Effect of Ambient Air Pollution on Office, Home, and 24-Hour Ambulatory Blood Pressure Measurements.

BACKGROUND: Air pollution has recently been linked to a number of cardiovascular diseases, particularly hypertension (HT). In our study, we aimed to evaluate the association between air pollution and blood pressure (BP) and compare the relationship of BP measurement results obtained using different methods (office, home, and 24-hour ambulatory BP monitoring [ABPM]). METHODS: This retrospective nested panel study performed with prospective Cappadocia cohort data investigated the relationships between particulate matter (PM) 10 and sulfur dioxide (SO2) and concurrent home, office, and 24-hour ABPM data at each control performed over a 2-year period. RESULTS: A total of 327 patients in the Cappadocia cohort were included in this study. On the day of office blood pressure measurement, there was an increase of 1.36 mm Hg in systolic BP and 1.18 mm Hg in diastolic BP for every 10 µm/m3 rise in SO2 values. A mean 3-day 10 µm/m3 increase in SO2 was linked to an increase of 1.60 mm Hg in systolic BP and 1.33 mm Hg in diastolic BP. A 10 µm/m3 rise in mean SO2 on the day of 24-hour ABPM measurement was found to be associated with an increase of 1.3 mm Hg in systolic BP and 0.8 mm Hg in diastolic BP. SO2 and PM 10 had no effect on home measurements. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, increased SO2 levels, during winter months in particular, can be associated with an elevation in office BP values. Our study findings show that air pollution in the setting in which BP is measured may be associated with the results.

COVID-19: booster(s) vs. hospitalization and Intensive Care Unit admission.

OBJECTIVE: As the pandemic continues, different vaccine protocols have been implemented to maintain the protection of vaccines and to provide protection against new variants. The aim of this study was to assess hospitalized patients' vaccination status and document the efficacy of boosters. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The patients that were hospitalized due to COVID-19 were enrolled from 28 hospitals in Turkey for five months from September 2021. 5,331 confirmed COVID-19 patients from collaborating centers were randomly enrolled to understand/estimate the distribution of vaccination status in hospitalized patients and to compare the efficacy of vaccination/booster protocols. RESULTS: 2,779 men and 2,552 women of which 2,408 (45.2%) were admitted to Intensive Care Units participated in this study. It was found that the highest risk reduction for all age groups was found in groups that received 4 doses. Four doses of vaccination for every 3.7 people under 50 years of age, for every 5.7 people in the 50-64 age group, and for every 4.3 people over 65 years of age will prevent 1 patient from being admitted to intensive care. Regardless of the type of vaccine, it was found that the risk of ICU hospitalization decreased in those who were vaccinated compared to those who were not vaccinated. Regardless of the type of vaccine, the ICU risk was found to decrease 1.25-fold in those who received 1 or 2 doses of vaccine, 1.18-fold in those who received 3 doses, and 3.26-fold in those who received 4 doses. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggested that the addition of a fourth dose is more effective in preventing intensive unit care even in disadvantaged groups.

Does Blood Pressure Variability Affect Hypertension Development in Prehypertensive Patients?

BACKGROUND: Blood pressure variability (BPV) is associated with end organ damage and cardiovascular outcomes in hypertensive patients. Prehypertensive patients frequently develop hypertension (HT). The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of BPV on the development of HT. METHODS: Two hundred and seven prehypertensive patients from the Cappadocia cohort were monitored over 2 years, and 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM), office BP, and home BP measurements were subsequently performed at 4- to 6-month intervals. BPV was calculated as average real variability (ARV) from 24-h ABPM data, home BP, and office BP measurements at first visit. The relationship was evaluated between baseline ARV and the development of HT. RESULTS: HT was diagnosed in 25.60% of subjects. Baseline 24-hour ABPM systolic blood pressure (SBP)ARV and diastolic blood pressure (DBP)ARV and home SBPARV were significantly higher in patients who developed HT than the other patients (P 0.006, 0.001 and 0.006, respectively). Baseline 24-hour ABPM SBPARV and home SBPARV exceeding the 90th percentile were identified as parameters affecting development of HT at logistic regression analysis. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, our prospective observational cohort study showed that short-term BPV in particular can predict the development of HT in the prehypertensive population.

Which out-of-office measurement technique should be used for diagnosing hypertension in prehypertensives?

Hypertension (HT) is diagnosed with high office blood pressure (BP), although confirmation with the addition of out-of-office measurements is currently recommended. However, insufficient data are available concerning the use of out-of-office BP measurement techniques for the diagnosis of HT in the prehypertensive population. The aim of the present study was to determine which out-of-office measurements yielded earlier and more frequent detection of development of HT in prehypertensive patients. Two hundred seven prehypertensive patients under monitoring in the Cappadocia cohort were included in the study. Office BP was measured five times at 1-min intervals, followed by 24-h ambulatory BP monitoring (24-h ABPM). Home BP measurement (HBPM) was performed five times, at the same times in the morning and evening, at 1-min intervals for 1 week. The same procedure was carried out at 4-6-month intervals for ~2 years. HT was diagnosed in 25.6% of subjects, masked HT in 11.1%, and white coat HT in 2.9%, while 23.7% remained prehypertensive and 36.7% became normotensive. Briefly, 56.6% of the patients with HT were diagnosed with office plus 24-h ABPM, 13.2% with office plus HBPM, and 30.2% with office plus HBPM and 24-h ABPM. Office with 24-h ABPM yielded statistically significantly more diagnoses (p < 0.001). In conclusion, our prospective observational study evaluated the usefulness of out-of-office BP measurements in confirming diagnosis of HT in prehypertensive patients. The findings show that 24-h ABPM detected HT earlier and more frequently in this high-risk population.

Phosphorus control in peritoneal dialysis patients.

Hyperphosphatemia is independently associated with an increased risk of death among dialysis patients. In this study, we have assessed the status of phosphate control and its clinical and laboratory associations in a large international group of patients on chronic peritoneal dialysis (PD) treatment. This cross-sectional multicenter study was carried out in 24 centers in three different countries (Canada, Greece, and Turkey) among 530 PD patients (235 women, 295 men) with a mean+/-s.d. age of 55+/-16 years and mean duration of PD of 33+/-25 months. Serum calcium (Ca(2+)), ionized Ca(2+), phosphate, intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH), 25-hydroxy vitamin D(3), 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D(3), total alkaline phosphatase, and bone alkaline phosphatase concentrations were investigated, along with adequacy parameters such as Kt/V, weekly creatinine clearance, and daily urine output. Mean Kt/V was 2.3+/-0.65, weekly creatinine clearance 78.5+/-76.6 l, and daily urine output 550+/-603 ml day(-1). Fifty-five percent of patients had a urine volume of <400 ml day(-1). Mean serum phosphorus level was 4.9+/-1.3 mg per 100 ml, serum Ca(2+) 9.4+/-1.07 mg per 100 ml, iPTH 267+/-356 pg ml(-1), ionized Ca(2+) 1.08+/-0.32 mg per 100 ml, calcium phosphorus (Ca x P) product 39+/-19 mg(2)dl(-2), 25(OH)D(3) 8.3+/-9.3 ng ml(-1), 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) 9.7+/-6.7 pg ml(-1), total alkaline phosphatase 170+/-178 U l(-1), and bone alkaline phosphatase 71+/-108 U l(-1). While 14% of patients were hypophosphatemic, with a serum phosphorus level lower than 3.5 mg per 100 ml, most patients (307 patients, 58%) had a serum phosphate level between 3.5 and 5.5 mg per 100 ml. Serum phosphorus level was 5.5 mg per 100 ml or greater in 28% (149) of patients. Serum Ca(2+) level was > or =9.5 mg per 100 ml in 250 patients (49%), between 8.5 and 9.5 mg per 100 ml in 214 patients (40%), and lower than 8.5 mg per 100 ml in 66 patients (12%). Ca x P product was >55 mg(2)dl(-2) in 136 patients (26%) and lower than 55 mg(2)dl(-2) in 394 patients (74%). Serum phosphorus levels were positively correlated with serum albumin (P<0.027) and iPTH (P=0.001), and negatively correlated with age (P<0.033). Serum phosphorus was also statistically different (P = 0.013) in the older age group (>65 years) compared to younger patients; mean levels were 5.1+/-1.4 and 4.5+/-1.1 mg per 100 ml, respectively, in the two groups. In our study, among 530 PD patients, accepted uremic-normal limits of serum phosphorus control was achieved in 58%, Ca x P in 73%, serum Ca(2+) in 53%, and iPTH levels in 24% of subjects. Our results show that chronic PD, when combined with dietary measures and use of phosphate binders, is associated with satisfactory serum phosphorus control in the majority of patients.

First A2-to-O renal transplantation in the 21st Century: a step in the transplantation history of Turkey.

Renal transplantation is the best treatment modality for patients with end-stage renal disease. Turkey is a country with limited cadaveric donor organ programs. Herein we have reported the first A2-to-O living donor kidney transplantation in Turkey. A 20-year-old female patient was admitted for a living related renal transplantation from her only potential donor her mother. She was blood group O and her mother was blood group A2. Three plasmapheresis sessions followed by intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) were performed every other day in the week prior to transplantation. Daclizumab was administered at the time of transplantation with an additional four doses every 2 weeks after the procedure. The immunsuppressive regimen included tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil, and prednisolone. Eight plasmapheresis sessions followed by IVIG were performed in the first 2 weeks posttransplant. Six months after transplantation, the serum creatinine was 1 mg/dL. Our experience showed that A2-to-O renal transplantation can be safely performed and may expand the pool of living kidney donors in Turkey.

An unusual presentation of sirolimus associated cough in a renal transplant recipient.

Sirolimus-associated pulmonary problems are rare but life threatening. Pulmonary problems due to sirolimus treatment are interstitial pneumonitis, bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia (BOOP), and alveolar hemorrhage. We present a case of sirolimus-related cough in the absence of any pulmonary radiological findings. A 55-year-old man with a history of 4 years of hemodialysis therapy because of end-stage renal disease of unknown etiology underwent cadaveric renal transplantation in June 2006. Three days following the initiation of sirolimus therapy he complained of dry cough and fever. There were no clinical or laboratory findings compatible with specific pulmonary disease. After switching sirolimus to tacrolimus, the cough improved within 1-2 days and resolved in 5 days. Sirolimus should be considered in the differential diagnosis of pulmonary problems in the early posttransplantation period even in the absence of radiological findings.

Severe vitamin D deficiency in chronic renal failure patients on peritoneal dialysis.

UNLABELLED: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in chronic renal failure (CRF) patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD) and to correlate the findings with various demographic and renal osteodystrophy markers. METHOD: This cross-sectional, multicenter study was carried out in 273 PD patients with a mean age of 61.7 +/- 10.9 years and mean duration of PD 3.3 +/- 2.2 years. It included 123 female and 150 male patients from 20 centers in Greece and Turkey, countries that are on the same latitude, namely, 36-42 degrees north. We measured 25(OH)D3 and 1.25(OH)2D3 levels and some other clinical and laboratory indices of bone mineral metabolism. RESULTS: Of these 273 patients 92% (251 patients) had vitamin D deficiency i.e. serum 25(OH)D3 levels less than 15 ng/ml, 119 (43.6%) had severe vitamin D deficiency i.e., serum 25(OH)D3 levels, less than 5 ng/ml, 132 (48.4%) had moderate vitamin D deficiency i.e., serum 25(OH)D3 levels, 5-15 ng/ml, 12 (4.4%) vitamin D insufficiency i.e., serum 25(OH)D3 levels 15 - 30 ng/ml and only 10 (3.6%) had adequate vitamin D stores. We found no correlation between 25(OH)D3 levels and PTH, serum albumin, bone alkaline phosphatase, P, and Ca x P. In multiple regression analyses, the independent predictors of 25(OH)D3 were age, presence of diabetes (DM-CRF), levels of serum calcium and serum 1.25(OH)2D3. CONCLUSION: We found a high prevalence (92%) of vitamin D deficiency in these 273 PD patients, nearly one half of whom had severe vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D deficiency is more common in DM-CRF patients than in non-DM-CRF patients. Our findings suggest that these patients should be considered for vitamin D supplementation.

Polyarteritis nodosa in patients with Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF): a concomitant disease or a feature of FMF?

BACKGROUND: Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) is caused by mutations in the gene encoding pyrin and is characterized by self-limited, recurrent attacks of fever and serositis. Vasculitis has been increasingly reported in FMF. A study evaluating the prognosis in FMF and polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) patients has not been reported previously. OBJECTIVES: To determine the special characteristics and the prognosis of PAN in FMF patients. METHODS: A questionnaire was used for the present survey. The setting was 7 referral centers from Turkey and Israel. Seventeen patients who were diagnosed with FMF and who developed PAN were included. PAN was diagnosed in those who met the Chapel Hill consensus criteria for microscopic polyarteritis or classic PAN. The clinical features of these 17 patients and the outcomes of their vasculitis were analyzed. RESULTS: The age at diagnosis of PAN in these FMF patients ranged from 3.5 to 37 years. All patients had constitutional symptoms, elevated acute phase reactants, and myalgia at the time PAN was diagnosed. The diagnosis of PAN was confirmed by renal angiography in 8 patients, by renal biopsy in 6 patients, and by muscle and/or nodule biopsies in 6 patients. A number of patients had definite features of both classic PAN and microscopic polyarteritis. CONCLUSIONS: When compared with other PAN patients, those with FMF tended to have a younger age at PAN onset, more frequent perirenal hematomas, and an overall better prognosis. The cases with overlapping features of microscopic and classic PAN pose a problem for the current classification of vasculitis. We suggest that the clinical representation of PAN in FMF patients has certain characteristics and may be a feature of FMF per se.

Acute effect of trandolapril on serum erythropoietin in uremic and hypertensive patients.

Anemia associated with ACE inhibitors is rare but it may cause problems especially in patients with renal disease. This study assessed the acute effect of trandolapril, an ACE inhibitor, on serum erythropoietin (EPO) levels in uremic and hypertensive patients. Trandolapril 2 mg/day was given orally for three days and blood samples were collected on the first and third day. Trandolapril led to a significant decrease in serum EPO in patients with chronic renal failure. Although the drug lowered serum EPO in hypertensive patients, this effect was not statistically significant. This drop in serum EPO levels may be one of the mechanisms by which ACE inhibitors cause anemia, or worsen anemia, in uremic patients and further studies are needed to clarify this point.

MR imaging and MR angiography in vascular Behçet's disease.

The aims of this study are to demonstrate the ability of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) in the diagnosis and evaluation of vascular involvement in Behçet's disease. Twelve patients with vascular involvement due to Behçet's disease were included in this study. We believe that MRI and MRA are safe and noninvasive methods that can be used to confirm and monitor vascular Behçet's disease.

Improvement of thyroid hormone profile and thyrotrophin (TSH) surge alterations in hemodialysis patients on erythropoietin treatment.

BACKGROUND, MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study was performed in 20 patients with end-stage chronic renal failure (CRF) and 10 healthy volunteers. All of the patients were on regular hemodialysis treatment (RHD), 10 of whom were on recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) therapy. Hematocrit levels of the patients with CRF on rHuEPO were between 0.30 to 0.33 and not on rHuEPO were below 0.24. Baseline serum T3, T4, fT3, fT4 and TSH levels were measured and TRH stimulation test was performed in patients and control subjects. Serum TSH levels were measured hourly during the afternoon (2 to 5 p.m.) and at night (10 p.m. to 2 a.m.) to determine the nocturnal rhythm of TSH. RESULTS: The mean T3 in rHuEPO, not rHuEPO and control groups were 98.01 +/- 5.54, 70.55 +/- 7.09, 98.29 +/- 4.2 ng/dl; T4 6.47 +/- 0.68, 6.39 +/- 0.59, 8.35 +/- 0.46 ng/dl; fT3 2.24 +/- 0.19, 1.52 +/- 0.24, 2.29 +/- 0.17 pg/ml and fT4 0.88 +/- 0. 14, 0.75 +/- 0.14, 0.97 +/- 0.10 ng/dl, respectively. These values were significantly lower in patients not on rHuEPO compared to controls (p < 0.05). In patients on rHuEPO only T4 values were lower than in the controls (p < 0.05). In patients not on rHuEPO the T3, and fT3 were significantly lower than the values of patients on rHuEPO treatment (p < 0.05). Normal in 8 (80%), blunted in 1 (10%), no TSH response in 1 (10%) to TRH stimulation were obtained in rHuEPO group. TSH response was normal in 1 (10%), and delayed in 9 (90%) patients not on rHuEPO. The circadian nocturnal rhythm of TSH was abnormal in 8 (80%) patients not on rHuEPO, in 2 (20%) patients on rHuEPO. As a result, CRF and RHD distorts the circadian TSH rhythm and substantially change the thyroid hormone profile probably by affecting hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis. Distortion of the circadian rhythm of TSH and TSH response to TRH points to a defect at the level of hypothalamus and pituitary gland. CONCLUSION: rHuEPO treatment has some beneficial effects on hypothalamo-pituitary-thyroid axis in the patients on RHD.

Preperitoneal mesh repair of spigelian hernias under local anesthesia: description and clinical evaluation of a new technique.

We report on a new method for the repair of spigelian hernia, in which we combined the step-by-step local anesthesia and open preperitoneal mesh repair techniques. After initial infiltration of local anesthetics, we incised the attenuated fascia and slightly enlarged the fascial defect to facilitate easy return of hernial content into the abdominal cavity. We injected preperitoneally, in a radial fashion around the peritoneal sac, more saline solution, consisting of 1:200,000 epinephrine (g:g) and 1/3 bupivacain (v:v). We dissected the peritoneum away from the anterior abdominal wall to create a preperitoneal pocket of sufficient size. We spread open a 9 x 9-cm polypropylene mesh in the area, as if we were doing a GPRVS of Stoppa. We followed up our four patients for an average of 32 months. All four cases had an uneventful recovery and were discharged in an average of 3.5 days. They returned to normal daily activity on the 9th day after surgery. We suggest that the preperitoneal mesh repair of a spigelian hernia under local anesthesia is a simple and feasible technique with favorable early and late postoperative results and deserves further investigation in larger series.

Iliac artery aneurysm in Behçet's disease: a case report.

Today, Behcet's disease is known as a multisystem disorder. Eye lesions, mouth and genital aphthous lesions, and skin lesions are accepted as major lesions. The disease also attacks the locomotor system, central nervous system, gastrointestinal system and also arteries and veins. According to available data, some 30% of the patients have vascular lesions; mostly thrombosis of the veins. Arterial thromboses have been rarely reported; and only a few number of arterial aneurysms are noted. Here we present an iliac artery aneurysm in a case of Behcet's disease.

Ophthalmic and central retinal artery flow velocities in patients with Behçet's disease.

Vascular involvement is a well known manifestation of Behçet's disease (BD) and may effect systemic and regional circulation in patients with BD. We evaluated ophthalmic and central retinal artery flow velocities in these patients. Mean ophthalmic and central retinal artery flow velocities were lower in patients with BD than in healthy controls, but the cause and significance of these findings remain to be defined.

The advantages of MRI and MRA for diagnosing Behçet's disease and internal jugular vein thrombosis.

Behçet's disease is a multisystem disorder characterized by recurrent aphtous ulcers of mucosal membranes, skin lesions, and vasculitis. The prevalence of vascular involvement is about 25% and this is the leading cause of death in Behçet's disease. Jugular vein involvement is an unusual manifestation of Behçet's disease. Medical insertion of needles into veins or arteries can induce thrombosis or aneurysms. Thus, diagnostic studies or therapy can aggravate the disease and even be fatal. We report a patient with Behçet's disease and rare internal jugular vein thrombosis. We also demonstrate the ability of noninvasive magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance angiography to aid in the diagnosis and evaluation of vascular involvement in Behçet's disease, without risking iatrogenic complications.

Serum tumour markers in renal failure.

In order to assess the clinical value of six tumour markers in pre-dialysis patients with chronic renal failure as well as in patients on regular haemodialysis, we studied these markers in 35 predialysis patients, 35 patients on chronic haemodialysis and 35 healthy controls. Serum squamous cell antigen (SCC), CA 19.9, and CA 125 levels were found to be elevated in the uraemic groups as compared to the normal controls. Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), alpha foetoprotein (AFP), and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels were within normal limits in all groups.

Hepatitis C in haemodialysis and nonuraemic patients: a histopathological study.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the major cause of posttransfusion non-A, non-B hepatitis. Haemodialysis patients carry the risk of HCV infection. The aim of this study is to compare the morphological changes related to chronic HCV infection found in haemodialysis and nonuraemic patients. Liver biopsies from nine haemodialysis patients and 37 patients with normal renal function were studied. This study shows that haemodialysis patients may have less active and progressive chronic hepatitis C than patients with normal renal function. The number of patients in this study is limited, therefore further studies are needed for definite conclusion.

Increased erythropoietin response to venesection in erythrocytosic renal transplant patients.

Anaemia of end-stage chronic renal failure improves following successful kidney transplantation. However, erythrocytosis occurs in 6.8-17.3% of transplanted patients. Mechanism of post-transplant erythrocytosis (PTE) and its erythropoietin (Epo) dependence are still controversial. Firstly, we compared basal serum Epo levels of 10 PTE patients, 14 non-erythrocytosic renal transplant (non-PTE) patients and 12 healthy blood donors. Then we performed venesection in PTE patients and healthy blood donors and compared their Epo response to venesection 5 hours later. The mean basal serum Epo of 24.3 mU/ml was significantly higher in the PTE group than the 10.8 mU/ml in the non-PTE and 8.6 mU/ml in the healthy blood donor group (p < 0.01). Epo levels in the non-PTE group did not differ significantly from those of healthy blood donors (p > 0.05). Following venesection the mean serum Epo levels increased significantly in both groups, from 24.3 mU/ml to 67.7 mU/ml (p < 0.001) in the PTE group and from 8.6 to 12.1 mU/ml (p < 0.01) in the healthy blood donor group, but the increment in the PTE group was more marked. We conclude that PTE patients have elevated basal serum Epo levels and there is a feedback regulation of Epo secretion in these patients like in healthy blood donors, but in an exaggerated way.