Tuberculosis in peritoneal dialysis patients in an endemic region.

Tuberculosis has been paid more attention in recent years because of the increase in the number of patients with immune suppression-such as those with renal failure. In the present study, we analyzed patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD) in our city to determine the prevalence and clinical characteristics of tuberculosis in those patients. Patients who had been on a PD program for more than 3 months were reviewed. Demographic characteristics, primary renal disease, comorbidities, and duration of PD were recorded. With regard to tuberculosis, the timing of the diagnosis, any previous history of antituberculosis treatment, family history, site of presentation, drugs used, drug side effects, and disease outcome were recorded. Among 322 patients from 5 PD units who were reviewed, 4 (1.240%) were found to have tuberculosis. Pulmonary involvement was noted in 2 (50%). The diagnosis was made through microbiology in 1 patient, through pathology in 1, and through clinical and radiologic assessment in the remaining 2. Mild transaminitis was recorded in 2 patients as a side effect of treatment. Of the 4 patients, 2 were cured, 1 died, and 1 was taking ongoing treatment. The prevalence of tuberculosis was significantly higher in the study population than in the general population. In a dialysis population, a diagnosis of tuberculosis is often difficult, and extrapulmonary involvement is more common, as observed in our study. The diagnosis of tuberculosis may be made through non-microbiologic approaches, and temporary transaminase elevations may be seen during therapy.

The effects of renal replacement therapy on plasma, asymmetric dimethylarginine, nitric oxide and C-reactive protein levels.

PURPOSE: Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), nitric oxide (NOx), and C-reactive protein (CRP) are important risk factors for endothelial dysfunction and mortality in the end stage renal diseases population. The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between renal replacement therapy and endothelial dysfunction. METHODS: Plasma NOx, ADMA and CRP levels were examined in randomized selected 30 patients with chronic kidney diseases (CKD), 28 patients receiving continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (PD) and 30 patients receiving regular hemodialysis (HD) and age-matched 20 healthy controls. The duration of dialysis was from 4, 5 to 11, and 6 years, respectively. RESULTS: CKD patients had higher plasma ADMA (1.26+/-0.53 micromol/L) and CRP levels (1.02+/-025 mg/L) and lower NOx levels (28.6+/-5.4 micromol/L) than controls (0.45+/-0.20; 0.65+/- 0.45; 32.5+/-37 respectively, P < 0.001). Plasma NOx and CRP levels were higher in HD patients (32.9+/-5.5 micromol/L, P < 0.05 and 4.59+/-3.18 mg/L, P < 0.001) and plasma ADMA and CRP levels were higher in PD patients (1.82+/-0.98 micromol/L, P < 0.001 and 2.40+/-1.53 mg/L, P < 0.001) than in CKD patients. PD patients had higher plasma ADMA levels (P < 0.05) and lower plasma NOx and CRP levels than HD patients (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001). Plasma ADMA levels were negatively correlated with NOx levels in all patient groups (P < 0.001). Plasma CRP levels in CKD and HD patients were positively correlated with plasma urea levels (r:0,437, P < 0,001) and duration of dialysis (r:0,370, P < 0.01), respectively. CONCLUSION: CRP and ADMA may be emerging as important risk factors for atherosclerosis in dialysis patients. Reduced NO elaboration secondary to accumulation of ADMA and elevated inflammation may be important pathogenic factors for endothelial dysfunction in both dialysis treatment strategies.

Effect of educational level on oral health in peritoneal and hemodialysis patients.

Background. In previous studies, the oral and dental health statuses were compared in hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients without taking into account the effect of educational levels on oral health. Hence we aimed to make a comparison of these parameters based upon the subjects educational levels. Patients and Methods. 76 PD (33 males, 43 females-mean age: 44 +/- 12 years) and 100 HD (56 males, 44 females-mean age: 46 +/- 14 years) patients were included. The number of decayed, missing and filled teeth were detected, DMFT index was calculated and plaque index (PI) values were assessed. Results. Significantly higher numbers of filled teeth (P < .001) and lower PI values (P < .01) in the PD group were detected with higher educational levels, whereas no significance was detected in the HD group. Higher DMFT index values were assessed in the lower educated and high school levels in PD than HD patients (P < .05). Higher numbers of filled teeth (P < .05) were detected in the secondary school level in PD patients. This difference was even more significant in the high school level (P < .001). Conclusion. We assume that PD patients, who were found to be in a higher educational level, are more caring for their oral health as compared to HD patients.

Carotid atherosclerosis is a predictor of coronary calcification in chronic haemodialysis patients.

BACKGROUND: Coronary artery calcification scores (CACS) calculated by electron beam computed tomography (EBCT) have been correlated with atherosclerotic burden in the non-uraemic population. However, the validity of this test in chronic haemodialysis patients (HD) is currently uncertain. In the present cross-sectional study, associations between carotid atherosclerosis and coronary calcification in HD patients are investigated. METHODS: We studied 79 chronic HD patients (39 male, 40 female; mean age, 45+/-12 years). The mean time on HD was 68+/-54 months (range, 6-187 months). In these patients, we measured serum calcium, phosphorus, total cholesterol, cholesterol subgroups and iPTH levels. EBCT, echocardiography, and high-resolution B-mode carotid Doppler ultrasonography were also performed. RESULTS: Plaque-positive HD patients had significantly higher CACS than plaque-negative patients (851+/-199 vs 428+/-185, mean+/-SE, P = 0.006). Coronary calcification scores were correlated with serum phosphorus (r = 0.37; P = 0.001). Only 8 of the 24 HD patients without coronary calcification had carotid plaques (33%), whereas 34 of the 53 patients with coronary calcification had carotid plaques (64%) (P = 0.015). Carotid plaque scores were correlated with CACS (r = 0.40; P = 0.001). A stepwise linear regression (model r = 0.72; P<0.001) revealed that CACS (log-transformed data of CACS) was associated with age (P<0.001), time on dialysis (P = 0.004), serum phosphorus level (P = 0.016) and carotid plaque scores (P = 0.037). CONCLUSIONS: Atherosclerosis is independently associated with coronary artery calcification and with hyperphosphataemia in chronic HD patients. CACS appeared to be predictive of both coronary atherosclerosis and carotid atherosclerosis.