Perspective of Turkish Medicine Students on Cancer, Cancer Treatments, Palliative Care, and Oncologists (ARES Study): a Study of the Palliative Care Working Committee of the Turkish Oncology Group (TOG).

Cancer is one of the most common causes of death all over the World (Rahib et al. in Cancer Res 74(11):2913-2921, 2014; Silbermann et al. in Ann Oncol 23(Suppl 3):iii15-iii28, 2012). It is crucial to diagnose this disease early by effective screening methods and also it is very important to acknowledge the community on various aspects of this disease such as the treatment methods and palliative care. Not only the oncologists but every medical doctor should be educated well in dealing with cancer patients. Previous studies suggested various opinions on the level of oncology education in medical schools (Pavlidis et al. in Ann Oncol 16(5):840-841, 2005). In this study, the perspectives of medical students on cancer, its treatment, palliative care, and the oncologists were analyzed in relation to their educational status. A multicenter survey analysis was performed on a total of 4224 medical school students that accepted to enter this study in Turkey. After the questions about the demographical characteristics of the students, their perspectives on the definition, diagnosis, screening, and treatment methods of cancer and their way of understanding metastatic disease as well as palliative care were analyzed. The questionnaire includes questions with answers and a scoring system of Likert type 5 (absolutely disagree = 1, completely agree = 5). In the last part of the questionnaire, there were some words to detect what the words "cancer" and "oncologist" meant for the students. The participant students were analyzed in two study groups; "group 1" (n = 1.255) were phases I and II students that had never attended an oncology lesson, and "group 2" (n = 2.969) were phases III to VI students that had attended oncology lessons in the medical school. SPSS v17 was used for the database and statistical analyses. A value of p < 0.05 was noted as statistically significant. Group 1 defined cancer as a contagious disease (p = 0.00025), they believed that early diagnosis was never possible (p = 0.042), all people with a diagnosis of cancer would certainly die (p = 0.044), and chemotherapy was not successful in a metastatic disease (p = 0.003) as compared to group 2. The rate of the students that believed gastric cancer screening was a part of the national screening policy was significantly more in group 1 than in group 2 (p = 0.00014). Group 2 had a higher anxiety level for themselves or their family members to become a cancer patient. Most of the students in both groups defined medical oncologists as warriors (57% in group 1 and 40% in group 2; p = 0.097), and cancer was reminding them of "death" (54% in group 1 and 48% in group 2; p = 0.102). This study suggested that oncology education was useful for the students' understanding of cancer and related issues; however, the level of oncology education should be improved in medical schools in Turkey. This would be helpful for medical doctors to cope with many aspects of cancer as a major health care problem in this country.

Magnesium Replacement Improves the Metabolic Profile in Obese and Pre-Diabetic Patients with Mild-to-Moderate Chronic Kidney Disease: A 3-Month, Randomised, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Magnesium is an essential mineral for many metabolic functions. There is very little information on the effect of magnesium supplementation on metabolic profiles of chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of magnesium supplementation on metabolic profiles of pre-diabetic, obese and mild-to-moderate CKD patients with hypomagnesemia. METHODS: A total of 128 hypomagnesemic, pre-diabetic and obese patients with an estimated glomerular filtration rate between 90 and 30 ml/min/1.73m2 were enrolled in a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Patients in the magnesium group received 365 mg of oral magnesium (n = 57) once daily for 3 months, while patients in the control group received a placebo (n = 61), also once daily for 3 months. Hypomagnesemia is defined by a serum magnesium level <1.8 mg/dl in males and <1.9 mg/dl in females; obesity is defined as a body mass index ≥30 kg/m2; and pre-diabetes is defined as fasting plasma glucose ≥100 but <126 mg/dl. The primary end point of the study was the change in insulin resistance measured by the homeostastic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). RESULTS: At the end of follow-up, insulin resistance (-24.5 vs. -8.2%, P = 0.007), HOMA-IR index (-31.9 vs. -3.3%, P < 0.001), hemoglobin A1c (-6.6 vs. -0.16%, P < 0.001), insulin (-29.6 vs. -2.66%, P < 0.001), waist circumference (-4.8 vs. 0.55%, P < 0.001) and uric acid (-0.8 vs. 2.2%, P = 0.004) were significantly decreased in terms of mean changes; albumin (0.91 vs. -2.91%, P = 0.007) and magnesium (0.21 ± 0.18 vs. -0.04 ± 0.05 mg/dl, P < 0.001) were significantly increased in those taking magnesium compared with a placebo. The decrease in metabolic syndrome (-10.5 vs. -4.9%, P = 0.183), obesity (-15.7 vs. -8.2%, P = 0.131), pre-diabetes (-17.5 vs. -9.8%, P = 0.140), and systolic (-5.0 ± 14.8 vs. 0.22 ± 14.9 mm Hg, P = 0.053) and diastolic (-3.07 ± 9.7 vs. 0.07 ± 9.6 mm Hg, P = 0.071) blood pressure did not achieve to a significant level after study. CONCLUSION: Our data support the argument that magnesium supplementation improves the metabolic status in hypomagnesemic CKD patients with pre-diabetes and obesity.

Discontinuing Hemodialysis with Patient Care and a Successful 9-Year Follow-up in a Patient Presumed to have End-Stage Kidney Disease Scheduled to Lifelong Hemodialysis: A Case Report.

End-stage kidney disease patients who require hemodialysis for more than 3 months have a small chance of leaving dialysis unless they have a kidney transplant. Educating the patient about lifestyle changes can play a major role in improving kidney function. Therefore, we created a patient education program according to our nephrology experiences. Herein, we show an end-stage kidney disease patient who underwent hemodialysis for 6 months. Afterwards, dialysis was terminated with patient care, and the patient was then followed up for 9 years without dialysis. To date, there have been no reports regarding the termination of long-term dialysis with a kidney care program and the ensuing 9-year follow-up without renal replacement therapy.

Discontinuation of Hemodialysis After 8 Years in Favor of Toprak's Kidney Care in a Patient with End-Stage Kidney Disease.

BACKGROUND End-stage kidney disease patients who need hemodialysis for more than 3 months are less likely to be able to discontinue dialysis. Patient care, however, can play a role in improving kidney function. In this study, we showed that even a patient on hemodialysis for 8 years can discontinue or reduce the number of weekly dialysis sessions through kidney care. Here, we report the effect of patient care on the ability to cease dialysis or reduce dialysis sessions, discuss such cessation or reduction in chronic hemodialysis patients, and describe proper follow-up procedure for a patient whose dialysis has been discontinued or reduced. CASE REPORT Here, we present a 77-year-old man who had undergone hemodialysis 3 times weekly for 75 months, after which dialysis sessions were gradually decreased and terminated within 21 months while undergoing Toprak's Kidney Care, a kidney care program. The patient went without dialysis for 10 months. Then, hemodialysis was started once weekly for 46 months, as the glomerular filtration rate values decreased significantly. Following this period, he underwent hemodialysis 3 times weekly for 19 months. During these follow-up periods, 2 hospitalizations were required due to pneumonia and atrial fibrillation. There were no major adverse cardiac events. The patient is still in our follow-up care. CONCLUSIONS Gradual termination of an 8-year period of hemodialysis through a kidney care program without kidney transplantation is very rare. In end-stage kidney disease patients with adequate urination, kidney care should be considered to terminate hemodialysis or reduce the weekly dialysis sessions.

Preventive effect of nebivolol on contrast-induced nephropathy in rats.

BACKGROUND: Altered renal vasodilatation and oxidative stress are important mechanisms of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN). The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of nebivolol, a beta blocker, on prevention of CIN. We hypothesized that nebivolol may prevent CIN due to its renal vasodilatation and antioxidant effects. METHODS: Thirty-two Wistar-albino rats were divided into four groups (n = 8 each): control (C), contrast media (CM), nebivolol (N), and nebivolol + contrast media (NCM). CIN was induced by administration of intravenous high-osmolar contrast media diatrizoate (6 ml/kg) after 72 h of dehydration. Nebivolol (2 mg/kg) was given internally once daily for 5 days. Kidney function parameters, nitric oxide metabolites and oxidative stress markers were measured. Kidneys were excised for pathological evaluation. RESULTS: The decrease of creatinine clearance was 0.180 +/- 0.11 mg/dl in CM, and 0.030 +/- 0.10 mg/dl in NCM (P = 0.01). Microproteinuria was ameliorated using nebivolol (P = 0.001). Serum protein carbonyl content, malonyldialdehyde and kidney thiobarbituric acid-reacting substances levels were higher in CM than in C (P = 0.003, P < 0.001 and P = 0.034, respectively) and serum thiol was lower in CM than in C (P = 0.001). However, oxidative stress markers were similar in NCM and C. Diatrizoate decreased kidney nitrite levels, but nebivolol increased them (P = 0.027). Nebivolol attenuated the tubular necrosis, proteinaceous casts and medullary congestion, although significant protective effects, were observed in tubular necrosis (P = 0.001) and proteinaceous cast (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated the protective role of nebivolol against CIN.

Conflicting and new risk factors for contrast induced nephropathy.

PURPOSE: Iodinated contrast medium is commonly used in diagnostic or interventional procedures in uroradiology. Procedures requiring the intravascular administration of iodinated contrast medium are becoming a great source of an iatrogenic disease known as contrast induced nephropathy. Identifying patients at high risk is the first step to minimize the overall risk of contrast induced nephropathy. This review describes conflicting and new risk factors for contrast induced nephropathy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A MEDLINE/PubMed search from 1966 to 2006 was performed. All articles related to the use of contrast medium and the risk factors for contrast induced nephropathy were reviewed. RESULTS: The classic risk factors for contrast induced nephropathy are preexisting renal failure, diabetes mellitus, advanced age, nephrotoxic agent administration, hypovolemia, use of a large amount of contrast medium or an ionic hyperosmolar contrast medium and congestive heart failure. Metabolic syndrome, prediabetes and hyperuricemia have been identified as new risk factors for contrast induced nephropathy. The use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers, renal transplantation, diabetes mellitus with normal renal function, low osmolar contrast medium in patients at high risk for contrast induced nephropathy, multiple myeloma, female gender and cirrhosis have been classified as conflicting risk factors for contrast induced nephropathy. CONCLUSIONS: Patients at risk for contrast induced nephropathy should be identified before urological procedures requiring contrast administration. In addition to the classic risk factors for contrast induced nephropathy, determining the metabolic syndrome, hyperuricemia and prediabetes as well as the use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers before performing procedures using contrast medium seems to be a useful guide to assess the risk of contrast induced nephropathy.

Risk markers for contrast-induced nephropathy.

Radiological procedures requiring intravascular administration of iodinated contrast media are becoming a common source of an iatrogenic disease known as contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN). The treatment of established CIN is limited to supportive measures and dialysis. Therefore, identifying high-risk patients is the first step to minimize the overall risk of CIN. The purpose of this review is to describe classic and possible risk markers of CIN according to the ultimate clinical research and developments. Original publications, review articles, papers from our personal library, and guidelines on CIN were reviewed. Terms used for PubMed and Medline searches were as follows: "contrast-induced nephropathy," "radio-contrast nephropathy," "contrast nephropathy," "contrast medium-induced nephropathy," "contrast media," and "risk factors." No restriction was placed on date of publication. Preexisting renal failure, especially when secondary to diabetic nephropathy, is the most important risk marker for CIN.

An unusual vascular involvement in a patient with Behcet's disease: renal artery stenosis.

Behcet's disease (BD) is a rare multisystem inflammatory disorder characterized by recurrent ulcers affecting the mouth and genitals, various skin lesions, relapsing iritis, and vasculitis. Vascular events may dominate the clinical presentation in some patients with BD. Hitherto three forms of vascular disease such as venous occlusions, arterial aneurysms, and arterial occlusions have been reported in BD. Renal vascular involvement has reported in less than 1% of the patients with vascular BD. A case of BD with renovascular hypertension is reported. To our knowledge, a case of BD with renovascular hypertension treated with angioplasty and stent implantation has not been reported previously.

The impact of hypomagnesemia on erectile dysfunction in elderly, non-diabetic, stage 3 and 4 chronic kidney disease patients: a prospective cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is common in older men with chronic kidney disease. Magnesium is essential for metabolism of nitric oxide which helps in penile erection. There is little information available about the influence of serum magnesium on ED. The aim of the study was to assess the influence of hypomagnesemia on ED in elderly chronic kidney disease patients. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total of 372 patients aged 65-85 years, with an estimated glomerular filtration rate of 60-15 mL/min/1.73 m2, were divided into two groups according to serum magnesium levels: hypomagnesemia, n=180; and normomagnesemia, n=192. ED was assessed through the International Index of Erectile Function-5. Hypomagnesemia is defined as serum magnesium <1.8 mg/dL. RESULTS: The prevalence of ED was higher among hypomagnesemic subjects compared to that among normomagnesemics (93.3% vs 70.8%, P<0.001). Severe ED (62.8% vs 43.8%, P=0.037), mild-to-moderate ED (12.2% vs 5.2%, P=0.016), abdominal obesity (37.2% vs 22.9%, P=0.003), metabolic syndrome (38.4% vs 19.2%, P=0.026), proteinuria (0.83±0.68 vs 0.69±0.48 mg/dL, P=0.023), and C-reactive protein (6.1±4.9 vs 4.1±3.6 mg/L, P<0.001) were high; high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (48.8±14.0 vs 52.6±13.5 mg/dL, P=0.009), and albumin (4.02±0.53 vs 4.18±0.38 g/dL, P=0.001) were low in the hypomagnesemia group. Serum magnesium ≤1.85 mg/dL was the best cutoff point for prediction of ED. Hypomagnesemia (relative risk [RR] 2.27), age ≥70 (RR 1.74), proteinuria (RR 1.80), smoking (RR 21.12), C-reactive protein (RR 1.34), abdominal obesity (RR 3.92), and hypertension (RR 2.14) were predictors of ED. CONCLUSION: Our data support that ED is related to hypomagnesemia in elderly patients with moderately to severely reduced kidney function.

Effect of vitamin E therapy on oxidative stress and erythrocyte osmotic fragility in patients on peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis.

BACKGROUND: Several medications have been tested with the aim of decreasing oxidative stress and erythrocyte osmotic fragility in patients on dialysis. The aim of the present study was to assess the influence of vitamin E therapy on oxidative stress and erythrocyte osmotic fragility in patients on hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD). METHODS: This was a placebo-controlled study. The study was performed on 34 HD patients, 13 PD patients and 22 healthy volunteers with a mean age of 45.57 +/- 8.54 years. HD patients were divided into 2 groups: treatment (n=19) and control (n=15). Vitamin E was administered, 300 mg/day, to the HD treatment group and PD patients for 20 weeks. Lipid peroxidation, antioxidant condition and erythrocyte osmotic fragility (EOF) were examined before and after treatment. RESULTS: Before the treatment, the levels of EOF (p<0.001) and malondialdehyde (MDA) (p<0.001) were significantly lower, and erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD) (p=0.001) and vitamin E levels (p<0.001) were significantly higher in the healthy group than PD and HD groups. Serum vitamin E increased from 0.93 +/- 0.16 to 1.09 +/- 0.14 mg/dL (p=0.001), EOF decreased from 0.49% +/- 0.03% to 0.42% +/- 0.04% NaCl (p<0.001), and plasma MDA values decreased from 2.77 +/- 0.87 to 2.20 +/- 0.767 nmol/mL (p=0.018) in the HD treatment group after vitamin E treatment. Levels of EOF decreased from 0.51% +/- 0.09% to 0.43% +/- 0.03% NaCl in the PD treatment group after vitamin E treatment (p=0.021). CONCLUSION: Vitamin E therapy is effective in decreasing the levels of EOF in patients on HD and PD, and it is also effective in decreasing lipid peroxidation in patients on HD.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors as a risk factor for contrast-induced nephropathy.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of the present study was to assess the influence of chronic angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor administration on the development of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) in patients undergoing coronary angiography. METHODS: A total of 230 patients with renal insufficiency and age > or =65 years were divided into two groups according to prior use of ACE inhibitors (ACE inhibitor group, n = 109; control group, n = 121). CIN was defined as an increase of > or =25% in creatinine over the baseline value within 48 h of angiography. RESULTS: CIN occurred in 17 patients (15.6%) in the ACE inhibitor group and 7 patients (5.8%) in the control group (p = 0.015). Serum creatinine level increased from 1.34 +/- 0.20 to 1.53 +/- 0.27 mg/dl in the ACE inhibitor group and from 1.33 +/- 0.18 to 1.45 +/- 0.19 mg/dl in the control group (p < 0.001). Chronic ACE inhibitor administration was a risk indicator of CIN [odds ratio 3.37; 95% confidence interval 1.14-9.94; p = 0.028]. Multi-vessel coronary involvement (p = 0.001), hypoalbuminemia (p = 0.005), diabetes mellitus (p = 0.006), GFR < or =40 ml/min (p = 0.010), and congestive heart failure (p = 0.024) were other risk indicators of CIN. CONCLUSION: Chronic ACE inhibitor administration is a risk for developing CIN in elderly patients with renal insufficiency.

[Review of the radiocontrast nephropathy risk profiles and risk stratification]. / Radyokontrast nefropatisi risk profilinin gözden geçirilmesi ve risk degerlendirilmesi.

Because of the increasing use of radiocontrast agents, radiocontrast-induced nephropathy has become an important cause of iatrogenic acute renal impairment. This necessitates physician awareness of radiocontrast nephropathy, a disorder, which develops as a result of exposure to contrast agents. Radiocontrast-induced nephropathy causes significant morbidity and mortality and increase in hospital length of stay and costs. It can be minimized by the identification of patients with risk factors before the procedure. The risk factors are synergistic, and the most important major risk factors for the development of radiocontrast-induced nephropathy are the presence of pre-existing renal impairment and diabetes mellitus. We discussed the risk factors of contrast media induced nephropathy in this review.

[The effect of pre-procedural captopril on contrast-induced nephropathy in patients who underwent coronary angiography]. / Koroner anjiyografi yapilan Hastalarda islem oncesi verilen kaptoprilin kontrast madde nefropatisi uzerine etkisinin arastirilmasi.

OBJECTIVE: Contrast media induced nephropathy (CIN) is diagnosed as the acute renal failure developed following intravenous contrast media usage when all other causes of renal failure are excluded. In this study, we investigated the effects of captopril given before coronary angiography (CA) on CIN development. METHODS: A total of 80 patients, 43 males and 37 females, mean age: 58 +/- 8 years (range: 18-80), with serum creatinine level below 2 mg/dl, who underwent coronary angiography in Cardiology Clinic of Izmir Atatürk Training and Research Hospital between October 2000- February 2002, were included into the study. Captopril was administered in 48 patients 8 hours and an hour before CA (Captopril group). Remaining 32 patients had no captopril treatment (Control group). There were no significant differences between the groups by means of clinical and biochemical parameters. The levels of serum creatinine and serum urea and creatinine clearance in 24 hours urine were measured before CA application and 48 hours after the procedure. RESULTS: Five patients (8.3%) in the Captopril group and 1 patient (3%) in Control group developed CIN and this difference was statistically significant (p=0.02). CONCLUSION: Captopril is a risk factor for development of contrast media induced nephropathy.

The possible efficacy of artichoke in fluconazole related hepatotoxicity.

Although fluconazole related hepatotoxicity (FRH) is rare, mortal acute hepatic necrosis and jaundice were reported in immunocompromised states such as acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and bone marrow transplant (BMT). We present a case of a patient with multiple sclerosis who developed hepatotoxicity with the use of a single 150 mg fluconazole tablet for fungal vaginitis, 10 days after methylprednisolone pulse treatment. Our patient's alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels were decreased, 1200 U/L and 800 U/L, respectively, and bilirubin levels were consistent at 37 mg/dL. Artichoke which has anticholestatic and antioxidant properties was used by our patient. She consumed a 30 mg artichoke leaf extract tea 3 times a day. The bilirubin levels significantly declined at the end of the first week and all liver function tests were normalized within 2 months.

Filtering lymphocytes may decrease the need for immunosuppression in solid organ transplantation.

Organ transplantation has become very important for patients with irreversible organ diseases. The transplanted organ is foreign to the host and, therefore, it induces a complex immune response of the patient. Therefore, Immunosuppressive agents are usually required to suppress both specific and nonspecific immunity and prevent allograft rejection in recipients who undergo organ transplantation. Of the late years, newer immunosuppressive agents with non-overlapping toxicities have been used in combinations in order to provide better patient and graft survival. However, these medications are associated with significant adverse effects that impact quality of life and sometimes long-term survival of the patient. Adverse effects can differ between the immunosuppressants, but many result from the overall state of immunosuppression. Strategies to manage immunosuppressant adverse effects often involve minimizing exposure to the drugs while balancing the risk for rejection. However, to prevent rejection of the transplanted organ, there may be unproven approaches other than immunosuppressive drugs. Filtering lymphocytes by a specific filter with respect to their size can be an alternative way. Our hypothesis was concerning of if such a filter could manage this and take the place of these drugs.

Renal Behçet's disease: an update.

OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study are (1) to report 33 patients with Behçet's disease (BD) having various renal manifestations, and (2) to update current data using our patients and published papers about BD and renal manifestations. METHODS: The PubMed database was searched using the terms BD or Behçet's syndrome. We found reports of 94 patients (including ours) with BD and specific renal diseases (amyloidosis, 39; glomerulonephritis [GN], 37; renal vascular disease, 19; interstitial nephritis, 1). RESULTS: The presentation of renal disease was edema/nephrotic syndrome in 12 patients (36%). Renal disease was incidentally diagnosed by routine urine analysis and measurement of serum creatinine level in 20 patients (61%). Renal failure was present in 23 patients (70%) and 5 of them have had cyclosporine treatment. The frequency of renal disease among BD patients has been reported to vary from less than 1 to 29%. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical spectrum of renal BD shows a wide variation. Amyloidosis (AA type), GN, and macroscopic/microscopic vascular disease are the main causes of renal BD. Patients with vascular involvement have a high risk of amyloidosis and amyloidosis is the most common cause of renal failure in BD. Several types of glomerular lesions are seen in BD. Current treatment options for renal BD are not evidence based. Radiological vascular intervention combined with immunosuppressive drugs can be useful in selected cases. Routine urine analysis and measurement of serum creatinine level are needed for early diagnosis of renal BD.

What is the best definition of contrast-induced nephropathy?

Radiological procedures require the intravascular administration of iodinated contrast media, which are becoming a great source of an iatrogenic disease known as contrast-induced nephropathy. The development of contrast-induced nephropathy is associated with prolonged hospitalization, the potential need for renal replacement therapy, and increased mortality. Despite numerous clinical and experimental studies, several important issues regarding contrast-induced nephropathy remain controversial. One of the controversial points is its very definition: a universally accepted definition of contrast-induced nephropathy does not exist. This can be a major problem. Differing definitions of contrast-induced nephropathy and the clinical importance of these definitions were discussed in this letter.