The implication of calf circumference and grip strength in osteoporosis and bone mineral density among hemodialysis patients.

BACKGROUND: Chronic kidney disease-mineral and bone disorder (CKD-MBD), nutritional status, and uremia management have been emphasized for bone management in hemodialysis patients. Nevertheless, valuable data on the importance of muscle mass in bone management are limited, including whether conventional management alone can prevent osteoporosis. Thus, the importance of muscle mass and strength, independent of the conventional management in osteoporosis prevention among hemodialysis patients, was evaluated. METHODS: Patients with a history of hemodialysis 6 months or longer were selected. We assessed the risk for osteoporosis associated with calf circumference or grip strength using multivariable adjustment for indices of CKD-MBD, nutrition, and dialysis adequacy. Moreover, the associations between bone mineral density (BMD), calf circumference, grip strength, and bone metabolic markers were also evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 136 patients were included. The odds ratios (95% confidence interval) for osteoporosis at the femoral neck were 1.25 (1.04-1.54, P < 0.05) and 1.08 (1.00-1.18, P < 0.05) per 1 cm shorter calf circumference or 1 kg weaker grip strength, respectively. Shorter calf circumference was significantly associated with a lower BMD at the femoral neck and lumbar spine (P < 0.001). Weaker grip strength was also associated with lower BMD at the femoral neck (P < 0.01). Calf circumference or grip strength was negatively correlated with bone metabolic marker values. CONCLUSION: Shorter calf circumference or weaker grip strength was associated with osteoporosis risk and lower BMD among hemodialysis patients, independent of the conventional therapies.

Blunted humoral immune response to the fourth dose of BNT162b2 COVID-19 vaccine in patients undergoing hemodialysis.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to investigate the impact of a fourth dose of BNT162b2 vaccine (Comirnaty®, Pfizer-BioNTech) on anti-SARS-CoV-2 (anti-S IgG) antibody titers in patients receiving hemodialysis (HD) and healthcare workers (HCWs). METHODS: A multi-institutional retrospective study at five dialysis clinics in Japan was conducted using 238 HD patients and 58 HCW controls who received four doses of the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine. Anti-S IgG titers were measured at 1, 3, and 6 months after the second dose, at 1 and 5/6 months after the third dose, and at 1 month after the fourth dose of vaccine. RESULTS: The log anti-S IgG titers of the HD patients after the second vaccination were significantly lower than those of the control group, but equalized 1 month after the third vaccination: 9.94 (95% CI 9.82-10.10) vs. 9.81 (95% CI 9.66-9.96), (P = 0.32). In both groups, the fold-increase in anti-S IgG titers was significantly lower after the fourth dose than after the third dose of vaccine. In addition, there was a strong negative correlation between antibody titers 1 month after the fourth vaccination and antibody titers immediately before the vaccination. In both groups, the waning rate of anti-S IgG titers from the post-vaccination peak level after the third vaccine dose was significantly slower than that after the second dose. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that the humoral immune response was blunted after the fourth dose of the conventional BNT162b2 vaccine. However, multiple vaccinations could extend the window of humoral immune protection.

SARS-CoV-2 spike protein antibody titers 6 months after SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination among patients undergoing hemodialysis in Japan.

BACKGROUND: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccination is shown to prevent severe illness and death in hemodialysis (HD) patients, but the immune response to vaccines is reduced in this population. This study compared SARS-CoV-2 spike protein antibody titers between HD patients and healthy controls in Japan for up to 6 months following vaccination. METHODS: A multi-institutional retrospective study at five clinics in Japan was conducted using 412 HD patients and 156 healthy controls who received two doses of the BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech) mRNA vaccine. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike protein S1 IgG antibody titers were measured at 1, 3, and 6 months after the second dose. The attenuation speed was calculated as slope (i.e., -ß) using a linear mixed-effects model toward the log-transformed antibody titers. RESULTS: The HD group had significantly lower month 1 antibody titers (Ab-titer-1) than the controls, and these remained lower through month 6 (95% CI: 2617.1 (1296.7, 5240.8) vs. 7285.4 (4403.9, 11,000.0) AU/mL at Ab-titer-1, and 353.4 (178.4, 656.3) vs. 812.0 (498.3, 1342.7) AU/mL at Ab-titer-6 (p < 0.001, respectively)). Lower log Ab-titer-1 levels in the HD group were significantly associated with a lower log Ab-titer-6 (0.90 [0.83, 0.97], p < 0.001). The -ß values in the HD patients and healthy controls were -4.7 ± 1.1 and -4.7 ± 1.4 (year-1), respectively. CONCLUSION: SARS-CoV-2 spike protein antibody titers were significantly lower in HD patients than in healthy controls at 1 (peak) and 6 months after the second vaccination. Low peak antibody titers contributed to low 6-month antibody titers.

Potential effective treatment of shortening continuous erythropoietin receptor activator treatment interval combined with iron supplementation in hemodialysis patients.

Our previous randomized controlled trial comparing the total dose of weekly versus biweekly continuous erythropoietin receptor activator (CERA) therapy to maintain optimal hemoglobin (Hb) levels showed no significant differences between the two therapies. This post-hoc analysis assessed whether the total dose of weekly versus biweekly CERA therapy to maintain Hb levels among HD patients differed among groups with or without iron supplementation. Of 107 patients, 40 received intravenous iron supplementation due to iron deficiency (iron group) and 67 did not (non-iron group). In the iron group, the weekly therapy tended to require a lower total CERA dose compared with the biweekly therapy (274 ± 274 vs 381 ± 223 µg/12 weeks, P = 0.051). Changes in circulating hepcidin levels, a negative regulator of intestinal iron uptake, after 2 weeks of CERA treatment were significantly lower in the weekly therapy compared with the biweekly therapy (-4.2 ± 6.3 vs 11.1 ± 7.3 ng/mL, P = 0.015). In the non-iron group, there were no significant differences in total CERA dose or changes in hepcidin levels between the two therapies. Shortening the CERA treatment interval combined with iron supplementation may lead to the more efficient treatment of HD patients with iron deficiency.

Relationship of ambulatory blood pressure and the heart rate profile with renal function parameters in hypertensive patients with chronic kidney disease.

Strict blood pressure (BP) control is reportedly important for the management of hypertensive patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to examine whether the variables of ambulatory BP and the heart rate (HR) profile, central hemodynamics, and arterial stiffness were closely related to the renal function parameters (urine albumin excretion rate [UACR] and estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR]) observed in 25 consecutive hospitalized hypertensive patients with CKD. There were significant positive relationships between UACR and 24-hour, daytime, and nighttime ambulatory systolic BP. In addition, there were significant negative relationships between UACR and 24-hour and daytime HR variability. The circulating B-type natriuretic peptide level and hemoglobin A1c were also positively related to UACR. With respect to eGFR, although the 24-hour and nighttime HR variability were positively associated with eGFR, the circulating pentosidine and nighttime HR had a negative relationship with eGFR. On the other hand, central hemodynamics and arterial stiffness did not exhibit any significant association with renal function parameters. These results indicate that ambulatory BP and the HR profile are closely modulated by renal function deterioration. Further studies are needed to investigate the causal relationship between ambulatory BP and the HR profile and renal function parameters in hypertensive patients with CKD.

Sustained inhibition of oxidized low-density lipoprotein is involved in the long-term therapeutic effects of apheresis in dialysis patients.

OBJECTIVE: Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) apheresis is a potential therapy for conventional therapy-resistant peripheral artery disease. In the present study, we examined the chronic effects of LDL apheresis on clinical parameters in vivo and endothelial cell functions in vitro in hemodialysis patients who had the complication of peripheral artery disease. METHODS AND RESULTS: Twenty-five patients were enrolled, and the responses of 19 patients to LDL apheresis were analyzed. Patients were classified into 2 groups according to change in ankle-brachial pressure index (ABI) after treatment: patients with improved ABI (responders, n=10) and patients with worsened ABI (nonresponders, n=9). In the responders, apheresis resulted in a long-term reduction of circulating levels of oxidized LDL, C-reactive protein, and fibrinogen. In human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), the serum from the responders increased expression of activated endothelial nitric oxide synthase protein and proliferative activity. Furthermore, there was a significant correlation between ABI and activated endothelial nitric oxide synthase protein level in HUVECs treated with responder serum (R=0.427, P<0.05). CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that LDL apheresis decreases oxidized LDL and inflammation and improves endothelial cell function in the responders. This may be one of the mechanisms involved in the long-term therapeutic effect of LDL apheresis on peripheral circulation in hemodialysis patients.

Effects of multiple factorial intervention on ambulatory BP profile and renal function in hypertensive type 2 diabetic patients with overt nephropathy - a pilot study.

Accumulating evidence has shown that diabetic patients are increasing in number, and renal and cardiovascular complications are the most common cause of death in diabetic patients. Thus, it would be of considerable value to identify the mechanisms involved in the progression of renal impairment and cardiovascular injury associated with diabetes. Recent evidence also indicated that multifactorial intervention is able to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and death among patients with diabetes and microalbuninuria. In this pilot study, we examined the effects of intensified multifactorial intervention, with tight glucose regulation and the use of valsartan and fluvastatin on ambulatory blood pressure (BP) profile, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and urinary albumin to creatinine ratio (UACR), in 20 hypertensive patients (16 male and 4 female) with type 2 diabetes mellitus and overt nephropathy. After 12 months of intensified treatment, office BP, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC) were significantly decreased compared to baseline (systolic blood pressure (SBP), 130 ± 2 vs. 150 ± 1 mmHg; diastolic blood pressure (DBP), 76 ± 1 vs. 86 ± 1 mmHg; FPG, 117 ± 5 vs. 153 ± 7 mg/dl; LDLC, 116 ± 8 vs. 162 ± 5 mg/dl, P < 0.0001). Also, compared to the baseline values, the daytime and nighttime ambulatory BP and short-term BP variability were significantly decreased after 12 months. Furthermore, while eGFR was not altered (44.3 ± 5.1 vs. 44.3 ± 6.5 ml/min/1.73 m(2), not significant (NS)), UACR showed a significant reduction after 12 months of intensified treatment (1228 ± 355 vs. 2340 ± 381 mg/g-cr, P < 0.05). These results suggest that the intensified multifactorial intervention is able to improve ambulatory BP profile, preserve renal function, and reduce urinary albumin excretion in type 2 diabetic hypertensive patients with overt nephropathy.

Comparison of the effects of weekly and biweekly intravenous CERA administration on erythropoiesis: A randomized controlled trial.

Although continuous erythropoietin receptor activators (CERAs) are widely used erythropoiesis-stimulating agents for correcting renal anemia in patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD), few reports have examined weekly CERA administration. In this randomized controlled trial, we compared the efficacy and changes in the parameters of iron metabolism and erythropoiesis between weekly and biweekly CERA administration. In total, 120 patients undergoing maintenance HD were randomized to the weekly or biweekly group. The primary end point was the total CERA dose needed to maintain the target hemoglobin (Hb) levels during a 12-week evaluation period. There was no significant difference in the total dose between the weekly and biweekly groups (median 175.0 [interquartile range (IQR) 93.8-337.5] µg/12 weeks vs. 300.0 [IQR 125.0-375.0] µg/12 weeks, P = .18). The mean Hb levels during the evaluation period were 10.9 ± 0.8 g/dL in the weekly group and 10.7 ± 0.8 g/dL in the biweekly group (P = .25). Weekly CERA administration was well tolerated. Weekly CERA administration similarly managed anemia as biweekly administration in patients undergoing HD.

Expression of angiotensin II type 1 receptor-interacting molecule in normal human kidney and IgA nephropathy.

The intrarenal renin-angiotensin system plays a crucial role in the regulation of renal circulation and sodium reabsorption through the activation of vascular, glomerular, and tubular angiotensin II type 1 (AT(1)) receptor signaling. We previously cloned a molecule that specifically interacted with the murine AT(1) receptor to inhibit AT(1) receptor signaling, which we named ATRAP (for AT(1) receptor-associated protein). Since murine ATRAP was shown to be highly expressed in the kidney, in the present study we investigated expression and distribution of human ATRAP in normal kidney and renal biopsy specimens from patients with IgA nephropathy. In the normal human kidney, both ATRAP mRNA and protein were widely and abundantly distributed along the renal tubules from Bowman's capsule to the medullary collecting ducts. In all renal tubular epithelial cells, the ATRAP protein colocalized with the AT(1) receptor. In renal biopsy specimens with IgA nephropathy, a significant positive correlation between ATRAP and AT(1) receptor gene expression was observed. There was also a positive relationship between tubulointerstitial ATRAP expression and the estimated glomerular filtration rate in patients with IgA nephropathy. Furthermore, we examined the function of the tubular AT(1) receptor using an immortalized cell line of mouse distal convoluted tubule cells (mDCT) and found that overexpression of ATRAP by adenoviral gene transfer suppressed the angiotensin II-mediated increases in transforming growth factor-ß production in mDCT cells. These findings suggest that ATRAP might play a role in balancing the renal renin-angiotensin system synergistically with the AT(1) receptor by counterregulatory effects in IgA nephropathy and propose an antagonistic effect of tubular ATRAP on AT(1) receptor signaling.

Effects of angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker on blood pressure variability and cardiovascular remodeling in hypertensive patients on chronic peritoneal dialysis.

AIMS: In this study, we examined whether addition of an angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker (ARB), candesartan or valsartan, to conventional antihypertensive treatment could improve blood pressure (BP) variability in hypertensive patients on peritoneal dialysis. METHODS: 45 hypertensive patients on chronic peritoneal dialysis therapy were randomly assigned to the ARB treatment groups either by candesartan (n = 15) or valsartan (n = 15), or the control group (n = 15). At baseline and 6 months after the treatment, 24-hour ambulatory BP monitoring, echocardiography, and measurement of brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) were performed. RESULTS: After the 6 months of treatment, 24-hour ambulatory BP values were similarly decreased in both the control group and ARB groups. However, short-term BP variability assessed on the basis of the standard deviation of 24-hour ambulatory BP was significantly decreased in the ARB groups, but remained unchanged in the control group. Furthermore, parameters of cardiovascular remodeling assessed by natriuretic peptides, echocardiography, and baPWV were significantly improved in the ARB groups but not in the control group. CONCLUSION: ARB treatment and control antihypertensive treatment similarly controlled 24-hour ambulatory BP values in hypertensive patients on peritoneal dialysis. However, ARB treatment is beneficial for the suppression of pathological cardiovascular remodeling with a decrease in BP variability.

Loss of amino acids into dialysate during hemodialysis using hydrophilic and nonhydrophilic polyester-polymer alloy and polyacrylonitrile membrane dialyzers.

During hemodialysis, amino acid loss through the dialysate remained a significant problem and was not clear in some dialyzers; therefore, we investigated amino acid loss with hydrophilic and nonhydrophilic polyester-polymer alloy membranes and polyacrylonitrile membranes. Nine maintenance hemodialysis patients were studied to assess amino acid loss during hemodialysis with the three membranes. Total amino acid losses were 85.7 ± 27.2 mg/L, 83.3 ± 16.1 mg/L, and 72.1 ± 22.5 mg/L with the hydrophilic, nonhydrophilic polyester-polymer alloy, and polyacrylonitrile membranes, respectively. Amino acid losses were greater with the hydrophilic membrane compared with the polyacrylonitrile membrane for ornithine (2.0 ± 0.6 vs. 1.4 ± 0.4 mg/L, P = 0.025), phenylalanine (2.4 ± 0.9 vs. 1.8 ± 0.8 mg/L, P = 0.012), and tryptophan (0.6 ± 0.2 vs. 0.4 ± 0.2 mg/L, P = 0.023). Amino acid losses were greater with the nonhydrophilic membrane than with the polyacrylonitrile membrane for ornithine (2.0 ± 0.4 vs. 1.4 ± 0.4 mg/L, P = 0.017), phenylalanine (2.3 ± 0.5 vs. 1.8 ± 0.8 mg/L, P = 0.018), tryptophan (0.7 ± 0.2 vs. 0.4 ± 0.2 mg/L, P = 0.003), and cystine (3.2 ± 0.7 vs. 2.0 ± 0.7 mg/L, P = 0.005). In conclusion, greater losses of ornithine, phenylalanine, tryptophan, and cystine were observed with polyester-polymer alloy than with polyacrylonitrile membranes during hemodialysis. Constant attention should be paid to the amino acid loss profile to improve nutritional control in hemodialysis patients.

Therapeutic potential of low-density lipoprotein apheresis in the management of peripheral artery disease in patients with chronic kidney disease.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major cause of death in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Patients with CKD are reported to have a significant greater risk of CVD-associated mortality than that of the general population after stratification for age, gender, race, and the presence or absence of diabetes. CKD itself is also an independent risk factor for the development of atherosclerosis, and in particular, patients undergoing dialysis typically bear many of the risk factors for atherosclerosis, such as hypertension, dyslipidemia and disturbed calcium-phosphate metabolism, and commonly suffer from severe atherosclerosis, including peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) apheresis is a potentially valuable treatment applied to conventional therapy-resistant hypercholesterolemic patients with coronary artery disease and PAD. Although previous and recent studies have suggested that LDL apheresis exerts beneficial effects on the peripheral circulation in dialysis patients suffering from PAD, probably through a reduction of not only serum lipids but also of inflammatory or coagulatory factors and oxidative stress, the precise molecular mechanisms underlying the long-term effects of LDL apheresis on the improvement of the peripheral circulation remains unclear and warrants further investigation.

Effect of renin-angiotensin system inhibitor on residual glomerular filtration rate in hemodialysis patients.

Residual renal function preservation in patients with renal failure has been shown to be related to better outcomes not only in the pre-dialysis phase but also after hemodialysis initiation. However, the effect of factors such as antihypertensive agents on residual renal function preservation has not been investigated adequately in prevalent hemodialysis patients. This study examined factors related to the rate of residual renal function preservation in 1-year hemodialysis patients who had residual renal function. We enrolled 191 consecutive maintenance hemodialysis patients who underwent hemodialysis for 1 year and maintained a urine output of more than 200 mL/day, to assess residual renal function loss. The rate of residual renal function loss was 19.9%. Multivariate analysis using residual renal function as the dependent variable revealed significant independent relationships with renin-angiotensin system inhibitor use (hazard ratio, 0.438; P = 0.027), history of cardiovascular disease (hazard ratio, 2.475; P = 0.024), and rate of weight gain between dialysis sessions (hazard ratio, 1.348; P = 0.013). No relationship was observed with calcium channel blocker use. Renin-angiotensin system inhibitor use, rate of body weight gain between dialysis sessions, and cardiovascular diseases are independently associated with residual renal function preservation in patients with residual renal function after 1 year of hemodialysis. A further intervention study is required to investigate whether treatment with renin-angiotensin system inhibitors and suppression of body weight gain preserves residual renal function for a longer time in hemodialysis patients.

Effects of aliskiren-based therapy on ambulatory blood pressure profile, central hemodynamics, and arterial stiffness in nondiabetic mild to moderate hypertensive patients.

Aliskiren is a direct renin inhibitor that exerts its effect at the rate-limiting step of the renin-angiotensin system. This study was performed to examine the beneficial effects of aliskiren-based antihypertensive therapy on the ambulatory blood pressure (BP) profile, central hemodybamics, and arterial stiffness in untreated Japanese patients with mild to moderate hypertension. Twenty-one Japanese nondiabetic patients with untreated mild to moderate essential hypertension were initially given aliskiren once daily at 150 mg, and the dose was titrated up to 300 mg as needed. After 12 weeks of aliskiren-based therapy, the clinic, ambulatory, and central BP values as well as brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) were all significantly decreased compared with baseline (clinic systolic BP, 151 ± 11 mm Hg vs 132 ± 11 mm Hg; clinic diastolic BP, 91 ± 13 mm Hg vs 82 ± 9 mm Hg; 24-hour systolic BP, 144 ± 12 mm Hg vs 133 ± 11 mm Hg; 24-hour diastolic BP, 88 ± 8 mm Hg vs 81 ± 9 mm Hg; central BP, 162 ± 16 mm Hg vs 148 ± 14 mm Hg; baPWV, 1625 ± 245 cm/s vs 1495 ± 199 cm/s; P<.05). These results show that aliskiren, as a first-line regimen, improves the ambulatory BP profile and may have protective vascular effects in Japanese nondiabetic patients with untreated mild to moderate essential hypertension.

Spontaneous renal hemorrhage in hemodialysis patients.

Dialysis patients have a tendency to bleed, and clinicians sometimes encounter cases with a significant amount of spontaneous hemorrhage. We herein report two cases of spontaneous renal hemorrhage in hemodialysis patients. CASE 1: A 70-year-old male who had received hemodialysis for 8 years presented with right abdominal pain. He had a history of renal failure due to diabetes mellitus. CT showed a right perirenal hemorrhage. Angiography revealed a right renal artery hemorrhage, and catheter embolization was performed. CASE 2: A 76-year-old male who had undergone 7 years of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis and 1 year of hemodialysis presented with right abdominal pain. He had a history of renal failure due to IgA nephropathy. CT showed a right perirenal hemorrhage. He received a blood transfusion and was put on absolute bed rest. At 2 days after admission, his anemia was found to have improved.

Effect of losartan on ambulatory short-term blood pressure variability and cardiovascular remodeling in hypertensive patients on hemodialysis.

OBJECTIVE: Previous studies have shown increases in ambulatory short-term blood pressure (BP) variability to be related to cardiovascular disease. In this study, we examined whether an angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker losartan would improve ambulatory short-term BP variability in hypertensive patients on hemodialysis. METHODS: Forty hypertensive patients on hemodialysis therapy were randomly assigned to the losartan treatment group (n=20) or the control treatment group (n=20). At baseline and 6 and 12 months after the treatment, 24-h ambulatory BP monitoring was performed. Echocardiography and measurements of brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) and biochemical parameters were also performed before and after therapy. RESULTS: After 6- and 12-months of treatment, nighttime short-term BP variability, assessed on the basis of the coefficient of variation of ambulatory BP, was significantly decreased in the losartan group, but remained unchanged in the control group. Compared with the control group, losartan significantly decreased left ventricular mass index (LVMI), baPWV, and the plasma levels of brain natriuretic peptide and advanced glycation end products (AGE). Furthermore, multiple regression analysis showed significant correlations between changes in LVMI and changes in nighttime short-term BP variability, as well as between changes in LVMI and changes in the plasma levels of AGE. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that losartan is beneficial for the suppression of pathological cardiovascular remodeling though its inhibitory effect on ambulatory short-term BP variability during nighttime.

Localization and extent of peritoneal calcification in three uremic patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.

Peritoneal calcification in three patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) was reviewed, and the relation between the localization and extent of calcium deposits detected by abdominal computed tomography (CT) and clinical signs was evaluated. Case 1 was a 48-year-old man with abdominal pain, hemoperitoneum and secondary hyperparathyroidism after receiving CAPD for seven years. An abdominal CT revealed linear peritoneal calcification in the pelvic cavity and liver surface, and his symptoms resolved after switching to hemodialysis. His clinical course and pathological findings were compatible with those in progressive calcifying peritonitis. Case 2 was a 26-year-old man presenting with abdominal pain, vomiting and fullness two years after switching to hemodialysis, because of uncontrolled overhydration following 13 years of CAPD. Plaque-like calcification outlining the small intestine and parietal peritoneum was noted on CT. Case 3 was a 59-year-old man who had abdominal distention, vomiting and diarrhea three months after switching to hemodialysis due to loss of peritoneal function following 10 years of CAPD. CT revealed diffuse sheet-like calcification surrounding the bowel and mesentery, adherent dilated bowel loops and ascites. These CT findings suggested the existence of encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis (EPS) in cases 2 and 3. Findings from our three patients indicate that peritoneal calcification is not always accompanied by EPS; however, monitoring peritoneal calcification and other findings by abdominal CT, even after cessation of CAPD, is crucial to maintain vigilance on whether the subclinical signs, which are temporally diagnosed as progressive calcifying peritonitis, advance to EPS.