RESUMEN
Introduction: The polymorphism of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1b) gene could be associated with resistance in the treatment of anemia in dialysis patients with recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO). The aim of the study was to evaluate the association between the polymorphism of the ACE and IL-1b genes and the response to rHuEPO therapy in dialysis patients with anemia. Material and methods: The study investigated 69 patients on dialysis with anemia treated with recombinant human erythropoietin for 12 months. Genotyping of ACE and IL-1b polymorphism was done in all study patients at the initiation of the study. The patient's demographic characteristics, dialysis vintage, and laboratory parameters were also evaluated as factors associated with rHuEPO resistance. The erythropoietin resistance index (ERI) was calculated as the weekly rHuEPO dose per kg of body weight, divided by the hemoglobin (Hb) concentration in g/dl. Results: The Hb ≥ 110 g/l was registered in 37 (53.6%) patients. Patients with Hb ≥ 110 g/l were characterized by significantly higher serum levels of albumin, cholesterol, and iron than those with Hb < 110 g/l. The serum level of the CRP, the weekly dose of rHuEPO, and ERI were significantly higher in patients with Hb < 110 g/l compared to patients with Hb ≥ 110 g/l. The ERI value of ≥ 10 IUkg/weekly/g/dl was present in 27 (39.1%) patients. The serum levels of ferritin and CRP, and weekly dose of rHuEPO were significantly higher in patients with ERI value ≥ 10 IU kg/weekly/g/dl compared with the patients with ERI value < 10 IUkg/weekly/g/dl. There was no significant association between the ERI and polymorphism of the ACE and IL-1b genes in study patients. Conclusion: The polymorphism of the ACE and IL-1b genes was not significantly associated with the response to erythropoietin therapy in dialysis patients with anemia. Iron deficiency, malnutrition, and inflammation were factors associated with anemia and resistance to erythropoietin therapy in dialysis patients.
RESUMEN
Ultrasound examination was performed in 80 hemodialysis (HD) patients with chronic hepatitis C in order to determine the ultrasound predictors of compensated liver cirrhosis. The ultrasound score (US) was calculated from the morphological parameters (liver size, morphology, surface, echogenicity and spleen volume) and the hemodynamic parameters (portal vein diameter and portal vein mean flow velocity). The US ranged from 0 to 200, with a cut-off value of 66, for discrimination between absence and presence of liver cirrhosis. A logistic regression model with stepwise variable selection was used to determine predictors of the progression of liver disease. According to the calculated US, patients were divided into two groups. The first group consisted of 37 (46.3%) patients with US greater than 66, indicating the presence of compensated liver cirrhosis. The second group included 43 (53.7%) patients without liver cirrhosis, with US equal to or less than 66. The value of liver morphology was significantly higher, but the portal vein flow velocity was significantly lower in patients with compensated liver cirrhosis compared with those without cirrhosis. Furthermore, rounded liver surfaces and increased liver echogenicity were significantly more frequent in patients with compensated liver cirrhosis compared with the non-compensated group. Logistic regression model with stepwise discriminant analysis identified liver morphology, liver echogenicity and portal vein mean flow velocity as independent ultrasound predictors of compensated liver cirrhosis in HD patients with chronic hepatitis C. Ultrasound examination could be used for non-invasive diagnosis of compensated liver cirrhosis, with accurate estimation of the disease severity in HD patients with chronic hepatitis C.