Morning blood pressure surge in renal transplant recipients: Its relation to graft function and arterial stiffness.

BACKGROUND: When the blood pressure rises before awakening in the morning, it is called as morning blood pressure pulse (MBPS). MBPS is considered to be an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the associations between MBPS, graft function, arterial stiffness and echocardiographic indices in renal transplant recipients. METHODS: Among 600 renal transplant recipients, 122 patients who had a history of hypertension and were taking at least one antihypertensive medication were enrolled in the study. Arterial stiffness was measured by carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWv), and echocardiographic indices were assessed. 24 h ambulatory blood pressure was monitored for all patients. MBPS was calculated by subtracting morning systolic blood pressure from minimal asleep systolic blood pressure. RESULTS: Mean morning, day time and asleep systolic blood pressure values were 171.2 ± 23.9, 137.9 ± 18.1, and 131.7 ± 18.9, respectively. Nondipper hypertension status was observed in 93 patients. Mean MBPS was 35.6 ± 19.5 mm Hg, means PWv was 6.5 ± 2.0 m/s. Patients with MBPS ≥ 35 mm Hg, had significantly lower eGFR and higher proteinuria, PWv. higher left atrium volume and LVMI. In regression analysis, day time systolic blood pressure, asleep systolic blood pressure, morning blood pressure surge, nondipper status and left ventricular mass index were detected as the predictors of graft function. CONCLUSIONS: Increased morning blood pressure surge is associated with graft dysfunction, increased arterial stiffness and LVMI that contribute to cardiovascular mortality and morbidity in renal transplant recipients.

Do Lifestyle Changes of Renal Transplant Recipients During the Pandemic Reduce the Risk of Coronavirus Disease 2019?

INTRODUCTION: There is no published study regarding the effects of preventive measures on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) frequency in renal transplantation recipients. The aim of this study is to reveal the preventive measures taken by renal transplant recipients during the COVID-19 pandemic and whether these measures influence the prevalence of the disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After detecting the first COVID-19 case in Turkey, we briefed all of our renal transplant recipients on preventive measures regarding COVID-19. Two months afterward, a questionnaire was prepared regarding the preventive measures practiced by renal transplant recipients, and patients were asked whether they had any COVID-19 symptoms or had received a COVID-19 diagnosis. RESULTS: Among 132 patients, 68 were surveyed through telephone calls. During this time, 95.5% of patients were in isolation at home except for when seeing to their essential needs. Two (2.9%) patients were hospitalized due to increases in creatinine level and urinary tract infection. All patients have worn masks when going out and stated that they washed their hands more frequently. There was a decrease in the frequency of hospital controls in 79.4% of patients. Although 2 (2.9%) patients had complaints of dysuria and fever, they did not apply to the hospital because they thought hospitals carried risk during the pandemic. One patient had a cough with fever and was admitted to the hospital with suspicion of COVID-19 but tested negative. DISCUSSION: It was determined that renal transplant recipients in our study population meticulously complied with preventive measures and increased the use of masks and hand hygiene practices. As a result, none were infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2.

Dietary Fiber Intake: Its Relation With Glycation End Products and Arterial Stiffness in End-Stage Renal Disease Patients.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to analyze the relationship between the effect of total dietary fiber intake on C-reactive protein (CRP) and on oxidative stress parameters such as serum advanced glycation end products (AGEs), superoxide dysmutase (SOD), malondialdehyde, and arterial stiffness by pulse wave velocity (PWv) in maintanace hemodialysis (MHD) patients. METHODS: Among 650 MHD patients, 128 were selected according to inclusion criteria. The dietary survey was performed with a 3-day dietary history. Dietary fiber level was adjusted for total energy intake by the residual method. Patients were stratified by quartiles of adjusted dietary fiber (ADF) level as group 1 (n = 32) (ADF: <8.86 g/day), group 2 (n = 35) (ADF: 8.86-12.50 g/day), group 3 (n = 31) (ADF: 12.51-15.90 g/day), and group 4 (n = 30) (ADF: ≥15.91 g/day). Monthly assessed biochemical parameters including serum hemoglobin, albumin, CRP, calcium, phosphorus, and lipid profile levels were recorded. Serum AGEs, SOD, and malondialdehyde levels were determined by ELISA method. The PWv was determined from pressure tracing over carotid and femoral arteries. RESULTS: Patients in group 3 and 4 had significantly lower CRP and AGE than those in group 1 and 2. Mean serum SOD level and PWv were significantly higher in group 4. In regression analysis, ADF intake was the unique predictor for both AGE (r2 = 0.164, P = 0.017) and CRP levels (r2 = 0.238, P = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Present data show that dietary fiber intake is independently correlated with inflammation and oxidative stress. In addition, decreased fiber intake results in impaired arterial stiffness. Thus, adequate fiber intake could prevent cardiovascular events and inflammatory processes in patients undergoing MHD.

Factors Influencing Hemoglobin Variability and Its Association with Mortality in Hemodialysis Patients.

PURPOSE: We aimed to investigate the factors influencing hemoglobin variability with inflammatory and nutritional parameters and its associations with all-cause mortality among hemodialysis patients. METHODS: One hundred and sixty-nine patients during the entire 12 months were enrolled into the study. Fasting plasma glucose, creatinine, calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, parathyroid hormone (PTH), C-reactive protein (CRP), serum iron, serum iron-binding capacity, and transferrin saturation were analyzed. We defined six groups: low, target range, high, low-amplitude fluctuation with low hemoglobin levels, low-amplitude fluctuation with high hemoglobin levels, and high-amplitude fluctuation. Body mass index (BMI), malnutrition-inflammation score (MIS), and Charlson Comorbidity Index were evaluated. RESULTS: Hemoglobin variability was significantly correlated with age, platelet count, and number of hospitalization instances and inversely correlated with erythropoietin dose per body surface area. The coefficient of variation of hemoglobin showed a correlation with MIS and ferritin. The absolute level of hemoglobin showed a negative correlation between PTH, CRP, MIS, number of hospitalization instances and a positive correlation with albumin and BMI. High, low, and target-range groups showed survival advantage compared to the other three groups. In regression analysis, age, CRP levels, MIS, and BMI were the predictors of mortality. CONCLUSION: Inflammation and duration of anemia were the major predictors of hemoglobin variability. High-amplitude fluctuation predicts high mortality; on the contrary low-amplitude fluctuations is related to better survival. MIS was independently associated with mortality. This trial is registered with NCT03454906.