How many blood pressure measurements should we take in the office?

No consensus has emerged among different guidelines concerning how many blood pressure (BP) measurements should be performed at office visits in the diagnosis of hypertension. The purpose of this study was to examine the compatibility of various multiple average office BP measurements and 24-h BP monitoring (ABPM) in patients followed up in the posthoc analysis of the Cappadocia hypertension cohort. A total 1158 office BP measurements by 207 patients were examined. The results were then classified as G1 (average of the 1st and 2nd BP), G2 (average of the 2nd and 3rd), G3 (average of the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th), G4 (average of the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th), and G5 (average of all five measurements). Compatibility between the average values in the groups and concomitant 24-h ABPM data was examined. While a significant difference was observed between daytime 24-h ABPM SBP and G1 (p = .002), no difference was found in the other groups. Office DBP approached the daytime 24-h ABPM values as the number of measurements in the five groups increased, although average office DBP data in all groups were higher than daytime 24-h ABPM DBP (p = .000 for all). In light of our study results, we recommend that three office BP measurements be performed and that the average of the 2nd and 3rd measurements be used for SBP, while in terms of DBP, we recommend that as many measurements as possible be taken without the 1st value being included in the average.

Effect of medium cut-off membranes on Pentosidine and N-(carboxymethyl) lysine levels in uncontrolled diabetic hemodialysis patients.

INTRODUCTION: Patients on hemodialysis, especially with diabetes, face elevated cardiovascular events. A major contributor to complications associated with diabetes is advanced glycation end products (AGEs). Removing these compounds is challenging in traditional hemodialysis. Medium-cut-off (MCO) membranes potentially remove toxins without significant albumin loss. This study explored how MCO membranes impact AGEs levels in uncontrolled diabetic patients undergoing hemodialysis. METHODS: Sixteen patients received MCO membrane dialysis, while others used high-flux (HF) membranes. After 12 sessions, the dialyzers were switched, totaling 24 sessions. Blood samples at trial initiation (T0), session 12 (T1) and session 24 (T2) tested for CML, Pentosidine, laboratory parameters. RESULTS: Switching dialyzers showed increased albumin with MCO-to-HF and decreased with HF-to-MCO, albeit nonsignificant (p = 0.5/p = 0.1). Patients on MCO had lower albumin levels than HF (p = 0.03/p = 0.6, respectively). Hemodialysis with MCO demonstrated lower levels of CML/Pentosidine compared to HF (p = 0.09/p = 0.9 for CML; p = 0.04/p = 0.3 for Pentosidine). Transitioning to HF led to elevated levels (p = 0.4/p = 0.09 for CML; p = 0.3/p = 0.07 for Pentosidine). CONCLUSION: MCO dialysis in diabetic individuals notably reduces AGE levels.

Effect of post-transplant diabetes mellitus on cardiovascular events and mortality: a single-center retrospective cohort study.

PURPOSE: This study aims to investigate the impact of post-transplant diabetes mellitus (PTDM) on cardiovascular events, graft survival, and mortality and to determine the risk factors involved in developing PTDM. METHODS: A total of 703 patients who underwent kidney transplantation were included in the study. The total sample was subdivided into three groups: (i) patients with PTDM; (ii) patients who had diabetes before the transplantation (DM); and (iii) patients without diabetes (NoDM). The data on graft failure, cardiovascular events, all-cause mortality, and the potential risk factors that play a role in developing PTDM were recorded and analyzed. RESULTS: The patients were followed for a median of 80 (6-300) months after transplantation. Out of all patients, 41 (5.8%) had DM before transplantation, and 101 (14.4%) developed PTDM. Recipient BMI, post-transplant fasting plasma glucose, and hepatitis C seropositivity were independent risk factors for PTDM development. The incidence of cardiovascular events was 6.1% in the NoDM group, 14.9% in the PTDM group, and 29.3% in the DM group (p < 0.001). In PTDM patients, hepatitis C seropositivity and the recipient's age at transplant were independent predictors of a cardiovascular event. There were no significant differences between the groups regarding the risk of graft loss. PTDM had no significant effect on all-cause mortality. However, the survival rates of DM patients were significantly reduced compared to those with NoDM or PTDM. CONCLUSIONS: PTDM had no impact on patient survival. Hepatitis C seropositivity and recipient age at transplant predicted cardiovascular events in PTDM patients.

Chronic Kidney Disease Risk in Living Kidney Transplant Donors: A Long-Term Follow-Up Study.

BACKGROUND: Living kidney donors (LKD) may experience some untoward consequences following donation such as development of chronic kidney disease (CKD). In this study, we aimed to investigate the rate of development of CKD and factors affecting the development of CKD in LKDs during long-term follow-up from a center in Turkey. METHODS: This study was a retrospective analysis of LKDs followed between January 2000 and December 2017. Pre-transplant and post-transplant clinical data of the 338 LKDs were recorded and compared. Factors affecting the development of stage 3 and later stages of CKD were analyzed. RESULTS: Majority of the donors were females (64.2%), and the median age of all donors was 47 (39-54) years. Stage 3 CKD developed in 50 donors during the median follow-up of 71 months. Older age at the time of transplantation and a low pre-transplant estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were determined as the factors affecting the development of stage 3 CKD (p < 0.001, p < 0.001). The receiver operating characteristic analysis showed that the cut-off age for the development of stage 3 CKD was 50.5 years. Newly diagnosed hypertension was detected in 57 patients (16.8%) after the transplantation. While hypertension was seen at a rate of 42% in those with an eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m2, it was detected at 19.4% in the group with an eGFR >60 mL/min/1.73 m2 (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: These results reveal that being a LKD is associated with the development of CKD and hypertension. Age and eGFR values at the time of transplantation were the determinants for the development of CKD.

A comparative urinary proteomic and metabolomic analysis between renal aa amyloidosis and membranous nephropathy with clinicopathologic correlations.

Urinary omics has become a powerful tool for elucidating pathophysiology of glomerular diseases. However, no urinary omics analysis has been performed yet on renal AA amyloidosis. Here, we performed a comparative urine proteomic and metabolomic analysis between recently diagnosed renal AA amyloidosis (AA) and membranous nephropathy (MN) patients. Urine samples of 22 (8 AA, 8 MN and 6 healthy control) patients were analyzed with nLC-MS/MS and GC/MS for proteomic and metabolomic studies, respectively. Pathological specimens were scored for glomerulosclerosis and tubulointerstitial fibrosis grades. Functional enrichment analysis between AA and control groups showed enrichment in cell adhesion related sub-domains. Uromodulin (UMOD) was lower, whereas ribonuclease 1 (RNase1) and α-1-microglobulin/bikunin precursor (AMBP) were higher in AA compared to MN group. Correlations were demonstrated between UMOD-proteinuria (r = -0.48, p = 0.03) and AMBP-eGFR (r = -0.69, p = 0.003) variables. Metabolomic analysis showed myo-inositol and urate were higher in AA compared to MN group. A positive correlation was detected between RNase1 and urate independent of eGFR values (r = 0.63, p = 0.01). Enrichment in cell adhesion related domains suggested a possible increased urinary shear stress due to amyloid fibrils. UMOD, AMBP and myo-inositol were related with tubulointerstitial damage, whereas RNase1 and urate were believed to be related with systemic inflammation in AA amyloidosis. SIGNIFICANCE: Urinary omics studies have become a standard tool for biomarker studies. However, no urinary omics analysis has been performed yet on renal AA amyloidosis. Here, we performed a comparative urinary omics analysis between recently diagnosed renal AA amyloidosis (AA), membranous nephropathy (MN) patients and healthy controls. Pathological specimens were scored with glomerulosclerosis (G) and tubulointerstitial fibrosis (IF) grades to consolidate the results of the omics studies and correlation analyzes. Functional enrichment analysis showed enrichment in cell adhesion related sub-domains due to downregulation of cadherins; which could be related with increased urinary shear stress due to amyloid deposition and disruption of tissue micro-architecture. In comparative proteomic analyzes UMOD was lower, whereas RNase1 and AMBP were higher in AA compared to MN group. Whereas in metabolomic analyzes; myo-inositol, urate and maltose were higher in AA compared to MN group. Correlations were demonstrated between UMOD-proteinuria (r = -0.48, p = 0.03), AMBP-eGFR (r = -0.69, p = 0.003) and between RNase1-Urate independent of eGFR values (r = 0.63, p = 0.01). This study is the first comprehensive urinary omics analysis focusing on renal AA Amyloidosis to the best of our knowledge. Based on physiologic roles and clinicopathologic correlations of the molecules; UMOD, AMBP and myo-inositol were related with tubulointerstitial damage, whereas RNase1 and urate were believed to be increased with systemic inflammation and endothelial damage in AA amyloidosis.

Evaluation of Microvascular Complications in Kidney Recipients with Post-Transplant Diabetes Mellitus.

CONTEXT: Limited data on microvascular complications in patients with post-transplant diabetes (PTDM) is an obstacle to developing follow-up algorithms. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate diabetic microvascular complications in patients with long-standing PTDM. METHODS: This study included patients with at least a five-year history of PTDM and age-matched renal transplant recipients without PTDM (NDM). Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (PN) was evaluated using the Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument (MNSI), the CASE IV device, and in vivo corneal confocal microscopy (CCM). Cardiac autonomic neuropathy (CAN) tests were performed using the heart rate variability. Nephropathy (DN) screening was assessed using spot urine albumin/creatinine ratio and eGFR calculation. Diabetic retinopathy (DR) was evaluated by fundus examination and photography, and optical coherence tomography. RESULTS: This study included 41 patients with PTDM and 45 patients in the NDM group. The median follow-up was 107.5 months in the PTDM group. PN was significantly higher in the PTDM group than in the NDM group (p = 0.02). In the PTDM patients with PN, the corneal nerve fiber density examined by CCM was significantly lower than in the PTDM patients without neuropathy (p = 0.001). Parasympathetic involvement was observed in 58.5% of the PTDM group and 22% of the NDM group (p = 0.001). Sympathetic involvement was present in 65.9% of the PTDM group and 29.3% of the NDM group (p = 0.001). Retinopathy was observed in 19.5% of patients in the PTDM group, while none were in NDM patients (p < 0.001). Renal functions were similar between the study groups. CONCLUSIONS: CAN and DR can affect patients with PTDM at a high rate. DR was found to be a threat to the vision of PTDM patients. Diabetic PN can be detected early in PTDM patients by CCM.

Evaluation of drug interaction between cyclosporine and lercanidipine: a descriptive study.

OBJECTIVES: Cyclosporine is an immunosuppressive drug with a high potential for drug interactions that is frequently used in renal transplant patients. The purpose of this study was to assess the change in cyclosporine concentration in patients taking cyclosporine and lercanidipine concurrently. METHODS: The potential drug interactions in renal transplant patients who received lercanidipine and cyclosporine concurrently in a university hospital between January 2008 and January 2018 were evaluated retrospectively. Patients had renal transplantation from deceased donors or living related donors. The Drug Interaction Probability Scale (DIPS) criteria were used to assess the causality of cyclosporine and lercanidipine drug interaction. RESULTS: The study included six renal transplant patients. The median cyclosporine concentration before lercanidipine use was 325 ng/mL (min-max 101-356) and 592.5 ng/mL (min-max 198-799) thereafter (p=0.028). Serum creatinine and proteinuria levels did not change significantly during lercanidipine treatment (p=0.686 and p=0.116, respectively). According to the DIPS evaluation, cyclosporine and lercanidipine interaction was classified as "possible (score 3)". CONCLUSIONS: Concomitant use of cyclosporine and lercanidipine increases the concentration of cyclosporine, which may result in side effects during effective treatment in renal transplant patients. Therefore, cyclosporine concentrations should definitely be monitored while patients are taking lercanidipine.

The Effect of Ambient Air Pollution on Office, Home, and 24-Hour Ambulatory Blood Pressure Measurements.

BACKGROUND: Air pollution has recently been linked to a number of cardiovascular diseases, particularly hypertension (HT). In our study, we aimed to evaluate the association between air pollution and blood pressure (BP) and compare the relationship of BP measurement results obtained using different methods (office, home, and 24-hour ambulatory BP monitoring [ABPM]). METHODS: This retrospective nested panel study performed with prospective Cappadocia cohort data investigated the relationships between particulate matter (PM) 10 and sulfur dioxide (SO2) and concurrent home, office, and 24-hour ABPM data at each control performed over a 2-year period. RESULTS: A total of 327 patients in the Cappadocia cohort were included in this study. On the day of office blood pressure measurement, there was an increase of 1.36 mm Hg in systolic BP and 1.18 mm Hg in diastolic BP for every 10 µm/m3 rise in SO2 values. A mean 3-day 10 µm/m3 increase in SO2 was linked to an increase of 1.60 mm Hg in systolic BP and 1.33 mm Hg in diastolic BP. A 10 µm/m3 rise in mean SO2 on the day of 24-hour ABPM measurement was found to be associated with an increase of 1.3 mm Hg in systolic BP and 0.8 mm Hg in diastolic BP. SO2 and PM 10 had no effect on home measurements. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, increased SO2 levels, during winter months in particular, can be associated with an elevation in office BP values. Our study findings show that air pollution in the setting in which BP is measured may be associated with the results.

Cytoplasmic WT1 in IgA nephropathy, an indicator of poor prognosis associated with mesangial/peri-mesangial C4d.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to investigate the immuno-histochemical expression of C4d, ADAM10 and WT1 in kidney biopsies of immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) patients and correlate the findings with clinical, laboratory and histopathologic features in the hope of defining new parameters to better understand the pathogenesis of the disease, and predict prognosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Paraffin-embedded kidney biopsy samples of 128 IgAN patients were immuno-histochemically treated with C4d and ADAM10/WT1 dual stain. Results were evaluated according to Oxford classification parameters, epidemiologic features, laboratory findings at presentation and clinical follow-up. RESULTS: We observed C4d positivity in 40.6% of our patients, 25% of which was mesangial/peri-mesangial (m/pm) staining. Only m/pmC4d positivity statistically correlated with progression to end-stage renal disease (ESRD). M/pmC4d positive patients had statistically significantly higher baseline proteinuria levels, presence of crescents and > 25% segmental sclerosis of glomeruli. There was cytoplasmic staining of WT1 in 11.2% of cases. Presence of cWT1 correlated with m/pmC4d positivity and progression to ESRD. There was no glomerular ADAM10 detected and tubular expression of this protein did not relate to amount of tubular damage or other parameters. CONCLUSION: This study is the first to show that cWT1is involved in IgAN and appears as an independent variable for worse prognosis.

Quality of life and physical activity level in patients with chronic kidney disease during COVID-19 pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic process may affect the physical and psychosocial health in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The aim of this study was to compare the quality of life, physical activity, fear of COVID-19 and mental health in CKD patients and healthy individualsand compare the aforementioned parameters in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and renal transplantation (RTx) patients during the pandemic. Eighty-two patients (33 ESRD, 49 RTx) and age-gender matched 108 healthy individuals were included. Quality of life (Short Form 36 Health Survey Questionnaire-SF-36), physical activity (short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire -IPAQ-SF), fear of COVID-19 (Fear of COVID-19 Scale-FCV-19S) and mental health (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-HADS) were evaluated. Physical activity levels and all SF-36 scores except mental health in CKD patients were significantly lower than healthy individuals (p < 0.05). FCV-19S and HADS scores were similar between the groups (p > 0.05). ESRD patients' pain and general health perceptions scores of SF-36 were lower than RTx patients' (p < 0.05). Quality of life and physical activity levels were worse in CKD patients compared to healthy individuals during the pandemic. The participants had fear of COVID-19, poor mental health and low physical activity. For these reasons, psychosocial and physical activity interventions for the both groups may be beneficial for the affected outcomes during COVID-19 pandemic.

Impact of the kidney transplantation on renalase and blood pressure levels in renal transplant donors and recipients.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Prevalence of hypertension increases as glomerular filtration rate (GFR) declines. Renalase metabolizes catecholamines and have an important role in blood pressure (BP) regulation. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effect of kidney transplantation on renalase levels and BP in kidney donors and recipients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty kidney transplant recipients and their donors were included in the study. Serum renalase levels and ambulatory BP values were measured in both donors and recipients before and after transplantation. Factor associated with change in renalase and BP levels were also evaluated. RESULTS: In donors; mean GFR and hemoglobin levels decreased while night-time systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) levels and serum renalase levels increased simultaneously after nephrectomy. Day-time SBP and DBP levels did not changed and the night/day ratio of mean arterial pressure (MAP) increased significantly. In recipients, mean GFR increased, while mean serum renalase levels, creatinine and BP levels decreased after transplantation. Correlation analysis revealed that changes in MAP correlated with alteration in serum renalase levels and GFR. CONCLUSIONS: After transplantation, serum renalase levels increased in donors and decreased in recipients. The renalase levels are associated with change in MAP and circadian rhythm of BP in donors and recipients.

Hepatitis E Virus Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors in High-Risk Groups: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Seroepidemiology, risk factors to hepatitis E virus exposure, and prevalence of hepatitis E virus viremia have not yet been investigated among patients under immunosuppression or with liver disease that are high risk for infection in Turkey. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 292 consecutive serum samples from renal transplant recipients, allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients, patients with acute hepatitis, and patients with chronic hepatitis C were prospectively collected in a ter- tiary university hospital. Sera were tested for hepatitis E virus immunoglobulin G/immunoglobulin M and hepatitis E virus ribonucleic acid using commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and in-house nested polymerase chain reaction with Sanger sequencing, respectively. Sociodemographic, clinical, laboratory data, and risk factors were collected using a questionnaire and hospital database. Multiple logistic regression analysis was employed to identify independent predictors for anti-hepatitis E virus seropositivity. RESULTS: Among all patients, only 2 patients (1 renal transplant recipient and 1 patient with acute hepatitis) were identified as having hepatitis E virus genotype 3 viremia. Hepatitis E virus viremia rate was 0.6% in whole group. These patients showed no signs of chronic hepatitis E virus infection for 6 months and were spontaneously seroconverted 6 months after enrollment. Anti-hepatitis E virus IgG was positive in 29 patients yielding a hepatitis E virus seroprevalence of 9.9%. Older age (adjusted odds ratio: 1.03, 95% CI, 1.00-1.06; P = .022) and eating undercooked meat (adjusted odds ratio: 3.11, 95% CI, 1.08-8.92; P = .034) were independent risk factors to anti- hepatitis E virus seropositivity in all patients. Similarly, multiple logistic regression analysis demonstrated that age (adjusted odds ratio: 1.03, 95% CI, 0.99-1.07, P = .058) and eating undercooked meat (adjusted odds ratio: 5.77, 95% CI, 1.49-22.25, P = .011) were indepen- dent risk factors for anti-hepatitis E virus IgG positivity in the liver disease subgroup consisting of acute hepatitis and chronic hepatitis C patients. CONCLUSION: The hepatitis E virus seroprevalence rate was high (9.9%), despite low viremia rate (0.6%) in high-risk patients. The emer- gence of hepatitis E virus genotype 3 might indicate a serious problem for these patients. Future investigations are needed to elucidate foodborne transmission routes of hepatitis E virus in Turkey.

Differences and similarities of proliferative and non-proliferative forms of biopsy-proven lupus nephritis: Single centre, cross-disciplinary experience.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to compare clinical features, outcomes, treatments, and to define the predictive factors of complete renal response (CRR) in patients with proliferative and non-proliferative lupus nephritis (LN). METHODS: Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) followed between 2014 and 2020 at Hacettepe University Hospitals and who had a kidney biopsy were the subject of the study. One hundered and sixteen patients' kidney biopsies reported as LN were evaluated retrospectively. Clinical characteristics and laboratory values at the time of kidney biopsy, histopathological forms of LN, and renal response (complete or partial) were recorded. We analyzed the association between CRR rates during the 2-year follow-up after induction therapy and the predictive factors for CRR. RESULTS: Of 116 (93 females, 23 males) patients, 95 (81.9%) were in the proliferative group (class III and IV) and 21 (18.1%) were in the non-proliferative group (class II and V). In the proliferative group, the percentage of the patients with elevated basal creatinine levels, median daily proteinuria, anti-double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) positivity, low C3 and C4 levels, the presence of active urinary sediment, and median renal SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) scores at the time of kidney biopsy were significantly higher than the non-proliferative group. Renal response status during the 2-year follow-up after induction therapy was available for 99 patients. During this time, 70 (70.7%) patients had achieved CRR and time-to-CRR was similar between the proliferative and non-proliferative groups (p = 0.64, log-rank test). The Cox proportional hazards model showed that achievement of CRR was associated with female gender [HR: 2.15 (1.19-3.89 95% CI), p = 0.011], newly diagnosed SLE with renal biopsy [HR: 2.15 (1.26-3.67 95% CI), p = 0.005], hypertension [HR: 0.40 (0.27-0.94 95% CI), p = 0.032], eGFR increase [HR: 1.01 (1.00-1.01 95% CI), p = 0.046], and the presence of active urinary sediment [HR: 0.46 (0.22-0.96 95% CI), p = 0.039]. CONCLUSIONS: Achieving CRR was similar in proliferative and non-proliferative LN patients, although certain laboratory parameters differed at the onset. Our results indicated the importance of kidney biopsy in the decision-making of treatment of SLE patients with renal involvement and that the defined factors associated with CRR achievement help to predict good renal response.

The effect of hypertension and antihypertensive therapies on the course of COVID-19 infection: Turkish national health system data.

AIM: The effect of hypertension (HT) and antihypertensive therapies such as renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) blockers on the disease course in COVID-19 patients is controversial. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of HT and antihypertensive therapies on the course of COVID-19 disease. METHOD: The age, sex, comorbid diseases, and antihypertensive therapies of 132,790 patients with positive COVID-19 real-time transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests in the Turkish Health Ministry National COVID-19 database between 11 March and 31 May 2020, were examined and analyzed. RESULTS: Forty-one percent of the 132,790 patients in this study (median age: 40, 47.3% female) were hospitalized for treatment, and 4.5% were followed-up in the intensive care unit (ICU). The most frequent comorbid disease, at 19.5%, was HT (n = 25,863). Mortality was determined in 4.9% of HT patients and 1.9% of non-HT patients (p < .001). HT, age, and male gender emerged as independent predictors of hospitalization and admission to the ICU, while HT was not a predictor of mortality. In addition, no adverse effect of any antihypertensive treatment, including RAAS inhibitors, on mortality was detected. CONCLUSION: Based on Turkish national data, HT is common in COVID-19 patients, but does not appear to be an independent predictor of mortality, and no adverse effect of RAAS inhibitors on COVID-19-related mortality was observed.

Impact of the kidney transplantation on renalase and blood pressure levels in renal transplant donors and recipients / Impacto del trasplante de riñón en los niveles de renalasa y presión arterial en donantes y receptores de trasplante renal

Introduction and objectives: Prevalence of hypertension increases as glomerular filtration rate (GFR) declines. Renalase metabolizes catecholamines and have an important role in blood pressure (BP) regulation. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effect of kidney transplantation on renalase levels and BP in kidney donors and recipients.Materials and methods: Twenty kidney transplant recipients and their donors were included in the study. Serum renalase levels and ambulatory BP values were measured in both donors and recipients before and after transplantation. Factor associated with change in renalase and BP levels were also evaluated.Results: In donors; mean GFR and hemoglobin levels decreased while night-time systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) levels and serum renalase levels increased simultaneously after nephrectomy. Day-time SBP and DBP levels did not changed and the night/day ratio of mean arterial pressure (MAP) increased significantly. In recipients, mean GFR increased, while mean serum renalase levels, creatinine and BP levels decreased after transplantation. Correlation analysis revealed that changes in MAP correlated with alteration in serum renalase levels and GFR.Conclusions: After transplantation, serum renalase levels increased in donors and decreased in recipients. The renalase levels are associated with change in MAP and circadian rhythm of BP in donors and recipients. (AU)

Introducción y objetivos: La prevalencia de la hipertensión aumenta a medida que la velocidad de filtración glomerular (VFG) disminuye. La renalasa metaboliza las catecolaminas y tiene una función importante en la regulación de la presión arterial (PA). El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar el efecto del trasplante de riñón en los niveles de renalasa y PA en donantes y receptores de riñón.Materiales y métodos: En este estudio se incluyeron veinte receptores de riñón y sus donantes. Se midieron los niveles séricos de renalasa y los valores de PA ambulatorios en donantes y receptores, antes y después del trasplante. También se evaluaron los factores asociados a la alteración de los niveles de renalasa y PA.Resultados: En donantes; la VFG media y los niveles de hemoglobina disminuyeron, mientras que la presión arterial sistólica (PAS) y diastólica (PAD) y los niveles séricos de renalasa durante la noche aumentaron simultáneamente después de la nefrectomía. Los niveles de PAS y PAD no cambiaron durante el día y el cociente noche/día de la presión arterial media (PAM) aumentó significativamente. En los receptores, la VFG media aumentó, mientras que los niveles séricos de renalasa, la creatinina y los niveles de PA disminuyeron después del trasplante. El análisis de correlación reveló que los cambios de la PAM se correlacionaron con la alteración de los niveles séricos de renalasa y la VFG.Conclusiones: Tras el trasplante, los niveles séricos de renalasa aumentaron en los donantes y disminuyeron en los receptores. Los niveles de renalasa se asocian a cambios en la PAM y al ritmo circadiano de la PA en donantes y receptores.

A standard hemodialysis prescription to prevent osmotic demyelination in hyponatremic patients requiring dialysis.

INTRODUCTION: We aimed to investigate the effect of a standard hemodialysis prescription in hyponatremic patients requiring hemodialysis on the development of osmotic demyelination syndrome. METHODS: Ninety-nine patients who were treated with hemodialysis for the first time and had a pre-dialysis sodium value of ≤125 meq/L included in the study. Standard hemodialysis treatment was applied to all patients. Biochemical data before, immediately after and 24 h after hemodialysis were recorded retrospectively. All patients followed up for 2 weeks and magnetic resonance imaging was performed in patients with neurological symptoms. RESULTS: Eight patients had a sodium increase of more than 12 meq/L at 24-h after hemodialysis. Although hyponatremia was corrected rapidly with hemodialysis, none of the 99 azotemic patients developed osmotic demyelination syndrome. CONCLUSION: We did not observe osmotic demyelination syndrome in hyponatremic patients with azotemia treated with standard protocol hemodialysis. However, caution should still be exercised in high-risk patients for osmotic demyelination.

Trends of primary glomerular disease in Turkey: TSN-GOLD registry report.

BACKGROUND: Although several renal biopsy registry reports have been published worldwide, there are no data on primary glomerular disease trends in Turkey. METHODS: Three thousand eight-hundred fifty-eight native kidney biopsy records were assessed in the Turkish Society of Nephrology Primary Glomerulopathy Working Group (TSN-GOLD) Registry. Secondary disease and transplant biopsies were not recorded in the registry. These records were divided into four periods, before 2009, 2009 to 2013, 2013-2017, and 2017-current. RESULTS: A total of 3858 patients (43.6% female, 6.8% elderly) were examined. Nephrotic syndrome was the most common biopsy indication in all periods (58.6%, 53%, 44.1%, 51.6%, respectively). In the whole cohort, IgA nephropathy (IgAN) (25.7%) was the most common PGN with male predominance (62.7%), and IgAN frequency steadily increased through the periods (× 2 = 198, p < 0.001). MGN was the most common nephropathy in the elderly (> 65 years), and there was no trend in this age group. An increasing trend was seen in the frequency of overweight patients (× 2 = 37, p < 0.0001). Although the biopsy rate performed with interventional radiology gradually increased, the mean glomeruli count in the samples did not change over the periods. CONCLUSIONS: In Turkey, IgAN is the most common primary glomerulonephritis, and the frequency of this is increasing.

Evaluation of renal fibrosis in various causes of glomerulonephritis by MR elastography: a clinicopathologic comparative analysis.

BACKGROUND: Renal parenchymal fibrosis is the most important determinant of kidney disease progression and it is determined via biopsy. The aim of this study is to evaluate the renal stiffness noninvasively by magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) and to compare it with clinicopathologic parameters in glomerulonephritis and AA amyloidosis patients. METHODS: Thirty-four patients with glomerular filtration rate (GFR) over 20 ml/min/1.73m2 had non-contrast MRE prospectively. Kidney stiffness values were obtained from whole kidney, cortex, and medulla. Values were correlated with GFR, albuminuria, proteinuria, and degree of fibrosis that are assessed via renal biopsy. Patients were grouped clinicopathologically to assess the relation between stiffness and chronicity. RESULTS: Mean whole kidney, cortex, and medulla stiffnesses were 3.78 (± 1.26), 3.63 (± 1.25), and 4.77 (± 2.03) kPa, respectively. Mean global glomerulosclerosis was 22% (± 18%) and median segmental glomerulosclerosis was 4% (min-max: 0%-100%). Extent of tubulointerstitial fibrosis was less than 25% in 26 of the patients (76.5%), 25%-50% in 6 of the patients (17.6%), and higher than 50% in 2 of the patients (5.9%). Fourteen patients were defined to have chronic renal parenchymal injury. MRE-derived stiffness values correlated negatively with parameters of fibrosis. Lower stiffness values were observed in patients with chronic renal injury compared to those without (P < 0.05 for whole kidney and medulla MRE-derived stiffness). CONCLUSION: MRE-derived stiffness values were lower in patients with chronic injury. Stiffness decreases as glomerulosclerosis and tubulointerstitial fibrosis progresses in patients with primary glomerulonephritis and AA amyloidosis. With future studies, there may be a role for MRE to assess renal function in concert with conventional markers.

Renal effects of long-term lithium therapy, revisited.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of lithium treatment on renal function and to determine influencing factors. In addition, the utility of spot urine protein/creatinine ratio in detection of lithium induced nephropathy was also investigated. METHODS: Serum concentrations of lithium, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and urinalysis including protein/creatinine ratio were measured in 375 patients using lithium. RESULTS: Patients taking lithium for ≥8 years had higher BUN, creatinine levels, percentage of proteinuria, percentages of stage 2 and 3 chronic kidney disease (CKD); lower urine density and eGFR compared to patients taking lithium <8 years. Urine density was lower in groups with >0.8 and 0.6-0.8 mmol/L lithium level than <0.6 mmol/L. Predictors of CKD were serum level of lithium, dose of lithium, cumulative duration of lithium use, age at onset of illness, and caffeine consumption. CONCLUSIONS: Detrimental effects of lithium on renal functions were detected after lithium use for ≥8 years. Proteinuria measured by spot urine protein/creatinine ratio can be detected even when eGFR is >90 ml/min/1.73 m2 . Spot urine protein/creatinine ratio, which is a cost-effective and practical laboratory test, can be used to monitor lithium-treated patients.

Does Blood Pressure Variability Affect Hypertension Development in Prehypertensive Patients?

BACKGROUND: Blood pressure variability (BPV) is associated with end organ damage and cardiovascular outcomes in hypertensive patients. Prehypertensive patients frequently develop hypertension (HT). The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of BPV on the development of HT. METHODS: Two hundred and seven prehypertensive patients from the Cappadocia cohort were monitored over 2 years, and 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM), office BP, and home BP measurements were subsequently performed at 4- to 6-month intervals. BPV was calculated as average real variability (ARV) from 24-h ABPM data, home BP, and office BP measurements at first visit. The relationship was evaluated between baseline ARV and the development of HT. RESULTS: HT was diagnosed in 25.60% of subjects. Baseline 24-hour ABPM systolic blood pressure (SBP)ARV and diastolic blood pressure (DBP)ARV and home SBPARV were significantly higher in patients who developed HT than the other patients (P 0.006, 0.001 and 0.006, respectively). Baseline 24-hour ABPM SBPARV and home SBPARV exceeding the 90th percentile were identified as parameters affecting development of HT at logistic regression analysis. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, our prospective observational cohort study showed that short-term BPV in particular can predict the development of HT in the prehypertensive population.