Abstract
Background/objectives: Abdominal fat deposition is represented by means of the conicity index (CI), an anthropometric estimate that models the relative accumulation of abdominal fat. We ...examined the influence of markers of cardiovascular disease in terms of inflammation and lipid profile and body fat distribution on the progression of renal disease in patients with stable chronic kidney disease (CKD) stages 3-5. Material and methods: We studied 104 pre-dialysis CKD patients (64 males, 62%; age 64.6 ± 14.7 years). Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was estimated (44.62 ± 14.38 mL/min/1.73 m2) by modification of diet in renal disease formula. GFR values were estimated at baseline and at the end of the 12-month follow-up. Patients were stratified into three groups: group 1 had a loss of GFR ≥20%; group 2 had a loss of GFR 10-20%; and group 3 patients had stable renal functions or GFR change <10% at the end of 12 months. Body mass index (BMI), waist/hip ratio (WHR), and CI were subsequently computed. Renal resistive index (RRI) was measured using Doppler ultrasonography. Results: CI was strongly correlated with total cholesterol (r = 0.37, p < 0.01), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) (r = 0.53, p < 0.01), C-reactive protein (r = 0.21, p < 0.05), and serum potassium (r = 0.216, p < 0.02), whereas BMI and WHR were not associated with these parameters. The values of CI, serum cholesterol, LDL, alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase activity, the degree of proteinuria and microalbuminuria, and RRI were significantly lower in group 3. In linear regression model, LDL (r2 = 0.17, p = 0.02), uric acid (r2 = 0.19, p < 0.01), and RRI (r2 = 0.64, p < 0.01) were independently associated with CI for all groups. Conclusion: CI is an independent predictor of systemic inflammation, cardiovascular risk, and GFR in patients during the pre-dialysis period.
Atherosclerosis (AS) and malnutrition are 2 major causes of morbidity and mortality in hemodialysis (HD) patients. A high body fat percentage (BFP) may be paradoxically associated with improved ...survival in chronic HD patients. We aimed to establish BFP profile of the HD patients by using bioimpedance analysis, body mass index (BMI), and waist/hip ratio (WHR) to find out their association with inflammation and AS.
In total, 125 HD patients (64 male, 51% mean age of 49.7 ± 12.3 years) were included in the study. Malnutrition-inflammation score (MIS) has been used and supported with biochemical parameters: C-reactive protein, serum iron, total iron binding capacity, ferritin, complete blood count, serum albumin, total cholesterol, low- and high-density lipoproteins, and triglyceride. The patients were divided into 3 groups according to their BFP that were defined by bioimpedance analysis. We also compared these groups according to BMI percentiles. Independent variables affecting BMI and MIS were identified by logistic regression analysis.
AS was correlated with high BFP for our female HD patients, but not for the males. BFP, BMI, and WHR were significantly higher for females. Older age (P = .02), BMI (P < .01), WHR (P < .01), total leukocyte count (P = .02), serum iron (P < .01), and total iron-binding capacity (P = .02) were found significantly correlated with higher BFP for female HD patients, whereas only BMI (P < .01) and serum creatinine levels (P = .04) were significant for male patients. In logistic regression analysis, independent factors affecting cardiovascular disease (CVD) were gender, BFP, MIS, and lymphocyte/leukocyte ratio. Independent factors affecting MIS were gender, BFP, CVD, serum albumin level, and serum C-reactive protein.
BFP and male gender may be contributing factors for CVD; however, female HD patients with high BFP had higher risk of CVD than male counterparts. Further studies are needed to evaluate the pathophysiology of this discrepancy between genders.
Elevated oxidative status and reduced antioxidant defence systems in patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) accelerate the prevalence of atherosclerosis and other chronic complications. We aimed ...to investigate the levels of reactive oxygen, nitrogen species, and antioxidants in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) having hemodialysis and controls and evaluate the factors that might influence the oxidative-antioxidative balance.
Sixty four patients with ESRD were enrolled in this study. Twenty two controls with normal renal function were included. 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine, asymmetric dimethylarginine, and nitrotyrosine levels were quantitated by Elisa. Catalase was assayed with a colorimetric method. Glutathione, nitric oxide, total antioxidant capacity, and lipid hydroperoxide were assayed spectrophotometrically.
8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine, asymmetric dimethylarginine, nitrotyrosine, and nitric oxide levels of patients were higher than those of the control group (p < 0.01) (p < 0.001), respectively. Total antioxidant capacity and catalase activity were significantly increased in controls compared to patients with renal failure (p < 0.001) (p < 0.01), respectively.
Our data confirmed the previous findings that an increase in oxidative stress may be considered as one of the major risk factors in CRF patients. The lowering of total antioxidant defences in patients with end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis may contribute to the increased oxidative damage and to the development of renal complications.
Introduction: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major health issue worldwide, which leads to end-stage renal failure and cardiovascular events. Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a surrogate ...marker of inflammation and has been widely studied in malignancies, hypertension, heart diseases, and vascular diseases. In this study, we aimed to investigate if NLR represents renal reserve and function after partial or radical nephrectomy.
Methods: We conducted a retrospective study consists of patients who had undergone radical/partial nephrectomy in our hospital and/or who admitted to urology and nephrology clinics as an outpatient. Patients were divided into four groups: Group 1 (n = 46): Healthy controls; Group 2 (n = 50): Patients who had undergone unilateral partial nephrectomy; Group 3 (n = 46): Patients who had gone unilateral nephrectomy; Group 4 (n = 82): Patients who had CKD.
Results: The mean NLR of each group was as follows: Group 1: 2.14 ± 0.73; Group 2: 3.52 ± 3.74; Group 3: 3.64 ± 3.52, and Group 4: 3.53 ± 2.30. NLR was lower in Group 1 compared to other groups but statistically significant difference was observed only between Group 1 (control) and Group 4 (CKD), 2.14 ± 0.73 versus 3.53 ± 2.30 (p = .005). In non-parametric correlation analysis NLR was found negatively correlated with GFR and positively correlated CKD stage (p = .028 for both correlations).
Conclusions: The NLR may constitute a practical predictor of CKD besides Cr in patients who had undergone partial or radical nephrectomy.
Purpose The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between Fibroblast Growth Factor-23 (FGF23) serum levels and cardiovascular disease and early graft failure in renal transplant ...recipients. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted on renal transplant recipients followed by our adult kidney transplant clinic. The patients were divided into two groups according to the mean FGF23 levels (mean FGF23 level=71.2 ± 34.6pg/mL). The patients included in the study were classified as Group 1 (FGF23 <71 pg/mL, n= 42) and Group 2 (FGF23 ≥ 71pg/mL, n= 46) and the data was analyzed as a statistical significance between the two groups. The presence of atherosclerosis was determined by a Doppler ultrasound for evaluate the carotid artery intima-media thickness (CA-IMT). Intrarenal Doppler spectra were obtained with same Doppler ultrasound to determine the renal resistivity index (RRI) for evaluate graft renal failure. Results A total of 88 kidney transplantation recipients were included in the study. In the multivariate analysis adjusted for age and gender, the eGFR (β =-0.217, p=0.048), CA-IMT (β =0.318, p=0.009) and RRI (β =0.246, p=0.019) parameters were statistically significant, while the remaining parameters were not statistically significant. In the group analysis, Ca (9.6 ± 0.3 vs. 8.8 ± 0,2, p< 0.05), CA-IMT (0.9 ± 0.2, vs. 0.6 ± 0.3, p< 0.05) and RRI (0.69 ± 0.04 vs. 0.60 ± 0.01, p< 0.05) were significantly higher in the patients in group 2 than the patients in group 1. Conclusion According to our results, FGF23 can be considered as a descriptive biomarker for cardiovascular prognosis and graft function for patients with kidney transplantation.
Abstract
Background and Aims
We aimed to evaluate the effect of glomerular C3 deposits on clinical and laboratory findings and outcome in patients with idiopathic membranous nephropathy (MN) included ...in the Primary Glomerular Diseases Study of Turkish Society of Nephrology Glomerular Diseases Study Group (TSN-GOLD).
Method
The data of 1595 patients with MN in the database has been evaluated. 114 patients were excluded due to lack of data about C3 staining, 54 patients due to secondary MN and 523 due to lack of data about the follow-up. Patients with glomerular C3 deposits were compared with those with no C3 staining.
Results
Glomerular C3 deposits were detected in kidney biopsy specimens of 601 patients of the 888 patients analysed. The demographic data, clinical and laboratory findings at the time of diagnosis of C3 (+) and C3 (-) groups are presented in Table 1. They were similar except serum albumin level that was lower in C3 (+) group. Subepithelial deposits and interstitial fibrosis was more prominent, IgG, Kappa and Lambda staining more intense, positivity for C1q and IgA was more frequent in C3 (+) group (Table 2).
The study groups were similar regarding remission rates after the first imuunosuppressive treatment (p = 0.582). 155 patients (25.8%) had partial, 152 (25.3%) had complete remission while no remission was detected in 92 patients (15.3%) in C3 (+) group. 69 patients (24.0%) had partial and 81 patients (28.2%) had complete remission; 40 patients (13.9%) had no remission in C3 (-) group. The relapse rates were 17.6% and 19.9% in C3 (+) and C3 (-) groups (p = 0.360). The percentage of patients who died or needed renal replacement therapy (RRT) were higher C3 (+) group (p = 0.013) (Figure 1).
Conclusion
Need for RRT and mortality is higher in patients with C3 deposition showing the importance of C3 deposition in the prognosis of MN. More prominent interstitial fibrosis may be related with the worse outcome.
Abstract
Background and Aims
The most important determinant of renal and patient survival in anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) associated vasculitis (AAV) is early initiation ...immunosuppressive (IS) therapy. Other factors associated with survival are age and renal function and/or renal involvement at diagnosis. The prognosis is poor in patients with AAV who do not receive IS treatment. The effect of plasma exchange (PE). in patients who underwent plasmapheresis with IS treatment has been questioned in recent studies. Renal histology is a predictor of long-term risk of renal failure in patients with crescentic glomerulonephritis, and prognostic histological scorings have been developed. In this study, we investigated clinical and pathological risk factors that may affect patient and renal survival in patients with AAV.
Method
Data of 225 AAV patients diagnosed by renal biopsy in the age range of 16-85 years in 30 centers were used which were obtained from the Turkish Society of Nephrology Glomerular Diseases (TSN-GOLD) Working Group database. Patients who did not have regular follow-up for at least 3 months, patients with immunocomplex glomerulonephritis, and patients with rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis who were positive for anti-GBM antibodies were excluded from the study. Patients with negative ANCA (n: 17) and unknown ANCA results (n: 28) were included in the study according to their renal biopsy findings.
Results
The mean age of the study population was 52,1±15,2 years and 126 (56%) were male. After renal biopsy, 154 patients (85.1%) received only cyclophosphamide and steroid treatment as initial IS treatment, 23 patients (12.6%) also received PE. When the clinical results of the patients were evaluated, end-stage renal disease (ESRD) was detected in 50 (22.2%) patients, while 36 (16%) patients died. When the factors affecting the development of ESRD were evaluated with the logistic regression analysis model, it was shown that the low albumin level of the patients at the time of diagnosis and the percentage of interstitial fibrosis (IF) >25% in renal pathology were more effective for the development of ESRD (p = 0.02, p = 0.01). When the factors affecting the survival of the patients were evaluated with the logistic regression analysis model, we demonstrated that there was no significant effect of PE and IF >25% in renal pathology; age HR = 1.035 (1.001-1.069) and patients with lower albumin value HR = 0.488 (0.241-0.987) were found to be more risky in terms of death (p = 0.041, p = 0.046) (Table 1).
Conclusion
In this study, the serum albumin level of the patient at the time of biopsy was determinant in renal and patient survival in AAV. IF >25% in renal pathology was effective in renal survival, but it was not found to be effective in patient survival. Plasma exchange did not provide additional benefit to standard treatment. Prospective and multicenter studies with a larger number of patients are needed to confirm our findings.
Abstract
Background and Aims
We aimed to investigate the characteristics and survival data of biopsy-proven primary focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) in adult patients across Turkey.
Method
...Patients with primary FSGS were included by retrospectively scanning the database of the Turkish Society of Nephrology Glomerular Diseases Study Group (TSN-GOLD). Demographic and laboratory data of the patients at baseline, sixth month, first year, and third year were recorded. Patients with secondary FSGS, missing data were excluded.
Results
The study included 1668 patients with primary FSGS who met the criteria. 1386 patients were included. The mean age of the patients was 41.16±13.88 years, and 712 patients (51.4%) were male. The total follow-up period from the biopsy date was 37.63±40.45 (IQR:1-249) months. The mean blood pressure of the patients, respectively; 130.43±17.63/81.47±10.85 mmHg, serum creatinine 1.29±1.28 mg/dl, e-GFR: 86.10±42.70 ml/min/1.73 m2, serum albumin: 3.41±0.92 g/dl and proteinuria amount was 4687±4658 g/day. Microscopic hematuria was detected in 40.2% of the patients. The rate of admission with nephrotic syndrome was .45.7%. In light microscopy, the mean glomeruli count was 17.36±10.58, with 3.32±4.08 global sclerosis and 0.08±065 glomeruli had segmental sclerosis. Mesangial proliferation was found in 53.1% of the patients and interstitial inflammation was found in 69.7% of the patients. Interestingly, the most common immunoglobulin staining was IgM (19.3%) in the immunofluorescent microscope. The rate of receiving immunosuppressive therapy was 36%. A positive correlation was found in terms of serum creatinine, albumin, and proteinuria in the 3-year follow-up (p<0.001). In the univariate analysis, the group with e-GFR<60 ml/min/1.73 m2 was older, hypertensive, uremic, anemic, had more interstitial fibrosis/tubular atrophy and less interstitial inflammation and mesangial proliferation (p<0.001). In terms of quantitative proteinuria, Patients with proteinuria >3.5 g/day were more hypertensive, hyperlipidemic, hypoalbuminemic and anemic (p<0.05).
Conclusion
Our study presented important data on the status of patients with national primary FSGS. Approximately one-third of patients receive immunosuppressive therapy. The most important factors determining the prognosis of primary FSGS are the initial nephrotic proteinuria and the degree of renal function.
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is considered a public health burden and most common cause of mortality in all over the world. The latency time for developing CVD may be several decades. the objective ...of this study was to examine the relationship between body composition and Left Ventriculare Mass Index (LVMI) in newly diognosed hypertensive patients.
We enrolled 120 new-diagnosed hypertensive patients (mean age 45 ± 8 years) who admitted to our nephrology clinic. Body fat percentage (BFP) was measured by bioelectrical impedance (BIA). Echocardiography examinations were performed for all patients.
Mean values of Waist hip ratio, Body mass ındex, Body fat percentage, Systolic blood pressure, Diastolic blood pressure were significantly higher for females than males (all p values <0.05). The female patients had higher LVMI than male patients (94.8 ± 13.1 vs 89.2 ± 14.6, p < 0.05). The study patients were divided into 3 groups according to their BFP defined by BIA. Group 3 patients, who exhibited higher body fat, had significantly higher BMI (p < 0,05), total leukocyte count (p < 0.05), CRP (p < 0.05), triglyceride (p < 0.05), and female predominance. Group 3 patients were statistically older than group 1 patients (46.2 vs. 40.6 years, p < 0.05). Additionally, LVMI levels were higher in Group 3 than Group 1 (p < 0.05) (Table 3). In logistic regression analysis, independent factors affecting LVMI were age, weight, gender and BFP (all p values were <0.05).
BFP was associated with higher LVMI, in newly diognosed hypertensive patients. Its use results in significantly lower proportions of individuals with LVH in the population, in particular among hypertensive and the obese patients.