Estimation of glomerular filtration rate: does haemoglobin discriminate between ageing and true CKD?

Aim: The aim of this study was to analyse the association between chronic kidney disease (CKD) defined by an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <60 ml/min/ 1.73 m(2) and anaemia in older people.

Background: Guidelines focus on early identification and management of CKD to prevent CKD progression and cardiovascular disease.

The effect of stopping smoking on blood pressure--a controlled trial.

Epidemiological studies have found evidence of lower blood pressure in smokers and predict an increase in blood pressure after stopping smoking. We have therefore monitored blood pressure change in 33 smokers following entry into a 6-week smoking cessation programme and compared the results to 33 matched controls who continued their normal smoking habits over the same period. Fourteen subjects were successful in quitting smoking for the entire 6 weeks, 13 were unsuccessful and 6 withdrew before completion of the programme.

Smoking withdrawal programme: baseline indicators of smoking exposure and biochemical monitoring of successful outcome.

Sixty-four subjects who participated in a smoking withdrawal programme were analysed with respect to the relative usefulness of biochemical and hematological indices of smoking exposure. Plasma thiocyanate was found to be the best biochemical correlate of baseline cigarette consumption when compared to salivary thiocyanate or expired air carbon monoxide. Both plasma and salivary thiocyanate also correlated significantly with depth of inhalation per cigarette but not with any other questionnaire index of smoking exposure.