Association Between Lipophilic Beta-Blockers and Depression in Diabetic Patients on Chronic Dialysis.

Background: Depression is associated with lower quality of life and increased risk of mortality. The prevalence of depression in chronic dialysis patients, as well as in patients with diabetes, is more than 20%. It is debated whether use of beta-blockers increases the risk of depression.

Symptom dimensions of anxiety and depression in patients receiving peritoneal dialysis compared to haemodialysis.

Background: Differences in symptom burden, treatment satisfaction and autonomy between patients receiving peritoneal dialysis and haemodialysis could be reflected by a difference in symptom dimensions of anxiety and depression. The aim of this study is to assess differences in prevalence and symptom dimensions of anxiety and depression between patients receiving peritoneal dialysis and haemodialysis.

Methods: Baseline data from the Depression Related Factors and Outcomes in Dialysis Patients With Various Ethnicities and Races Study were used.

Longitudinal Associations Between Inflammation and Depressive Symptoms in Chronic Dialysis Patients.

Objective: Patients undergoing chronic dialysis often display sustained elevations of inflammation markers and also have a high prevalence of depressive symptoms. Although multiple studies demonstrated cross-sectional associations between inflammation markers and depressive symptoms in this patient group, longitudinal associations have not been examined. We therefore investigated whether longitudinal associations exist between inflammation markers and depressive symptoms in chronic dialysis patients.

Differences in the association of inflammation and tryptophan with depressive symptoms between white and non-white chronic dialysis patients.

Objective: Possibly, different biochemical parameters are involved in the development of depressive symptoms in white and non-white dialysis patients. We examined whether the association between inflammation and depressive symptoms and between tryptophan and depressive symptoms differs between white and non-white dialysis patients and whether the association between inflammation and depressive symptoms is mediated by tryptophan degradation along the kynurenine pathway in both groups.

Method: Depressive symptoms were measured with the BDI-II.

The role of tryptophan degradation in the association between inflammatory markers and depressive symptoms in chronic dialysis patients.

Background: Among chronic dialysis patients, associations have been found between inflammatory markers and depressive symptoms. In this population, no studies have examined the mechanism linking the association between inflammatory markers and depressive symptoms. We examined whether the association between inflammatory markers and depressive symptoms is mediated by tryptophan (TRP) degradation along the kynurenine (KYN) pathway.

The association of acculturation and depressive and anxiety symptoms in immigrant chronic dialysis patients.

Objective: Among immigrant chronic dialysis patients, depressive and anxiety symptoms are common. We aimed to examine the association of acculturation, i.e.

Differences in survival on chronic dialysis treatment between ethnic groups in Denmark: a population-wide, national cohort study.

Background: In Western countries, black and Asian dialysis patients experience better survival compared with white patients. The aim of this study is to compare the survival of native Danish dialysis patients with that of dialysis patients originating from other countries and to explore the association between the duration of residence in Denmark before the start of dialysis and the mortality on dialysis.

Methods: We performed a population-wide national cohort study of incident chronic dialysis patients in Denmark (≥18 years old) who started dialysis between 1995 and 2010.

Association of depressive and anxiety symptoms with adverse events in Dutch chronic kidney disease patients: a prospective cohort study.

Background: Depressive symptoms have been reported to be associated with adverse clinical outcome in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) not on dialysis. This association has not been examined in Europe. Anxiety and depressive symptoms often co-occur.

Completeness of medication-related information in discharge letters and post-discharge general practitioner overviews.

Background: Communication and documentation of medication-related information are needed to improve continuity of care.

Objective: To assess the completeness of medication-related information in discharge letters and post-discharge general practitioner (GP)-overviews.

Setting: A general teaching hospital in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

Short-Form 12 or Short-Form 36 to measure quality-of-life changes in dialysis patients?

Background: Short-Form 36 (SF-36) is a self-report health-related quality-of-life (HRQOL) questionnaire, widely used in dialysis patients. It consists of physical and mental component scores (PCS/MCS), ranging from 0 to 100. To improve efficiency, the Short-Form 12 (SF-12) was developed to reproduce PCS and MCS.

[The refeeding syndrome].

The refeeding syndrome may occur during reintroduction of carbohydrates in malnourished patients. This syndrome is characterized by reduced plasma electrolyte levels, hypophosphataemia being most prevalent. The symptoms can vary from minor symptoms to severe neurological or cardiac symptoms.

[Recurrent isolated angioedema as a result of acquired C1 inhibitor deficiency].

Isolated angioedema may be the presenting symptom of acquired C1 inhibitor (C1-INH) deficiency. C1-INH deficiency is associated with lymphoproliferative disorders. Treatment of the underlying disease can result in a complete reversal of clinical and complement abnormalities.

Differences in progression to ESRD between black and white patients receiving predialysis care in a universal health care system.

Background And Objectives: Studies performed in the United States showed that blacks progress from CKD to ESRD faster than do whites. Possible explanations are differences in health care system factors. This study investigated whether progression is also faster in a universal health care system, where all patients receive comparable care.

How baseline, new-onset, and persistent depressive symptoms are associated with cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular mortality in incident patients on chronic dialysis.

Objective: Depressive symptoms are associated with mortality among patients on chronic dialysis therapy. It is currently unknown how different courses of depressive symptoms are associated with both cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular mortality.

Methods: In a Dutch prospective nation-wide cohort study among incident patients on chronic dialysis, 1077 patients completed the Mental Health Inventory, both at 3 and 12months after starting dialysis.

Need for prolonged immunosupressive therapy in CLIPPERS--a case report.

Background: Chronic lymphocytic inflammation with pontine perivascular enhancement responsive to steroids (CLIPPERS) was first described in 2010 by Pittock and colleagues. All reported patients presented with diplopia and gait ataxia and had similar typical MRI findings with punctuate gadolinium enhancement of the pons. Alternative diagnoses were excluded by means of laboratory, radiological and histological tests.

The transition to hospital consultant and the influence of preparedness, social support, and perception: A structural equation modelling approach.

Background: Insight into the transition from specialist registrar to hospital consultant is needed to better align specialty training with starting as a consultant and to facilitate this transition.

Aims: This study investigates whether preparedness regarding medical and generic competencies, perceived intensity, and social support are associated with burnout among new consultants.

Method: A population-based study among all 2643 new consultants in the Netherlands (all specialties) was conducted in June 2010.

18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography in elderly patients with an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate of unknown origin.

Patients with an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and non-specific symptoms often pose a diagnostic dilemma. PET/CT visualises infection, inflammation and malignancy, all of which may cause elevated ESR. The objective of this study was to determine the contribution of 18F-fluorodeoxglucose positron emission tomography (PET/CT) in the diagnostic work-up of referred patients with an elevated ESR, in whom initial routine evaluation did not reveal a diagnosis.

New consultants mastering the role of on-call supervisor: a longitudinal qualitative study.

Context: The supervision of specialty registrars during on-call shifts is essential to ensure the quality of both health care and medical education, but has been identified as a major novelty and stressor for new consultants in the transition from specialty training. There is a paucity of research on how consultants deal with their new supervisory roles and which factors influence this process. These issues are addressed in a prospective study designed to gather insights that can inform measures to ensure the provision of high-quality supervision and specialty training.

The transition to hospital consultant: Denmark and the Netherlands compared on preparedness for practice, perceived intensity and contextual factors.

Introduction: Danish and Dutch new consultants' perceptions regarding the transition to consultant were compared to gain insight into this period, particularly the influence of contextual factors concerning the organisation of specialty training and health care therein. Preparation for medical and generic competencies, perceived intensity and burnout were compared. Additionally, effects of differences in working conditions and cultural dimensions were explored.

Short-term versus long-term effects of depressive symptoms on mortality in patients on dialysis.

Objective: Depressive symptoms seem to pose a risk factor for mortality among patients on dialysis. It is currently unknown whether the association is only short-lived and whether associations over time depend on specific causes of mortality.

Methods: In a prospective nationwide cohort study, 1528 patients with end-stage renal disease starting on dialysis completed the Mental Health Inventory.

Comparison of the SF-36 Five-item Mental Health Inventory and Beck Depression Inventory for the screening of depressive symptoms in chronic dialysis patients.

Background: The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) is a standard and validated questionnaire to screen for depressive symptoms in chronic dialysis patients, but is relatively extensive to use repeatedly in clinical practice. We investigated whether the five-item Mental Health Inventory (MHI-5) of the 36-item Short-Form Health Survey Questionnaire (SF-36) could be applied to screen for depressive symptoms in dialysis patients. Moreover, we determined the optimal MHI-5 cut-off score to assess depressive symptoms.

The role of psychosocial factors in ethnic differences in survival on dialysis in the Netherlands.

Introduction: Ethnic minority patients on dialysis are reported to have better survival rates relative to Caucasians. The reasons for this finding are not fully understood and European studies are scarce. This study examined whether ethnic differences in survival could be explained by patient characteristics, including psychosocial factors.

[Health risks and advice for Hajj pilgrims].

The Hajj, the pilgrimage to Mecca, is the largest mass migration in the world. Each year, 2.5 million Muslims from over 160 countries travel to the same place, 5000-6000 of these being from the Netherlands.

Bariatric surgery as a novel treatment for type 2 diabetes mellitus: a systematic review.

Objective: To systematically review the literature pertaining to the reversal of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and adjustable gastric banding.

Data Sources: We conducted a review of the literature using PubMed and searched the reference lists of published studies to identify additional studies.

Study Selection: We selected all published articles that were relevant with respect to bariatric surgery and its metabolic effects.