Comparison of erythropoietin resistance in hemodialysis patients using calcitriol, cinacalcet, or paricalcitol.

The erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA) hyporesponsiveness index (EHRI) calculated as the weekly dose of EPO divided by weight (kg) divided by hemoglobin level (g/dL) has been considered useful to assess ESA resistance. Recent evidence suggests that active vitamin D, cinacalcet, and paricalcitol use may be related with lower ESA resistance. We conducted this observational cross-sectional study to investigate ESA resistance calculated by the EHRI among patients using calcitriol, cinacalcet, and paricalcitol.

The relationship between aortic knob width and various demographic, clinical, and laboratory parameters in stable hemodialysis patients.

Accelerated atherosclerosis is very common in hemodialysis (HD) patients and is related to morbidity and mortality. The aortic knob width (AKW), which can easily be calculated on chest radiographs has also been found to be related to atherosclerosis in patients with normal renal function. The importance of AKW in HD patients is not known.

The relationship between red cell distribution width with erythropoietin resistance in iron replete hemodialysis patients.

Background: Recently, erythropoietin resistance (ER) has been shown to be related with cardiovascular and overall mortality in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Red blood cell distribution width (RDW) has also shown to be associated with cardiovascular and all cause mortality in general population. Thus in the current study we tested the hypothesis that RDW and erythropoietin resistance as determined by erythropoiesis stimulating agents (ESA) hyporesponsiveness index (EHRI) may be related with each other in iron replete HD patients.

Effects of sildenafil and vardenafil on erectile dysfunction and health-related quality of life in haemodialysis patients: a prospective randomized crossover study.

Background: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is prevalent in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and has been associated with impaired health-related quality of life (HRQoL). HRQoL, in turn, is related to morbidity and mortality in ESRD patients. Previous studies have shown improved HRQoL with ED treatment using sildenafil and vardenafil.

Early and intensive fluid replacement prevents acute renal failure in the crush cases associated with spontaneous collapse of an apartment in Konya.

Background: Crush syndrome developing as a result of earthquake and other natural disasters has been investigated from many angles to date. Data are scarce, however, on cases associated with the spontaneous crash of buildings. This study presents the results on seven rhabdomyolysis patients treated in our clinics out of nine casualties who were rescued from the rubble of Zümrüt apartment after the building collapsed suddenly and spontaneously.

Dental erosion in chronic renal failure.

Dental erosion is a common oral finding in chronic renal failure and may develop due to extrinsic and/or intrinsic causes. The aim of this study was to compare the salivary calcium and phosphorus levels, salivary flow rate, salivary buffer capacity, salivary pH, serum calcium and phosphorus levels and parathyroid hormone levels in chronic renal failure patients with and without dental erosion. Twenty-four men and 19 women who had had chronic renal failure for at least 2 years were studied.

Relationship of ENOS and RAS gene polymorphisms to initial peritoneal transport status in peritoneal dialysis patients.

Background: Peritoneal membrane permeability is of major importance for adequate dialysis and fluid balance in peritoneal dialysis (PD) therapy. The peritoneal capillary endothelium plays a key role in peritoneal transport. Nitric oxide derived from endothelial cells is related to the maintenance of vascular permeability.

The booster phenomenon in 2-step tuberculin skin testing of patients receiving long-term hemodialysis.

Background: Tuberculosis remains a significant health problem for patients receiving long-term hemodialysis (HD). The tuberculin skin test (TST) is an important method for detecting Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. This study examined the significance and frequency of the booster phenomenon in serial TST of HD patients.