Higher serum free thyroxine levels are associated with increased risk of hip fractures in older men.

Overt and subclinical hyperthyroidism are associated with an increased fracture risk, but whether thyroid hormones are associated with fracture risk in individuals with normal thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) has mostly been investigated in women. Therefore, we investigated if serum levels of free thyroxine (FT4) or TSH are associated with fracture risk in Swedish men. We followed (median 12.

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Reninoma - rare juxtaglomerular tumor associated with hypertension We present a case study of two female patients, aged 20-30 years, who were diagnosed with reninoma, a rare juxtaglomerular tumor associated with hypertension, high plasma renin and hypokalemia. Both patients were referred to the Department of Internal Medicine at Sahlgrenska University Hospital, but their cases were ten years apart. In both instances, the renin-secreting tumor was surgically removed, resulting in the normalization of blood pressure without the need for antihypertensive medication.

Antieosinophil Antibodies Alone or in Combination with Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibodies (ANCA) Detected in Different Autoimmune Conditions.

Circulating antieosinophil antibodies (AEOSA) have been associated with various autoimmune conditions affecting the liver, kidneys, lungs, and joints but are not part of routine clinical diagnostics. While analyzing human sera for antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) by indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) on granulocytes, 0.8% of analyzed samples were found to be reactive with eosinophils.

Stratified genetic analysis reveals sex differences in MPO-ANCA-associated vasculitis.

Objective: To identify and genetically characterize subgroups of patients with ANCA-associated vasculitides (AAV) based on sex and ANCA subtype.

Methods: A previously established SNP dataset derived from DNA sequencing of 1853 genes and genotyping of 1088 Scandinavian cases with AAV and 1589 controls was stratified for sex and ANCA subtype and analysed for association with five top AAV SNPs. rs9274619, a lead variant at the HLA-DQB1/HLA-DQA2 locus previously associated with AAV positive for myeloperoxidase (MPO)-ANCA, was analysed for association with the cumulative disease involvement of ten different organ systems.

Plasma renin activity has a complex prognostic role in patients with acute coronary syndromes.

Background: Plasma renin activity (PRA) has been related to all-cause mortality and cardiovascular events in patients with cardiovascular disease. However, data from patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) are sparse.

Methods: Determination of PRA was made in 550 patients with ACS, including a subgroup of 287 patients not on treatment with angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers or diuretics, and without heart failure.

High platelet count is associated with low bone mineral density: The MrOS Sweden cohort.

Unlabelled: In elderly ambulatory men, high platelet and high neutrophil counts are related to low bone mineral density (BMD), after adjustment for relevant covariates. Low hemoglobin (hgb) is even associated with low BMD, but this relationship seems to be dependent on estradiol and osteocalcin.

Purpose: Blood and bone cells exist in close proximity to each other in the bone marrow.

Results of renal artery revascularization in the post-ASTRAL era with 4 years mean follow-up.

To investigate contemporary results of percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty (PTRA). A multicentre retrospective study analysing all patients treated with PTRA for primary symptomatic renal artery stenosis (RAS) between 2010 and 2013 at four tertiary centres. Procedures during the preceding four years were counted to evaluate for change in PTRA frequency.

High Plasma Erythropoietin Predicts Incident Fractures in Elderly Men with Normal Renal Function: The MrOS Sweden Cohort.

Preclinical studies on the role of erythropoietin (EPO) in bone metabolism are contradictory. Regeneration models indicate an anabolic effect on bone healing, whereas models on physiologic bone remodeling indicate a catabolic effect on bone mass. No human studies on EPO and fracture risk are available.

Long-term outcome of stenting for atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis and the effect of angiographic restenosis.

Background: Symptomatic renal artery stenosis (RAS) is mainly treated with pharmacological blood pressure control, sometimes with percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty (PTRA). It is unclear if PTRA benefits these patients over time.

Purpose: To determine long-term renal function, morbidity, and mortality in patients with symptomatic RAS treated with PTRA, and whether long-term outcomes are associated with angiographic restenosis.

Low serum iron is associated with high serum intact FGF23 in elderly men: The Swedish MrOS study.

Background: Fibroblast growth factor (FGF23) is a protein that is produced by osteoblasts and osteocytes. Increased serum levels of FGF23 have been associated with increased risks of osteoporotic fractures and cardiovascular disease, particularly in participants with poor renal function. Serum iron (Fe) has been suggested as a regulator of FGF23 homeostasis.

Outcomes in patients with chronic kidney disease not on dialysis receiving extended dosing regimens of darbepoetin alfa: long-term results of the EXTEND observational cohort study.

Background: Extended dosing of the erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA) darbepoetin alfa (DA) once biweekly or monthly reduces anaemia treatment burden. This observational study assessed outcomes and dosing patterns in patients with chronic kidney disease not on dialysis (CKD-NoD) commencing extended dosing of DA.

Methods: Adult CKD-NoD patients starting extended dosing of DA in Europe or Australia in June 2006 or later were followed up until December 2012.

Duplex ultrasound for identifying renal artery stenosis: direct criteria re-evaluated.

Background Renal artery duplex ultrasound (RADUS) is an established method for diagnosis of renal artery stenosis (RAS), but there is no consensus regarding optimal RADUS criteria. Purpose To define optimal cutoff values for RADUS parameters when screening for RAS using intra-arterial trans-stenotic pressure gradient measurement (PGM) as reference. Material and Methods The renal arteries of 58 consecutive patients evaluated for renovascular hypertension were examined by RADUS and PGM.

Association of renal biochemical parameters with left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in a community-based elderly population in China: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Relationship of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) with parameters that could provide more information than hemodynamic renal indexes has not been clarified. We aimed to explore the association of comprehensive renal parameters with LVDD in a community-based elderly population.

Methods: 1,166 community residents (aged ≥ 65 years, 694 females) participating in the Shanghai Heart Health Study with complete data of renal parameters were investigated.

Brain natriuretic peptides in atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis and effects of renal angioplasty.

Background: We hypothesized that plasma levels of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and N-terminal pro-BNP (NT-proBNP) would be elevated, and adiponectin concentrations reduced, in patients with atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis (ARAS) and that BNPs might be used to identify patients who would benefit from percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty (PTRA).

Methods: Data were collected before renal angiography in 91 patients with hypertension and suspected ARAS (significant ARAS; n=47, and non-RAS; n=44) and in 20 healthy controls (C). In ARAS patients analyses were repeated four weeks after PTRA.

Circulating anti-glomerular basement membrane antibodies with predominance of subclass IgG4 and false-negative immunoassay test results in anti-glomerular basement membrane disease.

Autoantibodies against a constituent of the glomerular basement membrane (GBM), the α3-chain of type IV collagen, can cause both rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis and alveolar hemorrhage, referred to as anti-GBM disease or Goodpasture disease. Anti-GBM antibodies generally are of immunoglobulin G subclass 1 (IgG1) and can in most cases readily be detected in the circulation using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). We report 4 cases in which anti-GBM ELISA yielded negative or borderline results despite life-threatening disease.

Unilateral adrenal hyperplasia is a usual cause of primary hyperaldosteronism. Results from a Swedish screening study.

Background: The existence of unilateral adrenal hyperplasia (AH) has been considered a rare cause of primary hyperaldosteronism (PA).

Methods: In a prospective study we screened for PA in a non-selected (NSP) and selected hypertensive population (SP), to define the cause of PA. We included 353 consecutive patients with hypertension; age 20 to 88 years, 165 women and 188 men, from a university-based Hypertension and Nephrology Outpatient clinics (123 SP) and two primary care centres, (230 NSP) from the same catch-up area.

An observational cohort study of extended dosing (once every 2 weeks or once monthly) regimens with darbepoetin alfa in patients with chronic kidney disease not on dialysis: the EXTEND study.

Background: Darbepoetin alfa (DA) has been shown to be an effective treatment of anaemia in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) not on dialysis (NoD). EXTEND is an observational study assessing the effectiveness of DA administered once biweekly (Q2W) or monthly (QM) in a general CKD-NoD population.

Methods: Adult CKD-NoD patients starting DA Q2W/QM treatment in June 2006 or later were eligible.

Oxidative stress and endothelin-1 in atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis and effects of renal angioplasty.

Aims: To examine biomarkers of oxidative stress (oxs), and endothelin (ET)-1, in hypertensive patients with atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis (ARAS) and to evaluate the effect of percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty (PTRA).

Methods: Baseline measurements were made immediately before renal angiography in patients with suspected ARAS (significant ARAS, n = 83, and non-RAS, n = 59) and in 20 healthy, matched controls. In patients with ARAS, analyses were repeated 4 weeks after PTRA.

Lipoprotein abnormalities in patients with atherosclerotic renovascular disease.

Background: Patients with atherosclerotic renovascular disease (ARVD) have a high risk of cardiovascular death. The primary aim was to characterize abnormalities in apolipoprotein (Apo)-defined lipoprotein (Lp) subclasses in patients with ARVD.

Methods: Baseline measurements were performed on 42 patients with ARVD 4 weeks after renal angioplasty (PTRA).