EEG spectral changes induced by hemodialysis.

Objective: To investigate the EEG spectral changes induced during hemodialysis in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), and to identify the risk factors associated with changes in the Central Nervous System (CNS) during hemodialysis. Paradoxical neurological deterioration at the end of hemodialysis sessions, known as dialysis disequilibrium syndrome (DDS) has been described, but previous studies on EEG spectral changes during hemodialysis were controversial.

Methods: We performed quantitative EEG spectral analysis in 56 consecutive patients who underwent hemodialysis.

Ghrelin and acyl ghrelin levels are associated with inflammatory and nutritional markers and with cardiac and vascular dysfunction parameters in hemodialysis patients.

Purpose: Exogenous ghrelin is associated with cardiovascular protection in experimental and human studies. Nevertheless ESRD patients have increased ghrelin levels and severe cardiovascular comorbidities. This study aims to elucidate the metabolic factors influencing endogenous ghrelin/acyl ghrelin levels and to analyze the relation between endogenous ghrelin/acyl ghrelin levels and cardiac and vascular function markers in hemodialysis patients.

Matrix-Metalloproteinase-2 Predicts Arteriovenous Fistula Failure in Hemodialysis Patients.

In hemodialysis patients the principal cause of arteriovenous fistula dysfunction is stenosis. Matrix-metalloproteinase-2 is implicated in the pathophysiological mechanism of stenosis development. Our study tried to assess the clinical impact of this protease on arteriovenous fistula survival.

Insomnia, muscular cramps and pruritus have low intensity in hemodialysis patients with good dialysis efficiency, low inflammation and arteriovenous fistula.

Introduction: Insomnia, muscular cramps, pruritus and postdialysis recovery time (RT) are quality-of-life parameters that affect hemodialysis (HD) patients physically and mentally.

Methods: We included 171 end-stage renal disease patients: 115 on high-flux HD and 56 on online hemodiafiltration (HDF). Patients were asked "How long does it take you to recover from a dialysis session?" and they evaluated intensity (absent, mild, medium and severe) of insomnia, muscular cramps and pruritus in the past 4 weeks.

Osteoprotegerin and uremic osteoporosis in chronic hemodialysis patients.

Introduction: Osteoprotegerin (OPG) is a powerful inhibitor of osteoclast activity, and it plays an important role in bone metabolism. In hemodialysis (HD) patients, the relationship between OPG and bone mineral density (BMD) is important, but remains unclear yet. The study objective was to assess the OPG role related to uremic osteoporosis in HD patients.