Comparative Analysis of Vascular Calcification Risk Factors in Pre-Hemodialysis and Prevalent Hemodialysis Adult Patients: Insights into Calcification Biomarker Associations and Implications for Intervention Strategies in Chronic Kidney Disease.

This retrospective study aimed to compare risk factors for vascular calcification (VC) between pre-hemodialysis (HD) and prevalent HD adult patients while investigating associations with calcification biomarkers. Baseline data from 30 pre-HD and 85 HD patients were analyzed, including iPTH, vitamin D, FGF 23, fetuin-A, sclerostin, and VC scores (Adragao method). Prevalence of VC was similar in both groups, but HD patients had more frequent VC scores ≥ 6.

Significance of acPWV for Survival of Hemodialysis Patients.

Background And Objectives: Abnormal arterial stiffness (AS) is a major complication in end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) patients treated by dialysis. Our study aimed to determine the significance of AS for survival of prevalent dialysis patients, as well as its association with cardiovascular parameters or vascular calcification promoters/inhibitors or both and AS.

Materials And Methods: The study involved 80 adult hemodialysis patients.

Increased Glomerular Filtration Rate in Early Stage of Balkan Endemic Nephropathy.

: A previous study indicated that Balkan endemic nephropathy (BEN) patients in the early stage of the disease had significantly higher creatinine clearance (Ccr) than healthy persons. The aim of the study was to assess whether tubular creatinine secretion affects Ccr in early stages of BEN and to check the applicability of serum creatinine-based glomerular filtration rate (GFR) equations in these patients. : The study involved 21 BEN patients with estimated GFR (eGFR) above 60 mL/min/1.

How common is Balkan endemic nephropathy among immigrants in endemic regions?

Purpose: In the early 1970s, a number of authors described the development of Balkan endemic nephropathy (BEN) in immigrants in endemic regions. The aim of this study was to examine whether immigrants in endemic regions are suffering from BEN today.

Methods: The study involved 193 residents of two endemic regions divided into three groups: two groups of native residents-(1) members of BEN families, (2) members of non-BEN families, and (3) immigrants, who had moved from non-affected settlements to the endemic regions of Kolubara (38 years ago) or Semberia (20 years ago).

Compliance with guidelines and predictors of mortality in hemodialysis. Learning from Serbia patients.

Objectives: The aims of the study were to determine the percentage of patients on regular hemodialysis (HD) in Serbia failing to meet KDOQI guidelines targets and find out factors associated with the risk of time to death and the association between guidelines adherence and patient outcome.

Methods: A cohort of 2153 patients on regular HD in 24 centers (55.7% of overall HD population) in Serbia were followed from January 2010 to December 2012.

Comprehensive geriatric assessment: comparison of elderly hemodialysis patients and primary care patients.

Backgrounds: The quality of life and survival of elderly depend not only on their age but on many social and health factors. In the present study, comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) was made in elderly patients on regular hemodialysis (HD) and those without chronic kidney disease recruited in primary health care in order to compare their sociodemographic characteristics, physical health, functional ability and social support.

Method: The 106 HD patients and 300 primary care patients aged 70 years and more were studied.

Dialysis headache in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis.

Objectives: Headache is among most frequently encountered neurological symptom during hemodialysis (HD), but still under investigated in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. The aim of this study was to assess the incidence and clinical characteristics of dialysis headache (DH) in HD and PD patients.

Material And Methods: A total of 409 patients (91 on PD and 318 on HD) were interviewed using a structured questionnaire, designed according to the diagnostic criteria of the International Headache Classification of Headache Disorders from 2004.

The pharmacokinetics of recombinant human erythropoietin in Balkan endemic nephropathy patients.

Background: Balkan endemic nephropathy (BEN) hemodialysis patients require a higher dose of recombinant human erythropoietin for maintaining target hemoglobin level than patients with other kidney diseases.

Objectives: Comparison of the pharmacokinetics of beta-erythropoietin given subcutaneously to hemodialysis patients with BEN or other kidney diseases (non-BEN).

Methods: Recombinant human erythropoietin (75 U/kg) was administered subcutaneously to 10 BEN and 14 non-BEN hemodialysis patients.

Urinary protein patterns in patients with Balkan endemic nephropathy.

Purpose: Urinary excretion of beta2-microglobulin (beta2-MG), albumin, immunoglobulin G (IgG) and protein was examined in patients with Balkan endemic nephropathy (BEN), glomerulonephritis (GN) and healthy controls.

Methods: The proteins were measured in morning urine samples from 74 patients with BEN, 50 healthy persons and 22 patients with GN.

Results: In BEN patients, median values for albumin, beta2-MG and protein were above upper normal limits, but median IgG was inside normal range.

Trends in incidence and prevalence of Balkan endemic nephropathy in the three most affected villages in Serbia over a 36-year period.

The study was undertaken with the aim to evaluate trends in incidence and prevalence of Balkan endemic nephropathy (BEN) in the villages Šopić, Petka, and Vreoci, Lazarevac municipality, Serbia. Data concerning BEN notifications in the population-based registry of the Special Hospital for Endemic Nephropathy, Lazarevac were used to evaluate BEN incidence rates in the three villages over the period 1973-2008. Population estimates were based on national census data.

Epidemiology of end-stage renal disease and hemodialysis treatment in Serbia at the turn of the millennium.

The study presents the epidemiological features of patients treated with renal replacement therapy (RRT) in Serbia from 1997 to 2009 and compares the results of hemodialysis treatment in 1999 and 2009. Epidemiological data were obtained from the National Registry of RRT patients and data on hemodialysis treatment from special surveys conducted in 1999 and 2009. Within the period 1997-2009 the incidence of patients on RRT increased from 108 to 179 per million population (pmp), prevalence rose from 435 to 699 pmp, while mortality rate fell from 20.

Time trends in Balkan endemic nephropathy incidence in the most affected region in Serbia, 1977-2009: the disease has not yet disappeared.

Background: Balkan endemic nephropathy (BEN) is a familial chronic kidney disease, which occurs only in some regions of the Balkan Peninsula. The aim of this study was to determine the main epidemiological features of BEN in the Kolubara region, the most affected region in Serbia, and to try to elucidate the controversial issue of whether or not BEN is tapering off.

Methods: To evaluate the BEN incidence rates in the municipality of Lazarevac over a 33-year period (1977-2009), we used data of BEN notifications from the BEN Registry located in the Special Hospital for Endemic Nephropathy, Lazarevac.

Beta2-microglobulin and alpha1-microglobulin as markers of Balkan endemic nephropathy, a worldwide disease.

Background:  Urine beta2-microglobulin (beta2-MG) was mainly used as a tubular marker of Balkan endemic nephropathy (BEN) but recently alpha1-microglobulin (alpha1-MG) was proposed for the diagnosis of BEN. In this study, the potential of urine beta2-MG, alpha1-MG, albumin, and total protein in the differentiation of BEN from healthy persons and patients with glomerulonephritis (GN) and nephrosclerosis (NS) was examined.

Methods:  This study involved 47 patients with BEN, 36 with GN, 11 with NS, 30 healthy subjects from BEN families, and 46 healthy subjects from non-BEN families.

[Investigation of Balkan endemic nephropathy in Serbia: how to proceed?].

Balkan endemic nephropathy (BEN) presents an unsolved puzzle despite fifty years of its investigation. Academy of Medical Sciences of the Serbian Medical Society organized a round table discussion on current unsolved problems related to BEN. The present paper summarizes presentations, discussion and conclusions of this meeting.

Transforming growth factor-beta 1 in Balkan endemic nephropathy.

Background/aim: The aim of this study was to compare plasma and urine transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) levels in patients with different stages of Balkan endemic nephropathy (BEN) with those in patients with primary glomerulonephritis (GN) and healthy controls.

Methods: The study involved 47 patients with BEN (30 with manifest BEN and 17 in the early stage of BEN), 12 patients with GN and 10 healthy controls. Plasma and urine TGF-beta1 was assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Comparison of kidney size between patients with Balkan endemic nephropathy and other kidney diseases.

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between kidney dimensions and creatinine clearance (Ccr) in patients with Balkan endemic nephropathy (BEN), nephrosclerosis (NSc), glomerulonephritis (GN), diabetic nephropathy (DN) and in healthy persons. The main objective was to find out at which stage of BEN the kidneys start to shrink.

Methods: The study involved 84 patients with BEN, 39 with NSc, 56 with GN, 55 with DN, and 52 healthy subjects, allocated to group 1 (n = 28) sex- and age-matched with BEN/NSc patients, or group 2 (n = 24) sex- and age-matched with GN/DN patients.

Contribution to the definition of diagnostic criteria for Balkan endemic nephropathy.

Background: Diagnostic criteria for Balkan endemic nephropathy (BEN) have not been precisely established. In the present study the predictive value of variables previously proposed as diagnostic criteria for BEN was examined.

Methods: The study involved 182 patients: 98 patients with BEN, 57 patients with other kidney diseases (20 with glomerulonephritis, 17 with tubulointerstitial diseases and 20 with hypertensive nephrosclerosis) and 27 healthy subjects.

Evaluation of criteria for the diagnosis of Balkan endemic nephropathy.

Background: The diagnosis of Balkan endemic nephropathy (BEN) is often made using Danilovic's criteria. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence, sensitivity, specificity, and predictive value of Danilovic's criteria and several additional indices.

Methods: The study included 19 BEN patients, 23 BEN-suspected patients, 34 patients with other kidney diseases, and 23 healthy controls.

Prevalence of Balkan endemic nephropathy has not changed since 1971 in the Kolubara region in Serbia.

Background/aims: Thirty-one years after the first cross-sectional study, the population of Vreoci, a Balkan endemic nephropathy (BEN) village, was reinvestigated in order to determine the current prevalence of BEN and the clinical and laboratory characteristics of BEN family members with detected signs of kidney disease.

Methods: A total of 2,009 inhabitants (82% of the adult population) of the village were examined. Danilovic's criteria were used for diagnosis and classification of BEN.

Detection of renal dysfunctions in family members of patients with Balkan endemic nephropathy.

Background/aim: Recent studies have questioned whether new cases of Balkan endemic nephropathy (BEN) are occurring. The aim of the present study was to find out whether new members with renal dysfunctions can be identified among family members of BEN patients from the Kolubara region.

Methods: The study included 47 family members of 5 BEN patients on hemodialysis (HD) and 17 members of 3 non-BEN patients on HD.