Immune Response after Anti-SARS-CoV-2 mRNA Vaccination in Relation to Cellular Immunity, Vitamin D and Comorbidities in Hemodialysis Patients.

In the global threat of SARS-CoV-2, individuals undergoing maintenance dialysis represent a vulnerable population with an increased risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes. Therefore, immunization against SARS-CoV-2 is an essential component of healthcare strategy for these patients. Existing data indicate that they tend to exhibit a reduced immune response to vaccines compared to the general population.

Immune Response after SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination in Kidney Transplant Patients.

: The prospective study was conducted to evaluate humoral and cellular immune responses after two doses of BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech) vaccine and possible relation with other factors (medication, etc.) in kidney transplant patients. : Out of 167 vaccinated patients, 136 agreed to a follow-up visit three to six weeks after vaccination.

Mortality Prediction in Patients with Severe Acute Kidney Injury Requiring Renal Replacement Therapy.

: Acute kidney injury (AKI) remains a serious health condition around the world, and is related to high morbidity, mortality, longer hospitalization duration and worse long-term outcomes. The aim of our study was to estimate the significant related factors for poor outcomes of patients with severe AKI requiring renal replacement therapy (RRT). : We retrospectively analyzed data from patients ( = 573) with severe AKI requiring RRT within a 5-year period and analyzed the outcomes on discharge from the hospital.

Hepcidin serum levels and resistance to recombinant human erythropoietin therapy in hemodialysis patients.

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze the factors that are associated with the response to erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) and its association with hospitalization and mortality rates; to evaluate the serum hepcidin level and its associations with iron profile, inflammatory markers, ESA responsiveness, and mortality; and to determine independent factors affecting ERI and hepcidin.

Materials And Methods: To evaluate a dose-response effect of ESAs we used the erythropoietin resistance index (ERI). Patients were stratified in two groups: nonresponders and responders (ERI>15, n=20, and ERI ≤15U/kg/week/g per 100mL, n=153, respectively).

Renal anemia control in Lithuania: influence of local conditions and local guidelines.

Erythropoietin stimulating agents had a long haul in Lithuania--we had no epoetin till 1994 and there was no intravenous iron in 2001-2004. The aim of this study was to assess the changes of renal anemia control in hemodialysis patients from early independence of Lithuania till nowadays and to evaluate the link of anemia with hospitalization rates and survival and hemoglobin variability in association with mortality. In December of each year since 1996 all hemodialysis centers have been visited and data has been collected using special questionnaires.

Risk factors for cardiovascular hospitalization in hemodialysis patients.

Unlabelled: The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk factors for cardiovascular hospitalization in hemodialysis patients.

Materials And Methods: A cross-sectional cohort analysis of risk factors during one census month (November) and one-year follow-up for cardiovascular hospitalization rates during 5 consecutive years (2002-2006) in all end-stage renal disease patients hemodialyzed in Kaunas region was carried out. During the census month, we collected data on patient's age and sex, disability status, comorbidities, anemia control, malnutrition and inflammation, calcium-phosphorus metabolism, and patient's compliance with prescribed medications.

Ten-year experience of kidney transplantation at the Hospital of Kaunas University of Medicine: demography, complications, graft and patient survival.

Unlabelled: During 10 years, 163 cadaveric kidney transplantations were performed at the Hospital of Kaunas University of Medicine. The aim of this study was to analyze the first 10-year experience in kidney transplantation and to evaluate the most frequent early and late complications after transplantation, graft and patient survival, and impact of delayed graft function on graft survival.

Material And Methods: A total of 159 patients were included into the study.

[Reactivation of cytomegalovirus infection after kidney transplantation in Kaunas University of Medicine Hospital during the period of 2000-2006].

Cytomegalovirus infection has been associated with increased morbidity and mortality after transplantation and with diminished graft survival. After transplantation, more than 75% of solid organ transplant patients are newly infected with cytomegalovirus, or latent cytomegalovirus infection may be reactivated. The objective of our study was to evaluate reactivation rate of cytomegalovirus infection after kidney transplantation in Kaunas University of Medicine Hospital and its relation to anticytomegalovirus prophylaxis.

[Estimated average yearly treatment expenditures for hemodialysis patients (data of Kaunas University of Medicine Hospital in the year 2005)].

With increasing number of hemodialysis patients, expenditures for the treatment of hemodialysis patients are rising every year. The objective of our study was to collect and analyze the data on estimated average treatment expenditures, which were covered by State Patients' Fund, for patients undergoing hemodialysis in Kaunas University of Medicine Hospital in 2005 and the costs of medications paid by patient and to compare with the analogical data of the year 2001. We analyzed ambulatory case records of all 106 patients with end-stage renal disease who were hemodialyzed in Kaunas University of Medicine Hospital from November 1, 2004, to October 31, 2005.

[Infection-related hospitalization of hemodialysis patients].

Infection is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in hemodialysis patients. These patients are frequently hospitalized for infections. The objective of our study was to evaluate hospitalization rate for infections and to determine risk factors for infection-related hospitalizations of hemodialysis patients in Kaunas region, Lithuania.