Differences in the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and hip fractures in nursing home residents and independently living elderly.

Objective: To compare the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and fracture history in nursing home residents and community-dwelling elderly subjects and to explore the association of vitamin D levels with various characteristics.

Materials And Methods: Sixty-six nursing home residents and 139 community-dwelling elderly subjects participated. Marital status, medical history, medication including vitamin D supplements, smoking, past fractures were assessed.

High-intensity focussed ultrasound (HIFU) treatment in uraemic secondary hyperparathyroidism.

Background: The recently developed non-invasive high-intensity focussed ultrasound (HIFU) technique for the destruction of parathyroid adenomas could also be of interest for the treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHP) in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). We conducted a pilot study using this method.

Methods: Five chronic haemodialysis patients with severe SHP underwent one to three HIFU treatments, respectively.

Therapeutic equivalence of epoetin zeta and alfa, administered subcutaneously, for maintenance treatment of renal anemia.

Introduction: The primary objective of the trial was to prove the therapeutic equivalence of epoetin zeta to epoetin alfa when administered subcutaneously for maintaining target hemoglobin (Hb) in patients with renal anemia on chronic hemodialysis. Additional information was provided on the safety and tolerability of epoetin zeta with particular focus on the formation of anti-erythropoietin antibodies.

Methods: A total of 462 patients were randomized to either epoetin zeta or alfa for 28 weeks after an open period of dose adjustment of 12-16 weeks with only epoetin zeta.

Long-term safety and tolerability of epoetin zeta, administered intravenously, for maintenance treatment of renal anemia.

Introduction: The aim of this trial was to gather data on the long-term safety of a new erythropoietin preparation (epoetin zeta), focusing on the formation of anti-erythropoietin antibodies, when administered intravenously for maintenance of target hemoglobin concentration in anemic patients with end-stage renal failure receiving chronic hemodialysis. In addition, we aimed to provide information on the efficacy of epoetin zeta under open, noncontrolled conditions.

Methods: Patients received epoetin zeta intravenously, 1-3 times/week for 56 weeks (overall patient group, n=745) or 108 weeks (Bulgarian subgroup, n=164).

Cardiovascular risk with SCORE system in patients with different degree of renal function impairment.

A risk prediction system, Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation, that is based on European studies has been developed and recommended to define absolute 10-year risk of a fatal cardiovascular event and mortality. The aim of the study was to compare cardiovascular risk calculated with SCORE system at patients with different degree of renal impairment. The study included 90 patients divided in 4 groups: 1st group=30 patients without renal failure, 2nd group=25 patients with CRF in predialysis stage, 3rd group=19 hemodialysis non-diabetic patients and 4th group=16 hemodialysis diabetics patients.

Comparison of the therapeutic effects of epoetin zeta and epoetin alpha in the correction of renal anaemia.

Objective: To assess the therapeutic equivalence of epoetin zeta and epoetin alpha for correction of haemoglobin (Hb) concentration in patients with anaemia and chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage 5 maintained on haemodialysis.

Study Design: In total, 609 patients with CKD and anaemia (Hb < 9 g/dL) were randomly assigned to receive either epoetin zeta or epoetin alpha intravenously, one to three times per week for 24 weeks. Dosing was titrated individually to achieve a stable, target Hb concentration of 11-12 g/dL.

A centenary of auscultatory blood pressure measurement: a tribute to Nikolai Korotkoff.

In 1905, Dr. Nikolai Korotkoff (1874-1920), a Russian surgeon, discovered a simple and precise technique to measure arterial pressure. He was born on 26th February 1874 in the central Russian city of Kursk.

A transitory polycytaemia after parathyroidectomy for secondary hyperparathyroidism--a literature survey and a case study.

The present study is a literature review of a nephrological problem--secondary hyperparathyroidism, its surgical treatment and the effect of the intervention on the anemic syndrome in patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) on hemodialysis treatment. We present a case of a 29-year-old female hemodialysis patient with a transitory polycytaemia (duration of 5 months) after parathyroidectomy for secondary hyperparathyroidism. Prior to surgery she was constantly anemic in spite of epoetin treatment lasting 10 years.

The effect of smoking on peripheral insulin sensitivity and plasma endothelin level.

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of smoking on peripheral insulin effectiveness.

Methods: Seven healthy volunteers, nonsmokers, of mean age 39.6 +/- 7.

L-carnitine consecutively administered to patients on hemodialysis improves beta-cell response.

Eight patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD) on chronic hemodialysis (CHD) treatment were supplemented with 1 g L-carnitine intravenously (i.v.) after each dialysis session for one month.

Plasma levels of branched chain amino acids in patients on regular hemodialysis before and after including a high-protein supplement in their diet.

Chronic renal failure (CRF) patients on hemodialysis have low plasma level of the branched chain amino acids (BCAA) leucine, isoleucine, and valine. The abnormalities in the plasma amino acid pool can be corrected with appropriate high-protein supplements. The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of a balanced protein nutritional supplement on the plasma level of BCAA.

Evolution of renal replacement therapy in Central and Eastern Europe 7 years after political and economical liberation. Central and Eastern Europe Advisory Board in Chronic Renal Failure.

Purpose Of The Study: The conditions of renal replacement therapy (RRT) were very poor in the countries located in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) when they were members of the so-called 'socialist bloc'. The aim of the present analysis was to document the impact of the socioeconomic changes on dialysis therapy in the CEE countries.

Design: This was a special survey with the participation of 12 CEE countries, with data obtained through national registries (with the exception of Russia).

[Effect of autonomic pathology in uremia on the blood pressure during hemodialysis].

The state of the vegetative nervous system was studied by the deep respiration test, Valsalva test and the orthostatic test in 12 patients with terminal chronic renal failure and hypotension in the course of hemodialysis, 12 patients with stable hemodynamics in the course of hemodialysis and 12 healthy controls. By the deep respiration test the mean change of the cardiac rate in the patients with hypotension is significantly lower than that in the healthy controls (p less than 0.001) and that of the normotonic patients on hemodialysis (p less than 0.

[Peritonitis in patients treated by continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis].

With the present study the authors set themselves the task to compare the number of peritonitis episodes in patients treated with two types of systems: "Sorin-Biomedica" and "Travenol-(UV-XD)", in which disinfection of the connecting devices is achieved accordingly with chemical agents and with ultraviolet irradiation. Eleven patients have been observed from August 1984 through February 1989. The total duration of treatment was 156 months.

[An analysis of the survival and death rate of patients on periodic hemolysis treatment at the Hemodialysis Center of the Medical Academy in 1971-1987].

For a period of 17 years a total of 377 patients have been on hemodialysis treatment--242 men (64.2 per cent) and 135 women (35.8 per cent).

[A computer program for the drug dosage of patients with chronic kidney failure].

On the basis of the formula Mt = Mo.e-(Cl/Vd).t, a computer program was developed for estimating the maintenance drug dose in patients with chronic renal failure, depending on the creatinine clearance levels and the body mass.

[The effect of chronic kidney failure on electroneurographic changes in patients on hemodialysis treatment].

Electroneurographic examination of n. medianus, n. ulnaris, n.

[Prevention and treatment of cardiac rhythm disorders during hemodialysis].

16 patients with chronic renal failure and cardiac rhythm disorders which appear or aggravate in the course of hemodialysis were followed up. The most frequent cause for the appearance of arrhythmia in the course of hemodialysis is the dialyzing solution containing 2 mmol/l potassium. Some predisposing factors such as age, cardiac failure also play a role.

[Electrocardiographic changes in patients with chronic kidney failure treated by periodic hemodialysis].

The data from the analysis of 254 electrocardiograms of 110 patients with chronic renal insufficiency, treated with periodic hemodialysis are presented. The most often electrocardiographic change is the protraction of electric systole of the heart (interval QT). It is observed in 70% of the patients.