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.