Short- and Long-term Effects of Dialysate Calcium Concentrations on Mineral and Bone Metabolism in Hemodialysis Patients: The K4 Study.

Rationale & Objective: The short- and long-term impact of conversion of dialysate calcium concentration from either 2.5 or 3.0 mEq/L to 2.

[A cross-sectional study of renal function based on estimated glomerular filtration rate and urinary protein levels related to risk factors for cardiovascular events and metabolic syndrome in local residents].

Objectives: In a cross-sectional study, we investigated renal function based on estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and urinary protein levels from Specific Health Examinations in Kitakyushu city related to risk factors for cardiovascular events and metabolic syndrome in residents.

Methods:  For this study, 21,625 citizens (male/female=8,637/12,988) of Kitakyushu city were investigated. Citizens were enrolled in national health insurance and data were collected from a database classified for "Specific Health Guidance" by the Kokura Medical Association health testing and services center in 2010.

A huge fecalith associated with dialysis-related gastrointestinal amyloidosis.

A 60-year-old man who had been receiving dialysis for more than 30 years was admitted for treatment of cellulitis in his right thigh on November 7, 2003. He suffered from an ileus on December 14 and was found to have a huge, 7-cm-diameter, well-circumscribed fecalith, incarcerated at the splenic flexure of the colon. It was proving difficult to pass this naturally and surgical removal was thought to be too risky.

[Characteristics of the patients who received parathyroidectomy within 5 years after the initiation of hemodialysis].

Thirteen patients, who received parathyroidectomy within 5 years after the initiation of hemodialysis, were discussed on their clinical characteristics and their prognoses. 204 patients received the first parathyroidectomy due to secondary hyperparathyroidism in our department, 13 of which were selected on dialysis duration. 9 patients were female and origin of CRF were analgesics-induced interstitial nephritis in 2 and prune-belly syndrome in 1.

Impaired taste acuity in patients with diabetes mellitus on maintenance hemodialysis.

Aims: It has been reported that taste acuity for the four primary tastes, sour, sweet, salty and bitter, is impaired in hemodialysis (HD) patients. However, there have been no studies reported on taste acuity of diabetic HD patients. The present study aimed to quantify and compare the taste acuity of diabetic and non-diabetic HD patients, and further to determine if there were correlations between diminished taste acuity and certain blood serum parameters typically askew in hemodialysis patients.

Early effects of parathyroidectomy on erythropoietin production in secondary hyperparathyroidism.

Background: Secondary hyperparathyroidism (2-HPT) has an adverse effect on renal anemia and may cause a hyporesponsiveness to recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEpo) in patients with chronic renal failure. The early effects of parathyroidectomy (PTx) on renal anemia, erythropoietin production, and nutritional state were examined.

Methods: Twenty-nine patients under hemodialysis therapy received a PTx for 2-HPT.